1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: First of all, Man, we appreciate you being on our show. 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: Been a long time coming. It just brought fast back 3 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 1: seeing you have to have to go through them double 4 00:00:10,640 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: screens off the corner and stuff and chasing and stuff. 5 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:16,160 Speaker 1: But we really appreciate you being on the show, bro 6 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:17,479 Speaker 1: and rocking with us. 7 00:00:17,920 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 2: Thank you, guys, thank you for having me. Man. 8 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 1: Yes, sir, When you first got to lead, who's the 9 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 1: first person to bust your ass? 10 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 3: It was definitely one of those moments. I think like 11 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 3: first ten or fifteen games were like very challenging for me. 12 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 3: My first shot at San Antonio. I remember opening game, 13 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 3: my first game in NBA. My first shot was airball 14 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:52,479 Speaker 3: and I was so nervous, man, it took me a second. 15 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 3: But it was the one particular game we played against Portland. 16 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 3: Mike Donald was coach, and that's the way when the 17 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 3: Portland was at the big lineup, Rashid played at the 18 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 3: small forward and I got I got in from the 19 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 3: bench and I supposed to guard Rashid And it was 20 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 3: one of those moments where like they didn't even call 21 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:21,280 Speaker 3: a play. They went like, go at this guy, straight up, 22 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 3: go at him. So they post him up. You just 23 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 3: you know, turn around, shot over me. But it happened 24 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 3: two three times in a row, and very soon I 25 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 3: was on the bench. So yeah, one one of those things, 26 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 3: like you know, I'm sure you guys have experienced the 27 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 3: same thing, Like once you figure out the pace, the length, 28 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 3: the athleticism, I mean, everything's different in the league. 29 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, no, it's definitely. The first person blest my 30 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: ass was Chris Webber. I remember playing against y'all and 31 00:01:54,440 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: all I seen was jump hook and jump hook and 32 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: jump hook, and it was like, man, I can't block it. 33 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,520 Speaker 4: I can't do that. I can't get around him, I 34 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 4: can't front him. Just jump up. 35 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:06,600 Speaker 2: I know, I know what you're talking about. 36 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 3: Jeff. 37 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, yo, yo yo. 38 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 5: We live on location were we hey were crossing up 39 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 5: international waters for this one. 40 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: Baby. 41 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 5: We got Serbia's finance, We got the FEBA Hall of 42 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,959 Speaker 5: Fame with a three time NBA all started all n 43 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 5: b A, the back to back three point NBA champ, 44 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 5: back to back, we got missed the Paija Sto Yakovich 45 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:37,919 Speaker 5: in the building. 46 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 4: We appreciate you for pulling up on us peak. 47 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:43,679 Speaker 2: Thank you guys, thank you for having me. That's pretty good. 48 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,920 Speaker 1: Let's start Croatia. Who's the first person to put the 49 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:03,960 Speaker 1: ball in your hand? 50 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: So this is interesting. 51 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 3: I grew up in like in this country called Yugoslavia, 52 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 3: multi ethnic country. I was my family and I were 53 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,239 Speaker 3: Serbians living in Croatia at the time, and I actually 54 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 3: I have only played basketball in the middle school. Like 55 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 3: it's kind it was kind of recreational. And then after 56 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:30,399 Speaker 3: the eight Grade Civil War started in our country and 57 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 3: me and my family we were forced to leave everything 58 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 3: behind us, so we went to Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia, and 59 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 3: that's what kind of everything kind of started for me. 60 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 3: There was one coach from Red Star basketball club. He 61 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 3: called us and he said, like, I had a friend 62 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 3: that I've served army with him who actually has lived 63 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 3: in your town and he has seen you play. I'm 64 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 3: willing to give you a shot. Do you want to 65 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 3: come and work out with us? I was fourteen years old. 66 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 3: I was pretty told did not have any skill. I 67 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 3: was coordinated, but that was my actually first serious contact 68 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,839 Speaker 3: with the basketball. Like we started kind of working out 69 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,599 Speaker 3: like every day, and it kind of started clicking for 70 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:21,719 Speaker 3: me very fast. 71 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 1: Did basketball help you from coming from a situation where 72 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: it was about to be a war and all that 73 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: stuff and going to a new place, did it help 74 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: you kind of kind of clear it, not really cleared 75 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 1: out your mind, but help you kind of move forward. 76 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 2: It was my escape. 77 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 3: It helped me find something, something new, something positive in 78 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 3: my life. And you know, seeing my parents and seeing 79 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 3: other people who has left everything behind them, the struggle 80 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 3: and all of that, everything they worked for all their life, 81 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 3: they had to leave behind them. Basketball was even to 82 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:59,719 Speaker 3: this day, I think about that if war did not 83 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 3: have and I don't know if I would be playing basketball, 84 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 3: because I grew up in a small town of twenty 85 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 3: thousand people, and I mean the only sports that we 86 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 3: played we played in school. I would probably continue and 87 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:19,359 Speaker 3: probably follow the footsteps of my parents, maybe work in 88 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 3: the small town, work the land and a farm. 89 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:23,600 Speaker 4: I don't know. 90 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 2: I don't know. 91 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 3: It's to this day my life is so unexpected, like 92 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 3: what they're dealing to you each and every day. It 93 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 3: was a blessing for me because I was able to 94 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 3: kind of get away and just kind of focus on 95 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 3: a basketball And I was also lucky to have a 96 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:47,040 Speaker 3: coach who was a teacher, who was a mentor, who 97 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 3: helped me learn the fundamentals of the basketball and it 98 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 3: kind of like it kind of unlocked in me those things, 99 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 3: and it was like a domino. Each and every day 100 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 3: I was getting better, and in one year, I became 101 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 3: the best player in the country for that age. 102 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:07,839 Speaker 5: That's what I was going to say. So, you went 103 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 5: from fourteen to fifteen turning pro? 104 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 4: How was that for you? 105 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 5: You progressed that fast in that one year which you 106 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 5: became the best player and went pro. 107 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:21,200 Speaker 3: It was crazy, It was unreal, and we played against 108 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:25,799 Speaker 3: the men. I signed my first professional contract the following 109 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:28,920 Speaker 3: year when I moved to Greece at age of sixteen, 110 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 3: and that to me. 111 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 2: Was like I felt it. 112 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 3: Was a relief because I was able to provide. I 113 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 3: was able to secure a home from my family. I 114 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 3: was able to give my parents what they've lost, tried 115 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:51,360 Speaker 3: to rebuild, rebuild their lives. Even to this day, I've 116 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:53,880 Speaker 3: lost my mother two years ago, but I've never succeeded 117 00:06:53,880 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 3: in that because their heart was always always there. But 118 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 3: to me, it was a feeling that I felt, like, 119 00:07:04,720 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 3: you know, the satisfaction that you know you're able to 120 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:12,640 Speaker 3: kind of provide and and and support your family. So 121 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:15,920 Speaker 3: there was something else. And then obviously the pressure of 122 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 3: perform in order to stay on the team, because once 123 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 3: you sign a contract, it's it's as we all know, 124 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:32,680 Speaker 3: it's you don't perform, there's somebody else right behind you. 125 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 3: And and that was something that I had to learn 126 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 3: from a very early age, just to professionalism, be on time, 127 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 3: get my workouts, and just understanding responsibility of what it 128 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 3: takes to be a professional professional athlete as far as 129 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 3: performing and as far as like just providing for your family. 130 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: Go back to when you fourteen and you move what basketball? 131 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: Have you ever seen basketball play at a high level 132 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 1: or at a pro level? Did you see the Olympics 133 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: or did you see anything to kind of be like 134 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: made you intrigue with basketball or basketball was just a 135 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:16,800 Speaker 1: sport that you played, but you never seen other high 136 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: levels play like other grown men or somewhere to go with. 137 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, yes I was able. 138 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 3: We have a really good tradition in our own country 139 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 3: in Serbia and Yugoslavia. Yeah, going back like forty to 140 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 3: fifty years back, and the players that I had ahead 141 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 3: of me, it was this generation that of Vla de 142 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 3: Divas who I became a teammate later on, Dino Raija 143 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 3: or Tony Kuko who was in Chicago. That's the same 144 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 3: generation that was like ten years older than me. That 145 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 3: so I was able to kind of look s. Yeah, 146 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 3: didn't play on international level and then later on in NBA, 147 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:57,839 Speaker 3: but as far as like seeing NBA, we didn't have 148 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:05,479 Speaker 3: that ability. It was mainly highlights, all star games, maybe finals, 149 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 3: but there was always so early in the morning for 150 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 3: us to wake up and watch those games. 151 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:13,439 Speaker 4: It seemed like man, yo yo. 152 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 5: Euro League career win like super quick, Like everything happened 153 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 5: fast for you over there. 154 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 4: Talk about the Greek. 155 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,640 Speaker 3: League, So Greek League at the time it happened to be. 156 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 3: Just to kind of give you a little perspective how 157 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:29,479 Speaker 3: the European leagues work. It's all based on the financial 158 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 3: situation of the clubs. If the clubs can have big payroll, 159 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 3: they're going. 