Coat Check | Meet the Team

June fourth, the NBA G League canceled the remainder of the two thousand, nineteen twenty season, so just about a week ago from when we're recording this one right now. But just a quick shout out to the Bluecoats fans out there for another great season. An awesome passionate group and supportive group of fans. We continue on with coat Check. A reminder that Coat Check is a bi weekly podcast.

You can catch up on previous episodes, such as an interview with Xavier Silas as well as our most recent episode with Bluecoats Ambassador of Basketball Joe Richmond under Delaware Bluecoats and also on the seventy Sixers podcast Network this week, changing it up a little bit it's not one guest,

it's multiple guests with some quick hitting interviews. And that's because it's a best of the Bluecoats twenty twenty Meet the Team event at Wilmington brew Works, which took place back in late February in Joe Richmond, the aforementioned Joe Richmond and I sat down with a bunch of players and staff members, and for that reason, this could be maybe part one of two of our best of Meet the Team event, but stay tuned on that. Maybe we'll

have another episode like this sometime down the road. On this episode, in particular, we will hear from Bluecoats team president Larry Meli, a couple of players after that, Justin Robinson, Dennis Clifford, and seventy six ers two way contract player Mariel shayok Up. First will be Larry Meli, the president of the Delaware Blue Coats. A fun conversation with Larry. As always, we talk a lot about the community and

the Bluecoats, their place in the Delaware community. You might hear some of the background noise, and that's what you get when you have a team event, a fan event, you get some music in the background. I think in this interview. You might even hear some balloons popping and some NBA two K going on in the background, but some really good stuff with Larry Mela, the president of the Delaware Blue Coats. We've got Larry Mela coming over,

the president of the Delaware Blue Coats. He eloquently addressed this crowd earlier. They were fired up for the Coats, big words Sunday. Eloquently, Larry, It's been a great day here with meet the team twenty twenty. What an atmosphere at Wilmington brew Works and what I've been astonished at the passion. So how have you seen the passion of this fan base grow over the years? Now second year at the field House and all that here in Wilmington. Well, look,

first off, what a great space. Yes, awesome. If I wish I've lived down the streets. I would come here every night since our inception, Like we had three goals, right, It was the product on the floor, the experience we gave our fans and our partners, and what we're doing in the community. And when we started back in twenty thirteen, there was only fourteen teams in the league. Nobody even knew what the Chew League want double that now twenty eight hour of growing, the eight and growing and twenty

nine next year in Mexico City. That's right and for us getting into the fabric of the community, knowing that the power of basketball can influence and impact so many people, opened so many doors, and each year we just tried

to build on the last. It was always about progress, progress matter, and whether it was giving a kid a book who didn't have one, or helping a family who was homeless, or family that I was just looking for a meal, the field, the kids like that was all the stuff we were helping, trying to help facilitate and luckily, because of sports, people will gravitate for that and want

to help. I think, UM to see us us now where literacy is our main program and we've given out over fifty thousand books thanks to Joe and his work. It's been amazing. And for me, Larry, you know, I live and breathe the blue Potes, I really do. If you if you cut me open out in blue coming out, I love it. Um. You've been here. UM, I can thank you publicly for allowing me to be here. UM. But like you talk about the community and a lot of people when they come to the great State of Delawa.

I've been over twenty years, they say what they're gonna do. But you know, it's a lot more talking than walking. What is it about you, guys, I mean you and Alex? What it really is it about you that say we're gonna walk it like we talk it? What was it that made the foundation of where we are? Well, it's

a great question. I think part of it. Look, you're one of the first people I met, and um, and just meeting people like you in this community who are so passionate about making a difference in kids lives like that isires me, That inspires Alex, inspires our whole organization. So to see you on the ground making things happen like that, it was like, we can actually make a difference, Like we have a sport and a product and players

and a stage that people can attention. And then when you're starting to see like people we're making actually making progress, doing some unbelievable things, you just want to keep it up for the momentum. And I mentioned that you addressed the crowd. Um you mentioned not every There's not a lot of cities that have a professional basketball team. So how special is it for Wilmington to have a pro

basketball team in the NBA G League. And that's what I had said earlier there the NBA product as a whole, and count the G League the NBA, the w maybe in sixty communities, and Delaware is one of them. And I think to have a community where you could put their name on the chest of these guys, I think that's really something to take pride in it. I want to I want to give a shout out a d ETV. It's first year we are out there being a broadcast. But if you look at this event, it's not just

the basketball staff and the sales staff is here. Everybody's a part of this today. And I think that was with me. There's a special data absolutely, and the whole G League is surrounded by this concept of the pursuit of a dream, and whether it's basketball players or front office staff, they have a chance to kind of develop themselves in their career and it's it's just unbelievable to be a part of them. Just so proud of all you both who's been a part of that process and

building and developing your own careers. And we couldn't have done it without you. We could not have done it this year without d etv Um to get us out there. So it's uh, it's really been a special year across of course, as doctors, nurses and caregivers, and as neighbors and friends. Christiana Care is a partner in everyone's journey to greater health and well being. Why do they do it for the love of health? Is it Christianacare dot org.

