Joakim Noah (guest brief mention)

That would actually be a really good race horse.

That would actually be a really good race horse.

Florida is fucking back, guys. It feels great.

Florida is fucking back, guys. It feels great.

I was in Casablanca in Morocco. Okay. And I felt like I was really missing out. I wanted to be at the game, but I've been working with this NBA Africa League and we finally brought it to Morocco. It was so dope. So on the championship night, I went to the mosque. I fucking prayed. I prayed my ass off. I'm not Muslim, but it helped.

I was in Casablanca in Morocco. Okay. And I felt like I was really missing out. I wanted to be at the game, but I've been working with this NBA Africa League and we finally brought it to Morocco. It was so dope. So on the championship night, I went to the mosque. I fucking prayed. I prayed my ass off. I'm not Muslim, but it helped.

I don't know what happened, but there was something about praying in that mosque for the Gator Boys and that run that they went on, man. That was a hell of a run they went on.

I don't know what happened, but there was something about praying in that mosque for the Gator Boys and that run that they went on, man. That was a hell of a run they went on.

yeah i mean not just for basketball football title title school man you know you but there's nothing like coming back with that trophy you come back to school i can't imagine how those young people was feeling coming back to school and just enjoying those last couple weeks yeah yeah holy

yeah i mean not just for basketball football title title school man you know you but there's nothing like coming back with that trophy you come back to school i can't imagine how those young people was feeling coming back to school and just enjoying those last couple weeks yeah yeah holy

The good part about our shit was there was no social media. So we could really kind of let our nuts hang. Yeah.

The good part about our shit was there was no social media. So we could really kind of let our nuts hang. Yeah.

Nah, and you know, that's a great question because a lot of these campuses have these kind of internal tensions between the sports. We didn't have that. We had a guy by the name of Chris Richard who ended up playing. He was playing with us on the Bulls for a couple years, and he was our backup center, but somebody who was really cool with the football guys.

Nah, and you know, that's a great question because a lot of these campuses have these kind of internal tensions between the sports. We didn't have that. We had a guy by the name of Chris Richard who ended up playing. He was playing with us on the Bulls for a couple years, and he was our backup center, but somebody who was really cool with the football guys.

And we ended up just, you know, we were living in the same dorms. So we were all really tight and supporting each other. We had a good vibe between each other.

And we ended up just, you know, we were living in the same dorms. So we were all really tight and supporting each other. We had a good vibe between each other.

Yeah. It's a football school, but it's okay. It's okay. Football brings in the money, but at the end of the day, a chip is a chip. You come back and you go to Grog House and you go to the bar, you're not talking about, is this a football school or a basketball school? This is... The chicks are coming.

Yeah. It's a football school, but it's okay. It's okay. Football brings in the money, but at the end of the day, a chip is a chip. You come back and you go to Grog House and you go to the bar, you're not talking about, is this a football school or a basketball school? This is... The chicks are coming.

I'm not monkey dunking all over the place. That's for sure. But body feels pretty good. Eight surgeries later. List them all. Three knees, an Achilles, two shoulders, both my thumbs. I mean, plan to fight the whole thing.

I'm not monkey dunking all over the place. That's for sure. But body feels pretty good. Eight surgeries later. List them all. Three knees, an Achilles, two shoulders, both my thumbs. I mean, plan to fight the whole thing.

I'm so happy you said that because if it would have came from me and said that I was the first one shooting guns, nobody believes me. You were shooting guns when you shot a jumper. I was like, yeah, I didn't just play defense. I had a little 15 footer. But, you know, my guns, I had PE guns. They were little pistols, yeah.

I'm so happy you said that because if it would have came from me and said that I was the first one shooting guns, nobody believes me. You were shooting guns when you shot a jumper. I was like, yeah, I didn't just play defense. I had a little 15 footer. But, you know, my guns, I had PE guns. They were little pistols, yeah.

It wasn't grenades and snipers and all this shit that's going on now.

It wasn't grenades and snipers and all this shit that's going on now.

Yeah, I put them away because Chicago's a wild place. But you know what? When the games got hot, when the – I was shooting my guns.

Yeah, I put them away because Chicago's a wild place. But you know what? When the games got hot, when the – I was shooting my guns.

He should be allowed to do that. Um, you know, when you win ball games, it cures everything. Yeah, it's true. So unfortunately, they have a lot of soul searching to do over there in Memphis. And, you know, their their fan base is awesome. They you know, they really have a

He should be allowed to do that. Um, you know, when you win ball games, it cures everything. Yeah, it's true. So unfortunately, they have a lot of soul searching to do over there in Memphis. And, you know, their their fan base is awesome. They you know, they really have a

a brand of basketball you know that grit and grind that uh zebo and t and tony allen like put together that you know the fans love that because it represents them so well so you know we want we want to see john and and jj and all those guys like really represent that um so it'll be interesting to see what happens because they they need they need to really step it up and have a big summer

a brand of basketball you know that grit and grind that uh zebo and t and tony allen like put together that you know the fans love that because it represents them so well so you know we want we want to see john and and jj and all those guys like really represent that um so it'll be interesting to see what happens because they they need they need to really step it up and have a big summer

I was definitely not a Cancun on three. I mean, I was going to Cancun after a while, but that first week after losing in the playoff was, for me, it was really dark. Like I had a bottle of whiskey by the bed.

I was definitely not a Cancun on three. I mean, I was going to Cancun after a while, but that first week after losing in the playoff was, for me, it was really dark. Like I had a bottle of whiskey by the bed.

Yeah. Maybe a little too much. I mean, I guess that's just the way it is. You know, when you're playing in the NBA, it's so many games. You have to be level-headed. And I was not that. You know, it was like if we were winning, I was too crunk. And if we lost, it was like I couldn't sleep for days.

Yeah. Maybe a little too much. I mean, I guess that's just the way it is. You know, when you're playing in the NBA, it's so many games. You have to be level-headed. And I was not that. You know, it was like if we were winning, I was too crunk. And if we lost, it was like I couldn't sleep for days.

I mean, you realize now that it's over with, you realize how fragile keeping a whole thing together is. Right. And that game is a game that I try not to remember too much. It sucked. You want to come prepared. It's at home. Big game six against LeBron. This guy kicked our ass for the last three years or three times we played him.

I mean, you realize now that it's over with, you realize how fragile keeping a whole thing together is. Right. And that game is a game that I try not to remember too much. It sucked. You want to come prepared. It's at home. Big game six against LeBron. This guy kicked our ass for the last three years or three times we played him.

and we had a real shot at it, and unfortunately we just – we stunk it up in game six.

and we had a real shot at it, and unfortunately we just – we stunk it up in game six.

yeah it's it's it's your first time feeling it yeah you know experience is it's it's real you know and you got to give a shout out to those games are just awesome to watch this is a war going on outside nobody is safe and i'm watching this goosebumps my first three years out the league i couldn't even watch basketball Really? Yeah, it was. It was.

yeah it's it's it's your first time feeling it yeah you know experience is it's it's real you know and you got to give a shout out to those games are just awesome to watch this is a war going on outside nobody is safe and i'm watching this goosebumps my first three years out the league i couldn't even watch basketball Really? Yeah, it was. It was.

