1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,760 Speaker 1: Joining me now on the Java House Peel and poor 2 00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:04,480 Speaker 1: guest line. This guy really impressed me. As a matter 3 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: of fact, my buddy Michael, my buddy Michael Ware goes 4 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: to the Pacer games with me, and Michael is a 5 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:12,119 Speaker 1: huge Pacer fan, right, and then after the games he 6 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: always like sends me his observations of the game and 7 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: that kind of thing. And he sends me a message 8 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: the other day that simply says, thanks again for the 9 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: invite last night. Nice win and go Ethan Thompson and 10 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:28,680 Speaker 1: I'm because we're watching it and he's like, man, this 11 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: guy's out there hustling, making every play and he joins 12 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: us on the program. 13 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 2: Now. 14 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: He is a new member of the Indiana Pacers, and 15 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: he was I believe in an NBA starter? Am I correct? 16 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: Ethan Thompson saying in game number four of your NBA career, 17 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 1: you're starting, correct? 18 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, that is correct. That is correct. Is a 19 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 2: great transition for sure. I Mean this whole week has 20 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 2: been you know dream come true of you know, getting 21 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,680 Speaker 2: this opportunity and then you know being able to you know, 22 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 2: get used to the team and then you know, just 23 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 2: trying to find my way to make an impact. And 24 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 2: try to win game. So just doing what I can. 25 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 1: Well, I want to get to this because the way 26 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:12,440 Speaker 1: you make an impact. Now, you know, I noticed in 27 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter of that game against Sacramento, there was 28 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,559 Speaker 1: at one point in that game, Ethan, there were three 29 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 1: straight possessions where you either kept the ball alive on 30 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 1: an offensive rebound or tapped out defensive rebounds and just 31 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: putting yourself hustle plays quite frankly, to keep possessions alive 32 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 1: or to prohibit Sacramento from getting a second look at things. 33 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: And then I looked at it, and I'm like, you 34 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: were a five star recruit. You grew up in California, 35 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: You're a five star recruit. You go to Oregon State, 36 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:46,039 Speaker 1: you play obviously in a big conference. When did you 37 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 1: realize that and how did you manage to transition from 38 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: being a guy that spent the majority of your career 39 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: is the mainline player, to now a guy that has 40 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:56,639 Speaker 1: to be a complimentary player. 41 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I think it is, uh goes back 42 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 2: to you know, my my understanding of the game and 43 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,919 Speaker 2: how it was taught. So I gotta credit my my dad. 44 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 2: He's taught me everything that I know. All the coaches 45 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,480 Speaker 2: that I've had growing up have have given me a 46 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: great foundation of, uh, you know, what winning basketball is. 47 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 2: And you know, it's not always that you got to 48 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 2: be the one that's hitting the shots to to make 49 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 2: an impact on the game, but whether it's spacing the 50 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 2: floor properly, you know, making the hustle plays, making the 51 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 2: right reads offensively, defensively, and then yeah, just doing whatever 52 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,959 Speaker 2: it takes. And then you know, having that that fabric, 53 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,880 Speaker 2: you know, could could lead to you being the guy 54 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 2: for you know, for in my case, you know, the 55 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 2: majority of my career and then but then in this situation, 56 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: I still have that same fabric of whatever it takes 57 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 2: to win and at the end of the day, and 58 00:02:52,040 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: just the competitors, so going out there and competing however 59 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 2: I can. 60 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,640 Speaker 1: Now your father obviously was a coach when you were 61 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 1: growing up, I believe, as he's still on staff at 62 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: Oregon State. I know he wasn't one time. 63 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: Yeah okay, yeah, yeah, so yeah, yeah, he's still on staff. 64 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 2: He had got the job I think going into my 65 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 2: sophomore year high school, and then I got the opportunity 66 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: to play with play play for him, and then with 67 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: my older brother as well, Steven Thompson junior. 68 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 1: Now this has to be a record. I don't know 69 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 1: if this is correct. This has to be a record 70 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: than Thompson. You started every game. You played every game 71 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: in Oregon State and started every game. Is that correct? 72 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: Yeah? I believe I do have the record and starts, 73 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 2: and I want to I don't know about most games played, 74 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 2: but most games started, for sure. I know that one. 75 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: Hundred and twenty seven of one hundred and twenty seven, 76 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: And I would imagine if I were you, I would 77 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: be regularly emailing and or sending that statistic to Gary 78 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: Payton and just remind him of it, right. 