Once again, that was Bluecoats team president Larry Melie. And next up we have Justin Robinson followed by Dennis Clifford, both guys who at the time were in season acquisitions and at the time of the Meet the Team event in February at the end of the month, they were very, very new to Delaware at that time. We talk about video games, shoes, sneakers, and much more. We're gonna have Justin Robbinson take a seat or here at Meet the Team two twenties just then a four year player at

Virginia Tech, so high level college basketball. So you're obviously familiar with different fan bases and things like that and events like this I Meet the Team style events. So what are your favorite parts of a day like this? Getting to see the fans who support you. I think just being myself. I'm majored in communications, and I think I'm a relationship type of person and I can adapt

to others really well. I think overall, just being at with a smile and meet new people on network and uh, let them know that they impact their life just like we impact theirs. It's just who I am and who I continue to be. Well, you know, we get a lot of the players on we get to talk about him, were in my head and talk about the kadomy. But man, a lot of people I wanted to want to know when you come up with them passes, don't don't bring

up South Dakota. Don't bring up South Dakota. Joe, you didn't. You didn't hear. But he fired one into the stands that caught caught somebody in the face of South Dakota that wasn't. But they do. They always thinks to go that guy. It comes from everywhere, how they coming from from being out there in DC. And I know if you got a lot of guys up there and they got them handle games, yea, So maybe come up with the passes, man um. I think just overall all of my life, I'm always been able to see a play

before it happens. Um, just having a little bit of an NBA experience in team know when some of the reads already helps. And I think the way that the organization knows and runs their their style of play in certain sponsors right for who I am, and I know where people are gonna be, so I'm having to fire it there and just having that read it's good for them. Hey Joe, are you left handed? By chance? We're both left handed, so you gotta get out of here, all right?

Left is the way to go. All right, let's wrap up with one or two. You've been noted already by a couple of your teammates as maybe the biggest gamer or the best Call of duty player. Would you consider yourself the biggest gamer video game wise on the team? Easy? I think, uh think the transition I need to go explore a little bit more around. Actually, my mom's from Philadelphia, so I know a lot about Philly, but the Wilmington area, I'm not really familiar with what gaming no in terms

of scrolling knowing what's around. But so I honestly, I just practiced. I thought you were looking for the gaming scene or something. I just practiced and go home and play video games or watch film. So it's all too about all right, Well, let's uh, let's keep him here for a second. You got something, I got a time I want to know, man like, well, like every time before a game, you know, you gotta get you get ready. You're in the locker room, but you get ready. We

should go to music. We should go to music before a game. I go to music. Uh, probably Nipsey Hustle. Okay, a little Ronnie Richard meeko. Oh your meek mill dude. That's that Philly shout. Yeah, yeah, the moms Philly side here, Yes there, yes there, for sure. You can hear the background noise again. We're at Wilmington Threw Works. That's the fans living it up here on the Meet the Team

twenty and twenty event. We're talking with Justin Robinson, point guard with the Delaware bluecoat speaking a free game and uh, your music? How about your shore game? When you decide what you're gonna wear for that game? What goes into into the decision on what sneakers you're gonna wear for a particular game. It's been difficult when I was in college, I never wore the same shoot twice and see, so I think the idea of, like I said, transition from

DC to Delaware. I didn't bring up everything. I have a lot in storage, so with the shoes I did bring, I try to rotate through um. Actually just went in about two more hares yesterday, so we'll see how it keeps going for the rest of the year. I actually had some shoes that went well with the jersey last night, but it was in storage and kind of made me a little upset. But yeah, Joe, when they were the bow Biden Foundation, that was a great night for Bo

