1 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,480 Speaker 1: On this edition of Magic Pop Squad, we catch up 2 00:00:04,519 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: with former Magic player and fan favorite Anthony Johnson. He 3 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,239 Speaker 1: had a terrific NBA career and of course his last 4 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: two years. We're here in Orlando. He's part of that 5 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: two thousand and nine Finals run. 6 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:18,119 Speaker 2: We get into all of that with aj Magic. 7 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,279 Speaker 1: Fans afforded Department of Transportation remind you that fans don't 8 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: let fans drive drunk. If you've been drinking, don't get 9 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: behind the wheel. Instead, five a sober driver or catch 10 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 1: a ride service. Remember, drive sober or get pulled over, 11 00:00:29,920 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: have a great night, and drive safe. Lots to cover 12 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 1: here with Anthony Johnson, including that two thousand and nine 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: Finals run that included beating Lebron James in the Cleveland 14 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: Cavaliers in what ensued after they eliminated the Cavs, always 15 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 1: a favorite story for Magic fans. What he's up to now, 16 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:49,240 Speaker 1: a lot of time with the golf course, being a dad, 17 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: coaching his kids in basketball, and a little bit about 18 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 1: his NBA journey and some of the greats that he 19 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: played with along the way. Terrific stories including Ron Artest, 20 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,000 Speaker 1: Dwight Howard, a lot of former teammates, good stuff with 21 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: Anthony Johnson on this edition of Magic Pod Squad. This 22 00:01:04,920 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: is Fawns long enough to Orlando Magic. This is Cole Anthony, 23 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: This is Jennon Suggs. 24 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 3: This is Paulo Man Carroll the Orlando Magic and you're 25 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 3: listening to the Pod Squad. 26 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: And welcome everyone to another episode of Magic Pod Squad. 27 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 1: Dante Marcatelli, George Galatee, Jake Chapman, and this man simply 28 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: one of our favorites, one of our all time favorites, 29 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 1: Anthony Johnson. AJ played for the Orlando Magic two stints. 30 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 1: You remember the ninety nine, two thousand and then two 31 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 1: years from two thousand and eight to twenty ten, thirteen 32 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: NBA seasons, and quite frankly, AJ, I would be fine 33 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:40,120 Speaker 1: if we just caught up but once a week and 34 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: just tell stories and reminissent. It has been way too long. 35 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: How are you, my friend? It is always a good 36 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 2: time to catch up with my Dante Galante and now 37 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 2: we got Jake in and building. Yes, okay, you know, 38 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,720 Speaker 2: catch up with my magic people. So all good. Thanks 39 00:01:57,760 --> 00:01:58,280 Speaker 2: for having me on. 40 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: Guys, let everybody know where you're at, what you're up to. 41 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: Do you play golf? Twice a day, three times a day. 42 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:06,000 Speaker 1: How much golf are you a get? 43 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 4: He's ready to go right now after this, by the way, 44 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 4: like we're keeping him from a tee time. Oh no, no, 45 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:13,240 Speaker 4: we're keeping him from. 46 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 2: Oh man, I got two wheels to the golf course. 47 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 2: We got a twelve fifteen teeth. Now, you know, I 48 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 2: live here in Atlanta, and you know, just kind of 49 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 2: taking it easy, living a dream. Got two kids. My 50 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 2: son's a sophomore in high school. I coach today, you 51 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: teams in the summertime, so helping, you know, just helping 52 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 2: him getways, trying to go and I have a daughter 53 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 2: that's seventh grade. So just trying to be the best 54 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:39,920 Speaker 2: dad I could possibly be. Soaked. Yeah, just living a 55 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:43,080 Speaker 2: dream and enjoying fatherhood. That's great. 56 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:45,519 Speaker 4: Hey, Jay, talk about that. I think we talked about 57 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 4: that the last time we spoke about coaching your son. 58 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 4: How has that been for you? Do you are you 59 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 4: one of these I mean, you're coaching, so it's a 60 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 4: little bit different. So you have to be a little 61 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 4: bit of a screamer, I would imagine, because there's two 62 00:02:56,919 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 4: types of parents out there. There's there's the ones that 63 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 4: kind of just sit back and then there's the ones 64 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 4: that are super involved but you're coaching. So how has 65 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,959 Speaker 4: that angle been from your perspective, coaching your son, watching him, 66 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 4: watching him do what you did? 67 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 2: Well, we all know I'm super competitive, so I really 68 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 2: enjoyed a competition aspect of it. And you know, just 69 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 2: being able to be around my son training him and 70 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: you know, coach his team's day in and day out. 71 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 2: You know, it's a bond that you know, father son 72 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,679 Speaker 2: bond that I really enjoy. And he knows when we're practice, 73 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 2: I'm the coach. But soon as practice so we get 74 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 2: in the car, I'm dead. And he knows that I'm 75 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: hard on him, and you know, it's one of those 76 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: things I tell him all the time. You know, with 77 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,520 Speaker 2: my basketball career, you have all the answers to the test, 78 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: so there's no way be making sixties and seventies. We 79 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 2: used to be making nineties and one hundred. So when 80 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 2: he's not doing what he's supposed to do, you know, 81 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 2: I get on him pretty hard. But you know, when 82 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 2: when he's playing well and he's you know, applying answers 83 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,560 Speaker 2: that he has, you know, it's good to sit back 84 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 2: and be a good father and kind of just you know, 85 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 2: nod my head in approval. 