1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:06,040 Speaker 1: Look, twenty twenty has been relentless and it's not gonna 2 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: stop anytime soon. Real issues are not stopping, and ideally 3 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: they shouldn't. But we need to get our minds under 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: control to be able to combat these issues. I know 5 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 1: it is hard, but I may have a tip. Enter 6 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:26,799 Speaker 1: Sunday Scaries. Sunday Scaries are specially formulated CBD gummies with 7 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: vitamins that are consumable and easy to take on the go. 8 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: They help out by helping you relax and just chill, 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: and they've become a leading CBD brand for millennials. 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I'm 19 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,120 Speaker 1: tas Melas with me as always the man making the 20 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,720 Speaker 1: magic happen. Jd Ella, and we are very excited to 21 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 1: have on Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce. Lloyd, thank 22 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: you so much for taking the time on this holiday weekend, 23 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:40,919 Speaker 1: although who the heck knows if it's a holiday weekend 24 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: or not. 25 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 2: Thanks Loud, thanks for having me on. 26 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: We appreciate it. You've been doing so much media the 27 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: last month. I just wanted to thank you for being 28 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: a voice. You've been a leader here in Atlanta where 29 00:01:54,040 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: we're based. I want to just commend you for that. 30 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 1: I'm sure the Hawks are extremely proud of you for 31 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 1: what you've done these last six weeks, and we want 32 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: to have you on because there's some official news that 33 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: happened this week. The Atlanta Hawks are lending State Farm 34 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: Arena to be an official polling location for the upcoming 35 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: November election as well as this upcoming runoff election, which 36 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: is a good little trial period, so we don't have 37 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 1: any of those negative headlines that we had last month. 38 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: But State Farm Arena is going to be a location 39 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: where people can go down and vote. Definitely the biggest 40 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: location in Georgia, unofficially, the biggest location in the US. 41 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 1: I know you want that to be a model for 42 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: NBA franchises and other sports franchises as well. You guys 43 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 1: have done something tangible. I know the last couple months 44 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 1: people are thinking, what the heck can we do? 45 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:48,639 Speaker 2: Well? 46 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: I just wanted to commend you CEO, Steve Coonan Prince 47 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: Won or Tony Wrestler, the Hawks organization. You've got to 48 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 1: be incredibly proud for taking an idea and making it 49 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: actually well, making it real. And so we'll get into 50 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: the players and them voting and trying to make voting 51 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 1: cool if that's a if that's possible, But first I 52 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 1: just wanted to commend you on that happening. That that 53 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: is something you've got to be extremely proud of. 54 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it's obviously you are. Anytime you get 55 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 2: a chance to make something happen of that magnitude, you 56 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 2: have to be excited about it. You have to be 57 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 2: excited about the possibility for the residents in Fulton County. 58 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 2: And that's the real understanding is the arena will be 59 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 2: loan and visible and active for Fulton County residents. And 60 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 2: you know, you wish you could do it for all 61 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 2: of Atlanta, But you know, you have to abide by 62 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 2: the voting site restrictions, and Fulton County will be able 63 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 2: to benefit from voting in our arena, and I think 64 00:03:57,360 --> 00:03:58,839 Speaker 2: it will be. I don't I don't think we need 65 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 2: to do anything in addition, and I think it's a 66 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 2: cool experience to go into an arena and vote and 67 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 2: exercise your right to vote. And you know, I think 68 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 2: that in and of itself, and like you mentioned, the 69 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 2: biggest site in the state of Georgia and then unofficially 70 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 2: probably in the country. But that's just the cool experience 71 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:21,359 Speaker 2: in and of itself, and we're excited to be a 72 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:23,799 Speaker 2: part of that. We're excited to be the first organization 73 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: to do something like this, but even more excited that 74 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: other organizations are now doing it. You're seeing Detroit Pistons 75 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 2: have opened up their practice facility and they're going to 76 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,480 Speaker 2: do the same thing. And you're seeing I believe Milwaukee 77 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,719 Speaker 2: has come out and talked about their ability to do 78 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,279 Speaker 2: so with their arena. And I've talked to and spoken 79 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 2: to a few other coaches who are inquiring about, you know, 80 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 2: what were the necessary steps for this to happen. So 81 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: the interest is there, and I don't know if football 82 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 2: teams or college teams or what else may be out there, 83 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 2: but the interest to do it is there, Which means 84 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 2: the interest of helping participate in the increase of voters 85 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 2: in our country is there. Which is the most important 86 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 2: thing we can do, is how can we help get 87 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,280 Speaker 2: people to the polls so that they can exercise their right? 