160 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 2: To bring the best players. 161 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:40,199 Speaker 3: And during the nineties Greece was in a very good 162 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 3: situation financially. Most of the clubs were bringing at the time, 163 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 3: Dominique Wilkins. I played against Dominique when I was I 164 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 3: was seventeen. 165 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 4: You went over there, like thirty, right, he was going 166 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 4: crazy over there. 167 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 3: Right, dominic changed again. Dominique was like that was the 168 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 3: end of his career, and the first brought the first 169 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 3: year league championship to the this club Nicos. 170 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 2: They've later only have won another five or six. 171 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 3: But Dominique Dominick I played against Xavier McDaniels. 172 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 4: X manx Man. 173 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 3: I played against some amazing Americans that kind of prepped me. 174 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: I don't know if you guys remember there was some 175 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 3: solid Uh that's Anthony Barner, he. 176 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 4: Played Louis Yeah. 177 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's tough, tough. 178 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 6: Yeah, So played against some amazing Americans and that to me, 179 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:40,480 Speaker 6: it was I kind of like I would say, like 180 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 6: preparation to understand the physicality and the athleticism of what 181 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 6: was going to be. Yeah, to me, it was challenging because, 182 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 6: as I talked at the beginning, just the pressure to perform. 183 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 6: I remember, like my first playoff with the Socramento Kings, 184 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 6: one of the reporters came to me said, do you 185 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 6: feel pressure? I said, I feel pressure. I mean to 186 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 6: play the game. It's important game. But pressure is when 187 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 6: the owner of the team comes to the locker room 188 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 6: before the game and says, if you guys lose, you're 189 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:13,199 Speaker 6: not getting paid. 190 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 4: That's pressure, right, yeah yeah right, so need that money? 191 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 3: No, but that's that's what was happening at the time. Yeah, 192 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 3: I mean even to this day things like that not 193 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 3: as much, but I mean I played in stadiums where 194 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 3: smoking was still allowed, where the coaches were smoking. 195 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 4: That is crazy. 196 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 5: The coach is smoking wyyau hoopy, and then fans in 197 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 5: the crowd smoke y'all just got smoking y'all face exactly. 198 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 3: So those are things that like, it's you know, it's 199 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 3: just something that you know, it's it was. It was 200 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 3: part of my career, and I'm I'm very very fortunate, man. 201 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 3: It's like that I have found basketball. This is like 202 00:11:56,320 --> 00:12:00,960 Speaker 3: to me those I was blessing. I always consider myself lucky. 203 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,600 Speaker 3: I like to play the game like I mean, all obviously, 204 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 3: I'm sure you guys we can share this same feeling. 205 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 3: It's very hard to make it to this level. Yeah, yeah, 206 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 3: it's very hard, and it's even harder to stay understanding 207 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 3: the average careers and everything. But I've considered myself very 208 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 3: fortunate and very lucky. 209 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: To be so young and now you're getting paid to play. 210 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:33,319 Speaker 1: Now you're playing with grown man guys twenty thirty years old. 211 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 1: To make an All Star game over there in that league, 212 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,959 Speaker 1: in that first league. How was that for you to 213 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: be so young and you're a two time All Star 214 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 1: in that league? 215 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:47,679 Speaker 3: It was It was cool. But you know, they always 216 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 3: try to copy the US. You know, every country, every 217 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 3: country is trying to copy. That was one of the 218 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 3: first All Star games they've actually started having over there. Yeah, 219 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 3: I think it was the nineteen nineties seven. It was cool, 220 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 3: you know, just it was It was a nice like 221 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 3: to be recognized that, let's say, top twenty top twenty 222 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 3: five guys in that league at the moment. But you know, 223 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 3: it's I think the biggest the respect that you can get. 224 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 3: It's respect from your peers, from your from your opponents. 225 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 3: I think this is the that we all cherish, you know, 226 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 3: respect that we have amongst each other, regardless what everybody 227 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 3: else has to say. You know, the guys that we 228 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 3: competed against, competed with. I think that was always the 229 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 3: most satisfaction on saying that. 230 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 5: You were a guy that you got drafted a couple 231 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:39,680 Speaker 5: of years before you actually came over. So you got 232 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 5: drafted after your first All Star game over there. 233 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:45,840 Speaker 3: I got drafted after three years being in Greece. I 234 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 3: went to Greece in ninety three at age of sixteen 235 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:53,720 Speaker 3: and age of nineteen. My agent at the time, he said, like, 236 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 3: let's go try. I'm going to take you to us. 237 00:13:57,640 --> 00:14:01,680 Speaker 3: Let's go try to show you do some workouts for 238 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 3: some other teams and when we'll go from there. At 239 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 3: the time, not many scouts were coming to Europe to 240 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 3: watch players. It was very very rare. I did this 241 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 3: workout in Chicago with Big Z the dress. We did 242 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 3: this workout in Chicago in ninety six, and my agent 243 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 3: at the time he invited all teams and everybody came 244 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 3: to watch Z because Z was seven one seven two 245 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 3: who could shoot. 246 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 2: And then and. 247 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 3: Apparently I had a good workout as well, and that's 248 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,440 Speaker 3: how people start, who's this kid. This kid can shoot, 249 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 3: this kid has a size, maybe his game can translate 250 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 3: into the NBA. Kind of fast forward everything that all 251 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 3: this happened like in two weeks, like prior to the 252 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 3: draft nights and then and then I got invitation to 253 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 3: individual workouts with Sacramento, which with the Bulls and the Pacers, 254 00:15:03,640 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 3: and those workouts are something else. Those workouts I will 255 00:15:07,640 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 3: I will never forget, Like it's one of those I 256 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 3: did a workout for Chicago. Jerry Krause was the GM 257 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 3: at the time, and they had to pick because they 258 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:18,600 Speaker 3: were always at the time they were the best. So 259 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 3: they had the twenty ninth pick or twenty eight I think, 260 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 3: and he has said, like, you know what, from now 261 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 3: and on, you don't do well on any of those workouts, 262 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 3: and we're gonna take you on twenty eight. 263 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 7: Yeah, I tell you Tank to take you right up. 264 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, but no, I went on. I went laid onto 265 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 3: the soacamento for the Pacers and then I got drafted 266 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 3: by the by the Kings. 267 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:45,960 Speaker 5: So so you didn't go to the draft or whatever 268 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:47,040 Speaker 5: you you were back over? 269 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 2: Are you at the draft? I was at the draft. Yeah, 270 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 2: I was at the dress. 271 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 4: So how was that for you? Like, coming from where 272 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 4: you come from and like this is like three four 273 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:56,359 Speaker 4: years a culmination. 274 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 7: Everything happened so fast and here you are at the draft. 275 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 4: How was that for you? Did you bring a family? 276 00:16:01,160 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 3: No? No, because it was just me and my my agent. 277 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 3: And that was the first time I wore the suit. 278 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:08,880 Speaker 3: Even to this day, my kids are making fun of 279 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 3: my suit, my k my hat that did not fit me. 280 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 3: And and remember. 281 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 5: That, damn now that you say that, I remember you 282 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 5: putting the hat on. 283 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:22,120 Speaker 4: I just had the vision. 284 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 3: That's crazy, and obviously my English was, Oh my god, 285 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 3: it was. 286 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 2: It was one of those things. I'm happy to be here. 287 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 5: Let me ask you this, had you had you seen 288 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 5: like previous drafts and seen guys where they get up 289 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 5: there and shake David turn handed or will you did 290 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 5: you know anything about it? 291 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 3: I've seen it, but you know it was I did 292 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 3: not enjoy that as much now looking back. I was 293 00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 3: so nervous because I didn't speak the language, and I 294 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 3: was like, what if I got drafted, I have to 295 00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 3: get up and talk to the media. And my English 296 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 3: at the time was so poor, Like how I'm going 297 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 3: to represent myself? 298 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, and but to be and. 299 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:11,280 Speaker 3: I was nineteen years old, you know, first time, first 300 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:16,200 Speaker 3: time in US, and yeah, it was it was it 301 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 3: was something else. 302 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, what was the process of you waiting two years 303 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 1: before you came instead of just going? 304 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,120 Speaker 4: And do you have to play a contract out? 305 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 2: Yeah? 306 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I had to play a contract now. I had 307 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 3: two years left in my contract and which now, going back, 308 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 3: that was probably the best thing to happen to me. 309 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 3: I needed more time. I was too young. I needed 310 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:44,959 Speaker 3: I needed more experience. I needed to mature more physically 311 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 3: and mentally. I thought when I came at the age 312 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,400 Speaker 3: twenty one, I was I was ready. 313 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:52,800 Speaker 2: I was ready like to take on that challenge. 