Dejounte Murray | Ep 166 | ALL THE SMOKE Full Episode | SHOWTIME Basketball

trying to catch up. Let's say, you know, schedules they're busy, are you know? But welcome to the show. Man. How's life? What's going on? How how are you adjusting to Atlanta? Man? First of all, life is great, brouh you know where we come from. When you see another day, it's a blessing. Uh, you know, And obviously to be in the situation I'm in in life in general, just you know, be able to try to find that peace, you know, some happiness

and doing the right thing. Uh. You know, So life's great. Uh. You know. As far as adjusting Atlanta, ship, I'm trying to. I'll be inside, bro, be outside. You know, I've been chilling. I like to be in my own bubble, uh, locked in uh with my family, so I'm adjusted to it. I know they get lit up here. So I think you just now you haven't you got another one on the way an evaculation. Yeah, how's that? What's that feeling? Like? Right? You got a girl? Dad? But what's that? What I mean,

what's that feeling? Like? Explained fatherhood to us in your opinion? I mean, uh, you know I grew up. You know, I always had uncle's aunties, my grandmother, my mother, and my father. You know, Uh it was around, but my mom I didn't really grow up with that that that relationship like mom son dad. So you feel me. So it was more like a I call it like a group home, but it was love. It was me and

all my family and raising my grandma's house. So it's like, uh, you know, it kind of it hit different for me knowing that, like I ain't had taking me to school, taking me the activities, uh, waking up with breakfast, lunch, dinner, all that, like you know what I mean. So having my daughter, it's it's it's easy because it's what I'm supposed to do. I always tell people I love for people that don't know me that see you know me being a father, Like, don't praise me for something I'm

supposed to do, you know what I'm saying. So you know it's it's crazy. I got another girl on the way. My daughter is excited. I'm excited. Uh you know. But but father was everything to me. Come first. I got five girls, so I know the feeling. Speaking of your father, I saw recently before I go to my question, and I saw you, um you talk about you were raised.

When I saw you reached out to your father and bottom a truck and still kind of kind of mentor that relationship to talk talking a little boy, because that that means a lot. I did the same thing for my father died like he stayed five minutes away from it, but wasn't there. But as I became a man and had kids by other women, I understand how it could be difficult, how could not just be his fault. And I reached out to him and built our relationship before

he passed. So talk about it because I saw you did the same thing for your pa. You were just man, you pulled up with a truck phone. Yeah, no, I mean, you know, I love my dad, Like, I think the difference that we have is I don't be trying to tell him like you were, Dad, be like I ain't on that, you know what I'm saying. Like for me, it's the times I needed you, you know what I mean, I just want to answer you could told me like you know, I wasn't right. This was going on like

I'm grown that I ain't a little boy. So it's

like we can have them conversations. So it was like it was really you know, obviously I didn't grow up living with him, but I remember being around him and all that, and uh, you know, we just bumped his I think from from my teenage from being what eleven Levin all the way to you know, like seventeen eighteen, and I always asked them like let's just have a conversation, like I want you to get to know me, like I ain't the innocent little kid that he was used

to being around because we were in a long time not seeing each other, you know what I mean. Even to this day, you know, we're still bumping heads. But I'll be telling them like I love you, like I brought you to high school games, college games, the draft, you know, trying to build that relationship with him, because it's it's it's it's not easy, but it's not hard, you know what I'm saying. And it ain't about the materialistic things for me, Like none of that moved me,

you feel me. But I just know from a kid that he always liked the Tahoe you know what I'm saying. And I ain't really did nothing for him since I made it, because my main thing, then let's built that father and some relationship and and all that extra stuff could come with it, you know what I'm saying. But I want to build that, like I want that like I'm in the league, bro, Like I want you to be able to be at the games. I want to be able to talk after the games like my father

and my mother. So it's like for me and him, we still just it's it's still hard, what I'm saying, but me remembrance as a kid that he liked to hoos and knowing that the family, you know, he's living in Hawaii right now with his wife and uh three my little sisters. So knowing that you know they are a family. Uh, I'm like, damn, he got cars, he ain't got no truck. So that's just me always thinking to my people, Bro, I'm gonna give her, you know what I'm saying. So you know, it wasn't even about

the truck or nothing. It was just something that I wanted to do and just help him and let him know, like I love you, you know what I mean, No matter what, Like I love you, You're gonna always be blessed for that map, for that mentality and attitude. Last June, you got traded by the Spurs to the Hawks. How did you find out? Yeah? Man, Uh, I think I was in New York. I was in New York. Uh, just chilling, working out homies and ship and uh, me and Pop was talking. I was in a bunch of

like it start heating up. I was in trade talks, but it was always BS. You know, Pop you being around and uh it was BS. He would call me like it ain't nothing, it ain't nothing. Then they start heating up. And then I started asking questions though, because I'm in the gym every day. Like I stayed in San Antonio. I didn't leave for the summers, go back home,

go l a, none of that. Staying in San Antonio. Yeah, and uh, you know, I'm just curious to where we're going, what we're doing, you know what I mean, because not alone that I'm growing, but we're drafting younger guys and it's like it ain't fair to them, and it ain't fair to me because you know, I'm doing this and they just getting here. And you know what I'm saying. So always I wasn't a selfish type to be like, oh we gotta get better players, We gotta do this

because they all talented. You here for a reason, you know what I'm saying. But for me, I just explain the popping them guys like it's just ain't fair for them trying to develop and then me, you know, reaching the level beach and I'm got years ahead of them

and and just figuring out what we're doing. And uh, you know, they asked me, you know, teams that I like to play for, and you know, um, Atlanta was a team not only you know, because of Trede Young, but just you know, the culture are people's out here, and you know what I'm saying, and I love it. We played there last year before the All Star Game. We came here and played and uh, I just felt the vibe. I felt the atmosphere and it was something I want to be a part of. That's dope, I know.

I mean me playing in San Antonio. I know like I left twice, and I know how that situation could the whole players back. I went through it because while I went through it, I became a better player once I left. I appreciate the opportunity because I got a chance to play with Timid Dave, win the championship and all that. But that's it. That system is not for everybody,

and I saw that with you. You know, the same thing I said with Uh was true when I got there with K. I see the same thing with DJ Bro. I said, it's about to happen. He's gonna get tired because he's not growing as a player. They wanted to continue to stay in that system, but he's not gonna be the best him in that system. Am I right? Of course? You you you witnessed it. You was there. You know what I'm saying, So you could see between all that to be able to fake all of it,

you know what I mean. So of course, and it's professional, don't give me it's professional. Is a great organization to be a part of. But if you're not Tony Parker, Genoboli, Tim Duncan. That's that's not a place where you would

have longevity. So I was glad to see you leave, and I was glad to see popping them seeing you somewhere where you could you know what I'm saying, when you can flourish immediately, because they will send you to somewhere where you disappear, especially they know they got to play you again, you know what I mean. And that's one thing about my second time. He didn't want to send me the Clippers. He just cut me so I couldn't sign with nobody else because the players about to start.

I get it, I wouldnt want to see me either, But I get I wouldn't want to let me. Even the league, everybody, me living here in Atlanta, everybody was excited to see you in trade together. How how has it Phil been on the corporate trade right now? Building that chemistry? I mean, it's it's uh, it's a process, you know what I'm saying. And I'm trying to put that through his head the rest of the team's head, like it's a it's a journey. It's a process, and

what we want don't come overnight. It ain't easy. This league's a monster as we know, you guys know former players like the talents off the roof, you know what I'm saying. So you know, obviously I like playing with him, just he could pass the ball, he could screw the ball. And I try to tell a lot of people like just around me, like I don't think he gets the credit that he deserves far as being his height and what he does. Know what I'm saying, Like, I'm six five, bro,