88 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, and this has nothing to do with party or 89 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 1: partisanship is It has to do with giving people a 90 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 1: voice and getting out there. And you guys have the 91 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:31,040 Speaker 1: youngest team in the NBA. I wonder these guys some 92 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: haven't even voted yet. I'm sure they haven't voted. 93 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 2: A lot of them, A lot of them haven't voted yet. 94 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,920 Speaker 2: We asked the question a few days ago, and more 95 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:41,559 Speaker 2: hands came up than anything else in terms of who's 96 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 2: actually voted. Which is I think, which is a cool experience. 97 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: You know, I'm listening to Van Jones speak yesterday and 98 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 2: he's saying, twenty twenty will be one of those years. 99 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 2: Twenty years from now, fifty years from now, one hundred 100 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,800 Speaker 2: years from now, we had a pandemic. We have a 101 00:05:57,880 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: racial pandemic. Presidential election will occur in a couple of 102 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 2: months here in twenty twenty in so much history that's 103 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 2: going to come out of this year. So for this 104 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:12,719 Speaker 2: to be your first opportunity to vote in twenty twenty 105 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: will tie you back to everything else that came about 106 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 2: in our country and our world during this year. And 107 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 2: I think it's a very memorable time for our young guys. 108 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 2: So I look forward to assisting them, and I look 109 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 2: forward to them assisting others get out and vote. 110 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 1: Yeah, I can't wait to see what the turnout will 111 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:38,120 Speaker 1: be for young people who have never thought about voting 112 00:06:38,160 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 1: and never thought about, you know, putting their name on 113 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 1: about And now Trey Young is going to be talking 114 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: about it and John Collins is going to be talking 115 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: about it. How do you think those guys not to 116 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 1: put pressure on them by any means, are are going 117 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 1: to reactor, are going to go forward with this initiative? 118 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 2: You know, I think like anthing, there's you know, politics, government, 119 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 2: things of those nature. You're not and myself included, If 120 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 2: you're not extremely versed in it, it can be somewhat intimidating. 121 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 2: And I think for those guys it'll be pretty intimidating 122 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: to just speak about it, But the actual voting process 123 00:07:23,040 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 2: would be, you feel, you feel important, you feel significant 124 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: in the ability that you were able to vote for 125 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 2: the first time and go through that process. And it's 126 00:07:34,520 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 2: not a long process. I think it'll you know, take 127 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 2: you twenty to thirty minutes to get through and then 128 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 2: you know, go through the ballot, go through the line, 129 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 2: go through everything. 130 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: Hope, so fingers crossed, fingers cross. 131 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:51,000 Speaker 2: But I think I think experiencing that for the first 132 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 2: time and being able to say I voted, that's some 133 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 2: people don't understand how powerful that statement. And to put 134 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 2: that sticker on. I put that sticker on with pride 135 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 2: every time. You know, it's almost emotional sometimes you think 136 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:12,800 Speaker 2: of people fighting for that right for you to have 137 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: the right to vote and to be able to say 138 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 2: I did vote proudly. It's it's pretty pretty impressive, pretty remarkable, 139 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 2: and I think it will be a great feeling for 140 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 2: those guys once they do it. 141 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, and down there at State Farm Arena, it's a 142 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: giant arena. I think it should be the model for 143 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: other NBA franchises and other even NFL franchises, as you said, 144 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 1: hopefully other sports franchises. You have meetings every Monday with 145 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: other coaches and you guys have talked about it. Has 146 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: there been any desire from other coaches as has? Have 147 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,079 Speaker 1: they been into it? 148 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 2: Have they have? 149 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: They've been asking questions as you said. Or is Greg 150 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: Popovich just sip and wine and not paying attention to 151 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: you while you talk about it. 152 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 2: No, I mean it's it's it's almost you know. I 153 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 2: think there's a five minute period before the meeting starts 154 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 2: where everybody's logging on the zoom and, you know, checking 155 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 2: each other's backgrounds out, you know, seeing coach Casey on 156 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 2: his porch in Detroit with sunshine out. You know, guys 157 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:23,840 Speaker 2: will give them something, asking Monty Williams how hot it 158 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 2: is in Phoenix, and then it just gets serious, it 159 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 2: gets it gets right right, you know, we get right 160 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 2: to it to not waste anyone's time once, you know, 161 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:37,559 Speaker 2: we don't start the meeting until we have confirmed attendance 162 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:41,640 Speaker 2: from everyone, and if someone isn't there, they usually let 163 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 2: us know ahead of time, but we try not to 164 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 2: start so no one misses any of the information, you know, 165 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,320 Speaker 2: And it goes from joking around to very somber, and 166 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 2: everyone's