314 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,800 Speaker 1: What do Vladi mean to you of your process when 315 00:17:56,840 --> 00:18:00,239 Speaker 1: you got to Sacramento. How much did he help you 316 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:06,400 Speaker 1: transition from coming from overseas to the United States and 317 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 1: being in Sacramento and playing in the NBA. 318 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:13,680 Speaker 3: So when I signed in ninety eight, I signed before 319 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 3: the lockout. I signed in the summer, and the lockout happened, 320 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 3: and when I signed, it was Mit Richmond was still on. 321 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 2: The team and. 322 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 3: They did not make the playoffs in the previous years, 323 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 3: and I was told, you know, I was told I 324 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 3: was going to play. You know, you're going to a 325 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 3: bad team. And then lockout happens, and there's a silence 326 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 3: for whatever six months. And when the lockout stopped and 327 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 3: the free agency opened up, suddenly they've traded Mit Richmond 328 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 3: for Chris Webber. They've signed in the free agency. That 329 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 3: was the biggest signing for this organization at the time, 330 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:59,959 Speaker 3: the biggest contract, and they drafted Jason Williams. Somehow everything 331 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:05,639 Speaker 3: has changed. Somehow the team now has aspirations to be 332 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 3: good to compete. Actually, it was amazing because everything kind 333 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 3: of happened then in my favor because Vladder was a 334 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 3: great friend, great mentor is nine ten years older than 335 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 3: myself and he was always there for me. But in general, 336 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 3: the team that we had at the time, Chris Corlos Williamson, 337 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 3: I mean it's Jason. You could definitely see the potential 338 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 3: potential in the team moving on. And the first year, 339 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:41,159 Speaker 3: I think we made the playoffs. It was a short season. 340 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 3: It was a fifty game season. We got the last 341 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 3: spot and we played the Utah Jazz in the playoffs 342 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:51,600 Speaker 3: against Carmelone and John Stockton, which we lost in the 343 00:19:51,640 --> 00:19:54,679 Speaker 3: game five. It was very important for me to have 344 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:57,680 Speaker 3: a bladder at the beginning. I think even to this day, 345 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,320 Speaker 3: I think all of the young players now looking again 346 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 3: all of the young players, I think it's necessary to 347 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 3: have that. 348 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 2: Veteran guy in your locker room. 349 00:20:07,520 --> 00:20:10,880 Speaker 3: Yes, I mean the presence that they always can kind 350 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 3: of kind of put you in place, yeah, and help 351 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:16,120 Speaker 3: you out. 352 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 4: Rick Adaman won the coach it though. 353 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: Right, that was his first year. Was the first year. 354 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:24,680 Speaker 4: Okay, that was his first year. 355 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 2: Okay, that was his first year. 356 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:28,400 Speaker 5: Yeah, how long do you think it took for you, 357 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 5: Like before you start, you average eleven point nine, you 358 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 5: know your rookie year. That's that's solid. You know what 359 00:20:33,040 --> 00:20:35,840 Speaker 5: I'm saying, that's super solid for a rookie. Like how 360 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 5: long did you did it take before you was like, okay, 361 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,160 Speaker 5: I'm kind of feeling comfortable at this level and playing 362 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:42,919 Speaker 5: against this type of competition nightly. 363 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 3: But you know, when you come off the bench and 364 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 3: when you're young, you don't know your role, you think 365 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,480 Speaker 3: that you need to make an impact right away. Yeah, 366 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 3: and I was impatient and I wasn't able to relax 367 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:58,919 Speaker 3: and kind of allow the game to come to me. 368 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 3: I was, I was chasing shots and you know, obviously 369 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 3: making mistakes defensively and offensively. And some nights I would 370 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 3: play seven minutes. Some nights so I played twenty seven minutes. 371 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 3: That for me was the biggest challenge, like to to 372 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 3: learn how can I how can I be? Because I 373 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:25,199 Speaker 3: always say, like now, back then, I could not I 374 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 3: could not stand people telling me be patient and work hard. 375 00:21:28,480 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 3: I hated it. I hated it. I think everybody tells 376 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 3: young players be patient or work hard. But you know what, 377 00:21:37,160 --> 00:21:40,919 Speaker 3: this is actually the truth. You have to you have 378 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,640 Speaker 3: to stay the course, you have to wait for your opportunity, 379 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 3: and you have to find a way how can you 380 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 3: help the team. I don't think the coaches hate players. 381 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:55,280 Speaker 3: I think coaches wants players that can help them win. Yeah, 382 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 3: I think that's how I see it now. I mean 383 00:21:57,800 --> 00:22:01,120 Speaker 3: from this perspective. I mean at the time I thought 384 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 3: coach hated me. 385 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:05,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, right, he ain't helping you. 386 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:07,800 Speaker 1: You feel like he ain't helping you get your rhythm 387 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:11,720 Speaker 1: because he up and down with the minutes, and you 388 00:22:12,040 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 1: like how you expect you to play good. If you 389 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 1: up and down the men, you don't know you'll consistent minutes. 390 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: Exactly after your rookie year, you played in the Olympics. 391 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: How did the Olympics help you continue to move forward 392 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: and continue to grow your game? 393 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 3: That was definitely an experience on its own because you're 394 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 3: surrounded by the best athletes in the world, not only 395 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,679 Speaker 3: from the basketball standpoint, but you go into cafeteria and 396 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:45,960 Speaker 3: there's the guys that have played in four Olympics and 397 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:49,200 Speaker 3: they are going for the fourth gold in sixteen years. 398 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 3: And then you get the appreciations for the for the 399 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:57,480 Speaker 3: other sports, And to me, that was like more so 400 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 3: It was an amazing experience and also kind of understanding 401 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:05,360 Speaker 3: that the basketball is not only sport. There are other 402 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 3: athletes who are as important and they put great amount 403 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:11,639 Speaker 3: of work into their craft. 404 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:16,199 Speaker 1: We got drafted in two thousand and when I be 405 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:19,439 Speaker 1: looking at y'all team, y'all team is one of the 406 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:22,000 Speaker 1: teams that I call like the future team. Y'all was 407 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 1: one of the teams to kind of play similar style 408 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: to what's going on today because your bigs is way. 409 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 4: Up on the free throw line. 410 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: One of the things I used to hate about y'all, 411 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: that's after you throw it to the big on the 412 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 1: corner free throw line to split in the corner. So 413 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:39,640 Speaker 1: I used to always just make you go baseline because 414 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: I was like, if I gave you a choice to 415 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:44,440 Speaker 1: go either way, I'm gonna big beat anyway. So I'd 416 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: rather you just go back door and just try to 417 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: stop the back door path. But as today's game, you 418 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 1: see a lot of guys play on the perimeter. How 419 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:57,679 Speaker 1: y'all was playing, especially when you had Bibby when Jason left, 420 00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:02,159 Speaker 1: you had Bibby and Bobby Jack and you know Turkulu 421 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 1: and all them guys. Christy Uh tell us about in 422 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:11,040 Speaker 1: two thousand and when it really clicked. Yeah, I was 423 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 1: one of the teams that every time we seen y'all, 424 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:15,920 Speaker 1: y'all was a close knit team. We always say, y'all 425 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: have fun, y'all root for each other. Y'all was happy 426 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:22,920 Speaker 1: and it showed on the court as y'all was winning games. 427 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, you're right, But you know what now, I think 428 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 3: I think of you guys. We did not love playing 429 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 3: against you guys. 430 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 2: You guys were young. 431 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,439 Speaker 3: I know you always guys gave us the problems in 432 00:24:38,560 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 3: LA always always it's uh, we always struggle. 433 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,160 Speaker 2: It was it was you two, It. 434 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:48,600 Speaker 3: Was lamar As I remember, yeah, it was it was 435 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:55,280 Speaker 3: Michael Michael. Yeah, and you guys were always like because 436 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:57,720 Speaker 3: we if we have allowed you to go and get 437 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 3: into transition game, it was is a long night for us. 438 00:25:02,119 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 3: And then you guys started all this and uh, and 439 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 3: it was definitely challenged for us. But going back to 440 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 3: your question, I mean it's yeah, it was I think 441 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 3: they've I mean, Jason was amazing for us. Jason was. 442 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 3: I mean, I was very fortunate. I played with some 443 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:26,600 Speaker 3: great passers, great unselfish players like you know. This is 444 00:25:26,640 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 3: the I think this is this is for every young player. 445 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 3: This is like a dream. Like you get an NBA. 446 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:36,199 Speaker 3: Your point guard doesn't want to shoot, he wants to 447 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 3: pass the ball. Your best player, Chris Webber, he is 448 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 3: the unselfish guy exactly. And then you have a bladder 449 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 3: who's also looking to pass the ball. 450 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:50,919 Speaker 2: And I'm like, you're literally and. 451 00:25:52,760 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 3: I'm like, this is amazing. And then and then they 452 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 3: we started kind of adding different systems, Like it was 453 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 3: a coach carill from Princeton. He was a system coach, 454 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:10,680 Speaker 3: and they took pieces from that offense put it into 455 00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:13,879 Speaker 3: our system that already existed with the christ and Latta 456 00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 3: being on a pinch post and we're running running a 457 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 3: corner action split action. And later on addition of Bibi 458 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 3: and Doug Christie and Hido was drafted. I think it 459 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 3: was in your draft. Yeah, it was your draft. And 460 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 3: then h O came, Bobby Jackson, Scott Pollard, I mean, 461 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:40,560 Speaker 3: and then the game was so beautiful because none of 462 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:45,600 Speaker 3: us scared who's going to score, because it was contagious 463 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 3: like we learned. We learned I remember coach carill And 464 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:53,600 Speaker 3: and this is hard to explain because we learned that 465 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:57,600 Speaker 3: making a sacrifice for your teammate as far as making 466 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,879 Speaker 3: a hard cut is not going to make you always open, 467 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:04,240 Speaker 3: but it's gonna make somebody else open. And if you 468 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:08,000 Speaker 3: set a good screen, somebody else is gonna get open. 469 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 3: And this became contagious. We started thinking for others instead 470 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:18,119 Speaker 3: of thinking for ourselves, and everything kind of opened up. 471 00:27:18,160 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 3: And then as you play, and then we start tweaking, 472 00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:23,800 Speaker 3: and we started like, okay, all right, how do they 473 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:25,399 Speaker 3: guard you? Are they guarding you on the top, are 474 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:28,240 Speaker 3: they pushing you in the back door? Okay, we're just 475 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:31,439 Speaker 3: gonna throw over his head because he's not he's not 476 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 3: looking at the ball. So we were able to adjust, 477 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,919 Speaker 3: but it was it was definitely the best years of 478 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 3: my of my NBA career with the Sacramento. 