Biden Foundation. Obviously we're hoping for it were the team was hoping for a different result on the on the floor, but the specialty uniform to support the protection of children with the Bobiden Foundation. The Navy blue thieve fit in with his Washington background wizards heavily wizards was hot. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure. I really enjoyed that though. I was very great cause and just agreeing for a much purpose. Last one, last one,

last one. What was the transition like from college to the pros in terms of I mentioned it to some of your teammates. The arrival photos and what you're wearing when you get to the game, because that becomes a big part of the NBA lifestyle, making sure that you look good when you come into the arena. How much thought did you put into that when you were going in for an NBA game? So I actually did that a lot in college. We actually had a good personal

for talking for if you would call it um. We had a fashionist team, festivaler and you wanted to U shot game. We went to Sweet sixteen. We had a good tournament run, so everybody wanted to look fly walk into the game. Try to have those tunnel picks before they got all right, so you're ready your closet stuff, all right, justin thanks so much, Matt. We appreciate it,

Thank you, thank you. We're gonna get a guy that's even newer than Justin Robinson to the Delaware blue Coats on here Matt Murphy and Joe Richmond, and we got a brand new member of the Delaware Bluecoats. So Justin Robinson's been around the club for a few weeks now, but we got a guy who officially was acquired yesterday as we record this on February twenty third. Please to be join Dennis Clifford, Dennis, welcome to the show. And see we gotta say, Joe, we gotta say welcome to Delaware. Yes,

brand new to the team. So you see all these bands here. What are your first impressions of the Delaware Bluecoats fan base? First impressions is, uh, it's a good community. You know. I've met a lot of people today from the team and just the fan base, and it's like a lot of good meats. For sure. We gotta show him the way, Joe, You're we gotta teach him about

Delaware and all of that because he's brand new. Well, you know one thing about Delaware, man, if you can see, Man, if you work hard and just sewing some of the some of the practice already, your work ethic is gonna win these fans over. And as you can see, man, they're passionate about the team. They're passion about you guys, and like anything else, like they weren't winning, everybody was asking about you. You're walking around and sad them the other day like, Yo, who is this guy? And I

was so excited to see that. You know, you finally officially got on so um, you know, coming out, what do you look to bring to the team because you know, other guys we got to talk about some basketball. But what are you looking to bring to what you know saw in the last couple of games. What are you looking to bring to this team in this community? Man? Just uh, to the team some reinforcements, you know. I mean, I feel like Philly's got a lot of that nitty

gritty style, very similar to Boston. I think. Yeah, so I'm kind of used to that atmosphere. I feel I feel it from the fans already, like that's the type of style they want, and that's the way I'd like to play. So yeah, that's good. He coming from Boston because you know, the weather fits right in cold cold weather East school city and very similar. Dennis Clintford, the former Boston College college player, how about the style of playing the sixers in Blue Coats organization with embracing the

big man. You're now the third seven footer currently on the Blue Coach roster joining the round Lauren Chris Kumaji. What what what are your thoughts on how they embrace that big guy and use him in the offense and the defense. Well, that's definitely something that attracted me to this team. Is just you know, a lot of people in the organization were reaching out to me and they were like, hey, listen, you know, like we we like using our bigs, you know, and they've they've already proved that.

So it's kind of cool watching the Sixers, seeing how they use their bills. They got great bigs up there, and just hoping that I could emulate some of that for this team. So you don't know Joe too well yet, but you will. His international his professional career took him overseas. He toured with the Harlem Globe Trinners as well. And you're a guy who, hey, who's played overseas. So how do you think playing overseas helped you now returning to

the G League. But a couple of things. I mean, the overseas game is definitely different, but you know, just like another style of basketball, you kind of pick up some little tricks here and there. For sure. I mean over there it's a lot more like team oriented. You definitely need like more more things, like more pieces to the puzzle time. It's it's difficult, man, Like the spacing over there is much different. So I think I picked up a couple of things, you know, well, We're not

going to stick the basketball. We want to loosen up. Let the people get to know you are. But this is gonna be airing all over the place. So we're gonna start off. Maddy Ice like to go to and so I know that's this go to thing. I'm not a gamer dude, but I want to know what's your shoe game? Like, like, what's that? What do you what do you like when you go on the court? What's that? What's that? What's that on the court? Yeah? Which you was the first shoe I fell in love with the

with the Thames, with Jordan Tames. I like, I like those lines, nothing new. I mean that was a couple of years ago. Now, I like, I like rocking the Kobe's. You know they fit good. I mean they kind of fit like a soccer shoe, you know what I mean. I like to be like free in my movement for sure, So I kind of I'm going towards the low tops now recently. Okay, no ankle brains is or anything. Just a straight up low town no, because I like I like feeling free, you know what I mean, so that