Yeah, I was just it took me a while to process what happened. And, you know, it's like you're still looking at the game like, you know, I used to I used to fuck this dude up and he's still in there. So it just it just takes a little while to to process, OK, it's over with, you know, just watch the game as a fan.

Yeah, I was just it took me a while to process what happened. And, you know, it's like you're still looking at the game like, you know, I used to I used to fuck this dude up and he's still in there. So it just it just takes a little while to to process, OK, it's over with, you know, just watch the game as a fan.

And not as a competitor. And I love watching that series that Houston Golden State series like because those guys are big as fuck, strong. Houston got a lot of tough guys. I love watching Amen Thompson, but what Draymond is doing single-handedly saying, okay, all you motherfuckers over here, all you tough guys over here, I want all the smoke. And now he got Jimmy as well.

And not as a competitor. And I love watching that series that Houston Golden State series like because those guys are big as fuck, strong. Houston got a lot of tough guys. I love watching Amen Thompson, but what Draymond is doing single-handedly saying, okay, all you motherfuckers over here, all you tough guys over here, I want all the smoke. And now he got Jimmy as well.

What Jimmy's doing, when he fell on his back, I was like, how the fuck is this guy going to come back? And what he's doing over there, you got to give big credit to Jimmy because I think this is probably his best shot at winning a championship.

What Jimmy's doing, when he fell on his back, I was like, how the fuck is this guy going to come back? And what he's doing over there, you got to give big credit to Jimmy because I think this is probably his best shot at winning a championship.

All right, so... Golden State, game on the line. The world knows who's getting the ball with the game on the line. Houston, game on the line. Who's getting the ball?

All right, so... Golden State, game on the line. The world knows who's getting the ball with the game on the line. Houston, game on the line. Who's getting the ball?

Okay.

Okay.

Okay, so Jalen wasn't shooting. Up and down all year.

Okay, so Jalen wasn't shooting. Up and down all year.

Fred, okay. So you're the coach, you're giving the ball to Fred.

Fred, okay. So you're the coach, you're giving the ball to Fred.

You said three different guys. You can't do that. You can only give it to one. That's the problem. The real answer would probably be Fred.

You said three different guys. You can't do that. You can only give it to one. That's the problem. The real answer would probably be Fred.

you're in trouble you're in big trouble and you got to know and it's look game on the line last possession it's not like the regular season where six guys are listening in that timeout the whole bench everybody who's in that organization is listening to who the coach is giving the ball to you know what i mean right Look, they gave it to Shang-Goon. Draymond got a big stop.

you're in trouble you're in big trouble and you got to know and it's look game on the line last possession it's not like the regular season where six guys are listening in that timeout the whole bench everybody who's in that organization is listening to who the coach is giving the ball to you know what i mean right Look, they gave it to Shang-Goon. Draymond got a big stop.

That's what it's all about.

That's what it's all about.

You know?

You know?

Well, Draymond got four championships, so he's a starting championship center or whatever position he plays. But people always make fun about his stats, but this is so much more than stats. You got Steven Adams and Shang-Goon. They're two 300-pound guys. This guy's 6'6", 250. Fucking bring it. Okay, so find me five of those who are ready to go into that battle, you know?

Well, Draymond got four championships, so he's a starting championship center or whatever position he plays. But people always make fun about his stats, but this is so much more than stats. You got Steven Adams and Shang-Goon. They're two 300-pound guys. This guy's 6'6", 250. Fucking bring it. Okay, so find me five of those who are ready to go into that battle, you know?

So honestly, you can't... What Draymond brings to the team is so much more than just what you see on a stat line. It's so much more than just the surface, you know? He's the one who's bringing the energy and making sure that everybody's ready to go. Steph can be Steph. Nobody's fucking Steph up because Draymond is going to be right there fucking... putting you in a chokehold if you even try.

So honestly, you can't... What Draymond brings to the team is so much more than just what you see on a stat line. It's so much more than just the surface, you know? He's the one who's bringing the energy and making sure that everybody's ready to go. Steph can be Steph. Nobody's fucking Steph up because Draymond is going to be right there fucking... putting you in a chokehold if you even try.

So yeah, so sometimes he goes over the line, but you know what, as a team, that gives you confidence knowing that you have a guy who's willing to do anything and Golden State has his back and they've showed it over and over. Every time he stepped over the line, they got his back. It says a lot about the organization.

So yeah, so sometimes he goes over the line, but you know what, as a team, that gives you confidence knowing that you have a guy who's willing to do anything and Golden State has his back and they've showed it over and over. Every time he stepped over the line, they got his back. It says a lot about the organization.

We got our guy over there, the GM, Don Levy, another crazy Irish guy that I got to be in some battles with. And he was just like, yo, there's no question. Like we got to get, when everybody was questioning Jimmy's character and stuff, I mean, it just fit like a glove as soon as he got there.

We got our guy over there, the GM, Don Levy, another crazy Irish guy that I got to be in some battles with. And he was just like, yo, there's no question. Like we got to get, when everybody was questioning Jimmy's character and stuff, I mean, it just fit like a glove as soon as he got there.

And I think it's just like, it's a great fit for him just to be in a situation right now where you gotta respect what Steph's done. You gotta respect who Draymond is. And now he can come in and just be himself where it's not just him being the alpha. It's about me. No, no, no, no, no. This is about winning a championship. This is about his teammates.

And I think it's just like, it's a great fit for him just to be in a situation right now where you gotta respect what Steph's done. You gotta respect who Draymond is. And now he can come in and just be himself where it's not just him being the alpha. It's about me. No, no, no, no, no. This is about winning a championship. This is about his teammates.

And you can tell just the way he talks about his guy. He's been there for, what, three months? And you feel like he's been there for five years.

And you can tell just the way he talks about his guy. He's been there for, what, three months? And you feel like he's been there for five years.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

I think it depends on the coach. It depends on the coach. But, you know, vets have played in big games and you can trust them more. You know, you're seeing it in the Houston Golden State Series. You know, if Steph needs a day off from practice, you give him a day off from practice and that's just. Yeah. And everybody shut the fuck up. Yeah. You don't take away his cookies over playing. Yeah.

I think it depends on the coach. It depends on the coach. But, you know, vets have played in big games and you can trust them more. You know, you're seeing it in the Houston Golden State Series. You know, if Steph needs a day off from practice, you give him a day off from practice and that's just. Yeah. And everybody shut the fuck up. Yeah. You don't take away his cookies over playing. Yeah.

That's right.

That's right.

Great development system out there.

Great development system out there.

Big Cat, you're asking all the right questions. All the right questions. All the right questions. And you know what? I think it's time to start asking those questions.

Big Cat, you're asking all the right questions. All the right questions. All the right questions. And you know what? I think it's time to start asking those questions.

Because you can tell. People around the world, they're leveling up right now. And I grew up playing in France until I was 12, and then I moved to New York City. So I played in two grassroots systems. The French grassroots system is interesting because the pro teams have, 10-year-old teams, 12-year-old teams, 14-year-old teams, 16-year-old teams. And then on Saturday, you can go see the pros play.

