1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: Hi, guys, my name is Sammy Jay and welcome to 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: the Let's Be Real Podcast. This week's guest is NBA 3 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:13,119 Speaker 1: star Aaron Gordon. We talk about his love of basketball, 4 00:00:13,200 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 1: his experience in the bubble due to COVID, his love 5 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: of chess and meditation which I was surprised by, and 6 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: his passion for activism and racial equality. Don't forget to subscribe, 7 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: leave a comment, and send this podcast to so many love. 8 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: I hope you guys enjoy it, and as always, I 9 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:33,120 Speaker 1: look forward to your feedback. First of all, welcome Aaron. 10 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: It's so great to have you on my podcast. It's 11 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,879 Speaker 1: so great to see you, and it's so great to 12 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: meet you. Yeah, it's nice to be seen and let's 13 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: beat you too. The season is back on December twenty two, 14 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:46,320 Speaker 1: and you guys aren't going to be in the bubble 15 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:49,560 Speaker 1: this time, but still no fans. How do you feel 16 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 1: about that? We're all competitors, you know, we love the game, 17 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 1: and I think that's what makes it so special. It 18 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: makes it such a special league. As you know, regardless 19 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: of the circumstances, you're gonna have some players that show 20 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: up and play ball. This past summer, the NBA finished 21 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: its season in the bubble down in Orlando. What was 22 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 1: that experience, Like, it must have been so weird not 23 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: being able to see family and friends for months. Yeah, 24 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: it was a difficult experience being away from family, being 25 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: away from France. But I think the NBA is needed 26 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 1: a good enough job to make us comfortable. Do you 27 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 1: have a certain memory of something that you guys did 28 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: off the court because you did have access to some 29 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 1: cool stuff. Yeah, it was great. We had to have 30 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,680 Speaker 1: some of the golf courses out there and it was 31 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: a good time, you know, going out there. Just seeing 32 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 1: some of my teammates get better at golf throughout the 33 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: weeks is really nice. I mean, we had fishing out there. Um, 34 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 1: we had cord Hall. You know, it's a little bit 35 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: of stuff going on. Did you catch any fish? Yeah? Yeah, 36 00:01:46,400 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: but they stocked the pond, so you know, it's kind 37 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: of pretty. It's a guaranteed catch, but at least that 38 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: like it just boost your ego just a little bit, 39 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 1: sounds good? Oh yeah, confidence booster for sid for sure. Okay, 40 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: with a bubble, for someone like me, I have a 41 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: lot of anxiety and the thought of just being like 42 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: in a bubble for that long. How do you deal 43 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: with that just mentally not being able to leave or 44 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: have people in Oh yeah, it was you know, figuring 45 00:02:16,240 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 1: out what is to just call them yourself, whether it 46 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: be lighting incense or candles, reading, meditating and listening to 47 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,080 Speaker 1: the instrumentals. Um, you know, I find a healthy ways 48 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: to pass it on. I hear you like meditating. I 49 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 1: can't get into it. I just can't focus for that long. 50 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: I don't know. Why do you have any advice? I 51 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: would just say, be observant of your thoughts. You know, 52 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: see some of the things that are going through your head, 53 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: some of the more recurring themes, recurring thoughts that you have. 54 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: Just kind of watch them and uh, don't really grapple 55 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: any emotion to them, just kind of see them objectively 56 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: as best you can instead of subjectively. And I think 57 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 1: it will make your thoughts more clear and more concise. 