sitting there waiting idle for about two to three minutes, 167 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 2: and then we start and it's all business. You know, 168 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,839 Speaker 2: get thirty head coaches on a zoom call and it's 169 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 2: all business. It's pretty powerful because you can see everyone 170 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 2: taking notes, and you can see everyone locked into their 171 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 2: screens and you can see everyone is really, you know, 172 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 2: really remove themselves from any distraction during that hour an 173 00:10:20,440 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 2: hour and a half whatever we end up doing. And again, 174 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 2: every coach has been committed to trying to figure out 175 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 2: things to do in their community. They're trying to offer advice, 176 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 2: but they're more important and they're all listening. They're all 177 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,280 Speaker 2: listening to our speakers, they're all listening to the agenda, 178 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 2: they're all listening to the ideas that we have, and 179 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,680 Speaker 2: they're all focused on making sure they do their part. 180 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 2: And I think that's been I think that's been the 181 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 2: power of our group, is the unity and the commitment. 182 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: And I know that's been your message the last couple months, 183 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:57,080 Speaker 1: that word listen, listen to what the heck's going on 184 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: around you, and then you know, make something happen around you. 185 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: As far as your players go, like you said, youngest 186 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: team in the association, I know it's it's a lot 187 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: on their shoulders and I'm sure they're listening. I'm sure 188 00:11:11,880 --> 00:11:15,600 Speaker 1: they're trying to get involved. Have you found some of 189 00:11:15,640 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 1: your players have been able to find their voice? How 190 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 1: do you think they've evolved the last couple of months. 191 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 2: You know, I think they're all learning how to do so. 192 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 2: You know, I think part of finding your voice is 193 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 2: just just showing up. And you know, when I spoke 194 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:37,440 Speaker 2: at the March and Georgia, I had five guys show 195 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 2: up and participate in a protest in march down the 196 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 2: street to the capital building. You know, that's that in 197 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,760 Speaker 2: and of itself, even for myself. You know, I'm not 198 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:52,839 Speaker 2: out protesting all the time. Those events are new to 199 00:11:53,240 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 2: take part and you do find your voice because you 200 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 2: can now you can tell a story about it. And 201 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 2: part of discovering your voice is having information and something 202 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,839 Speaker 2: to talk about. Well, they now have something to talk about, 203 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 2: you know. Trade participated in a march in Oklahoma. You know, 204 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:12,439 Speaker 2: I had John and Kevin Herder and Vince and Bruno 205 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 2: and Damian Jones come out to the march here, and 206 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 2: you're seeing a couple of them really speak about getting 207 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 2: involved with the voting process and helping helping people register 208 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 2: to vote. And so I just think you know, once 209 00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 2: they actually do some of these things, you know, part 210 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 2: of it is just showing up and figuring out what's 211 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 2: going on and wanting to be a part of it, 212 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 2: but not just jumping out there. You know, you don't 213 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 2: just jump out there and say, hey, give me the 214 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 2: megaphone if you don't have anything to say. You know, 215 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 2: it's a little unnerving as well, but I think they are. 216 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:52,200 Speaker 2: I think this is a I think this whole time 217 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 2: period away from basketball is really helping them find their 218 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,319 Speaker 2: voice and really, you know, find out what's essential, what's 219 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 2: important because so many things have been taken away from us, 220 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 2: and so their voice is powerful now because when you're 221 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 2: on the sideline, you're trying to figure out how to 222 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 2: get back in. You got to speak up, you got 223 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 2: to say something, you got to do something. And right 224 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 2: now we're all kind of on the sideline trying to 225 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: figure out what's important. What am I able to do? 226 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 2: Why do I have to wear a mask? Can I travel? 227 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 2: You know? Who should I vote for? All these things 228 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:29,320 Speaker 2: are real life situations for us all right now, and 229 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 2: it's forcing me to be educated and to learn more, 230 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,120 Speaker 2: and I think it's forcing them to do so as well. 231 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,960 Speaker 2: So I'm encouraged, and I think this is this is 232 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 2: a very significant time in their lives. Is twenty one 233 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 2: twenty three year olds to know what's going on and 234 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 2: then when we resume normalcy whenever that is not take 235 00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 2: it for granted, because they've used their voice and they 236 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 2: found their voice. 237 00:13:57,280 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 1: You mentioned Kevin Herder. He was one of the guys 238 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: who who came to the protest with you. He said 239 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 1: that was his first protest that he's been to. He's 240 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:08,000 Speaker 1: the one white player on your team. He's shown an 241 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 1: incredible amount of vulnerability and openness when I've seen him 242 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 1: in doing his media. I bring him up because we're 243 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,400 Speaker 1: a bunch of white guys who do this show, and 244 00:14:19,560 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 1: you know we're trying to be allies as well, and 245 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: I just I want to just highlight him for a 246 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: second and ask how he sort of adapted how he's 247 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: doing because I think it can relate to a lot 248 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 1: of people listening. How has Kevin Herder dealt with or 249 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: evolved in this situation. 