479 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:44,560 Speaker 1: Because I feel like he don't get as much props 480 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,679 Speaker 1: as he should. You know, you hear about the sheets, 481 00:27:47,760 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 1: You hear about KG, the Dauntings, all these guys, But 482 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 1: just touch on Chris Weber and just how good and 483 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 1: great a teammate and just how good he was to 484 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 1: lead this Sacramento team is to be contenders, to be 485 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:05,119 Speaker 1: a championship contender. Just tell us how good he was 486 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,600 Speaker 1: because I've been loving him since college, and I feel 487 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: like I don't hear his name enough. When you mentioned 488 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,640 Speaker 1: the best power forwards. 489 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:12,879 Speaker 2: I agreed. 490 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:17,360 Speaker 3: I agreed that here's the reason why we became who 491 00:28:17,400 --> 00:28:21,119 Speaker 3: we became. Like, I think he made us all better. 492 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:25,880 Speaker 3: He changed He changed everything in Docramento. I mean when 493 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 3: he arrived, finally there was a piece that you could 494 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:30,359 Speaker 3: build around. 495 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:31,440 Speaker 4: Yeah. 496 00:28:31,520 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 3: I mean we all know his skill set on the court, 497 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 3: but to me, like Chris does not people don't know 498 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 3: Chris off the court. Chris is one of the most 499 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:48,160 Speaker 3: generous people that you're ever gonna come across. I mean 500 00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:51,040 Speaker 3: he was super nice, super nice to me, super nice 501 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 3: to Hi. Though he understood where we came from, he 502 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 3: was very supportive. He wanted us to make us feel 503 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:01,240 Speaker 3: always like we at home. Yeah, that's talking from the 504 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:04,200 Speaker 3: personal experience. I mean, those those kind of things because 505 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:07,160 Speaker 3: looking at him back as the player, I mean, we 506 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 3: all know how talented he was. I mean it's a 507 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:14,520 Speaker 3: guy that was twenty five ten and five in his sleep, straight. 508 00:29:14,240 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 5: Up, and that five is against people get they might 509 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 5: get that dubb dub, but they wasn't distributing. 510 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 4: The way he was. 511 00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 3: And the five back then, the Legiti five. 512 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, J five. Yeah, I felt it. 513 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:32,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, Yeah, So it's definitely it was, you know, 514 00:29:32,760 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 3: being a teammate that was a teammate with Chris for 515 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 3: almost almost seven years, six and a half years. 516 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely was important. 517 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:41,719 Speaker 4: Man. 518 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 1: Shout out to Chris webber Man C dub Man, one 519 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 1: of my favorites. 520 00:29:46,480 --> 00:29:47,520 Speaker 2: Yes, for sure. 521 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:50,880 Speaker 5: Tell me about like I can remember coming out there 522 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:55,239 Speaker 5: to Sacramento and going to Arco and y'all had that 523 00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 5: place going crazy with the bell cow the cow bells 524 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 5: and just the fandom there was, like it was fanatical. 525 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 5: Y'all had some of the best fans and one of 526 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 5: the best atmospheres in the early two thousand. Like talk 527 00:30:09,040 --> 00:30:12,200 Speaker 5: about how the city of Sacramento and a fan base 528 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:14,719 Speaker 5: embrace shall and how that support was because I can 529 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 5: remember how loud it used to get in there in 530 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 5: DN seeing some of the playoff games and stuff on TV. 531 00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:22,760 Speaker 5: Like talk about the fans in the atmosphere at ARCO. 532 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean you have to understand that Kings are 533 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 2: only showing. 534 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:32,040 Speaker 3: Town and obviously we were embraced. I felt we kind 535 00:30:32,040 --> 00:30:35,920 Speaker 3: of grew together. We were able to put a Sacramento 536 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:39,560 Speaker 3: on the map. I think people started talking about as 537 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:44,000 Speaker 3: a Sacramento as a city. There's the team that now 538 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:48,560 Speaker 3: it's on ESPN, on TNT, going deep in the playoffs, 539 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:52,120 Speaker 3: and people start talking about us about Sacramento at the 540 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:52,720 Speaker 3: same time. 541 00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:53,720 Speaker 2: I mean, we got the. 542 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:59,160 Speaker 3: Great support from from the city, from the fans. I mean, 543 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:03,600 Speaker 3: it was just amazing, amazing feelings. 544 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:08,360 Speaker 1: How important was it for you to when Turk got 545 00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:11,240 Speaker 1: on the team, to make sure you help him out 546 00:31:11,600 --> 00:31:16,520 Speaker 1: transitioning from coming overseas and coming over to play, because 547 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,640 Speaker 1: Turk told us a lot of stories, but he definitely 548 00:31:19,680 --> 00:31:21,960 Speaker 1: told us if it wasn't for you and Vladi, he 549 00:31:22,040 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 1: don't know where he would have been at. 550 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:28,920 Speaker 2: I mean, you play with Turk. 551 00:31:30,360 --> 00:31:32,360 Speaker 4: Funniest dude ever ever. 552 00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:35,920 Speaker 2: He's tiny crazy. 553 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:39,760 Speaker 5: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't know about tiny, 554 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 5: but yeah. 555 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 2: But you know what, uh yeah. 556 00:31:45,240 --> 00:31:51,480 Speaker 3: When Hit got drafted, he gave all his contract, no. 557 00:31:51,520 --> 00:31:55,640 Speaker 2: To buy buy his buy out a contract. 558 00:31:56,280 --> 00:32:00,280 Speaker 3: And I remember when he came, he and and he 559 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:03,400 Speaker 3: was like, I an't going to live with I think 560 00:32:03,480 --> 00:32:05,440 Speaker 3: it was what was left. It was like, I think 561 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,640 Speaker 3: one hundred thousand for him to kind of get by. 562 00:32:09,880 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 3: But immediately I think we felt like, you know, Hito 563 00:32:12,800 --> 00:32:16,000 Speaker 3: is our younger brother. I kind of understood that, and Blad, 564 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:20,719 Speaker 3: of course him being my older brother, my mentor, I 565 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:22,840 Speaker 3: felt we both of us we needed to kind of 566 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 3: step in. And from that moment on, Hido was was 567 00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:29,959 Speaker 3: with us. Hio was at my house, my mom was 568 00:32:29,960 --> 00:32:34,240 Speaker 3: cookingho was he was with us every day, he was 569 00:32:34,280 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 3: on the road with us. And Hido was such amazing talent. 570 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 3: People don't understand. People don't understand how talented Hido was 571 00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:49,080 Speaker 3: legit sixteen and I just I just kind of, as 572 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:51,560 Speaker 3: I look back, I wish we had more time to 573 00:32:51,640 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 3: play together in our prime. Because in two thousand and three, 574 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:59,400 Speaker 3: Hido was. They had to move Hido because I think 575 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,000 Speaker 3: Chris Webb got hurt in the two thousand and three 576 00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 3: playoffs to go get Bred Miller. I think I think 577 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:10,280 Speaker 3: there was a three way trade. Yeah, I mean they 578 00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 3: had to give up Hido and we got Bread, who 579 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:17,280 Speaker 3: was also amazing for us. But but Hio was. I 580 00:33:17,320 --> 00:33:20,320 Speaker 3: mean some great stories with hit though. I mean he's 581 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:25,880 Speaker 3: he did not care either did not he didn't care. 582 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:30,960 Speaker 3: He was he was a hooper. I remember his first 583 00:33:31,040 --> 00:33:35,720 Speaker 3: year because he don got he became America right away. Immediately, 584 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:40,680 Speaker 3: he became America he don't know either. Start he started dressing. God, 585 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:42,480 Speaker 3: he the start listening hip hop music. 586 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:50,240 Speaker 5: He literally told us like that's how he learned English 587 00:33:50,320 --> 00:33:51,120 Speaker 5: from the guys. 588 00:33:51,120 --> 00:33:53,440 Speaker 7: Like you can kind of tell when you listen to him, 589 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:54,600 Speaker 7: you can. 590 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:59,840 Speaker 3: Tell he started wearing baggy clothing, listen to music, and 591 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:03,080 Speaker 3: all the guys in the locker room, like Hia became 592 00:34:03,080 --> 00:34:05,760 Speaker 3: a favorite guy in the locker room everybody and everybody. 593 00:34:05,880 --> 00:34:10,560 Speaker 3: Everybody loved Hi though, but hitter Hito's rookie year. We're 594 00:34:10,560 --> 00:34:16,040 Speaker 3: playing Cliff Robinson, I think with with Phoenix Suns at 595 00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:20,000 Speaker 3: the time and has playing the game, and and Cliff 596 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:22,480 Speaker 3: at the time, I think he was already thirty four 597 00:34:22,719 --> 00:34:26,719 Speaker 3: thirty five years old, and back in the day you 598 00:34:26,760 --> 00:34:30,080 Speaker 3: could not talk talk trash to veteran players. 599 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:31,840 Speaker 2: It was like they will check you. 600 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:36,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, So he was stopped screaming from the bench like 601 00:34:36,120 --> 00:34:39,080 Speaker 3: you know, she's learning in new terminology in practice, and 602 00:34:39,120 --> 00:34:42,000 Speaker 3: he's like talking about it like he's he's yelling let 603 00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:47,040 Speaker 3: him shoot, let him shoot, let him let him. So 604 00:34:47,239 --> 00:34:52,399 Speaker 3: Cliff looks at us like, who's this guy? Who's this guy? 605 00:34:52,680 --> 00:34:57,120 Speaker 3: Does he ever play? And he's he has been talking trash. 606 00:34:57,160 --> 00:35:00,520 Speaker 3: And then later on After the game, Chris was talking 607 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:06,239 Speaker 3: to Cliff and Fida's coming out of locker room and Cliff, course, Hito, 608 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:09,319 Speaker 3: he'll come over here, young fellow. You can't do that, man, 609 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:13,759 Speaker 3: I mean, I understand you. If you play and you 610 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:20,919 Speaker 3: talk dressed me, you don't even play classic heato man. 611 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:22,759 Speaker 3: But it was it was so fun. 612 00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:26,040 Speaker 5: It was so fun with tell me this plage because 613 00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:28,160 Speaker 5: we I asked he though this when when we had 614 00:35:28,200 --> 00:35:30,480 Speaker 5: them on the show, because me and d Miles used 615 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:34,319 Speaker 5: to always talk about how you, Hido and Vlade would 616 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:37,320 Speaker 5: come in with the all black with the euro suits, 617 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 5: like who started that and who got that gun? Hedo 618 00:35:40,680 --> 00:35:43,560 Speaker 5: said it was you for sure, So so tell us 619 00:35:44,120 --> 00:35:46,440 Speaker 5: how that guy started and y'all was coming in like 620 00:35:46,560 --> 00:35:47,840 Speaker 5: the men in black got. 621 00:35:47,680 --> 00:35:50,799 Speaker 3: That jobt No, I mean obviously for us, you know, 622 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:53,520 Speaker 3: just coming from Europe at the time, I mean obviously everybody. 623 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:56,880 Speaker 3: Everybody were laughing at us. Why did never cared about 624 00:35:57,160 --> 00:36:01,480 Speaker 3: dressing up? It was always like, you know, dress pants whatever. 625 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:06,359 Speaker 3: And I started wearing suits and all the suits were 626 00:36:06,640 --> 00:36:10,080 Speaker 3: slim fit at the time. Now not everyone everyone in 627 00:36:10,080 --> 00:36:12,160 Speaker 3: the NBA, yeah, yeah, everyone. 