1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,959 Speaker 1: This is Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up, 2 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:18,080 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen. Jason McIntyre Straight Fire, Tuesday, February twenty three. 3 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,319 Speaker 1: Can I give you guys an admission? Every time I 4 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: give that intro, my kids hear it and they make 5 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: fun of me later in the day. They love it 6 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: straight Fire, straight Fire because they can you know, I'm 7 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: recording at home, and uh, I've got my little office 8 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: and they just love to mock me and get on 9 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: my case about it. But uh, I like the energy. 10 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: I like getting you all fired up. Guys. I gotta say, Um, 11 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: the big bosses that I heart are thrilled with the 12 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: numbers you can hear the new advertising. Um, thank you 13 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: for subscribing, rating and reviewing and sending every every episode 14 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: to your friends. Oh you gotta hear what McIntyre said, 15 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: well today, Wait till you hear what Muggsy bugs had 16 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 1: to say got into the rumored Alonzo Morning Larry Johnson 17 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 1: beef in Charlotte back in the day. Muggsy Bogues was 18 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: on the Washington Bullets La Bouley back in the eighties 19 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 1: with Minuke Bowl, The Shortest Guy and the Tiniest Guy. 20 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know if you guys knew this. 21 00:01:17,160 --> 00:01:20,039 Speaker 1: Muggsy Bogues was shot when he was five years old. 22 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,120 Speaker 1: I mean, it is a crazy story. We get into 23 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 1: all that, you're gonna love it, so stick around for that. 24 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,279 Speaker 1: But first I wanted to open uh no no major 25 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:31,040 Speaker 1: stories popping Monday in sports, you know, I wanted to 26 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: uh talk a little bit about Undisputed. But my gosh, 27 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: I heard from everybody on social media. Thank you for 28 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: the props, and all the new listeners who came over 29 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:44,039 Speaker 1: from Undisputed, welcome aboard. And to the haters who are 30 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 1: all Kyrie Irving Stands who are just killing me and 31 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: my mentions of my d m s, I feel you. 32 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 1: It's all good, No no worries. Um. I guess I 33 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: should start here. Um, just some kind of obsessed with 34 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 1: this idea that James Harden has become a new player 35 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: with the Brooklyn Nets, and I'm gonna take it out 36 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,359 Speaker 1: of basketball for a moment and come back to it. 37 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:14,920 Speaker 1: And I heard a quote recently there was just pretty awesome. 38 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,639 Speaker 1: I had to write it down. There's no such thing 39 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: as success or failure. There's only stepping stones. And I 40 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: thought about that and I've gotten. Maybe it's living in 41 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:30,359 Speaker 1: California now, hanging out with some um some dads who 42 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: have really made it, some dads who uh have some 43 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,920 Speaker 1: really interesting stuff going on. And I don't know, you 44 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: get very um philosophical about life if you will. My 45 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: kids keep telling me, Dad, you're always using the word 46 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 1: life when you're talking to us. I'm like, I'm teaching 47 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: you life lessons. And you know, no such thing as 48 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: success or failure, Like everybody says, James Harden was a 49 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 1: failure in Houston, But what if he had to go 50 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,600 Speaker 1: through that to get to the next step. That was 51 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: just a stepping stone. Houston was a stepping stone. He 52 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 1: had to force his way out of Houston to be 53 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,639 Speaker 1: the bad guy, and he had to get on a 54 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 1: super team, and holy cout do y'all see how good 55 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 1: James Harden looks right now? Like Rob g had all 56 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:22,960 Speaker 1: the stats and it essentially is trying to say James 57 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 1: Harden is the most important player on the nets, and 58 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 1: like it's not coming out and saying that, but he 59 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 1: is very integral to their winning and like I'm not 60 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: willing to go there because I haven't seen enough of Duran. 61 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: He's been hurt lately. I'm just telling you, I'm kind 62 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 1: of in love with the hardened story. Look at the Rockets. 63 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: They lost again on Monday, eighth straight loss. Okay, I 64 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 1: mean they're one of the five six worst teams in 65 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: the league. Okay, James Harden forces his way out of there, 66 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: and he's on the team that's now the favorites to 67 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: win the championship according to Vegas the Brooklyn Nets, like 68 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 1: that had to happen. And you know, I had read 69 00:03:55,960 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: a story about and again this is more philosophical stuff. Um, 70 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: but you know, in life, you know, everybody's climbing a mountain, 71 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: right and you want to get to the top. Whether 72 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:13,120 Speaker 1: it's your profession, uh, your sport, whatever it is, you 73 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 1: want to get to the top of that mountain. And 74 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes you just run into a brick wall 75 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 1: and there's no way around it. So you've got a 76 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: couple options. You could come down a little bit and 77 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 1: then make go for a new way, a new path, 78 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:32,159 Speaker 1: or you could come all the way back down to 79 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: the bottom and just say, you know what, that was 80 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: not my that was not my way. I've got to 81 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 1: go a totally different way. And you know, there is 82 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: something to James Harden adjusting his game a little bit 83 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 1: because he was near the top of the mountain in 84 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: Houston with Chris Paul. They were within a half of 85 00:04:51,960 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: getting to the NBA Finals. Remember they led the Warriors, 86 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: the Curry Durant Warriors, I think by ten, and then 87 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: that third quarter. I've talked about it at nauseum. Go 88 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,679 Speaker 1: get up on YouTube. Third quarter Game seven, Warriors, Rockets 89 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:08,680 Speaker 1: Curry Clay Durant. Just a tsunami of three pointers. It 90 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:12,279 Speaker 1: is glorious to watch. And I remember watching it and 91 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: just going absolutely bonkers. It was awesome because I had 92 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: money on the Warriors, and I like Steph Curry. You 93 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 1: guys know that, um, so you know you can climb 94 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 1: back down the mountain a little bit. Nobody wants to 95 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 1: come to the bottom and start over. That's like choosing 96 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: a whole different field. It's like, Hey, I'm a engineer, 97 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 1: and you know what, I'm leaving engineering and I'm gonna 98 00:05:31,320 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: be an Olympic swimmer. Like nobody wants to do that. 99 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: You put all this time and energy and years and 100 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: you make all these connections. You don't want to come 101 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:40,600 Speaker 1: all the way back down to the bottom and like 102 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: everybody has these moments. You know, again, there's no success 103 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 1: or failure, just stepping stones. You We've heard it from 104 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,039 Speaker 1: so many people and you know, I haven't talked a 105 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: ton about this, um, but you know there is success 106 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:57,280 Speaker 1: and then you have failures. Like everybody loves to say, Oh, 107 00:05:57,279 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: you built a website, you sold it. Yeah, that's great, 108 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 1: it was awesome. UM. And then I came out to 109 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: l A to be on a TV show and I 110 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:05,559 Speaker 1: was on it for two years, and then I wasn't 111 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: on it anymore. And it's this weird feeling where your 112 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 1: friends and family obviously know, like wait a second, Jason 113 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,240 Speaker 1: is not on the show anymore, and they want to ask, 114 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: like what's going on, and like it's like what do 115 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,239 Speaker 1: I say? And I didn't fail. It's not my fault. 