1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What's up, party people? 2 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: To me? Jason McIntyre, Straight Fire, Friday, July six. I 3 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:20,919 Speaker 1: hope everybody's excited for the weekend. I'm primed for it, 4 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: ready to rock. Not as good of a sports weekend 5 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: is last weekend. Of course, we had mm A soccer, soccer, 6 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:32,560 Speaker 1: soccer NBA Finals. Right now, all I'm seeing is NBA 7 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: Finals and folks, um I can't. Can I put a 8 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:37,240 Speaker 1: quick little side note in here that I'm starting to 9 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 1: get upset about this uh COVID delta business, especially out 10 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: here in l A County. The news hit me like 11 00:00:44,120 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: a ton of bricks on Thursday. Not even kidding, my 12 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: wife booked this very cool sailing excursion where this guy 13 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: sailed the boat and took us around. It was fun, awesome. 14 00:00:53,880 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 1: I go to take some photos. I start getting text. 15 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: I look at them like I'm not gonna look at text. Fine, 16 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: I look at the text. Gotta wear masks in lay 17 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:02,959 Speaker 1: starting this weekend l A County indoors. I'm like, what 18 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: the hell is this? I was so ticked off. I 19 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 1: will read you with a friend. I think an occasional 20 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,479 Speaker 1: listener to the podcast, what do you expect when people 21 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: are printing fake vaccination cards? Yes, someone out here in 22 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: our area claims to have been approached about fake vaccination cards. 23 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: So disturbing. Um, I don't know. I'm sorry to go 24 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 1: on a non sports rant. I know it gets political. 25 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: I just don't want to have to wear a mask 26 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 1: at the grocery store and anywhere I go. I think 27 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: we'll I get the vaccination. I'm doing my part? Are you? 28 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: Are you? Anyways? We got a great, great, great podcast 29 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: today Mirror and Fader, She writes, she wrote for Bleacher Report. 30 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 1: Now she's at the Ringer. She just wrote a book 31 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 1: on Janice. How about the timing of her book? Huh 32 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: comes out next month? Janice could be an NBA champ 33 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: in finals MVP next month. Oh, that could be huge. 34 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: She's really in smart, intelligent, spent a lot of time 35 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 1: talking to everyone around. Be honest, if you ever thought 36 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: about writing a book during COVID, The good news, yes, 37 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: you've got all the time in the world to write. 38 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: The bad news is you gotta do a million interviews 39 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:15,040 Speaker 1: over zoom. But Mirrons really sharp, good stuff on Janice. Um. 40 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: The book comes out and I think the middle of August. 41 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: Um before we get to the NBA finals. Um, and 42 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: I just have a quick touch on Game five this 43 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: USA Basketball news combined with USA Australia canceled. I don't know, 44 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 1: are we sure the Olympics are even gonna go off 45 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 1: without a hitch? Like a lot of these sports are indoor. 46 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,400 Speaker 1: All the outdoor sports have been fine. NBA playoffs have 47 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: been fine, but the outdoor stuff is going off no issues. 48 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,839 Speaker 1: Bradley Beal tested positive for health and safety protocols. He's 49 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:53,799 Speaker 1: out of the Olympics. He's what the third or fourth 50 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: best player on the team. And then Jeremy Grant was 51 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 1: placed in protocol out of caution, I guess because these 52 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 1: roommates would be all buddies with him whatever, But they 53 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: think Grant's gonna stick his day with the team. So 54 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 1: today's game against Australia is not happening. And I don't know, folks, 55 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 1: I'm not all of a sudden feeling confident about USA basketball, Like, like, 56 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: who are they going to replace Bradley Buell with? Now? 57 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 1: I know on the surface, will say, well, Jay, they 58 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: got Middleton d book and holiday coming. Yeah, guys, it's 59 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 1: starting to look like the finals is gonna go seven. Okay, 60 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: so you gotta show up on a red eye to 61 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:34,880 Speaker 1: Tokyo to play in the Olympics. Really, I just I 62 00:03:34,920 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: don't have a great feeling about who the replacement should be. 63 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: Guards much easier to replace. You can just slide zach 64 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: Lavine and my guy zach Lavine. Yes, I see your 65 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: tweets and d ms about how my irrational love for 66 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: zach Lavine is a little misplaced. But nevertheless, Um, I 67 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: wonder do you give the hard sell to Zion Williamson. 68 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: You know, Zion, pull up, come and hang with us 69 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: in Tokyo. They they got all the food? Do you 70 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: like in New Orleans? They got that in Tokyo. I'm sure. 71 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 1: I'm sure they do in the Olympic village. Can you 72 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 1: make a play if not for Zion, do you kick 73 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 1: the tires on Anthony Davis? I mean, I doubt he's 74 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: gonna do it, But do you do you ask? We 75 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: know interior has been a bit of an issue. Um, 76 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: do you make another run at one of the Plumble Brothers. 77 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: I don't know. I mean, you'd think they would have 78 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 1: a ton of options. Um, I don't know, guys, I'm 79 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 1: not I'm not feeling great about USA basketball, the Olympic, 80 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:38,160 Speaker 1: none of it. Now I am feeling decent about Game 81 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:40,479 Speaker 1: five of the finals. I will say I was hot 82 00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 1: on the finals, guys, I was rolling. First two games 83 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 1: nailed him, Game three nailed it. I mean I was rolling. 84 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 1: I think in the finals gambling. I was eight and three. 