58 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: When you meditate, do you focus on the present, think 59 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 1: about the past, or like, think about the future. I 60 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:09,480 Speaker 1: just trying to be still in my body. Um, just 61 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 1: you have come to the present moment. Uh, you know. 62 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: It's just saying that when you think about the future 63 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 1: cultivates eagerness, and when you think about the past. It 64 00:03:19,919 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 1: brings up depression, so you know you're trying to stay 65 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,200 Speaker 1: in that middle. H know, what, do you read any 66 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: good books? Yeah? So I read Robert Green's Human Laws 67 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: of Nature. Um, and uh, it's pretty good. You know, 68 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 1: it's just kind of there's a story. You have a 69 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 1: lot of story figures in the past and kind of 70 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: some things that they done it in what's been reoccurring, 71 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: and just you know, human nature. It's fascinating book, but 72 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 1: also tread now in this time that we're in more 73 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: than ever. When you're playing, you know, you usually have 74 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: like a whole like you have a whole stadium cheering 75 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 1: you on. What was that like when no one else 76 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: was there and it was just you guys playing. Yeah, 77 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: it was eerie. You know, it's almost awkward being at 78 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: the freakro line and not having anybody boo you or 79 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: cheer you on or anything like that. It's I didn't 80 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: like it, But it's easier to focus. I feel like 81 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: it was easier to make shots. The depth perception in 82 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 1: the gym was much more for shooters because it wasn't 83 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: that like giant space. So, I know, playing basketball with 84 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: no fans sounds weird because of just the silence. Did 85 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: you miss getting booted at all? I mean it's going 86 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: to be the same this season with no fans in 87 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: the arena. Yeah. You know, as much as you liked 88 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: inteer like silence in the booing crowd to you miss 89 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: both both parts of it, something you probably never thought 90 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,480 Speaker 1: you'd say. You know, I'm all for it. You know, 91 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 1: when you're go on a road game and you know 92 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 1: the opposing team is just booing and booing and booing, 93 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: you feel like you're coming together as a team, you know, 94 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,159 Speaker 1: So it's something that you miss. Do you get energy when, 95 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:56,480 Speaker 1: like when if you're getting booed, because I know some 96 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 1: people discourage them, but some people just hype them up 97 00:04:58,880 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 1: even more. Yeah, I'm gonna start player like you start 98 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 1: going to be able to go off nice nice. So 99 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: I know the NBA players, Uh, they wore a variety 100 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: of different words or phrases on the back of their jerseys. Um, 101 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:16,719 Speaker 1: and you chose freedom. I'm just wondering, with everything that's 102 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: going on in was there a certain reason, um, why 103 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: you chose to have that word on the back of 104 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: your jersey. Yeah. I feel like people should be free 105 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,920 Speaker 1: to chase their dreams. You know, free to have ambitions 106 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: and free to have aspirations, you know, regardless of your 107 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: skin color, regardless of your socioeconomic background. And um, I 108 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: feel like as black men, we should be uh free 109 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: of the fear that the police instill in our children. Yeah, 110 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: and I think for so long, like people are. I 111 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: think some people think that this is like a new thing, 112 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: but it's gone on for hundreds of years. It's now 113 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 1: just being videotaped, and so people actually can't turn the 114 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: blind eye to that. UM, just had to curry. What 115 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:03,679 Speaker 1: was your second option for your jersey? I actually wanted 116 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: My first option was one Love, you know, the first 117 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,160 Speaker 1: well option was one Love, But they didn't want us 118 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 1: to pick our own sayings, so I chose freedom. I 119 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: don't know, I like one love, though, you should make 120 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: your own jersey and just right rocket shout out. I 121 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,040 Speaker 1: think what's so great about what the NBA has done. 122 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: It's just it's allowing the conversation that I think has 123 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,160 Speaker 1: been needed to be had. And I think what's going 124 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: on just in the world and all the social injustice. 