1 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:05,240 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of the Dave Pash Podcast. We 2 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: are presented by bet MGM, the official sports betting partner 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:12,119 Speaker 1: of the Arizona Cardinals, and by Hilo River Hotels and Casinos. 4 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: You can follow us on Twitter at pash Pot for 5 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: updates on future guests and reliving highlights of recent guests. 6 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:23,560 Speaker 1: Normally we talk Cardinals in NFL on this podcast, but 7 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: one of the reasons we started this was to branch 8 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: out into other sports and also talk with actors and 9 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: comedians like James Rode and Frank kelliendo previous guests. So 10 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:38,559 Speaker 1: given that the Phoenix Suns are coming off a Western 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,519 Speaker 1: Conference championship, we thought we would talk with general manager 12 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:45,959 Speaker 1: James Jones about what to expect from the Suns here 13 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: in twenty twenty one twenty two. I truly believe it 14 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 1: would help you If our guys are available, I don't 15 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: think there's anyone better. We will still talk football. James 16 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: grew up in Miami and as a big Dolphins fan. 17 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: He'll give us thoughts on the Cardinals and maybe even 18 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: a comp an NBA comp for Kyler Murray. But we're 19 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: also going to talk about the Suns how they got 20 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: to the title last year, what he thinks of this 21 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: year's team. Everybody's talking right now about DeAndre Ayden and 22 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,800 Speaker 1: the Son's electing not to give him that max extension. 23 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,759 Speaker 1: James will talk about that, what to expect from Devin 24 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: Booker this year, and whether Chris Paul can play until 25 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: he's over forty. And Lebron James, somebody that James Jones 26 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: knows very well, won three championships with Lebron in Cleveland 27 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: and Miami. James will give his most memorable Lebron James 28 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: moment in the upcoming podcast. So thanks for tuning in 29 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: as we talk a little NBA, a little NFL, a 30 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 1: little Cardinals and Sons with Phoenix Suns GM James Jones, Well, James, 31 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 1: obviously you have an incredibly busy week with the season 32 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: opener Wednesday against Denver, so I appreciate the time before 33 00:01:56,840 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: we get into the Suns and the twenty twenty one 34 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: season as well as the upcoming campaign. I want to 35 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:05,600 Speaker 1: talk a little football with it because I know growing 36 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:10,600 Speaker 1: up in Miami, having played collegiately at the University of Miami, 37 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:12,720 Speaker 1: that you're a big Dolphin fan. So give me your 38 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 1: take on the Dolphins so far here in twenty twenty one. 39 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: I mean, well, thanks for having me. I really appreciate it. 40 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: It's been a tough start to the season. You know, 41 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 1: as a Dolphins fan, we've had some tough times, and 42 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 1: you know, you you wish that you could take advantage 43 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 1: of the early part of season with the weathers in 44 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 1: your favor, you know, the humidity and the heat. We 45 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 1: typically try to get off to a good start, but 46 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: this year with the injuries, with two we struggled. But 47 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: you know, coming off a tough loss against Jacksonville, I'm 48 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 1: still bullish on this team, just because I believe in 49 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 1: coach Flores and I think we have the right culture, 50 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: we have the right mentality, and now we just have 51 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: to make the right places at the right time. So, 52 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:01,359 Speaker 1: growing up, were you a Bob Greasy fan, a Dan 53 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: Marino fan, both one or the other. Who is like 54 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 1: your guy at the quarterback position when you were growing up? Um, 55 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: I was a Marino era, like that was a Greasy 56 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: before me. But you know, we had Mark Duper, Mark 57 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: Clayton Marino. We had some really good some really good 58 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: years and so I'm a Marino guy all the way. No, 59 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 1: I know you're young, enough. I knew Greasy was way 60 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: before you. I just didn't know because obviously they had 61 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: the last undefeated season, true undefeated season, nineteen seventy two. 62 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: How much attention do you pay to the Cardinals now 63 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: that you're living here in the GM of the Suns? 64 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: Oh Man, I watched them. You know, I've always said, like, 65 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: I have such an affinity and a respect for football 66 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: players growing up in Florida, being an ex football player 67 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: up until I went to high school, of going to 68 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 1: the EU and playing with a lot of the world's 69 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: best football players, Hall of Fame, Bubble players, um, just 70 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: understanding that team dynamic and and how hard it is 71 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: to win every play and to win a game in football. 