85 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:51,599 Speaker 1: It was. I was hot. And I did not feel 86 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 1: good about Game four. And I with the golden sombrero 87 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: over four. I mean I had the Sun's cover until 88 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 1: they blew it, covering for forty seven and a half minutes. 89 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 1: I mean, what a joke. But Game five now is 90 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 1: up this weekend, and I confess to feeling decent about 91 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: the Suns, but not great. Um, obviously Chris Paul will 92 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: play better. DeAndre and will play better. The key for 93 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 1: me is the role players and the role players for 94 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: the Bucks. Pat Connaughton very good in Milwaukee. Chris Middleton, 95 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: I don't want to call it a role player. He's 96 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: an All Star, but historically he's played very poorly on 97 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: the road in the playoffs. And we did have a 98 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 1: good game in Atlanta. I mean the Hawks, you know, 99 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 1: they're not as good as the Sons defensively, that's for sure. 100 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: And the Highlight Factory is no Valley of the Suns 101 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: or whatever they call. I don't know what the what 102 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: the stadium is in Phoenix, but I mean, without question, 103 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: this is a huge upgrade for Chris Middleton, Like, oh, 104 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: it's great he went for forty. Can you do that 105 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,400 Speaker 1: on the road because you have an all postseason? And 106 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 1: I know he played well in Game seven in Brooklyn. 107 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, Phoenix is a different animal at home. 108 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 1: Bridges or Crowder will show up and give you fifteen. 109 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,479 Speaker 1: Cam Johnson or Campaign will give you ten off the bench. 110 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: I just don't know who's delivering for the Bucks. Drew 111 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: Holiday in the finals, Like, really, that's where we are 112 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 1: with Drew Holiday. Um, I think without question, Monty Williams 113 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 1: is gonna say, guys, we got out scored, outscored on 114 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 1: the fast break fifteen nothing, fifteen zero in Game four. 115 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: Now we know Milwaukee runs hot at home. They're very 116 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: good at home. The Suns can't get out scored fifteen 117 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,200 Speaker 1: nothing on the fast break their half court office. Is 118 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:36,479 Speaker 1: that that good? It's very good, but not that good. 119 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 1: And Milwaukee, for seventeen turnovers leading points are getting easy points. 120 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 1: Sons are having to work hard for everything. They can't 121 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: generate turnovers. Chris Paul, if he's not playing well, it's 122 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,920 Speaker 1: basically the Devin Booker Show. You don't know if Crowder 123 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,600 Speaker 1: or Bridges, who's gonna show up? Dario, Sarah's gone. If 124 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 1: they lose on the offensive glass and they lose Game five, 125 00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 1: the Suns, that's a rap for the series, folks. So 126 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,039 Speaker 1: they're not winning Game six and wire walking, they're just 127 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: not y honest, will not let them loose. I if 128 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: I'm a betting man and I am for Game five, 129 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: I'm looking at Janice having a strong game because he's 130 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 1: gonna know on the road, none of my guys are 131 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: gonna show up. I need to show up. I expect 132 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,119 Speaker 1: thirty five to forty from the honest, keep it close. 133 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: I think the Suns win close and cover. Chris Paul 134 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: has to play better. He's gone on such a downward descent. 135 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: It's it's really really awful. Um so excited about Game five. 136 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: I do want to give a quick shout out. And 137 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 1: you know, the summer soccer is definitely happening, and the 138 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 1: summer soccer is awesome. In the Gold Cup, the US 139 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: smoked Martinique tiny island in the Caribbean. I know it 140 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: because my family, well, my dad was born on an 141 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: island near Martinique, and um my mom obviously had traveled 142 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: to Martinique when you know she was living in South America. 143 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:56,440 Speaker 1: And this kid, Darryl Dyke from the US I've heard. 144 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: I've heard his name A ton I had. I got 145 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,559 Speaker 1: a plead Diggorance. I' not that familiar with his work. 146 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: He was awesome. I know it's Martinique. I get it. 147 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: It's Martinique, Like, how good are they? But the hype 148 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: for Dyke it's a rough last named d I k e. 149 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: Twenty one year old place for Orlando City. Um, you know, 150 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 1: when you're six to eighteen, it's like, oh, he's a 151 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: good wide receiver for Oklahoma or Oklahoma State. Darryl Dyke 152 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 1: is uh really showing out in his Gold Cup. This 153 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: could be his coming out party. I I don't know 154 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: if it's a little ambitious to say he could play 155 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: in the World Cup. We'll see. Um. But if you 156 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: want to bring a I mean, they're bringing a really 157 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: really young club. But if you want to bring a 158 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: potential star, you go out and get this kid who 159 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: was a beast at the at u v A. UM, 160 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: you know, first round pick, high pick. I think he 161 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: was top ten in the MLS draft. And you know, 162 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 1: this guy what a monster in soccer, seventy goals one 163 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:57,719 Speaker 1: year in high school soccer, Gatorade State Player of the Year. 164 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: I want to stay title. I mean the guy when 165 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: you go Virginia out of high school, especially at Oklahoma, 166 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: like you've got something going on. Um, so this guy 167 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: big time. I was impressed with his games, his game 168 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: against Martinique, and UM, I'm hoping for big things on him. 169 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: All right, guys, before we get to the interview, real quick, 170 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:18,680 Speaker 1: I just want to say everybody, have a great phenomenal weekend. 