Like you know what I mean. So I'm not gonna say easier, but six ft six five, that's a big difference in this league, you know what I mean. So to see him be able to be a thirty and ten guy like at his size, I don't think he even realized it how impressive it is, you know what I'm saying. Um, But we're still trying to figure it out. You know, I'm somebody I don't want nothing easy. You know, I'm bill for adversity. I try to tell them like, we don't want nothing easy because at the end we're

gonna smile, you know, we're gonna laugh, joke everything. But all the hard times you gotta grind it out. Do you want it to you, don't you know what I'm saying. So, I mean I like playing with him. Uh, you know, like I said, it's a journey, it's a process. So you gotta just these are things that you just gotta sit and just watch, you know what I mean. But that's that's that's nothing from San Antonio. So you're coming from San Antonio. You have more years of experience than

you do years of playing here. But if they teach you so much over there, you know what I'm saying, You your your basketball are you grows there? And that's good for this team because the team has some ups and homes. Before you got here, they got high, your back low again, and but you have be coming there to let this guys know, hey, we got a new team, but we you know, we're still growing. That's important, Bro, that's important because look at Boston. It's just on the

half of Boston. They drafted that and it's just starting to happen. So the fact that you're coming in being a leader speaking like that, that's good for your square. Bro. No for sure. Uh. Born and raised in Seattle. Uh. Incarcerated at a young age. Uh, how did that shape your point of view? Once you left that situation. That's why I love him, That's why I fell in love with him because I knew a story. Now you know, it's love both of y'all. Ship. But I mean, you know,

that was my environment. Like my mom. My mom, she grew up in prison, you know what I'm saying. Like she was in, out of prison and out of jail all the time, you know, from a kid juvenile all the way to county of the prison. And then my dad he was you know, he was a hustler, uh you know, but he he didn't really do no time like that. He'd been to jail in and out, but he didn't really do no time like my mom. So but that was my environment. You know. Uh, when you

just you just probably get in your environment. You you just go to flow. You're trying to make it to the next day survival, you know what I'm saying. And I had to that had to be my mindset at ten years old, eleven years old, you know right away, even before that. But I always had good people like uncles, my grandma and you know, all the aunties and stuff that looked after me. We just a bad kids running

around the neighborhood, running around the house. You know, as it got to ten eleven years old, is you know when I started getting active. You know what I mean, always is around older people, and uh, you know, first time juvenile was eleven eleven, and then thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and I think the last time was fifteen. I knew I was always talented in basketball, and the judges always has had something for me. It was like it was already written from God, or like I was always getting

smacks on the risk, you know what I mean. And I'm watching my homies get thirty years, forty years, all the way to eighty years. Partners I talked to till this day. Every day, you know what I'm saying. And I remember the last time I went. It's a story I never told nobody. I told people around me. But I'm fifteen and I'm in juvenile and they detained me. They keep me, they keep me in for extra thirty days. I'm thinking I'm getting out. My upposed to be at practice,

I'm supposed to be at school. So there's a big game coming up. It's Raynard Beach Verse botho Zach Lavine went to Bathe So the whole city they knew I was younger and he was older getting ready to go to u C. L A. But they knew the talent was there, so they was hyping the game up right at SPU when all have his cross over at and Uh, they're hyping this game up. I'm in juvenile. I missed the game, biggest game of the year, biggest game in the city. And for me, it wasn't because it was

hyping the game up. It just was, you know, opportunity to go out showcase myself, you know what I mean, and and show that I'm I'm ready to be the next guy, knowing that Zack's head in the college and then you know, obviously the NBA, so I'm in there. Uh, and I'm just thinking, like this ain't the life I want, you know what I mean, Like, this is not the life I want, you know what I mean, Like even if it ain't basketball, Like I gotta figure it out.

And obviously I had a great support system. Uh you know my uncle's you know, they built the plan for me. They're like, we're about to move him out the hood. We're about to move them, you know, with my anti arresting peace. He's a hundred seven years old. I lived with her, and they was like, we're gonna move him out the way, We're gonna home school them, and you know the rest was history. Bro. I got out, moved away, moved away from my family, the hood. Everything it was

like I was ghosts. I was gone Jim House, gym house every day for three years, sophomore the senior year. And I just seen you know what, them tables turning when you start doing the right thing. I feel like God bless you, and God start blessing me each and every day. Uh, Rainier Beach High School three time champ guys such as Doug Christie, Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford, Kevin Porter jr. Um. What did that mean? Seeing all the dudes before you make that next jump, not only the college,

but have successful careers in the league. I mean it speaks, It speaks volumes of uh you know the high school. Uh you know what we what we represent. Uh shout out coach Mike there. Uh he'd been a coach there to coach all them guys all the way up to right now. And UH, for me, it just it just motivated me, you know, seeing them guys being around them, guys playing against them, guys getting to pick their brain. But more so, uh, you know, I took all the situations and just use it for what to do and

not to do. Uh, you know, because we got a lot of guys, uh, even you know Terence Williams, he went there nice, you know what I'm saying. And for me, like I just I just utilized all that, Bro, I just I took advantage of it. You know, I didn't played with like I said, when I changed my life and I was like, I'm gonna do the right thing. I was to take advantage of everything good, bad, but mainly the good. And you know, all them guys played a part in where I'm at today. You remember your name,

Doug Ran, Yeah, that's my cousin. That's your cousin. That's my blood cousin. Bro, that's my cousin. So talented, bro, but always was always in some ship, always to play together. And then you Doug was so fucking cool. BROA tell him if what I'm gonna tell you, he's still crazy. He was crazy, but but that he had so much game, bro, and went to the dog. Yeah. Yeah. So I got a chance to meet you at Jamal Crawford's wedding and we know what kind of obviously, what kind of basketball

had Jamal is. So Jamal doesn't tell none of us this ship. So we get there the first day. You know what I'm doing. I'm I'm jumping off the bus. I mean, I'm jumping off the plane, going to smoke, drinking. Okay, I got a couple of days off. The chill hits us. We got some ship to do at midnight. I was like, midnight, what you're talking about? Yeah, we're gonna play some basketball, Like come on, why what you talking about? Like huh. So we end up going to where he has this

proram at. When I tell you that ship was sold out at midnight, jack like six thousand people and that they packed little skinny dude with the curly tops, I didn't know who he was. This motherfucker killed had like almost fifty. There was only maybe a sophomore junior. What I was a junior junior. I was going to my junior, I believe, when I tell you, stole the show. Like no one was playing super serious until they saw how hard he was going. And then him and Jamal started

going there. I was like, yo, who is he's He's going to the projec. That's that's the little homie. He's nice. He's supposed to go to you, douve. I'm like, damn, this little niggas cold. But you know me, I was trying to chill and this dude just came in the gym killing. But that was always went a little hung man. But that was Jamal's like that. That's his bachelor party playing basketball. And then I was like, what are we

doing in here? But that's when I got a chance to meet him and just saw and ever since then, I just kind of started phoning him and just continuing to see his growth. And obviously, you know, Seattle is a hotbed for talent, and like you said, everyone played a part and you kind of making it. But speak to the importance of a kind of mentor Jamal Crawford had been to you and meant to you. I mean, you know, Maul was the mall was the first pro

that I ever met. You know, I remember it was like sixth grade and at this time that was a time where I was being a knucklehead but still playing a U ball and uh, he got a close friend, coach, teammate he played with, but their close friends or his names Dave King Uh, and Dave told him like, man, you gotta you gotta look out for Terry's nephew. Terry's my uncle that grew up with him, and he's like, you gotta look out for his nephew. He cold, he's

sixth grade with he cold. And to me, they like Jamal Cawford come to your game, and I'm like, ship, I don't care, like I'm going to hoop, you know what I mean. Like I didn't know the importance of positive successful people. Like all I knew was my environment, you know what I'm saying. So it was like I ain't cared to take photos, autographs and none of that, you know what I mean. But obviously I knew who he was and that was somebody always heard of and stuff.

So I remember meeting him sixth grade. I think I scored like forty points that game, and he came up to me after and he's like, you got it, you know what I mean? And we locked in and ever since then it was more like, you know, just him teaching this, teaching that allowing me to be in the gym with him, Uh, bringing y'all back a bunch of you guys and the pros and allowing us to be around pros and see what it's like to be a professional. Not the money, not the fame or even your profession.

Just you know what I mean. You see how y'all carry yourself, See how chew y'all real y'all that could still come and be around the youth, you know what I'm saying. So just just about him doing that, you know, it speaks volumes in you know, I forever salute them just for taking me under his wing when he have to a million other kids that you could have chose, you know what I'm saying. So just having somebody like that, you know, be in my corner. Uh, you know, it's

all love. And like I tell him, you know, I'm forever in debt with you, I'm always thankful and grateful famam um. Obviously the Sonics growing up? How many times does he take of you a day? Yeah? How many times? A crazy bro? What fingers? Uh huh? What was it like getting a chance to be a part of his his program? Lead again, seeing those guys come through such Lebron and you name it, everyone's been through that league. But was a part of What was it like growing

up and being a part of it. I mean, I think it's it's powerful because obviously the Sonics is gone, you know what I'm saying, So he don't have to do that. Obviously he took along and put it on the weight on his shoulder from Doug Christie. But he ain't got to do that. You know, you play and then you know, in the summers, y'all both players, So y'all know, time go back like this, you know what I'm saying. So for him, he gives his twelve months a year to basketball, you know what I'm saying. He

was playing in the the league seven eight months. Then the rest he was coming to you know, pro and prom and promo. So to see it grow from Rayner Beach High School too, it was at the Vista and now he's at you know, SPU were it's a bigger venue. You know. Just to see it grow and watch all these guys come there and just seeing the love that it gets just proves that we need a team, you know what I'm saying. So always say like we get

a team. I feel like they got to give him the credit he deserved, you know what I mean, because just what he does every summer, you know, obviously we all play a part in it, but you know he's the he's the main point of it, and he's the man behind it. And uh, you know those are the flowers I give him to this day, and I'm gonna give him after this day, you know what I mean, just knowing that we don't got a team and you

bring pros to the city. You've been very vocal on social media talking to your NBA brothers about coming out and playing and whatever problem is it just to give fans an opportunity to see you. Where did that come from? Is that from growing up in it pretty much and

seeing what it does to the city. I think just growing up from it, but also just who I stand for, who I am as a person, Like none of this money fame, like they don't move to jon Bro like for real, Like you know what I mean, Like I know who I am, I'm true to who I am, and I remember being that kid on that side, you know what I'm saying, and not thinking like I ain't never gonna meet a pro, you know what I mean. I never thought I would meet to pro even when

I heard of Jamal and Jason all them guys. And I'm like, I ain't never gonna meet them, you know what I'm saying. So just knowing that I made it this far and I made it to this, I know it ain't nothing for us to go play, you know, for free, but in front of the youth, for just low income people that can't afford to see us play.

