What's up, everybody. Welcome to the first episode of the Why We're Doing any Way Now. I wanted to start this podcast because I'm retired from basketball and I have nothing to do. That's the first lie I told I have so many things going on. It's so many things to do, but I thought it would be very important for me. It's someone who's curious and someone who wants to learn, to have an opportunity to learn from people that I admire, people that I feel like our goats of their sports, people that are goats in their field, but just people who have interesting, inspirational things going on in life. And so I'm used to being on that side, but now I'm on this side, and so I kind of get the control the conversations, and I want it to be exactly that. I don't want it to be interview. I wanted to feel like a conversation, some with friends, some with people that you might see me googly at over or Meyer, but just really a conversation that goes back and forth about what it takes to be successful, about what motivated you, about what your dogs eat, anything that we want to cover. I want to be able to talk about it so as you guys see behind me, I was able to have a lot of successes in life. And I highlight my three NBA trophies, not because I'm only a narcissist, but because when you understand what goes into winning one trophy and then you get to see two, you get to see three, I think you have a little bit more respect for the individual that individuals that are part of the team. And so hopefully some of these conversations that we have with some greats, some great minds, can give you a little bit more and a little bit more background on what it takes to have a trophy, and not just in sports, in life, how do you get to that level, that that top level that we all try to find. So when I first went to my team and sat down and say, hey, I think I'm ready to start having conversations. I want to start my own podcast. I had an idea in my mind at the time of what the name was going to be. And my first name that I came up with was Pantheon. And I came up with Pantheon because I was like, I want to sit down with great minds. I want to sit down with goats, and you know, the people who are at the top of what they do, and we went with that. In my first episode, I got a chance to sit down with those individuals that to me are pantheons. I got a chance to sit down with Dirk Tony Powell at the Hall of Fame and talk about being a pantheon. But as I kept going, I started to think, I was like, a man, I want this to be more conversation, and so I went with you know what, how about conversation with Dwyane Wade. That was my second episode. I mean that was my second name, A conversation with Dwayne Wade. I was like, that's easy, that's point blank, that's period. But it didn't feel like enough. It didn't feel like something that that I wanted this podcast to represent. And so we end up going with The Why with Dwyane Wade. And the reason it's called The Why is because my name is spelled d w why an E. But for some reason, no matter if I was in grade school or no matter if I was at the Hall of Fame, I still see my name spelled d w A y n E. And so I want everybody to get the y right. But also outside of that, I want to talk about your why. I want to talk about why you get up every day to do what you do. I want to get into people's reasoning and their why some and it goes all over the place. Sometimes my WI is my family, Sometime my WI is because someone said something to me, or they yell something to me. Whatever your why is, I want to get to that. And so the Why Podcast with Dwayne Wade it fits not only everything that I've grown up dealing with with the misspelling of my name and the misplacement of the why, but also really been intrigued to why we all do the things we do. Episode one was very special to me. We recorded it back in August and it was the day before we were inducted into the Hall of Fame. As you guys understand and know about that time, it's an emotional time. You have all your family in town. It's a lot going on. And to be able to sit down and have this conversation with Tony Parker, Powe Gasol, and Dirk Nowinsky about our battles versus each other, about our family, about what makes us and what and what made us great, about what we're doing after the game, about those competitions, those moments, what we were talking about the Olympics in O eight, what we were talking about the Old Six Finals, and y'all know, Dirck and I had to get a little personal on the Old six Finals or what do we were talking about? Just moments that we've watched as fans of each other, and also to share moments about our brotherhoods throughout the NBA, not just on our team, but throughout the things that connects us and so conversations that has never been discussed with athletes was discussed on the White Podcast. I really hope you guys enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did making it Episode one of the Why with Dwayne Wade, and it's Hall of Fame weekend. We are live at the Mohegan Sign and I'm honored to be joined by three of the greatest players of all times.

What's up, everybody. Welcome to the first episode of the Why We're Doing any Way Now. I wanted to start this podcast because I'm retired from basketball and I have nothing to do. That's the first lie I told I have so many things going on. It's so many things to do, but I thought it would be very important for me. It's someone who's curious and someone who wants to learn, to have an opportunity to learn from people that I admire, people that I feel like our goats of their sports, people that are goats in their field, but just people who have interesting, inspirational things going on in life. And so I'm used to being on that side, but now I'm on this side, and so I kind of get the control the conversations, and I want it to be exactly that. I don't want it to be interview. I wanted to feel like a conversation, some with friends, some with people that you might see me googly at over or Meyer, but just really a conversation that goes back and forth about what it takes to be successful, about what motivated you, about what your dogs eat, anything that we want to cover. I want to be able to talk about it so as you guys see behind me, I was able to have a lot of successes in life. And I highlight my three NBA trophies, not because I'm only a narcissist, but because when you understand what goes into winning one trophy and then you get to see two, you get to see three, I think you have a little bit more respect for the individual that individuals that are part of the team. And so hopefully some of these conversations that we have with some greats, some great minds, can give you a little bit more and a little bit more background on what it takes to have a trophy, and not just in sports, in life, how do you get to that level, that that top level that we all try to find. So when I first went to my team and sat down and say, hey, I think I'm ready to start having conversations. I want to start my own podcast. I had an idea in my mind at the time of what the name was going to be. And my first name that I came up with was Pantheon. And I came up with Pantheon because I was like, I want to sit down with great minds. I want to sit down with goats, and you know, the people who are at the top of what they do, and we went with that. In my first episode, I got a chance to sit down with those individuals that to me are pantheons. I got a chance to sit down with Dirk Tony Powell at the Hall of Fame and talk about being a pantheon. But as I kept going, I started to think, I was like, a man, I want this to be more conversation, and so I went with you know what, how about conversation with Dwyane Wade. That was my second episode. I mean that was my second name, A conversation with Dwayne Wade. I was like, that's easy, that's point blank, that's period. But it didn't feel like enough. It didn't feel like something that that I wanted this podcast to represent. And so we end up going with The Why with Dwyane Wade. And the reason it's called The Why is because my name is spelled d w why an E. But for some reason, no matter if I was in grade school or no matter if I was at the Hall of Fame, I still see my name spelled d w A y n E. And so I want everybody to get the y right. But also outside of that, I want to talk about your why. I want to talk about why you get up every day to do what you do. I want to get into people's reasoning and their why some and it goes all over the place. Sometimes my WI is my family, Sometime my WI is because someone said something to me, or they yell something to me. Whatever your why is, I want to get to that. And so the Why Podcast with Dwayne Wade it fits not only everything that I've grown up dealing with with the misspelling of my name and the misplacement of the why, but also really been intrigued to why we all do the things we do. Episode one was very special to me. We recorded it back in August and it was the day before we were inducted into the Hall of Fame. As you guys understand and know about that time, it's an emotional time. You have all your family in town. It's a lot going on. And to be able to sit down and have this conversation with Tony Parker, Powe Gasol, and Dirk Nowinsky about our battles versus each other, about our family, about what makes us and what and what made us great, about what we're doing after the game, about those competitions, those moments, what we were talking about the Olympics in O eight, what we were talking about the Old Six Finals, and y'all know, Dirck and I had to get a little personal on the Old six Finals or what do we were talking about? Just moments that we've watched as fans of each other, and also to share moments about our brotherhoods throughout the NBA, not just on our team, but throughout the things that connects us and so conversations that has never been discussed with athletes was discussed on the White Podcast. I really hope you guys enjoy listening to this episode as much as I did making it Episode one of the Why with Dwayne Wade, and it's Hall of Fame weekend. We are live at the Mohegan Sign and I'm honored to be joined by three of the greatest players of all times.