86 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 4: So how is he doing on the test since he 87 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 4: has all the notes? 88 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 2: And man, you know it's a roller coaster, you know 89 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 2: because somebody you know now he'll be sixteen on Saturday. 90 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 2: So you know, these kids nowadays, they think they know 91 00:04:17,040 --> 00:04:20,159 Speaker 2: it all and you have to give them room. You know, 92 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 2: this is his journey. I've already had my journey. This 93 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,160 Speaker 2: is his journey. So I got to give him room 94 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: to kind of develop, to try things. And you know, 95 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 2: I know what, you know, he needs to he needs 96 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: to grow, and I got to give him room to grow. 97 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 2: It's not you know what, I can't always expect him 98 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 2: to get it from my viewpoint and from my eyes. 99 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 2: So I have to allow him to kind of, you know, 100 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 2: make his own way. And sometimes it's you know, pulling 101 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 2: hair out, which I already have it here. You know, 102 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 2: I have to allow him to take the driving wheel, 103 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 2: to take the stairingwheel. And this is his journey. So 104 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 2: some days you know better than others. But uh, you 105 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: know he's on the right tack. Yeah, I coach. 106 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 4: I coached my son in the basketball for one season 107 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 4: and we won zero games. So now they're both players. 108 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 4: I only had a partial answer, can you Yes. 109 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 2: You got to get and I am a deal going. 110 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 2: You gotta go find seven year old? 111 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:19,280 Speaker 1: Yes, that's right. 112 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:19,680 Speaker 2: You know what. 113 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,280 Speaker 1: You know what's interesting, George? You say that. And I'm 114 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: always amazed at how athletes come at it because my 115 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: I coach my daughters and we have one George. We 116 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:30,920 Speaker 1: have won a couple of games, which is fun. But 117 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: they get upset. They'll get and I feel bad. I'm like, 118 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 1: you know, if they have a bad game or miss 119 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: some shots, they get upset, and I'm like, it's sorry, 120 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: I don't get him next game. And then I talked 121 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: to Q Rich. You hear from aj and age. You know, 122 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: Q will say his son got upset, and he'll write 123 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: back say, well, how much did you practice? What'd you 124 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,600 Speaker 1: put into it? It's a completely it seems to be 125 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 1: a completely different mentality from a professional athlete as how 126 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,720 Speaker 1: they treat that situation that it is for me, whether everything's. 127 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 4: Fine, as opposed to you just said to go play 128 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 4: something else. 129 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, Cross, It's that sounds good, right? 130 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:03,360 Speaker 1: Is that fair? Is that fair? You kind of there's 131 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: a different accountability. 132 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 2: I think yeah, I mean, you know, I think we all, 133 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 2: you know, being a former athlete. Uh, you know, our 134 00:06:10,880 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 2: kids are a little bit ahead of the curve and 135 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 2: definitely ahead of where we were at that same time. 136 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 2: So you know, a part of it we want them 137 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 2: to have the professional approach and gret things and you 138 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 2: know for us, you know, for me, it was lifting 139 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,839 Speaker 2: weights during the day, getting it exercise on the game day, 140 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 2: you know, get treatments and all that kind of stuff. 141 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:35,280 Speaker 2: When you know, I'm dealing with a fifty year old 142 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 2: and none of that stuff is really important right now. 143 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 2: So you know, right right, have my you know, getting 144 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:45,359 Speaker 2: ready for NBA Finals game approach and he has dad. 145 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 2: I'm fifteen, you know, yes, two old bucks, other stuff approach. 146 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 2: I gotta check out YouTube, I gotta check out social media. 147 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:55,200 Speaker 2: But there's a lot, you know, there's things that's more 148 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 2: important than you know, putting my best foot forwards. So 149 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: you know, as a parent you have to make the 150 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 2: necessary adjustments. But you know, preparation is one of those 151 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 2: things that if you want to be successful, it has 152 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 2: to be high on the priority. 153 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 5: A j It's obviously a completely different level, but does 154 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 5: it make you relate a little bit to stan Van 155 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:16,560 Speaker 5: Gundhy and some of some of the coaches maybe you 156 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 5: had over the course of your commercy, you'll stand trick 157 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 5: channeling through you at any point or is that just 158 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 5: is that way out? 159 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: Is that way over here? 160 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 2: I think Stan's approach is a little different to Ayj's approach. 161 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 2: Probably a good thing. Yep, yep, you know, uh, you know, 162 00:07:35,400 --> 00:07:37,240 Speaker 2: of course Stan was a great coach. We had a 163 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 2: great system, we had great success. But with staan Man, 164 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 2: nothing was ever perfect less unless you beat a team 165 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,760 Speaker 2: by one hundred and you made every shot and each 166 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 2: got a high level of threes. Yah, Stan was not 167 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 2: going to be happy. And and you had to hold 168 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 2: other team to like less than fifty points. But if 169 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 2: he gave, none of those things are really able to 170 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: be accomplic So Stam was never happy. But you know, 171 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 2: he's a great guy and a great coach. But you know, 172 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 2: my approach, man, I just you know, these kids are young. 