116 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: I wasn't on that show. You know, a crazy person 117 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: drove off a dozen other people. Things happen. It was 118 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,919 Speaker 1: a stepping stone. I had to go through that experience too, 119 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: then find other experiences and go through those paths. And 120 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: like it was a stepping stone. And James Harden's failures 121 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 1: and we beat him up in Houston, man, I mean 122 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:48,359 Speaker 1: we all crushed Harden. Oh, he loves the strip clubs. 123 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: He's out of shape, he's not a clutch player. Like, 124 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: looking back on it, I almost feel dumb going after Harden, 125 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: but at the time it felt right. But James Harden 126 00:06:57,240 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: is gonna prove everybody wrong. Guys. I mean, listen, I 127 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,720 Speaker 1: know it's only a handful of games and it's easy 128 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:07,119 Speaker 1: to become prisoner of the moment in February, but yeah, 129 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: it is tough as hell right now to look at 130 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: the nets and not think, how does anybody stop these guys? 131 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,040 Speaker 1: And there will be They're gonna be losses. They're gonna 132 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: have back to backs where they lose. They're gonna have 133 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: embarrassing losses where they forget to get up for the 134 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: Pistons and the Pistons beat them or the Wizards push them. 135 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:26,679 Speaker 1: And again those of you tuning in to hear Wizards 136 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: Lakers talk. Yeah, sorry, come on, Sid, I can't get 137 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: into Bradley Beal, Davis Bertans and Russell Westbrook against Lebron 138 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: and Kyle Kuzma. I just sorry another day, um, but 139 00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 1: I just this hardened thing is fascinating to me, Like 140 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: I am really into that story for me and the NBA, 141 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: Like that's the story right now. They're new, they're fresh. Um, 142 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: I'm trying hard to get into the NFL um quarterback storylines. 143 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: And Rob g said, listen this Russell Wilson and got interesting. 144 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 1: And I listened to a guy I was friends with. 145 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 1: I don't know for self friends. I haven't seen him 146 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: in over over a year. Um, Michael Silver at the 147 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:11,800 Speaker 1: NFL Network, and we were we've been we were buddies 148 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: for a while. And um, you know, he's talking about 149 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: the Russell Wilson situation in Seattle, and I was trying 150 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 1: to apply it to this whole stepping stones and I'm like, 151 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: I don't know, I just I'm not sure I buy 152 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: it that Russell Wilson is so unhappy that Seattle was pissed, 153 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: that he was pissed, and now they're taking calls about 154 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson and the bidding starts at three first round picks, 155 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: Like I just find that really hard to believe. And 156 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 1: I keep trotting out this is as an example, but 157 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: when the Miamio Dolphins had Dan Marino, you know, they 158 00:08:53,760 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 1: had one of the best quarterbacks in the league and 159 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 1: they lost him to retirement. Do you know how long 160 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: it's been since they've had to find a replacement franchise quarterback. 161 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 1: This idea they grow on trees, like, guys, come on, 162 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: it doesn't happen. Green Bay is lucky as hell to 163 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: go from Brett Faved Aaron Rodgers. They're lucky as hell. 164 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 1: That's all that is. I mean, guys, I've talked about 165 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,679 Speaker 1: this my Jets. I've been a fan for the Jets 166 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: five years, thirty years maybe, and we've never had a 167 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: franchise quarterback ever. Chad Pennington was close. I thought Sam 168 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 1: Donald could be the guy. We thought Mark Sanchez could 169 00:09:34,280 --> 00:09:36,560 Speaker 1: be the guy. After two straight an f C title games. 170 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 1: No, no no, no, I'm not even close, not even close. 171 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 1: Like it's impossible to find the franchise quarterback. When you 172 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: get one, you clutch it like grim death. And I 173 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 1: can't see Seattle say, oh, three first round picks, Sure, 174 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: let's give up Russell Wilson. I can't. I just cannot 175 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: fathom that. It just doesn't make any sense. They have 176 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 1: nobody in the pipeline. Even if the Jets hypothetical the 177 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 1: Jets offer the two, the Jamal Adams picked back and 178 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:09,679 Speaker 1: next year's number one, Like, why are you doing that? 179 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: If you're Seattle, you're not getting it. You're taking a 180 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 1: colossal step back, unless maybe they need to climb back 181 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:21,240 Speaker 1: down the mountain to come back up with with another quarterback. Possibly. 182 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: I just find it super hard to believe in, Rob g. 183 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:27,679 Speaker 1: You know, um, Mike Silver obviously a very credible reporter. 184 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: I just it's it's a tough sell for me, Rob 185 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:34,440 Speaker 1: that Seattle could move on from Russell Wilson, right, And 186 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,720 Speaker 1: you mentioned Mike Silver is a very reputable reporter, so 187 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:40,319 Speaker 1: I'm sure whatever he is saying he has heard. Um. 188 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: But I will say that my feeling, based on the 189 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 1: report that he had on NFL Network last night, was 190 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,520 Speaker 1: not necessarily that Seattle would ask for three first round picks. 191 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 1: It's that, based on the teams he's spoken too, if 192 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: they were to consider trading him, the starting offer would 193 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: have to be three first round x. So I don't 194 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 1: think that that's actually gonna happen. I don't see any 195 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,719 Speaker 1: scenario where Seattle pulls the plug. And just for the 196 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:10,400 Speaker 1: reason that you stated its Seattle knows more than anybody. 197 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: Shout out to Mars Jackson, shout out Matt Flinn, how 198 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: hard it used to find a franchise quarterback in the NFL, 199 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: and they have one, So I don't see any scenario 200 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,680 Speaker 1: where they move on from him because he's upset about 201 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 1: the offensive line. I think they're more likely to get 202 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:28,800 Speaker 1: an entire new offensive line than they are to trade 203 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:31,199 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson. All right, before we get to Muggsy Bogs, 204 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: I'm just curious, Um, James Harden? Am I barking up 205 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: the wrong tree? Just? You know? I gassed him up 206 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: on Undisputed on Monday, and I really do think that 207 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 1: James Harden is in line to be you know, first 208 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:47,640 Speaker 1: team All NBA. I don't know if he's gonna win 209 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 1: Finals MVP over Kevin Durant. If assuming they get to 210 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: the finals, you know, a lot of things can happen. 