Everybody, thank you.

Everybody, thank you.

Four time NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, six time NBA All Star, Tony Parker, welcome to thank you, two time NBA Champion, six time NBA All Star, Power Gasol Welcome, fourteen time NBA All Star, sixth on the NBA all time scoring list, one time NBA Champion. We'll get to that later.

Four time NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, six time NBA All Star, Tony Parker, welcome to thank you, two time NBA Champion, six time NBA All Star, Power Gasol Welcome, fourteen time NBA All Star, sixth on the NBA all time scoring list, one time NBA Champion. We'll get to that later.

Welcome you.

Welcome you.

All right, fellas, let's get into this. As we sit here, we're one day away from getting those Hall of Fame jackets. How I'll start with you first. What does this means to you?

All right, fellas, let's get into this. As we sit here, we're one day away from getting those Hall of Fame jackets. How I'll start with you first. What does this means to you?

I guess it's a culmination, right, It's kind of like the icing on the cake, which you know it's crazy to think about. But to me, what's really special it's I mean, basketball is a team sport. We wouldn't be here, you know if our teams that we were part of, our teammates are our people around us didn't help us and do our job and perform at the highest level.

I guess it's a culmination, right, It's kind of like the icing on the cake, which you know it's crazy to think about. But to me, what's really special it's I mean, basketball is a team sport. We wouldn't be here, you know if our teams that we were part of, our teammates are our people around us didn't help us and do our job and perform at the highest level.

So uh, you know, to to to.

So uh, you know, to to to.

Go together in a class with four guys, with three guys here that I've my my career has been very parallel to all of yours.

Go together in a class with four guys, with three guys here that I've my my career has been very parallel to all of yours.

In in in in a way, it's super special, super special. I'm ready. I'm ready to put that hopefully it will fit the jacket.

In in in in a way, it's super special, super special. I'm ready. I'm ready to put that hopefully it will fit the jacket.

You know, to have my my parents here, you know, I wanted them to.

You know, to have my my parents here, you know, I wanted them to.

To put that jacket on me.

To put that jacket on me.

They they brought me to this world, and uh, you know that'll be very special. So you know, just try to take it all in. As I told you, earlier today on the golf course. So I take it in, enjoy it, share it with, you know, with amazing people. Uh, you know, we're gonna we're tied forever at a higher level. I mean, this doesn't get much much better than this.

They they brought me to this world, and uh, you know that'll be very special. So you know, just try to take it all in. As I told you, earlier today on the golf course. So I take it in, enjoy it, share it with, you know, with amazing people. Uh, you know, we're gonna we're tied forever at a higher level. I mean, this doesn't get much much better than this.

Yeah, Tony, kind of the same thing. Going through the process right now and writing the speech, it has been a crazy mix of emotion. I feel very nostalgic. I'm having my whole French mafia. You know, they all came. You know, I have a lot of people, so sorry for all the French, but there's gonna be a lot of them as we can. They all fluent. Just like to see like all the love, all the people that supported me through my whole career, and to basically celebrate alltogether one more time. I feel like it's like like I feel blessed. We've been watching like all games and watching finals games, and it's funny to go through those memories again and uh, and to be all together and to share that with them, that's very important to me. I'm like, hupa. I'm very close to to my family, close to my to my brothers and everybody. Everybody is here and I have a lot of connection with all of you guys. Uh Dirk, I went to your Jersey retirement and power we play together, and the Spain Spain French rivalry, the way we played twice in the finals, and I'm going to say it again, I can't believe you the favorite player of my little brother. But it's okay, you know what I mean. But it's just been an unbelievable journey and I feel very lucky to be here. And I've never thought somebody like me will experience something like the Hall of Fame. I dream about the NBA. I dreamt about being the first European point guard to make it the NBA, But the Hall of Fame is a whole other level.

Yeah, Tony, kind of the same thing. Going through the process right now and writing the speech, it has been a crazy mix of emotion. I feel very nostalgic. I'm having my whole French mafia. You know, they all came. You know, I have a lot of people, so sorry for all the French, but there's gonna be a lot of them as we can. They all fluent. Just like to see like all the love, all the people that supported me through my whole career, and to basically celebrate alltogether one more time. I feel like it's like like I feel blessed. We've been watching like all games and watching finals games, and it's funny to go through those memories again and uh, and to be all together and to share that with them, that's very important to me. I'm like, hupa. I'm very close to to my family, close to my to my brothers and everybody. Everybody is here and I have a lot of connection with all of you guys. Uh Dirk, I went to your Jersey retirement and power we play together, and the Spain Spain French rivalry, the way we played twice in the finals, and I'm going to say it again, I can't believe you the favorite player of my little brother. But it's okay, you know what I mean. But it's just been an unbelievable journey and I feel very lucky to be here. And I've never thought somebody like me will experience something like the Hall of Fame. I dream about the NBA. I dreamt about being the first European point guard to make it the NBA, But the Hall of Fame is a whole other level.

Yeah, so you've been watching old fam to see how good you are?

Yeah, so you've been watching old fam to see how good you are?

That No, I was just no. I knew I was good, but I still get mad when I misshots in chear drops. I was like, it's funny, like you watch games and like my dad, you know my dad, when you watch games, he's like a box. You know, he's like moves like this. You know, you watch the game and like, you know, we can't do anything about this happens already. It was funny though, to go through those feelings.

That No, I was just no. I knew I was good, but I still get mad when I misshots in chear drops. I was like, it's funny, like you watch games and like my dad, you know my dad, when you watch games, he's like a box. You know, he's like moves like this. You know, you watch the game and like, you know, we can't do anything about this happens already. It was funny though, to go through those feelings.

Definitely dark.

Definitely dark.

Yeah, just super super excited, super anxious now a little bit the last few weeks we're leading up to it. Now, you know, I feel lot at night. I wake up, I got certain things going through my mind. I reflect, I got parts of my speech. You know, I'm trying to all of a sudden in the middle of the night and I can't sleep for an hour. So I'm ready to get this going, get this weekend going. Everybody's arriving today. I have a huge crew, huge family coming from from Germany as well. So yeah, I just just excited really to get this going and have some fun with everybody that's here. And it's an honor. It's an amazing class as all you guys, and I'm so so humble to be a part of it. So let's get this started.

Yeah, just super super excited, super anxious now a little bit the last few weeks we're leading up to it. Now, you know, I feel lot at night. I wake up, I got certain things going through my mind. I reflect, I got parts of my speech. You know, I'm trying to all of a sudden in the middle of the night and I can't sleep for an hour. So I'm ready to get this going, get this weekend going. Everybody's arriving today. I have a huge crew, huge family coming from from Germany as well. So yeah, I just just excited really to get this going and have some fun with everybody that's here. And it's an honor. It's an amazing class as all you guys, and I'm so so humble to be a part of it. So let's get this started.