You got into a back and forth with another up and coming out of your way, Polo, during the summer, and and it got physical and it got real, and I liked it because, like I said, I think that basketball, that type of basketball has gone. But was that just competitive? Did you guys have a little bit of funk? Or was it just on the court? And it was cool? The thing about me, But like you said, I love it, Like I wish the league right now was more like a grab you could r rock, you know what I'm saying.

Like that's where I come from, you know what I'm saying. So I love it me personally, but a lot of people can't really take it. So with with Polo, like I love Polo, you know what I mean? Like Polos he's the one, you know what I'm saying. It like, ain't no competition in my head with none of us the guys that already made it and the ones that made it and the ones that's trying to make it. But for me with him, like it was competitive, Like

I don't talk one thing about me. I don't talk when I played basketball because I know that I played the game how it's supposed to be played, and I played hard. So it's like, I'm gonna get the best of you, you know what I mean. And I'm gonna do my thing regardless. So you know, with that, they started Rob Ryan, you know what I mean. Uh, it was it was it was I t Zeken and the

Zeke and I ain't gonna get no pros. I'm like, I'm bringing a couple of my brothers from the hood, you know, a bunch of these guys, you know, some of the dudes that's trying to go overseas or some of the ones in college that need the opportunity. That's what I'm going to get. I was the only pro And that was like the topic everybody was saying. All the top teams playing, Uh, They're like, oh, baby, boys, team just got he got a bunch of hood this

and that ain't got nobody. They ain't gonna win nothing, you know, what I'm saying. So I'm hearing all my armies just telling me and I ain't. I'm like, I ain't triping. So we get to the game and the sideline is talking crazy like when I don't go outside, so when I travel, like we don't play that, you know what I mean, Like we move how we're supposed to move. So I got all my people with me, you know what I mean, and they just watched me. Who they enjoying it, you know what I'm saying, And

they just run. They just yapping. Started with the bench, then it started with the players. Then a lot of disrespectful things that I won't get into details start happening, you know what I'm saying. And I'm more with shocked. The line got crossed. That line got crossed. You feel me like even seeing like I don't follow the media, bro. You can say good things about me, bad things about me. It ain't gonna move me. It ain't stopping what I'm

doing or who I am. But it's like I'm looking at a lot and it's like I feel like the world is like it's kind of like soft, like you know what I'm saying, Like it's moving to world a lot of people is just entitled but sensitive, like they can't take nothing. And I ain't saying nothing about nobody. But it's like, if you know me or you watch me, you will see that I don't ride with nobody, like even in the league, bro, I don't rid rod none of that because I know, ain't nobody about to fight.

Ain't nobody about to do none of that. You feel me like, I ain't wasting my time, bro. So it's like that that game they was Ryan it started with his partners on the side, like and they're young boys the nineteen twenty, Like everybody ain't with thirty something, you know what I mean, Like, and we're really from it,

you know what I'm saying. So when they start crossing the line talking street stuff, talking money, oh you suck, or this and this and that, all right, I'm about to turn this motherfuck up, you know what I'm saying. Because even my MoMA on the side like, yeah, you know what to do. Turn it up, you know what I'm saying. And all I did was turned it up.

That's all I did. And then and then for me, he went to the internet and said what he said, but what was said, I didn't like because once you show me, once you show me a certain way or who you are, then I ain't got time to be trying to friend you again or none of that. Like, I ain't got time for that. You crossed the line. You crossed the line. I want you to stand on that. You know what I'm saying. Obviously we who can get them, you know, emotions get the best of us. But the

things I was said, it wasn't. It was like something that being wanted to be said. You feel me. It was personal, dog like and I don't bother nobody. I saw all them love bro, you know what I'm saying, all of them, love all of them. I want them to be better than me. That's how I really am. Bro. You feel me. I want you to make more money to me, I want you to have more success to me because I know it's enough for all of us. And I'm a good person at the end of the day.

You feel me, So with that, that's that. Man, it happened. We don't talk. Me and him don't talk. You know he still feel away. But for me, my phone is always available. I'm always available because I know it ain't really it ain't really nothing that's gonna come down to meet him, meeting like this. I don't want to talk on the phone, Bro, I don't want to be on the internet. See me in real life, you know what I mean. Let's have a conversation. Because I love you.

I'll let you come to my open gyms. You want to rebound for me as a kid, all that I told you before them guys, you're gonna beat somebody. Use the number one. Pick all my brothers. We was in l A. I jumped out of my chair, getting the haircut, getting tattoos, bro, screaming, you know what I mean. So it's like I love that kid, bro, and I'm not

surprised at what he's doing right now, you know. But it's like when that happened, I've seen the change and a lot of people, bro, Like I've seen a lot of people, even from my city, they know they couldn't throw no salt on my name because they know, you know how I think I am and what I stand for, and I'm never in drama. But when that happened, like you start seeing true colors, like I start hearing all types of stuff, bro, former pros, seeing people try to

pick a side, you know, side of the pick. We're supposed to be together, you feel me, but you start seeing the real you know what I mean. So that's why I just, you know, I back up. But even so I still watch his games. I support him. You asked me who the rookie of the year him. Ain't nothing changed with me, you know what I'm saying. But it is what it is. Man. I think a lot of them got mad because we we came and we did we did and I had no pros. Bro, we won the whole thing. I T had like seven pros.

We blew that. We blew them out. I'm telling you. When I turned when I turned up that similar semi finals game versus following them, I said, yeah, we're not leaving Tacoma without the trophy. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. And we're gonna let y'all know. Like I'm getting calls from prison, they're like, bro, why did you do that

to I T? And you know what I mean, Like it was there's more a statement like I was chilling, bro, Like you know, because in the summer you want to protect yourself, so you ain't really trying to go that hard. You feel me, But it's like when I started feeling that. You know, they started playing. They brought it out of me. I'm looking at Mom, looking at the homies, they like, turn up fault. This happened, and that's you know, the University of Warston. You played one year and went to

the draft. How was your process um with going into the draft from how many things did you work out? For? Bro? I left. I was so in love with college, Bro, I can imagine just to just to know, I win sophomore of the senior year, really freshman, really all four of my years, I really wasn't in class freshman year, I was I was stugging, Bro, you know what I mean. I was only going to practice. I was literally going to practice. And it was back to the block. I

was back in the track of my brothers. Like I swear that That's exactly what my life for was. My environment was so sophomore, junior, senior year, I start branching out and start being a gym like I said, with my my, my, my great aunt. Then I'm going to All American camps. Now I'm getting ranked, Now I'm getting letters. Now I'm this. I'm like, I'm doing the right thing. So I go to you Dub I didn't get accepted right away, so I told coach Romar, like, Romar, if

I don't get accepted, it's over. I ain't doing the Juico none of that. Like it's over. I get accepted, like probably like a month after I arrived on campus, Romar called me, he's crying. Then I just started crying because it's like that was the last thing. I'm like, Bro, I know I'm a person. If I stand on something, I'm gonna stand on this since a kid. That's just how I was raised. And I knew if I didn't get accepted, I wasn't doing no more basketball dude, bro,

great dude, Like I love him to death, bro. And when I got accepted, it was on the popping because now it's like, okay, I'm mapping it all out. I wasn't thinking about the league because I know, like I'm about to lock in. I got everything I need around me, from the weights to the trainers everything, so it is going for me to just show up and go do your thing. But for me, it's like, damn, I'm about to enjoy college. Now. I'm about to enjoy being in

class again. Like I ain't even classes eighth grade with students. You know what I'm saying. It's four years that I was around no students. So when I get to college, I'm tripping three people in one class. You know what I'm saying. I'm like, bro, what this is? I made it? I'm telling I'm calling home, like even though homes thirty forty minutes away, but I'm like, bro, I made it, Bro, I made it, you know what I mean. And then just being around all of that, and uh, you know,

obviously I locked in. I said I'm gonna go to like three or four parties in the beginning because you know, football seasons early and then they start ending. When basketball starts, I'm I'm gonna go to like three or four parties. Went to like three or four parties. After that, I'm like, when the season starts, I'm locked in the gym, practice, school games. That's it. Time go by. I ain't even think about the league. But I promise you, I'm just I'm high off life. I'm happy to be there, like