211 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 1: Kyrie could go a wall. Who knows? Um, But am 212 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 1: I going overboard here with Harden? Feel free to call 213 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 1: me out, Rob Gah, you're a straight shooter man. No. Actually, 214 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 1: I feel like you're not going far enough because I 215 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: think that this last stretch, especially these last five games 216 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: in the West Coast wing and again they play Sacramento tonight, 217 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: so they're gonna have their seventh straight win, and the 218 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: stats say that James Harden. When he plays without Kevin Durant, 219 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 1: there's six and three. When Kevin durantt plays without James Harden, 220 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 1: they're only five and five. So James Harden not only 221 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 1: has he evolved as a player, and he's been the 222 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: guy to take on that Chris Boss role and kind 223 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,959 Speaker 1: of take a step back so that all the issues 224 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 1: that we thought might arise with Brooklyn having come to 225 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,680 Speaker 1: come about because he's the one who's sacrificed willingly. But 226 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:43,160 Speaker 1: I think that he's proven he is their most important player. 227 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: Similar to what happened with Stephen Katie and Golden State, 228 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 1: I think there was no question that Kevin Durant was 229 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: the best player on the team, but for what they 230 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: needed in in in Golden State, Steph Curry was the 231 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: the engine. He was the most important thing for them 232 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 1: to be the best version of themselves. Similarly, in Brooklyn, 233 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:03,199 Speaker 1: I think that James Harden, because of the way he 234 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: can just read the ball much better than Kyrie Irving 235 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: and Kevin Durrant, has never really been that much of 236 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: a distributor, you know, for them to unlock themselves and 237 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: to be the best version of themselves. Him becoming that 238 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 1: guy I think is made them a juggernaut. Okay, let 239 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: me ask this. You just something you just said led 240 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:24,839 Speaker 1: me down to this, and we'll get to muggsy bugs 241 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 1: in a second. After Lebron, who impacts winning more than 242 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: anyone else in the league. Well, I'm assuming we agree 243 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 1: Lebron is first, right, I don't think anyone else is 244 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:41,959 Speaker 1: above Lebron. But who would you say is number two? Um? 245 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:44,599 Speaker 1: I think Luca don Che obviously is in the discussion 246 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 1: because of his ability to distribute and score. Um. I 247 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,199 Speaker 1: think a lot of people might argue Chris paul I 248 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: wouldn't go that route. Um, I like Jayson Tatums Williamson. 249 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: I'm sure Janice is up there, Joel em beads up there. 250 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:04,520 Speaker 1: But after Lebron, it's gotta be James Harden, isn't it. Yeah, 251 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: it's funny to say that because we think so much 252 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:09,040 Speaker 1: of him, with all of his failures. We we associate 253 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,920 Speaker 1: him with the flame out in the postseason. But if 254 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: you go back the last but five, six, seven years, 255 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: I don't think anybody has want as consistently with as 256 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: many moving parts, you know, outside of Lebron, James and 257 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: James Harden. Because He's had different versions of that Houston 258 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: Rockets team. Him and Dwight Howard were making the playoffs, 259 00:14:28,600 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: winning fifty play games. Him and Chris Paul were the 260 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:33,480 Speaker 1: only team to actually put a scare into what I 261 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: think is the greatest team of all time, the Stephen 262 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: Katie Warriors, him and Russell Westbrook. They ended up losing 263 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: to the eventual NBA campus used to say, if they 264 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: didn't have to face the Lakers in the second round, 265 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: let's say they got the Clippers or they got Denver. 266 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: You know, who's to say they don't make another run 267 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: to the conference finals. So it's hard to at this 268 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 1: point pick anyone other than James Harden, which is funny. Yeah, 269 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: I forgot about that. Lebron and Kyrie got one game 270 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 1: off Curry and Katie in the finals, and the next 271 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: year Harden and Chris Paul got three and nearly one. 272 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 1: So I do think after Lebron James, nobody impacts winning 273 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: in the NBA more than James Harden. I think that's 274 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: a fair statement. And you guys know, I'm an unabashed 275 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 1: Curry fan, Okay, And I declared Kevin Durant the best 276 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 1: player in the league like four years ago before anybody else. Uh, 277 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 1: And they came from my head when I said he 278 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 1: was better than lebron Um. I guess you could toss 279 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 1: LaMelo Bault not I'm kidding. All right, Let's let's get 280 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,880 Speaker 1: to our guest who knows LaMelo ball well, Muggsy Bogues, 281 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 1: former NBA basketball player Jason likes to think he knows 282 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:48,160 Speaker 1: everything when it comes to sports. I know what sports 283 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: fans want, but for everything he doesn't. He knows a 284 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:54,280 Speaker 1: guy who does. Let's just say I know a guy 285 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: who knows a guy who knows another guy. All right, 286 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: let's welcome into the show a guy. Man. He is 287 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: a legend in the DC area where I grew up 288 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: for his high school exploit and then he went into 289 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: play college and of course you know him as a 290 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: NBA legend, Tyrone. Muggsy Bogues. Muggsy, how you doing, man, 291 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,560 Speaker 1: I'm good, I'm good. I appreciate you guys having me own. Yeah, 292 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: it's uh, it's a it's a you know, a joy 293 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: of mine to finally talk to you. As a small 294 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: guard growing up, there's no better guy to look up 295 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,880 Speaker 1: to than Muggsy Bogues, who uh is of course, legendary 296 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: for his time. I would say with the Hornets. Um. 297 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:34,960 Speaker 1: Obviously people know him as a high school guy if 298 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 1: you're from the DC area, but you know, career assist 299 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: and steals leader with the Hornets. Um. First of all, 300 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: how's life in Charlotte for you? Right now? Life is great? 