72 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 1: I have the utmost respect for those guys, and I 73 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 1: enjoy watching watching good teams. And you know, Arizona, the Cardinals, 74 00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 1: I'm here, you know, they're They're my one B team 75 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: and it's been great to watch them grow. Um, you know, 76 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,160 Speaker 1: they're their teammates, like they're just like us. I view 77 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: us as one big community, one big family of athletes 78 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: and and and guys that are out there just trying 79 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: to win and bring you know, pride and respect to 80 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 1: their city. So it's been great to watch them. And 81 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: you know, as much as you know, I wish the 82 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:45,799 Speaker 1: Dolphins become or remain the last undefeated team in recent history. 83 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: I want to make sure I would. I would be 84 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 1: more than thrilled to see the Cardinals just run the 85 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:53,280 Speaker 1: table this year. This is probably James an unfair question, 86 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: but I was thinking about this last week because I 87 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: did the MAVs Hornets preseason game last Wednesday, and I 88 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: threw us out there, and then I thought, now, maybe 89 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: it's not a good comparison. I was trying to think 90 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: of a Kyler Murray NBA comp and I thought about 91 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 1: LaMelo Ball because of just his incredible athletic ability and 92 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 1: his talent level and his brain that probably he's probably 93 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: more like in Mahomes in the realm of a Patrick 94 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 1: Mahomes type than he is a Kyler Murray. Can you 95 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: think of anybody who might be a Kyler Murray comp 96 00:05:23,960 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 1: in the NBA? Oh man, That's that's a tough one. Um. 97 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: I mean, but if I had to say, I'd probably say, 98 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't want to knock, but I'd probably 99 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,719 Speaker 1: say Trey Yon, just in the sense that, like you 100 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 1: watch him as a as a smaller guy, but he 101 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: just plays so big, like he has such a big 102 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 1: impact on the game, so m and offensively just so talented. 103 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: So I would say that more more than LaMelo. But 104 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: I get where you're going with LaMelo because at such 105 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 1: a young age that their command for the game and 106 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: anticipating where guys will be and being able to make 107 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: every throw in every play, especially when you need it. 108 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:11,559 Speaker 1: It's unique. So um, that's that's that's that's pretty spot 109 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,479 Speaker 1: on though. But I like to Trey Young. And honestly, 110 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 1: if you really dig deeper, I mean, Steph is older now, 111 00:06:18,200 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 1: but the way Steph in so many respects change the 112 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 1: game and change the NBA with his range, Trey Young is, 113 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: you know, kind of a disciple in that regard. I mean, 114 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: Kyler is kind of changing the NFL a little bit. 115 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: So I don't know the Steph comparison is there, but 116 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: I do like to Trey Young because of just you know, 117 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: how young Trey is. No pun intended, Yeah, I mean no, 118 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,599 Speaker 1: it's it's they're just they're just young. They're dynamic, man, 119 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 1: like you know, they're they're they're smaller guys and you 120 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 1: people always equate like being smaller at being a disadvantage, 121 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: but when you have guys that can use it to 122 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:59,279 Speaker 1: their advantage and do it at a high level, you 123 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: have to respect. So how's Larry doing, Fitzgerald. I don't 124 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 1: know how much contact you have on a regular basis 125 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: with fits, but obviously Cardinal fans are interested in his 126 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: life right now post football, even though he hasn't come 127 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 1: out and said that he's retiring, He's not obviously playing 128 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: right now. So now, how much has Larry involved in 129 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: the Suns And how often do you guys talk? I 130 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: mean we connect, We connect regularly. He's always there to 131 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: just you know, give words of encouragement or an inside 132 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 1: or perspective, you know, as a as a high achieve 133 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: or high performer for so many years, he just sees 134 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: the game in sport in generally differently than most people. 135 00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: So he's good. You know, he's enjoying the time with 136 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: his Family's enjoying the time you know, away from football. 137 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 1: But I know that the Suns are doing well and 138 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: the Cardinals are doing well, and so for him things 139 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: are are awesome. So I'm curious James at this time 140 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:03,840 Speaker 1: last year obviously, last year was strange coming off the bubble, 141 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 1: the performances you guys had in the bubble. I'm sure 142 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: the expectations were higher than they were going into the 143 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 1: previous year. But did you think coming into the season, hey, 144 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 1: I put together a championship team, or were you unsure 145 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: because of adding Chris Paul who obviously has had a 146 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:24,760 Speaker 1: lot of success but hadn't got to that point yet 147 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 1: in his career and hoping that DeAndre Ayton would take 148 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: the next step and mcel bridges and Devin Booker. Where 149 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 1: were you at this time a year ago with regard 150 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: to your thoughts on how deep you guys could go 151 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 1: in the playoffs or even if you could get to 152 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: the playoffs last year? Well, I mean, well, I thought 153 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:46,720 Speaker 1: we were legitimate playoffs contender last year, whether or not 154 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 1: we get to the finals, even with the loaded roster. 