I'm enjoying all of it. And now they just started. I start hoping. I'm hoping, hoping I see one scout next week, ten scouts next practice, twenty scouts because we had marquees Chris too, he win number eight in our draft, and I'm like, this should becoming a reality, bro, Like it's all right here. So I'm trying to stay focused. You got in the newspaper, the news. You're going around campus. Now I can't go, no classes, nothing, And it's just like NBA. He's gonna go to the NBA. He's gonna leave,

he's gonna leave money. This was never a thought, bro. I thought I was about to go to school for at least three or four years. And it comes to a point where it's like January and I'm like, I'm getting the information information and they're like, yeah, you're gonna go top ten from former pros, all the agencies, You're go on top ten. So when when I heard that,

I'm like, obviously you want to win. But it's like at that moment, my mom was house to house, you know what I'm saying, Like hold till just my my my whole family, like the cycle, the whole was all messed up, you know what I'm saying. So for me, I'm thinking from my family. Even to this day, I think from my people because I feel like God gave me that blessing to where he put all the weight on my shoulders to carry because you know I can

handle it, you know what I'm saying. So it's like I told Romar in January, like yeah, Romar, I ain't gonna tell the team because I don't want my teammates to start feeling the type of way or you know, any selfish any of that. So I'm like Roman, I think I'm gonna go. And from that point I stopped going to school. It was just practice in Romar. You know, he knew he we we had that relationship to where I could go do that and tell him, you know

what I mean. And when we got to like what I think March, we went to the n I t we lost and after that I let I let my teammates know all my brothers, like you know, I'm to the league. But even then they're like dog go because they knew my story. You know, they seen it, they seen the pain, They've seen all of it. They see my family, how deep they came. I had the whole family, the whole hood that you do, you know what I'm saying,

Like it was so crazy. They used to the security used to tell me like, man, tell your family to chill out. They too tirt. They leaving at halftime, trying to come back in, like you know what I'm saying, you know, come over. So it's like when I get to the point where I'm like, yeah, I'm out of here, and then I chose the best. I wouldn't visit like

three or four agencies. But Rich Paul was just too He was too authentic for me, Like he felt like he phraises, you know what I mean, before I even knew his story, before I moved to Cleveland and understand, you know where he's from, his block, his neighborhood, you know his story. Like I just sensed that because you know, real recognized real for real. We could see through real fake all that. So it's like when I first met him, bro, I was like you one of us. Bro, I'm like,

I ain't meet with nobody else. Like I'll be in Cleveland in April ready to start my my draft process, you know. So we get out there. Uh, moved to Cleveland with my uncle's and we're there for like what three months, and I worked out. I even go to Combine. I worked out for seven six seven teams, all them teams promised me. Majority of them, they all promised like

and they was like, don't go to Combine, Richard. I don't think it's a good idea to go to combine, just from the information he had and the thing about me that bothers me to today and showed me the business of it. But I cut throat this is like I was honest with him. They went the information they was going to get on me, the league. They went everywhere, as you guys know, they went everywhere. They went to middle schools, high schools, janitors, juveniles, you know what I'm saying,

Random people. I had so many random people come up to me like, Yo, they came up to me. The janitor at you doub when I made it and came back to go work out. He like, they came and they're asking me like did I did you ever disrespect did he ever disrespect you? Was he mean? Was he nice with what? You know what I mean? Like? So that's when I started realizing that it's really federal. They really investigated, you know what I'm saying. So when when when I get the Cleveland stuff, you know, I work

out for them, teams, interviews always smooth. They always blown away like yeah, he got the work ethic, he just needed a chance, great person, and he was honest because they're asking me obviously I ain't speaking on a lot, but you asked me certain things like you know what I'm telling y'all what y'all need to know, and you don't need to know what you don't need to know.

But it's like I was honest with my upbringing, you know what I'm saying, Like I was honest about everything they asked him out he wasn't juven Now at four times, Yes, I was, you know what I mean, just honest about everything. And I just remember the majority and them like are we picking you? Whether it was nine Milwaukee, team, eleven, twelve, all the way to four team. So we get to the draft, Um, I brought everybody in New York. Dudes ain't even been on the plane before they in New York.

So we're in my room. I'm getting dressed, and a lot of weird things start happening, Bro, Like I'm getting calls now, like yo, the FEDS is the FEDS is looking at a lot of people, uh in his entourage. Bro, this is what a team's calling. I ain't gonna say their name with a team called like the fans just looking at a bunch of people in his entourage like huh,

and a lot of weird other stuff start happening. So now I'm looking at Rich like we ain't even got to the table yet, you know what I'm saying, I ain't even I'm still getting dressed, smiling, playing music, and we we were getting ready to get to to the green room. And when we get to the green room, now a lot of weird stuff start happening, bro, Like a lot of teams start text and Rich like oh his background, Oh he was in the game. All this like the stuff I've seen. And somebody did some foul

some foul, foul business, bro. And like both of y'all gonna be disappointed when I tell you off record, like what they did? You feel me like they did some foul business, Bro, that spread it? Rest in peace. Paul Allen told him something spread it around the whole league, like, and it wasn't something they already didn't know. It's just like that person was like trying to stop me from

making it. I don't know if they seen me as a threat, seeing me as whatever, but it was like, man, we gotta slow this down, like nah, let's spread this around. You know what I'm saying. And that ship hurt me because I love that person. You feel me like I love that person and that and that was my that was my process. So I'm sitting at the table mont you said, Antonio was they all came to Cleveland to meet with me. San Antonio trying to trade up for me.

They had the twenty ninth pick, but knowing the information that they had from all the teams, like, he's not going past fifteen. So san Antonio told me, like in the interview, like we we can't let you go nowhere else. But san Antonio like, we gotta trade up to the lottery to get you, Like we're about to do that. So I'm in the green room. I'm like, I ain't even I don't care about going a lottery, none of that.

I'm I'm just bro. I'm about to share the commissioners in. Bro, I'm about to get in the dough, like you know what I'm saying, Like, so I promise you, bro. Like even people said I look mad at the draft, they don't know. I was mad at text messages I was seeing that was spreading around the league. You know what I'm saying, that's what I was mad about. But do you not know that the hope that I gave my city,

my neighborhood, my family, my brothers in prison. I got people that I talked to in prison to this day, you know what I'm saying, and they get to see that Bro, like BRO made it, I can get out of prison, you know what I'm saying. My family's like BRO made it. My mom like my son made it. No excuses. I could go be whatever I want to be, you know what I'm saying, because they know I come from exactly where they come from. So it's like that process, Bro,

it was. It was a blessing. Like at the end of the day, first round twenty nine, and I didn't know a lot about it, Like me going the difference from me going what twelve the twenty nine was money that if you work hard, stay two yourself, be a good person, you're gonna make that money. You're gonna make it back. And then you know what I'm saying. So

that was the only difference. Obviously, you got the hype that come with it, the politics that come with being a top ten pick or late first round, second undrafted, you know, what I'm saying. So for me, I was in the dough so I shook the commissioners and you gotta think this wasn't a video game. This was real life, like you know what I mean, and the rest was history. Bro. What's your first impression of the Spurs when you get there, because you know when Pap told me he wanted to

sign me the person that you told me. Look, I know you smoke weed, We're gonna sign you, but you can't smoke weedin' you know me? Sure smoke ever again in life, smoke couple. I was laughing, right, But they know everything about you before you even set foot in there. Your first impression when you got to San Antonio. My first impression, bro, I just was like, first of all, the Spurs was ella boring to me growing up Like Santonio is a leading city for obesity for women in Texas.

Let me throw that out there. You get that there all they do is eat and don't work out. And my barber you know about that for the tone, you know, you know, hey, But when I mean when I mean boring, it's like when I was growing up and they was winning, Like you know how we play like we were like a I you know what I'm saying. Oh, like it was past cut screen away, Like I was like, I don't want watch bro like they're born, you know what

I mean. But greatness don't never get a twisted I will never get a twisted greatness that for Shure, for Shure, none of that ship swing swing and look and none of that. And that's why I said when I was your watching, Yeah, you know what I'm saying. You know what I'm saying. So first impression on I get there. Obviously I know my history. So one thing about me, I always like fr meet somebody or you know. Obviously the NBA. I love basketball, I love studying it. So

it's like, you know, I knew they were different. There was always a team that was never loud, you know, all that, not flashy. So even me, I'm like, damn, the way I play, even though I play the right way, I'm like, I still got some ship to me, Like damn, want to send Antonio all right, I'm about to take advantage of it. So I go. It's like a roller coaster. You know what I'm saying. It's a roller coaster. Bro. Obviously I know I'm not about to play right away.

Like our starting lineup was Tony, Danny, Kauai, the Marcus Audress pas Bro I'm not about to play Like what by they go wave towels, You need some gatorade, you know what I'm saying. So for me, Pop didn't even like he didn't even talk to me when I first got there, I'm tripping. I'm like, Mono didn't talk to me, popped and talk to me, t P didn't talk to me. I'm like, I'm like, damn, he's he's motherfucker's like me, like they liked me or what they don't like me?