173 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 2: We want to practice hard, I want them to prepare. 174 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 2: I want to try to help them get to college. 175 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 2: So you know, it's just as much as possible, just 176 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 2: try to put them in a position to be successful 177 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:24,040 Speaker 2: and be aggressive and uh, you know, just uh and 178 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 2: and like you said, there's going to be some teams that, 179 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: you know, you just run into a bustsaw. So sure, 180 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 2: you know, you just gotta kind of, you know, take 181 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 2: it one day at a time and just prepare them 182 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 2: as best as possible. You know. 183 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,599 Speaker 1: It's interesting. We had Hito Turkelu and Rishard Lewis h 184 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: in here on opening night, so that was a lot 185 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: of fun. And Rashard told the story that heto Turkulu 186 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 1: when the play was drawn up for him. He understood it. 187 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: If it was a gain, if he's gonna get right, 188 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 1: no problem, But there was a language barrier when it 189 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 1: was get back on defense. If you remember it that way. 190 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: What what's your what's your memories of hto Turkulu? 191 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 2: I mean just that combination with Richard and Big Turk 192 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:08,200 Speaker 2: and the White Man that have three guys that runck 193 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 2: and rolls effectively and finished games at a high level, 194 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:16,199 Speaker 2: like the White being in tror presence, Big Turk and 195 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 2: Rishard being able to score from three, then Big Turk 196 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 2: being able to put the ball on the floor at 197 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 2: six eleven and we're sharred being able to post at 198 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 2: six ten, six eleven and take advantage of matchups. Man, 199 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 2: You know, that was like a teammate in heaven, and 200 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 2: we took advantage of it as much as possible. But 201 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 2: my Big Turk story, man, I'll never forget. You know, 202 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:37,760 Speaker 2: we always get on Big Turk about a whole bunch 203 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 2: of stuff. But before a finals game, he's the pizza 204 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 2: before the game. I'm like, Big Turf, you're the only 205 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 2: guy here in the NBA Finals that's out of seat. 206 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 2: But how do you say, hundred and twenty games and 207 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 2: you playing thirty five forty minutes and you still out 208 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: of state? That like, come on, Big Turk, come on, 209 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 2: Big turn. We had a great time. We had a 210 00:09:58,360 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 2: great time. 211 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:00,840 Speaker 1: That's beautiful. 212 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 2: AJ. 213 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 4: How often are you playing You didn't just play the 214 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 4: two you know three years in Orlando. You had a 215 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 4: thirteen year NBA career. I mean that is a lengthy 216 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,439 Speaker 4: NBA career. How often are you pulling up highlights to 217 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:14,680 Speaker 4: show your kids just to you know, to kind of 218 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 4: put them in check, like listen, like check me out, 219 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 4: like this is me. 220 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 2: Then do it. Our coach used to do it at 221 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 2: a high level back in the days. Uh again, Uh, 222 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 2: you know these kids, like I said, you know, kids 223 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,199 Speaker 2: are young. They think they know it all. So You're 224 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 2: trying to help them understand the game at a high level, 225 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,319 Speaker 2: and sometimes they look at me sideways, like I don't 226 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 2: know what I'm talking about. So every now and again, 227 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 2: you know, I gotta put them in the torture table 228 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: playing one on one, or I have to send them late. Said, 229 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:49,079 Speaker 2: let them know, this is coach JJ back in the day, 230 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 2: dunking on somebody nice, you know, having a big night. 231 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 2: So every now and again I do it with kids 232 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:56,920 Speaker 2: look at me sideways. But for the most part, you know, 233 00:10:57,760 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 2: I just kind of talking up the im maturity and 234 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 2: they they just think they know it all. And you know, 235 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 2: basketball for them, you know, starts with you know, Lebron 236 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 2: James and you know these guys. But you know, we 237 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 2: did play good basketball way back before you know, these 238 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 2: these new shooting forty foot threes who you know started 239 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 2: So yeah, so you know, every now and again I 240 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 2: do it, but I just kind of try to laugh 241 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 2: it off and h yeah, just try to find the 242 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 2: nearest golf course. 243 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 5: Hey, Ja, I wanted to ask you about that, the 244 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 5: state of the game today. You you sort of presided 245 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 5: over some of that, you know, the younger guys. Lebron, Yeah, 246 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 5: I think you were sing leg when stuff was was 247 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 5: getting close. Anyways, how do you like basketball today? 