155 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 1: I've been around as long enough to never assume anything. 156 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,719 Speaker 1: You get into the playoffs and you're you know, we 157 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,280 Speaker 1: were fortunate. You can be one ankle spraining away from defeat. 158 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 1: And so for me, it's always been the hurdle has 159 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: always been get to the playoffs. And once you get 160 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,920 Speaker 1: to the playoffs, if you have a team that can 161 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 1: be consistent night in and night out, and you have depth, 162 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: you have a real shot. I think the best teams, 163 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: best healthy teams, overcome the unhealthy, star studded teams, and 164 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: so you just want to increase your odds. So I 165 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:31,120 Speaker 1: thought by adding Chris, we increased our odds drastically, giving 166 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,320 Speaker 1: ourselves a shot to make some noise in the playoffs. 167 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 1: And then when you put together the performances of Devin 168 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: and DA and mchl and Cam Johnson and Campaign you know, 169 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 1: Jay Crowder and Tory Craig, when all those guys have 170 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 1: their moments, you start to believe, like, okay, if we 171 00:09:50,559 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: can maintain this consistently over the course of you know, 172 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 1: these twenty eight games or sixteen games, we have a shot. 173 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: And I thought we did last year, and I definitely 174 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:04,280 Speaker 1: believe we have another shot this year. It was so 175 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: weird for us, James at ESPN, we didn't travel last year. 176 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: I did a lot of your games, but I'd be 177 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 1: in my house and I live in Chandler, so here 178 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 1: I am twenty five minutes from the arena and I 179 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: can't even see you guys in person. Thankfully, that's change 180 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:19,680 Speaker 1: this year. We're back in person. We were in the 181 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 1: playoffs last year. But I didn't have any of your 182 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: games in the playoffs, but I remember doing some games 183 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 1: in January, and I think one of them was with 184 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:28,920 Speaker 1: Jeff Van Gundy and we both said I think it 185 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: was the Milwaukee game. I'm trying to remember in January, 186 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: but it was after the game, Jeff and I were 187 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:37,079 Speaker 1: both like, man, that's a legit team. Like that, that's 188 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: a playoff team. And this was in January. When did 189 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: you know that it was real that you guys were, Hey, 190 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: we got a chance to do something special this year. 191 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: Was there a turning point or a particular game where 192 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 1: you really started to believe that it was possible you 193 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: guys could do what you did. I would say there 194 00:10:55,559 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 1: was a course of a few games, and it was 195 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: after we got off to our start. I believe we 196 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:00,719 Speaker 1: were at eight and eight or eight and seven. We 197 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: were close to a five hundred team at some point. 198 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: And for me, I always say, you know, I told 199 00:11:06,640 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: our guys going into last year that I mean, I'm 200 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: gonna watch how we respond to the dip. I want 201 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: to watch how we respond to the adversity early and 202 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:19,400 Speaker 1: see if if our effort changes, see if our approach changes. 203 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: You know, see if we stick to our beliefs and 204 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,199 Speaker 1: we stick to our principles, or if we start to 205 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: flounder and start chasing things outside of our nature. And 206 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,480 Speaker 1: and we were able to bounce back and string together 207 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 1: some victories, but they were consistent, you know, they weren't 208 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,679 Speaker 1: you know, us reinventing ourselves. It was doubling down on 209 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: what we believe point five, moving the ball to find, communicate. 210 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: And so when I saw us do that early in 211 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 1: the year, and I saw like everyone was committed to 212 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: digging deeper and doubling down on our principles, I felt 213 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 1: like we have a shot Because I mean I played 214 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 1: a lot of basketball, watch a lot of basketball. You 215 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: eventually revert back to your nature and you go back 216 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,880 Speaker 1: to your principles. And if you can lean on those 217 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:07,200 Speaker 1: in times of adversity, I know that they're going to 218 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: serve you well in times or those opportunities present themselves 219 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 1: for you to have success. As someone James who's used 220 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: to winning, you won multiple NBA championships as a player, 221 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: was the end of last year, how much of it 222 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:25,560 Speaker 1: was a celebration of what you accomplished? And maybe this 223 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: isn't the right term, but how much of it was 224 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: a funeral the way things ended, how excited were you 225 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: for what you would accomplished and how disappointed were you 226 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 1: for not being able to close it out. I use 227 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 1: the word numb. You know it leaves you numb, And 228 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 1: that works both ways because you know, if you have 229 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 1: an experience or you experienced something that is like overwhelming, 230 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 1: you don't know how to respond. You're almost kind of 231 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 1: like at a loss for words. At the same time, 232 00:12:57,679 --> 00:13:00,720 Speaker 1: if you experienced defeat like we did, it leads you 233 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,559 Speaker 1: kind of had a loss where like for words and 234 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: emotions and thoughts. So I was numb, but I got 235 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 1: to that place after having years of success and failure 236 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 1: at the highest level in and But what happens is 237 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,679 Speaker 1: when you come out of that, you know that you 238 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: don't want to see that spot again. You will see it, 239 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: but you want to see it on the other side, 240 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,880 Speaker 1: Like you want to be numb from success, not defeat. 241 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 1: And so it's it's a fuel for you. And I'm 242 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: excited for what we can do this year because I 243 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,559 Speaker 1: believe all of our guys want that other side of 244 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 1: that numbness. So let's talk about the team you have 245 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: going into this game against Denver, you got the Lakers Friday, 246 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,560 Speaker 1: and then you're off and running. Obviously, everybody's talking right 247 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:52,199 Speaker 1: now about the decision not to give the five year 248 00:13:52,200 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: extension to DeAndre Ayton. Can you tell us what went 249 00:13:56,040 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 1: into that decision and why you guys decided not to 250 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: do the extension for the five years. I mean, well, 251 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: there are a lot of factors, but but ultimately we 252 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: just we we just couldn't get off of or we 253 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 1: couldn't agree that anything less than a five year max 254 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:20,040 Speaker 1: um was acceptable. And you know that that it's it's 255 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: it's odd I talk about it. It doesn't change how 256 00:14:22,440 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: we view DeAndre, doesn't change how we view this team. 257 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: It doesn't change what we've done, you know, the moves 258 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: we've made to continue to build this team and grow 259 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: our continuity and improve our environment so that we can 260 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: have like real aspirations and goals to win a title 261 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: and and be legitimate contenders. UM. It just from a 262 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: timing perspective, from UM UM like strategy standpoint, UM flexibility standpoint, 263 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: the five year max just wasn't something that we were 264 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: going to do, and you know, we didn't get it done. 265 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: But like I said, that's just for now, Like we 266 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 1: fully intended to help DeAndre and c DeAndre and his 267 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: team progress and get something done. We just didn't get 268 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: it done yet. So as a follow up, was this 269 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 1: a financial decision? Then? Was this something that had to 270 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: do with you? Just it's hard to project where he's 271 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: going to be in five years. I guess my question 272 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:26,920 Speaker 1: is how much has this based on financial How much 273 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 1: is it based on potential performance? No, it's it's it's 274 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: it's a lot of it just has to do with 275 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: the future planning of the team. It's not financials that 276 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: that's not the issue, right Like you you try to 277 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: project what your team and what your core guys will 278 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 1: look like five or six years from now, that's tough. Um. 279 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 1: You know, our our focus in our window is the 280 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 1: next two to three years and then things can change 281 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: three to four years from now and you don't know. 282 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 1: So from a flexibility standpoint on both both sides, from 283 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: a player and a team perspective, the five years just 284 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: wasn't something that made sense. Are you concerned about his 285 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: psyche where he is mentally because of this? Obviously he 286 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: was hoping to get it he didn't, So are you 287 00:16:15,880 --> 00:16:18,160 Speaker 1: worried James at all about kind of where he's going 288 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 1: to be mentally if you talk to him yet about that. 289 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I care about DeAndre. We care about DeAndre 290 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: just like we do the rest of our guys, and 291 00:16:26,440 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 1: we know, you know, when guy's going to contract years 292 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:32,640 Speaker 1: that aren't on rookie deals, like it's it's an emotional time. 293 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: It's one of those things where you question and wonder. 294 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: So like I'm I'm concerned about our guys mental approach 295 00:16:40,800 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: and mental state going into a year with increased heightened 296 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:48,479 Speaker 1: expectations to win a title, to be a title contender. 