628 00:36:12,440 --> 00:36:14,759 Speaker 7: Yeah, you used to. 629 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:16,960 Speaker 4: Use a pioneer with that he was already doing it. 630 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:20,200 Speaker 3: Everyone. I remember Bobby Jackson was like every time he 631 00:36:20,239 --> 00:36:23,279 Speaker 3: was seeing he was like, God, damn, how can you 632 00:36:23,320 --> 00:36:27,920 Speaker 3: feel that you need the surgery to get out of 633 00:36:27,960 --> 00:36:33,240 Speaker 3: those gens? And and I said, I said, Bobby, listen, 634 00:36:33,360 --> 00:36:36,879 Speaker 3: in twenty years who knows you might be wearing the same. 635 00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:41,440 Speaker 3: And now now a couple of years ago, when I 636 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:44,200 Speaker 3: was working with Bobby for Sacramento Kings, Bobby was coming 637 00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:49,919 Speaker 3: in those tight suits. Bobby, remember that twenty years ago? 638 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:54,520 Speaker 5: I dude, that that reminds me of Marco Yard. Like 639 00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 5: when we drafted Marco Yards. He came over and that's 640 00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:00,520 Speaker 5: what he Marco was hilarious because he wasn't He was 641 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:03,040 Speaker 5: proud of his clothes and he felt like everybody else 642 00:37:03,080 --> 00:37:05,120 Speaker 5: looked like clowns. And he was wearing like he like, 643 00:37:05,160 --> 00:37:08,520 Speaker 5: this is elegance, man, this is elegance, Like this is 644 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:09,560 Speaker 5: this is fashion. 645 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:11,360 Speaker 7: He was like, what are you guys doing? 646 00:37:11,719 --> 00:37:15,280 Speaker 5: He's be hilarious, But Marco would be having that slim, 647 00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:16,000 Speaker 5: tight stuff. 648 00:37:16,239 --> 00:37:17,880 Speaker 7: You couldn't tell Marco nothing. 649 00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:21,880 Speaker 3: We actually had to play because they started calling me 650 00:37:22,000 --> 00:37:26,719 Speaker 3: type jeans, and we actually had a play that we 651 00:37:26,840 --> 00:37:29,960 Speaker 3: called the TJ and that was. 652 00:37:30,080 --> 00:37:31,319 Speaker 2: That was a play for me. 653 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:33,320 Speaker 3: I would come out of the stagger picks for a 654 00:37:33,400 --> 00:37:36,520 Speaker 3: shot and Doc Christian would come, let's go TJ. And 655 00:37:36,560 --> 00:37:41,320 Speaker 3: Everybody's like, what's TJ? That's crazy? 656 00:37:44,719 --> 00:37:48,279 Speaker 1: How was it to know that your peers appreciate what 657 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:50,400 Speaker 1: you brought to the table after three four years in 658 00:37:50,440 --> 00:37:53,239 Speaker 1: that league, you make the All Star Team? You know, 659 00:37:53,520 --> 00:37:56,480 Speaker 1: now you you represent Sacramento at the All Star Team 660 00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:58,920 Speaker 1: as well as your family and everything. How was your 661 00:37:58,920 --> 00:37:59,960 Speaker 1: first All Star game? 662 00:38:00,120 --> 00:38:02,600 Speaker 4: Man? How did you find out that you made the 663 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:04,480 Speaker 4: All Star Team? Yeah? 664 00:38:04,520 --> 00:38:06,759 Speaker 3: I was. I was actually in my car. It was 665 00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,160 Speaker 3: earlier in the morning. I was going to I was 666 00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:12,359 Speaker 3: going to appearance and I got a phone call from 667 00:38:12,360 --> 00:38:15,360 Speaker 3: the PR at the time, and I think that was 668 00:38:15,480 --> 00:38:18,719 Speaker 3: one of the as you said, like, you know, you know, 669 00:38:18,840 --> 00:38:23,759 Speaker 3: getting validation around the league, you know, being selected at 670 00:38:23,760 --> 00:38:26,399 Speaker 3: the All Star But I also I always believe that 671 00:38:27,120 --> 00:38:30,759 Speaker 3: me making the All Star I was like it was 672 00:38:30,800 --> 00:38:33,800 Speaker 3: because of our team we had. We had an amazing 673 00:38:33,880 --> 00:38:38,240 Speaker 3: team and it would never happen if it wasn't for 674 00:38:38,239 --> 00:38:41,840 Speaker 3: for our team. I mean, the way we played, the 675 00:38:41,880 --> 00:38:44,880 Speaker 3: way we care about each other, and we won't I 676 00:38:44,920 --> 00:38:47,600 Speaker 3: think at the time, at the time you were making 677 00:38:47,640 --> 00:38:49,680 Speaker 3: All Star team if the team was winning. 678 00:38:50,040 --> 00:38:51,880 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, that was kind of yeah. 679 00:38:51,960 --> 00:38:57,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, and the players were rewarded well, yeah, exactly. 680 00:38:58,600 --> 00:38:59,480 Speaker 4: They don't do that, no, mo. 681 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:02,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's more about. 682 00:39:01,880 --> 00:39:05,719 Speaker 3: Tat It's more about that now these days and back then, 683 00:39:05,760 --> 00:39:07,480 Speaker 3: it was just like your team, how much you are 684 00:39:07,480 --> 00:39:10,400 Speaker 3: helping your team win, how how much impact you have 685 00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:13,719 Speaker 3: on those wins. And I think those were the right 686 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:17,600 Speaker 3: standards I believe. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe that 687 00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:22,640 Speaker 3: right too. Yeah, so that was that was definitely one 688 00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:24,880 Speaker 3: of those moments that you feel like, okay, but but 689 00:39:24,920 --> 00:39:29,120 Speaker 3: at the same time, you feel even more greater responsibility. 690 00:39:30,520 --> 00:39:34,440 Speaker 3: You feel the greater responsibility towards your team, and also 691 00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:38,040 Speaker 3: you feel like you have you can't have nights off. 692 00:39:39,640 --> 00:39:41,520 Speaker 3: And then you know how you guys know how it's 693 00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:45,160 Speaker 3: in the league. It doesn't matter who you play. There 694 00:39:45,200 --> 00:39:48,200 Speaker 3: are so many talented guys in the league. Ye, every night, 695 00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:49,719 Speaker 3: every night, you got to bring it. 696 00:39:50,120 --> 00:39:51,080 Speaker 4: How was it for you? 697 00:39:51,120 --> 00:39:53,919 Speaker 5: Did you ever have aspirations to play in the three 698 00:39:53,960 --> 00:39:56,120 Speaker 5: point ad? Males, you can sit down right quid just 699 00:39:56,280 --> 00:39:58,400 Speaker 5: to the side. You don't know nothing about this conversation 700 00:39:58,560 --> 00:40:00,520 Speaker 5: about the threes. 701 00:40:00,560 --> 00:40:02,680 Speaker 4: You know what I'm saying. We start talking about. 702 00:40:02,440 --> 00:40:05,000 Speaker 5: Something out of your ram of ability, so you know, 703 00:40:05,080 --> 00:40:07,200 Speaker 5: you just sit there and just listen here. 704 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:08,360 Speaker 4: Now, I appreciate you. 705 00:40:08,480 --> 00:40:13,000 Speaker 5: Let me know without page had you had aspirations in 706 00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:15,759 Speaker 5: trying to be in the three point contest or did 707 00:40:15,800 --> 00:40:17,560 Speaker 5: it mean anything to you? Or how was it when 708 00:40:17,600 --> 00:40:19,600 Speaker 5: you first got to go to the three point contest 709 00:40:19,719 --> 00:40:22,760 Speaker 5: and win? You actually want back to back three point contest? 710 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:24,920 Speaker 3: You know what? To be honest with you, I was 711 00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:30,120 Speaker 3: nervous because it's it's not easy, because it's different when 712 00:40:30,160 --> 00:40:34,160 Speaker 3: you were at a gym by yourself and you warmed 713 00:40:34,239 --> 00:40:36,840 Speaker 3: up and you have your rhythm, you are just in 714 00:40:36,880 --> 00:40:40,359 Speaker 3: the groove when you sit on the bench over there 715 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:43,640 Speaker 3: for whatever ten fifteen, thirty minutes and they told your 716 00:40:43,719 --> 00:40:48,400 Speaker 3: name and there's all these people around you, lights on, 717 00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:51,520 Speaker 3: sixty seconds, let's go, and. 718 00:40:53,440 --> 00:40:55,080 Speaker 2: I don't know. I think it's for me. 719 00:40:55,160 --> 00:40:57,640 Speaker 3: It was like blocking all the night and noises and 720 00:40:57,960 --> 00:41:01,520 Speaker 3: try to try to catch How can I catch the rhythm? 721 00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:04,320 Speaker 3: How can I As soon as I catch the rhythm, 722 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:07,560 Speaker 3: it's going to be better for me. But you never know, 723 00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:11,480 Speaker 3: you know, there's I was. I was fortunate. I was fortunate. 724 00:41:11,440 --> 00:41:14,160 Speaker 3: I competed against some great shooters. You know, it could 725 00:41:14,320 --> 00:41:18,880 Speaker 3: go to any of those guys, but it was definitely 726 00:41:19,560 --> 00:41:23,759 Speaker 3: every time I competed, I think five times, and and 727 00:41:23,840 --> 00:41:25,440 Speaker 3: every time I was nervous. 728 00:41:25,239 --> 00:41:27,520 Speaker 7: Because I know how I felt like did you were 729 00:41:27,560 --> 00:41:29,040 Speaker 7: you were you nervous? 730 00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:30,759 Speaker 5: Like you said, when you're sitting over there with the 731 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:34,319 Speaker 5: guys on the bench, I was cool. Then when you 732 00:41:34,360 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 5: go sit on that little block to let you know, 733 00:41:36,719 --> 00:41:39,040 Speaker 5: you know the little that's what it's like. It kind 734 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:41,000 Speaker 5: of because like you're just sitting there and it's like 735 00:41:41,520 --> 00:41:45,279 Speaker 5: you're looking at it like oh okay, Like now it 736 00:41:45,360 --> 00:41:48,560 Speaker 5: came all down on you, like it was like you 737 00:41:48,719 --> 00:41:51,960 Speaker 5: here now, like it's about to happen, Like it's just you. 738 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:56,000 Speaker 2: Like exactly that that moment when you're on that box, sit. 739 00:41:55,960 --> 00:41:58,040 Speaker 7: On that little block, it does on your. 740 00:41:57,920 --> 00:42:03,040 Speaker 3: Right and you're next. I mean that was as all games. 741 00:42:03,560 --> 00:42:06,239 Speaker 3: I felt those nerves every time I stepped on the court, 742 00:42:06,520 --> 00:42:09,480 Speaker 3: even through my career. Every time before the jump, all 743 00:42:09,560 --> 00:42:12,040 Speaker 3: I was this, I had these nerves. As soon as 744 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:15,120 Speaker 3: we started going up and down for a couple of minutes, 745 00:42:15,320 --> 00:42:17,399 Speaker 3: it was gone. You know, your focus to you You're 746 00:42:17,480 --> 00:42:19,480 Speaker 3: just you're doing what you're being trained to do. 747 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:25,720 Speaker 1: Tell us the mindset of going into the series against 748 00:42:25,719 --> 00:42:28,480 Speaker 1: the Lakers. The first series against the Lakers, they won 749 00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:30,239 Speaker 1: a championship the previous year. 750 00:42:30,880 --> 00:42:33,160 Speaker 4: Did you finished number one in the West there? 751 00:42:33,520 --> 00:42:35,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I think in two thousand. In two thousand 752 00:42:35,960 --> 00:42:39,600 Speaker 3: and two we won the Pacific Conference. Yeah, I think, 753 00:42:39,800 --> 00:42:41,319 Speaker 3: I think I think we were number one. 754 00:42:41,400 --> 00:42:45,000 Speaker 4: Yes, yeah, they went sixty one. Yeah, so yeah, yeah, 755 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:46,680 Speaker 4: I won the West to go into it. 756 00:42:47,880 --> 00:42:50,520 Speaker 1: What was it like going into that series, because that's 757 00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:54,520 Speaker 1: a seven game series. Uh, it started a war that 758 00:42:55,480 --> 00:42:59,000 Speaker 1: the next few years we watched some great Lakers and 759 00:42:59,120 --> 00:43:01,839 Speaker 1: Sacramento came games every time y'all played. 760 00:43:02,800 --> 00:43:06,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was we started. It started in two years 761 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:11,160 Speaker 3: before that. It started in two thousand and then in 762 00:43:11,200 --> 00:43:14,640 Speaker 3: two thousand and one second round, and then two thousand 763 00:43:14,640 --> 00:43:16,279 Speaker 3: and two we played an. 764 00:43:16,200 --> 00:43:20,640 Speaker 2: Investor Conference finals. The series before against Mavericks. 765 00:43:20,800 --> 00:43:23,239 Speaker 3: I've hurt my ankle and I was out and I 766 00:43:23,360 --> 00:43:26,879 Speaker 3: came back. I think I came back the fourth game 767 00:43:27,120 --> 00:43:32,600 Speaker 3: of the series against the Lakers. But listen, I mean 768 00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:36,120 Speaker 3: playing against Kobe and Shack, it was hard because because 769 00:43:36,239 --> 00:43:38,280 Speaker 3: both of them demand that doubled him. 770 00:43:38,520 --> 00:43:39,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, right. 771 00:43:39,760 --> 00:43:43,200 Speaker 3: It always make us scrambled. Okay, let's say, okay, we're 772 00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:45,800 Speaker 3: gonna protect the paint. We're gonna double shack right away. 773 00:43:46,320 --> 00:43:50,040 Speaker 3: And then we are running two shooters and then Kobe 774 00:43:50,080 --> 00:43:55,520 Speaker 3: gets the ball and then it was but we had him, 775 00:43:55,640 --> 00:43:58,960 Speaker 3: We had him. I mean, we could go back and 776 00:43:59,000 --> 00:44:02,480 Speaker 3: forth like you know this and that calls over there. 777 00:44:02,480 --> 00:44:05,760 Speaker 3: I think we had the game seven at our home court. 778 00:44:07,320 --> 00:44:10,319 Speaker 3: I personally look back and think of the things that 779 00:44:11,120 --> 00:44:13,239 Speaker 3: I could do better, that we could do better, like 780 00:44:13,320 --> 00:44:17,120 Speaker 3: I have missed the corner shot. We missed so many 781 00:44:17,160 --> 00:44:21,560 Speaker 3: free throws, we missed so many blackouts. It was our opportunity. 782 00:44:22,120 --> 00:44:26,280 Speaker 3: It was definitely our year, and we were not able 783 00:44:26,320 --> 00:44:29,000 Speaker 3: to go through them. And for us, it was tough 784 00:44:29,040 --> 00:44:32,759 Speaker 3: because West was so deep at the time. Like you 785 00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:38,280 Speaker 3: had the Lakers, you had San Antonio. You had memory 786 00:44:38,360 --> 00:44:44,920 Speaker 3: of tough Minnesota, Minnesota with KG and Portland. Portland a 787 00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:48,040 Speaker 3: year before they were in Game seven against the Lakers, 788 00:44:48,080 --> 00:44:51,520 Speaker 3: I think, or two years before, they were up eighteen 789 00:44:51,600 --> 00:44:55,839 Speaker 3: or twenty. Yeah, and they came back. They came back 790 00:44:55,840 --> 00:44:59,600 Speaker 3: and won that. So, I mean West was so deep West, 791 00:45:00,280 --> 00:45:04,400 Speaker 3: it was such a such a crazy competition. But with 792 00:45:04,480 --> 00:45:08,200 Speaker 3: the Lakers, it kind of carried on for another year. 793 00:45:08,280 --> 00:45:11,000 Speaker 3: But then I think once Chris got hurt in two 794 00:45:11,040 --> 00:45:14,439 Speaker 3: thousand and three in the playoffs against Mavericks, I think 795 00:45:14,480 --> 00:45:18,600 Speaker 3: for us because we were we as a team now 796 00:45:19,120 --> 00:45:24,200 Speaker 3: looking back, we were not constructed to last. I think 797 00:45:24,239 --> 00:45:26,400 Speaker 3: when you're a small team, you're trying to figure out, like, 798 00:45:26,440 --> 00:45:28,600 Speaker 3: how can I put a winning team on a court? 