Like what's going on? You know what I'm saying. So I'm like, I ain't triving. I'm rocking with Kauai, Danny Green, we had Jonathan Simmons. He's from Houston, solid, real one, you know, Kyle Anderson. So I'm like, I'm rocking with him, you know what I mean. I'm rocking with my guys. And as times start going, I made an impression like I'm about to locks it up. I'm about to play defense, get every rebound, every loose ball, everything, And because you know,

we don't practice a lot. We don't practice because we're on the court in San Antonio is about playing D. Playing D. We don't practice, So I'm like, I gotta utilize because these guys is older, Like you know what I mean. So when I get my chance, it's training camp and now you just gotta hope somebody rests that getting the game or you know, obviously you never want to see nobody hurt, but you get hurting an opportunity to the next person, next man up, you know. So

for me, Bro, the the impression was really different. It was like something I've never been around, what I'm saying, like, and it was a roller coach from I used to go home, man, I had my uncle living with me and I used to go home mad. Bro just from not understanding like where we come from. You won't understand what they're putting you through, you know what I'm saying, Like I didn't understand nothing, Like like they'll throw me in the fire. Then they'll make me. Uh They're like

you're not I'll come to the arena. They're like, you're not dressing up today. I don't even got a sports jacket. They're trying to give me a big as sports jacket, Like now you could wear power gasaw sports jacket. Like, So for me, I'm like, there's a lot being thrown at me, bro, and I'm like, man, I don't like this, Bro. Then I'm going home. I'm telling Unk like Unk's older, he's just enjoying it, like he having fun. You know, his nephew made it and he out there with me.

I'm going home like, Man, I'm busting Tony's ass in practice, I'm busting Patty Millers as in practice, I'm locking them up, you know what I'm saying. I'm like, damn, like, gave me five minutes, give me seven minutes. Like then they sent me to the G League. And as time start going bro like, they bring in point guard from Argentina. That's close with Manu playing in front of me and my yamba. So I'm behind Tony Patty. But they're playing these mind games. They're trying to see if they could

break me, not knowing you can't break yourself. They want you to break yourself, you know what I'm saying. And they're doing that though I'm at home tripping um punched holes, you know what i mean, Right Ryan, my uncle's venting, you know. But a lot of just more start they playing other guys that was second round picks undrafted in front of me. Now, I'm just like, bro, what's going on. I'm hitting rich, I'm hitting Rich. I'm like, bro, I gotta get traded. He's like, you ain't got no value

you feel me. I'm like, man, bro, this is too much. Bro. I'm like, what if they put me through? Bro, I don't understand. I start hearing your name, Steve jack went through a lot of BS. Obviously we know you got you cold, so you ain't gotta tell me come on, And it's like a lot of people like I start building relationships, like you know, my barber from there seven because I used to go on that same shot. You

know what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. So like I started building relationships with, you know, people from there, not a lot like he really don't like you know what. He's solid, you know, and brought him alone with me today because he's solid, you know what I'm saying. But like even him, like he brought up you. He's like, man, Steve Jackson, your mind, Steven Jackson is uncle. All of them.

They like your mind me, Steve jack like he was going through the same you know, venting mad And now it's like people don't realize, Bro, I went through so much. They're like, I was there six years, you know what I'm saying, Like you know what I'm saying that he was that either it doesn't, but it's like I feel like, really like and they know I feel this way. I

feel like they really like they drafted me. But they feel like the stuff that was going around the air of me coming from the hood and not out of diet, that I was gonna make it and entourage thirty people smoking, drinking and articles about fighting just ruining their reputation of

what they stand for as a Spurs. You know, I think that's what they thought, but they never said that, you know what I mean, just from the stuff I had to go through, Like and when they seem like he needs a chance, and this motherfucker be in the gym, Like they start having to kick me out the gym, Like when they said you got access twenty four hours every day, knowing I wasn't playing, so I'm like lash up, like we to the gym, Jim, you know what I mean?

That was just every day and obviously I started growing first year go by, you know, throwing in the fire in the playoffs versus the Rockets. Then my second year, they see I come back obviously getting stronger, getting better, and the hours the year I took the job from Tony popping about this in the office. You know what I mean, he told Tony Tony ain't like it. I know he ain't like it. You know he ain't. You

know what I'm saying. Like for me, I love real, like keep it a buck when you keep it a hunter, Bro, I'm gonna I'm gonna love you for that, you know what I mean? And I know he didn't like it. You feel me because if he liked it, he would have mentored me the way he should have a right, he wouldn't have went to Charlotte. He would have stayed right there. You know what I'm saying. And that's me.

You're gonna get the real just how y'all, all the small y'all, Yeah, the real You didn't see It's not funny he say that, bro, because I know the type of person Tony is. You know what I'm saying, great player, gonna go down the Hall of fame. But he's very selfish. He's been selfish. We would have had more championships and more success if it wasn't for him being so selfish. But he was told at the sixteen seventy year old

in France that he was this. He come to the NBA started as a as a nineteen year old, and you know what I'm saying, But he had a rude awaken him because once we got to the playoffs, it was Stephon Marbury, it was Jason Kidd. He couldn't handle them, so we had to pay Speedy Claxton. So I know the real Tony. You know, he can fool everybody else, but he is one of the most selfish players I've ever played with. And I'm just they ain't got nothing to do with what he's saying, is what I'm saying.

He's one of the most selfish players I've ever played with, bro because it's all about him. And I don't know how he made it in that system so long, you know what I'm saying, Because that's a system for everybody that that they want they want everybody to Yeah, it's everybody shot. At the same time, I don't know how he waited that long, because you nobody was totally different as far as the teammate that's definitely one of the best teammates. I love my life, I love mother, you

know what I'm saying. So it was like to PIF for my second year of taking that job. Pop told us, So now it's like I see everything. I observe. I'll watch everything, like even now, like I watch there would be I'll watch a game and I won't even look at the May dunk the May three. I look at the bench to see who's clapping, who's sitting there looking mad, Like that's the type of stuff I look at because I want to see, like, you're a team guy. You

wanted you know what I'm saying. Not for real, bro. Like, so it's like my second year, now I'm doing this. I make all defensive team younger since Kobe rest in piece to Kobe. Uh Now it's like it's on the poppet. So now I'm like I got a taste of it. Like now I'm starting I get to go into the summer healthy. I know I'm coming back starting at looking over his shoulder, ain't looking over my shoulder. So now

I'm about to go to your three. I get hurt, come back get her preseason and that was the year, like every scout, every coach that was here, we got that was here, we got. The more we had, the more they'll all tell you who looked like the best player. Training camp I came back with like, yeah, yeah, I ain't here to step on no toes, none of that, but I'm here to be me. And now I got that confidence. And you guys know when you get that

confidence in this league's over. It's over. Now feel like I got it, Like I'm like, yeah, I got it, because now they're calling people. I got people back home calling that I even though I knew this certain person in the organization, Like you know, they say you look like a monster. And training camp they say you look like a monster. You made a statement. So now it's like, yeah, I'm ready get hurt. Damn one thing I could say

about them. They see me in the gym eleven months straight, six days a week, and they did reward me, you know what I'm saying. So it's like it's it's it's if he is, it's this is that. But it's like I could always love him for that, appreciated them for that. It ain't about the money. But it's like, bro, you know, you get hurt, like you know what I mean. So it's like you go on to year four, on back playing, year five and back playing, but now they got they

drafting people. They really got me competing, Like they really got me competing with Derek White because now they draft Derek White and he played well in the playoffs the year I was hurt. So now they're like, damn, should we make Derek the point guard or de jonte? You know? But they can't just say that because now they paid me that summer, you know, and he was only what his his first year or whatever second year. But they

really got us competing. And I feel like I love Pop, but it's like I feel like he cited with Derek more than me because I wasn't yes man, not saying Derek's none of that, you know what I'm saying. I love dere great teammate. We talked to this day and we'll get later. We'll get down to that later. But it's like I feel like he sided with him because you couldn't play with me like pop, you know, Pop, Like you couldn't rob rob with me and be disrespectful,

like if I didn't really do nothing. Now if I like did something wrong, stop turning them up, sucking ball over your teammate was open. I'm cool with that, but getting personal, like you can't play with me like that because I'm a man at the end of the day, bro, you know. And then I got a daughter like I'm more so I almost had to get a coach in l A for that. I got traded as soon as

the trade deadline happened twelve o two. I was out of there because you could talk ship to me Yellow be here for bad player, but don't disrespect me as a man play because are you gonna do that outside of these cameras, these facilities. Any situation Pop put you in, he know how you're gonna respond. Before he put you in that situation. He did it to me. He asked me to say that Jenoble and Danny Green was better than me, right for the playoffs started, because he knew

I was gonna blow up. But you know, I walked, I went off on and walked up as I'm before he even asked me that Tracey McGrady, yeah, he hadn't had the same day before he even asked me, so he knew what he was doing and he knew I was gonna respond like that. So Papa is very smart, you know what I'm saying. But they do it hardor and expect the worst from certain players, like when they

get guys like us on their team. But in all actuality, the ownership has been in the meeting and the media and the news for more ship than any player that's ever played there. You need that Kauai is a teammate. We don't get to see much of that. He had him as a young fella. He was a vet to you speak to what Kauai is like as I just off the court, cool locker room dude, and a mentor

to you, man, Kauaii dope. And the thing I love about him is like when you when you're comfortable on your own skin, you're gonna get way more love like facts then you even expect, you know what I'm saying. And for Kauai, he's like, Bro, I want to be on the internet. Bro, I don't want to be in the media, Like I don't want to live my life. I want to hoop. I want to hoop that motherfucker be in the gym, like you know what I'm saying.