301 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: You know, it's Graham. It could be better considering the 302 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: situation with everybody else's in with this pandemic. Um. But 303 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: you know, with that being said, I'm just trying to 304 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 1: you know, stay out everybody way, you know, father the 305 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: official of the protocols, and and do what I can 306 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: do with you know, within my control. Um so joint 307 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,679 Speaker 1: speaking with you on this podcast, um so so Muggsy 308 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: obviously five ft three and when you played in the 309 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: you know, late eighties, early nineties, uh, mid nineties, you know, 310 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,880 Speaker 1: it was really a center game. It was the big 311 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:19,439 Speaker 1: you know, the land of the big men. Throw it 312 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: down in the post, back down, back down, hook shot whatever. Um. 313 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 1: I'm just curious, how do you think you would fit 314 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:29,640 Speaker 1: into the current NBA, which is pace in space tempo. 315 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: You know, uh, it feels like a guards game right now. Well, 316 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 1: I mean we have some great guards back then as well. 317 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: Now you know, so a couple of good ones. Yeah, 318 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: MJ went bad and Isaia. We had a lot of guys. 319 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,840 Speaker 1: But you know, the game has changed. You know, back 320 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: then it was more of a physical It was more physical. 321 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: Back then, it was more station there you had guys, 322 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 1: the can camp in the lane a lot longer. You 323 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,359 Speaker 1: can hand check guys and you can control uh. And 324 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 1: then you know, the rules of the game was different, 325 00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:00,400 Speaker 1: you know. And not only that, but the ol set 326 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:02,400 Speaker 1: was different from my guys. You know, we had guys 327 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 1: six nine seven ft playing with that back towards the basket. 328 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: And here it is today. You know, we got six 329 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:10,880 Speaker 1: nine seven foot bringing the ball up to court, got 330 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 1: in the offense and uh and and it is relatively 331 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 1: you know once in terms of the skills of today's game. 332 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 1: You know, these guys are really skillful. Um, the game 333 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:25,360 Speaker 1: has evolved, so you gotta you know it will continue, 334 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 1: you know, and when machinery getting better, and you know, 335 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: guys are getting faster and stronger and always gonna be 336 00:18:31,119 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 1: that way. So you know, you gotta credit the NBA 337 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 1: for allowing them to ad just two players of today's game. Yeah, 338 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 1: let's start with a guy in your backyard there, LaMelo Ball, 339 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: who is having a pretty phenomenal rookie season. I don't 340 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: think anybody saw this kind of production from him. People 341 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 1: thought he would be good, but I mean, this is 342 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 1: a teenager tearing up the league. Uh. He is a 343 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 1: big leader for Rookie of the Year. I'm just curious. 344 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 1: Are you surprised how easy the game seems for him? 345 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: LaMelo Ball, Well, I'm not surprised us And uh, and 346 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: it's gonna you know, he's gonna have his ups and 347 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: downs continuously. There's being a rookie. But you know, for him, 348 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: you know, credit to him. He got the opportunity to 349 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: play against professionals last year as a youngster, playing over 350 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:13,959 Speaker 1: you know, oversees those guys who considered the pros and 351 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:17,439 Speaker 1: having that experience and having that understanding, you know, just 352 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: you know, booster his ego. He couldn't wait to get 353 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:22,720 Speaker 1: an opportunity to play against the best in the world, 354 00:19:22,720 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 1: which is the NBA. And I think and he relished 355 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 1: at the moment um he sees the game, Um from 356 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:31,920 Speaker 1: a point guard perspective is kind of slowed down out 357 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: for say, where he's able to you know, uh understand 358 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:37,800 Speaker 1: where his teammates wanted the basketball on how they can 359 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:39,720 Speaker 1: be successful with it, and at the same time being 360 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,199 Speaker 1: able to create his own opportunities. And I kind of 361 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:44,800 Speaker 1: compare them to the Lord Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway 362 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,680 Speaker 1: and one one package with the vision with with with 363 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 1: Jay Kidd, with the height and the scoring, a building 364 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,240 Speaker 1: with Penny Hardaway, and that's something that you know, it's 365 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 1: very rare, you know, you hate to be compared to anybody, 366 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 1: but with me, you know, being around the game and 367 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:02,360 Speaker 1: saying it, you know, looking at his skill set, and 368 00:20:02,440 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: he has those two qualities within those two young men 369 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,680 Speaker 1: I just mentioned. Yeah, I was dubious that it would 370 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 1: work instantly in Charlotte, given Graham and Rogier are kind 371 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:15,160 Speaker 1: of bulldogs who have to fight for everything. They're kind 372 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: of underdogs and incomes this, you know, hot shot young 373 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 1: kid who's been written about since he was a freshman 374 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: in high school out here in California. Um, are you 375 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: surprised how easy it's come for him given the nature 376 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 1: of the Hornets backcourt. No, that's what very helpful for him, 377 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 1: having that dynamic backcourt. And you mentioned with DeVante Graham 378 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: and ter Rogier because those guys, even though Rogie a 379 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 1: lot a lott more veteran than DeVante Graham. You know, 380 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,200 Speaker 1: they bring the spurns and they you know, don't come 381 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,040 Speaker 1: in with egos, and they was willing to help the 382 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,560 Speaker 1: young fellow grow and accept him to come in. And 383 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: I think on all the audition with going Haywood, you know, 384 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 1: being a veteran, they need veterans around these young guys, 385 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,280 Speaker 1: and they needed to write veteran, and I think he 386 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:00,879 Speaker 1: was that right veteran because he He's not gonna be 387 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 1: someone that comes in and be dominant of the growth 388 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 1: of the of the potential of a Miles Bridges of 389 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:09,720 Speaker 1: a PGJA Washington as well as the Devontae Graham and 390 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: then with him and with Heywood and Rogier playing together 391 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: in Boston, you know, they have some familiarity with one 392 00:21:16,840 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 1: another and that gives them, you know, with their skill set. 393 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:22,120 Speaker 1: You know, Haywood created his own shot from the three 394 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:24,080 Speaker 1: as well as the mid range, and Chard just having 395 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 1: the best season of his career. You know, that allowed 396 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: these young guys just to play that game and let 397 00:21:29,359 --> 00:21:31,760 Speaker 1: mellow him. And I think for him being the point 398 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: guard passed first type of guy. You know, these guys 399 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 1: love playing with a player like that. I'm curious, outside 400 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: of anyone on the Charlotte Hornets, is there any point 401 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 1: guard right now in the NBA you just absolutely love 402 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,639 Speaker 1: to watch. Of course Steph Curry and okay, just making 403 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,760 Speaker 1: sure it's Curry. Step is gonna be CP. And you know, 404 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 1: like all of Kyprie, even a young fellow Saxton and 405 00:21:55,480 --> 00:21:57,919 Speaker 1: Fox up It and you know, and Kings and all 406 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: way down you know, Trade Young over there in Atlanta. 