Because you can tell. People around the world, they're leveling up right now. And I grew up playing in France until I was 12, and then I moved to New York City. So I played in two grassroots systems. The French grassroots system is interesting because the pro teams have, 10-year-old teams, 12-year-old teams, 14-year-old teams, 16-year-old teams. And then on Saturday, you can go see the pros play.

So every single time you play a game, the next level is playing right after you. So you get to see what it takes to play at the next level. And if you're good enough, the 10-year-old might play on the 12. You play up. You play up. And another thing that they do really well is... they coach it as a team sport. It's not the superstar thing.

So every single time you play a game, the next level is playing right after you. So you get to see what it takes to play at the next level. And if you're good enough, the 10-year-old might play on the 12. You play up. You play up. And another thing that they do really well is... they coach it as a team sport. It's not the superstar thing.

And if you have a shot to be an NBA prospect, well, you have like the top French general managers coming to your house and coming to talk to the parents about what the expectations are. So they're ready now. And when we when we first got to the league, there was two or three French players playing in that sit.

And if you have a shot to be an NBA prospect, well, you have like the top French general managers coming to your house and coming to talk to the parents about what the expectations are. So they're ready now. And when we when we first got to the league, there was two or three French players playing in that sit.

And what Tony Parker did was was huge because it allowed the kids to be inspired and dream and And now we got Wenbin Yama.

And what Tony Parker did was was huge because it allowed the kids to be inspired and dream and And now we got Wenbin Yama.

Well, we're definitely in a in a in a transition period where something something different is going on, where these kids are getting paid a lot of money. So players have a lot of power right now. You know, you have a 16 year old kid who's making three, $4 million. What the fuck is a coach going to say?

Well, we're definitely in a in a in a transition period where something something different is going on, where these kids are getting paid a lot of money. So players have a lot of power right now. You know, you have a 16 year old kid who's making three, $4 million. What the fuck is a coach going to say?

And I'm not hating on kids getting paid because you know what? This is what it is. At the end of the day, you can't be playing in on national TV with billions of dollars on the line with television revenues out the going crazy and the kids don't get shit. So, okay, I think that the marketing is a good step, but this is a business. It's a big business.

And I'm not hating on kids getting paid because you know what? This is what it is. At the end of the day, you can't be playing in on national TV with billions of dollars on the line with television revenues out the going crazy and the kids don't get shit. So, okay, I think that the marketing is a good step, but this is a business. It's a big business.

And we were getting bamboozled the whole time. So now at least kids are getting paid and they deserve it. That being said, for the development of the game, there needs to be a change.

And we were getting bamboozled the whole time. So now at least kids are getting paid and they deserve it. That being said, for the development of the game, there needs to be a change.

If I had $2 million in the bank?

If I had $2 million in the bank?

Everybody's attitude changes when they got $2 million.

Everybody's attitude changes when they got $2 million.

Look, to be a champion... to be called champ, you have to sacrifice. It's not all about you, you know? And I think that we understood that as a team in college and we loved playing with each other so much that we ended up coming back to school. And it's something that I'm really, there was no money involved. And I say that with, you know, that's the truth. There was no money, it was legit.

Look, to be a champion... to be called champ, you have to sacrifice. It's not all about you, you know? And I think that we understood that as a team in college and we loved playing with each other so much that we ended up coming back to school. And it's something that I'm really, there was no money involved. And I say that with, you know, that's the truth. There was no money, it was legit.

one through five, I think I averaged 13 points. Al averaged like 13.2. Lee Humphrey averaged 12.7. We were all averaging the same amount of points. He takes one thing away, all right, he's the hot man, he's getting the rock. And it was just second nature for us to be able to play ball the right way. And you realize after playing in the NBA for 14 years,

one through five, I think I averaged 13 points. Al averaged like 13.2. Lee Humphrey averaged 12.7. We were all averaging the same amount of points. He takes one thing away, all right, he's the hot man, he's getting the rock. And it was just second nature for us to be able to play ball the right way. And you realize after playing in the NBA for 14 years,

That's rare where you have that kind of chemistry. We were always talking about stats and this, but nobody ever talks about chemistry on the court. I think that's a really interesting thing.

That's rare where you have that kind of chemistry. We were always talking about stats and this, but nobody ever talks about chemistry on the court. I think that's a really interesting thing.

I mean, if Horphy left, I would have definitely left. So he was kind of the linchpin in that? I wouldn't say Horphy. I would say Corey. Yeah. Corey, you know, I think that Al was in a situation where he didn't have to worry too much about his family. You know, his dad was an NBA player. Torian, same thing. Dad was an NBA player. For me, you know, money was not an issue.

I mean, if Horphy left, I would have definitely left. So he was kind of the linchpin in that? I wouldn't say Horphy. I would say Corey. Yeah. Corey, you know, I think that Al was in a situation where he didn't have to worry too much about his family. You know, his dad was an NBA player. Torian, same thing. Dad was an NBA player. For me, you know, money was not an issue.

You know, I didn't have to worry about, you know, making sure mom had food in the fridge. Right. For Corey, it was a little bit different. When he was like, okay, when I went to Corey's hometown and I saw where he was from and for him to say, we're coming back to school, like I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it because he's the one who had the real decision to make.

You know, I didn't have to worry about, you know, making sure mom had food in the fridge. Right. For Corey, it was a little bit different. When he was like, okay, when I went to Corey's hometown and I saw where he was from and for him to say, we're coming back to school, like I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it because he's the one who had the real decision to make.

If he would have left, we would all left. That's how fragile this thing is. And, you know, Coach Donovan is just so good at, you know, just getting us hype. He knew what he was doing.

If he would have left, we would all left. That's how fragile this thing is. And, you know, Coach Donovan is just so good at, you know, just getting us hype. He knew what he was doing.

He got us in the locker room and he was just like, guys, let's let's fucking do this shit again. And it was like it was the same week that we had won the championship. And and honestly, it's it's something that I would never tell a kid to do what we did.

He got us in the locker room and he was just like, guys, let's let's fucking do this shit again. And it was like it was the same week that we had won the championship. And and honestly, it's it's something that I would never tell a kid to do what we did.

Because kids come up, they ask me, like, oh, I think I want to come back to school. They have these allegiances to these schools. But that being said, I'm really proud that we did that.

Because kids come up, they ask me, like, oh, I think I want to come back to school. They have these allegiances to these schools. But that being said, I'm really proud that we did that.

Have you met him? I haven't met him. I would love to see him play one-on-one against you.

Have you met him? I haven't met him. I would love to see him play one-on-one against you.

Yeah, that would be dope.

Yeah, that would be dope.

You got to get him here.

You got to get him here.

I'd be like, why the fuck isn't this guy playing? Can you imagine him at the bar, like, handing out shots? No. Classic. No. You can't get away with shit.

I'd be like, why the fuck isn't this guy playing? Can you imagine him at the bar, like, handing out shots? No. Classic. No. You can't get away with shit.

I couldn't do it, man. That's crazy. Couldn't do it. It was...

I couldn't do it, man. That's crazy. Couldn't do it. It was...