248 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 2: You know, it's it's tough. I would have to say. 249 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 2: In my career, I played you know, uh when I 250 00:11:50,400 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 2: played with the Pacers, we used to have to battle Detroit, 251 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 2: Receive Wallace, Chelsea Bullets, uh year and the year out 252 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 2: to try to go to the NBA finals. And if 253 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:03,720 Speaker 2: you watch the brawl in the Palace, the score in 254 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 2: the fourth quarter was like sixty six sixty two, were 255 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 2: like three minutes left in the game. 256 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 1: And that why the fight bro go. 257 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 2: Ga, you know, with three minutes left in the game. 258 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 2: If those were dog fights. You know, I didn't play 259 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,800 Speaker 2: with the Pistols and the bad boys, but you know, 260 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 2: we used to take pride and playing defense. We used 261 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 2: to take pride in competing, and we used to take 262 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 2: pride and stopping our guy, and we used to take 263 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 2: pride and team defense. Nowadays, some of that competitiveness, some 264 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 2: of that taking pride and getting stops and playing good defense, 265 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 2: you really don't see it. So when the games get 266 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 2: out of control, it's like, are you being offended that 267 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 2: your guy thinks he could score on you whatever he wants? 268 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:49,680 Speaker 2: And for me, I would be offended, and you know, 269 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 2: I would take the personal challenge of shutting my guy 270 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 2: down and stopping my guy. And of course, you know, 271 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 2: now with the NBA guys shooting cross half court, guys 272 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 2: seem the high level or high high amount of three 273 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 2: And of course you know Steps and the Dame Lillard's 274 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 2: and those guys, they were going to make a good 275 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 2: bit of it. But you got to pay your best 276 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 2: foot forward and you gotta stap it up, and you 277 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 2: gotta guy, you gotta get stops. You gotta get stops. 278 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,080 Speaker 2: And you know, it's just when I don't see guys 279 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 2: taking personal accountability or stopping a guy, that's kind of 280 00:13:19,520 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 2: you know, you gotta turn its channel quick fast. 281 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: You know what's interesting. You played, so you've eighteen years 282 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:28,599 Speaker 1: with the I'm sorry, eighteen games with the magic that 283 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 1: it felt like it did it real It really felt 284 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 1: like it felt like it. But those eighteen games at 285 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,199 Speaker 1: the end of the heart and hustle season, right where 286 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,200 Speaker 1: you were part of that run, this team was trying 287 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: to get to the playoffs. You saw Ben Wallace really 288 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: before anybody else did. Well, what do you what do 289 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 1: you He's not in the Hall of fame. Is that incredible? 290 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: What did you see with Ben? And did you have 291 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:51,959 Speaker 1: any idea that this guy was about to emerge? Right? 292 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 2: Not at all, not at all at the time. You know, 293 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 2: Ben was I want to say, I drafted yeah, yeah, yeah, 294 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 2: I drafted a great guy. Quiet, never said much of 295 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 2: anything offensively. It was kind of like, you know, don't 296 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 2: really passing the ball less. He was wide open and 297 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: no one was around. Uh you know, but what thing 298 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 2: you saw, you saw his senacity. You saw when the 299 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 2: game started like he was about his business and uh, 300 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 2: you know, and he got every rebound whatever he got 301 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 2: his hands on. It was he was most secured and 302 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:32,040 Speaker 2: you know, and and kind of rebound at a very 303 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 2: high level. But to see him evolve into you know, 304 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 2: the dad, hard hustle Ben Wallace and to the Detroit 305 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 2: Ben Wallace man, I mean, you know, he worked at 306 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,880 Speaker 2: it and you could tell he took great pride into 307 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 2: being the best version of himself. And now he has 308 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,440 Speaker 2: a Hall of Fame jacket. So super proud of him, 309 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 2: and I'm proud for and happy for him and his family. 310 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 4: And Jay, how about you had a lot of teammates 311 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 4: over the years. How many of these do you still 312 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 4: talk to reach out to. Uh, you know, like you 313 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 4: mentioned Ben and those guys are how many of those 314 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 4: guys are you still in touch with? 315 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 2: You know? For me, I'm kind of like a cave man, 316 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 2: so I kind of like just just stay here in 317 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 2: the house and if you see me on the golf course, 318 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 2: that's I run it to a lot of guys on 319 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 2: a golf course. But for the most part, you know, 320 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 2: I text with a good amount of guys. But yeah, 321 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 2: I kind of keep to myself, you know right now, 322 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 2: you know, just the fact that I am, you know, 323 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 2: just taking it easy. I try to get my kids, 324 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 2: you know a lot of time. But I love, you 325 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: know too, texts and the catching up with guys and 326 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 2: seeing them on the golf course. So you go to 327 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 2: Vegas and there's a big event. I run it to 328 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 2: a lot of guys at the Big Three and those 329 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 2: type of things. So it's always good to catch up. 330 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 2: But uh, you know, like I said, I'm a cave man, 331 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 2: so uh, you know, I'm not hard to find. But 332 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 2: at the same time, I kind of keep to myself. 