407 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:06,120 Speaker 1: I love and Westbrooks, the those My guys always loved 408 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: you guys competing and at the highest level, and they 409 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 1: just guys have been doing it quite some time. Maybe 410 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: it was just an oversight. No, I did not hear 411 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,439 Speaker 1: Kyrie Irving mentioned Are you a big fan of his 412 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: work or no? I know, listen, I know he rubbed 413 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:24,280 Speaker 1: some people the wrong way. No, oh, you did say, okay, 414 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 1: he is. He's kind of a show stopper. Um, but listen, 415 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: you were a show stopper in your prime. Dude. Come on, 416 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,400 Speaker 1: I mean, uh, you know some of these highlights that 417 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 1: you see from Wake Forest and in the NBA, like 418 00:22:35,800 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: you were just one of these dynamic guys. I have 419 00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:40,520 Speaker 1: to ask about you know, the hype thing and how 420 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:44,399 Speaker 1: you overcame it because listen, man, five ft three. Not 421 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 1: a lot of five foot three guys in NBA history. 422 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:49,119 Speaker 1: I mean I probably could count them on one hand. Um, 423 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: what do you think was the biggest obstacle for you 424 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:53,720 Speaker 1: with the hype convincing people? I mean you were top 425 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:56,199 Speaker 1: a lottery pick to the to the Bullets back in 426 00:22:56,200 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: the day seven draft? Um, yeah, what was the big 427 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,240 Speaker 1: this obstacle overcoming with the hype? Uh? Well, you know 428 00:23:03,320 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 1: you're you're probably gonna call count on one finger with 429 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:14,320 Speaker 1: the five three? What what was five four? Okay? Then 430 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: we had Gary Grant five five and then you had 431 00:23:17,119 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 1: uh so we had a couple of guys in there. 432 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,760 Speaker 1: Nick was five what nick rhymes and five eight? Yeah, 433 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: we had a couple guys in an area. But for me, 434 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 1: in terms of breaking down the burgers, just you know, 435 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: understanding what that game and what my position called for uh. 436 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:35,359 Speaker 1: And for me playing in the level and the conferences 437 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 1: that I played in. UH, the A C. C was 438 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:39,840 Speaker 1: considered the best and you know, I thought the best 439 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 1: in the country, you know, and playing against some of 440 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,080 Speaker 1: the best players, and you know, when you play against 441 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:45,840 Speaker 1: the best and you have sess against the best, and 442 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 1: you felt like you need to be included with the best. 443 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: So you know, having that attitude in that mindset allowing 444 00:23:50,560 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: me to keep climbing up the ladders and uh, letting 445 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: the folks know that it's not just who um have 446 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:01,720 Speaker 1: the hype to play the game, but whoever played the game. 447 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:04,359 Speaker 1: So you know, tall, small basketball, this game for all. 448 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: And I always understood that. And like you know, back 449 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:10,399 Speaker 1: to the high school days, Um, you were on a 450 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: loaded t but you kind of ran the show. That 451 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: was your team. Uh, the undefeated Dunbard team that I 452 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:18,639 Speaker 1: think you were what fifty nine and oh in high school, 453 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 1: some obscene number. And we're talking about playing the best 454 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,160 Speaker 1: basketball in the country, uh, in the d C. Area. Um, 455 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 1: you know, do you recall getting people trying to push 456 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 1: you around and say, oh, oh, this is not your team. 457 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:32,360 Speaker 1: You know you're only five three? Um do you how 458 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 1: did you handle that stuff? Well, no one was gonna 459 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:38,120 Speaker 1: push me around. You know, I was cocky, little kid, 460 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:41,240 Speaker 1: grew up in the inner city of Baltimore. You know, 461 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:44,200 Speaker 1: we had a little swagger to ourselves. So yeah, that 462 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,919 Speaker 1: wasn't gonna happen. But in terms of you know, people 463 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 1: really you know, inquisite minds. One to know they've never 464 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 1: seen a guy in my side out there competing like that. 465 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:54,600 Speaker 1: And we was very loaded. We was talented, you know, 466 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: we had Again, he was fortunate enough to have four 467 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 1: guys to go playing the NBA, David Waying Gate, the 468 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:02,960 Speaker 1: Reggie Laws May Rest in Peace, and the Reggie Whams, 469 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: um and so, and had a coach that had that 470 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 1: understanding how to manage those egos and how to link 471 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,879 Speaker 1: them work in collective as one. UM. So you know, 472 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:15,199 Speaker 1: for me, you know, at that time, I was just 473 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: trying to showcase and let folks know that a kid 474 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 1: my size, a kid we've been playing on this level 475 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:24,560 Speaker 1: and me running the show. Qu's getting the respect for 476 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:26,679 Speaker 1: your teammates. You know, I had that leader type of 477 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:30,879 Speaker 1: mentality to where you know, I understood being extension of 478 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,920 Speaker 1: that coach because the ball was in my hand pretty 479 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 1: much eighty five percent at the time. You know, I'm 480 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 1: sure a lot of people have read your upbringing. It 481 00:25:37,440 --> 00:25:40,359 Speaker 1: was difficult. We had Seawan Merriman on the podcast, the 482 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:43,439 Speaker 1: former NFL player, and he talked about, uh, just a 483 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 1: tough upbringing in in kind of that region. Um, you know, 484 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 1: obviously you're now in Charlotte, great career, great life, but 485 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 1: how often do you do you think about, you know, 486 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:55,880 Speaker 1: what you came out of and how you were able 487 00:25:55,880 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: to escape a really tough area in Baltimore. Well, of course, 488 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:03,640 Speaker 1: sports continue to keep you active and keep your mind. 489 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:06,680 Speaker 1: You know, early on, fortunately for me, I got shot 490 00:26:06,800 --> 00:26:10,080 Speaker 1: at the age of five, and um, you know, man 491 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: at the wrong place at the wrong time, and you know, 492 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 1: but that was the environment that you grew up in. 493 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:18,200 Speaker 1: And of course, from that moment on, my mindset change 494 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 1: and things kind of you know, focus more so on 495 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,520 Speaker 1: the thing that you became interested in, which was sports. 