171 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: I do want to note my final Saturday radio show 172 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 1: is tomorrow Fox Sports Radio. Check your local listings. It'll 173 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: be popping as per usual. I got some good stuff 174 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 1: cooked up. I think. UM that could change, of course, uh, 175 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 1: depending on what happens in the NBA finals. UM and 176 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,680 Speaker 1: perhaps uh maybe the US men's basketball team loses another 177 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 1: player to COVID. Hopefully not and um. Without further ado, 178 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: here's our interview with mirrn Fader, the author of a 179 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 1: book about Janiceto. Jason likes to think he knows everything 180 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 1: when it comes to sports. I know what sports stands want, 181 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: but for everything he doesn't. He knows a guy who does. 182 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,599 Speaker 1: Let's just say I know a guy who knows a 183 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: guy who knows another guy. All right, let's welcome into 184 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,320 Speaker 1: straight fire. Uh listen. The timing could not be better 185 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: for her as a guest for her book on Jannice, 186 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 1: The improbable rise of an NBA m v P coming 187 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:21,000 Speaker 1: out in less than a month, Mirror and Fader joining 188 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,400 Speaker 1: the podcast Mirror and how are you? Hi? Thank you 189 00:10:23,440 --> 00:10:27,280 Speaker 1: for having me. I'm good. Yeah, Hey listen, Yeah, very 190 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 1: good timing when your party to have a Janice book 191 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: come out, and then you know is close to winning 192 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 1: a title too, as we record this, two victories away 193 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 1: from a championship. Um. First of all, timing can be 194 00:10:39,400 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: difficult with books. Um, but you know, to talk me 195 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: through the process. When did this start? Yeah? So I 196 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: submitted the proposal for the book in December, and I 197 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 1: signed the deal about March. So I essentially had from 198 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: like March all the way through COVID to March one. 199 00:10:57,880 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 1: And the reason why you know the book is coming 200 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 1: out now is because we didn't know he was going 201 00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 1: to stay in Milwaukee, so we thought, okay, perfect time 202 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: to cume out free agency. Little did we know your 203 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: honest was like, actually, I'm trying to win a championship. 204 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:16,120 Speaker 1: So um, great timing. That that's pretty incredible. So first 205 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: of all, you you signed the book deal right before COVID, 206 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 1: right December, you said, And then um, so you basically 207 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 1: everybody's scooped up at home. Timing was perfect for you 208 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: just wrote a book, right, I know. I mean if 209 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 1: there was ever a time to get trapped in your 210 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: apartment and like forced to work, it is this. But 211 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 1: I am a little disappointed of not being able to 212 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 1: go to Greece, and you know, the reporting in person 213 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 1: is so much different than over zoom. But you know 214 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:45,119 Speaker 1: it also forced me, I think, to be a better journalist. 215 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: You know, you've got to be more descriptive with your 216 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: questions and and ask more because these people have their 217 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: eyes to the ground and you're basically relying on them 218 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: to paint a picture of of grease for you. Yeah, 219 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 1: we're a lot of people reluctant to do zoom interviews 220 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,479 Speaker 1: for a book. I mean in the middle of a pandemic. 221 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:04,199 Speaker 1: Well they I think part of them were just like, 222 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: I love you honest, so I will do this. But 223 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 1: part of them we're also like, this is cool, we're 224 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 1: talking to an American journalist. And then I think the 225 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: other maybe they felt sorry for me. I don't know, 226 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:17,560 Speaker 1: but um, I'll take it. Uh, it's definitely. I mean 227 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 1: I had a little bit of practice with it, just 228 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,280 Speaker 1: because like from my long form stories, you know, I 229 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 1: still had to produce them even though we were in COVID. 230 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:30,240 Speaker 1: So for me, it was like, Okay, sucks, but this 231 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:32,840 Speaker 1: book is so important and I'm going to work my hardest. 232 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:38,440 Speaker 1: So I interviewed two people for this, Oh my god, jeez, 233 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: so so and how many of them over zoomed versus 234 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: you know, the regular telephone or whatever. Well, I actually 235 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: flew to Milwaukee right before the world shut down, um 236 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 1: and I interviewed um Alex, the youngest brother again and 237 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 1: the nassist the oldest brother, and the closest the middle brother, 238 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: right before March. This was like late February. But other 239 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: than that, everything was over zoo home or viberor WhatsApp 240 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: or yes yes, yes, So Janice is as Sending Star. 241 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: He wins two m v P awards, And how does 242 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: he take it that you're wanting to do a book 243 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: on him. I'm I'm assuming he's either inundated with offers 244 00:13:16,520 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: or you might have known him for through the years. 