333 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 2: But you know, yeah, there's a lot of guys that 334 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 2: are a few guys that I keep up with. 335 00:15:56,640 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: You played three years with Run Our Tests and Metal World, right, 336 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: so you got it. There's gotta be some good run 337 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 1: Art Test material you must have. You must have seen 338 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: some unbelievable things in those three years. 339 00:16:07,880 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 2: What's crazy is before I got there, the stories that 340 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:14,480 Speaker 2: they were telling me, like the stories that I was 341 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 2: told before I got there, and to see it in person, 342 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 2: I want to say that I got the mild version. 343 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 2: But the mild version of Ron our Test was out 344 00:16:25,240 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 2: of control. And Roddy Man, when he's in his right mind, man, 345 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 2: there's no small forward that you know could do what 346 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 2: he could do. He could lock people up, he could 347 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 2: you know, the top scores could barely get the double digits, 348 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:47,480 Speaker 2: and then he could turn around and beast and eat 349 00:16:47,920 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 2: on our fence. Had been withhoot threes, with shooting, with 350 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,920 Speaker 2: posting up and just using his physical strength. And one 351 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 2: time he got up like two seventy and still was 352 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: moving and setting guys down. And that's incredible to be 353 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 2: six seven to seventy and stopping the t max given 354 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: the Kobe's you know, a tough time, like you know 355 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:10,479 Speaker 2: he was, what he was doing on the floor when 356 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 2: he was in his right mind was truly impressive. But 357 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,600 Speaker 2: off the floor, that boy was, oh man, he was 358 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,920 Speaker 2: out of control. He was out of control, and it 359 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:22,080 Speaker 2: just you know, sometimes you could laugh at all, but 360 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,200 Speaker 2: at the timesy we try to compete and win it 361 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 2: a ship. A lot of these distractions are not helping 362 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:32,440 Speaker 2: us get out to go, and that was the disappointing part. True. 363 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:34,199 Speaker 5: It was one of the first guys I remember when 364 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 5: I when I when I hit the league, when I 365 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,239 Speaker 5: was an intern in six oh seven, maybe a year 366 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 5: or two afterwards, where I looked at him and I said, 367 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 5: he he was so build. It must have been the 368 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:44,240 Speaker 5: time you're talking about when he got up to two 369 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,920 Speaker 5: seventy and he was still moving. He was built like 370 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 5: a like a meat refrigerator or something like that. I mean, 371 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 5: he was just he was so thick and and the 372 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 5: lateral movement. He was just outstanding. 373 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: Jay Just so you know, but Jake compares everything to food, 374 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: a meat refrigerator like that. There's a lot of this, 375 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 1: a lot of food analogies. 376 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 2: But go ahead, I got to add the jag Man 377 00:18:02,960 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 2: thank of Bones, Jones, uh, the UFC fighter, Oh yeah, 378 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 2: him as a basketball player. That was Ronnie as a 379 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 2: basketball player, like he was just bones those you know, 380 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: but at six seven, two seventy five, you put him. 381 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 2: He put him on your list of the of the 382 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 2: greatest defenders of all time. Oh yes, oh easily, easily 383 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 2: because he could guard like like they are times that 384 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:30,000 Speaker 2: practices Dale Davis would host him up and Dale couldn't 385 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:32,920 Speaker 2: really move him, and we all know how big Dale was. Yeah, 386 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 2: I mean, I would definitely put Ronnie as one of 387 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:38,600 Speaker 2: the top greatest defenders in the NBA of all time. 388 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 5: I wanted to ask you, a j was there when 389 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:44,159 Speaker 5: you think back, was there a common thread on on 390 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 5: all the great teams you played on, obviously the Orlando team, 391 00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:50,200 Speaker 5: maybe those Indiana teams. Is there something that maybe, with 392 00:18:50,280 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 5: the benefit of hindsight you say that was something that 393 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 5: those teams had head in. 394 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 2: Common and maybe you didn't realize at the time. 395 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: Well and real quick, just so everybody knows, because he 396 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: because because AJ's too modest. You were a sixty seven 397 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:04,879 Speaker 1: win Dallas team, a sixty one win Indiana team that 398 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 1: went to the Eastern Conference finals, and of course this 399 00:19:07,359 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: Magic team that went to the finals. So yeah, to 400 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 1: Jig to your point, AJ, you were on a water 401 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,439 Speaker 1: of teams that had a ton of success and. 402 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,639 Speaker 2: The New Jersey Nets where we went to the finals, 403 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 2: fights with the finals twice for Jake Zacht of course, 404 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 2: and the common thread. Of course, you have to have 405 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,239 Speaker 2: a defensive approach, you know. That was the one thing 406 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 2: all those teams we took pride at stopping other teams. 