125 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:31,840 Speaker 1: It's it's so boggling that we're living through a time 126 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:35,919 Speaker 1: where there's even a debate about it. Um, what do 127 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: you say to the people who don't even recognize that 128 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 1: this is an issue at this point? Oh wow, I 129 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: would just say, you know, turning a blind eye is 130 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 1: just as you're just as well contributing to the social 131 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: prejudices and social injustice that's happened in the world. So 132 00:06:50,640 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 1: just be more benevolent to everybody, be more kind to everybody, 133 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: go out of your way to say hello. Yeah, And 134 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: I think more than ever kindness it does so much. 135 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: See so simple, but it does so much in the 136 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 1: craziness that is every year, but specifically this year. I 137 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: think it's one of those things also where it's like 138 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: for people who couldn't protest because they're compromised because of COVID, 139 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: and if they still are and they still want to 140 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: participate and be an active member in society and stand 141 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: up for what's right, do you have any suggestions on 142 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: how they can still make an impact. All the social 143 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: media platforms are huge, you know, that's uh. A big 144 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: part of today's society is the virtual, virtual reality. So 145 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: we'll just get out there or stay inside, I guess, 146 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: and just keep posting on your platforms and then people 147 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,239 Speaker 1: will see I feel like the more we talk about 148 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: it on social media and keep it going. I hope 149 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: that's what makes the real change. You've been very outspoken 150 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: about what it's like to live in the society that 151 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: we're living. Have you experienced any systematic racism that people 152 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 1: don't even notice on the day today? Oh yeah, I 153 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: mean just walking around the store being followed. That's kind 154 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: of when you're when I was younger, you know, just 155 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: kind of with the assumption that we're steal with Robin. 156 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: I mean, well, you know people shop lived in that 157 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 1: on us, you know, So it's just it happens being 158 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: pulled over for no reason than just being black. Uh, 159 00:08:22,280 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: It's just like having hair goes on and on, just 160 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 1: being targeted. I can't imagine how frustrating that is. I'd 161 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:31,560 Speaker 1: love to talk to you about education, something I know 162 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 1: you're passionate about. Oh, for sure, I'm playing to college 163 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: right now. When I just wrote my essay, essay question 164 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: was this is really interesting if there's a topic in 165 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: the news that's not covered enough, it would it be? 166 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 1: And I wrote about education system. And it's the more 167 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: you think about it. For those who are listening, there 168 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: are so many different types of learners but yet, especially 169 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 1: in underfunded schools, they're taught to learn a certain way 170 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,240 Speaker 1: and aren't giving the tools to develop. And I think 171 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 1: it's really cool what you've been doing with Code Orlando UM, 172 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: which is a coding camp that you created, which I'm 173 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:09,959 Speaker 1: actually taking computer sciences here. It's hard, Yeah, it's really hard. 174 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 1: What made you want to start this program? I think, 175 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 1: especially now, being able to work remotely and digitally is 176 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: more important than ever. Uh, And I see that it's 177 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: going to continue that trend, you know, being able to 178 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: create opportunities virtually, whether it be for a different app 179 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: or mostly mostly just an app, but you know, just 180 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: the technology. Just have these these kids understand that they 181 00:09:39,760 --> 00:09:43,920 Speaker 1: don't have to be a ballplayer rapper to make millions 182 00:09:43,920 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 1: of dollars, you know, you can't be a computer scientist 183 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,680 Speaker 1: to you know, go by Lamborghini or whatever. You know, 184 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: there's other ways to ball out. And so just that 185 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 1: opening of consciousness, I feel like it does a lot 186 00:09:57,320 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: for uh, some of self conscious self conf It is. 187 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: What's the coolest project that you've seen that they created? Oh? 188 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 1: So they had a concept where some of the kids 189 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,920 Speaker 1: that are in children's hospitals who are bedbound Um, I 190 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: can put on virtual goggles and have kind of a 191 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: like a safe space and a meet up space, and 192 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:22,719 Speaker 1: that's a really cool concept. Wow, that's incredible. Yeah, just 193 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 1: really passionate, innovative. It's just great grasp of human interaction. 