250 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 2: You know, he was He's been tremendous and he and 251 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 2: I had a conversation after the march and I told him, 252 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:50,720 Speaker 2: I said, man, I applaud you because you are the 253 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 2: one white player we have in a very predominantly African 254 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 2: American city and African American team in African American league, 255 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 2: and you know, to show up to be on that 256 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 2: stage with all of us as the only white player, 257 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 2: as a couple of white coaches. But I think you 258 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 2: know too for him to admit, like, wow, I've never marched, 259 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 2: I've never even seen a protest like this, but to 260 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 2: understand why the march in the protest. And I think 261 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 2: that's what Kevin's true strength comes in, is he understands, 262 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 2: he has a greater understanding and a greater insight as 263 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 2: to what's going on with regards to racism in our 264 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 2: country and how it may not have ever affected him, 265 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 2: but he's understanding how he could have benefited from the 266 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 2: other side of it, and how he's now seeing there's 267 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,360 Speaker 2: a difference in how certain people have grown up, how 268 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 2: black his black teammates, black friends have grown up that 269 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:55,600 Speaker 2: are different than him, and not just neighborhood and friends 270 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,920 Speaker 2: and you know, demographic, but just kind of the mental 271 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 2: emotional cycle, a lot of effects of it as well. 272 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 2: And I think he I think he truly gets that. 273 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 2: I think he's trying to be more educated and aware 274 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 2: about it. But he joined ah, he joined a zoom 275 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 2: meeting that Coach Quinn and I have the of the 276 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 2: Falcons and Coach Colin from the Dream We did a 277 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 2: zoom call with some high school athletes and parents and 278 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 2: you know whoever else wanted to join and l. Duncan 279 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 2: was was the moderator and we had three Falcon players 280 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 2: and we had Kevin Herderon and you know, Kevin spoke 281 00:16:30,760 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 2: about you know, understanding, you know that that this is 282 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 2: the different for him to be the minority, to try 283 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 2: and find his voice, but also to use his voice. 284 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 2: And I think that that understanding that reality is what's 285 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 2: making him which is going to make him truly mature 286 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 2: in this in this area, but also as a person. 287 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 2: I think just having a better sense and this is 288 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 2: some of the things that you know, team sport you 289 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 2: benefit from. You get to interact with different people in 290 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 2: different backgrounds. But I don't know how many people actually 291 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:05,520 Speaker 2: dive into it. I think now he's actually diving into 292 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: the understanding that that, you know, there's some different ways 293 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:11,719 Speaker 2: of life for a lot of people, and he's learning 294 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:13,560 Speaker 2: kind of in the crash course right now. 295 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:18,439 Speaker 1: Before we get to little basketball talk, how has this 296 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: been for you? How is just I know it's been 297 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:26,360 Speaker 1: a whirlwind, I'm sure, But overall, how has this been 298 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 1: for coach Pierce? 299 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 2: You know? Busy? It's been extremely busy, And I think, yeah, 300 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 2: I think, I think understanding what a head coach with 301 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 2: that position entails when you truly understand it, you know, 302 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,400 Speaker 2: this isn't the busy part doesn't bother me at all. 303 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 2: You expect to be you expect to be, you know, 304 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 2: for me on the normal part of the job, you know, 305 00:17:55,800 --> 00:18:01,399 Speaker 2: watching film, you know, basically writing righting speeches. You've got 306 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:03,480 Speaker 2: to speak to your team every day and knowing what 307 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:07,160 Speaker 2: you want to say, being able to dress, ownership, being 308 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: able to dress the media, being able to you know, 309 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 2: manage your staff. That's that's the busy work. And then 310 00:18:15,320 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 2: you carry the burden of what they feel, how they feel, 311 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 2: what's going on. You carry the burden everybody, your staff, 312 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:24,119 Speaker 2: your players. So you're always busy in different ways. And 313 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,760 Speaker 2: even if you're not actively busy, your mind is busy. 314 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 2: You're always I'm always thinking and working and trying to 315 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 2: figure stuff out. And so this is just another layer 316 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:38,479 Speaker 2: of it. You know, my mind is constantly working what 317 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:40,320 Speaker 2: can I do, How can I help? Who can I 318 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:44,480 Speaker 2: connect with? Who can I learn from? What to say? 319 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 2: But I think more importantly as a as a black man, 320 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:54,760 Speaker 2: this is as a black man that actually has access 321 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 2: and privilege to you know, lots of resources and people 322 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 2: and connects and things of that nature, and passionate about 323 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 2: what's going on. This is a very pivotal time for me, 324 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:12,919 Speaker 2: uh in my career and in my life. More importantly too, 325 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 2: really understand the role I play and truly caring about 326 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 2: other people. And you say that, and you do that 327 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 2: as a coach, and you do that for your community. 