297 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: So yeah, I care because you know, this is the 298 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 1: toughest part of the job when you have to deal 299 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: with the people that you care about and that you're 300 00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: committed to helping maximize an oppetite, their opportunities and maximized 301 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 1: When you're in these situations, you you know, you you 302 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,800 Speaker 1: you concern yourself with how they feel and how they react. 303 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: But we're going to be here to support him, and 304 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: I think knowing DeAndre that he's going to respond Mike, 305 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: he would irrespective of the results. He's gonna come out 306 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 1: here and he's going to compete, and he's going to 307 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: try to do whatever he can to help the team 308 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,920 Speaker 1: win and to be the best version himself. So and 309 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:30,159 Speaker 1: whatever it takes from us to do that. Like like 310 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: I said, we're committed to doing it. So I'm one 311 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: of the voters for the for the NBA Awards, and 312 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:41,360 Speaker 1: I voted Devin Booker second Team All NBA last year, 313 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: and I just thought that he had a phenomenal season. 314 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 1: And obviously I'm a little bit closer to it because 315 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 1: I live here, but I also had many as Coach 316 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: of the Year, and I was a little disappointed that 317 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: I looked TIBs did a great job and the next 318 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 1: had a great season. It just felt like, for whatever reason, 319 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: and maybe it's just because the Suns weren't honest national 320 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 1: television as much as they're going to be this year, 321 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:10,680 Speaker 1: that the love and respect that I thought that they 322 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 1: deserve maybe they weren't getting from from some of the 323 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 1: other voters. How did you guys feel about that? Is 324 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 1: that something that angered devon or angered money or do 325 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:23,119 Speaker 1: you guys say, you know what that it really doesn't 326 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: matter because there is a financial component to that to 327 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 1: being named All NBA for the players, No, it does, 328 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:33,960 Speaker 1: It doesn't matter you know our guys are they compete 329 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: for things above money, um and and so those financial 330 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:42,639 Speaker 1: incentives of perks aren't would drive them um and in 331 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: the to the garner respect from the people that you 332 00:18:47,920 --> 00:18:51,040 Speaker 1: work with daily and that know you matters so much 333 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:54,159 Speaker 1: more than the casual observer or people that are observing 334 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 1: you from afar and so um we just talk about 335 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,480 Speaker 1: respect for the game. And you know, if if those 336 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:04,720 Speaker 1: that are watching our players are coaches, our staff and 337 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,199 Speaker 1: they can say that those guys sure respect for the 338 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,040 Speaker 1: game every time they compete, that's all we need, you know, 339 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: the accolades, the attention, the recognition. It will come if 340 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:19,640 Speaker 1: you win, and if it doesn't doesn't bother us as 341 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: long as we achieve our goals of being the best 342 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: version of ourselves. What is the next step for Devin? 343 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: He had a great season. He's still a young guy. 344 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:30,560 Speaker 1: What is he twenty four, twenty five and he's going 345 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 1: into year seven. What are the expectations. What do you 346 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,400 Speaker 1: think is the next step for him? His toughness, man's 347 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: really stood out obviously in the playoffs. That to me, 348 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:43,200 Speaker 1: above all else was the thing that I've in a 349 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 1: lot of NBA people that I've taught to That really 350 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: caught their eye was they knew he could score. We 351 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 1: know he's an excellent shooter, but it was this toughness, 352 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 1: you know, after the broken nose and you know, playing 353 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: through that and getting hit several times in the face 354 00:19:57,920 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 1: after that, just to double down on who he is 355 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: and just to become better at at what he does. 356 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,199 Speaker 1: He doesn't have to change anything. He just needs to 357 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 1: improve and become more efficient. So I think you'll continue 358 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 1: to continue to see him figure out how to better 359 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: balance his his stretches of aggressiveness, um, how to facilitate 360 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 1: and be more efficient. So UM, I mean the kid, 361 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 1: the kid competes and whenever you have a competitor, um, 362 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:32,360 Speaker 1: you don't put limits on him. You you just support him. 363 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: You played in the NBA for a long time. You 364 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:38,200 Speaker 1: were a long time team, a team of Lebron James 365 00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: and I want to get to Braun in a second. 