496 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:27,919 Speaker 1: And you know, the sports gave me an avenue and 497 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 1: you know, having people in your corner telling you, you 498 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: know that you know, school is important, um, because they 499 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: didn't think basketball was going to be part of my journey, 500 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:38,879 Speaker 1: but you know it was the school and you know, 501 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:42,080 Speaker 1: just having that positive influence. And for me, you know, 502 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,000 Speaker 1: I just knew that I wanted to play and we 503 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:48,480 Speaker 1: want nothing gonna deter me from playing. And my strong 504 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:51,679 Speaker 1: you know mine that I had and where I, like 505 00:26:51,680 --> 00:26:54,040 Speaker 1: I said, where I came from, was gonna you know, 506 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:57,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna prevent me from accomplished what I was carrying 507 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,600 Speaker 1: around in my head for I mean, you said you 508 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:02,199 Speaker 1: were out when you were five, Like, how much do 509 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 1: you actually remember about that? I mean, I'm sure that 510 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: was a life changing moment, but five years old, geez, um, 511 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 1: you're not what fifties six very vividly moment, very vivily 512 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 1: is something that you don't never leave your memory bank. Um, 513 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 1: you know, fortunate for me that I got hit with 514 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:22,399 Speaker 1: the pellets and not the bullet my hand, and I 515 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,399 Speaker 1: got the buckshofts with all over my arms and my legs. 516 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:26,679 Speaker 1: You know, But at the age of five, you know, 517 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:28,919 Speaker 1: you you know the difference. You just knew that she 518 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 1: was bleeding and things was in your body and and 519 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: that felt too good. So wow. And then so I 520 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,320 Speaker 1: want to revisit this Reggie Williams high school tea because 521 00:27:40,320 --> 00:27:42,360 Speaker 1: he was one of my favorite players as a Georgetown fan. 522 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:45,920 Speaker 1: I just loved like his ability to just score off 523 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:47,919 Speaker 1: the dribble, Like as a point guard. I'm curious, like 524 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 1: you see wind Gate scoring and Reggie getting buckets, how 525 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,639 Speaker 1: much do you want to also score or were you 526 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 1: just content saying you know what, I'm good? Averaging eight 527 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,679 Speaker 1: points and at asists and being the floor general, a 528 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:02,280 Speaker 1: defensive hound, an all time great team. Well, yeah, that 529 00:28:02,440 --> 00:28:07,280 Speaker 1: was I had no no problem. That was where I 530 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:09,920 Speaker 1: got my passion, not just dishing out the basketball, saying 531 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,520 Speaker 1: the basketball, creating for others, allowing them to do what 532 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 1: they do. You know, that's what I felt like. Point 533 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:18,960 Speaker 1: Guard responsibility was. You know, you have opportunity to create 534 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: for your owns as well, but the most important thing 535 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 1: you running your team. H You're making and uh, position 536 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:26,640 Speaker 1: wise at that time, you know you more or less 537 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 1: you know understanding how to get everybody involved and had 538 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 1: to keep the chemistry as a unit going in the 539 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:37,639 Speaker 1: right direction. Um, I want to bounce to the NBA. 540 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:39,560 Speaker 1: When you got to the league, obviously a lot of 541 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,080 Speaker 1: repick twelfth overall, that was the David Robinson Draft. You 542 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:47,160 Speaker 1: ended up in Washington and obviously, listen, they were a 543 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:50,320 Speaker 1: miserable franchise. I doubt you disagree. Um, but it must 544 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 1: have felt good to kind of stay home, right. Oh 545 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 1: it was great. I mean, I'm was so great fun 546 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 1: thankful that the Bullets took me regardless of at all unfolded. 547 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:02,040 Speaker 1: But you know, that was the day. The way the 548 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 1: world was lifted off his shoulders and yeah, you know, 549 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 1: I'm going back and planning your back, y'all. Playing with 550 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 1: some of the greats and the late Moses Malone and 551 00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:12,280 Speaker 1: made rest in Pete as well as Manu Bowl when 552 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 1: he with Gorl Walker, John Wins, Jeff Malone, knows guys, 553 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:19,760 Speaker 1: Terry Catlis, Bernard Keene. You know that was that was 554 00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:23,680 Speaker 1: that was an honor, you know. Um So it was 555 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 1: really for me, um welcoming to the lead, you know, 556 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:31,680 Speaker 1: knowing that hey, this is uh professional sport, a job 557 00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 1: that you you know that you got to make sure 558 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 1: that you keep and again, you know, when things didn't 559 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,160 Speaker 1: work out in Washington, you know, going to Charlotte, I 560 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 1: felt like it was a match man And having left, 561 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 1: I am curious. I think every kid I knew had 562 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:49,880 Speaker 1: the Muggsy Bogues Manut Bowl poster um. How quick did 563 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:51,719 Speaker 1: that get old? Were you just instantly sick of that 564 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:53,800 Speaker 1: storyline or were you like, hey, this is I'm in 565 00:29:53,840 --> 00:29:56,240 Speaker 1: the NBA. I don't care you guys you could talk 566 00:29:56,440 --> 00:29:59,040 Speaker 1: talk about it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was what it is. 567 00:29:59,080 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 1: What it was. I mean, you know, that's who we are. 568 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:03,480 Speaker 1: You know, it wasn't nothing you can run from the 569 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 1: minute was SI that was five three, And you know, 570 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:10,120 Speaker 1: it was the nature of it, and you gotta accept that. 571 00:30:10,160 --> 00:30:12,240 Speaker 1: You gotta have fun with it because that's what exactly 572 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:15,080 Speaker 1: what it was. And so we enjoyed that. We enjoyed 573 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:17,760 Speaker 1: the dining of it. And uh, it's good to see 574 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 1: now there's Sun playing in the league. And what was 575 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:23,080 Speaker 1: like the vibe when you got traded, Like, obviously you 576 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:25,000 Speaker 1: have to kind of leave home, but you know, you 577 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 1: had the experience of Wake Forest. Uh. You know, you 578 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 1: you go to kind of a Charlotte team that was 579 00:30:30,920 --> 00:30:33,200 Speaker 1: very new to the league and you know, not very good. 580 00:30:33,240 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 1: But talk about the circumstances of changing teams there early 581 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:40,960 Speaker 1: in your career. Well, for the beginning, it wasn't a 582 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:43,880 Speaker 1: good feeling, but it got I got over that real 583 00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:46,080 Speaker 1: quickly because I came to a familiarity, you know, a 584 00:30:46,080 --> 00:30:48,360 Speaker 1: place where I played college only an hour and a 585 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 1: half away from the city that was familiar with me, 586 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 1: um Charlotte, you know, knowing I played in Wake for 587 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:57,040 Speaker 1: us uh an a CC for quite some time and 588 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:59,000 Speaker 1: it was a college town at the beginning, you know, 589 00:30:59,040 --> 00:31:01,600 Speaker 1: they had to grow about what the NBA was all 590 00:31:01,640 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 1: about and we all grew together, and that was a 591 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:06,360 Speaker 1: great experience, you know, playing with the likes of the 592 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:10,560 Speaker 1: Dell Carry, Rick Chapman's you know, the Chilly trapookas the 593 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 1: actor say, time, Kirk Rams and so forth, Erroll Curtin, 594 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,720 Speaker 1: Ricky Green. You know, that was a mixture of young 595 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,400 Speaker 1: guys with the vets and um. And that was again 596 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,640 Speaker 1: I mentioned a way of entering to the lead and 597 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 1: understanding that, hey, you can be gone any moment. Yeah. 598 00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:29,600 Speaker 1: And so a few years later, you guys get Kendall 599 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:34,640 Speaker 1: gilluh Alonso Morning, Larry Johnson, and all of a sudden, 600 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:36,680 Speaker 1: you know, you guys are one of the most popular 601 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:40,240 Speaker 1: teams in the league. Uh. Those jerseys were off the 602 00:31:40,320 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: charts school. And then you take down Boston in the 603 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:47,320 Speaker 1: playoffs and it's like, whoa, I just take us back 604 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:49,360 Speaker 1: to that moment when you guys beat Boston and have 605 00:31:49,400 --> 00:31:51,720 Speaker 1: to face the Knicks in the playoffs in ninety three 606 00:31:51,720 --> 00:31:54,000 Speaker 1: and just what it was like. I mean, you had 607 00:31:54,040 --> 00:31:56,040 Speaker 1: made it right. This is not just being in the NBA. 608 00:31:56,080 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 1: You're on like a good team and in the playoffs. Uh, 609 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:01,960 Speaker 1: you know, kind of revisit that. Yeah, that was that 610 00:32:02,080 --> 00:32:03,640 Speaker 1: was a step of stone for us. You know, as 611 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:06,520 Speaker 1: you just mentioned the draft picks, we started their choir, um, 612 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:09,880 Speaker 1: the Kendall Guild and then Larry Johnson, then Alonzo Monty. 