328 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 2: But I think this is this is deeper than you know. 329 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 2: You talked about making something tangible with the arena. I 330 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 2: think the stuff that's not as tangible is more important 331 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:40,919 Speaker 2: when it talks to racial injustices. You know, some of 332 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:42,679 Speaker 2: the things we aren't going to see. Some of the 333 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 2: things aren't going to show up as a you know, 334 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,720 Speaker 2: a headline. Some of the things that are just trying 335 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 2: to deal with the ideologies and the mentalities and the 336 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 2: systemic side, we're not going to see that. You're not 337 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 2: going to be able to write about those things. They're 338 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 2: just going to have to happen because we keep the 339 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:03,080 Speaker 2: conversation going and you're changing opinions, you're changing beliefs, you're 340 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 2: changing thoughts, and you're a part of that. So that's 341 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 2: a long, long, long lasting and sustainable issue that we 342 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 2: hope remains that way. But that's more important to me, 343 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,200 Speaker 2: and in this position that I have, I've got to 344 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 2: stay focused on that. And what I've learned is that 345 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:25,520 Speaker 2: it can't change, it won't change. Like this is I've 346 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 2: jumped in the moment and jumped in the movement, jumped 347 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 2: in the fight, and I'm not jumping out. Just that 348 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 2: part won't happen. I won't be a coach for my 349 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 2: entire life. I'll be black my entire life, and I'll 350 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 2: be in this fight my entire life. 351 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: And know that we can sort of get bombarded by 352 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 1: all the negative events that are happening, because there are 353 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:51,440 Speaker 1: a lot of negative events that are happening, but I 354 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 1: think sometimes if you dig in and you actually look, 355 00:20:57,160 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: there are some positives that are happening out there. Maya Moore, 356 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:05,040 Speaker 1: the Goat. Maya Moore bringing Jonathan Irons out of a 357 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: Missouri prison where he was wrongfully convicted after twenty two years, 358 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 1: you've got the state of Mississippi taken off the portions 359 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 1: of its Confederate flag. Little things like that, which are 360 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,880 Speaker 1: obviously very largely and more symbolic things are happening out there. 361 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 1: And like you said, it's it's not so much those 362 00:21:26,080 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: tangible things, but you know, our day to day are 363 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:34,679 Speaker 1: our relationships with people that will over time hopefully change 364 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:39,360 Speaker 1: the way we deal with each other. Is there something 365 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:44,000 Speaker 1: that you and the Hawks are looking at doing sort 366 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 1: of in the future as a process? Is there is 367 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:50,480 Speaker 1: there something else that's on the horizon for you guys 368 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:52,639 Speaker 1: to sort of to move towards. I know that's a 369 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: it's a big ask, it's a big question, But is 370 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 1: there something else that you're you're looking at as well? 371 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:03,119 Speaker 2: Well? We meet regularly. You know, there's a small group 372 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 2: within the organization that's kind of tasked with the overall 373 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:12,080 Speaker 2: as you're talking about the big picture of what we 374 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 2: can do moving forward, and you know, and I remind 375 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 2: everyone in the group to listen and to really sit 376 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 2: back and listen, because that's going to steer us in 377 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 2: the right direction in terms of what can we do, 378 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 2: what what should We're not going to be able to 379 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 2: solve everything or do everything, And I think finding the 380 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 2: solution isn't the real task. It's just being a part 381 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:36,920 Speaker 2: of our community and helping our community the best way 382 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 2: that we can, best that we feel that we can. 383 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 2: And you know, our principal Governor, Tony Wrestler, is you know, 384 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 2: the finance guy, and he's been that way his whole career. 385 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 2: And he's been very adamant with our players of helping 386 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:54,240 Speaker 2: them manage their money and to have an understanding of 387 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:57,159 Speaker 2: what managing their money is. And so his commitment, his 388 00:22:57,320 --> 00:23:01,879 Speaker 2: passion when it comes to racial justice is one sector 389 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 2: he's very much committed to and focused on his economic 390 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:10,160 Speaker 2: empowerment for the African American community. And we've we've had 391 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 2: discussions on what does that look like here in the 392 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 2: city of Atlanta. How do we empower small business owners, 393 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 2: How do we empower African American business owners, minority business owners. 