366 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 1: But you know what makes Chris Paul tick And it's 367 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:47,359 Speaker 1: hard for an outsider like me to really get it. 368 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 1: I mean I can talk to Chris and have over 369 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,360 Speaker 1: the years, whether he was with you guys, or the 370 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:54,880 Speaker 1: or the Thunder or Houston or the Clippers or even 371 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 1: going back to New Orleans. You know, we've met with 372 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 1: Chris and number of times over the years and you 373 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:01,800 Speaker 1: watch what he does in terms of his production, But 374 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:05,040 Speaker 1: there is an it factor to him. Why does he 375 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:09,160 Speaker 1: make such a difference? What is it specifically about him 376 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 1: that you notice that wherever he goes, he impacts others 377 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 1: and takes his team to a different level. I mean, 378 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:22,920 Speaker 1: because Chris is a mad scientist. I think if you 379 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:27,959 Speaker 1: to describe someone that lives by or subscribe to the scientific, 380 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: scientific method, that would be Chris's. He's thirsty for knowledge. 381 00:21:34,040 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 1: He's always questioning, you know, he's questioning what we're doing, 382 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: how we're doing it, while we're doing it, why it works, 383 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,080 Speaker 1: why it doesn't work, Why would it work in a 384 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: certain situation. Why wouldn't it work in a certain situation. 385 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:48,479 Speaker 1: Why is a guy struggling to have success in a 386 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 1: certain play? You know why? You know this is a 387 00:21:51,359 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 1: bad situation for our group. He just has that that 388 00:21:55,880 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: mindset of always trying to improve, and so that's what 389 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 1: makes him tick, like he's never satisfied, and when he 390 00:22:04,119 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: has success, he's always trying to figure out why and 391 00:22:07,560 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 1: why it will be sustainable or won't that's me personally, 392 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,320 Speaker 1: having spent time with him when I was at the 393 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,479 Speaker 1: Players Association and he's the president of the union, watching 394 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:23,159 Speaker 1: him balance and manage the NBA game and the union's business. 395 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 1: You just hear him ask why a lot, and because 396 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: he's so inquisitive, I think he finds answers like answers 397 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:33,679 Speaker 1: to these questions a lot faster than most people. And 398 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: that's why he's able to have so much success in 399 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: such a short period of time in different situations, because 400 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 1: he is comfortable making people uncomfortable or being uncomfortable, but 401 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: it's all in pursuit of knowledge and excellence, and so 402 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:53,240 Speaker 1: he's he's going to be arguably one of the greatest, 403 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: if not the greatest point guard of all time if 404 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,399 Speaker 1: he continues to play the way he's playing for the 405 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:01,439 Speaker 1: next five to ten years. And that's a testament to 406 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 1: his desire to be great. Do you really think he 407 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:08,479 Speaker 1: can go five to ten years? And I was going 408 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:10,640 Speaker 1: to ask you about Lebron James too, and how long? 409 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: Since you're as close to him as anybody, having won 410 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:16,320 Speaker 1: multiple championships with Lebron both in Miami and Cleveland, how 411 00:23:16,359 --> 00:23:19,120 Speaker 1: long do you think Lebron plays are we entering, as 412 00:23:19,160 --> 00:23:21,400 Speaker 1: we watched Tom Brady play until his mid forties, are 413 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: we entering a time in the NBA where he might 414 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,280 Speaker 1: see guys like Chris Paul and Lebron James play in 415 00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 1: two their forties Without a doubt, I think that happens, 416 00:23:30,760 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 1: and I think it's because the assumptions that people make 417 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 1: aren't grounded in the current reality. Training methods, the access 418 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:49,440 Speaker 1: to treatment, and like things that will in your careers. 419 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: Not only are they more prevalent, but players than athlete 420 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,439 Speaker 1: so more than willing to double down and invest in it. 421 00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,680 Speaker 1: And so those two guys spend a tremendous amount of money, 422 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:05,600 Speaker 1: personal resources, time and energy to maintain a certain level 423 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: and improve. And when everyone tells you you need to 424 00:24:09,280 --> 00:24:11,479 Speaker 1: slow down and you need to manage things, you need 425 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:14,040 Speaker 1: to back off. These guys that continue to find ways 426 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 1: to stress themselves in positive ways that build resiliency in 427 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:21,080 Speaker 1: their games. And on top of that, the you know, 428 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:24,120 Speaker 1: their skill levels, accumulated skill they have, there's such at 429 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 1: such a high level they can overcome some of the 430 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:29,639 Speaker 1: physical limitation, They can pick their spots and then they 431 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:35,120 Speaker 1: can make shots to make plays at absurd levels. So 432 00:24:35,280 --> 00:24:37,719 Speaker 1: I think those guys are don't play as long as 433 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,120 Speaker 1: they want to play. I've always said, like, they're more 434 00:24:40,200 --> 00:24:43,800 Speaker 1: likely to stop playing because they don't want to play 435 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:47,639 Speaker 1: anymore versus not being able to play. Do you have 436 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 1: a go to Lebron's story when people ask you, Hey, 437 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 1: tell me about Lebron James, tell me a moment that 438 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 1: you'll never forget. Is there one of those? Are they're 439 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:58,359 Speaker 1: multiple ones or anything you can share James about a 440 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:01,919 Speaker 1: story that you recall from playing with him, where you 441 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:05,840 Speaker 1: just it reminded you how different he is and how 442 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:07,760 Speaker 1: unique he is as one of the greatest players to 443 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 1: ever play. I just go back to the Chase Down 444 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 1: block against Golden State. You know, he's playing forty eight 445 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: minutes every night, and it's the end of the game 446 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:24,880 Speaker 1: in the most critical time, and he's a disadvantaged position 447 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:29,680 Speaker 1: and he's head down like a track star, full sprint, 448 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,160 Speaker 1: not even seeing what's in front of him, but just 449 00:25:34,359 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 1: pushing the line, pushing the limit, and he goes and 450 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 1: makes a block that says the season is a pivotal 451 00:25:39,880 --> 00:25:44,120 Speaker 1: play amongst a bunch of pivotal plays that eventually led 452 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: to a championship. And so you know that to me 453 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 1: is the all out effort, because if he doesn't make 454 00:25:51,200 --> 00:25:56,639 Speaker 1: that effort, no one ever says anything. It's just a given. 