79 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 2: Right, right, it is. It is great to be in 80 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 2: great company and then to you know, have have my 81 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 2: name probably like two or three starts above him, but like, uh, 82 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 2: you know, it's definitely great to be Vietna company for sure. 83 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: Okay, So you have played in your professional career. You 84 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 1: have played in the G League. You have played in Mexico, 85 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: you have played in Puerto Rico, which I know that 86 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,720 Speaker 1: you have also played for the Puerto Rican national team. Right. 87 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: You have played back into I believe the G League 88 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 1: for the Magic Organization, then in shoot Falls and now here. Okay, 89 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: So how long does it take you to acclimate to 90 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: new roster and learn the system that Indiana's running. 91 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it's it's it's it's not that that 92 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 2: difficult of an acclamation, you know, to this team, because 93 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:34,600 Speaker 2: they got a lot of that got a lot of 94 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: guys that can play the right way. They know how 95 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: to play the right way, and you know, that's the 96 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 2: testament to you know, how coach has been building this 97 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,039 Speaker 2: team for you know, not just this year, but like 98 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: years before as well. So you know, at the end 99 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:49,919 Speaker 2: of the day, it's just basketball and being able to 100 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:53,159 Speaker 2: make the right reads. You know that. The probably the 101 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,840 Speaker 2: toughest part of the transition was just learning the different terminology. 102 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,839 Speaker 2: A lot of teams use you know, different different language 103 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: for different actions on the court, different positions, So trying 104 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 2: to use the right terminology and be on the same 105 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: page with that with my teammates and and they've done 106 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: a job of getting me, you know, on the same 107 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 2: page as well, So it's been good. 108 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,240 Speaker 1: The newest pacer, Ethan Thompson is my guest. He's on 109 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: the Java house peeling poor guest line. When you arrived 110 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 1: with this franchise, what player on the roster for the 111 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: Pacers was the one that was the most open to 112 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: basically saying to you know, kind of immediately took you 113 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: under their wing. Which one would that be? 114 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,840 Speaker 2: I' musa say, I've played Summer League a few years ago, 115 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 2: so like I've I've had a relationship with the guys, 116 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 2: with the majority of you guys. But I will say 117 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 2: that Jay huff has has done a good job of, 118 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: you know, kind of taking me under his wing. You know, 119 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 2: he's been in a similar position that I've been been 120 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 2: battling it in the G League and then you know 121 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 2: he's been able to make his mark in the NBA 122 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,359 Speaker 2: as well. Now he's kind of been talking to me, 123 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 2: encouraging me, and you know, really being that voice and 124 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 2: reassurance of you know, confidence and everything, like calming me 125 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 2: down if I'm you know, nervous or whatever it is. 126 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 2: But you know, he's been in that constant voice for sure. 127 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: Is it hard to when you are in and I'm 128 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: going to say this respectfully, Ethan, but I think you'll 129 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: understand what I mean. When you so far are in 130 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 1: kind of a vagabond career right where you're going and 131 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: you're playing for different teams, is it difficult in a 132 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: situation to hone in on what it is that the 133 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 1: Pacers need you to do, as opposed to taking the 134 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: opportunity to showcase what you can do elsewhere for other 135 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,560 Speaker 1: teams to see. Does that make sense what I'm asking 136 00:06:47,960 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: for sure? 137 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 2: I mean is it's not too difficult for me, because 138 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 2: for me, one of the big things that I've learned, 139 00:06:58,160 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 2: you know, throughout the course of my career, I would 140 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 2: I have been on you know, many G League situations 141 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 2: trying to make it is kind of just being where 142 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 2: your feet are and not not worrying about the future, 143 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 2: not worrying about you know, what comes next, because you 144 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 2: got to make the most of where you're at now. 145 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 2: And that's something that's really kept me grounded and you know, 146 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 2: kind of been in the back of my mind on 147 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: you know, how can I help the Pacers, not necessarily 148 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 2: you know, trying to show what I can do for 149 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 2: other teams is the situation I'm in now, and I 150 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 2: think that will lead to, you know, more opportunity of 151 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,960 Speaker 2: you know, showcasing everything I could do, but still with 152 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 2: the intention of helping the pacers now. 153 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 1: When you were in high school in California, if I'm 154 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: not