394 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 2: How do we create an opportunity for them to learn 395 00:23:29,119 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 2: to be sustainable here in this city that is over 396 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:38,320 Speaker 2: fifty percent African American. How do we create an environment 397 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 2: that they can thrive in from a business standpoint and 398 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:46,159 Speaker 2: create future generations of business leaders and entrepreneurs. So you 399 00:23:46,200 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 2: know that that economic empowerment area is very much a focus. 400 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 2: You know, I've spoken about you know, everything that every 401 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:55,920 Speaker 2: sports team does is they go out into the community 402 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,959 Speaker 2: and they build courts, and they do you know, programs 403 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 2: and after school program and they do many camps and 404 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:06,359 Speaker 2: things of that nature. We are in constant communication with 405 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 2: our communities from a basketball standpoint, and so with that, 406 00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:12,439 Speaker 2: it's also an opportunity for us to educate, you know, 407 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 2: when we go out there, there's ways that we can 408 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 2: educate them on the history of our country, properly educate 409 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:22,280 Speaker 2: our communities on the history of our country, and start 410 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:28,080 Speaker 2: changing the ideologies in the myths about you know, equality 411 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 2: in our country and really address it from a standpoint 412 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 2: of what the troops are and why, you know, we 413 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 2: continue to see protests and brutality and then and then 414 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:39,679 Speaker 2: talk about how we can move in a different direction. 415 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:45,919 Speaker 2: So we're figuring out ways that while we're connecting with 416 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 2: our community, we can educate and build trust. While we're 417 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 2: here in the city of Atlanta, we can focus on 418 00:24:52,359 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 2: economic empowerment, and then you know, it's just we'll get 419 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 2: to law and enforcement and policy and things of that nature. 420 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:07,439 Speaker 2: You know, there's a big political tone involved when you 421 00:25:07,480 --> 00:25:11,160 Speaker 2: start going there, and that's you know, as as most people, 422 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:14,199 Speaker 2: it's not it's not our direction as a government or 423 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 2: as an organization to just go straight to government, you know, 424 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:21,120 Speaker 2: you know, it's the voting has nothing to do as 425 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,640 Speaker 2: you talked about with It's not a partisan thing for us. 426 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:26,400 Speaker 2: It's just our right. We have a right to vote. 427 00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 2: We want to help everyone else with the right to vote. 428 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,160 Speaker 2: Are there things that we feel we should address from 429 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 2: a government political standpoint, yeah, all of us do. But 430 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,600 Speaker 2: as an organization, you know, we really want to focus 431 00:25:39,680 --> 00:25:42,440 Speaker 2: on what we think, you know, we can commit ourselves 432 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:46,280 Speaker 2: to doing, which is what we're already doing. We're already 433 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: trying to you know, invest in you know, Tony's been 434 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:53,600 Speaker 2: great about investing in small businesses and others and trying 435 00:25:53,600 --> 00:25:56,720 Speaker 2: to help others economically empower themselves. And we do everything 436 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:59,120 Speaker 2: we can to connect with our fans and our community. 437 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:04,000 Speaker 2: So really trying to stay as committed to those efforts 438 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,520 Speaker 2: as we can and try and enhance them. 439 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 1: And I want to just get something right. You called 440 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 1: Tony Russelly principal governors that the term are we moving away? 441 00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 2: It's always it's it's always been, you know, board of 442 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 2: governors meeting is that. The actual term is governor. It's 443 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 2: it's a they have a board of governors meeting. That 444 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 2: that hasn't That's always been the same. You know. I 445 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:32,679 Speaker 2: learned that when you when you when you interview and 446 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 2: you go through the process, and you know, every team 447 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:38,399 Speaker 2: has to have a principal governor, which is kind of 448 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:41,440 Speaker 2: your majority owner and then you you know, they say 449 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:45,240 Speaker 2: minority owners or have a stake of ownership in the team, 450 00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:50,240 Speaker 2: but there's always one principal governor that has the biggest 451 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 2: stake in the team. Every team has that. So when 452 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 2: they when they meet with the you know, when when 453 00:26:56,000 --> 00:27:00,360 Speaker 2: the when the majority owner meets, you know, it's it's 454 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:03,360 Speaker 2: the governor's meeting. Board of governor's meeting is what they call. 455 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 2: It's always been that. It may sound as if there's 456 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:08,880 Speaker 2: some sort of shift through whatever, No, that always been. 457 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:13,120 Speaker 1: That way, Coach Pierce, keeping me straight here. Let's get 458 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:15,840 Speaker 1: a little bit to the basketball side of things, because 459 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 1: there's some news yesterday rumor that there will be a 460 00:27:19,400 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 1: second bubble for teams who aren't participating in Orlando. The 461 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 1: eight teams that aren't headed down there potentially going to 462 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:31,920 Speaker 1: have a bubble in Chicago in September. Would the Hawks 463 00:27:31,960 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 1: be interested in doing that? From I know, it's really 464 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:37,639 Speaker 1: early and there's definitely no concrete plans on that, but 465 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: just as an idea, what do you think. 