Yeah. I didn't feel comfortable. Yeah. It's a weird thing. Competition is a strange thing. I had to just completely change my mindset when I was done playing where, okay, everything that I thought that I was... like I had to change my whole, my whole mindset.

Yeah. I didn't feel comfortable. Yeah. It's a weird thing. Competition is a strange thing. I had to just completely change my mindset when I was done playing where, okay, everything that I thought that I was... like I had to change my whole, my whole mindset.

You're not going to play. You're not playing in front of 20,000 people anymore. Like the gladiator shit is over with. And now it's about trying to talk to the next generation and hopefully you can inspire them with, through your experience to, to be able to be the best players that they can be.

You're not going to play. You're not playing in front of 20,000 people anymore. Like the gladiator shit is over with. And now it's about trying to talk to the next generation and hopefully you can inspire them with, through your experience to, to be able to be the best players that they can be.

Hmm. Depression. I wouldn't say depression. My life was pretty awesome. Um, you know, it's actually the, the best sleep I've ever had. I, my anxiety just went down 10 notches. I sleep a lot better. Um, But yeah, as soon as I started watching the game, those feelings would come back and they weren't always good thoughts. They were negative.

Hmm. Depression. I wouldn't say depression. My life was pretty awesome. Um, you know, it's actually the, the best sleep I've ever had. I, my anxiety just went down 10 notches. I sleep a lot better. Um, But yeah, as soon as I started watching the game, those feelings would come back and they weren't always good thoughts. They were negative.

So I didn't like the way it made me feel watching basketball. So when I started watching basketball as a fan and now I could look at Amon Thompson and be like, damn, like... I like this guy. People talk about, oh, there's no defense yet. Watch that guy play basketball. They're there.

So I didn't like the way it made me feel watching basketball. So when I started watching basketball as a fan and now I could look at Amon Thompson and be like, damn, like... I like this guy. People talk about, oh, there's no defense yet. Watch that guy play basketball. They're there.

It's just, let's stop generalizing and also realize that there was a narrative around the league this year that this shit got so soft. But that wasn't coming from the players. That was coming from up top because they wanted more scoring. Right. So as soon as that narrative started getting louder and louder, something changed. Because these playoffs right now are fucking fun to watch.

It's just, let's stop generalizing and also realize that there was a narrative around the league this year that this shit got so soft. But that wasn't coming from the players. That was coming from up top because they wanted more scoring. Right. So as soon as that narrative started getting louder and louder, something changed. Because these playoffs right now are fucking fun to watch.

I love the Thompson twins.

I love the Thompson twins.

The Thompson twins are just... Dogs. I love watching the dog. I love watching dogs. What about Ant? Ant is doing his thing.

The Thompson twins are just... Dogs. I love watching the dog. I love watching dogs. What about Ant? Ant is doing his thing.

You had to like when he was pushing LeBron.

You had to like when he was pushing LeBron.

I'm like, what is this, football? But I just thought that, you know, it's like people don't realize like, yo, LeBron's 270 pounds. Right. Like Anthony's 210 max. Yeah. you got 60 pounds on it, that's a lot of weight. And it was just dope to watch just that kind of competition. Like, all right, I'm gonna take your little ass in the post.

I'm like, what is this, football? But I just thought that, you know, it's like people don't realize like, yo, LeBron's 270 pounds. Right. Like Anthony's 210 max. Yeah. you got 60 pounds on it, that's a lot of weight. And it was just dope to watch just that kind of competition. Like, all right, I'm gonna take your little ass in the post.

Like that competition, that level of, even Rudy, like hit him in the back of the head. I'm like, yo, you know, people don't, like the competition piece, the ugly piece of the competition I think that's what we love as fans. It's like, you love watching that. You know what, this isn't always pretty. Like, oh, we love each other. We're brothers, we're hugging. Like I hated that shit.

Like that competition, that level of, even Rudy, like hit him in the back of the head. I'm like, yo, you know, people don't, like the competition piece, the ugly piece of the competition I think that's what we love as fans. It's like, you love watching that. You know what, this isn't always pretty. Like, oh, we love each other. We're brothers, we're hugging. Like I hated that shit.

But now I'm seeing this like, yo, you're trying to get what I want and nothing's gonna get in the way of that. And we're getting back to that kind of basketball. And it's really fun to watch.

But now I'm seeing this like, yo, you're trying to get what I want and nothing's gonna get in the way of that. And we're getting back to that kind of basketball. And it's really fun to watch.

It's really impressive. Yeah. It's... He's our age. It took a couple years. Yeah. It took a couple years because, you know, years of losses against him definitely took a toll. But, you know, just to be able to look at it and be like, yo, this guy is 40 years old playing at this level, competing the way that he's competing because he's competing on both ends of the court.

It's really impressive. Yeah. It's... He's our age. It took a couple years. Yeah. It took a couple years because, you know, years of losses against him definitely took a toll. But, you know, just to be able to look at it and be like, yo, this guy is 40 years old playing at this level, competing the way that he's competing because he's competing on both ends of the court.

It's really – I got no words, but I'm watching.

It's really – I got no words, but I'm watching.

Favorite player.

Favorite player.

Favorite player.

Favorite player.

I mean, this guy's getting buckets, pass first guy. I mean, you can just tell, it's like he gets the ball in his hands, like everybody's cutting, everybody knows that they can get the ball. It's a different kind of superstar with him because everybody's involved.

I mean, this guy's getting buckets, pass first guy. I mean, you can just tell, it's like he gets the ball in his hands, like everybody's cutting, everybody knows that they can get the ball. It's a different kind of superstar with him because everybody's involved.

You can't say that about most superstars in the NBA because the mentality in America is I'm the superstar, I'm gonna get the ball, it's showtime. His mentality is not I'm getting the ball. It's showtime. It's cuts. It's handoffs. He's playing in a system, and he just happens to be the quarterback.

You can't say that about most superstars in the NBA because the mentality in America is I'm the superstar, I'm gonna get the ball, it's showtime. His mentality is not I'm getting the ball. It's showtime. It's cuts. It's handoffs. He's playing in a system, and he just happens to be the quarterback.

Yeah, not a lot of people can say that. And your teammates are going to, you know, be like, OK, OK, you're right. Yeah. You know, but he's one of those guys like I'm sure he says that nobody says a word because they know he's right. It's always right.

Yeah, not a lot of people can say that. And your teammates are going to, you know, be like, OK, OK, you're right. Yeah. You know, but he's one of those guys like I'm sure he says that nobody says a word because they know he's right. It's always right.

Well... Boston is definitely the heavy favorite. Until somebody beats Boston, they're the team to beat. But do not disrespect the Cleveland Cavaliers because they're ready to rock and roll. And if you think this is going to be an easy sweep, no, no, no. Don't get it twisted. You're in for a real battle. That's happening. That's happening. Look, if I had to put money on it, Cavs Boston.

Well... Boston is definitely the heavy favorite. Until somebody beats Boston, they're the team to beat. But do not disrespect the Cleveland Cavaliers because they're ready to rock and roll. And if you think this is going to be an easy sweep, no, no, no. Don't get it twisted. You're in for a real battle. That's happening. That's happening. Look, if I had to put money on it, Cavs Boston.