mistaken in this. In the California High School Tournament, 155 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: did you knock out the team that had all of 156 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: the the LaMelo and Loangelo and and all the brothers 157 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: on it. 158 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. So my junior year when Lonlo was still a senior, 159 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: we lost to them in lost the IF. But then uh, 160 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 2: the year after we we had ended up beating them, 161 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 2: and my senior year, Alonzo left by LaMelo Jello. Uh, 162 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 2: they still have had a few other few other guys 163 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 2: that went on to play college and in the NBA 164 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:15,240 Speaker 2: as well. 165 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 1: So that was their dad on the sidelines. Was their 166 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: dad crazy the whole time? 167 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I want to use the term crazy, 168 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 2: but he's been, uh, you know, super supportive and very 169 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 2: into it. But yeah, it's always been. It's always been 170 00:08:27,640 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 2: good to play against them because, you know, it's the 171 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 2: environment that they bring to the game, especially at you know, 172 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 2: when we were in high school, uh, high school basketball. 173 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 2: You know when I was in college, was sorry, high 174 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 2: school basketball when I was in high school was you know, 175 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 2: a fun thing to be a part of the games 176 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: are always sold out, so it was it was very fun. 177 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: When you grow up, you know, we know of here 178 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,040 Speaker 1: the great players from southern California. I mean it goes 179 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 1: without saying. You just mentioned three of them. You had 180 00:08:55,720 --> 00:09:00,440 Speaker 1: to play, right. Uh, we feel in Indiana, like the 181 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: other forty nine states, look at Indiana as a basketball mecca. 182 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 1: Now you're from California, what is your perception of Indiana basketball? 183 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 2: No, for sure, I think of you know, great basketball, 184 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:17,080 Speaker 2: you know hard nos basketball as well, and you know 185 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 2: a long long history of of of talent and I 186 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: And that's something I'm glad that I that I have 187 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 2: that understanding of because I kind of got familiar with 188 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 2: it when uh, when I was with Oregon State and 189 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 2: we had went on that run to the lead date 190 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 2: it was it was hosted the that COVID year where 191 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 2: everything where each round was in Indiana and then you know, 192 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 2: being out here for for that like month and a 193 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 2: half or whatever it was was uh, you know, pretty 194 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:48,960 Speaker 2: cool just to you know, learn the history of the 195 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 2: city and get to get a feel for the city. 196 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 3: Ethan, after after the win in Chicago, Rick Carlisle you know, 197 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 3: went on to say like, hey, he was, you know, 198 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 3: in doing some scrimmages with you know, Quintin Jackson some 199 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 3: of the other guys in I trained and I had 200 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 3: to call the trainer and like, hey, get him off 201 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 3: the floor. At what point A how did it feel, 202 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 3: I guess in that moment to realize that you were 203 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 3: going to get your first like actual shot, I'm playing 204 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 3: some meaningful minutes in the NBA. 205 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 2: Yeah for sure. I mean like usually after shoot around, 206 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 2: I'll go back to the hotel, take a take a nap, 207 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,840 Speaker 2: and you know that that during that time, my nap time, 208 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 2: basically I was my eyes are closed, but you know 209 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 2: I was still awake, just kind of trying to envision 210 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 2: everything that's going to happen, and you know, a lot 211 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 2: of a lot of nervous energy, but excited energy as well. 212 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 2: And then you know, once once my name got called 213 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 2: the sub in and you know, a couple of possessions down, 214 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 2: I kind of got settled, and you know it was 215 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 2: it was good from there, but definitely something that I've 216 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 2: been looking forward to, you know, my whole life, my 217 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 2: whole career, been working for that moment. So I'm glad 218 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 2: that I was able to experience that and just trying 219 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 2: to continue to build off of it. 220 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: So then, how did they tell you you're a starter? 221 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: When did take me through what happens when they tell you, 222 00:10:58,040 --> 00:10:59,679 Speaker 1: by the way, you're starting against Sacramento. 223 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, we were come into practice, I don't know if 224 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 2: it was the next day or a few days after 225 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 2: coming to practice, and we're about to watch film and 226 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 2: then they have my initials up, uh for for the 227 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:17,440 Speaker 2: matchups against Sacramento, and I was like, okay, yeah, let's 228 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 2: do it. Like you know, I was, I was excited. 