466 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:43,640 Speaker 2: Well, we've been fighting for an opportunity to work out 467 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 2: and play all along. I think the challenge when you 468 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 2: have so much commitment and focus on Orlando, you know, 469 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:57,360 Speaker 2: it's been hard for the NBA to really shift over 470 00:27:57,480 --> 00:27:59,679 Speaker 2: and say, hey, what about the other You know, all along, 471 00:27:59,720 --> 00:28:02,119 Speaker 2: I've I've felt all thirty teams should have gone to 472 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:04,719 Speaker 2: Orlando and we could have figured it out in that manner, 473 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:08,399 Speaker 2: but that wasn't the direction. And so since that happened, 474 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 2: we've been I know, as an organization, we've been trying 475 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 2: to get as much access granted for us to train 476 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 2: and to work out as a team similar to what 477 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,959 Speaker 2: everyone else is doing in Orlando. You know, we just 478 00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:24,400 Speaker 2: felt that that would be a competitive disadvantage for us 479 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 2: moving into the next season to not have anything approved 480 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:29,920 Speaker 2: for us to work out. So we want to play, 481 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 2: Our guys want to play. We understand if they're going 482 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 2: to play, we need to get them in shape and 483 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:38,080 Speaker 2: get them organized in terms of, you know, their body, 484 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:41,040 Speaker 2: in their mind. You can't sit down for four months 485 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,560 Speaker 2: and then just show up and play. I think the 486 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 2: timeline is a little off. I think I think if 487 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:50,719 Speaker 2: this were to happen, I think it's actually prior to September, 488 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 2: not starting in September. A lot of the reports are 489 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:57,520 Speaker 2: saying it would start in September. It's been reported to 490 00:28:57,600 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 2: us that if it would have happened, you know, we 491 00:28:59,560 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: would we would need to be done by September. So 492 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 2: so we've been fighting for it. We understand. You know, 493 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,960 Speaker 2: it's been hard. Our guys have been have been as 494 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,320 Speaker 2: committed as they can be, and I'm not going to 495 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 2: overstate it. I think our guys have done a tremendous 496 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:19,400 Speaker 2: job of coming into our facility and doing the workouts 497 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 2: on the minimum restrictions that we have. And uh, you know, 498 00:29:22,880 --> 00:29:25,240 Speaker 2: John Collins has been in literally every day for the 499 00:29:25,280 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 2: past six weeks. You know, Kevin Hrder has been in, 500 00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 2: Bruno has been in, cam and DeAndre have been in. 501 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:34,240 Speaker 2: The guys that are here in the City of Atlanta 502 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:37,920 Speaker 2: have been here, you know, constantly working out and really 503 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: trying to get after it. But it's limited. You know, 504 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:42,440 Speaker 2: we can't play five h five or three on three 505 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:45,080 Speaker 2: or any of that. Can't even have two guys in 506 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,320 Speaker 2: the same workout. So we're dying to play and we 507 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:53,640 Speaker 2: will participate, you know, in whatever capacity they give us. 508 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 2: But I think there's still a lot of hurdles in 509 00:29:56,200 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 2: this before it actually gets approved or even move to 510 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 2: the next phase. We don't don't have a lot of information. 511 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 2: We just know what Chicago, We know the hotel, we 512 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 2: know the gym, and we kind of have a general 513 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:07,840 Speaker 2: guideline of what that would look like right now. 514 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: All right, a little on court stuff. You mentioned John 515 00:30:11,720 --> 00:30:16,000 Speaker 1: Collins he'd play next year primarily at the four, with 516 00:30:16,120 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 1: Clint Capella coming in and being your five. I know 517 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 1: hearing you talking about John Collins, your pumped for him 518 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: being at the at the four. What are you going 519 00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,360 Speaker 1: to ask of him on both ends to be a 520 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:30,120 Speaker 1: successful power forward in this league? 521 00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:37,120 Speaker 2: Find ways to win it's done, help us win, help 522 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:40,400 Speaker 2: us win games? You know, be you do you help 523 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 2: us win games? Hella? Do you be you help us 524 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:45,400 Speaker 2: win games? 525 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 1: Is Clinton being at the five going to help John 526 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: Collins defensively at all? 527 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:54,959 Speaker 2: Is that is that? I think Clint being on the 528 00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:58,680 Speaker 2: court is going to help us defensively. And I think 529 00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:02,240 Speaker 2: a lot of times people this this game, this sport 530 00:31:02,480 --> 00:31:07,320 Speaker 2: isn't one on one, and so you know, if our 531 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:10,920 Speaker 2: team defense isn't there, if our team offense isn't there, 532 00:31:11,000 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 2: then we're not going to succeed. You know, Trey average thirty, 533 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:19,360 Speaker 2: we won twenty games. You know, it's not a knock 534 00:31:19,400 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 2: on trade. It's not like, you know, other guys need 535 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 2: to do more. Tray is doing trade. Tray is great. 536 00:31:24,880 --> 00:31:27,040 Speaker 2: That's what makes him great. He's got an ability to 537 00:31:27,080 --> 00:31:29,840 Speaker 2: do that. But you know, we we need all five 538 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:32,800 Speaker 2: guys to be to be great, and then we need 539 00:31:32,840 --> 00:31:34,880 Speaker 2: all five guys to be great on the defensive end 540 00:31:34,920 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 2: as well. That that's that's really what it's about. Everything 541 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:42,200 Speaker 2: else is just a step in the right direction. Or so, 542 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 2: when Clint steps on the court, you know there's areas 543 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,600 Speaker 2: that he will address for us, but I think there's 544 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:51,840 Speaker 2: areas that will help him impact what we do. He 545 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:56,000 Speaker 2: is a great, great rebounder. He does have a defensive 546 00:31:56,320 --> 00:32:00,400 Speaker 2: presence protecting at the rim, and that that's going to 547 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:03,040 Speaker 2: help all of us. That's gonna help on penetration when 548 00:32:03,040 --> 00:32:05,160 Speaker 2: when teams try and score at the rim. He's there. 