613 00:32:10,320 --> 00:32:13,280 Speaker 1: You know, those young stars came in and with some swagger, 614 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:16,520 Speaker 1: with some readiness, uh in terms of the player in 615 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 1: the NBA level and UH and we became an exciting 616 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:21,160 Speaker 1: team with the mixture that we had with the Johnny 617 00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:24,240 Speaker 1: Humans as well as the Dale Curry as I mentioned, 618 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:28,320 Speaker 1: um that became a Kenny Gaddison. So we had a 619 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: great mixture of young and variant players and UH that 620 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:34,480 Speaker 1: had a you know, became a fun, excited team. Of course, 621 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:36,840 Speaker 1: the uniforms you know, with the pinch stripes and the 622 00:32:36,840 --> 00:32:39,080 Speaker 1: tail and the purple you know, everybody would have loved them. 623 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:42,080 Speaker 1: Very cool. Yeah, so it became you know, we became 624 00:32:42,200 --> 00:32:46,400 Speaker 1: the national you know, no UH commodity and UM. Of course, 625 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:50,480 Speaker 1: winning that game against Boston that series, you know, propelled 626 00:32:50,520 --> 00:32:53,400 Speaker 1: that and put the city on a different uh stage. 627 00:32:54,080 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 1: And and that was a great moment for you know, 628 00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:58,600 Speaker 1: the organization, you know, because it was in the fifth 629 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:02,640 Speaker 1: year of his UH experience, I mean fifth year in 630 00:33:02,640 --> 00:33:05,120 Speaker 1: the league, and it is she was able to you know, 631 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:07,640 Speaker 1: make it to the playoffs and had that, you know, 632 00:33:08,360 --> 00:33:11,240 Speaker 1: not only make it, but prevail in that first round 633 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 1: against the prestige organizations like Boston. Yeah. One of the 634 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,040 Speaker 1: bigger questions in the nineties besides like what would have 635 00:33:19,040 --> 00:33:22,400 Speaker 1: happened if Michael Jordan never retired? Um, you know, like 636 00:33:22,680 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: what what do you think would have happened if Larry 637 00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:27,240 Speaker 1: Johnson and Alonzo Warning had been able to work out 638 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 1: whatever the differences was. I don't exactly know what unfolded there, 639 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:33,120 Speaker 1: why they why it didn't work out. But what do 640 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:35,600 Speaker 1: you remember is as to why it didn't really happen 641 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:37,200 Speaker 1: because a couple of years later, you guys get to 642 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:40,480 Speaker 1: the playoffs against the Bulls and lose and everybody's like, okay, 643 00:33:40,480 --> 00:33:42,840 Speaker 1: maybe they got next. You know, you got you. It 644 00:33:42,880 --> 00:33:44,920 Speaker 1: felt like you were making stepping stones, as you said, 645 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:46,720 Speaker 1: but then it kind of fell apart. What do you 646 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:51,600 Speaker 1: how do you recall it unfolding contract? The contract? You know, 647 00:33:51,760 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 1: they often one and the other team often them more 648 00:33:55,280 --> 00:33:59,600 Speaker 1: and nichoors more always win and uh, you know and 649 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 1: know for the Zoe, but you know that's part of 650 00:34:01,880 --> 00:34:05,440 Speaker 1: the negotiation. And at that time, you know, when a 651 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 1: young player of that nature become free, and it felt like, 652 00:34:08,719 --> 00:34:11,520 Speaker 1: you know, he's willing, you know, he deserving a pay raise, 653 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:14,160 Speaker 1: and if you don't get what he feels like he deserved, 654 00:34:14,200 --> 00:34:16,279 Speaker 1: then of course they're gonna go to a place where 655 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:19,160 Speaker 1: they feel like he could get it. And that's where 656 00:34:19,520 --> 00:34:22,480 Speaker 1: he got in Miami and that was the end of that. 657 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:24,520 Speaker 1: Did you feel it was like a tug of war? 658 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:26,960 Speaker 1: Whose team it was? Because that's a big narrative now 659 00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 1: in the NBA mugs you you know, like when Kevin 660 00:34:29,280 --> 00:34:31,440 Speaker 1: Durant was in Golden State, Well, whose team is it? 661 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:33,600 Speaker 1: Personally as a fan, I think it's a dumb topic, 662 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:35,600 Speaker 1: but we talked about it all the time on TV, 663 00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:38,040 Speaker 1: you know, and then whose team is it now? James 664 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:40,239 Speaker 1: Harden ro Kyrie Irving? Did did you feel that that 665 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:44,400 Speaker 1: was an issue? Larry Johnson or Alonso Morning or No? No, no, 666 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:47,279 Speaker 1: because one thing, you know, I had a strong presence there, 667 00:34:47,360 --> 00:34:49,959 Speaker 1: My voice was strong, and it wasn't know who team 668 00:34:49,960 --> 00:34:52,799 Speaker 1: it was, you know, it was the Stars. I mean, 669 00:34:52,880 --> 00:34:55,520 Speaker 1: we was pretty much all in it together. We didn't 670 00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:58,440 Speaker 1: look at it in that regards. It's my franchise this, 671 00:34:58,680 --> 00:35:01,399 Speaker 1: you know, because the guys we all respected each other. 672 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:03,680 Speaker 1: You know when dyl and I've been there the longest 673 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:06,239 Speaker 1: and those guys coming in and we meant tolling them 674 00:35:06,280 --> 00:35:08,640 Speaker 1: and understanding, you know, so they gave us that respect 675 00:35:08,680 --> 00:35:11,680 Speaker 1: as well. So it wasn't no egos and folks, you know, 676 00:35:11,719 --> 00:35:13,799 Speaker 1: takeing the wrong way in terms of especially with Larry 677 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:16,480 Speaker 1: and Alonzo. You know, they got bring me well here 678 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:18,960 Speaker 1: in Charlotte and uh and they was fighting, you know, 679 00:35:19,080 --> 00:35:21,239 Speaker 1: for each other, you know, in terms of when he 680 00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:24,960 Speaker 1: was trying to uh bringing that championship here to Charlotte. 681 00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 1: So it was no negative be going on there. It's 682 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:29,840 Speaker 1: weird because the way you frame it is you and 683 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:31,920 Speaker 1: Del were you know, the veterans in the locker room, 684 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:34,120 Speaker 1: and you kind of need that presence. But a lot 685 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:37,280 Speaker 1: of these teams now, Mugsy, they don't have the veterans. 686 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:39,600 Speaker 1: They've just got these huge stars and then a bunch 687 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 1: of ancillary pieces. I mean, I'm not trying to create 688 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:46,800 Speaker 1: a problem in Brooklyn, but I do wonder when things 689 00:35:46,840 --> 00:35:49,680 Speaker 1: go sideways, and you know they will. You know who 690 00:35:49,719 --> 00:35:52,040 Speaker 1: steps up in the locker room. Kevin Durant, I mean 691 00:35:52,440 --> 00:35:55,880 Speaker 1: he's not really a veteran. Uh, James Harden, Uh, Kyrie 692 00:35:55,880 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 1: Irving these are all like superstars, Like I just how 693 00:35:59,239 --> 00:36:02,040 Speaker 1: do you how do you think they'll handle that? What 694 00:36:02,080 --> 00:36:05,280 Speaker 1: do you mean? Kevin Durant, he's only like thirty thirty 695 00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:07,960 Speaker 1: one years old. You're gonna lead ten twelve years? We 696 00:36:08,040 --> 00:36:13,280 Speaker 1: made a veterment. I mean, he's bounced around. K's a veteran, 697 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:18,279 Speaker 1: KDS a veteran with championships. So okay, So I would 698 00:36:18,320 --> 00:36:21,920 Speaker 1: think k D is the guy right that pedigreed brings 699 00:36:21,960 --> 00:36:24,040 Speaker 1: that statement within this s up. So I mean in 700 00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:27,200 Speaker 1: terms of but those guys, I mean, theymen, they understand 701 00:36:27,239 --> 00:36:29,000 Speaker 1: what what's going on in the locker room, and they 702 00:36:29,000 --> 00:36:32,280 Speaker 1: said it, I mean very vividly in terms of Carban 703 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:35,280 Speaker 1: as well as Jane Hard as well as Kevin Durant, 704 00:36:35,280 --> 00:36:38,319 Speaker 1: in terms of, you know, we respect one another. It's 705 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:40,480 Speaker 1: not about who team it is. You know, they all 706 00:36:40,719 --> 00:36:44,160 Speaker 1: respect each other in terms of to dialogue, how to communicate. 