245 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:21,800 Speaker 1: How did how did that work? Yeah? Well, I don't 246 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 1: think he cared. I think that he's so focused on basketball, 247 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: but so essentially, like I the way this started was 248 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 1: that I wrote a story on Jannice and his youngest 249 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 1: brother Alex for Bleacher Report, which is where I previously 250 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 1: worked in. And that story, like I got to go 251 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 1: to their home, I got to interview their mom, Veronica, 252 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:45,439 Speaker 1: and you know, when it came out, people were like, wow, 253 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 1: like I haven't really seen this kind of vulnerable side 254 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: of the Honest, and so I was like, okay, this 255 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,439 Speaker 1: could be a book. So reached out to their team 256 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:55,839 Speaker 1: and their agents, and essentially the agents were just kind 257 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: of like, okay, well I'm not gonna help you, um 258 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 1: but okay. So I was like okay, So I just 259 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: you know, I just kind of did it on my own, 260 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: and um, you know, there were other ways to interview 261 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:11,439 Speaker 1: the brothers and and things like that. So the interview 262 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 1: that I had with j Honest for the story is 263 00:14:13,559 --> 00:14:17,960 Speaker 1: in the book. Um, so it basically comes out of that. Okay, 264 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: So you know when I look at you, honest, I think, like, boy, 265 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: this is really the quintessential American dream. Right, you come 266 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: to this country, Uh, you don't have a lot yet 267 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: poverty in your previous country, and then you rise to 268 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: the top and you become fabulously wealthy, like he is 269 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: the American dream, is he not? He is? And I think, Um, 270 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 1: he's somebody that you know, when you talk about American dream, 271 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:42,600 Speaker 1: you talk about work ethic, and this is somebody that 272 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 1: has worked so so hard. When he came to America. 273 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: He didn't even know how to wait lift like the 274 00:14:48,320 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: buck strength coach had to teach him how to bench press. Um. 275 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,119 Speaker 1: So you look at like at the bar is trembling 276 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 1: to this chiseled Greek god that he is now. And 277 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: so it is. It is definitely the personification of the 278 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 1: American dream. And and not just him but his family. 279 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 1: This idea that you want to provide better for the 280 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 1: next generation and his son is not going to have 281 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: to grow up with the hardships that he grew up with. Yeah, 282 00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 1: So the the immigrant mindset, you know, you know, my 283 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: parents weren't born in America and came over here, and 284 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 1: I do want to ask, you know, I've touched on 285 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: a little bit on the podcast some on my Saturday 286 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: radio show, but like being a mixed child, it seems 287 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 1: like that this is like a big portion of the 288 00:15:28,640 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: book Janice, of course, mixed and growing up in Greece 289 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 1: in a lot of poverty. Can you just elaborate a 290 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 1: little bit on on what that was like for him? Yeah, 291 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: it's a huge part. So being in Greece, there were 292 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 1: basically around this time that he was growing out, there 293 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 1: was this neo Nazi group called Golden Dawn, and Golden 294 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: Dawn UM would murder immigrants and chase them and and 295 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 1: really just try to terrorize them through these neighborhoods. And 296 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: so he was always keenly aware of being black and 297 00:15:57,480 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: undocumented in this majority why country with this you know, 298 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 1: group called Bolden Donne was around and intimidating people um. 299 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: And so even though he lived in a neighborhood that 300 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: was also heavy um with other migrants from other countries, 301 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: he was also keenly aware that, you know, as a 302 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: black person in white spaces, even though he was born 303 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 1: in Greece, people still just saw him as black and 304 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: so um, the the unique thing about Greece is that 305 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 1: they don't offer birthright citizenship if you are born there 306 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: and you are a child of migrants. So technically you 307 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 1: honest like should have Greek citizenship as he's born there, 308 00:16:38,400 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: but he doesn't. And so he's keenly aware of Um. Okay, 309 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: they only see me as Nigerian, they don't see me 310 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: as Greek. And so he sort of has both of 311 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: these two things at once and UM, he's proud of 312 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: both of them. And um, and he grew up with 313 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: Nigerian culture in his home. You know, his parents made 314 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 1: him aware of of the different languages and um, and 315 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: they had a lot of Nigerian cooking in their home. Um, 316 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: it's just that he just wasn't always accepted for that. 317 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,439 Speaker 1: M M. Yeah, that sounds it just sounds like a 318 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 1: rough upbringing. So he comes to the NBA and you know, 319 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: he I think it might have been friend for Sheila, 320 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: who you know, jokes that some of these international guys 321 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:19,520 Speaker 1: are two years away from being two years away, and 322 00:17:19,840 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: you know, Joannice goes in the lottery. But this was 323 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: a pretty quick turnaround. Right by like year three, he 324 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 1: was like, oh, this guy is really good. I know, 325 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 1: it's really surreal. Again, like I said, did not wait 326 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 1: left before he got to Milwaukee, and then all of 327 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: a sudden, he's like gonna be the guy. I mean 328 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 1: you saw flashes of it. I think rookie year, he 329 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:42,199 Speaker 1: would do something impressive like a chasdown block or you know, 330 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 1: only needs two steps to get to the basket, or like, 331 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 1: oh my god, look at his hustle. You know he 332 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: has ten rebounds. The second year, you see him being 333 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 1: a little more aggressive, a little bit mean. You know, 334 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: we remember like rookie honest, he's adorable, he loves smoothies. 