Great question. I haven't thought about it too much. It could be interesting. Maybe going to a, checking out a tourist board over there and seeing all the fun things they do in Cleveland.

Great question. I haven't thought about it too much. It could be interesting. Maybe going to a, checking out a tourist board over there and seeing all the fun things they do in Cleveland.

Maybe if I went with you guys, maybe people would give me a little more slack. But it's crazy. The younger kids who didn't get to see me play in my prime, they're still really pissed about that Cleveland shit. They're like, people know me as the anti-Cleveland guy. The guy who shit on Cleveland. It's crazy that that happened over 10 years ago and people still talk to me about this Cleveland.

Maybe if I went with you guys, maybe people would give me a little more slack. But it's crazy. The younger kids who didn't get to see me play in my prime, they're still really pissed about that Cleveland shit. They're like, people know me as the anti-Cleveland guy. The guy who shit on Cleveland. It's crazy that that happened over 10 years ago and people still talk to me about this Cleveland.

I mean... Yeah. Okay. I'd rather go to Beale Street and go check out the music scene over there, to be honest.

I mean... Yeah. Okay. I'd rather go to Beale Street and go check out the music scene over there, to be honest.

I mean, it was a long time ago. It didn't mark... I wasn't super impressed.

I mean, it was a long time ago. It didn't mark... I wasn't super impressed.

I don't think it was a specific moment in the game because Tibbs' whole thing was preparation. And when you're with him, by year four, year five, you're like, holy shit, this shoot around, it's two hours long, Tibbs. Get us off our feet. Let's go home. Let's get some rest and go play the game.

I don't think it was a specific moment in the game because Tibbs' whole thing was preparation. And when you're with him, by year four, year five, you're like, holy shit, this shoot around, it's two hours long, Tibbs. Get us off our feet. Let's go home. Let's get some rest and go play the game.

but there's something about being in these battles and feeling prepared that is, you know, there's nothing feels better than being ready and being prepared. Tibbs, as crazy as Tibbs is, We were prepared.

but there's something about being in these battles and feeling prepared that is, you know, there's nothing feels better than being ready and being prepared. Tibbs, as crazy as Tibbs is, We were prepared.

Yeah, that sounds terrible. But he's young. Yeah, he'll learn. He's young. He'll learn. I mean, look... chicken alfredo is a hell of a meal that's a heavy meal maybe not before the yeah not before the game but he's what 23 years old yeah 23 years old who gives a fuck you're eating mcdonald's you eat a big mac before the game you're good but at 30 what was your pre-game meal

Yeah, that sounds terrible. But he's young. Yeah, he'll learn. He's young. He'll learn. I mean, look... chicken alfredo is a hell of a meal that's a heavy meal maybe not before the yeah not before the game but he's what 23 years old yeah 23 years old who gives a fuck you're eating mcdonald's you eat a big mac before the game you're good but at 30 what was your pre-game meal

I was eating pretty, avocados, rice, chicken. It was my meal. Trying to win at a high level is, it's fucking boring, guys. There is nothing.

I was eating pretty, avocados, rice, chicken. It was my meal. Trying to win at a high level is, it's fucking boring, guys. There is nothing.

There is nothing, like all these people that you look at and you're like, wow, this champion, like. If you think that this guy has the most interesting life, no, he's going to bed at fucking nine o'clock at night.

There is nothing, like all these people that you look at and you're like, wow, this champion, like. If you think that this guy has the most interesting life, no, he's going to bed at fucking nine o'clock at night.

You know, he's eating healthy like you want to hear about his health routines like. It's not that interesting. It's repetitive and boring and doing the same thing over and over and over again to get better. But if you, I mean, for some people that's interesting. I need more. I need more. Just because you're a champion doesn't make you interesting. That's true.

You know, he's eating healthy like you want to hear about his health routines like. It's not that interesting. It's repetitive and boring and doing the same thing over and over and over again to get better. But if you, I mean, for some people that's interesting. I need more. I need more. Just because you're a champion doesn't make you interesting. That's true.

So I played for the Clippers for three months. I just cut my Achilles right before, like six months before. And I had the blessing to be able to sign with the Clippers. And it was when... I signed and then the next day COVID hit. The Rudy Gobert thing hit. So we had all this time off. And then the Steve Floyd thing happened in the NBA.

So I played for the Clippers for three months. I just cut my Achilles right before, like six months before. And I had the blessing to be able to sign with the Clippers. And it was when... I signed and then the next day COVID hit. The Rudy Gobert thing hit. So we had all this time off. And then the Steve Floyd thing happened in the NBA.

And I remember Balmer getting all the players on a Zoom call and saying that he would invest in any nonprofit foundation that was doing work in the communities of the players they were living in. I was like, what? To me, that just spoke volumes about the guy that he wanted to, first of all, as an owner, be able to talk to his players about the situation and be able to be helpful.

And I remember Balmer getting all the players on a Zoom call and saying that he would invest in any nonprofit foundation that was doing work in the communities of the players they were living in. I was like, what? To me, that just spoke volumes about the guy that he wanted to, first of all, as an owner, be able to talk to his players about the situation and be able to be helpful.

I thought that was really powerful and nobody can say anything bad about that guy.

I thought that was really powerful and nobody can say anything bad about that guy.

Just taking a guess. He would have definitely not done that. Definitely not done that. Give two fucks.

Just taking a guess. He would have definitely not done that. Definitely not done that. Give two fucks.

Yeah, he's a super fan. And you know what? They made some tough decisions. I love that Van Gundy's on the bench. I think it says a lot about their coaching staff, the fact that they could bring in a guy like that as an advisor or an assistant coach, but somebody who... you know, he's an alpha himself. So to be able to have Ty Lue and him on the bench, that's two head coaches on the bench.

Yeah, he's a super fan. And you know what? They made some tough decisions. I love that Van Gundy's on the bench. I think it says a lot about their coaching staff, the fact that they could bring in a guy like that as an advisor or an assistant coach, but somebody who... you know, he's an alpha himself. So to be able to have Ty Lue and him on the bench, that's two head coaches on the bench.

That doesn't always work. It says a lot about who they are.

That doesn't always work. It says a lot about who they are.

I did.

I did.

Well, I was with your main man, Matty Walsh.

Well, I was with your main man, Matty Walsh.

And David Lee. Yeah. And they were kind of taking me on my recruiting trip and- I had the best time of my life, man. As soon as I saw those two, those frats going at it, I knew that it was safe and fun. And I knew that I was just not gonna have any, it wasn't gonna be boring. It's like, there's nothing like getting out of a practice and then going on campus.

And David Lee. Yeah. And they were kind of taking me on my recruiting trip and- I had the best time of my life, man. As soon as I saw those two, those frats going at it, I knew that it was safe and fun. And I knew that I was just not gonna have any, it wasn't gonna be boring. It's like, there's nothing like getting out of a practice and then going on campus.

And then you go to a bar a little bit outside and you see two frats throwing the worst punches possible. You know that nobody's going to get hurt, but it's still enough to like be able to sit down, you know, and just eat some chicken wings and just, you know, watch some chaos.