549 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:08,400 Speaker 2: That's gonna help when we do a great possession and 550 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:10,520 Speaker 2: the shot goes up, we don't have to worry about 551 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:13,400 Speaker 2: second chance opportunities. We've got a great rebounder down there, 552 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:16,880 Speaker 2: and John will be a part of that with him. 553 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:20,160 Speaker 2: And I think John's growth will be a result of 554 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 2: the tandem he and Clint bring on the court together. 555 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:28,680 Speaker 1: Last question I'll ask yet, basketball wise, what do you 556 00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 1: what do you want from Tree? I know it's a 557 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:34,560 Speaker 1: lot to sort of navigate during this time, but what 558 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:38,880 Speaker 1: do you think Tray should be gearing himself up for 559 00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:40,200 Speaker 1: for next year? Year number three? 560 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:47,840 Speaker 2: For him? Find ways to win? I mean, that's what 561 00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:51,320 Speaker 2: it's That's what it's about, you know, it's you know, 562 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 2: as a team, you find ways to win. And and 563 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 2: I don't want to I don't want to restrict it. 564 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 2: That's why the answer is that way. You know, I 565 00:32:58,560 --> 00:32:59,959 Speaker 2: don't want to say he needs to be better off 566 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:02,520 Speaker 2: the ball, or he needs to do this, or you know, 567 00:33:02,560 --> 00:33:06,360 Speaker 2: he needs to cut his turnovers down. Trey. Trey shows 568 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:09,920 Speaker 2: us he's capable of doing a lot. You know. The 569 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:12,120 Speaker 2: one thing that we have to do is find ways 570 00:33:12,120 --> 00:33:16,080 Speaker 2: to win and so you know, maybe it's do less, 571 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 2: maybe it's do more. We'll figure that part out. But 572 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 2: the whatever it is should be should contribute to winning. 573 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 2: And that's the that's the that's the puzzle side of it. 574 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 2: You're trying to put all the pieces together so that 575 00:33:33,280 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 2: you can complete it, and our completion will ultimately come 576 00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:40,400 Speaker 2: down to winning more games. And uh, we're gonna have 577 00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:43,560 Speaker 2: new and different pieces. Clinton, Clint is as you're asking, 578 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 2: Clinton is a big piece of what we're gonna do. 579 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:48,000 Speaker 2: And so how do he and John coexist? How do 580 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:51,920 Speaker 2: they work when they're not on the court together? But 581 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:56,520 Speaker 2: how do we maximize a new player, uh, such as 582 00:33:56,560 --> 00:33:59,680 Speaker 2: Clint and what he brings? And you know, we've got 583 00:33:59,720 --> 00:34:01,480 Speaker 2: a couple spots at the free agent that we don't 584 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 2: know who they are right now, but as we're going 585 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:05,960 Speaker 2: after them, we're hoping they're going to be contributors. How 586 00:34:05,960 --> 00:34:08,640 Speaker 2: do we maximize what those free agents will look like? 587 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:13,840 Speaker 2: So I think it is it's about figuring out what 588 00:34:14,000 --> 00:34:17,480 Speaker 2: it takes to win, because it's not just going to 589 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:19,920 Speaker 2: be the same guys we saw last year. The reason 590 00:34:19,920 --> 00:34:22,239 Speaker 2: why we're getting better is we're adding pieces that are 591 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:23,759 Speaker 2: going to help us. We got to be able to 592 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:25,000 Speaker 2: incorporate them. 593 00:34:25,640 --> 00:34:27,479 Speaker 1: Yeah, I can't lie being here in Atlanta and looking 594 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:31,799 Speaker 1: forward to how this young team coalesces, how it all 595 00:34:31,840 --> 00:34:35,960 Speaker 1: comes together as the years go on, because it's obviously 596 00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:39,640 Speaker 1: a ton of talent and a bunch of young dudes. 597 00:34:39,680 --> 00:34:43,839 Speaker 1: So looking forward to young is no excuse, no, no, no, sir, 598 00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:45,600 Speaker 1: that's a good way to put it. 599 00:34:45,680 --> 00:34:48,359 Speaker 2: We're moving out of that room. We love that they're 600 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:50,320 Speaker 2: young because that means we've got a lot of time 601 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:56,520 Speaker 2: with them, but expectations for them to grow and to 602 00:34:56,600 --> 00:35:01,040 Speaker 2: be better, that's the reality. And they want it. They 603 00:35:01,080 --> 00:35:03,319 Speaker 2: want to they want to be uh, they want to 604 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:05,880 Speaker 2: be included. They want to be included in the conversation 605 00:35:05,960 --> 00:35:09,560 Speaker 2: about you know who's that team, Well, we are that team, 606 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 2: So we can't we can't say we're that team that's 607 00:35:12,520 --> 00:35:14,480 Speaker 2: gonna make this jump where that team that's going to 608 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:16,880 Speaker 2: be and they say, but we're young still or you 609 00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:19,640 Speaker 2: know that's over it all. 610 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:22,120 Speaker 1: Right, looking forward to that. I will let you go coach. 611 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:26,680 Speaker 1: Any plans for this long weekend here and uh in Georgia. 612 00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:31,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, hopefully rest Hopefully we get some sunshine and my 613 00:35:31,560 --> 00:35:34,080 Speaker 2: little daugh that can go out in the pool and 614 00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:35,600 Speaker 2: we can maximize that. 615 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:39,520 Speaker 1: That's the plan. I appreciated, Coach you have been busy 616 00:35:39,560 --> 00:35:42,280 Speaker 1: on on social media. Have caught you on on Twitter 617 00:35:42,280 --> 00:35:45,680 Speaker 1: and Instagram. Follow Coach Pierce and for the rest of 618 00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:47,480 Speaker 1: the No Dunk's crew, I'm tas Malus. We'll be back 619 00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:52,120 Speaker 1: Monday with the latest NBA news. Enjoy the holiday weekend safely. 620 00:35:53,200 --> 00:36:05,319 Speaker 2: You can say every minute it's been so long that 621 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:11,680 Speaker 2: you're the manna waiting for. It's happened already. 622 00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:13,800 Speaker 1: It's gonna be good reading