455 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 1: You expect it to have an advantage. No one can 456 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,280 Speaker 1: him for not trying UM, but it meant that much 457 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: to him and he had that much left in the tank. 458 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 1: So like to be able to play at that level 459 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,240 Speaker 1: and to give it up at that level at that 460 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 1: time in the game, when you know the odds say 461 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: you're you're not going to be successful, it just it 462 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,400 Speaker 1: just shows that the guy's willing to do whatever it taken. 463 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 1: It's capable of doing whatever it takes to make the 464 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: play that ultimately determined U when or not you win 465 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: or lose titles. James, You've had quite a meteoric rise 466 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:34,479 Speaker 1: in this business, going from being named general manager just 467 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:37,400 Speaker 1: a couple of years ago to being the NBA Executive 468 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,880 Speaker 1: of the Year. Was this something that you had thought 469 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: about when you were a player. Was this something that 470 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: after you stopped playing, you said, you know, I think 471 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: I want to get into personnel and talent evaluation. When 472 00:26:49,280 --> 00:26:52,960 Speaker 1: did this dream for you start? I mean, it was 473 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 1: a fleeting thought while I was playing UM, and it 474 00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:58,159 Speaker 1: wasn't you know, my goal coming into the NBA. I 475 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: just wanted to be able to play at least ten 476 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: years and uh, you know, accomplished a dream that I 477 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:08,639 Speaker 1: had as a kid to play professional basketball. And you know, 478 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:10,880 Speaker 1: that would have been the ride for me. But as 479 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:14,159 Speaker 1: I continued to play and played for different teams and 480 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: you know, playing for the Miami Heat with pat Riley, 481 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:18,640 Speaker 1: you know, and seeing Patted an ex player and ex 482 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:22,560 Speaker 1: coach and executive, I saw the joy that had brought 483 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,880 Speaker 1: him to continue to be a part of the game 484 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 1: and a different capacity, and you know, it sparked something 485 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:30,920 Speaker 1: in me that was like, if I had an opportunity 486 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 1: to do it, I would seriously consider it because I 487 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:34,360 Speaker 1: didn't want to coach and didn't want to go into 488 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:38,160 Speaker 1: the front office to start. But then when you realize 489 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: this the nature of it and how you can continue 490 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:45,359 Speaker 1: to be a team member for life, it's something that 491 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:48,359 Speaker 1: if you loved the game, that you're drawn to. So 492 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: coming year was was an opportunity that was extended to 493 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:54,399 Speaker 1: me by Robert. I was afforded a great opportunity and 494 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 1: whether or not I have deserved it or not, Like 495 00:27:56,600 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: I didn't have any front office experience, so he took 496 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 1: a shot on me, a chance on me, and you know, immediately, 497 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:05,800 Speaker 1: I knew that this was something that I can get 498 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:09,000 Speaker 1: into and that i'd be you know, that I'd give 499 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:13,399 Speaker 1: it all up for. And I was able to surround 500 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:17,040 Speaker 1: myself or you know, produce a team or build a 501 00:28:17,119 --> 00:28:21,399 Speaker 1: team with some exceptional winners and leaders and some players 502 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:25,080 Speaker 1: that really care about winning. And I've been a beneficiary 503 00:28:25,119 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 1: of that. I've been able to like sit and support 504 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:32,400 Speaker 1: and watch these guys reach crazy heights, and that's cool 505 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 1: for me. So I just come I approached every day 506 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: just knowing that someone paid the way as a basketball 507 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:42,720 Speaker 1: player for me, someone paid the way as an executive 508 00:28:42,800 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 1: for me, and I just want to do my part 509 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 1: and live up to it. Two more questions, James, We'll 510 00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:49,640 Speaker 1: get you out of here. I had Steve Kim, the 511 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,720 Speaker 1: Cardinal general manager, on last week and asked him this question. 512 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 1: So for fans that maybe don't know what it's like 513 00:28:56,680 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 1: to be an NBA general manager, what is a typical 514 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 1: day for you? You like in season, how much are 515 00:29:02,360 --> 00:29:04,480 Speaker 1: you on the phone, how much are you looking at tape? 516 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:07,240 Speaker 1: How much are you talking to other gms and agents? 