And then you go to a bar a little bit outside and you see two frats throwing the worst punches possible. You know that nobody's going to get hurt, but it's still enough to like be able to sit down, you know, and just eat some chicken wings and just, you know, watch some chaos.

I mean, you know, I don't think those, they didn't happen all the time, I think, but It happened on my recruiting trip. I love that though. It's so great. It was a moment.

I mean, you know, I don't think those, they didn't happen all the time, I think, but It happened on my recruiting trip. I love that though. It's so great. It was a moment.

You know, when the football guys are fighting, it's another thing. Yeah, that is another thing.

You know, when the football guys are fighting, it's another thing. Yeah, that is another thing.

Shout out Noah's Ark. We're out here in the community in Chicago. One city, shout out to one city. Shout out to our basketball league, violence prevention league. We're working with 28 different violence prevention groups playing basketball against each other. Very proud of the work that we're doing here. We're growing, we're growing.

Shout out Noah's Ark. We're out here in the community in Chicago. One city, shout out to one city. Shout out to our basketball league, violence prevention league. We're working with 28 different violence prevention groups playing basketball against each other. Very proud of the work that we're doing here. We're growing, we're growing.

And shout out to Tony Allen also who joined the crew as the commissioner. Tony Allen coming in and doing that community work, real social worker out there. So shout out to Kobe Williams and everybody out there doing all the great work for us.

And shout out to Tony Allen also who joined the crew as the commissioner. Tony Allen coming in and doing that community work, real social worker out there. So shout out to Kobe Williams and everybody out there doing all the great work for us.

Now that you guys got a hoop. Yep. Yeah. You know, let's chop it up. Let's go drink a brew skin.

Now that you guys got a hoop. Yep. Yeah. You know, let's chop it up. Let's go drink a brew skin.

Do what we do.

Do what we do.

Yeah. Watch some frat guys.

Yeah. Watch some frat guys.

They're throwing their beers. They're throwing beers all over the place. It's great.

They're throwing their beers. They're throwing beers all over the place. It's great.

We did not win. You won't even let me finish my fucking sentence.

We did not win. You won't even let me finish my fucking sentence.

Shut the fuck up, man. After that tweet you put out, you guys won my slaughter. I've been trying to say a sentence for the last four minutes. And you stupid motherfuckers won't stop talking.

Shut the fuck up, man. After that tweet you put out, you guys won my slaughter. I've been trying to say a sentence for the last four minutes. And you stupid motherfuckers won't stop talking.

That would actually be a really good race horse.

Florida is fucking back, guys. It feels great.

I was in Casablanca in Morocco. Okay. And I felt like I was really missing out. I wanted to be at the game, but I've been working with this NBA Africa League and we finally brought it to Morocco. It was so dope. So on the championship night, I went to the mosque. I fucking prayed. I prayed my ass off. I'm not Muslim, but it helped.

I don't know what happened, but there was something about praying in that mosque for the Gator Boys and that run that they went on, man. That was a hell of a run they went on.

yeah i mean not just for basketball football title title school man you know you but there's nothing like coming back with that trophy you come back to school i can't imagine how those young people was feeling coming back to school and just enjoying those last couple weeks yeah yeah holy

The good part about our shit was there was no social media. So we could really kind of let our nuts hang. Yeah.

Nah, and you know, that's a great question because a lot of these campuses have these kind of internal tensions between the sports. We didn't have that. We had a guy by the name of Chris Richard who ended up playing. He was playing with us on the Bulls for a couple years, and he was our backup center, but somebody who was really cool with the football guys.

And we ended up just, you know, we were living in the same dorms. So we were all really tight and supporting each other. We had a good vibe between each other.

Yeah. It's a football school, but it's okay. It's okay. Football brings in the money, but at the end of the day, a chip is a chip. You come back and you go to Grog House and you go to the bar, you're not talking about, is this a football school or a basketball school? This is... The chicks are coming.

I'm not monkey dunking all over the place. That's for sure. But body feels pretty good. Eight surgeries later. List them all. Three knees, an Achilles, two shoulders, both my thumbs. I mean, plan to fight the whole thing.

I'm so happy you said that because if it would have came from me and said that I was the first one shooting guns, nobody believes me. You were shooting guns when you shot a jumper. I was like, yeah, I didn't just play defense. I had a little 15 footer. But, you know, my guns, I had PE guns. They were little pistols, yeah.

It wasn't grenades and snipers and all this shit that's going on now.

Yeah, I put them away because Chicago's a wild place. But you know what? When the games got hot, when the – I was shooting my guns.

He should be allowed to do that. Um, you know, when you win ball games, it cures everything. Yeah, it's true. So unfortunately, they have a lot of soul searching to do over there in Memphis. And, you know, their their fan base is awesome. They you know, they really have a

a brand of basketball you know that grit and grind that uh zebo and t and tony allen like put together that you know the fans love that because it represents them so well so you know we want we want to see john and and jj and all those guys like really represent that um so it'll be interesting to see what happens because they they need they need to really step it up and have a big summer

I was definitely not a Cancun on three. I mean, I was going to Cancun after a while, but that first week after losing in the playoff was, for me, it was really dark. Like I had a bottle of whiskey by the bed.

Yeah. Maybe a little too much. I mean, I guess that's just the way it is. You know, when you're playing in the NBA, it's so many games. You have to be level-headed. And I was not that. You know, it was like if we were winning, I was too crunk. And if we lost, it was like I couldn't sleep for days.

I mean, you realize now that it's over with, you realize how fragile keeping a whole thing together is. Right. And that game is a game that I try not to remember too much. It sucked. You want to come prepared. It's at home. Big game six against LeBron. This guy kicked our ass for the last three years or three times we played him.

and we had a real shot at it, and unfortunately we just – we stunk it up in game six.

yeah it's it's it's your first time feeling it yeah you know experience is it's it's real you know and you got to give a shout out to those games are just awesome to watch this is a war going on outside nobody is safe and i'm watching this goosebumps my first three years out the league i couldn't even watch basketball Really? Yeah, it was. It was.

Yeah, I was just it took me a while to process what happened. And, you know, it's like you're still looking at the game like, you know, I used to I used to fuck this dude up and he's still in there. So it just it just takes a little while to to process, OK, it's over with, you know, just watch the game as a fan.

And not as a competitor. And I love watching that series that Houston Golden State series like because those guys are big as fuck, strong. Houston got a lot of tough guys. I love watching Amen Thompson, but what Draymond is doing single-handedly saying, okay, all you motherfuckers over here, all you tough guys over here, I want all the smoke. And now he got Jimmy as well.

What Jimmy's doing, when he fell on his back, I was like, how the fuck is this guy going to come back? And what he's doing over there, you got to give big credit to Jimmy because I think this is probably his best shot at winning a championship.

All right, so... Golden State, game on the line. The world knows who's getting the ball with the game on the line. Houston, game on the line. Who's getting the ball?

Okay.

Okay, so Jalen wasn't shooting. Up and down all year.

Fred, okay. So you're the coach, you're giving the ball to Fred.