335 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,360 Speaker 1: Second year he's like, oh, don't call me a door well, 336 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 1: like I'm a killer, and so you saw this kind 337 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: of like main Street coming out. And then that third year, 338 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 1: like you're referencing, Um, he really just started to see 339 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: like I can do this, Like I am a versatile 340 00:18:12,840 --> 00:18:15,880 Speaker 1: player in this game. And I think, um, Jason Kidds 341 00:18:15,880 --> 00:18:18,920 Speaker 1: switching him to point guard really helped his game flourish 342 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 1: because he realized, like, if I have the ball, I'm 343 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,400 Speaker 1: just going downhill. Who's going to stop me? When I'm 344 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: at the room. Fox Sports Radio has the best sports 345 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: talk lineup in the nation. Catch all of our shows 346 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: at Fox Sports Radio dot com and within the I 347 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: Heart Radio app. Search f s R to listen live. 348 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:40,680 Speaker 1: I'm curious the international flavor in the NBA right now. 349 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 1: You know, Jani's obviously two time MVP, Yokis just won 350 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 1: an m v P. I personally think Luca danches is 351 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 1: the best player in the league. I'm curious, do you 352 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: think there's any correlation as to you know, people are 353 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 1: talking about the Dream Team in ninety two and they 354 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: were awesome, and they introduced sports uh to to international 355 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,679 Speaker 1: water or NBA to international waters. And now here we 356 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:04,120 Speaker 1: are about thirty years later, and there's like international dominance 357 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:07,359 Speaker 1: at the top of the league, total dominance and growing 358 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:10,679 Speaker 1: um is. You know, like if you look at them. 359 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 1: There's a portion of the book where I talked about 360 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:16,160 Speaker 1: how it's it's increased substantially year after year, the number 361 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 1: of international All Stars UM. And I think what's interesting though, 362 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 1: is that you look at somebody like Luke the Um 363 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:26,320 Speaker 1: you look at all these all these guys like they 364 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: actually came from top leagues. That's why I think Janice 365 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:32,399 Speaker 1: is so impressive, because we've seen international guys right like 366 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: we've seen Dirk, Like this is not new, but to 367 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 1: come from this colde on division where nobody has come 368 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: from a too Greek league where you know he's not 369 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: even on the top team. He doesn't even play in EuroLeague. 370 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I hate the cliche thing in sports, you know, 371 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:50,920 Speaker 1: came out of nowhere, but genuinely like this international path 372 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: that Janice has taken, he is like very much the 373 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:58,639 Speaker 1: first Yeah, you know, basically people call him a unicorn, right, 374 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: I mean, is the definite like you said, I went 375 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:03,160 Speaker 1: two dribbles from the three point line and he's dunking 376 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 1: or whatever. Um. I am curious though when you hear 377 00:20:06,040 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 1: guys like James Harden criticized him and say always got 378 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: no skill? How do you who's covered your honest as 379 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 1: close as anybody else since he's been in the league. 380 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: Given the feature and now the book, what do you 381 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 1: what's your take on that? Like? How can you say that? 382 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 1: Like I I get it, like you you you're enamored 383 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:26,439 Speaker 1: with the athleticism, but like it is not. Um it 384 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:30,119 Speaker 1: is a skill to play defense the way that he plays, 385 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: to time things, to to know when to shift over 386 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: and rotate and be there for a week's side block. 387 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 1: That is the skill, Like it is a skill to 388 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 1: bring the ball up and be able to handle it 389 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 1: at his size. I mean, have you seen his hands. 390 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: It is unbelievable that he does anything with it, you know, 391 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: in full speed, full motion. So I think with you, 392 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: honest like, it's also I think the no skill thing, 393 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,719 Speaker 1: I think because he doesn't fit the boxes of quote 394 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: and international player, because he doesn't have the jump shot 395 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,440 Speaker 1: and so like that. To me, it's like, of course 396 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,119 Speaker 1: that is true, that is very true. But to say 397 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 1: he has no skill, I think it's to diminish all 398 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: of the other things that he does, you particularly on 399 00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: the defensive end, you know, which is yeah, it's weird, 400 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 1: you know, the shooting thing. Shack could never shoot free 401 00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: throws right obviously, like humongous hands, just a freak um 402 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 1: And now Janie can't you free throws? But all I 403 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: see during the finals is how was he not practicing 404 00:21:27,800 --> 00:21:30,359 Speaker 1: free throws? Like I you know, when it was Shack, 405 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: I don't seem to recall that. People are just like, oh, 406 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: he can't you free throws? They gave him a pass. 407 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:37,160 Speaker 1: Do you think that's a little bit of an international 408 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:39,000 Speaker 1: thing because he's not an American born player. Do you 409 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: think there's something there? Am I reaching? I mean, I 410 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 1: think there could be something there for sure. I think 411 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 1: also just the pressure of this guy was named a 412 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:47,800 Speaker 1: two time m v P, and I think if he 413 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: was not bestowed that type of hype and and honor, 414 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:53,960 Speaker 1: then they wouldn't judge him as as fiercely. He would 415 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 1: just be the adorable guy that's leading a small market team. 416 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: Nobody would care, um, and they would just be like, Okay, 417 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:02,159 Speaker 1: you need to work on that. But it isn't this 418 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 1: glaring weakness. I think it's because he is supposed to 419 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:09,120 Speaker 1: be leading this generation of new school players and he 420 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 1: does not have the one thing that all of those 421 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:17,159 Speaker 1: guys have. I also wonder, you know, Jannice, you were 422 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,119 Speaker 1: doing the book when he had to decide on the 423 00:22:19,160 --> 00:22:22,760 Speaker 1: super Max and Mirror and I, you know, I personally 424 00:22:22,800 --> 00:22:24,719 Speaker 1: was one of these guys like what's he sticking around for? 425 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,200 Speaker 1: Like they're not getting better? Um, But I'm you were close. 