So it's like he's like, I don't want to hoop being my family, my boys like that ship, but I don't want to hoop, you know what I mean. So for Kauai, it was like he's really part of the reason why, Like I made that defensive team my second year. Like he came to me, he's like, bro, don't worry about trying to get fifteen twenty points. He's like, go make the all defensive team. He told me that you're too training camp. He's like, gonna make the all defensive team.

I guarantee you if you make that. Now you get on the court. Like you said, defense get you on the court, especially in San Antonio. San Antonio, So he's like, gonna make that defensive team. Now you stamp yourself. He could play d So now they gotta have you on on the on the floor. So if you're on the floor, your guy's gonna have to be able to play offense too,

you know what I'm saying. So it's like I took that, and I just other than that, I took watching him show up every day off days, game days, practices, before all of that, putting in work thirty minutes, the sharpened over there, getting right after we practice back on the court, like that's all he wanted to do. That's all he wanted to do. So for me, I'm like, damn, like

this motherfucker finals MVP. I already won the finals. D's a player to your all star, you know, made money all that, like, but he's in the gym like he don't got none of that, Like he's trying to please these dudes, like to make it, to make the team sothing Like, bro, I got no excuse. Bro, I already loved a game though, Like I don't need that to like motivate me. But that just put in a whole different perspective for me, Like yeah, like you know what

I'm saying. You see it, And that's that's That's what it was with him. We talked to this day. We laughed about all the type of ship, joke about all the type of ship, and made the worst of conference finals. As soon as Pop saying say Jack hold up after practice, got to get him out of there. You go get him. So I mean, obviously you you you told us your upbringing the upstar down, the juvenile detention centers, the dead homies, the homies in prison. Two thousand nineteen, you sign a

sixty four million dollar contract ch chain. To me, that's just the beginning because you're gonna get the hundred plus next up. But what did that mean to you? Knowing what you've been through up to that point? Man, when you come from, when you come from just the struggle, when you come from the hood. Man, they say money don't mean nothing, but Bro, that should means something. That should mean a lot where I come from. You know what I'm saying, y'all can relate, bro, like you feel me?

Like I remember eating top running four months straight. I'm putting it and putting hot dogs in the one days in it the next day, all the different meals around the noodles. They don't know nothing about that, you know what I'm saying. They don't know Like we're really competing in the house who make the best noodles? Drinking the beef. Man, we had every con shrimp, beef, chicken, you know what

I'm saying, but chicken out. But but for me, Bro, it was like it was like, damn, this ship is really like I'm still like tripping out where I'm at. It's not like I keep continue to say I say this. Everybody around me, no money, fame, success, It don't mean nothing to me. Bro. It can't move me to make me feel like I'm better than you. I'm better than you. We all equal, you know what I'm saying. Obviously something got more than others. That's life, bro, you know what

I'm saying. But for me, when I signed the deal, it was like when the process is going, I had my brothers with me because that was a year I was rehabbing, So I had a couple of my brothers with me and just always engaged in my family everybody, and I think just when it happened, it shocked everybody, you know what I mean, because, like I said, everybody know where I come from, what I did, like what I had to do for money, Like so it's like, damn illegal, Damn he did that, Like you feel me Like,

So for me, it's like I get to take care of my people and take care of my people as I'm returned and growing. It's always not hunt here's a hundred thousand years, fifty's ten thousand, it's not always that, you know what I'm saying, putting them in ruins with certain people being able for them to call me if they got questions if I don't know the answer, We're

gonna go get the answer, you know what I'm saying. Like, so for me, it was it just was a blessing, bro like it Obviously it made our life better, you feel me. It made our life better, not just me. It made our life better knowing that at the end of the day, we got each other. But God put me in this situation. I got us because I know how to handle it. Though, yeah, I know how to

handle it. So it's like, you know, you see dudes go broke, Dudes blow money, Like I was dealing with money in the hood, so I know how to deal with money. Obviously, not know millions, you know what I'm saying, But I know I deal with money. Bro you feel me, We was playing with that, you know what I mean. So it's like this is just another level. But when you know the bigger picture and me, I love basketball, So it's like knowing that all this come to basketball,

it only turned me up even more. It made me more hungry. Like what's snakes, Go get more, you know what I mean, Go go get big, you know all that. So it's like, at the end of the day, I believe in God, thank for him, grateful, but I also like I believe that it was written, bro, Like I

believe it was written because I watched everybody. I watched all my people's We ain't had nobody successful just to go to college, bro, you feel me, Like like he was really excited when he was explaining your one year, Like I made it that that was dope, dope. So it's like, you know, signing that it was it was a blessing, bro. You know, and then obviously start learning more on the business side now, you know, learn about

the investments all that stuff. So you know, now it's just for me, Bro, It's like, continue to be a great person, but continue to work and get your all out of it, Like, don't be that guy, Like damn, I wish I would have did this. I would have did that when I retired, you feel me. So I'm trying to get everything out of it. I'm a hunter and Tim Percon invested in New Balance. What was that process?

Like the how has it been? Man? That's the reason why I with them, Like obviously you know, like we we all grew up Jordan, we want James, we want Jay, we want we want the max is the forces. Like so it was like I was with Nike my first first three years and then obviously that year three I got hurt and Nike they offered me something but nothing. You all know how they get down if you're not one of the guys. You feel me New Balance, New Balance, Like I was with Nike and they was talking to

Risk like, man, we we like him. We don't know his story, but the things we hear and what we see how you carry himself, Like we want that because at the point that he's got Kauai, they just got Kauai and obviously you know kau my dog. Like, so I'm talking to him through that process like you Rock Balance. They cooled out of that, like I'm not worrying about oh how I'm gonna look, but I gotta swag, you know what I'm saying. I'm gonna put it together. And

you feel me. So it's like yeah, yeah, And you know a lot of people are gonna be like, man, that ship uglier this or that, Like no, I ain't wearing that, Like we're gonna figure it out. You feel me, so New Balance. I'm loyal, bro. They was loyal to me and they weren't even paying me a dollar or sending me no merch like they was loyal. They were showing me that they wanted me. Why I was hurt.

They're like, we want you to represent our brain, like we want you to be a big part of it like Kauai and for me, like just the way they was reaching out, reaching out, reaching out, didn't start sending gear, sending gear like told risk like, Bro, I want a little new balance. Bro. You know what I'm saying. I want to be different. I don't want to follow no trends and never been the guy to follow no trends,

no ways. I'm We're gonna turn new Balance up. I signed a new Balance, the whole city and new balance, the whole hood and new balance. You feel me, my whole family, New Balance. Now I'm seeing people everywhere I go. I see new Balance, you know what I'm saying. So it's like at the end of the day, Bro, they got some dope ship special Yeah, they got some dope ship, but they also got some like the designers that they got came from Nike, Adidas, all the mothers, you know,

brands and just putting it together. You know what I mean. First time All Star. What did that mean to you? Unbelievable? I know that felt great, Bro, it was. It was unbelievable, Bro, even though, like I feel like because I think we was in like the ninth place, ninth place, I believe, so I feel like I should have got voted in like when it happened, and I didn't get like voted in. Like I was at the house, like my family hot.

You already know how their households get like they hot because they announcing, you know, So my family, they all came out to San Antonio and we all I just got back. I just got back home, and I just remember, like they didn't call my name, has nothing, nothing, not the reserves. I didn't call my name. Bro. I was hot. I was hot. My family was hot. Like I see I see my brother's crying like they're hot, like you know, like they're trying to figure it out. I'm like, bro,

it ain't nothing. You know, we're gonna we're gonna get there, like because God got us. You feeling me, but he got me, like I work hard, great person. So it's like it's bound to happen, Bro, sooner or later. Thinks. A couple of days go by, obviously had guys hurt. I go to the gym, and you know, how Pop is Pop smart? He already know I'm in. They vote, they got me in, Adam Silver put me in. But it's I have no clue. I'm just going to practice, go to practice. After I'll leave Pops. I have a

great day. Out of that, I head home, the families there there, and he just, uh, he just randomly called me like can you uh can you come back to the facility. I'm like for what, Like I'm gonna see you tomorrow, Like what you need me for? Real? Silly for He's like, man, just coming facility. I get to the facility, I go solo. As soon as I walk in the door, like congratulations all star, Bro, It's like