194 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: Do you know how to code? No? Not very well. 195 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: It's so fascinating to me. Just it's so important now 196 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: more than ever, like coding, because like our lives are 197 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 1: literally online. We a lot of us school is still 198 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: online and jobs. So I think the more computer scientists 199 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:55,079 Speaker 1: that that would be incredible. Yeah. If definitely just the 200 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: coded community. The majority of the computer scientists are um, 201 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: white men, you know, Silicon Valley. It's just would be 202 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: nice to see, uh, kind of a diverse group of quotas. 203 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: You've talked a lot about the education reform, and like 204 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 1: I said, I'm really fascinated by this issue because I 205 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: feel like it's this it's so present in everything and 206 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 1: it affects the future. But it's not being funded enough 207 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 1: and people aren't giving them enough resources. Um. So my 208 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 1: question is, if you could create a school, what would 209 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:31,839 Speaker 1: your ideal school be for every kid in America? So 210 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: I'm looking to put one together in Orlando right now 211 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: looking at ability the Armory. It's in the Creative Village 212 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: in downtown Orlando, and uh, you know, it would just 213 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 1: be a lot of expressive self awareness classes, whether it 214 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 1: be breathing and meditation hopefully, uh, like a dance class 215 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,440 Speaker 1: and art class, a gym class, of music class uh. 216 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: And then ways to protect your solf in America as 217 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: a you, whether it be home economics, teaching yourself how 218 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: to cook, law, finance science. So it would be a 219 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 1: very practical things and then also very self actualizing. Can 220 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 1: I attend the school? I know, I like I'm about 221 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: to graduate, but like high school, but I would attend 222 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: the school. Oh yeah, you'd be a lot less stressful 223 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 1: than some of the school school where you have to go. 224 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: Thing now, I love that idea. And something that I 225 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 1: was thinking about is we're expected to kind of like 226 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 1: go into life without knowing, Like we know how to 227 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 1: do like algebra, but we may not know how to 228 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:43,439 Speaker 1: do taxes or how to create a bank account or 229 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 1: create a checking account. And like these are the basics 230 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:48,720 Speaker 1: that I feel like should be covered. Also, yeah, I agree, 231 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: So what is it like balancing you know, all of 232 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,559 Speaker 1: this wanting like creating a school, having a coding camp, 233 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: but also being a full time basketball player. Oh, you 234 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 1: gotta just find your time to meditate, You find your 235 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:02,679 Speaker 1: time to las, find a vacation time. Other than that 236 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 1: is pretty much grind. But it's fun. I love it, 237 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,199 Speaker 1: you know, So it's it's easy for me because I 238 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: love it. We have to take a quick break, but 239 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: when we come back, I want to talk to you 240 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:15,040 Speaker 1: about what you love most about basketball, your perspective of 241 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: mental health and sports, and why you've never won a 242 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 1: slam dunk contest because it doesn't make sense to me. 243 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:27,319 Speaker 1: We'll be right back and we're back. What's your favorite 244 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:30,439 Speaker 1: thing about basketball? I like the swag. I like the 245 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 1: originality to it. You know, you might see something new 246 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 1: every once every game. Do you have a specific game 247 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: that has just like stuck out in your mind that 248 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: you'll just never forget. Oh man, you gotta be that 249 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 1: game in Toronto and DJ hit that hit, that game winner, 250 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: the three point of the game. One those memories I 251 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:54,960 Speaker 1: can't even imagine. Okay, let's switch gears and talk about 252 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 1: the mental part of the game. We actually had Kevin 253 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,319 Speaker 1: Love on this podcast for the season one finale. We 254 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: talked about how is an athlete, You're supposed to work 255 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 1: out your body, but therapy is just working out your mind. 256 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: So what do you do to keep your mental health 257 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: in check? Mostly be about taking things into perspective, also 258 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:17,680 Speaker 1: meditating UM and praying UM, and just kind of clear 259 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 1: in your mind. You know, there's so many things that 260 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: can wind us up and make a stick. Um. So 261 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: just by meditating and kind of watching my thoughts and 262 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 1: breathing and taking a couple of minutes to myself throughout 263 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 1: the day, like five to ten minutes throw on my day, 264 00:14:33,280 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: I can continue to progress and continue to grow in 265 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: an upward spiral. Upward spiral. I was thinking about this 266 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 1: because my uh, my brother and d are a basketball junkie. 