799 00:45:29,280 --> 00:45:32,080 Speaker 3: And I was twenty one when I was got the 800 00:45:32,560 --> 00:45:37,279 Speaker 3: Chris was twenty five, Vlada was thirty, Jay Will was 801 00:45:37,440 --> 00:45:41,000 Speaker 3: twenty three. We were just kind of over the years, 802 00:45:41,360 --> 00:45:46,400 Speaker 3: like my best year, Vlada was thirty six and Chris 803 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:50,160 Speaker 3: was coming back from the surgery. So we never had 804 00:45:50,239 --> 00:45:54,719 Speaker 3: a chance to play together in our primes, like all 805 00:45:54,760 --> 00:45:57,759 Speaker 3: of us in our primes, And that's I think that's 806 00:45:57,760 --> 00:46:00,080 Speaker 3: something that I kind of try to kind of go 807 00:46:00,160 --> 00:46:02,880 Speaker 3: back and think, what if we were all at the 808 00:46:03,000 --> 00:46:06,600 Speaker 3: kind of similar age, all kind of kind of grew 809 00:46:06,680 --> 00:46:10,439 Speaker 3: together to that that level, and I think it would 810 00:46:11,320 --> 00:46:14,800 Speaker 3: we would definitely do better things if we were all 811 00:46:15,480 --> 00:46:16,320 Speaker 3: in a similar age. 812 00:46:16,880 --> 00:46:20,279 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was kind of all over the place when you. 813 00:46:20,280 --> 00:46:25,040 Speaker 1: Said like that, no disrespect to Jay Will, but once 814 00:46:25,120 --> 00:46:28,120 Speaker 1: y'all got Mike Bibby, it seemed like your team took 815 00:46:28,160 --> 00:46:33,520 Speaker 1: another step up. I guess Mike Bibby's style was different 816 00:46:33,520 --> 00:46:36,279 Speaker 1: than Jay Wills that it linked. 817 00:46:35,920 --> 00:46:41,920 Speaker 4: To your style, like say that Bibby and your screen, like. 818 00:46:41,920 --> 00:46:44,680 Speaker 1: You had to pick your poison because if you don't 819 00:46:44,680 --> 00:46:46,799 Speaker 1: go off the screen, then Bibby come right back up 820 00:46:46,840 --> 00:46:48,359 Speaker 1: and get the dribble hand off. 821 00:46:49,680 --> 00:46:52,160 Speaker 3: And Mike was a different player from Jason. Mike wanted 822 00:46:52,200 --> 00:46:57,240 Speaker 3: to shoot, yeah, Jason wanted to pass, and Jason needed 823 00:46:57,239 --> 00:47:00,759 Speaker 3: the ball. Jason was way more effect with the ball 824 00:47:00,760 --> 00:47:05,400 Speaker 3: in his hands and Mike Mike was sometimes better without 825 00:47:05,400 --> 00:47:07,879 Speaker 3: a ball because we would have a Doug Christie bring 826 00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:12,040 Speaker 3: the ball six to seven point guards and actually it 827 00:47:12,080 --> 00:47:14,080 Speaker 3: did not matter who brought the ball because we will 828 00:47:14,160 --> 00:47:18,400 Speaker 3: go through our bigs, throw to Chris lad and we 829 00:47:18,480 --> 00:47:21,080 Speaker 3: would just go play all of them and then we 830 00:47:21,120 --> 00:47:23,480 Speaker 3: start running around and it's tough. 831 00:47:23,719 --> 00:47:24,720 Speaker 2: I mean it's tough. 832 00:47:25,360 --> 00:47:25,839 Speaker 4: It's tough. 833 00:47:26,440 --> 00:47:27,000 Speaker 2: It was tough. 834 00:47:27,040 --> 00:47:30,360 Speaker 3: But Mike, as you're right, Mike style of the game 835 00:47:32,280 --> 00:47:35,360 Speaker 3: was better for us later on, like he fit he 836 00:47:35,520 --> 00:47:39,120 Speaker 3: fit perfect well. I mean as a group the way 837 00:47:39,160 --> 00:47:42,719 Speaker 3: we played, yeah, I mean he was he was, it 838 00:47:42,760 --> 00:47:44,239 Speaker 3: was it was the right right move. 839 00:47:44,320 --> 00:47:46,840 Speaker 2: Now looking back, take. 840 00:47:46,640 --> 00:47:48,680 Speaker 5: Me back, like I didn't realize in the Old three 841 00:47:48,800 --> 00:47:51,560 Speaker 5: or Old four season that you finished fourth in the MVP 842 00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:54,719 Speaker 5: boating was you you gotta think that was probably your 843 00:47:54,760 --> 00:47:57,879 Speaker 5: best individual year. You have your twenty four point two, 844 00:47:58,040 --> 00:48:01,239 Speaker 5: six point three shot forty three from three, he was 845 00:48:01,320 --> 00:48:04,919 Speaker 5: All NBA second team, Like, y'all team win fifty five 846 00:48:04,960 --> 00:48:07,360 Speaker 5: and twenty seven? Like, was that you think that was 847 00:48:07,400 --> 00:48:11,239 Speaker 5: your best year being locked in like as an individual performance. 848 00:48:11,280 --> 00:48:14,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it was. I mean, I mean, obviously 849 00:48:14,440 --> 00:48:20,239 Speaker 3: number numbers are shown. We were winning as well. Yeah, yeah, 850 00:48:20,280 --> 00:48:24,920 Speaker 3: we were winning, and I think we had this amazing chemistry, 851 00:48:25,160 --> 00:48:30,000 Speaker 3: amazing chemistry. I just felt like when Chris, that's the 852 00:48:30,320 --> 00:48:34,879 Speaker 3: first year Chris was recovering from the injury, and I 853 00:48:34,920 --> 00:48:40,160 Speaker 3: felt like I had more responsibility and that I had 854 00:48:40,200 --> 00:48:43,000 Speaker 3: to had to do more and all of us, we 855 00:48:43,040 --> 00:48:45,440 Speaker 3: all of us had to do more because at the 856 00:48:45,440 --> 00:48:49,160 Speaker 3: time we didn't have a our franchise player was hurt, 857 00:48:49,360 --> 00:48:52,239 Speaker 3: so we all had to do more. And I think 858 00:48:52,280 --> 00:48:56,759 Speaker 3: the way we played, you did not know who's going 859 00:48:56,840 --> 00:48:59,840 Speaker 3: to score that night, but we we just played to 860 00:49:00,120 --> 00:49:02,680 Speaker 3: rather moved the ball. We played for each other. I 861 00:49:02,840 --> 00:49:06,040 Speaker 3: was the beneficiary most of the nights, and it was 862 00:49:06,040 --> 00:49:06,680 Speaker 3: a good feeling. 863 00:49:06,719 --> 00:49:09,680 Speaker 5: Man, how did you feel finding out like did you 864 00:49:09,880 --> 00:49:11,400 Speaker 5: was fourth in MVP voting? 865 00:49:11,480 --> 00:49:13,040 Speaker 4: Like did you even think. 866 00:49:12,920 --> 00:49:15,360 Speaker 5: That was even in the realm of possibility? And like 867 00:49:15,560 --> 00:49:18,400 Speaker 5: how did you feel hearing that? Like, like what, I'm fourth? 868 00:49:18,520 --> 00:49:19,400 Speaker 5: Like that's crazy? 869 00:49:19,480 --> 00:49:23,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, I mean obviously, No, it's every time you're 870 00:49:23,160 --> 00:49:27,759 Speaker 3: being put in a conversation with KG and who else 871 00:49:27,920 --> 00:49:33,160 Speaker 3: was in that Duncans and duncan check a couple of 872 00:49:33,160 --> 00:49:35,040 Speaker 3: those guys. I mean, every time you're in a conversation 873 00:49:35,120 --> 00:49:40,040 Speaker 3: with those guys. It's definitely a huge compliment. I mean, listen, 874 00:49:40,120 --> 00:49:45,600 Speaker 3: I've said that, like it's to me. It helped tremendously 875 00:49:45,640 --> 00:49:48,719 Speaker 3: that I was on the team that's care They were 876 00:49:48,840 --> 00:49:51,239 Speaker 3: unselfish and they cared for each other like I was. 877 00:49:52,040 --> 00:49:54,560 Speaker 3: I was lucky that my first team in NBA was 878 00:49:54,600 --> 00:49:58,239 Speaker 3: the was Sacramento Kings, Like I was always with the 879 00:49:58,280 --> 00:50:00,960 Speaker 3: guys that wanted to share the ball. They really cared 880 00:50:01,800 --> 00:50:05,280 Speaker 3: because later on after I moved, and we always think 881 00:50:05,520 --> 00:50:07,839 Speaker 3: it's better on the other side, right. 882 00:50:07,840 --> 00:50:12,840 Speaker 4: Appreciate you appreciate the team. Ain't always screen the baby. 883 00:50:12,840 --> 00:50:14,319 Speaker 4: We found that out the hard way. 884 00:50:14,480 --> 00:50:18,200 Speaker 1: Sometimes definitely did went like the Clippers once I left. 885 00:50:19,640 --> 00:50:21,040 Speaker 2: It's different. It's different. 886 00:50:21,239 --> 00:50:23,120 Speaker 5: How was it for you to see, you know, at 887 00:50:23,120 --> 00:50:26,400 Speaker 5: the end of the one season vlad Lad exit, he 888 00:50:26,520 --> 00:50:29,360 Speaker 5: goes to the Lakers. Then you get see Weeb dealt 889 00:50:29,400 --> 00:50:31,440 Speaker 5: at the trade line. How was that for you? Like, 890 00:50:31,560 --> 00:50:33,560 Speaker 5: you know, you sitting there and you you you've been 891 00:50:33,600 --> 00:50:36,000 Speaker 5: through these wars with these guys and then you see 892 00:50:36,400 --> 00:50:39,319 Speaker 5: the team that start going in different directions, Like, how 893 00:50:39,320 --> 00:50:39,680 Speaker 5: does that? 894 00:50:39,719 --> 00:50:40,480 Speaker 4: How did that feel? 895 00:50:41,200 --> 00:50:43,280 Speaker 3: It was the writing on the wall, you know, the feeling, 896 00:50:43,520 --> 00:50:45,520 Speaker 3: you know, you know your next. 897 00:50:46,400 --> 00:50:49,320 Speaker 7: My days a number, My day's a number. 898 00:50:50,000 --> 00:50:52,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's like you know your next It's like at 899 00:50:52,560 --> 00:50:55,480 Speaker 3: some point bla, it was thirty six, you know, it 900 00:50:55,520 --> 00:50:57,480 Speaker 3: was you know, it was at the end of his career. 901 00:50:58,080 --> 00:51:02,560 Speaker 3: Chris six months later he was traded, and then six 902 00:51:02,600 --> 00:51:08,120 Speaker 3: months after Chris I was traded, and Doug Christie, I 903 00:51:08,160 --> 00:51:11,919 Speaker 3: mean all of us were were traded at some point 904 00:51:11,960 --> 00:51:14,800 Speaker 3: in time from two thousand and four to two thousand 905 00:51:14,840 --> 00:51:19,960 Speaker 3: and six or yeah, And I mean that's that's normal. 906 00:51:19,960 --> 00:51:24,640 Speaker 3: I think I think we had our run and window 907 00:51:24,719 --> 00:51:29,359 Speaker 3: of opportunities was closing for us, and they had to 908 00:51:29,360 --> 00:51:32,600 Speaker 3: make these decisions. You know, do we keep some of 909 00:51:32,640 --> 00:51:35,160 Speaker 3: those guys do we pay them or do we do 910 00:51:35,280 --> 00:51:37,760 Speaker 3: we trade them and then try to get somebody different 911 00:51:38,320 --> 00:51:41,959 Speaker 3: and build build over. 912 00:51:42,840 --> 00:51:43,440 Speaker 4: Yeah? 913 00:51:43,800 --> 00:51:46,600 Speaker 5: Yeah, how was it going to the Hornets? But then 914 00:51:46,680 --> 00:51:49,279 Speaker 5: you had to play you first season? Okay see had 915 00:51:49,320 --> 00:51:50,680 Speaker 5: you ever been to Oklahoma City? 916 00:51:50,880 --> 00:51:50,960 Speaker 2: Like? 917 00:51:51,040 --> 00:51:51,480 Speaker 4: How was that? 918 00:51:51,960 --> 00:51:52,040 Speaker 2: Like? 919 00:51:52,800 --> 00:51:55,400 Speaker 3: A year before I was when I was traded to Indiana. 920 00:51:55,440 --> 00:51:59,319 Speaker 3: We played, we played okay see I mean Charlotte and 921 00:51:59,360 --> 00:52:01,319 Speaker 3: okay see, I mean I was. 922 00:52:01,520 --> 00:52:04,520 Speaker 2: I was a free agent and having. 923 00:52:04,360 --> 00:52:07,600 Speaker 3: Chris Paul and David West that kind of helped me 924 00:52:08,320 --> 00:52:12,160 Speaker 3: besides financial reasons, that kind of helped me to to 925 00:52:12,280 --> 00:52:15,080 Speaker 3: go to that organization. And Byron Scott was the coach 926 00:52:15,200 --> 00:52:18,880 Speaker 3: who I who was assistant coach with Documento Kings his 927 00:52:19,000 --> 00:52:23,040 Speaker 3: first year as a coach in the league in my 928 00:52:23,200 --> 00:52:25,880 Speaker 3: rookie year and I played against Byron Scott in Greece. 929 00:52:26,320 --> 00:52:29,160 Speaker 3: It just like us. It's crazy. So so that was 930 00:52:29,560 --> 00:52:33,280 Speaker 3: that was. That was this connection and then getting Tyson 931 00:52:33,360 --> 00:52:37,080 Speaker 3: Chandler that year. I just wish I was because two 932 00:52:37,120 --> 00:52:40,880 Speaker 3: months into that season, I picked my back and I 933 00:52:40,920 --> 00:52:44,040 Speaker 3: had the back surgery and after after that, I was 934 00:52:44,080 --> 00:52:47,520 Speaker 3: never the same, And uh, it was it was a 935 00:52:47,600 --> 00:52:51,279 Speaker 3: downhill for me as far as physically and always trying 936 00:52:51,320 --> 00:52:54,080 Speaker 3: to figure out. But but I think it was the 937 00:52:54,120 --> 00:52:57,640 Speaker 3: blessing also playing with playing with the young girl, playing 938 00:52:57,680 --> 00:53:01,360 Speaker 3: with Chris and who was also unselfish, who was also 939 00:53:01,960 --> 00:53:05,520 Speaker 3: trying to make place for other yeah, for others, and 940 00:53:05,560 --> 00:53:08,399 Speaker 3: that kind of that kind of helped me at the time. 941 00:53:08,480 --> 00:53:12,240 Speaker 3: I just became the guy who spaced the court for 942 00:53:12,239 --> 00:53:15,040 Speaker 3: for him, playing the pick and roll with Tyson and 943 00:53:15,719 --> 00:53:19,319 Speaker 3: David and uh. Actually that the following year I came 944 00:53:19,320 --> 00:53:22,480 Speaker 3: back from a surgery. We ended up we won fifties 945 00:53:22,560 --> 00:53:27,200 Speaker 3: plus games. We were third, third or second in the 946 00:53:27,280 --> 00:53:30,880 Speaker 3: West Byron Scott became a Coach of the Year and 947 00:53:31,040 --> 00:53:34,240 Speaker 3: in the second round we had took we had took San. 948 00:53:34,080 --> 00:53:35,280 Speaker 2: Antonio to game seven. 949 00:53:35,960 --> 00:53:39,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was a pretty pretty good year for us. 950 00:53:40,800 --> 00:53:43,040 Speaker 5: Yeah, that was that was like, how was it to 951 00:53:43,080 --> 00:53:46,600 Speaker 5: see you know, the young Chris Paul, Tyson, Chandler and 952 00:53:46,640 --> 00:53:48,439 Speaker 5: that you know that that was kind of like where 953 00:53:48,440 --> 00:53:50,680 Speaker 5: they got that connection with the lib and things like that. 954 00:53:50,719 --> 00:53:52,680 Speaker 5: How was it to see those those guys as young 955 00:53:52,719 --> 00:53:53,560 Speaker 5: boys come in. 956 00:53:54,239 --> 00:53:57,440 Speaker 3: I think it was a kind of perfect perfect marriage. 957 00:53:58,040 --> 00:54:03,560 Speaker 3: Tyson needed Chris and Chris needed right because Tyson was young. 958 00:54:04,360 --> 00:54:07,680 Speaker 3: I think he came from Chicago. I think he was 959 00:54:07,680 --> 00:54:10,040 Speaker 3: a little bit frustrated with the way they used him 960 00:54:10,040 --> 00:54:13,080 Speaker 3: in Chicago and with everything that was happening, and he 961 00:54:13,320 --> 00:54:18,160 Speaker 3: was he was motivated, Chris. They gave him another outlet, 962 00:54:18,600 --> 00:54:24,880 Speaker 3: having Tyson rolled to the rim, the west free throw line, 963 00:54:25,040 --> 00:54:28,239 Speaker 3: and having shooters on the corners. For Chris, that was 964 00:54:28,280 --> 00:54:33,759 Speaker 3: the That was a field day. Yeah, his his basketball 965 00:54:33,840 --> 00:54:36,680 Speaker 3: i Q and him reading and then each and every 966 00:54:36,719 --> 00:54:41,520 Speaker 3: year Chris was obviously you know, we we've followed his career. 967 00:54:41,239 --> 00:54:43,960 Speaker 2: And he's done some amazing things in the league. 968 00:54:43,960 --> 00:54:47,000 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Yeah, I think he's gonna be amazing for Wemby 969 00:54:47,600 --> 00:54:48,839 Speaker 1: down there in st. 970 00:54:49,960 --> 00:54:52,400 Speaker 2: I think so too. That's that was an amazing pickup. 971 00:54:53,360 --> 00:54:55,239 Speaker 5: How did you feel when you got traded to the 972 00:54:55,360 --> 00:54:57,400 Speaker 5: Raptors but then you were getting bought out to go 973 00:54:57,440 --> 00:55:00,000 Speaker 5: to Dallas And you know, Dallas was a situation where 974 00:55:00,040 --> 00:55:02,040 Speaker 5: I were you know a lot of vets there and 975 00:55:02,080 --> 00:55:03,520 Speaker 5: they were looking to try and win. 976 00:55:04,320 --> 00:55:05,160 Speaker 2: I mean Toronto. 977 00:55:05,239 --> 00:55:08,200 Speaker 3: That that happened to be my last year two ten, 978 00:55:08,200 --> 00:55:09,160 Speaker 3: twenty eleven. 979 00:55:10,000 --> 00:55:13,160 Speaker 2: Somehow I got a call, if. 980 00:55:13,000 --> 00:55:16,160 Speaker 3: There's a potential trade, you would you want to go? 981 00:55:16,360 --> 00:55:17,640 Speaker 2: Because I had a trade kicker. 982 00:55:18,040 --> 00:55:21,759 Speaker 3: I was they had to have to kind of yeah, 983 00:55:21,800 --> 00:55:23,800 Speaker 3: that's always nice. 984 00:55:24,680 --> 00:55:26,399 Speaker 7: I had one of those four years. 985 00:55:27,120 --> 00:55:33,799 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's always pleasant. So they had to ask me, 986 00:55:33,880 --> 00:55:37,160 Speaker 3: I said, are you willing to, you know, accept the trade? 