I know, I know it's your show, D but I have a question, right, I have a question. I'm sorry, did you realize do you realize that you're all the fram Her And if not, when do you think you're going to realize you're all the famer.

I know, I know it's your show, D but I have a question, right, I have a question. I'm sorry, did you realize do you realize that you're all the fram Her And if not, when do you think you're going to realize you're all the famer.

I think it's gonna take a while to set in. I mean, I'm sure we all right, we all had a dream to play the game of basketball. We wanted to play in the NBA because it was the it was the best league, my favorite players in America for you guys, and here for me, we're playing. And I was having a conversation with my father, and my father told me he was like, you know, I always dreamed of my son going to the NBA, but I never dreamed of greatness. How do you how do you dream of greatness? And to be able to sit here and to be here this weekend, Like this is a level of greatness that I never imagined that I would be able to experience. And so yeah, I'm going I'm like you guys, I've been going through all emotions. I ain't sleeping. This speech has been the bane of my existence. Like I can't wait to get this speech out the way so we can move on and have a good time. But I never thought I'd be sitting here being called the Hall of Famer.

I think it's gonna take a while to set in. I mean, I'm sure we all right, we all had a dream to play the game of basketball. We wanted to play in the NBA because it was the it was the best league, my favorite players in America for you guys, and here for me, we're playing. And I was having a conversation with my father, and my father told me he was like, you know, I always dreamed of my son going to the NBA, but I never dreamed of greatness. How do you how do you dream of greatness? And to be able to sit here and to be here this weekend, Like this is a level of greatness that I never imagined that I would be able to experience. And so yeah, I'm going I'm like you guys, I've been going through all emotions. I ain't sleeping. This speech has been the bane of my existence. Like I can't wait to get this speech out the way so we can move on and have a good time. But I never thought I'd be sitting here being called the Hall of Famer.

I feel like like when I'm gonna walk the steps and be in front of you guys, that I'm really going to realize that's the moment a Hall of Famer.

I feel like like when I'm gonna walk the steps and be in front of you guys, that I'm really going to realize that's the moment a Hall of Famer.

Yeah, that's the moment.

Yeah, that's the moment.

Like just walking those steps, it puts me back when I was like just drafted. You know, you walk those steps and you just got drafted, and you're like, man, I'm going to the NBA.

Like just walking those steps, it puts me back when I was like just drafted. You know, you walk those steps and you just got drafted, and you're like, man, I'm going to the NBA.

I got drafted.

I got drafted.

That's how I hope it will make the same same feeling, you know, when I walk those steps and become a Hall of Fame.

That's how I hope it will make the same same feeling, you know, when I walk those steps and become a Hall of Fame.

Yeah, that's that's when it gets real. That's when it gets real. All right, listen, So we started at the Hall of Fame. I want to take it back to the beginning. So young Dirk, who the young Dirk want to be?

Yeah, that's that's when it gets real. That's when it gets real. All right, listen, So we started at the Hall of Fame. I want to take it back to the beginning. So young Dirk, who the young Dirk want to be?

Well, first, actually, my first role model was my dad. He was a sports guy. He's played handball in Europe. So I started actually playing hambo ever since I can remember. Then I played tennis. It was a decent tennis player. So I want to be like Boris Becker, you know, boom Boombcker. You guys remember him, legend, shout out to my guy. And so those were some of my first sports heroes. And then I didn't start really basketball, so I was about twelve thirteen, a little late. And then that was just around the nineties when Michael Jordan took over, and so I was die hard Bulls fan, you know, back in the days there was no Internet, you couldn't really catch them any games, so all the the league was promoting was usually the ball. So we caught like one or two games live every once a week or twice a week, and it was usually the ball. So I was a diehard pip and fan. Loved this versatility and loved the MJ. I mean, he was the goat for me of all time, and then those were Yeah. I was a diehard Chicago Bulls fan and I loved love Charles Bartley later on too. He's actually the reason I played with number leves and when I started basketball because my dad had eleven and handball. And then when I saw Charles in the ninety two Olympics at number fourteen, I actually switched my number to fourteen because I loved I love Charles as well. So so those were some of my first first idols when I got going.

Well, first, actually, my first role model was my dad. He was a sports guy. He's played handball in Europe. So I started actually playing hambo ever since I can remember. Then I played tennis. It was a decent tennis player. So I want to be like Boris Becker, you know, boom Boombcker. You guys remember him, legend, shout out to my guy. And so those were some of my first sports heroes. And then I didn't start really basketball, so I was about twelve thirteen, a little late. And then that was just around the nineties when Michael Jordan took over, and so I was die hard Bulls fan, you know, back in the days there was no Internet, you couldn't really catch them any games, so all the the league was promoting was usually the ball. So we caught like one or two games live every once a week or twice a week, and it was usually the ball. So I was a diehard pip and fan. Loved this versatility and loved the MJ. I mean, he was the goat for me of all time, and then those were Yeah. I was a diehard Chicago Bulls fan and I loved love Charles Bartley later on too. He's actually the reason I played with number leves and when I started basketball because my dad had eleven and handball. And then when I saw Charles in the ninety two Olympics at number fourteen, I actually switched my number to fourteen because I loved I love Charles as well. So so those were some of my first first idols when I got going.

So I'm thinking about Charles Barkley game, I'm thinking athleticism, I'm thinking post up, you know, banging.

So I'm thinking about Charles Barkley game, I'm thinking athleticism, I'm thinking post up, you know, banging.

People, not thinking about why why Charles, I don't know. I love this intensity, man. I loved he was undersized, but what a beast man. He was unbelievable. How he how he got it down there, and so so explosive. I mean, I love watching athletic players. Even though that wasn't really my game, that was definitely something that caught my eye. And he was just so so explosive. It was fun to watch.

People, not thinking about why why Charles, I don't know. I love this intensity, man. I loved he was undersized, but what a beast man. He was unbelievable. How he how he got it down there, and so so explosive. I mean, I love watching athletic players. Even though that wasn't really my game, that was definitely something that caught my eye. And he was just so so explosive. It was fun to watch.

Yeah, he was. He was Powe. Who did young Powell want to be.

Yeah, he was. He was Powe. Who did young Powell want to be.

My I think my guy growing up was Tony Kuk. You know, I was able to call him and he accepted the honor to be my present center. You know, growing up in Europe. He was the kind of the guy that stood out for me. He had he was very versatile. You know, he was a lefty.

My I think my guy growing up was Tony Kuk. You know, I was able to call him and he accepted the honor to be my present center. You know, growing up in Europe. He was the kind of the guy that stood out for me. He had he was very versatile. You know, he was a lefty.

I was.

I was.

I played small forward until I was eighteen nineteen years old because I was so skinny and you know, kind of I felt more comfortable outside and I didn't fully grow up to the you know, to the seven to one frame that I that I turned out to be. So Tony was, you know, the guy obviously that he went and joined the Bulls the ninety two Olympics had a big impact. He was the guy, the European guy you know that was up and coming, and you know, so he had and then obviously the Bulls and and all that also had an effect. But yeah, Tony was kind of like the guy that I wanted to emulate and kind of follow the steps. And you know he inspired me to, you know, to try to be another we'll get to the NBA and and follow that path.