407 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 2: So having a defensive approach and just everybody being tied 408 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 2: end is one. When you don't have in agendas, when 409 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,520 Speaker 2: guys kind of have they air compacts in place and 410 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 2: no one's casing free agency or chasing money, it kind 411 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 2: of breaks everyone together and there's no in agendas and 412 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 2: everybody is playing towards one common goal. And that's normally 413 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 2: when you have that defensive approach, a good system in place, 414 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,719 Speaker 2: with good coaches, a good synergy, and everyone's playing towards 415 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 2: one common goal, you'll probably have good success in anything 416 00:19:58,280 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 2: that you do. Anything that you do. 417 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,920 Speaker 4: I brought up on podcasts before when we've talked to 418 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 4: other guys and Ajam you may remember this because you 419 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 4: were talking about everybody's playing for the common goal. Do 420 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,520 Speaker 4: you remember the training camp. The end of training camp 421 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 4: before we went to the finals, we had a dinner, 422 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 4: We had a team dinner that I was lucky enough 423 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 4: to be a part of. I've mentioned this before where 424 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:21,719 Speaker 4: Stan went around to every guy in the room at 425 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:25,399 Speaker 4: one through fifteen and just told everybody what their role was, 426 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:27,440 Speaker 4: and everybody, to a man just kind of looked like 427 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,239 Speaker 4: just looked at him, nodded, and then we went out 428 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 4: on the floor and did it like do you remember that? 429 00:20:32,119 --> 00:20:34,800 Speaker 4: And that's forever stick with me because I had never 430 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 4: seen anything like that before. We had I've been to 431 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 4: training camps and that one just stuck out to me, 432 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 4: and you knew walking out of that door, like we're 433 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:44,160 Speaker 4: gonna do something really special this year. 434 00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:48,479 Speaker 2: Yes, I mean even early on, you know, I had 435 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 2: come from teams that had you know, final success. The 436 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 2: first two or three days in practice, I met all 437 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 2: the guys in the locker room, Hey, man, like we 438 00:20:57,320 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 2: got to take a ship team here, Like there's no 439 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 2: weakness if we just kind of pull it together and 440 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,480 Speaker 2: just have the mental toughness. Of course, mental toughness come 441 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:09,159 Speaker 2: in into the second round, third round of the playoffs 442 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 2: kind of helps you get through. If we can stay healthy, 443 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 2: we're gonna do it. But with stand and his staff 444 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,200 Speaker 2: to give every player a role to know your role 445 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,159 Speaker 2: and the roles that he gave us. Of course it 446 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:23,880 Speaker 2: was posted over your locker, so you saw it every day. 447 00:21:24,240 --> 00:21:31,680 Speaker 2: But every role and each characteristic on that seat defined 448 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:36,160 Speaker 2: every player like there was no there was no gray area, 449 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,680 Speaker 2: first of all, and they were wanted to present correct 450 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 2: on the roles that each player and the characteristics that 451 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 2: was on that seat, So they kind of put things 452 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 2: in perspective. It let you know what you were there for. 453 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 2: It let you know that what you you know what's 454 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 2: expected of you and your strengths and your weaknesses. So 455 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 2: let's continue to get better with your strengths and let's 456 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:01,280 Speaker 2: improve our weaknesses. We could have a great year, but 457 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 2: that dinner was phenomenal and it was the start of 458 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:07,159 Speaker 2: something special and the year was just it was a 459 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 2: great year. Uh. Fortunately we didn't we didn't cap it off, 460 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 2: but you know, it was just one of those things 461 00:22:12,600 --> 00:22:14,120 Speaker 2: when you went in, it's. 462 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: So much better and losing, Yes, what well? And you 463 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 1: and you and Rafer were such a great combination. We 464 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 1: talked to Rafer about a year ago or so and listen, 465 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 1: you you're phenomenal in the postseason and helped the team 466 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: get all the way to the NBA Finals, which this 467 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:28,879 Speaker 1: city will never forget. But something that we kind of 468 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:33,879 Speaker 1: didn't remember was the Cleveland Cavaliers did this little picture celebration. 469 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 2: I remember it that you remember it. 470 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 1: I don't remember seeing that as much, but Rafer reminded 471 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: us that that was kind of motivation for you guys. 472 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 1: And then when you guys eliminated Cleveland, man, that must 473 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:47,119 Speaker 1: have been an incredible feeling. But kind of tell that 474 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:49,440 Speaker 1: story for us a jake from your vantage point. 475 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,520 Speaker 2: You know one thing about that team, we went on 476 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:56,280 Speaker 2: the road and we smacked everyone. Right, it wasn't just 477 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 2: us winning at home, but we felt very good and 478 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 2: every confident when we were on the road, and the 479 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:06,080 Speaker 2: whole build up throughout the season was you know, the 480 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:09,240 Speaker 2: Lakers and Cleveland. You know, it was just right. That 481 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 2: was kind of like what was supposed to be. And 482 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 2: then Cleveland before the game, they would always do this 483 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 2: family photo and you know they were just you know, 484 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 2: they were a first quarter team, like they would just 485 00:23:21,280 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 2: blow everyone out in the first quarter, and it was 486 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:25,879 Speaker 2: just one of those things like you know, they just 487 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 2: dancing and you know, just they're having a great time 488 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 2: with her, and you win it and you feel like 489 00:23:32,600 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 2: there's nothing wrong with that, but they it just seemed 490 00:23:36,040 --> 00:23:38,639 Speaker 2: like they used to go overboard with it, and you know, 491 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 2: when we were playing them in the regular season, it 492 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 2: was just one of those things like wait till, wait 493 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:48,120 Speaker 2: till you know, wait till June, because y'all, y'all gonna 494 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 2: be in for rude of wakening. 