426 00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,120 Speaker 1: I'm just curious thinking back during that time, where were 427 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 1: you on whether or not you thought Jannat would stay. 428 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,359 Speaker 1: You know, I was really fifty fifty. I I have 429 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 1: to be honest, like I hate when reporters like, oh, 430 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 1: I knew he was staying, like you know, like it's 431 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: like you know, you know, only him and his bomb knew. 432 00:22:44,359 --> 00:22:47,119 Speaker 1: But I think, um, I was fifty fifty because like, 433 00:22:47,160 --> 00:22:49,119 Speaker 1: I know that they built a life there, and I 434 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:52,240 Speaker 1: knew that his mom really loved it there, um, and 435 00:22:52,280 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 1: that's pretty much everything to him. Um. But also like 436 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:01,480 Speaker 1: he it's not like he you can only try your best, right, 437 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: and he has tried and tried year after year but 438 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,760 Speaker 1: did not have the supporting cast. So I wouldn't have 439 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,280 Speaker 1: been surprised if he would have left. But the part 440 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:12,840 Speaker 1: of me that also was convinced maybe he might stay 441 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 1: was that he has never forgotten that this is a 442 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,400 Speaker 1: franchise that took a chance on him. They drafted him 443 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 1: without knowing his medical information. That's insane, you know, because 444 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:25,960 Speaker 1: he wasn't able to come here and and do tests 445 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 1: with the books, so that was an enormous risk. They 446 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,640 Speaker 1: took a chance on him. They gave his parents keys 447 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 1: to the gym. Um. They taught Johannest how to drive. 448 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 1: One time, be honest, his parents got stuck in a 449 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:39,480 Speaker 1: in a car off the side of the road. Their 450 00:23:39,480 --> 00:23:42,520 Speaker 1: car went out one staffer, longtime guy who has been 451 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:44,440 Speaker 1: there for twenty five years. He comes and he jumped 452 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 1: starts the car. Okay, Like these are like personal things 453 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: that mattered to him. And so it's like when we 454 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:54,280 Speaker 1: talk about loyalty, that's loyalty. They were loyalty. They were 455 00:23:54,320 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: loyal to me and my family, and I want to 456 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:59,359 Speaker 1: be loyal back. So in the end I could see it, 457 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 1: but I didn't. That's that's pretty cool. Um, do you 458 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,159 Speaker 1: think he can be the face of the NBA? Is 459 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 1: he already? Because and I know that's kind of a 460 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 1: silly topic, but Lebron's getting up there, steph Curry is 461 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: getting up there, and then there's the whole like, could 462 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,640 Speaker 1: it be Zion Luca? I mean, if you, honest gets 463 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:18,760 Speaker 1: a title to go with two m v p s, 464 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:21,120 Speaker 1: I don't see how it's not him. But then you've 465 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: got clowns like not sorry, that was a little harsh. 466 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 1: Then you've got guys like Stephen A. Smith saying, wow, 467 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 1: this guy Otani doesn't speak the language. He can't be 468 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: the face of the league. I'm just curious where you 469 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,119 Speaker 1: are on your honest who doesn't give a million interviews? Right? 470 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:35,119 Speaker 1: He doesn't give a ton No, not at all, not 471 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:38,320 Speaker 1: at all. I mean, so two things. Number One, if 472 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:41,919 Speaker 1: he wins the title, that immediately catapults him to that discussion. 473 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:44,640 Speaker 1: But if he does not get a jump shot, he's 474 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 1: not he's not able to have that. I just think 475 00:24:48,200 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: this is a league that literally thrives on shooting, and 476 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:55,040 Speaker 1: I think that that is really important. But with him, 477 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:57,359 Speaker 1: what we're seeing is he doesn't need a jump shot 478 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:02,960 Speaker 1: to dominate, you know, so you know, personally, like they 479 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 1: can't stop him going down to hill. I don't think 480 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: he needs a jump shot. I don't think he should 481 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:09,400 Speaker 1: try to morph into a guard. I think he should 482 00:25:09,440 --> 00:25:12,520 Speaker 1: just be a center and just dominate inside. And again, 483 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 1: he could very much be the face of the league. 484 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 1: One quote that I found in my research is I 485 00:25:17,160 --> 00:25:19,919 Speaker 1: think you'll find interesting is um. It was from a 486 00:25:19,960 --> 00:25:24,359 Speaker 1: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, and Janice was quoted as saying, 487 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:27,440 Speaker 1: you know, my girlfriend, my parents, my brothers, they tell 488 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,000 Speaker 1: me I can be the face of the league. Um. 489 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 1: But then I hear people saying, you know, like fans 490 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,359 Speaker 1: and commenters online. I hear people saying he can't be 491 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 1: the face of the league because he doesn't have the 492 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:39,480 Speaker 1: American swagger. He can't be the face of the league 493 00:25:39,520 --> 00:25:42,840 Speaker 1: because you know, he's international, and he says and I 494 00:25:42,920 --> 00:25:45,359 Speaker 1: hear all these things, and I think, if I can't 495 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:47,119 Speaker 1: be myself, I don't want to be the face of 496 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:52,199 Speaker 1: the league. So you know, I I love that quote 497 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:54,359 Speaker 1: and it's so powerful and it really taps into what 498 00:25:54,359 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 1: you were just saying about Opani and all of this discourse. 