I played small forward until I was eighteen nineteen years old because I was so skinny and you know, kind of I felt more comfortable outside and I didn't fully grow up to the you know, to the seven to one frame that I that I turned out to be. So Tony was, you know, the guy obviously that he went and joined the Bulls the ninety two Olympics had a big impact. He was the guy, the European guy you know that was up and coming, and you know, so he had and then obviously the Bulls and and all that also had an effect. But yeah, Tony was kind of like the guy that I wanted to emulate and kind of follow the steps. And you know he inspired me to, you know, to try to be another we'll get to the NBA and and follow that path.

Yeah, Tony, your dad is from Chicago, shout out Cargo Town. So who did young Tony want to be?

Yeah, Tony, your dad is from Chicago, shout out Cargo Town. So who did young Tony want to be?

So me a little bit like you. My favorite player was Michael Jordans my dad from Chicago, huge Bulls fans, and so yeah, I had posters of him.

So me a little bit like you. My favorite player was Michael Jordans my dad from Chicago, huge Bulls fans, and so yeah, I had posters of him.

My room.

My room.

I remember being ten years old and being in Monaco and I went to the game the Dream Team. They played the Friends for a friendly game before going to Barcelona for Olympics, and I was one of those kids who will go down and go watch it. France lost by fifty, but you know it was my first routine and so I was just super excited to see my idol. And that's why I wear the number nine because of Michael Jordan. You know, at the time in Europe, you know you can only have numbers, you know for the fifteen, so you couldn't get twenty three. So I'll be pissed. When I was a kid like why you can't get twenty three. That role only four to fifteen, you know, Like I understand that when I wanted twenty three, and so when he played in the Olympics and he had nine, I was like, oh, I'm going to play with nine.

I remember being ten years old and being in Monaco and I went to the game the Dream Team. They played the Friends for a friendly game before going to Barcelona for Olympics, and I was one of those kids who will go down and go watch it. France lost by fifty, but you know it was my first routine and so I was just super excited to see my idol. And that's why I wear the number nine because of Michael Jordan. You know, at the time in Europe, you know you can only have numbers, you know for the fifteen, so you couldn't get twenty three. So I'll be pissed. When I was a kid like why you can't get twenty three. That role only four to fifteen, you know, Like I understand that when I wanted twenty three, and so when he played in the Olympics and he had nine, I was like, oh, I'm going to play with nine.

Oh you were good. You got to pick your number when you was young. Oh I just got thrown in jersey here I got lucky. But you're right.

Oh you were good. You got to pick your number when you was young. Oh I just got thrown in jersey here I got lucky. But you're right.

But that's why some of my jerseys is not nine, you know, growing up, because then I was the little one, I was the rookie.

But that's why some of my jerseys is not nine, you know, growing up, because then I was the little one, I was the rookie.

So you can't choose your number.

So you can't choose your number.

So some of my jerseys are not nine, but most of the time they were nine.

So some of my jerseys are not nine, but most of the time they were nine.

So we talk about Michael Jordan obviously, I think all of us we grew up. We're roughly around the same age. So we grew up in the era of you know, who would probably be our goat? Who is the European goat, Tony? Who would be the European goat for you? What was that player that you will look at and say, this is a European goat, either when you were young or even now. Who is that person?

So we talk about Michael Jordan obviously, I think all of us we grew up. We're roughly around the same age. So we grew up in the era of you know, who would probably be our goat? Who is the European goat, Tony? Who would be the European goat for you? What was that player that you will look at and say, this is a European goat, either when you were young or even now. Who is that person?

My European goat is Derk Novitski. I think, I think is the European goat.

My European goat is Derk Novitski. I think, I think is the European goat.

You know.

You know.

Then it's very debatable with how because Pow won so much, you know, at the European level. Yes, it's truely I wish sometimes Parkasol was not born.

Then it's very debatable with how because Pow won so much, you know, at the European level. Yes, it's truely I wish sometimes Parkasol was not born.

I would have won.

I would have won.

A lot more gold medals and a lot sooner. But to me is debatable and and and what you take in consideration if you take the NBA or or Europeans. So I will go with one A and one B, you know, uh. And I said that sincerely because no disrespect to the to the older guys. But when we all came, you know, in the league, that was the first time that with Dirk and Pale you had NBA franchises started to believe that we can have a European player as a franchise player. And Dirk was the first one to to to do that, like to be the franchise guy. And then Power with Kobe, then me with Timmy and Manu and then now you have a lot of European guys or their franchise guys. But Dirk paved that way for us as Europeans. My thing was to become the first European point guard. But franchise is that's Dirk and uh, and I'll see him like in front of him, like like all the discussions every time we talk, you know, with Europeans, like any interviews you'll see of me, I always say.

A lot more gold medals and a lot sooner. But to me is debatable and and and what you take in consideration if you take the NBA or or Europeans. So I will go with one A and one B, you know, uh. And I said that sincerely because no disrespect to the to the older guys. But when we all came, you know, in the league, that was the first time that with Dirk and Pale you had NBA franchises started to believe that we can have a European player as a franchise player. And Dirk was the first one to to to do that, like to be the franchise guy. And then Power with Kobe, then me with Timmy and Manu and then now you have a lot of European guys or their franchise guys. But Dirk paved that way for us as Europeans. My thing was to become the first European point guard. But franchise is that's Dirk and uh, and I'll see him like in front of him, like like all the discussions every time we talk, you know, with Europeans, like any interviews you'll see of me, I always say.

Dirk, Dirk, you agree with that?

Dirk, Dirk, you agree with that?

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

Now that's a tough question, that's but Dirk, my question to you when I be if you agree with You're to go. But what are your feelings on I think I knew Tony was gonna say that, by the way, I knew he was gonna say he was the he was the goat, and I knew he was gonna say he was second. I don't know why. Uh, what do you guys feel about Yiannis and Jokic and these these young guys, Because to me, you guys are the first wave of Europeans superstars, not not good players, not even great players, but superstar players. So what do you guys feel about And I'm asking this question because in America it's a different battle between the next got right, everybody's always no one wants nobody to surpass them sometimes, how do you guys feel about this next wave of European players that are are amazing players.

Now that's a tough question, that's but Dirk, my question to you when I be if you agree with You're to go. But what are your feelings on I think I knew Tony was gonna say that, by the way, I knew he was gonna say he was the he was the goat, and I knew he was gonna say he was second. I don't know why. Uh, what do you guys feel about Yiannis and Jokic and these these young guys, Because to me, you guys are the first wave of Europeans superstars, not not good players, not even great players, but superstar players. So what do you guys feel about And I'm asking this question because in America it's a different battle between the next got right, everybody's always no one wants nobody to surpass them sometimes, how do you guys feel about this next wave of European players that are are amazing players.

I'm actually more proud watching them. Honestly, you know, we all know records are there to be broken, and uh, stuff always happens. Somebody always comes along it was better and does better things and does more. It's more athletic. I mean, it just happens. That's life. So I'm actually proud watching these guys. I mean, I see Luca every day, the stuff he does, and he'll be in the conversation for a long long time. Sorry really, Uh, and then you'll catch what he's been doing in this league and dominating and uh and now he wanted his rings. So I'm proud watching these guys and hopefully they can. They can have amazing careers from here and out. And the whole goat debate is always tough. You know, we go back and forth all the time. It's different era.