You said three different guys. You can't do that. You can only give it to one. That's the problem. The real answer would probably be Fred.

you're in trouble you're in big trouble and you got to know and it's look game on the line last possession it's not like the regular season where six guys are listening in that timeout the whole bench everybody who's in that organization is listening to who the coach is giving the ball to you know what i mean right Look, they gave it to Shang-Goon. Draymond got a big stop.

That's what it's all about.

You know?

Well, Draymond got four championships, so he's a starting championship center or whatever position he plays. But people always make fun about his stats, but this is so much more than stats. You got Steven Adams and Shang-Goon. They're two 300-pound guys. This guy's 6'6", 250. Fucking bring it. Okay, so find me five of those who are ready to go into that battle, you know?

So honestly, you can't... What Draymond brings to the team is so much more than just what you see on a stat line. It's so much more than just the surface, you know? He's the one who's bringing the energy and making sure that everybody's ready to go. Steph can be Steph. Nobody's fucking Steph up because Draymond is going to be right there fucking... putting you in a chokehold if you even try.

So yeah, so sometimes he goes over the line, but you know what, as a team, that gives you confidence knowing that you have a guy who's willing to do anything and Golden State has his back and they've showed it over and over. Every time he stepped over the line, they got his back. It says a lot about the organization.

We got our guy over there, the GM, Don Levy, another crazy Irish guy that I got to be in some battles with. And he was just like, yo, there's no question. Like we got to get, when everybody was questioning Jimmy's character and stuff, I mean, it just fit like a glove as soon as he got there.

And I think it's just like, it's a great fit for him just to be in a situation right now where you gotta respect what Steph's done. You gotta respect who Draymond is. And now he can come in and just be himself where it's not just him being the alpha. It's about me. No, no, no, no, no. This is about winning a championship. This is about his teammates.

And you can tell just the way he talks about his guy. He's been there for, what, three months? And you feel like he's been there for five years.

Mm-hmm.

I think it depends on the coach. It depends on the coach. But, you know, vets have played in big games and you can trust them more. You know, you're seeing it in the Houston Golden State Series. You know, if Steph needs a day off from practice, you give him a day off from practice and that's just. Yeah. And everybody shut the fuck up. Yeah. You don't take away his cookies over playing. Yeah.

That's right.

Great development system out there.

Big Cat, you're asking all the right questions. All the right questions. All the right questions. And you know what? I think it's time to start asking those questions.

Because you can tell. People around the world, they're leveling up right now. And I grew up playing in France until I was 12, and then I moved to New York City. So I played in two grassroots systems. The French grassroots system is interesting because the pro teams have, 10-year-old teams, 12-year-old teams, 14-year-old teams, 16-year-old teams. And then on Saturday, you can go see the pros play.

So every single time you play a game, the next level is playing right after you. So you get to see what it takes to play at the next level. And if you're good enough, the 10-year-old might play on the 12. You play up. You play up. And another thing that they do really well is... they coach it as a team sport. It's not the superstar thing.

And if you have a shot to be an NBA prospect, well, you have like the top French general managers coming to your house and coming to talk to the parents about what the expectations are. So they're ready now. And when we when we first got to the league, there was two or three French players playing in that sit.

And what Tony Parker did was was huge because it allowed the kids to be inspired and dream and And now we got Wenbin Yama.

Well, we're definitely in a in a in a transition period where something something different is going on, where these kids are getting paid a lot of money. So players have a lot of power right now. You know, you have a 16 year old kid who's making three, $4 million. What the fuck is a coach going to say?

And I'm not hating on kids getting paid because you know what? This is what it is. At the end of the day, you can't be playing in on national TV with billions of dollars on the line with television revenues out the going crazy and the kids don't get shit. So, okay, I think that the marketing is a good step, but this is a business. It's a big business.

And we were getting bamboozled the whole time. So now at least kids are getting paid and they deserve it. That being said, for the development of the game, there needs to be a change.

If I had $2 million in the bank?

Everybody's attitude changes when they got $2 million.

Look, to be a champion... to be called champ, you have to sacrifice. It's not all about you, you know? And I think that we understood that as a team in college and we loved playing with each other so much that we ended up coming back to school. And it's something that I'm really, there was no money involved. And I say that with, you know, that's the truth. There was no money, it was legit.

one through five, I think I averaged 13 points. Al averaged like 13.2. Lee Humphrey averaged 12.7. We were all averaging the same amount of points. He takes one thing away, all right, he's the hot man, he's getting the rock. And it was just second nature for us to be able to play ball the right way. And you realize after playing in the NBA for 14 years,

That's rare where you have that kind of chemistry. We were always talking about stats and this, but nobody ever talks about chemistry on the court. I think that's a really interesting thing.

I mean, if Horphy left, I would have definitely left. So he was kind of the linchpin in that? I wouldn't say Horphy. I would say Corey. Yeah. Corey, you know, I think that Al was in a situation where he didn't have to worry too much about his family. You know, his dad was an NBA player. Torian, same thing. Dad was an NBA player. For me, you know, money was not an issue.

You know, I didn't have to worry about, you know, making sure mom had food in the fridge. Right. For Corey, it was a little bit different. When he was like, okay, when I went to Corey's hometown and I saw where he was from and for him to say, we're coming back to school, like I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it because he's the one who had the real decision to make.

If he would have left, we would all left. That's how fragile this thing is. And, you know, Coach Donovan is just so good at, you know, just getting us hype. He knew what he was doing.

He got us in the locker room and he was just like, guys, let's let's fucking do this shit again. And it was like it was the same week that we had won the championship. And and honestly, it's it's something that I would never tell a kid to do what we did.

Because kids come up, they ask me, like, oh, I think I want to come back to school. They have these allegiances to these schools. But that being said, I'm really proud that we did that.

Have you met him? I haven't met him. I would love to see him play one-on-one against you.

Yeah, that would be dope.

You got to get him here.

I'd be like, why the fuck isn't this guy playing? Can you imagine him at the bar, like, handing out shots? No. Classic. No. You can't get away with shit.

I couldn't do it, man. That's crazy. Couldn't do it. It was...

Yeah. I didn't feel comfortable. Yeah. It's a weird thing. Competition is a strange thing. I had to just completely change my mindset when I was done playing where, okay, everything that I thought that I was... like I had to change my whole, my whole mindset.

You're not going to play. You're not playing in front of 20,000 people anymore. Like the gladiator shit is over with. And now it's about trying to talk to the next generation and hopefully you can inspire them with, through your experience to, to be able to be the best players that they can be.

Hmm. Depression. I wouldn't say depression. My life was pretty awesome. Um, you know, it's actually the, the best sleep I've ever had. I, my anxiety just went down 10 notches. I sleep a lot better. Um, But yeah, as soon as I started watching the game, those feelings would come back and they weren't always good thoughts. They were negative.

So I didn't like the way it made me feel watching basketball. So when I started watching basketball as a fan and now I could look at Amon Thompson and be like, damn, like... I like this guy. People talk about, oh, there's no defense yet. Watch that guy play basketball. They're there.

It's just, let's stop generalizing and also realize that there was a narrative around the league this year that this shit got so soft. But that wasn't coming from the players. That was coming from up top because they wanted more scoring. Right. So as soon as that narrative started getting louder and louder, something changed. Because these playoffs right now are fucking fun to watch.