495 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:51,679 Speaker 1: So it bothered you in the regular season too when 496 00:23:51,720 --> 00:23:52,119 Speaker 1: we saw that. 497 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 2: Okay, okay, gotcha, got it, but there's no need of 498 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:58,520 Speaker 2: getting robbed up in the regular season. It receives in 499 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,440 Speaker 2: November December, so it was no big deal. But you know, 500 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 2: it was something we kept eye on, we talked about 501 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:06,240 Speaker 2: in the locker room. But it was one of those 502 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 2: things where it gets you know, when we get face 503 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 2: to face come June or you know, the n of May. June, Yeah, 504 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,879 Speaker 2: y'all will have a handful, y'all will have some problems 505 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:21,160 Speaker 2: on y'all hands, and exactly did We were a three 506 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 2: point a big Lebron James three point away from begging 507 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 2: up and really kind of keeping that series and showing 508 00:24:28,280 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 2: them they weren't on our level. But we knew they 509 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 2: weren't on our level. But it was just one of 510 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: those things that you know, you just got to play 511 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 2: the games out. But it was just fun after we won. 512 00:24:37,880 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 2: You know, just taking a family photo like this, that's 513 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 2: so good, you know, just rubbing it in a certain way. Ye, 514 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 2: what did you do? They were not on our level 515 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 2: at that time. Even when Lebron he was averaging like 516 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:53,639 Speaker 2: forty forty five like he was, he was, he was 517 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 2: balling like it was. It was unbelievable to think he 518 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 2: was doing. Of course, he was being guarded by Turks. 519 00:25:00,040 --> 00:25:00,639 Speaker 2: So we got. 520 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 1: We got, we got, you know, to make up for that, right, 521 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:06,520 Speaker 1: just we. 522 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 2: Gotta give them a uh, you know, some little slack there. 523 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 2: But yeah, they were not on our level. No team 524 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:14,639 Speaker 2: in NBA was on our level at that time. But 525 00:25:15,160 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 2: you know, we just didn't get it done in the 526 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:17,320 Speaker 2: final two weeks. 527 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,000 Speaker 4: Sure, but what but to remind everybody what you did 528 00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 4: during our family photo when we won the when we 529 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:23,520 Speaker 4: won the East. 530 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,600 Speaker 2: Well you do aj, I mean, you know, I you know, 531 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:29,119 Speaker 2: I let my little you know, my point guard. We 532 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:32,199 Speaker 2: all were a crew. So Rayper and Demior and te 533 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:34,920 Speaker 2: lit Day they held me up and you know, like 534 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 2: I was a baby, and yeah, so so so, yeah, 535 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,359 Speaker 2: we had a good time with it. Because that, you know, 536 00:25:40,840 --> 00:25:43,200 Speaker 2: looks great. They used to hold up on Williams and 537 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 2: you know, so it was just, you know, kind of 538 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,520 Speaker 2: one of those things you just after the fact. I'm 539 00:25:49,520 --> 00:25:52,040 Speaker 2: not a trash talker, but you know, I wanted them 540 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:54,200 Speaker 2: to know that they were not on our level, and yeah, 541 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 2: we could do all that stuff too, but we could 542 00:25:56,280 --> 00:25:57,600 Speaker 2: do it as we're winning and moving on. 543 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:00,879 Speaker 4: The picture goes very under the radar because it's just 544 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:03,840 Speaker 4: just like we're having a good time agent and I 545 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:04,720 Speaker 4: knew immediately. 546 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 2: I'm like, oh, I know what he's like, what he's 547 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:12,119 Speaker 2: let's rub it a little bit. You gotta rub it 548 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:16,360 Speaker 2: in because that's all you heard about. That's all Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland. 549 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 2: You know, they they had nothing for us, Like they 550 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 2: couldn't stop Turk, they couldn't stop the Star, they couldn't 551 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:25,280 Speaker 2: stop the White and everyone else, all the role players 552 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 2: we contributed. So they like, yeah, they were not on 553 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 2: our level, really, and that is awesome. Lebron doesn't make 554 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:34,560 Speaker 2: that three, then they're down too old in their own building. 555 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:37,800 Speaker 2: Going back to Orlando and that that's easily sweet, which. 556 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 1: Take us off Turk because Turk had the game winner 557 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: before that Lebron. 558 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:41,679 Speaker 2: Yeah would have. 559 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 1: Been, but he's goes every time the playoffs come. I 560 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:44,840 Speaker 1: gotta watch that shot. 561 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, and he don't clear winner Game one. He had 562 00:26:52,119 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 2: had the game, Yeah, I had the game winning Game one. 563 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:57,640 Speaker 2: So yeah, so you know, of course it came down 564 00:26:57,720 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 2: to game winning shacks. But yeah, we we didn't feel 565 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:01,640 Speaker 2: like they were on our level. 566 00:27:01,920 --> 00:27:03,800 Speaker 5: Real quick, before we go, I want to go back 567 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:07,400 Speaker 5: to the to the stand the stand preseason dinner where 568 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:10,160 Speaker 5: he assigned everybody his role. I covered stand in Detroit. 569 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 5: He did the same thing. 570 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 2: It did not work. 571 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:16,600 Speaker 3: So the personnel personnel helps, let's give otis. Let's give 572 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:18,800 Speaker 3: otis and then deck towards it in the front office 573 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:23,520 Speaker 3: or j def Oh this was instamental, uh you know, 574 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 3: and pitting that team together and uh yeah. And also 575 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 3: that's since the general manager uh day day towards it, yep. 576 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 3: And then the ownership group like it was man from 577 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 3: top to bottom. Our Senate d was unbelievable. I mean 578 00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:43,720 Speaker 3: it was just smiling faces. Everybody was upbeat, everybody was positive. Everybody, 579 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:44,800 Speaker 3: I mean we were winning. 