I'm actually more proud watching them. Honestly, you know, we all know records are there to be broken, and uh, stuff always happens. Somebody always comes along it was better and does better things and does more. It's more athletic. I mean, it just happens. That's life. So I'm actually proud watching these guys. I mean, I see Luca every day, the stuff he does, and he'll be in the conversation for a long long time. Sorry really, Uh, and then you'll catch what he's been doing in this league and dominating and uh and now he wanted his rings. So I'm proud watching these guys and hopefully they can. They can have amazing careers from here and out. And the whole goat debate is always tough. You know, we go back and forth all the time. It's different era.

You know.

You know.

I was a big SHREMP was one of my idolso had a great career. There was a Drosh and petrovinch you mentioned all these subonus. Actually, before he got hurt, was an unbelievable player, and unfortunately he blew his knees out and we never actually saw the best su Boness, but he would have been maybe even the goat of Europe. So it's always tough. It's it's fun for debating, but we're unfortunately well we'll never know, but it's it's amazing that I'm obviously we're all in this conversation and that's that's already a humbling to me.

I was a big SHREMP was one of my idolso had a great career. There was a Drosh and petrovinch you mentioned all these subonus. Actually, before he got hurt, was an unbelievable player, and unfortunately he blew his knees out and we never actually saw the best su Boness, but he would have been maybe even the goat of Europe. So it's always tough. It's it's fun for debating, but we're unfortunately well we'll never know, but it's it's amazing that I'm obviously we're all in this conversation and that's that's already a humbling to me.

Yeah, Tony, why is I mean, obviously Lucas very early in his career, we don't know what the end results would be. But why today do you say he's no Dirk? Why that?

Yeah, Tony, why is I mean, obviously Lucas very early in his career, we don't know what the end results would be. But why today do you say he's no Dirk? Why that?

Because for me to be in a conversation, you have to win a championship. Oh well, so that's just my personal opinion. Yeah, but I love good debate. I have good debates with my brothers, with my friends all the time. It's like both conversations. It's like always like with debating and debating. And to me, because I want the championship, I'm like, if you don't understand what it takes to win a championship, I don't think you should be in a good debate.

Because for me to be in a conversation, you have to win a championship. Oh well, so that's just my personal opinion. Yeah, but I love good debate. I have good debates with my brothers, with my friends all the time. It's like both conversations. It's like always like with debating and debating. And to me, because I want the championship, I'm like, if you don't understand what it takes to win a championship, I don't think you should be in a good debate.

Okay.

Okay.

To me, what I would add to that is also I think it's so much about the debating or who's the go or who's you know we have played in there are different eras we I think what we can be really proud of is that we raised the level. And I think that that's what you want to do with your journey. You raise the bar and then somebody will say, hey, that's the bar. I want to raise it higher. Great, keep raising it higher. And then as as as Derek was saying, we see the European players, now, Luka Janni's also has done incredibly well.

To me, what I would add to that is also I think it's so much about the debating or who's the go or who's you know we have played in there are different eras we I think what we can be really proud of is that we raised the level. And I think that that's what you want to do with your journey. You raise the bar and then somebody will say, hey, that's the bar. I want to raise it higher. Great, keep raising it higher. And then as as as Derek was saying, we see the European players, now, Luka Janni's also has done incredibly well.

You know, they just you know, they just see You're You're proud to see that. You know, you're proud to see that. You want them to do well.

You know, they just you know, they just see You're You're proud to see that. You know, you're proud to see that. You want them to do well.

You want them to keep raising the bar, you know, hopefully you know, obviously has won the championship with the Nuggets, Uhis has won a championship with the Bars. We'll see if Luca can do that with you know, a lot of great players haven't won championships in this In this game, it's hard to win the championship. As Tony was saying, a lot of things have to come together. You know, Derk has played many seasons, We played many seasons. Is one one, you know, one two, he's one four. It's hard, right, you have to have great teammates, you know, everything has to come together that season. So so again it's it's not so much about it's about have you done you know, extraordinary? Have you raised the bar? Have you done your best? Have you inspired others? Have you opened doors? That's why I always give a little extra for the guys that came before us, when things were not you know, so normal for European players to be in this league, to be respected to you know, to fight through a lot of biases potentially too that had they probably had to fight, you know, So we kind of benefited from those guys that did that work before us, and now hopefully the guys feel the current guys feel like we have contributed for them to have the life and the opportunity that they have.

You want them to keep raising the bar, you know, hopefully you know, obviously has won the championship with the Nuggets, Uhis has won a championship with the Bars. We'll see if Luca can do that with you know, a lot of great players haven't won championships in this In this game, it's hard to win the championship. As Tony was saying, a lot of things have to come together. You know, Derk has played many seasons, We played many seasons. Is one one, you know, one two, he's one four. It's hard, right, you have to have great teammates, you know, everything has to come together that season. So so again it's it's not so much about it's about have you done you know, extraordinary? Have you raised the bar? Have you done your best? Have you inspired others? Have you opened doors? That's why I always give a little extra for the guys that came before us, when things were not you know, so normal for European players to be in this league, to be respected to you know, to fight through a lot of biases potentially too that had they probably had to fight, you know, So we kind of benefited from those guys that did that work before us, and now hopefully the guys feel the current guys feel like we have contributed for them to have the life and the opportunity that they have.

That's that's what I like.

That's that's what I like.

For you is it is it weird, like as an American perspective to go in the Hall of Fame with three Europeans, you know, like they like like as you not. Because I watched the documentary you know, the Redeemed Team, and congrats to that. It was an unbelievable documentary. I really enjoyed it, Like you was.

For you is it is it weird, like as an American perspective to go in the Hall of Fame with three Europeans, you know, like they like like as you not. Because I watched the documentary you know, the Redeemed Team, and congrats to that. It was an unbelievable documentary. I really enjoyed it, Like you was.

Good with it, I'm great, great with it. I was so happy I was.

Good with it, I'm great, great with it. I was so happy I was.

That was my favorite marketing I was one of the marketing tools the documentary, I was like, I was the key. I was, I was right there, reportant bro. I moved up.

That was my favorite marketing I was one of the marketing tools the documentary, I was like, I was the key. I was, I was right there, reportant bro. I moved up.

Like like in your perspective, you know, and as you as an American and I know because of my dad is American. I know how proud the Americans are to be the best, you know, in basketball and to show that the best. Like, how do you feel, like like about European basketball the way it is now and having a lot of top players there Europeans and what you're thinking, how you feel about that?

Like like in your perspective, you know, and as you as an American and I know because of my dad is American. I know how proud the Americans are to be the best, you know, in basketball and to show that the best. Like, how do you feel, like like about European basketball the way it is now and having a lot of top players there Europeans and what you're thinking, how you feel about that?

That's a great question.

That's a great question.

Can you tell by the way he has a podcast too, yeaheah, definitely definitely yea.

Can you tell by the way he has a podcast too, yeaheah, definitely definitely yea.