267 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 1: So I've been my mom and I have been recruited 268 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: in this for quite some time in the game. UM, 269 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: and I feel like mental health hasn't been talked about. 270 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: It's been talked about in the more recent years. But 271 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: why do you think there is such a stigma with it? 272 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: Just because a while ago in America, if you were 273 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: seen as needing mental help, it seemed like you were 274 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:11,000 Speaker 1: mentally weak. Needed a therapist meant that you were crazy 275 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 1: or psychotic and it's just not the case. You know, 276 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: people need time to themselves, people need a voice of 277 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: reason and perspective. And you know, as a man and 278 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:24,640 Speaker 1: as men, you're not supposed to show emotions. Really, I'm 279 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: supposed to really show feelings. And that's kind of the 280 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 1: culture that we were growing up with raised within America. 281 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: The culture shifting. There a lot of show emotions. UM, 282 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 1: talk about feelings, and it's not seen as weak. It's 283 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:40,560 Speaker 1: actually seen as strong. You know, one of my best 284 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: friends is victory goes to the vulnerable, So the more 285 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 1: vulnerable you can make yourself more victorious to be. I 286 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 1: like that victory goes to the vulnerable. I think that's 287 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 1: I haven't heard that before. Um, we all know basketballs 288 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: and business players are getting treated all the time. This 289 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:01,720 Speaker 1: offseason was no a friend. In between games, you guys 290 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:05,000 Speaker 1: have all sorts of obligations. After every game, you have 291 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 1: reporters asking you a ton of questions, and it's pretty 292 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: much never ending. How do you stay centered through all 293 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,520 Speaker 1: of that. You're just trying to stay as even as possible. 294 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: You know, you don't try and get too high on 295 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: trying too low. UM, just stay consistent, say solid, kind 296 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: of stay um, understanding that growth isn't linear. You know, 297 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 1: it's kind of like a kind of jagged upward and 298 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: you know there's there's steps. You know, it's not just 299 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 1: a straight line up. UM. So whether you winning or losing, 300 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: you know, just kind of keep that same poise to 301 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: yourself and understand that, um, there's more games to be playing, 302 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: there's more work to be done. Instead ever challenging to 303 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,040 Speaker 1: do that and try to remind yourself of that when 304 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:50,440 Speaker 1: you're you know, in the heat of it at all. 305 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: Of course, of course, you know that's um, like all 306 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:56,400 Speaker 1: the preparation we do for our bodies, we got to 307 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:58,080 Speaker 1: do for our minds as well. So when it comes 308 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 1: to the game time, we just let it take over 309 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:04,880 Speaker 1: what is naturally supposed to happen. So something that I'm 310 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: so happy about is you're you're a musician. Now tell 311 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: me how this happened. It's just been um a way 312 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:17,000 Speaker 1: to express myself, very fun, getting to know new people 313 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: and socialize with UM and a whole different community of 314 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 1: people outside of the basketball realm that a is just 315 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: really dope and very creative and expressive. So it's been 316 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: just not nice to just be able to focus on 317 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: something other than both. For sometimes, especially when my body 318 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,120 Speaker 1: is hurt and they're aching or something like that. Let's 319 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:41,119 Speaker 1: say we were, like we're traveling on the plane or 320 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: on the bus and I can just kind of like 321 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:45,200 Speaker 1: listen to my music and kind of write lyrics to 322 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: So it's just something that keeps me calm. That must 323 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 1: be like an entirely separate outlet. Do you notice any 324 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:56,399 Speaker 1: similarities between writing and music and basketball or do you 325 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: think they're completely separate. They're definitely connected in the swag 326 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:04,399 Speaker 1: to it. You know, the swagger is there to the rhythm. 