229 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 2: And you know, getting that confidence from from everybody on 230 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 2: a team, coaching staff you know, has been has helped 231 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 2: me a lot as well. So you know, I'm just 232 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:30,559 Speaker 2: I'm just excited to be able to go out there 233 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 2: and compete with with this group. They've been, you know, 234 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,959 Speaker 2: very encouraging of me, and you know they want the 235 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 2: best for me as well. 236 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 1: So most importantly and lastly with that, so you look 237 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: up you see E T right there as the starter, 238 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: like not the movie, the starter. 239 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 2: Right. 240 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: So then, and this is the big thing. Every player 241 00:11:49,840 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: on this roster in the pregame stuff goes through a 242 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: line and has like a specific like handshake, dap up, 243 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: whatever you want to call it with TJ McConnell. Now, 244 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,400 Speaker 1: how long did it take you to learn that? And 245 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:07,959 Speaker 1: have you mastered what your specific one is because every 246 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 1: players is different. 247 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: Uh huh, Now I haven't. I haven't mastered, you know, 248 00:12:12,600 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 2: a specific one yet, but we we go work on 249 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 2: it for sure. For sure, because I have something I 250 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 2: have noticed that I gotta. I gotta sit down and 251 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 2: talk with him. 252 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:23,559 Speaker 1: Yeah, see that? So you notice that, right? I mean 253 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: literally every single guy, right? 254 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, everybody. Everybody got their own unique handsake, so it 255 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 2: is pretty tough. 256 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:34,800 Speaker 1: And as a guard, everybody on the floor also has 257 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,200 Speaker 1: their own kind of unique spots. Right, how do you 258 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: learn that as a guard of just kind of understanding 259 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: where guys like their movement, where they like the ball, 260 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: where the set goes, et cetera. How long does it 261 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: take to learn that? 262 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 2: It is something that you know, I've been been watching 263 00:12:52,720 --> 00:12:57,679 Speaker 2: film on before before I was even able to suit up. 264 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:01,440 Speaker 2: But like I've I've been getting the good understanding of 265 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 2: how guys like to play, and you know, the coaching 266 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:07,600 Speaker 2: staff has getting me used to like, Okay, if TJ's 267 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 2: bringing up the four, bringing up the floor, he usually 268 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: likes to run this action. So if I'm in this position, 269 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 2: I'll do this, and if I'm in that position, I'll 270 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,720 Speaker 2: do that. But kind of getting that understanding, you know, 271 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:22,360 Speaker 2: not not necessarily takes time, but like as you get 272 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 2: more reps of it kind of becomes second nature and 273 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 2: you pick up on pattern. So definitely something I've been 274 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 2: trying to key on, you know, throughout these practice days 275 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 2: and then in the game, even when I'm not in 276 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 2: the game, just on a bench if I'm watching, I'm 277 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 2: trying to you know, pick up on those things as well. 278 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 1: By the way, maybe he hasn't told you, but I'm 279 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,959 Speaker 1: telling you right now, your dad when he was Stevie 280 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: Thompson at Syracuse was the truth. 281 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 2: Man. 282 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 1: Those are Jimmy Man had some hell of the teams 283 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 1: and you know between Derek Coleman and Sherman Douglas before 284 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,839 Speaker 1: your dad and Ronnie Sykelee and then you know people 285 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: around here know about Syracuse Paul Stevie Thompson, the ball man. 286 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:04,720 Speaker 2: Nah, yeah, t me. I've heard his story and seen 287 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 2: the film, you know. So it's something that I've always 288 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:11,600 Speaker 2: get something I'm always you know, grateful to have, you know, 289 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 2: to be his son and to be able to you know, 290 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 2: carry on his name as well. So it's it's I'm 291 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 2: glad I got that. 292 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, they had some heck of a teams back then, 293 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: and the Crenshaw and High School and all of it. 294 00:14:22,360 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 1: Love love those those teams and those eras well. We 295 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: certainly wish you the best of luck. 296 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 2: Man. 297 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: I appreciate the time today also having to be a 298 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 1: little bit flexible in the way that our schedule work today, Ethan, 299 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: I certainly appreciate it, and we look forward to watching 300 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: more hustle plays. 301 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 2: All right, definitely definitely appreciate you. 302 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: All right, much appreciated again. That is Ethan Thompson, the 303 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 1: pride of Oregon State, his dad Stevie Thompson, right after 304 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 1: Indiana won the national title in eighty seven, you know, 305 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 1: and those teams that Beheim had many they were loaded, 306 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 1: and there were so many great players that came out. 307 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: You know. Shawn Higgins was out of the like I 308 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 1: think Fairfax in LA at the same time when his 309 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 1: dad was a c and Shaw and special times, special 310 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: times and great players that have come from there.