Three years too, three years of run. He's a bet at this fact. I actually I've never thought of thought of it in that way, you know. I think it's it's just so amazing for the game, you know, to to look at it and say, you know, obviously it's twelve of us, you know, going into the Hall of Fame, but you know the guys in the NBA, the three of the four are international players. I mean, it just shows how amazing this game is and for for any kid in the world, it just, you know, it shows that what can be accomplished. You know what I mean. I think we all play this game because we love it. But then at some point the bation got passed to us to make it bigger than us, right, to make it bigger than to make the game bigger. And you guys are making a game bigger. And so for me to be on this platform together, I'm honored, you know, because you know how great y'all are to me. It doesn't matter where where you're from, you know where you play, We know the journey to be great, and so I never thought of it in that way. I'm just honored to be in the same breath as as at the greatness that's around this table.

Three years too, three years of run. He's a bet at this fact. I actually I've never thought of thought of it in that way, you know. I think it's it's just so amazing for the game, you know, to to look at it and say, you know, obviously it's twelve of us, you know, going into the Hall of Fame, but you know the guys in the NBA, the three of the four are international players. I mean, it just shows how amazing this game is and for for any kid in the world, it just, you know, it shows that what can be accomplished. You know what I mean. I think we all play this game because we love it. But then at some point the bation got passed to us to make it bigger than us, right, to make it bigger than to make the game bigger. And you guys are making a game bigger. And so for me to be on this platform together, I'm honored, you know, because you know how great y'all are to me. It doesn't matter where where you're from, you know where you play, We know the journey to be great, and so I never thought of it in that way. I'm just honored to be in the same breath as as at the greatness that's around this table.

So yeah, amen, Amen Amen.

So yeah, amen, Amen Amen.

So as athletes, you know, we we always are asked questions about our motivation, right like what's your motivation? And sometimes we like our family is our motivation and this is our motivation. Do you guys feel like throughout our journeys do you feel like your motivation comes from pain?

So as athletes, you know, we we always are asked questions about our motivation, right like what's your motivation? And sometimes we like our family is our motivation and this is our motivation. Do you guys feel like throughout our journeys do you feel like your motivation comes from pain?

Like?

Like?

Painful losses? What do your motivation come from? Joy? Like?

Painful losses? What do your motivation come from? Joy? Like?

Where do you?

Where do you?

Where do you? Where's your motivation source? As an athlete? Where did it come from? Pow'll go with you first?

Where do you? Where's your motivation source? As an athlete? Where did it come from? Pow'll go with you first?

To me, it's really.

To me, it's really.

Kind of the challenge on the grind that it takes, you know, trying to be exceptional, trying to do something special with with our life, kind of take advantage of an opportunity that you've been kind of given, but then you had to work for and earn everything about it. So that's kind of where it comes from. Obviously, you want to utilize the pain, the struggle, the losses, the defeats, the shortcomings, the rejection and all that. You know, we can think of growing up as a kid and you're the lanky, tall kids skinnay kid that everybody kind of makes fun of and points out and stuff like that, and then that turned out into a freaking blessing and an advantage in my life, you know, and not so much that you know, who's laughing now, but it's like, you know.

Kind of the challenge on the grind that it takes, you know, trying to be exceptional, trying to do something special with with our life, kind of take advantage of an opportunity that you've been kind of given, but then you had to work for and earn everything about it. So that's kind of where it comes from. Obviously, you want to utilize the pain, the struggle, the losses, the defeats, the shortcomings, the rejection and all that. You know, we can think of growing up as a kid and you're the lanky, tall kids skinnay kid that everybody kind of makes fun of and points out and stuff like that, and then that turned out into a freaking blessing and an advantage in my life, you know, and not so much that you know, who's laughing now, but it's like, you know.

It's life is life is good.

It's life is life is good.

And then you you take advantage of that, and and then obviously you revert to your family and you want to pass it a lot. You want to benefit your families and don't take stuff for granted, you know, because everything can be gone quickly. So so from that standpoint, you just trying to embrace your journey and maximize it.

And then you you take advantage of that, and and then obviously you revert to your family and you want to pass it a lot. You want to benefit your families and don't take stuff for granted, you know, because everything can be gone quickly. So so from that standpoint, you just trying to embrace your journey and maximize it.

Yeah, Tony, I mean you've you've been in the finals how many times?

Yeah, Tony, I mean you've you've been in the finals how many times?

I mean fiftimes?

I mean fiftimes?

Five times and you won four. Did you pull motivation from the four wins? Or did you pull motivation from the one loss?

Five times and you won four. Did you pull motivation from the four wins? Or did you pull motivation from the one loss?

A lot of people they always ask me what's your favorite championship, And I always say twenty fourteen, and they're like, not two thousand and seven when you were m VP. I'm like, no, twenty fourteen. It's my favorite because the way we lost against you guys twenty thirteen, the way we lost when we were up five with twenty eight seconds and I can see the rope, I can see the trophy coming, and Poppy is speaking. I don't even know what Paul was saying. I was already thinking about what I was going to do with that trophy. I don't know what you were saying. And the way that happens so fast, you know, with ray Allen Shad obviously, and then you won in game seven. Man, that summer, it was so long. That summer, it was so long. And it's funny because that summer I play with the national team every summer and I was still chasing that go medal. Because of this guy still didn't win a gold medal. And in twenty thirteen, after losing to you guys, I was like, really, it was really hard for me to get motivated and to go play for the national team. So I told the coach, like, I don't think I'm going to play this summer, you know, and he was like you sure, and blah blah, and forty eight hours after, I was like, you know what, no, I'm going to be stronger than that mentally, like everything happens for a reason, you know, Like we can't like I can't like not go, you know. And so I decided to go. And that year we win the go medal, and I was that close to not go, you know, that summer to.

A lot of people they always ask me what's your favorite championship, And I always say twenty fourteen, and they're like, not two thousand and seven when you were m VP. I'm like, no, twenty fourteen. It's my favorite because the way we lost against you guys twenty thirteen, the way we lost when we were up five with twenty eight seconds and I can see the rope, I can see the trophy coming, and Poppy is speaking. I don't even know what Paul was saying. I was already thinking about what I was going to do with that trophy. I don't know what you were saying. And the way that happens so fast, you know, with ray Allen Shad obviously, and then you won in game seven. Man, that summer, it was so long. That summer, it was so long. And it's funny because that summer I play with the national team every summer and I was still chasing that go medal. Because of this guy still didn't win a gold medal. And in twenty thirteen, after losing to you guys, I was like, really, it was really hard for me to get motivated and to go play for the national team. So I told the coach, like, I don't think I'm going to play this summer, you know, and he was like you sure, and blah blah, and forty eight hours after, I was like, you know what, no, I'm going to be stronger than that mentally, like everything happens for a reason, you know, Like we can't like I can't like not go, you know. And so I decided to go. And that year we win the go medal, and I was that close to not go, you know, that summer to.

Go going You've been chasing your whole life.

Go going You've been chasing your whole life.

Exactly, and we went that summer we went one. And then so I arrived at training camp. I was so happy because I was a metal you know. I was like, I was happy, you know, And I go back to the Spurs. They were still thinking about, you know, loss against you guys, and so we start training camp. Hop the first first practice we go to film. He puts the last four minutes of Game six, the last four minutes of Game seven, So I was like, we're going through a camera.