580 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:47,439 Speaker 2: We had a great system in place, we had great guys, 581 00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:50,880 Speaker 2: Like the synergy was unbelievable from top to bottom. It's 582 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 2: just unfortunately unfortunate that we didn't get it done in 583 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 2: the last two weeks. 584 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:57,200 Speaker 1: Well, it's been a struggle since then for this Magic team. 585 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: They've gone a couple of different directions. But we're fee 586 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 1: there is a buzz in town. We're feeling like we're 587 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:04,959 Speaker 1: we're headed in the right direction and there's a lot 588 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:07,200 Speaker 1: of excitement around it. Do you watch the team still 589 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: and what are your thoughts on this up and coming 590 00:28:09,359 --> 00:28:09,880 Speaker 1: Magic team. 591 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:12,800 Speaker 2: Well, I really like the sighs, the sides across the board, 592 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 2: you know, uh that really you know in today's NBA 593 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,320 Speaker 2: uh you know, of course they talk about position this 594 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:23,359 Speaker 2: guys that you know, guys got big guys that can 595 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:27,040 Speaker 2: handle the ball, the bottners and uh uh you know 596 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 2: Hollow and and Wendell Carter. You know, he grew up 597 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:34,240 Speaker 2: here in Atlanta. He has some perimeterive skills. So you know, 598 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 2: I'm a big fan of Cole Anthony and uh, you know, 599 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:40,640 Speaker 2: and and some of the other guys. So, uh, now 600 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 2: that you know they turn the corner, they have some 601 00:28:43,320 --> 00:28:45,520 Speaker 2: success at the end of last season, so now you 602 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 2: got to carry you know, dad into this season. Of course, 603 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:51,400 Speaker 2: it improve your summer workouts when you know what it 604 00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:54,600 Speaker 2: takes to win. Now, when you're in the summertime, your 605 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:57,720 Speaker 2: workouts changed and you're able to kind of develop and 606 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:01,680 Speaker 2: get into a mode of Okay, now I have some success, 607 00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 2: let's carry it forward. So, uh, you know the team's too. 608 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 2: You know, they got a big one tonight against the Lakers, 609 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:11,720 Speaker 2: so look to uh you know, seeing you know that 610 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 2: match up, and and then hopefully they could kind of 611 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 2: build on the buzzs. You gotta bank a lot of 612 00:29:17,480 --> 00:29:19,640 Speaker 2: games early in the season when you can, and the 613 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 2: Lakers a team that's very gettable, uh you know this 614 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 2: time of the year, so you know, hopefully they could 615 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 2: put their best foot forward and uh, you know, have 616 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:29,480 Speaker 2: a good showing tonight. 617 00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 1: That's great on the broadcast. Yes, he's got it all down. 618 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:35,880 Speaker 1: I'm telling you, I would love to have him come down. 619 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,600 Speaker 1: Do you have it in you, budd George, to bring 620 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:40,719 Speaker 1: him down here for a broadcast and to do our 621 00:29:40,760 --> 00:29:42,840 Speaker 1: golf tournament. He needs to come to the Magic Golf 622 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 1: Tournament's do it. 623 00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:48,560 Speaker 2: I'm wide open, So let's do it. Playing you swing 624 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:52,000 Speaker 2: by on the way back. There's got to be now 625 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 2: this kidding, No, there's definitely no room there. 626 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,680 Speaker 1: The bench is full, those things are full. Watching the 627 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:01,920 Speaker 1: second Mental Laker game last night, and they like the 628 00:30:01,960 --> 00:30:03,320 Speaker 1: beam you played in Sacramento. 629 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:03,800 Speaker 2: Do you like that? 630 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:04,800 Speaker 1: Do you like the beam? 631 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:07,000 Speaker 2: I love? Uh? Did I like it? 632 00:30:07,560 --> 00:30:08,120 Speaker 1: Do you like it? 633 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 2: Do you like the thing? I love? Love it? Okay, 634 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:15,000 Speaker 2: you know it's it's theirs. You know, it's it's something 635 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 2: that's theirs, and no other team have thought of it, 636 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:21,640 Speaker 2: you know. So they of course with the cow bells 637 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:24,440 Speaker 2: back in the days that used to be unbelievable. But 638 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 2: it's Sacramento, you know, it's not much going on out there, 639 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:30,720 Speaker 2: so for them to have something that's days, you know, 640 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 2: it's I really love it. I love it, and it 641 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 2: gives it gives us as a togetherness and Carberie and 642 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 2: the guys. Not to say it makes you play harder, 643 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:44,240 Speaker 2: because at the end of the day, anytimes someone's keeping score, 644 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:47,240 Speaker 2: you should you used to kind of give your best effort. 645 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:50,440 Speaker 2: But to have that extra motivation to hit the button 646 00:30:50,480 --> 00:30:53,000 Speaker 2: and like the beam, I love it. I love it. 647 00:30:53,160 --> 00:30:55,280 Speaker 1: Well, we love talking to you, aj great stuff. Hit 648 00:30:55,320 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 1: them straight today and let's we look forward to seeing 649 00:30:57,560 --> 00:30:58,080 Speaker 1: you here soon. 650 00:30:58,120 --> 00:31:00,880 Speaker 4: All right, what are we going for seventy five, seventy six. 651 00:31:01,040 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 2: What do you know? That's we're gonna go eighty one 652 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:07,280 Speaker 2: eighty four y one, how four? 653 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:10,400 Speaker 1: So you're can we put them in our group tours 654 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:11,959 Speaker 1: for the tournament. We have a chance in this thing, 655 00:31:14,160 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 1: all right, guys, good stuff. That'll do it for this 656 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:18,240 Speaker 1: edition of Magic Pod Squad with Anthony Johnson. 657 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:19,040 Speaker 2: We'll see you next time.