I love the Thompson twins.

The Thompson twins are just... Dogs. I love watching the dog. I love watching dogs. What about Ant? Ant is doing his thing.

You had to like when he was pushing LeBron.

I'm like, what is this, football? But I just thought that, you know, it's like people don't realize like, yo, LeBron's 270 pounds. Right. Like Anthony's 210 max. Yeah. you got 60 pounds on it, that's a lot of weight. And it was just dope to watch just that kind of competition. Like, all right, I'm gonna take your little ass in the post.

Like that competition, that level of, even Rudy, like hit him in the back of the head. I'm like, yo, you know, people don't, like the competition piece, the ugly piece of the competition I think that's what we love as fans. It's like, you love watching that. You know what, this isn't always pretty. Like, oh, we love each other. We're brothers, we're hugging. Like I hated that shit.

But now I'm seeing this like, yo, you're trying to get what I want and nothing's gonna get in the way of that. And we're getting back to that kind of basketball. And it's really fun to watch.

It's really impressive. Yeah. It's... He's our age. It took a couple years. Yeah. It took a couple years because, you know, years of losses against him definitely took a toll. But, you know, just to be able to look at it and be like, yo, this guy is 40 years old playing at this level, competing the way that he's competing because he's competing on both ends of the court.

It's really – I got no words, but I'm watching.

Favorite player.

Favorite player.

I mean, this guy's getting buckets, pass first guy. I mean, you can just tell, it's like he gets the ball in his hands, like everybody's cutting, everybody knows that they can get the ball. It's a different kind of superstar with him because everybody's involved.

You can't say that about most superstars in the NBA because the mentality in America is I'm the superstar, I'm gonna get the ball, it's showtime. His mentality is not I'm getting the ball. It's showtime. It's cuts. It's handoffs. He's playing in a system, and he just happens to be the quarterback.

Yeah, not a lot of people can say that. And your teammates are going to, you know, be like, OK, OK, you're right. Yeah. You know, but he's one of those guys like I'm sure he says that nobody says a word because they know he's right. It's always right.

Well... Boston is definitely the heavy favorite. Until somebody beats Boston, they're the team to beat. But do not disrespect the Cleveland Cavaliers because they're ready to rock and roll. And if you think this is going to be an easy sweep, no, no, no. Don't get it twisted. You're in for a real battle. That's happening. That's happening. Look, if I had to put money on it, Cavs Boston.

Great question. I haven't thought about it too much. It could be interesting. Maybe going to a, checking out a tourist board over there and seeing all the fun things they do in Cleveland.

Maybe if I went with you guys, maybe people would give me a little more slack. But it's crazy. The younger kids who didn't get to see me play in my prime, they're still really pissed about that Cleveland shit. They're like, people know me as the anti-Cleveland guy. The guy who shit on Cleveland. It's crazy that that happened over 10 years ago and people still talk to me about this Cleveland.

I mean... Yeah. Okay. I'd rather go to Beale Street and go check out the music scene over there, to be honest.

I mean, it was a long time ago. It didn't mark... I wasn't super impressed.

I don't think it was a specific moment in the game because Tibbs' whole thing was preparation. And when you're with him, by year four, year five, you're like, holy shit, this shoot around, it's two hours long, Tibbs. Get us off our feet. Let's go home. Let's get some rest and go play the game.

but there's something about being in these battles and feeling prepared that is, you know, there's nothing feels better than being ready and being prepared. Tibbs, as crazy as Tibbs is, We were prepared.

Yeah, that sounds terrible. But he's young. Yeah, he'll learn. He's young. He'll learn. I mean, look... chicken alfredo is a hell of a meal that's a heavy meal maybe not before the yeah not before the game but he's what 23 years old yeah 23 years old who gives a fuck you're eating mcdonald's you eat a big mac before the game you're good but at 30 what was your pre-game meal

I was eating pretty, avocados, rice, chicken. It was my meal. Trying to win at a high level is, it's fucking boring, guys. There is nothing.

There is nothing, like all these people that you look at and you're like, wow, this champion, like. If you think that this guy has the most interesting life, no, he's going to bed at fucking nine o'clock at night.

You know, he's eating healthy like you want to hear about his health routines like. It's not that interesting. It's repetitive and boring and doing the same thing over and over and over again to get better. But if you, I mean, for some people that's interesting. I need more. I need more. Just because you're a champion doesn't make you interesting. That's true.

So I played for the Clippers for three months. I just cut my Achilles right before, like six months before. And I had the blessing to be able to sign with the Clippers. And it was when... I signed and then the next day COVID hit. The Rudy Gobert thing hit. So we had all this time off. And then the Steve Floyd thing happened in the NBA.

And I remember Balmer getting all the players on a Zoom call and saying that he would invest in any nonprofit foundation that was doing work in the communities of the players they were living in. I was like, what? To me, that just spoke volumes about the guy that he wanted to, first of all, as an owner, be able to talk to his players about the situation and be able to be helpful.

I thought that was really powerful and nobody can say anything bad about that guy.

Just taking a guess. He would have definitely not done that. Definitely not done that. Give two fucks.

Yeah, he's a super fan. And you know what? They made some tough decisions. I love that Van Gundy's on the bench. I think it says a lot about their coaching staff, the fact that they could bring in a guy like that as an advisor or an assistant coach, but somebody who... you know, he's an alpha himself. So to be able to have Ty Lue and him on the bench, that's two head coaches on the bench.

That doesn't always work. It says a lot about who they are.

I did.

Well, I was with your main man, Matty Walsh.

And David Lee. Yeah. And they were kind of taking me on my recruiting trip and- I had the best time of my life, man. As soon as I saw those two, those frats going at it, I knew that it was safe and fun. And I knew that I was just not gonna have any, it wasn't gonna be boring. It's like, there's nothing like getting out of a practice and then going on campus.

And then you go to a bar a little bit outside and you see two frats throwing the worst punches possible. You know that nobody's going to get hurt, but it's still enough to like be able to sit down, you know, and just eat some chicken wings and just, you know, watch some chaos.

I mean, you know, I don't think those, they didn't happen all the time, I think, but It happened on my recruiting trip. I love that though. It's so great. It was a moment.

You know, when the football guys are fighting, it's another thing. Yeah, that is another thing.

Shout out Noah's Ark. We're out here in the community in Chicago. One city, shout out to one city. Shout out to our basketball league, violence prevention league. We're working with 28 different violence prevention groups playing basketball against each other. Very proud of the work that we're doing here. We're growing, we're growing.

And shout out to Tony Allen also who joined the crew as the commissioner. Tony Allen coming in and doing that community work, real social worker out there. So shout out to Kobe Williams and everybody out there doing all the great work for us.

Now that you guys got a hoop. Yep. Yeah. You know, let's chop it up. Let's go drink a brew skin.

Do what we do.

Yeah. Watch some frat guys.

They're throwing their beers. They're throwing beers all over the place. It's great.

We did not win. You won't even let me finish my fucking sentence.

Shut the fuck up, man. After that tweet you put out, you guys won my slaughter. I've been trying to say a sentence for the last four minutes. And you stupid motherfuckers won't stop talking.