987 00:55:37,160 --> 00:55:39,319 Speaker 3: I said, yeah, not cool. You know this is you know, 988 00:55:39,600 --> 00:55:44,520 Speaker 3: I definitely you know, it's I'm okay with that. Raptors 989 00:55:44,560 --> 00:55:49,919 Speaker 3: were young team. They've already lost Chris Bosh. But twenty ten, 990 00:55:50,280 --> 00:55:54,440 Speaker 3: the Rosen was a Raptors first round pick, and they 991 00:55:54,440 --> 00:55:58,480 Speaker 3: were like, they were in a rebuilding stage. Yeah, so 992 00:55:58,560 --> 00:56:01,400 Speaker 3: I got there. I was therefore two months. I was 993 00:56:01,440 --> 00:56:04,600 Speaker 3: just part of this rebuilding process. And then we talked 994 00:56:04,600 --> 00:56:08,640 Speaker 3: about a buyout, and and then various teams start calling, 995 00:56:08,880 --> 00:56:11,000 Speaker 3: you know, we can pick up this veteran help us 996 00:56:11,000 --> 00:56:14,920 Speaker 3: with shooting playoffs. And then Kroen Butler got hurt a 997 00:56:14,960 --> 00:56:20,200 Speaker 3: few months before with the Mavericks. You guys, remember I 998 00:56:20,239 --> 00:56:22,600 Speaker 3: had the connection with Rick carl I had a connection 999 00:56:22,719 --> 00:56:26,960 Speaker 3: with with Derek Novitski from just playing against each other 1000 00:56:27,000 --> 00:56:28,839 Speaker 3: for so many years. And I got a phone calls 1001 00:56:28,920 --> 00:56:31,560 Speaker 3: and the only think that I kind of had a 1002 00:56:31,560 --> 00:56:34,759 Speaker 3: conversation with coach at the time, Coach Carla. I said, Coach, 1003 00:56:34,840 --> 00:56:37,799 Speaker 3: this is most likely my last year. Do you have 1004 00:56:37,840 --> 00:56:40,400 Speaker 3: a role for me? I would like to I would 1005 00:56:40,440 --> 00:56:43,960 Speaker 3: like to go out playing whatever that role is, you know, 1006 00:56:44,160 --> 00:56:48,239 Speaker 3: just just to kind of I'm gonna walk on my own, 1007 00:56:48,360 --> 00:56:51,280 Speaker 3: but I want to play. So they were like, Okay, 1008 00:56:51,800 --> 00:56:53,920 Speaker 3: we have a role for this, we have a spot 1009 00:56:54,000 --> 00:56:57,320 Speaker 3: for you. And and you guys know, it just happened 1010 00:56:57,320 --> 00:57:00,279 Speaker 3: for us. It's just it's it's time. 1011 00:57:01,520 --> 00:57:02,120 Speaker 2: We did not. 1012 00:57:03,400 --> 00:57:07,600 Speaker 3: I think nobody expect Dallas to win. Nobody nobody. And 1013 00:57:08,680 --> 00:57:12,919 Speaker 3: I remember our first round against Portland and we were 1014 00:57:12,960 --> 00:57:18,320 Speaker 3: down down halftime, first game at home. Andre Miller was 1015 00:57:18,360 --> 00:57:21,720 Speaker 3: cooking and we were down ten points and a half 1016 00:57:21,760 --> 00:57:26,000 Speaker 3: and dork is walking back is like another year, like 1017 00:57:26,040 --> 00:57:29,800 Speaker 3: I'm tired of this. And somehow, I don't know, we 1018 00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:33,240 Speaker 3: turned that game around. Each and every game. I think 1019 00:57:33,360 --> 00:57:39,200 Speaker 3: teams started clicking. And obviously obviously Novinsky was amazing and 1020 00:57:40,320 --> 00:57:45,320 Speaker 3: in the playoffs, and that team was built for their 1021 00:57:45,360 --> 00:57:50,360 Speaker 3: one run. I mean, having so many former All Stars, 1022 00:57:50,840 --> 00:57:55,440 Speaker 3: former good players, and just everybody understood kind of what 1023 00:57:55,560 --> 00:57:58,560 Speaker 3: it takes. It was no egos, all right, we what 1024 00:57:58,600 --> 00:58:04,480 Speaker 3: do we have to do or whatever it takes. 1025 00:58:02,720 --> 00:58:04,720 Speaker 2: In order in order to make it happen. 1026 00:58:05,440 --> 00:58:08,240 Speaker 5: How good did it feel like to win the championship, 1027 00:58:08,280 --> 00:58:11,000 Speaker 5: even though it wasn't like you know, when you were 1028 00:58:11,040 --> 00:58:13,840 Speaker 5: with Sacramento where use one of the star contributors and 1029 00:58:13,840 --> 00:58:16,080 Speaker 5: stuff like that, But it's still we all know how 1030 00:58:16,080 --> 00:58:18,520 Speaker 5: hard it is to actually win in this league and 1031 00:58:18,560 --> 00:58:20,720 Speaker 5: what it takes and what it goes goes into it 1032 00:58:20,760 --> 00:58:22,840 Speaker 5: in the commitment from on a team level. 1033 00:58:22,880 --> 00:58:25,400 Speaker 4: So to get to feel that moment. 1034 00:58:25,160 --> 00:58:27,720 Speaker 5: And get there and how the champagne showers and all 1035 00:58:27,760 --> 00:58:30,000 Speaker 5: letting the hold that trophy, Like, how did that feel 1036 00:58:30,040 --> 00:58:32,080 Speaker 5: for you? 1037 00:58:32,080 --> 00:58:37,440 Speaker 3: You said it it's amazing feeling. You really appreciate the moment. 1038 00:58:38,320 --> 00:58:43,200 Speaker 3: But mind was at the time when I won. I 1039 00:58:43,480 --> 00:58:47,480 Speaker 3: think when we won the championship, Mike Bibby was maybe 1040 00:58:47,520 --> 00:58:50,360 Speaker 3: Miami hit and I walked to Miami to walk to 1041 00:58:50,400 --> 00:58:52,720 Speaker 3: Mike Bibby and both of us like there should be 1042 00:58:52,760 --> 00:59:00,160 Speaker 3: in us okay, yeah, yeah, and we kind of and 1043 00:59:00,200 --> 00:59:02,440 Speaker 3: that to me, like because at the time both of 1044 00:59:02,520 --> 00:59:06,440 Speaker 3: us said, as you said, we had star roles, we 1045 00:59:06,520 --> 00:59:10,600 Speaker 3: had more responsibility, but as you said, it's hard to 1046 00:59:10,920 --> 00:59:14,960 Speaker 3: it's hard to win in our league. And as a 1047 00:59:15,000 --> 00:59:17,920 Speaker 3: young player when you lose and you say, like it 1048 00:59:17,920 --> 00:59:19,600 Speaker 3: doesn't matter, I'm gonna come back next year. 1049 00:59:20,080 --> 00:59:21,040 Speaker 2: It's not not that. 1050 00:59:21,040 --> 00:59:23,400 Speaker 7: Any I don't understand that like that at that time. 1051 00:59:24,000 --> 00:59:26,680 Speaker 3: It's at the time you're thinking, Okay, it doesn't matter 1052 00:59:26,800 --> 00:59:30,360 Speaker 3: next year. It's gotta be next year. Like for us, yes, 1053 00:59:30,440 --> 00:59:33,280 Speaker 3: it's supposed to be another year, but our best player 1054 00:59:33,320 --> 00:59:33,720 Speaker 3: got hurt. 1055 00:59:34,720 --> 00:59:35,920 Speaker 2: So everything. 1056 00:59:37,000 --> 00:59:43,240 Speaker 3: Everything changes and trajectory of uh of our careers, everything 1057 00:59:43,320 --> 00:59:45,880 Speaker 3: kind of goes in different directions. 1058 00:59:46,000 --> 00:59:48,880 Speaker 5: That's that's crazy. Didn't know that in that moment. Y'all 1059 00:59:48,880 --> 00:59:51,800 Speaker 5: found each other and talked about that. That's that's tough. 1060 00:59:53,040 --> 00:59:55,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know you probably thought about the guys, the 1061 00:59:55,800 --> 00:59:58,360 Speaker 1: rules you'd haven't been through. You win a championship your 1062 00:59:58,440 --> 01:00:01,080 Speaker 1: last year, you see the whole history, your whole career 1063 01:00:01,840 --> 01:00:02,640 Speaker 1: all in one. 1064 01:00:02,680 --> 01:00:06,800 Speaker 3: Well, yeah, it's you, still right, you know it's you. 1065 01:00:06,960 --> 01:00:10,280 Speaker 3: You just look back and look back in the moment. 1066 01:00:10,360 --> 01:00:13,800 Speaker 3: And it happened when I at least expected right right 1067 01:00:13,840 --> 01:00:16,960 Speaker 3: at the end. You used to say, right right right 1068 01:00:16,960 --> 01:00:20,120 Speaker 3: at the end. And it's uh, of course, it's amazing feeling. 1069 01:00:20,240 --> 01:00:24,720 Speaker 3: It's it's but you. You just kind of go back 1070 01:00:24,760 --> 01:00:27,560 Speaker 3: and look each and every year that you have played, 1071 01:00:27,680 --> 01:00:32,680 Speaker 3: and and and you wish that you had the same 1072 01:00:32,760 --> 01:00:36,440 Speaker 3: understanding for the what it takes to win at the 1073 01:00:36,520 --> 01:00:37,080 Speaker 3: high level. 1074 01:00:38,120 --> 01:00:41,240 Speaker 5: After you know you win, and obviously it's the celebration. 1075 01:00:41,480 --> 01:00:44,240 Speaker 5: I got the parade, Like did you tell you know? 1076 01:00:44,320 --> 01:00:46,600 Speaker 5: The team? Like, that's it for me. I'm done. I'm like, 1077 01:00:46,600 --> 01:00:48,440 Speaker 5: how did all of that go? And in the process 1078 01:00:48,560 --> 01:00:49,640 Speaker 5: you you stepping away. 1079 01:00:50,800 --> 01:00:53,080 Speaker 3: I did not say that, but that kind of knew 1080 01:00:53,120 --> 01:00:55,560 Speaker 3: because I had like little problems with my back and 1081 01:00:55,640 --> 01:00:57,600 Speaker 3: my neck throughout. 1082 01:00:57,200 --> 01:00:57,960 Speaker 2: This whole year. 1083 01:00:58,560 --> 01:01:02,960 Speaker 3: And I've talked a few guys, Dirk and Karen Butler 1084 01:01:03,000 --> 01:01:05,840 Speaker 3: at the time. Karen was going through the rehab and 1085 01:01:05,880 --> 01:01:07,640 Speaker 3: he was like, what are you thinking. I said, this 1086 01:01:07,800 --> 01:01:10,320 Speaker 3: is most likely for me because in order for me 1087 01:01:10,400 --> 01:01:16,480 Speaker 3: at the time to continue, doctors were suggesting a surgery. 1088 01:01:17,400 --> 01:01:20,920 Speaker 3: I was thirty four years old and I did not 1089 01:01:21,040 --> 01:01:25,520 Speaker 3: have a mental strength to go through another rehab. Yeah, 1090 01:01:25,280 --> 01:01:29,120 Speaker 3: and you guys know it's hard. It's hard when you 1091 01:01:29,240 --> 01:01:31,400 Speaker 3: when you come back from injury and you don't think 1092 01:01:31,440 --> 01:01:35,720 Speaker 3: about the game anymore. You think about how can I 1093 01:01:35,800 --> 01:01:41,040 Speaker 3: prepare my body for the game. It's not the game anymore. 1094 01:01:41,120 --> 01:01:43,640 Speaker 3: It's yeah, you know you can play. You just trying 1095 01:01:43,680 --> 01:01:47,880 Speaker 3: to get your body right enough to play exactly. Lucas 1096 01:01:47,920 --> 01:01:52,080 Speaker 3: from Croatia, joke us from Serbia. Did you know them 1097 01:01:52,120 --> 01:01:55,120 Speaker 3: two guys or see hurting them two guys before they came. 1098 01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:07,320 Speaker 3: So that's a young man, especially Luca. Luca, I played 1099 01:02:07,360 --> 01:02:11,640 Speaker 3: against his dead he's dead at my age, Wow, so 1100 01:02:11,680 --> 01:02:14,720 Speaker 3: I played against his dead growing up. We all know 1101 01:02:14,800 --> 01:02:19,480 Speaker 3: how Luca emerged on the scene, and obviously he's one 1102 01:02:19,480 --> 01:02:20,760 Speaker 3: of the best players in the league. 1103 01:02:21,720 --> 01:02:25,040 Speaker 2: Joki was not known in Europe. 1104 01:02:25,280 --> 01:02:30,360 Speaker 3: He played in this small club in Serbia, and he's 1105 01:02:30,440 --> 01:02:32,600 Speaker 3: one of those guys that did not care. 1106 01:02:32,960 --> 01:02:33,320 Speaker 2: I don't know. 1107 01:02:33,360 --> 01:02:36,960 Speaker 3: You probably have seen the footage. Yeah, he was one 1108 01:02:36,960 --> 01:02:39,640 Speaker 3: of those guys like you know, he's like I just 1109 01:02:39,720 --> 01:02:42,680 Speaker 3: love to play the game, and you know, whatever happens happens. 1110 01:02:43,080 --> 01:02:46,479 Speaker 3: And credit to Denver they drafted him in the second round. 1111 01:02:47,080 --> 01:02:51,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, and and who I mean, one of the best 1112 01:02:51,960 --> 01:02:52,680 Speaker 5: players ever. 1113 01:02:53,640 --> 01:02:57,880 Speaker 3: And now those two guys have ruined all my beliefs 1114 01:02:57,920 --> 01:03:01,040 Speaker 3: all these years that I believe that you have to 1115 01:03:01,080 --> 01:03:06,439 Speaker 3: be athletic, you have to be fast, yeah ki, yeah, 1116 01:03:06,640 --> 01:03:09,840 Speaker 3: now all of that all these guys have, These two. 1117 01:03:09,640 --> 01:03:14,080 Speaker 2: Guys have, like do all that out the winner exactly? 1118 01:03:14,320 --> 01:03:19,040 Speaker 3: Those two guys are just a great example, Uh, what 1119 01:03:19,320 --> 01:03:21,040 Speaker 3: fundamentals can do to the game. 1120 01:03:21,720 --> 01:03:24,200 Speaker 5: Tell me this, right when you came in, it was 1121 01:03:24,600 --> 01:03:29,560 Speaker 5: nowhere near the international presence in the NBA as it 1122 01:03:29,600 --> 01:03:30,400 Speaker 5: is now like now. 1123 01:03:30,400 --> 01:03:31,920 Speaker 4: When you look at the game, like you said, you 1124 01:03:31,920 --> 01:03:33,520 Speaker 4: see the Lucas, you see. 1125 01:03:33,320 --> 01:03:36,760 Speaker 5: Jannis, you see guys from from everywhere, Like do you 1126 01:03:36,880 --> 01:03:38,920 Speaker 5: take any pride in that knowing that you were one 1127 01:03:39,000 --> 01:03:41,280 Speaker 5: of the one of the guys earlier on in the 1128 01:03:41,320 --> 01:03:44,360 Speaker 5: early two thousand, late nineties that you know you like 1129 01:03:44,400 --> 01:03:46,960 Speaker 5: you said, you played against Luca's dad, he could possibly 1130 01:03:47,000 --> 01:03:49,200 Speaker 5: have saw you and some of these other guys looked 1131 01:03:49,280 --> 01:03:51,480 Speaker 5: up to you and saw you for the same inspiration 1132 01:03:51,600 --> 01:03:54,040 Speaker 5: that you saw out of the coup coaches, the Vlades, 1133 01:03:54,120 --> 01:03:56,600 Speaker 5: the Dino Rodgers. How does that make you feel seeing 1134 01:03:57,200 --> 01:03:59,640 Speaker 5: the presence so big and like some of the game's 1135 01:03:59,720 --> 01:04:04,600 Speaker 5: best best players are from overseas, are international guys. Some 1136 01:04:04,640 --> 01:04:06,840 Speaker 5: of the last three or four MVPs in all of 1137 01:04:06,880 --> 01:04:08,320 Speaker 5: the award when they've been from there. 1138 01:04:08,400 --> 01:04:10,880 Speaker 4: So the presence and the influence is very strong. How 1139 01:04:10,880 --> 01:04:12,320 Speaker 4: do you feel about that? 1140 01:04:12,400 --> 01:04:14,520 Speaker 2: I think that's a very good question. 1141 01:04:15,240 --> 01:04:19,880 Speaker 3: I am very proud of the current international players and 1142 01:04:20,320 --> 01:04:25,160 Speaker 3: their impact on the game, but I have to go back, 1143 01:04:25,280 --> 01:04:27,040 Speaker 3: like what you just said, like all of the guys 1144 01:04:27,040 --> 01:04:30,520 Speaker 3: that came in late late eighties, in eighty nine, eighty eight, 1145 01:04:31,440 --> 01:04:34,080 Speaker 3: it was tough. I mean, they did not believe in 1146 01:04:34,360 --> 01:04:38,840 Speaker 3: international players rightfully, so for whatever reason, the game was different. 1147 01:04:39,440 --> 01:04:43,760 Speaker 3: It was more physical, it was more athletic. And even 1148 01:04:43,840 --> 01:04:46,920 Speaker 3: when I came, it was like a different wave of 1149 01:04:47,120 --> 01:04:51,919 Speaker 3: international players that we had to earn. It doesn't matter 1150 01:04:51,960 --> 01:04:55,480 Speaker 3: what you have done in Europe, like nobody care. They 1151 01:04:55,480 --> 01:04:57,880 Speaker 3: did not care what I was doing in Europe when 1152 01:04:57,920 --> 01:05:01,560 Speaker 3: I came, Like I had to earn my minutes. Yeah, 1153 01:05:01,680 --> 01:05:05,080 Speaker 3: I have to start over earn my minutes. And now 1154 01:05:06,080 --> 01:05:09,240 Speaker 3: just the I think the trust, I would call it trust. 1155 01:05:09,240 --> 01:05:12,840 Speaker 3: I think the NBA teams because of the history of 1156 01:05:12,960 --> 01:05:16,240 Speaker 3: past thirty thirty five years of having to do with 1157 01:05:16,320 --> 01:05:20,840 Speaker 3: international players, they've learned how to trust a game. 1158 01:05:20,880 --> 01:05:22,400 Speaker 2: It's so global they. 1159 01:05:22,360 --> 01:05:26,120 Speaker 3: Are there and with the social media and everything, they 1160 01:05:26,160 --> 01:05:28,360 Speaker 3: are going to pick all the best players from all 1161 01:05:28,400 --> 01:05:31,440 Speaker 3: over the world, right and make sure they put the 1162 01:05:31,480 --> 01:05:36,040 Speaker 3: best product on the floor. And now to Q the question, 1163 01:05:36,120 --> 01:05:39,240 Speaker 3: I mean, it's three or four out of five best 1164 01:05:39,240 --> 01:05:40,960 Speaker 3: players are international players. 1165 01:05:41,160 --> 01:05:43,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's what I was just gonna say. 1166 01:05:43,440 --> 01:05:48,360 Speaker 1: MB Jannis Luca Djoka did you ever think the top 1167 01:05:48,400 --> 01:05:52,080 Speaker 1: five guys in the NBA will be international players? 1168 01:05:52,520 --> 01:05:52,760 Speaker 4: Never? 1169 01:05:53,720 --> 01:05:55,840 Speaker 3: Never to be, to be honest with you, never. I 1170 01:05:55,880 --> 01:06:00,800 Speaker 3: mean it's Americans have such a deep history in basketball. 1171 01:06:01,160 --> 01:06:06,240 Speaker 3: Like you, guys always saw more so much more advanced. 1172 01:06:06,920 --> 01:06:09,400 Speaker 3: We always looked up the way the game was played 1173 01:06:09,400 --> 01:06:12,240 Speaker 3: in America. And now I think this gap, this gap 1174 01:06:12,320 --> 01:06:16,560 Speaker 3: is being reduced. I think the emphasis on the fundamentals 1175 01:06:16,560 --> 01:06:21,000 Speaker 3: that's being placed in Europe has helped the guys to 1176 01:06:21,080 --> 01:06:25,800 Speaker 3: make this transition and reduce the gape. 1177 01:06:25,840 --> 01:06:28,280 Speaker 1: With that, we're gonna get in your your coaching bag 1178 01:06:28,320 --> 01:06:30,920 Speaker 1: a little bit. You gotta start one. You gotta bench one. 1179 01:06:30,960 --> 01:06:34,919 Speaker 1: You gotta trade one. These three players you want them 1180 01:06:34,960 --> 01:06:36,840 Speaker 1: to be the shooter for your team. So you got 1181 01:06:36,960 --> 01:06:42,840 Speaker 1: to start one, bench one, trade one. Klay Thompson, Reggie Miller, 1182 01:06:43,840 --> 01:06:47,240 Speaker 1: Ray Allen. Who would you start? Who would you a bench? 