499 00:25:57,840 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: But um, people really need to brought in their perspectives 500 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 1: because the NBA is only getting more international, and the 501 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:09,120 Speaker 1: NBA is literally setting up academies in every single country 502 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 1: to further get that next prospect from India, that next 503 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,720 Speaker 1: big prospect prospect from Australia. I mean, it's it's here, 504 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:18,760 Speaker 1: It's yeah, yeah, I mean you have to expand. Um, 505 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:20,439 Speaker 1: I am curious we could wrap on the kind of 506 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: a journalism question slash topic, like you know you would 507 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,199 Speaker 1: work for Bleacher Report. And you know, I grew up 508 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,239 Speaker 1: in newspapers. I went to college thinking I want I'm 509 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:30,919 Speaker 1: gonna be a writer. I want to be features, I 510 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: want to columnist all that stuff, and like you know, 511 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:34,720 Speaker 1: you come out of college and the Internet hits and 512 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: it's like, oh, well, newspapers have a couple of years. 513 00:26:37,920 --> 00:26:41,600 Speaker 1: The like the writer who does takeouts, I love to 514 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:45,040 Speaker 1: read them, long form stuff. Anybody, you don't really read 515 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 1: game stories anymore, but not a lot of people are 516 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: doing features anymore. Would you say that's like a dying 517 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 1: breed of a position. But it is a major need, 518 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 1: right because these are the stories that oh lead to books. Yes, 519 00:26:59,160 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: I mean for sure. When I said I wanted to 520 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 1: be a features writer, everyone was like, like, I don't 521 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: think it's smart. Um, And I too started to newspapers. 522 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: I started my first four years at the Orange County Register, 523 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:13,439 Speaker 1: thank god. I went to you know, Bleacher Report and 524 00:27:13,480 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: now The Ringer, and I'm at you know, digital only places. 525 00:27:16,440 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, like, storytelling still matters, Um, 526 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 1: how that storytelling is being conveyed and where it's being 527 00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:27,120 Speaker 1: conveyed is changing, But people still want to know about 528 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: their favorite star. You know, when you watch The Honest, 529 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:33,840 Speaker 1: you wonder about his backstory, You wonder how he got 530 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,280 Speaker 1: so determined, or you know, you see them, you know, 531 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,360 Speaker 1: showing him and his brother than Assis and you want 532 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:41,840 Speaker 1: to know more about that bond, or maybe you see 533 00:27:41,880 --> 00:27:43,920 Speaker 1: another player in the tunnel and you're just like, god, 534 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:46,840 Speaker 1: I'm so curious like how he got to where he is, 535 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 1: And so I think there will never stop being a 536 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: hunger for stories. I just wish more publication realized that 537 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:56,800 Speaker 1: you cannot really get to know a person an athlete 538 00:27:56,920 --> 00:28:00,359 Speaker 1: through a quick little clip. Sometimes you need a deeper 539 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:02,520 Speaker 1: to dive. That's a great point because you know, like 540 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:05,399 Speaker 1: a lot of the American guys, we saw them in college, 541 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:08,160 Speaker 1: We've seen them in high school. Uh, Devin Booker's dating 542 00:28:08,160 --> 00:28:10,720 Speaker 1: a celebrity, so everybody like kind of knows Devin Brooker, 543 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:13,400 Speaker 1: Like what is he about? I mean, I don't really 544 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 1: know much about Yo Kich at all. He's got a 545 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:18,920 Speaker 1: couple of brothers, their big burly guys, um Luca done. 546 00:28:19,119 --> 00:28:20,760 Speaker 1: All I know is that he was a teenage sensation 547 00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 1: in Europe. Like, I don't know the essence of these guys. 548 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: And that's why I think these stories are so important. 549 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 1: Like your book on your Honest, your story, Like, I 550 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:30,920 Speaker 1: don't know. It's funny. I was watching the game Game 551 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 1: four with some friends, and nobody really knows anything about 552 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:36,320 Speaker 1: your Honest. It's like he's a great freak. That's it, 553 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 1: you know what? And I have I have been requesting 554 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:42,320 Speaker 1: features on those two players you just mentioned for over 555 00:28:42,440 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 1: a year and I'm just sitting here, like, you know, 556 00:28:46,040 --> 00:28:49,240 Speaker 1: how much more endearing they could be two people if 557 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: they knew your struggles, if they knew your family, if 558 00:28:52,240 --> 00:28:54,240 Speaker 1: they knew your pain, if they knew that moment you 559 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:56,880 Speaker 1: almost quit, Like don't you see that? That's important too? 560 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,240 Speaker 1: Like it is. I wonder if some of it, like 561 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,520 Speaker 1: you said, Janice's agent is like we're not going to help, 562 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 1: but to go ahead do the book well? Is that 563 00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 1: you know, the international players saying I don't care about 564 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 1: that stuff. I want to work on the craft. Is 565 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 1: that maybe that is a great point. It could be, 566 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:15,600 Speaker 1: But I've also it's hit or miss with a lot 567 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:19,120 Speaker 1: of players, like you know, Brandon Ingram's agent totally down 568 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:22,480 Speaker 1: like of course, you know, and like but another guy 569 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:25,600 Speaker 1: is like like whatever, it just you know, it really 570 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:28,440 Speaker 1: just depends. And I think the sad part is a 571 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:31,280 Speaker 1: lot of these handlers don't ask the athlete because when 572 00:29:31,320 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: you you know, you go into the locker room, they're cool, 573 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:37,440 Speaker 1: They're like cool, they're open to whatever. Yeah, they're open. 574 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:39,760 Speaker 1: They're just like what do you want to know? You know, um, 575 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,680 Speaker 1: But there's so many cooks in the kitchen. Now