I can move. How about your whole look on the court, because you got the hair and anybody's watching it see us. And in your Boston college days, I don't think you had the hair. Didn't you have the hair? So why didn't you start growing it out? My first season out of Boston, UM was G League in Santa Cruz. Former G League All Star with Santa Cruz. I mean, I grew up in Boston. I spent my whole career in Boston. And then it's like I go out to California and

it's like totally different. But I loved it, right So I was like all right, and that year was the year I grow my hair, you know. And like the people, like the people in Santa Cruz, they loved it like that. They were coming up to me on the street like, hey man, I loved it hair like that stuff like, so I was like, dang, Like I definitely like felt a lot of that lifestyle out in Cally for sure, Okay. And I got at least know, you know, every ball and like myself, we gotta know, we get anthem for

the game. We gotta get ready for the game. We should go to music before a game. I like rapping, so I mean right now, like the groovy stuff is like gunna to me. Yeah, that's what I like right now? Okay, for sure. Mariel Shayak coming up. But first, the Moore's Sports Medicine believes that highly personalized one on one physical therapy for young athletes is paramount to a speedy and complete recovery. Learn more at nemours dot org slash pt.

Thanks again to Justin Robinson and Dennis Clifford. Now it's time to hear from seventy six Ers two way contract player Mariel Shayok. Some of the topics that we touched on, who has the best shoe game on the team, and even the art of the autograph or the signature. Well, we've got another great guest here, seventy six Ers two way contract player Mariel Shayak. An event like this you

obviously another high level college guy. You've been to a lot of things like this, So what does an event like this in the community mean to you and your teammates? Us a way to show our appreciation to the fans that our lary tests and come support us day in and day out. So it's a good Dana just be here and really get to just spend time with dumb

and just have some fun. Like I said from before, this boy just so smooth on a court, and that'd be a great transition for I mean, once again we hear Womenton brew Works and we're Last year we did it at the field House. Here was a little bit more intimate, and um, I'm looking because a lot of people and you might not know what's out and about and they were definitely asking about you. And the one thing for you guys to see this, you know what I'm trying to ask you is how does that really

make you feel? That know that these people are really because they know your stats, they know what you did, they know you know all your things. How was that looking at that little kid that's walking up to you asking those questions not just for your autograph, but wanting to know those things and telling you about those things. How did that make you feel knowing that you had that type of impact on that young life. It's definitely great for being that physician to inspire these kids and

the fans here. So it's really so hopefully be a good run model and Sharona is definitely possible as won't work hard and sick to your craft, yo. You see I got next was out to day or your gamer and if so, like, where would you reach yourself scale one of the tenants gaming the game? Yeah, I get that up. Back in the day, he says that. But when we were setting up two K, he was changing the camera angles. Oh yeah, really really customizing the camera angles.

That's just old habits. But back in the day, I was second and none nowadays I get that up. What did you play growing up other than two K? Two K, Madden A sponge games? Most about? Uh well, Madden and two KS and a bunch of those being from Canada. Was NHL a video game he played? Or not? Really? It's fun to play, Yeah, it's fun. I just played a little bit of that, play a little uh ufc oka. Um, those are all fun and some of those all those the call duties and it's kid. So what's up with

the shoe game? I want to know because we asked. We was asking me before that then, but we was asking the day, not just for you. Who do you say, if you had to pick got the best shoe game on the team? Oh? We put hey, hey what kyble with some names? I want to see who you say, scooting myself? Yeah, he said, excluding myself if you went tuck yourself and then who else would you throw with the you my off court auntocord both it's me. It's not even a question. It's not even a question. It's

not a it's not even a question. It's not even a question. It's not even a question. All Right, I'm gonna end on another one to ten scale type thing. So I was with you on Sixers media day when you were signing five hundred autographs, right, you had to sign some more autographs today at an event like this. How would you rank your autograph one to ten? How good it is? Oh? I mean thinking about a good autograph, you gotta have the numbers, gotta be prominently even that.

You gotta have the balance of speed. Because the next kids waited, but clarity just showed as your autograph. I think it's important to get the maybe the initials right, big initials so they can see. Yeah, So that's about doing them on I got my the big M scribbled to a R, I O got the big ass scribbled the rest of that. Just put the number three five and he noticed me. Six Ers two way contracts layer Marriel Shayok rounding things out and that will do it.

For this episode, I'm Matt Murphy. Thank you for listening, and until next time, take it or leave it at the coat check