327 00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: You've got to have the rhythm in the game and 328 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: the flow. So how did you get started? I've always 329 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: had an affinity for words in the English language, um So, 330 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 1: I thought English sounds really nice and when you put 331 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 1: words words together and flow and something that is meaningful 332 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: and powerful and it just sounds nice on the ears. 333 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: It's just always been something I love to do. Do 334 00:18:29,160 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 1: you like poetry, Yeah, so that's pretty much where I started. Uh, 335 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,720 Speaker 1: just kind of writing simple poems and then just putting 336 00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:38,960 Speaker 1: a beat to behind them. I feel like I feel 337 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:41,840 Speaker 1: like I've realized in the past few years how powerful 338 00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: music is. Um and just like what kind of message 339 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: you can get across. Is there a certain message you're 340 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:51,000 Speaker 1: trying to translate through your music that you haven't been 341 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 1: able to while playing basketball? Of course, you know you 342 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: want to have a fan base. I think music is 343 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: meant to be free and bring people together. So that's 344 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: all I'm trying to do. So one thing that I 345 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:08,439 Speaker 1: found out about you, but I was fascinated by is chess. Okay, 346 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,440 Speaker 1: I have never played chess. Why do you love it 347 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:15,280 Speaker 1: so much? It was really competitive, but not in the 348 00:19:15,359 --> 00:19:19,879 Speaker 1: way that basketball is competitive. It's really cerebral. Basketball is 349 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:23,919 Speaker 1: really cerebral as well, but that's what's really physical um 350 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: and chess is and it's at all So it's kind 351 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: of the same way to get um like my competitive 352 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: juices flowing. But I don't have to use my body 353 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:34,640 Speaker 1: as much. I can just use my mind. So I'm 354 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: a gamer, so I love it. Is that how you 355 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 1: get hyped before a game you play match chess? Is 356 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 1: that the right terminology? Matchup chess least? Okay? Yes, so 357 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: I'll just play on the court, wait until I my 358 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,720 Speaker 1: shooting time to my one off time I played chess. Okay. 359 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: I have a few questions about chess. Have you played 360 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: any of your teammates. Yeah, I played a couple of them. 361 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 1: Did you win? Yeah? Got him. I've always been fascinated 362 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 1: by just like the art of it, because like I 363 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 1: feel like it's this like it's really working your mind 364 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:11,840 Speaker 1: in a different way. Have you noticed that if you 365 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 1: play chess before a game it improves your game on 366 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:18,000 Speaker 1: the court. Oh? Yeah, because it's just like separate. It 367 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: makes you think there's concepts, like a thousand concepts behind chats, 368 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,800 Speaker 1: and it's just something that relaxed with me. Uh and yeah, 369 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 1: it gets my mind going. Wow. Okay, we have to 370 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:31,160 Speaker 1: take one more quick break, but when we come back, 371 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:33,640 Speaker 1: we can be talking about your experiences in the slam 372 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,680 Speaker 1: Dunk contest and if you could do one more crazy dunk, 373 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:44,399 Speaker 1: what would it be. We'll be right back and we're back, Okay. 374 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,400 Speaker 1: Can we talk about the slam dunk contest? First of all, 375 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,479 Speaker 1: how old were you when you first dumped? I think 376 00:20:50,520 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: it was about eleven or twelve years old on my 377 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: first start. How taller were you when you were eleven 378 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 1: or twelve? Oh? That was probably h five nine, so 379 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: pretty big? What okay? I am five to on a 380 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:10,400 Speaker 1: good day. Five threes my dream? How older you when 381 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 1: you're six ft? Oh no, it was probably about twelve. 