I'm like, I'm like, wait a minute. What Then obviously it start blowing up the phone, the text message, the cars, all that. I start breaking down crying, Bro, Bro, I start breaking down crying, Bro, Like I'm like this this ship crazy. Bro, Like, no, this ain't true, bro Star, it ain't true. Bro, you know what I mean? So I go home. Obviously I hug all them guys. I hug all of them, the staff, everybody, coaches, everybody, front office, and as soon as I get home, bro, the whole

family crying. Bro the old already knew or you told, they already knew because it started getting out. They just knew I was leaving to go to gymeral quick. So I walked in the door. I walk in my house. Everybody crying, bro Like, but it's like tears of joy, Like that motherfucker used to be in the rain at five years old by himself. I was in the snow

by myself, no backboard, just the rim. I was in the house getting the laundry, you know what I'm saying, all that, getting the hangers, you know what I mean, and all that, and they that's what you've seen, like and from all my family, and I think what really made it hit different is we lost my sister not

too long from that. My sister was killed like months before that, and our family was kind of in a you know, like a head down, like sad man like just a revenge mode, you know what I'm saying, Like because she was killed, you know what I mean, by her boyfriend. So it's like brought some positive, some positive to to the family again. They're like reborn this, you know what I mean. And it just was it was unbelievable, bro, Like, even still like I still feel like I ain't did

none of it. I still want to get better. I still want my coaches people to criticize me, to get better, to be better, like so I can make it again, make it again, you know. But it's like it's a blessing, Bro, you're able to do that. Like obviously basketball sports team, you know what I mean. Like, obviously we play basketball, so it's a team game. You can't win without the team. But you got your individual things. You feel me it's top playing in the league that year. You know what

I'm saying, that's unbelievable. That's unbelievable. Bro. If you don't unbelievable, that's unbelievable. So it's like that will never go over my head, you know, forever gonna be be be thankful for that, bro. And for me, it's like get back. You get back. You know you don't want to be no one hit wonder. I gotta get back, very humble, grounded family basketball. Outside of everything you told us so far, who are you off the court? What do you like

to do? I mean, obviously fatherhood is big for you, But what do you like to do just in your spare time? Bro? For me, I like bowling, bowling. I love bowler. I love bowling. It'd be nice. I'll be like, let's go bowling. Really way, you know, let's go bowling. It's rarely go bowling because for me, it's like I grew up in parties, brows and clubs. At thirteen, I was in one over clubs thirteen fourteen years old, you

know what I'm saying. So it's like to make it to where I'm at now, I have no interest in that. Like a lot of these dudes, like older dudes, young dudes, it's new to them. They just now being able to get a taste of it. I was already doing that, you know what I'm saying. I was already dealing with a woman. I was already know what I'm saying. I was already in clubs everything. You have money, cars, everything, bro. So it's like, now I'm at this point in my life,

it's like it's just basketball for me. But also because I already did so much in the early stage, I have no interest to do things that are already done, you know what I'm saying. So a lot of people, like my brothers, even when I was in San Antonio, they used to tell them guys like man, get him out the gym, like, tell him to go take a vacation, tell him to go, I don't know, do something else,

get basketball off of his mind. But it's like if you ain't grow up like me, you know what I mean, Like you can't relate to me, like you don't understand why I'm at where I'm at. And also I know how I was jugs in that draft from the things that I did when I was around as a kid, and I don't want that to be the reason that you know, they boot me about it here, and I feel like my chances knowing they know my story, I feel like my chances ain't like don't a lot of

I feel like I only got one. Soon as I make that one its curtains, it's Ober back, Seattle or wherever you're going, you know what I'm saying. So for me, like, Bro, it's really fatherhood, my family. I like bowling, but I really be inside, Bro, Like I really be inside and I have fun doing it though, And I try to tell, like my brothers, even dudes, I mean to leave, Bro, I try to tell because they in my teammates from you. One of san Antonio the year seven. Now in Atlanta,

they see our own party. Bron't drink, I don't smoke, and they see that and they're like, bro, why Like you know what I'm saying, Like, go have fun? You are you know what I'm saying. But I'm having fun. And I try to tell them, like, don't let me affect what you do. Gona be good regardless. But I'm comfortable who I am. I have fun sitting at home watching six games at a time with my daughter, my family, my girl, on FaceTime with my family, you know what

I mean. Like I have fun doing that, answering prison cars over and over, chopping up with them. That's my life right now. When I'm done, like I'll probably start doing more, but right now, I just know I feel like it's it's it's messed up. That is this way that I gotta think like this, But it's like I feel like I go to the club or something, You're not about to play with me, you know what I'm saying. So it's like I put myself in that situation, bro,

that position. Why I could just be at home, bro, Because they've done a lot of they're doing a lot of playing outside they're doing a lot of playing, you know what I'm saying, And we don't play like that. It's hard to stay out the way. It's hard to stay out the way, bro, you know what I'm saying. So it's like for me, I'm just focused. I know what I want. You know what I mean. But also, like I said, I don't I don't want to be on the headlines for no negativity. I work too hard, bro,

And I know you take away me. You take away a lot of village. Bro. Yeah, you feel me. You take away of village a lot of people. You feel me. So it's like, I'm cool, Bro, I like chilling. I really be with the kids for real. That that that that that says a lot about you and how important your family and your villages to you. Because a lot of people can be selfish. I want to do this, It's my life. I want to do this and not care about the people that's depending on them, you know

what I'm saying. With a lot of people like that. For sure, you spoke to richest loyalty and in the relationship you've built with him, Um, have you been able to build a relationship with Broun knowing that that's obviously family as well. Man, I talked to him all the time. For me, I just he I mean, like we talk who But more so like knowing that that was my favorite player growing up, Like Bron was my favorite because

I love to play the game that way. Like obviously I grew up watching Ai Kobe, them dudes is like I'm going to bucket, yeah, funk all that, I'm going to get buckets. But with Bron braun is doing everything. That's why you look up. You look up after game. It's like you got thirty one nine teen, Like he did everything, you know what I'm saying. So that was favorite player from when he first got to the league. When the first year rookie year, I remember that. I'm like,

that's my favorite player. He played the game the right way and obviously he was special. He's still special, you feel me. So it was like he invited me to his camp. I think I was what sixteen seventeen, right when I started blowing up. I think I became like a top thirty recruit at the time. So now I'm going to all the All American camps and he invited me to It was like twenty players and I was one of the guys to go and then we're on

the team with each other. And obviously you know, Mall told him about me and all that, and uh, we was able to have conversations at his camp and then obviously I signed with Rich and Clutch and that just

made us tighter. And it's like now, Bro, like I know his love is genuine, Like when I go around him, like you could that hug that you know, I love you a little, Bro, but more he'd be checking on me too though, like happy Holidays and you know, seeing them play with my daughter like all the kids everything like and just to know that to have a great person like that, not just basketball, Like look what he's doing. He's a great person, but Louie's doing off the floor. Like, like,

Bro got a school. He has a school. I think that's the biggest flex more than anything else. He has a school. And that ain't easy either, that ain't you know what I'm saying, especially being African American, Bro, it

ain't easy. So for me, like when I tell you the money to fame and all that, championships, like I look at him as like, Bro, he has a school, because that's something that like I would want to do because that speak who you are as a person and what you really care about, you know what I mean? So the relationships, dope, bro Uh he's a great one. Bro. What's one player that's musty TV for you right now when you're watching games at home? One player? Now, y'all

know who that joy. He's crazy, He's crazy, He's crazy. He is bro here, motherfucker, he's musty too, for sure. I love it. I know you. I knew I was gonna be everybody. If it ain't, I don't know who it is you watching what you're watching? What player bring the best out you? I think I feel like everybody went because now I'm getting in that and you got you got that? So you want to kill everybody. It's that attitude. But like even now, like being in Atlanta, Bro,

I'm still trying to figure out. Like you know, it's a it's a new role, it's a new situation, it's a new team. So now I'm like I'm trying to figure it out, like you know what I'm saying. But for me, it's like I want to destroy everybody. I want to take the ball from you, number one. So you better call that screen. You know what I'm saying, like that's just my mentality, like I want to get the best of you on both ends, but more so is everybody because like I said, you want to play

the best, Bro, you don't. You don't want uneasy, you know what I'm saying. So every night like you got dudes? The league so crazy? Now? Who look at Houston? Yeah, Kevin and they could both get thirty years. The record ain't ship, but they could play. That's what I'm saying. But all they need is some veterans. And you know that, right,

y'all know what they need, Jabari. They just need the right But I'll be trying to tell people because a lot of people like you lose the you lose one of them younger teams, that's you know, not mature, got that experience, like Bro, the league is at that, it's that talented. You could lose to a team that got eleven wins or the team like Boston with thirty wins. You could lose any given night night and the ain't know.

The ain't know you're about to blow these guys out by thirty forty and the bench about to be able to play the last three four minutes. They didn't like that no more, bro, you know what I mean. So it's like, you know, I love I love playing against everybody, man, I love I love watching the game, and just love compete with the best. We were kind of in the area where we started the two way player because we

was guys that put so much pride in playing defense. Um, we talked about you getting it from San Antonio, But then again I would say the same thing. But one thing I can't give them credit for is I cared about stopping the man that I'm guarding. That's not no credit to them for that. And it's not a lot of that in the league right now. What is it in you that makes you take pride and defense because it's a scoring league right now, they want buckets, pride

and defense? What what is that in you that's making you different than a lot of guys in league right now? Growing up playing with the older guys, being five years old, playing with my uncle's fifteen, seventeen, eighteen, and we're playing one. The only way you get the balls, you get a stop. Take the ball. You better get a stop, you better get a rebuild. I'm five years old, bro, Yeah, five years old. These dudes is about to be eighteen years old.