Exactly, and we went that summer we went one. And then so I arrived at training camp. I was so happy because I was a metal you know. I was like, I was happy, you know, And I go back to the Spurs. They were still thinking about, you know, loss against you guys, and so we start training camp. Hop the first first practice we go to film. He puts the last four minutes of Game six, the last four minutes of Game seven, So I was like, we're going through a camera.

That's cool.

That's cool.

But me, I had so much energy that I built from the summer that I carried it the whole season, you know, because I was like, we can't finish our career and people is going to remember us like we lost in thirteen, Like Okay, we can't finish like that, you know. And I think the character that we showed in twenty fourteen and the way that we played is because of that loss that I think we played the best Spurs basketball in my opinion, in my whole career. The way we move the ball and beautiful game and all that kind of stuff. It got created because of that. And so for me, like motivation, it can come from big losses or like you said, your family like me growing up, we grew up with nothing. It definitely creates, you know, motivation too. When people say, oh, you're too small, you're too skinny, you will never make it from France, you know, you have to put it in perspective. No, back then, it was like not a lot of Europeans, you know, so people were super negative, you know, And so I use that as motivation to gain my whole family a better life and try to make it.

But me, I had so much energy that I built from the summer that I carried it the whole season, you know, because I was like, we can't finish our career and people is going to remember us like we lost in thirteen, Like Okay, we can't finish like that, you know. And I think the character that we showed in twenty fourteen and the way that we played is because of that loss that I think we played the best Spurs basketball in my opinion, in my whole career. The way we move the ball and beautiful game and all that kind of stuff. It got created because of that. And so for me, like motivation, it can come from big losses or like you said, your family like me growing up, we grew up with nothing. It definitely creates, you know, motivation too. When people say, oh, you're too small, you're too skinny, you will never make it from France, you know, you have to put it in perspective. No, back then, it was like not a lot of Europeans, you know, so people were super negative, you know, And so I use that as motivation to gain my whole family a better life and try to make it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, I think at the beginning, it's just a love for the sport, the love for the game, and you're excited and working out, and then you come to the league and you know you want to establish yourself. It's all fun. We had a fun style. Then you make it for a loss our game, so that all motivated me. And then then it was I gotta say the losses, you know, I had to. Once you establish yourself, you know, there's really only one goal that was winning the championship once. Once you have a few All Star games, you've done all the individual stuff. The goal was every year to win the championship, and every year, year after year we fall short. In six where disclose, we fall short. And so then in seven, which was even more frustrated to me, my MVP year, we want to win almost seventy games and we lose in the first round. I was I was almost so embarrassed that I let my teammates down the city and I didn't. I didn't really feel like leaving my house. And but at the end of the day, after these tough losses, you know, after a few weeks, you're like Okay, what do I have to do? You know, you look in the mirror. Okay, it wasn't great and final stages or whatever. Now I gotta get better. I gotta work on my game. I gotta add something for next year. I got to be a better closer. I gotta do this. So to me, it was but I didn't. I didn't win four. So I mean I couldn't draw editing out of our happy times. I had to had to draw motivation out of the frustratation, out of the out of the tough times. And so all these losses every year kind of helped me to always push me and work hard in the summer, only take a few weeks off then go back in the gym uh in Germany and and go back in the lab and play German national team and and eventually that worked out for me in twenty eleven.

Well, I think at the beginning, it's just a love for the sport, the love for the game, and you're excited and working out, and then you come to the league and you know you want to establish yourself. It's all fun. We had a fun style. Then you make it for a loss our game, so that all motivated me. And then then it was I gotta say the losses, you know, I had to. Once you establish yourself, you know, there's really only one goal that was winning the championship once. Once you have a few All Star games, you've done all the individual stuff. The goal was every year to win the championship, and every year, year after year we fall short. In six where disclose, we fall short. And so then in seven, which was even more frustrated to me, my MVP year, we want to win almost seventy games and we lose in the first round. I was I was almost so embarrassed that I let my teammates down the city and I didn't. I didn't really feel like leaving my house. And but at the end of the day, after these tough losses, you know, after a few weeks, you're like Okay, what do I have to do? You know, you look in the mirror. Okay, it wasn't great and final stages or whatever. Now I gotta get better. I gotta work on my game. I gotta add something for next year. I got to be a better closer. I gotta do this. So to me, it was but I didn't. I didn't win four. So I mean I couldn't draw editing out of our happy times. I had to had to draw motivation out of the frustratation, out of the out of the tough times. And so all these losses every year kind of helped me to always push me and work hard in the summer, only take a few weeks off then go back in the gym uh in Germany and and go back in the lab and play German national team and and eventually that worked out for me in twenty eleven.

You always believe, like yeah, time, like you're not going to make it.

You always believe, like yeah, time, like you're not going to make it.

The Germans are more than felt.

The Germans are more than felt.

Bad for you.

Bad for you.

In two thousand and seven, like like usually, like you know, you look at other teams like everybody's got their own problems. Honestly, I was watching the games and they were I mean, it was crazy.

In two thousand and seven, like like usually, like you know, you look at other teams like everybody's got their own problems. Honestly, I was watching the games and they were I mean, it was crazy.

Baron Davis made a buzzer bereader from half court almost every game. They were they were. But so in six we had the tough loss, and in seven we felt like we had. The Spurs were always our big brother. You guys always beat us, and like we finally got to figure out, Okay, we've beaten the Spurs a little bit. This is fun. I think we went like three and one against you guys. So I'm like, we're we got this this year. This is our year. You know, we learned from six and this is our year. And then we ran in the hottest team you can imagine, and they were a matchup nightmare for us. Obviously we were tall, me damp, We weren't the most you know, the quickest guys, and they would play Monte Ellis at the five. I mean, I was like, what is happening here right there?

Baron Davis made a buzzer bereader from half court almost every game. They were they were. But so in six we had the tough loss, and in seven we felt like we had. The Spurs were always our big brother. You guys always beat us, and like we finally got to figure out, Okay, we've beaten the Spurs a little bit. This is fun. I think we went like three and one against you guys. So I'm like, we're we got this this year. This is our year. You know, we learned from six and this is our year. And then we ran in the hottest team you can imagine, and they were a matchup nightmare for us. Obviously we were tall, me damp, We weren't the most you know, the quickest guys, and they would play Monte Ellis at the five. I mean, I was like, what is happening here right there?

Around?

Around?

You know. Nelly was their coach, and he knew exactly how to play. Pushed me one way, one to spot, and they were already three guys swarming me. I couldn't even get my shots off and they were I mean, they knew exactly how to beat us, and they were hot. And so that was that was one of the most frustrating. I mean, at the end of the day, you know, the Germans, that's what I was going to say there, they're always a little negative. So I think it's normal to have some doubts, but you know, you work through it. There's no other option. You're frustrated for a couple of weeks, and then you you know, after a couple of weeks, I'm not touching the ball and frustration. You know, you get the tingling back and excitement and Okay, it's the time to show that the doubters you can do it. And I kept I kept working at it.