517 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 1: What's a typical day in the Life of James Jones. Um, 518 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: it's all those things, you know. It's it's you know, 519 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: a typical day. You wake up, I dropped my kids 520 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: off to school. I'm in the facility a by eight o'clock. 521 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:21,880 Speaker 1: And then from there it's we're getting ready for games. Um, 522 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 1: we're tracking who our opponents are playing, We're tracking personnel, 523 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:31,440 Speaker 1: we're talking, tracking our individual improvement plans, doing recaps from 524 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 1: previous games. Um, you have shoot around from there, Um, 525 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: we have games at night, and so you're watching how 526 00:29:38,680 --> 00:29:43,440 Speaker 1: our guys are responding to defeat or success. Um, you're 527 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 1: looking at rotations, talking to coach talking. I mean, it's 528 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,120 Speaker 1: just a little bit of everything. Um, it's a team effort, 529 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 1: but it's a whirlwind. And then at the end of 530 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,520 Speaker 1: the day, you know, Um, you're up at eight, you 531 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 1: go to bed at eleven, You wake up in the 532 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 1: morning to you know, fifty sixty emails and thirty text messages. 533 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 1: You clear through those. You can do it all over again, 534 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:04,959 Speaker 1: and you're kind enough to spend thirty minutes on the podcast, 535 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:08,080 Speaker 1: which I appreciate. Last one for the Suns to win 536 00:30:08,160 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 1: the NBA Championship, James, what has to happen this year. 537 00:30:13,520 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 1: We have to be one of the healthiest teams. I 538 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:21,440 Speaker 1: truly believe if we're healthy, if we if our guys 539 00:30:21,480 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 1: are available, I don't think there's anyone better. Love it. Hey, man, 540 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: I really appreciate the time. I look forward to being 541 00:30:31,200 --> 00:30:33,960 Speaker 1: on site to call some Suns games this year. And 542 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 1: I know I'm supposed to be unbiased, but living here 543 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:39,680 Speaker 1: in the valley and you know, being around the team 544 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 1: for twenty years, I'm rooting for you guys to have 545 00:30:42,080 --> 00:30:45,400 Speaker 1: great success. So really appreciate the time. James, thanks, man, 546 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:50,520 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. So they're having from James Jones on 547 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:53,960 Speaker 1: why the Suns did not give DeAndre Ayton the five 548 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:58,480 Speaker 1: year max, also what he expects from Devin Booker this 549 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:01,880 Speaker 1: year and Chris Paul and he's pretty confident that if 550 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,800 Speaker 1: the Suns are a healthy team, there's nobody better in 551 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 1: the NBA. And you know what, he might be right, 552 00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 1: James the reigning NBA Executive of the Year. So the 553 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,000 Speaker 1: Cardinals had the Texans this week Arizona, as you know, 554 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:19,680 Speaker 1: six and oh, the only remaining undefeated team and unbeaten 555 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:23,120 Speaker 1: through six games for the first time since nineteen seventy four. 556 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:25,480 Speaker 1: The thing that has stood out to me the most, 557 00:31:25,600 --> 00:31:29,080 Speaker 1: not just last week against Cleveland, but overall is the growth, 558 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:33,360 Speaker 1: maturity and leadership of Kyler Murray. As Steve Kim said 559 00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:37,840 Speaker 1: on this podcast last week pre snap, Kyler Murray is 560 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:42,320 Speaker 1: seeing things differently. He's beating teams with his brain, he 561 00:31:42,560 --> 00:31:46,560 Speaker 1: is handling the pocket differently than he did last year, 562 00:31:46,680 --> 00:31:50,120 Speaker 1: and we're seeing his leadership show up in different ways 563 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:55,000 Speaker 1: here in twenty twenty one. The touchdown pass to Christian 564 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:59,240 Speaker 1: Kirk showing that incredible athletic ability where he's running forward. 565 00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:02,480 Speaker 1: The deefs to respect that he might run and certainly 566 00:32:02,520 --> 00:32:04,840 Speaker 1: capable of taking it into the end zone for a touchdown, 567 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:07,440 Speaker 1: but instead, with a flick of the wrist, he throws 568 00:32:07,480 --> 00:32:10,080 Speaker 1: a dart to Christian Kirk and puts it on the 569 00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:13,680 Speaker 1: money as Kirk is going out of bounce. Kyler right 570 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:17,120 Speaker 1: now is playing better than anybody in the NFL. The 571 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:20,800 Speaker 1: Cardinals are playing better than anybody in the NFL. If 572 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: they can win this game get to seven and zero 573 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:27,000 Speaker 1: going into a Thursday night home game against the Green 574 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:30,480 Speaker 1: Bay Packers, that will be the game that's talked about 575 00:32:30,560 --> 00:32:33,920 Speaker 1: more than any other in the NFL next week. First 576 00:32:33,960 --> 00:32:38,000 Speaker 1: things first, taking care of business, and that's what championship 577 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:40,640 Speaker 1: teams do. They take care of business against teams they 578 00:32:40,680 --> 00:32:43,120 Speaker 1: should beat. The Texans have a lot of injuries. They 579 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:44,880 Speaker 1: have a lot of problems with their team to Shaun 580 00:32:44,920 --> 00:32:49,040 Speaker 1: Watson's obviously not playing for other reasons, the Texans are 581 00:32:49,120 --> 00:32:52,240 Speaker 1: not a good football team. The Cardinals are favored by seventeen. 582 00:32:52,440 --> 00:32:55,680 Speaker 1: The Cardinals should win this game. To be a title contender, 583 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,560 Speaker 1: you have to do what you're supposed to do, and 584 00:32:58,640 --> 00:33:01,960 Speaker 1: that's win this game and handily and move on to 585 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:05,040 Speaker 1: Thursday against Green Bay. Thanks so much for listening to 586 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:07,680 Speaker 1: the Dave Pash Podcast. Again, our thanks to Phoenix Suns 587 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:10,280 Speaker 1: general manager James Jones. We'll talk to you soon.