382 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:20,040 Speaker 1: Tell you that's crazy. I've been big. I wish I 383 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 1: could be that tall. I just wish I could see 384 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 1: the world from like that view. I'd have to look 385 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 1: up over everyone. You can see things coming from a 386 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,160 Speaker 1: lot farther. It must be great to go to concerts too. 387 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 1: You can just see the stage you the best, best 388 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 1: scene to have. Anyways, back to dunking, what is your 389 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 1: favorite dunk of all time that you've seen? Wow, a 390 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 1: lot of the dunks. I guess it would be Vince 391 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: Carter jumping over the seven footer in the Olympic Games. Yes, 392 00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 1: you know when you got a YouTube that when Vince 393 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: Carter jumps over seven footer, it's crazy. I'm going to 394 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 1: write after this, is there a certain one in the 395 00:21:58,640 --> 00:22:03,120 Speaker 1: slam dunk contest that they'll just stick with you? Oh? Man? Um, 396 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 1: just the whole contest, you know, in total, there's just 397 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:11,200 Speaker 1: a lot of funs. So something that I don't get 398 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: is that you had more of fifty points scores than 399 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:18,520 Speaker 1: anyone in history and that you didn't win. Why. I'm 400 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: not sure. It's just kind of how it shut, guys, 401 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 1: I check out. Okay, So I think I'm on the 402 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 1: side that you should have won because yours was a 403 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: lot more creative. If you could do any dunk, what 404 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 1: would it be? I guess it would be, um, like 405 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 1: three sixty under both legs and like, yeah, I think 406 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: that's probably reverse through sixty under both legs. I think 407 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:47,280 Speaker 1: I saw Jim I do it. It's great? Or is 408 00:22:47,320 --> 00:22:50,400 Speaker 1: there every there professional dunk there? So it's pretty crazy. 409 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: Going back to just talking about you starting to school 410 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:55,920 Speaker 1: and all that. What do you wish you knew at 411 00:22:56,280 --> 00:23:00,520 Speaker 1: my age, which is now eighteen, I would say, uh, 412 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 1: to pay attention to the details in the moment, Joey, 413 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:09,640 Speaker 1: what you do and have a great time doing it. See, 414 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:12,080 Speaker 1: I try to do that. It's so hard to stay 415 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 1: in the moment though, with I think this year, especially 416 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 1: for sure, um, with everything that's happened in the craziness 417 00:23:23,119 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: that is. What do you what do you think that 418 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: we can do as a society to change it for 419 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 1: the better? Well, um, I think people could just release 420 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: some of the prejudices, you know, stop judging books by 421 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: the color, and I think we will be better off 422 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:46,239 Speaker 1: for it. I hope that we can do that as 423 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 1: a society, as a country because it's it's now more 424 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 1: important than ever before with everything that's at stake. So 425 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:56,159 Speaker 1: what I've been trying to do for season two is 426 00:23:56,200 --> 00:24:00,119 Speaker 1: I've been trying to highlight a charity, uh and an 427 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: awareness to it because I feel like that it's it 428 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,920 Speaker 1: should be happening and just bringing awareness to something people 429 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:08,840 Speaker 1: that are doing good. So is there a charity that 430 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:13,240 Speaker 1: you want to talk about? Oh? Yeah, sure, Oh charity 431 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:15,400 Speaker 1: that I'm involved with is my new Red Shoes out 432 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:19,520 Speaker 1: of the Bay Area. Uh. It basically collects money and 433 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 1: collects shoes to give the kids that wouldn't be able 434 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:24,359 Speaker 1: to buy on for themselves. So shout out to Money 435 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 1: Red Shoes. All right, I'm gonna link them in my bio. 436 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:30,520 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for taking the time. I know 437 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,200 Speaker 1: you're very busy with everything so it really needs a 438 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:40,200 Speaker 1: lot all right, Thanks for having me on. Thank you 439 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 1: guys again for listening to this week's episode. I hope 440 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 1: you enjoyed it. Don't forget to follow Aaron Gordon on 441 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 1: social media and if you haven't already, followed me on Instagram, 442 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: added Samy J. That's I T S S A. M 443 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: M y j A y e and happy holidays. I 444 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 1: know this season, this time of year can be really 445 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:59,360 Speaker 1: hard for a lot of people, so if you're struggling, 446 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 1: you can always DM me. My dms are open to 447 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 1: everybody and I will see you guys soon. Bye guys, M.