1183 01:06:47,240 --> 01:06:50,800 Speaker 1: Who did you trade to be the shooters for your team? 1184 01:06:53,280 --> 01:06:54,240 Speaker 2: That's a tough question. 1185 01:06:55,560 --> 01:06:58,840 Speaker 3: I'm gonna say Reggie to start because he was one 1186 01:06:58,880 --> 01:07:02,160 Speaker 3: of those guys that I looked up because I wanted 1187 01:07:02,160 --> 01:07:05,120 Speaker 3: to play like Reggie. I wanted to learn how to 1188 01:07:05,280 --> 01:07:09,360 Speaker 3: use the screens like Reggie, how to get opened. I 1189 01:07:09,480 --> 01:07:12,600 Speaker 3: want to go with the older players like Reggie. 1190 01:07:14,720 --> 01:07:19,720 Speaker 2: Ray Clay, Yeah, Claire, Okay, does that the dog. 1191 01:07:21,480 --> 01:07:21,800 Speaker 4: Shoot? 1192 01:07:21,840 --> 01:07:26,800 Speaker 1: So you ain't going wrong with. 1193 01:07:23,360 --> 01:07:29,240 Speaker 3: The Yeah, all of them might have done amazing, amazing things. 1194 01:07:29,520 --> 01:07:31,880 Speaker 1: You played for a few teams in the NBA, you 1195 01:07:32,000 --> 01:07:34,560 Speaker 1: had a bunch of teammates. 1196 01:07:35,200 --> 01:07:35,640 Speaker 4: With you. 1197 01:07:35,920 --> 01:07:38,280 Speaker 1: Out of all the teammates you played with in the NBA, 1198 01:07:38,400 --> 01:07:42,000 Speaker 1: if you had to make an ultimate five and pick 1199 01:07:42,120 --> 01:07:44,800 Speaker 1: four more players to make your ultimate five, who would 1200 01:07:44,840 --> 01:07:47,440 Speaker 1: be the four more teammates that you play with to 1201 01:07:47,520 --> 01:07:48,680 Speaker 1: make your ultimate five? 1202 01:07:49,840 --> 01:07:51,640 Speaker 4: Mm? 1203 01:07:51,800 --> 01:07:59,480 Speaker 2: Oh my god. Okay, Chris, I'm Chris Webber. 1204 01:07:59,760 --> 01:08:00,920 Speaker 4: Yes, center. 1205 01:08:02,560 --> 01:08:06,440 Speaker 3: Power forward. I did not play it with. I think 1206 01:08:06,440 --> 01:08:09,720 Speaker 3: a lot of was the best best center. But I 1207 01:08:09,720 --> 01:08:13,040 Speaker 3: would take in today's game, I would take Dirk to 1208 01:08:13,080 --> 01:08:16,600 Speaker 3: put him on a five. I would take Dirk on 1209 01:08:16,720 --> 01:08:21,840 Speaker 3: a five. I would take Ja Kid because Ja Kid was. 1210 01:08:23,120 --> 01:08:23,840 Speaker 2: I played with him. 1211 01:08:24,720 --> 01:08:29,080 Speaker 3: I played with Ja Kid only for six months. And 1212 01:08:29,160 --> 01:08:33,320 Speaker 3: this is not any knock on Chris Paul, but Ja 1213 01:08:33,400 --> 01:08:37,320 Speaker 3: Kid was. I think he changed the game when he 1214 01:08:37,360 --> 01:08:40,240 Speaker 3: came out of the out of the college. I think 1215 01:08:40,240 --> 01:08:43,120 Speaker 3: he's one of He's one of those players I think 1216 01:08:43,240 --> 01:08:47,360 Speaker 3: the last players at the time that believe that advancing 1217 01:08:47,439 --> 01:08:50,920 Speaker 3: the ball, it's always I mean, his ball had a 1218 01:08:50,960 --> 01:08:51,679 Speaker 3: different energy. 1219 01:08:52,160 --> 01:08:52,840 Speaker 5: Yeah. 1220 01:08:54,000 --> 01:08:59,960 Speaker 3: And and shooting guard, Oh my god, shooting guard. 1221 01:09:01,600 --> 01:09:03,439 Speaker 2: You know what, let's put the best team out there. 1222 01:09:03,439 --> 01:09:06,200 Speaker 3: I would go with Chris Paul at to one, j 1223 01:09:06,400 --> 01:09:10,759 Speaker 3: Ki that the two myself, Chris Webber and Dark and Whisky. 1224 01:09:11,120 --> 01:09:14,920 Speaker 4: That's a solid fire right there. That's a Solilifi right there. 1225 01:09:14,960 --> 01:09:20,240 Speaker 3: That's because because ja KiB played the guarded one, two, three, 1226 01:09:20,560 --> 01:09:23,759 Speaker 3: Yeah he did. And Ja Kid could play any position 1227 01:09:23,920 --> 01:09:27,679 Speaker 3: because of his I mean understanding and the physical all. 1228 01:09:27,560 --> 01:09:36,880 Speaker 1: Them guys in their prime. It's dangers out there. It's Yeah, 1229 01:09:37,080 --> 01:09:39,680 Speaker 1: your son is one of the top prospects. What is 1230 01:09:39,760 --> 01:09:42,320 Speaker 1: some of the advice you give him coming up and 1231 01:09:42,600 --> 01:09:44,040 Speaker 1: see that you know he's not. 1232 01:09:45,560 --> 01:09:48,040 Speaker 4: You know, you had a great career, so he. 1233 01:09:48,000 --> 01:09:50,720 Speaker 1: Don't have to go through the stuff that you had 1234 01:09:50,760 --> 01:09:53,200 Speaker 1: to go through to really learn how to get to 1235 01:09:53,240 --> 01:09:56,040 Speaker 1: the level that you get to. And you know, sometimes 1236 01:09:56,120 --> 01:09:57,880 Speaker 1: kids don't be wanting to listen to their parents, but 1237 01:09:57,920 --> 01:10:02,839 Speaker 1: they're listening to everybody else. So some of the stuff 1238 01:10:02,880 --> 01:10:05,040 Speaker 1: did you give your son coming up being one of 1239 01:10:05,080 --> 01:10:08,479 Speaker 1: the top prospects to keep them pushing and moving forward? 1240 01:10:09,680 --> 01:10:13,000 Speaker 3: We went through the phases of not speaking to each other, 1241 01:10:14,280 --> 01:10:17,879 Speaker 3: to be to be cordial, and and now he's older, 1242 01:10:17,960 --> 01:10:21,040 Speaker 3: and now he's as I call him, less sensitive. 1243 01:10:21,240 --> 01:10:22,480 Speaker 2: Now we have a conversation. 1244 01:10:22,960 --> 01:10:26,519 Speaker 4: Yeah, I like that too, No worry about him. I 1245 01:10:26,680 --> 01:10:27,200 Speaker 4: like that too. 1246 01:10:28,000 --> 01:10:31,960 Speaker 3: And perfect example, like they've listened to other people, other coaches, 1247 01:10:32,360 --> 01:10:34,400 Speaker 3: and you will be like, I've been telling you this 1248 01:10:35,040 --> 01:10:37,360 Speaker 3: all alone. And I mean you've been, you've been, you've 1249 01:10:37,400 --> 01:10:41,479 Speaker 3: been ignoring me. But yeah, man, I'm super proud. Man, 1250 01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:45,040 Speaker 3: it's this is the best, the best feeling for a parent. 1251 01:10:45,160 --> 01:10:48,800 Speaker 3: I mean, to to see their child to follow their footsteps. 1252 01:10:49,680 --> 01:10:53,519 Speaker 3: I'm proud. But also I feel for him because I 1253 01:10:53,960 --> 01:10:57,680 Speaker 3: can only imagine the pressure that he has internally, like 1254 01:10:58,680 --> 01:11:02,719 Speaker 3: making us proud and going out there and just play 1255 01:11:02,760 --> 01:11:07,160 Speaker 3: and perform, but just to be able to watch him grow, 1256 01:11:07,560 --> 01:11:10,240 Speaker 3: watch him play. Always tell him. To me, it's like 1257 01:11:11,400 --> 01:11:15,160 Speaker 3: the work repetition. I always said this to me, very important. 1258 01:11:15,200 --> 01:11:19,640 Speaker 3: I always said, like the work equal confidence, confidence equal performance. 1259 01:11:20,240 --> 01:11:23,879 Speaker 3: And and to me, it doesn't matter. You can be nervous, 1260 01:11:24,240 --> 01:11:28,560 Speaker 3: but the work will take all the nerves away. And 1261 01:11:30,240 --> 01:11:32,519 Speaker 3: and I think those those are those are things I 1262 01:11:32,560 --> 01:11:36,880 Speaker 3: can tell my kids, you know, be humble, work hard, 1263 01:11:37,840 --> 01:11:41,000 Speaker 3: and I think good things will happen. People will people 1264 01:11:41,000 --> 01:11:42,280 Speaker 3: will recognize hard work. 1265 01:11:43,800 --> 01:11:46,800 Speaker 4: What do you think about the current Sacramento Kings. You 1266 01:11:46,840 --> 01:11:47,880 Speaker 4: know they had. 1267 01:11:49,240 --> 01:11:52,400 Speaker 1: Two years ago, they had some spark. They happened to 1268 01:11:52,479 --> 01:11:55,800 Speaker 1: run into them warriors. Last year was a little step back. 1269 01:11:55,840 --> 01:11:58,439 Speaker 1: They had some injuries, little nickknack injuries. They kind of 1270 01:11:58,439 --> 01:11:59,120 Speaker 1: holding them back. 1271 01:11:59,439 --> 01:12:01,920 Speaker 4: But they add a piece like the Marty Rosa. 1272 01:12:01,680 --> 01:12:03,920 Speaker 1: To their team this year, which I feel like is 1273 01:12:03,920 --> 01:12:06,439 Speaker 1: gonna be a big, big step up for them. What 1274 01:12:06,479 --> 01:12:08,519 Speaker 1: do you think about they team this year and what 1275 01:12:08,560 --> 01:12:09,479 Speaker 1: they could do this year. 1276 01:12:10,640 --> 01:12:15,679 Speaker 3: I think they're dangerous. I think they are. They're skilled, 1277 01:12:16,080 --> 01:12:19,639 Speaker 3: They've they're deep. I think the only the only position 1278 01:12:19,760 --> 01:12:22,080 Speaker 3: that I wish they have addressed is to have a 1279 01:12:22,760 --> 01:12:27,679 Speaker 3: rim protector. Yeah, another big another, another big man, someone 1280 01:12:27,760 --> 01:12:34,439 Speaker 3: that defensively, defensively protect the rim or and secure the rebounds. 1281 01:12:34,439 --> 01:12:40,160 Speaker 3: But offensively, I think offensively a sky is limited for that. 1282 01:12:40,680 --> 01:12:43,040 Speaker 3: Like you you don't know who to guard, like, I mean, 1283 01:12:43,280 --> 01:12:45,439 Speaker 3: like you have. I was just watching the other night, 1284 01:12:45,600 --> 01:12:49,639 Speaker 3: like based on the data, the Rosen and Fox were 1285 01:12:49,840 --> 01:12:53,599 Speaker 3: the two most clutch performers in the league last year 1286 01:12:53,960 --> 01:12:56,400 Speaker 3: and now they're and now they're on the same team. 1287 01:12:56,479 --> 01:12:56,679 Speaker 4: Yeah. 1288 01:12:57,880 --> 01:13:02,200 Speaker 3: So I mean assuming that Keegan Murray is gonna take 1289 01:13:02,240 --> 01:13:12,040 Speaker 3: at another step up. I mean obviously who's amazing and uh, 1290 01:13:12,840 --> 01:13:16,840 Speaker 3: I think Kevin Peter, I think he if if he 1291 01:13:16,920 --> 01:13:19,960 Speaker 3: gets his confidence back, they could use his shooting being 1292 01:13:20,000 --> 01:13:22,400 Speaker 3: able to space the space the floor because now you 1293 01:13:22,479 --> 01:13:25,719 Speaker 3: have like guys that can they can break down the defense. 1294 01:13:25,800 --> 01:13:29,880 Speaker 3: And I think having Kevin and Keegan spreading the court, 1295 01:13:29,960 --> 01:13:34,759 Speaker 3: it will help Fox and the rosen uh to operate. 1296 01:13:35,479 --> 01:13:37,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, I like it. 1297 01:13:37,640 --> 01:13:39,719 Speaker 5: Just one of the questions I like to ask Phase. 1298 01:13:39,800 --> 01:13:41,880 Speaker 5: You know, we know you can told us how you 1299 01:13:41,960 --> 01:13:43,760 Speaker 5: came over and you had to take care of your 1300 01:13:43,800 --> 01:13:46,240 Speaker 5: family and get them straight. I won't hear about you 1301 01:13:46,320 --> 01:13:48,800 Speaker 5: spending no money on mom du some popping them for 1302 01:13:48,840 --> 01:13:50,679 Speaker 5: the house. I want to know some of the page 1303 01:13:50,680 --> 01:13:54,080 Speaker 5: you look back on, like I was crazy for spending 1304 01:13:54,080 --> 01:13:56,320 Speaker 5: his money for this right here, but it felt good 1305 01:13:56,360 --> 01:13:57,040 Speaker 5: in the moment. 1306 01:13:57,560 --> 01:13:59,920 Speaker 4: And did it for yourself? Yeah, you did it for yoursel? 1307 01:14:00,040 --> 01:14:02,200 Speaker 5: Yeah, like so what when you got the bag and 1308 01:14:02,240 --> 01:14:05,040 Speaker 5: he was comfortable enough at you know, certain things. 1309 01:14:04,920 --> 01:14:05,400 Speaker 4: Taken care of. 1310 01:14:05,479 --> 01:14:08,240 Speaker 5: How how it page your treat himself? What did you do? 1311 01:14:08,640 --> 01:14:09,519 Speaker 5: Was it was it the. 1312 01:14:09,520 --> 01:14:12,600 Speaker 1: Flag year, was it the fly suits? Was it a 1313 01:14:12,720 --> 01:14:16,160 Speaker 1: nice car? You know, you know watch I seen that 1314 01:14:16,280 --> 01:14:20,880 Speaker 1: watch on you know, saying that watch. Yeah you're not yeah, yeah. 1315 01:14:20,600 --> 01:14:27,439 Speaker 3: It's listen. We all have been through that phase where 1316 01:14:27,760 --> 01:14:31,080 Speaker 3: where now. I just the other night I was talking 1317 01:14:31,120 --> 01:14:34,000 Speaker 3: to some of my friends and they were like asking me, 1318 01:14:34,600 --> 01:14:38,479 Speaker 3: what was the feeling being able to go out there 1319 01:14:38,560 --> 01:14:43,599 Speaker 3: and buy anything. I think at the time, I mean, 1320 01:14:43,640 --> 01:14:47,400 Speaker 3: I can't say I was. I was smart to know, 1321 01:14:48,120 --> 01:14:51,479 Speaker 3: but I felt like I had the access to a 1322 01:14:51,520 --> 01:14:58,200 Speaker 3: lot of things. Happily, I've I've had really really strong parents. 1323 01:14:58,800 --> 01:15:02,960 Speaker 3: They've always kept me ground, that kept me humble, always 1324 01:15:03,240 --> 01:15:06,960 Speaker 3: reminded me where I came from. But I mean, we 1325 01:15:07,000 --> 01:15:09,800 Speaker 3: all have done purchases that we like regret to this day. 1326 01:15:10,280 --> 01:15:11,320 Speaker 4: Yes, I mean that's what we do. 1327 01:15:11,640 --> 01:15:14,280 Speaker 3: We we all bought the cars, we drove off of 1328 01:15:14,360 --> 01:15:17,080 Speaker 3: the lot and said like, why do I need this car? Yes, 1329 01:15:19,120 --> 01:15:24,719 Speaker 3: it's clothing, it's watches, it's it's uh but it's clubs 1330 01:15:24,720 --> 01:15:29,320 Speaker 3: with the friends, and it's we have done all of that. 1331 01:15:29,680 --> 01:15:34,400 Speaker 3: It's it's it's part of it. But at some point, 1332 01:15:34,560 --> 01:15:37,439 Speaker 3: you know, you just have to understand that when the 1333 01:15:38,120 --> 01:15:42,760 Speaker 3: when the ball stops. There's a real life, and there's 1334 01:15:42,800 --> 01:15:45,360 Speaker 3: a real life and uh and I think we all 1335 01:15:45,400 --> 01:15:50,519 Speaker 3: have gone through a transition of adjusting to a real 1336 01:15:50,560 --> 01:15:54,799 Speaker 3: life because when the ball stops, nobody calls you anymore. 1337 01:15:56,000 --> 01:15:59,640 Speaker 3: And check stops too, definitely stop coming too. 1338 01:16:00,360 --> 01:16:01,519 Speaker 4: Yeah, so you do. 1339 01:16:02,040 --> 01:16:05,240 Speaker 3: So I think for me it was the more so prepared, 1340 01:16:05,600 --> 01:16:10,320 Speaker 3: being prepared for the life after basketball. I think for 1341 01:16:10,439 --> 01:16:13,880 Speaker 3: me that was like that was important. Like I became 1342 01:16:13,920 --> 01:16:17,400 Speaker 3: a father at the age of twenty seven and for 1343 01:16:17,439 --> 01:16:21,640 Speaker 3: the first time, and it wasn't just me anymore. It 1344 01:16:21,800 --> 01:16:25,800 Speaker 3: was understanding that I have a family, that I have 1345 01:16:25,960 --> 01:16:28,559 Speaker 3: kids that I have to take care of, and that 1346 01:16:28,720 --> 01:16:31,000 Speaker 3: was my mindset at the time. 1347 01:16:31,520 --> 01:16:34,120 Speaker 7: M hm, well, I right, man, We're gonna wrap that up. 1348 01:16:34,160 --> 01:16:34,320 Speaker 4: Man. 1349 01:16:34,320 --> 01:16:37,000 Speaker 5: We appreciate you for spending time, taking the time out 1350 01:16:37,000 --> 01:16:38,880 Speaker 5: to chop it up with us. Man, this was super 1351 01:16:38,920 --> 01:16:41,400 Speaker 5: dope to get to hear some of the little gim 1352 01:16:41,520 --> 01:16:44,679 Speaker 5: but man, y'all tap in. We got Paige in the building, 1353 01:16:44,800 --> 01:16:46,080 Speaker 5: mister Stoyakovich. 1354 01:16:46,080 --> 01:16:47,160 Speaker 4: We appreciate you. 1355 01:16:48,240 --> 01:16:49,040 Speaker 2: Thank you very much. 1356 01:16:49,080 --> 01:16:49,360 Speaker 4: Guys. 1357 01:16:49,360 --> 01:16:50,840 Speaker 2: It was a pleasure. It was a pleasure of. 1358 01:16:50,800 --> 01:16:54,519 Speaker 3: Talking hoops with you guys, and I mean, congrats and 1359 01:16:54,560 --> 01:16:58,760 Speaker 3: all the success. This is a huge, huge jump in 1360 01:16:58,880 --> 01:17:02,360 Speaker 3: an amazing transition that you have cutross the world from 1361 01:17:02,640 --> 01:17:05,880 Speaker 3: from playing getting it to the media and uh and 1362 01:17:06,120 --> 01:17:08,479 Speaker 3: just you know, doing a doing an awesome job. 1363 01:17:08,840 --> 01:17:11,240 Speaker 4: Appreciate it, definitely appreciate it. 1364 01:17:11,320 --> 01:17:16,640 Speaker 2: Keep up the good road, guys all. 1365 01:17:16,720 --> 01:17:18,560 Speaker 5: I want to thank y'all for you're continued supporter of 1366 01:17:18,600 --> 01:17:21,519 Speaker 5: the Knuckleheads podcast. Be sure to give us two taps 1367 01:17:21,560 --> 01:17:24,040 Speaker 5: by writing a review and rating five stars wherever you 1368 01:17:24,040 --> 01:17:26,559 Speaker 5: get your podcasts, and make sure to hit that subscribe 1369 01:17:26,560 --> 01:17:29,160 Speaker 5: button so you don't miss an episode. You can also 1370 01:17:29,240 --> 01:17:32,240 Speaker 5: watch all the episodes on the Players Tribute on YouTube page. 1371 01:17:32,400 --> 01:17:36,040 Speaker 5: Follow us on social media at Knuckleheads podcast enjoin our 1372 01:17:36,080 --> 01:17:39,800 Speaker 5: Knucklehead Facebook group for exclusive content. Thanks again all of 1373 01:17:39,800 --> 01:17:42,479 Speaker 5: our guests and fans. This wouldn't be possible without y'all. 1374 01:17:57,000 --> 01:18:03,799 Speaker 4: The Players Tribute dot Com