there's 576 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,480 Speaker 1: so much money at stake and there's so much branding 577 00:29:45,560 --> 00:29:47,960 Speaker 1: that like it's it's a very tough space. But I 578 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 1: do but I do think if if they're a journalist 579 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,920 Speaker 1: listening listening, don't think, well there's no room for me, Like, 580 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:55,920 Speaker 1: if you want to tell real stories, like you should 581 00:29:56,040 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 1: pursue it because they do matter. Yeah, well, I mean 582 00:29:58,720 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 1: I probably some of is these this massaging that the 583 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 1: agents and the managers one wrong quote and then you're 584 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 1: getting canceled, you know, so they want to pick hand 585 00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 1: pick the writers, Like how if you could just take 586 00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 1: us back real quick? When you did the big Yana 587 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 1: story for Bleacher, I guess he wasn't a massive star, 588 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 1: so it was a little easier. Well, you know what, 589 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 1: it is the strangest thing. So I did not even 590 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:23,040 Speaker 1: know I was gonna get you, honest. I thought I 591 00:30:23,080 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 1: was just gonna profile Alex. And then I go to 592 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:28,760 Speaker 1: Alex's home and like, I'm assuming he lives with you, honest, 593 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:30,960 Speaker 1: But I'm like thinking, like Yanni is gonna be out 594 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,920 Speaker 1: doing like superstar like things, and I'm like in the 595 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:37,600 Speaker 1: kitchen and your honest is like cutting through, and I'm 596 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 1: like I'm just like, oh my god, let's be honest, 597 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:41,720 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, Like, I just got lucky. 598 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:45,000 Speaker 1: So but if I would have gone and asked the agent, hey, 599 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 1: can I get your honest for a five minutes, would 600 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:50,920 Speaker 1: have said no. So I think it's just like again, 601 00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:53,320 Speaker 1: like if you approach people with decency and you just say, hey, 602 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:55,120 Speaker 1: I would just like five minutes of your time to 603 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:58,000 Speaker 1: ask about blab like chances already they don't have a 604 00:30:58,040 --> 00:31:01,680 Speaker 1: problem with it. It's just all this like infrastructure. But yeah, 605 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:03,680 Speaker 1: that's that's what I mean by like how I got 606 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:07,640 Speaker 1: into this was so organic, and the story actually ended 607 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 1: up revealing more about you, honest than Alex because it 608 00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:15,320 Speaker 1: was about Janice's nurture, Yannis as father, Joannice as brother, 609 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 1: and so I was like, yeah, I want to learn more. 610 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:23,040 Speaker 1: You know. That's awesome. Well, congratulations on everything. The book 611 00:31:23,320 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 1: is The Honest the Improbable Rise of an NBA m 612 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:28,880 Speaker 1: v P Mirror Invader. Obviously at the Ringer House, how's 613 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:31,720 Speaker 1: life working at the Ringer It's good, you know, I'm 614 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 1: the first Yeah, for the first time in my life. 615 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 1: My my co workers are in the same city as me, 616 00:31:35,640 --> 00:31:38,000 Speaker 1: and COVID is like I don't want you to beat them, 617 00:31:38,040 --> 00:31:41,840 Speaker 1: so I'm just like hopefully soon. But well, the other 618 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,880 Speaker 1: thing is like you're doing a lot of NBA features, 619 00:31:43,880 --> 00:31:46,920 Speaker 1: but now you know, it's almost like the NBA is like, hey, 620 00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 1: this zoom interview thing is kind of working for us, 621 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:52,160 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, it doesn't work for the journalists 622 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:54,920 Speaker 1: at all. Um, do you think things will open up 623 00:31:54,960 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 1: next year regarding NBA interviews in locker rooms in here? 624 00:31:57,880 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 1: I don't know what the NFL policy is coming up. 625 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 1: I think that I think for n b A, I 626 00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:06,600 Speaker 1: think it's unfortunately gonna be a lot more exclusive, and 627 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:10,800 Speaker 1: I worry that that leads to like further gate keeping. Um, 628 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:13,920 Speaker 1: and they're gonna probably say like, oh, you guys can go, 629 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:15,720 Speaker 1: and it's like you know, the big guys, and it's 630 00:32:15,960 --> 00:32:19,040 Speaker 1: it's it's gonna be harder for that like person from 631 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:22,840 Speaker 1: like starting out to get in there. But I do 632 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:25,640 Speaker 1: know that, like luckily we have some organizations, you know, 633 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:28,240 Speaker 1: in the Pro Basketball Writer's Organization and they're like no 634 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:34,080 Speaker 1: access is important to um. So yeah, and just it's weird. 635 00:32:34,360 --> 00:32:37,880 Speaker 1: You know, in Hollywood, the actors always give huge profiles 636 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:40,560 Speaker 1: right before a movie, Like I'm surprised some of the 637 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:42,040 Speaker 1: big end like when was the last time you read 638 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:44,680 Speaker 1: a big profile where Lebron actually spoke? But I guess 639 00:32:44,760 --> 00:32:46,280 Speaker 1: Lebron is at the level where he's like, why do 640 00:32:46,320 --> 00:32:47,680 Speaker 1: I need to give an interview. I'll just go on 641 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:50,480 Speaker 1: my show or I'll go on my Instagram live or whatever, 642 00:32:50,640 --> 00:32:54,400 Speaker 1: and I'll control the message. You know that I'm sounding 643 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:56,880 Speaker 1: a little frustrated, but that's kind of why I started 644 00:32:56,880 --> 00:32:59,000 Speaker 1: to pivot out of you know, features writing back in 645 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:01,320 Speaker 1: the day. It's just you can see the trend lines 646 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:04,920 Speaker 1: are not great. Unfortunately it's not great. But when you 647 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:07,480 Speaker 1: do get the story and you do get the connection, 648 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 1: it's so wonderful. And the way that I look at 649 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:13,600 Speaker 1: it now is I don't want to profile somebody it 650 00:33:13,640 --> 00:33:17,560 Speaker 1: doesn't want to be profiled. So if they don't want 651 00:33:17,560 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 1: to for whatever reason, that is okay. There's always another story. Yeah, definitely, 652 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: all right, meor and Fader, great stuff. Congratulations on the 653 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:28,240 Speaker 1: book and all your success and uh, have a fun summer. 654 00:33:28,640 --> 00:33:30,160 Speaker 1: Yeah you too, Thanks for having me.