You know. Nelly was their coach, and he knew exactly how to play. Pushed me one way, one to spot, and they were already three guys swarming me. I couldn't even get my shots off and they were I mean, they knew exactly how to beat us, and they were hot. And so that was that was one of the most frustrating. I mean, at the end of the day, you know, the Germans, that's what I was going to say there, they're always a little negative. So I think it's normal to have some doubts, but you know, you work through it. There's no other option. You're frustrated for a couple of weeks, and then you you know, after a couple of weeks, I'm not touching the ball and frustration. You know, you get the tingling back and excitement and Okay, it's the time to show that the doubters you can do it. And I kept I kept working at it.

And that's why you never know when it's going to come, because I didn't think you're want to win in twenty eleven, and that's when you win.

And that's why you never know when it's going to come, because I didn't think you're want to win in twenty eleven, and that's when you win.

Yeah, exactly. You know, after six I'm like, I did I took O six hard. At the end of the day, I'm like, you know what, I'm just entering my prime. We just made the finals, we had a great shot to win it all. We're looking good against the Spurs match of wise, so I'm like, oh, we're going to be there for years to come. Now we're good, and then oh seven happens. Then eight already started to go down. We make the trade for Jake kidlicks. You know, we're barely making the playoffs. So you can never take it for granted. When you're on a good team that's winning, you just want to kind of put your ego to the side because you never know. I mean, within one year everything could change. So it's it's uh, I mean, look at the maps just the last few years. We went to the Western Arms Finals two years ago, and last year we didn't even make the playoffs. So it's it's a it's a wild ride, and you got to enjoy while while you have a good team, and uh, but it's uh, it's it's hard at times. For sure.

Yeah, exactly. You know, after six I'm like, I did I took O six hard. At the end of the day, I'm like, you know what, I'm just entering my prime. We just made the finals, we had a great shot to win it all. We're looking good against the Spurs match of wise, so I'm like, oh, we're going to be there for years to come. Now we're good, and then oh seven happens. Then eight already started to go down. We make the trade for Jake kidlicks. You know, we're barely making the playoffs. So you can never take it for granted. When you're on a good team that's winning, you just want to kind of put your ego to the side because you never know. I mean, within one year everything could change. So it's it's uh, I mean, look at the maps just the last few years. We went to the Western Arms Finals two years ago, and last year we didn't even make the playoffs. So it's it's a it's a wild ride, and you got to enjoy while while you have a good team, and uh, but it's uh, it's it's hard at times. For sure.

I'm gonna I had another question, But let's stay in two thousand and six.

I'm gonna I had another question, But let's stay in two thousand and six.

Oh, you know, here's where I gotta go.

Oh, you know, here's where I gotta go.

I feel like it's we own it. Let's let's stay in two thousand and six. We're going eleven later. Let's stay in two thousand and six. When did you feel this series slipping away? Because you guys were up to your wind control you up thirteen in Game three? When did you feel the series slipping away?

I feel like it's we own it. Let's let's stay in two thousand and six. We're going eleven later. Let's stay in two thousand and six. When did you feel this series slipping away? Because you guys were up to your wind control you up thirteen in Game three? When did you feel the series slipping away?

Yeah, I mean in that in that moment, honestly, you guys, have you guys stepped up the pressure there, you know, everything towards a little harder, you know, the denies that the defense stepped up, and and I felt like we just never responded to that. And then when when game three slipped away, we're like, oh, we're good, We're good. Uh, and then we come game four and we just completely get blown out. So that's when obviously the panic button was pushed. But I don't think we had experience. We had, you know, that the toughness at the time to really respond, honestly, and you guys, I mean you played unbelievable and and you guys had great role players making shots. So that was that was super tough. But yeah, it was definitely there. In game three, we had everything under control, and but you guys stepped it up and and we never found a way to stop the bleeding and respond, and we didn't have the experience for it. And uh, that was that was a tough one. I gotta say, how.

Yeah, I mean in that in that moment, honestly, you guys, have you guys stepped up the pressure there, you know, everything towards a little harder, you know, the denies that the defense stepped up, and and I felt like we just never responded to that. And then when when game three slipped away, we're like, oh, we're good, We're good. Uh, and then we come game four and we just completely get blown out. So that's when obviously the panic button was pushed. But I don't think we had experience. We had, you know, that the toughness at the time to really respond, honestly, and you guys, I mean you played unbelievable and and you guys had great role players making shots. So that was that was super tough. But yeah, it was definitely there. In game three, we had everything under control, and but you guys stepped it up and and we never found a way to stop the bleeding and respond, and we didn't have the experience for it. And uh, that was that was a tough one. I gotta say, how.

Did you feel about me in two thousand and six?

Did you feel about me in two thousand and six?

Well, there wasn't a lot of love there. I'd say there wasn't a lot of love there. I think there were just things set on both sides that weren't appreciated. I think you took offense to and I said, we kind of gave them the championship, which is which I've would have probably taken offense too, because you worked extremely hard, you played your butt off and carried them.

Well, there wasn't a lot of love there. I'd say there wasn't a lot of love there. I think there were just things set on both sides that weren't appreciated. I think you took offense to and I said, we kind of gave them the championship, which is which I've would have probably taken offense too, because you worked extremely hard, you played your butt off and carried them.

I came back swinging in the media.

I came back swinging in the media.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And then then even weeks later, or or maybe I said something that the training camp the following year, and I remember in the next year and I'm already moved on, obviously, some reporter comes up to me and shoot around me like, hey, did you see what Dwain said? And I was like, what this is? Like months now later, he's like, yeah, you weren't the finisher, you weren't the leader. And I'm like, oh wow, that came out of nowhere. So I didn't appreciate that, of course, But now twenties, almost twenty years later, I see where both sides were were just not happy with with how that whole thing went down. But honestly, I say this all the time, there can't always be friendships during the highest level of competition. I mean, that's just not how it works. Where were I'm old school, I always wanted to win, but there was there was no love loss there at the beginning. And I remember and the old seven the Al Star game was in Vegas. I think we were the only two All Stars ever on record that not shake hands pre game. So there was definitely, Yeah, there was definitely some some cold times.

And then then even weeks later, or or maybe I said something that the training camp the following year, and I remember in the next year and I'm already moved on, obviously, some reporter comes up to me and shoot around me like, hey, did you see what Dwain said? And I was like, what this is? Like months now later, he's like, yeah, you weren't the finisher, you weren't the leader. And I'm like, oh wow, that came out of nowhere. So I didn't appreciate that, of course, But now twenties, almost twenty years later, I see where both sides were were just not happy with with how that whole thing went down. But honestly, I say this all the time, there can't always be friendships during the highest level of competition. I mean, that's just not how it works. Where were I'm old school, I always wanted to win, but there was there was no love loss there at the beginning. And I remember and the old seven the Al Star game was in Vegas. I think we were the only two All Stars ever on record that not shake hands pre game. So there was definitely, Yeah, there was definitely some some cold times.

And mind you, we've never had a conversation to this point, exactly, we've never talked. It shows you the power of the media and how they you know, they came back to me and they said, well, Dirk said this, Oh really watch this, and then Dirk said and then said that, and then now it goes and now you don't even talk to each other. We're the we have the biggest stage in our game, right, we're two of the best is that game, and we don't even know how to just forget that move on. And you know, because because we played each other at the highest and that was a very intense emotion emotional series and then the the act effect was you know, was a lot.