707 00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:46,320 Speaker 1: And here it is, look what they're doing without Durant 708 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:49,200 Speaker 1: in the last four games. You know, meny together and 709 00:36:49,239 --> 00:36:52,440 Speaker 1: they playing excepting each other's road. The ball is now 710 00:36:52,520 --> 00:36:55,959 Speaker 1: in James Harden's hand and Cove is more or less 711 00:36:55,960 --> 00:36:58,360 Speaker 1: the wing guard, which he's accept and they all accept 712 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:02,680 Speaker 1: that you in terms of people trying to wait and 713 00:37:02,760 --> 00:37:05,719 Speaker 1: seeing if anything go wrong with that organization. I mean, 714 00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:09,799 Speaker 1: that's just crazy, you know, to be thinking. But these 715 00:37:09,800 --> 00:37:11,839 Speaker 1: guys and men, they've been around to leave for a 716 00:37:11,880 --> 00:37:16,000 Speaker 1: long time. You know, outside noise always try to creep in, 717 00:37:16,239 --> 00:37:20,920 Speaker 1: and they understand that and going forward, you know, they 718 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:23,800 Speaker 1: relished the moment. And I guess I asked that because 719 00:37:23,880 --> 00:37:26,920 Speaker 1: Kyrie's last two stops in Boston it was kind of 720 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:30,520 Speaker 1: him versus the young guys, and then in Cleveland. You know, 721 00:37:30,600 --> 00:37:33,040 Speaker 1: you'd think he would just defer to Lebron, but he 722 00:37:33,239 --> 00:37:37,920 Speaker 1: demanded to be traded. And I almost it's difficult for 723 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:40,360 Speaker 1: me to comprehend why someone would want to leave a 724 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:44,080 Speaker 1: guy like Lebron. But I just do wonder what you 725 00:37:44,120 --> 00:37:46,680 Speaker 1: know in the locker room with these big time stars, 726 00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:49,640 Speaker 1: you know, how do you avoid ego creeping in? Is 727 00:37:49,640 --> 00:37:52,439 Speaker 1: there even a way to do that or is it impossible? Well, 728 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:55,000 Speaker 1: I mean you gotta look at Kyrie is in his 729 00:37:55,080 --> 00:37:57,440 Speaker 1: own right, I mean not wanting to play with Lebron. 730 00:37:57,480 --> 00:38:00,879 Speaker 1: That I mean that they ain't nothing, I mean nothing 731 00:38:00,960 --> 00:38:03,480 Speaker 1: knock on either one of them just to decide that, 732 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:05,480 Speaker 1: you know, they want to try something different. They play 733 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 1: with each other, they were successful with each other, and uh, 734 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:11,240 Speaker 1: he decide he wanted, you know, wanted something more for himself. 735 00:38:11,280 --> 00:38:13,400 Speaker 1: I mean as a player, you got that right. You 736 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:17,440 Speaker 1: don't have the you know, everybody wanna predict everybody's future 737 00:38:18,920 --> 00:38:21,520 Speaker 1: that you know, these guys as a professionals a business. 738 00:38:21,640 --> 00:38:24,080 Speaker 1: You know, these guys that are right to go and 739 00:38:24,080 --> 00:38:26,040 Speaker 1: and hopefully choose and play for who they you know, 740 00:38:26,080 --> 00:38:28,000 Speaker 1: they feel they gotta you know, when they become free 741 00:38:28,040 --> 00:38:30,719 Speaker 1: to got the opportunity to do and him and you know, 742 00:38:30,760 --> 00:38:34,759 Speaker 1: the friendship to him and Kevin durant Um farm with 743 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:36,759 Speaker 1: each other. They decided they want to play with each other, 744 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:39,319 Speaker 1: you know, and and the mixture just happened with James 745 00:38:39,360 --> 00:38:42,600 Speaker 1: harden by ben in Houston and decided to join him. 746 00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:45,319 Speaker 1: But you know, that's the nature of the NBA. It's 747 00:38:45,360 --> 00:38:47,680 Speaker 1: a business for one, you know. I know a lot 748 00:38:47,760 --> 00:38:50,560 Speaker 1: of people talk about the trades and what guys saying 749 00:38:50,600 --> 00:38:54,320 Speaker 1: what they do, but they do forget about the organizations 750 00:38:54,320 --> 00:38:57,200 Speaker 1: when they do things when they trade players without there knowing, 751 00:38:57,239 --> 00:39:00,160 Speaker 1: without their saying you know, you don't hear him uch 752 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:04,120 Speaker 1: about that. But when a player wants to yah point 753 00:39:04,560 --> 00:39:07,640 Speaker 1: so I mean it goes both ways. Draymond Green. Yeah, 754 00:39:07,880 --> 00:39:10,479 Speaker 1: that was a great point he made. Um, I do wonder, 755 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:13,200 Speaker 1: Muggsy we could wrap up on this. Like Kevin Garnett 756 00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:17,640 Speaker 1: recently said he didn't know if players, you know, twenty 757 00:39:17,719 --> 00:39:20,040 Speaker 1: years ago could hang today, and that opened a lot 758 00:39:20,080 --> 00:39:22,440 Speaker 1: of eyes. Um, you know, you spent a lot of 759 00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:25,360 Speaker 1: time in the league and you watch obviously the NBA. 760 00:39:25,440 --> 00:39:28,759 Speaker 1: Now do you think guys from the nineties and the 761 00:39:28,760 --> 00:39:32,879 Speaker 1: early two thousand's could hang in the league today. I'm 762 00:39:32,960 --> 00:39:36,640 Speaker 1: quite sure every NBA player feel like they could play 763 00:39:36,640 --> 00:39:38,919 Speaker 1: in any era. You know that just the skill set 764 00:39:38,920 --> 00:39:41,879 Speaker 1: that they bring to the table, you know, and being 765 00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:44,359 Speaker 1: once you make it to that pinnacle, that level, you know, 766 00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:47,840 Speaker 1: you become one of the best of the world, whichever 767 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:49,520 Speaker 1: it is. You know, I'm quite sure they would be 768 00:39:49,600 --> 00:39:53,839 Speaker 1: adjust that game to that particular setting because the skill 769 00:39:53,880 --> 00:39:55,960 Speaker 1: set was there, you know, doing that. Um, you know, 770 00:39:56,200 --> 00:39:59,080 Speaker 1: each game, you know, each year, each generation is going 771 00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:01,839 Speaker 1: to evolve. Like said we talked about earlier from yea 772 00:40:02,080 --> 00:40:05,000 Speaker 1: who the skill set and so far for where players 773 00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:07,040 Speaker 1: are to day, you know, and what they're working on 774 00:40:07,080 --> 00:40:09,960 Speaker 1: and what they were trying to become. Um, it wasn't 775 00:40:10,320 --> 00:40:12,799 Speaker 1: emphasis back then We're a big guy, work on ball, 776 00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:16,320 Speaker 1: hamling and all that, so it was more. But again 777 00:40:16,520 --> 00:40:18,840 Speaker 1: it will change again when those big men come along 778 00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:23,120 Speaker 1: and certain things happen. So you know that's the evolvement 779 00:40:23,160 --> 00:40:26,040 Speaker 1: of our game. Yeah, Because one of the fun debates 780 00:40:26,040 --> 00:40:28,160 Speaker 1: I've had with somebody is like, Patrick Ewing is one 781 00:40:28,200 --> 00:40:29,759 Speaker 1: of my favorite players. You know, I was born in 782 00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:32,480 Speaker 1: New York and somebody was like, well, what is Patrick 783 00:40:32,560 --> 00:40:35,759 Speaker 1: Ewing in the NBA right now? And you just grow 784 00:40:35,880 --> 00:40:38,839 Speaker 1: made a great point like, well, it's tough to transport 785 00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:41,480 Speaker 1: you in now because he would have been growing up 786 00:40:41,480 --> 00:40:44,880 Speaker 1: at the a AU and shooting threes like you're saying, uh, 787 00:40:45,080 --> 00:40:47,840 Speaker 1: and like stretching the floor and being a stretch five. 788 00:40:48,239 --> 00:40:50,960 Speaker 1: He wouldn't be a back to the basket guy, right. Yeah. 789 00:40:51,080 --> 00:40:54,319 Speaker 1: But what I'm saying is that Patrick young on skill 790 00:40:54,400 --> 00:40:56,440 Speaker 1: set would still be the same. Is that then they 791 00:40:56,440 --> 00:41:00,040 Speaker 1: would have to adjust to his game because then you 792 00:41:00,080 --> 00:41:04,040 Speaker 1: can't play no small guy on Patrick or a team 793 00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:07,960 Speaker 1: Ali Juan or a Rabbits and all. So the game 794 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:10,680 Speaker 1: will the rules will be changed again. That's what I'm 795 00:41:10,680 --> 00:41:14,160 Speaker 1: trying to let you know. It's upsets that allows that 796 00:41:14,280 --> 00:41:18,000 Speaker 1: to happen. So in the Kevin Duranty gonna be playing 797 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,160 Speaker 1: no Moses Malone in the in the pain, so you 798 00:41:21,200 --> 00:41:23,840 Speaker 1: see and all that advice person. So that's just the 799 00:41:23,960 --> 00:41:26,759 Speaker 1: way it is. You know, when their guys and the 800 00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:29,520 Speaker 1: ship kills them there the shot, you know, so she 801 00:41:30,000 --> 00:41:32,920 Speaker 1: had to worry about shooting the three. So again he 802 00:41:33,440 --> 00:41:36,319 Speaker 1: wasn't where you gotta adjust to him. So they're gonna 803 00:41:36,360 --> 00:41:38,560 Speaker 1: throw the ball in and dump them down, and told 804 00:41:38,560 --> 00:41:40,160 Speaker 1: them what you're gonna do. You ain't got no other 805 00:41:40,239 --> 00:41:42,719 Speaker 1: choice but to, you know, put five guys to try 806 00:41:42,760 --> 00:41:45,080 Speaker 1: to dobertain and try to stop them, so the game 807 00:41:45,320 --> 00:41:49,239 Speaker 1: will be adjusted to him. So that's how you look 808 00:41:49,239 --> 00:41:53,759 Speaker 1: at all right, Muggsy Bogues the NBA legend. Muggsy, thanks 809 00:41:53,760 --> 00:41:55,560 Speaker 1: a lot for taking the time, man, and keep up 810 00:41:55,560 --> 00:41:57,719 Speaker 1: the good work in Charlotte. And uh, I think we'll 811 00:41:57,719 --> 00:42:00,359 Speaker 1: see your team in the playoffs this year. So James, 812 00:42:00,400 --> 00:42:02,600 Speaker 1: I'm trying. I'm sure we're shooting for buddy, we're shooting 813 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:05,319 Speaker 1: for all right. Thanks a lot, Buggsy, Probably be good