I used to get frustrated, like because it was times I didn't get the ball and I used to get so mad, like I gotta figure this out, you know what I'm saying. So that's where it comes for me, like playing with my uncles and then obviously start branching out to the neighborhoods and start playing, you know, in the neighborhood. Now it's like I'm not getting embarrassed one you know what I'm saying, But damn shot, No, there's only one way for me to get the ball, and

that's to stop you. So it's a pride thing, but it's a hard thing, dog like, you know, like something. Dudes just don't care. They weren't taught that. They all they think offenses the end goal or whatever defense wins championships games or ivery want to put it, you know what I'm saying. So that's that's that's where it comes from me. I credit all my uncles and all their friends. Bro. Like they didn't get me nothing easy. They made it

hard on me from day one. When they seen that I was having the ball in my hand at one two years old, They're like, okay, yeah, I was slapping out your hands. Yeah, so that's where that comes from. Last season, you had to string a tweet praising the chef, saying he's top ten. Ever, I mean, I can't disagree with you, but to talk about that by STEP's greatness, he different, Bro, totally let me say his Bro. I was there when they drafted him. Jack didn't believe in Stef.

I was there, Bro. I'm similar to how you was in same time. My mom, I'm damn the thirty thirty something I don't want. But I did not know Steff. I'm saying every time I get I'm sorry, but I had no idea who you was gonna be. Bro, no idea, Bro. But you know, it's so crazy. When I seen him play that run he had at Davidson the last year before he left to the league, Bro, it was like I remember, like we could be going to get food or we could be just going somewhere. I'm like, I

gotta get to a TV. I gotta watch this dude from Davidson play. That's how crazy. That's how crazy it was. And when I've seen that, I'm like, Bro, he could shoot Bro. I'm like, this dude if he gets to the lead because I think he was in the time where like I wasn't into the mock drafts or I didn't know nothing about that. I'm like, I just know, like, get yeah, we get to the league though, Like it ain't easy, bro, but they'd be having you know, the guys they hype up, and they were hyping him up.

I feel like, but obviously he made to put him on nottice And I'm like, Bro, that dude get to the league and get opportunity, he's gonna go crazy. I didn't say he was gonna be this. Nobody knew that. I didn't say none of this. I just seem the way he shot the basketball off the dribble, you know what I mean, all pinned downs like catch and shoot.

I'm like, that dude's gonna be somebody. So it's like now bro, just seeing it, like you gotta credit his his hard work, his dedication, bro, Like you know what I mean, Like when I hear about his workouts, like hearing stories from people, like there's no joke. He is who he is for a reason, God blessed him. But he got that hard work working, you know what I mean, that dedication, that focus, that dry like bro, I gotta keep going until I'm just done, you know what I mean?

So for me, Bro, he's I mean with what he got, he got it. I don't know what else you gotta do. That mother got it. And he changed the game though, like changed. I feel like when you changed the game, not too many guys could say they did handful handful changed. He changed the game, changed it on all levels. You know. Obviously I coached my kids at are younger that they come in as soon as they put their shoes and they start shooting from half court. I'm like, what about

just shot something? Nah? Dad, na Dad? Like that. He changed the game for real, you know what I'm saying, Like I remember the shooting fadeaway Kobe. Now it's Steph shoot him half Like you said, he changed the game. Not just men's, women's too, change everything. He changed the game. He did absolutely you know, quick hitters coming down the home stretch. First thing to come to your mind. Let us know three artists in your pregame rotation. Three artists, bro, Uh,

I really listened to what I could relate to. I don't care about your personal life. You make good music. You make good music, but I don't know you as a person. You feel me. So if I could relate to it and then give me chills from some ship at seen did been through? Like that's what in my playlofts with some substance. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. Let me make an example that. But the ones Dirk, Dirk's the one. He's the one, Bromm, He's the one.

You know what I mean, that's your jamming constant. He's the one. Bro. I feel it like you give me chills, Bro, you feel me? Yeah, give me chills. That's that's probably scared face for me. Scarfriend, Mama's Tupac Tupac can't Top five, top five man, Man, Man, it's funny. I'm excited to hear your list because we just had Charles Parker's list and it was good, but it was it was he's older. It was a dope list. Three of them got to

come up out of three of his list. They got to come up out of there, man, three of his list. Three people on his list, they had eight teams when they was playing on his ship. Yeah, I can't go. I can't go back that far. I don't need to. I can't go cook Man and don't gotta be like order guard, No, just give man, Brian, m J. Kobe shack. I'm throwing tim in there. Bro, that's my five. I have magic and send it him. But that's my father, that's my five. We got the same five. That's so,

it's so, it's so. It's with that order, Bron m J. Cole For you, that's your top three? Yea, no, you you didn't ask for I'm asking you. I'm asking my order at you want to do the order? Just those three? Who are who's your order? Who are those guys in your order? They don't I don't care if they're one, two or three in the world in those three were Who's one? Who's two? Who's three? Bron M J. Kobe Okay, yeah, absolutely absolutely, I'm obviously around m J. Cole Brown. That's good.

He was a killer. You bucket them three? Them three? Yeah. Um, one show or movie you could watch and repeat Martin easy, come on man, come on man, Yeah to three in the morning, you know yea yeah, little rodscope that's crazy, that's crazy. Yeah, oh man. Any course that game there we watching the past? Which one would it be selling? Any game you could be courtside to games in the past. MJ era, Cobe era early Brian Stephid, Davidson, M Man. Any game I could be, it will have to be

Jordan bro. It will have to be I think the game versus you tak Flag, the Flu game and that one All sixty three in Boston. They lost that game the rookie year, right. Yeah. And the reason why I say MJ because and it hurts me, Bro that I didn't get to meet Kobe bro Like, and he invited me to his little Top twenty of young up and coming players before he passed to come to his camp.

That was when the first time I met him, because he retired when I got to the league, and that really hurt me, bro Like, you know what I mean, his mentality, the way he carried himself, the way he played the game, like that was somebody that because I'm not big on all, I want to meet people like you know what I mean. If I meet you, I meet you, you know what I mean. And I respect my elders, Bro, So you don't gotta be the best player in the world. You could be on the side

of the road. You're my elder. You feel me, I'm gonna respect you. But it's like Kobe with somebody that like I had to meet bro, you know what I mean, So like knowing what happened like that hurts me, you feel me. But I got to see Kobe play. I got to see Braun play. I'm playing against Broun now, m J. I didn't get to see play. So it's like all you hear is the old heads. They're like

brin yo number one man, you're tripping. You're tripping and they say it passionate though you feel me and it's like I wanted to see it in person, and that's why I said that game. You should have seen us when we was going to interview Kobe. We were like two kids going and I was my teammates, like, well

that with his teammates. I've seen him all the time, but it was still just that aura about him and the way he carried himself in the way you felt like you've learned something when you're just having a regular conversation, you know what I mean. He sat us in his office before we started the interview, was you know, I don't want to be known for my last twenty years. I'm like, n you code what you mean. It's like now I want to be known for what I'm about to do and look at this and I'm writing this

book and then that. So it's just that mentality just he applied it to all aspects of his life. So it was it was special to see that was my classmate and I was in awe every time I talked to him seeing them, I was just like like, this is this nigga real? So I get it, man, And I think that's what's crazy though, Like knowing like you just said, Bro, like you Kobe, like you can't you feel me? But to know that like he didn't get to do like we give our all the basketball, especially

him everything that he gave his all. Bro, he was away from his family more than you know what I mean. Like, so to see him to start branching the you know, being with his daughters. You know she want to hoop for real, Okay, I'm about to coach you like and like you just said, doing other things like the fact he can't get to do that, Like that's the type of stuff that that that messed with me. Man. Five dinner gainst that are alive? Five dinner guess huh uh?

Like I said, Brown really be caring to meet people. But jay Z m J H. Should you gotta put code on there, Kobe Ye. Yeah, Kobe already had one bronze, so he can't go on this. He can't come to this one. He can't come to this one. Uh West, I said, jay Z m J. Kobe Ai, I'm tripping Ai. You get a chance to meet him. I met him so three times, Bro, put put put somebody in your list for your fifth that's somebody that you admire, that's daydn't gone, that you would like to get to know,

that I get to know. Uh mm hmm. Yeah, that's a tough one. There's so many people, Bro, that's a tough one. Mm hmm. I don't know. That was hard. Always said for me to meet Marcus Garfin because of what he was, you know what I'm saying. He was one of the first black men to start teaching financial literacy, financial financial literacy and teach people how to give bank accounts and involved with banks and try to get black people to start their own banks and stuff like that.

So that's somebody. That's what I mean to give you example, somebody like that. I've always wanted to meet Marcus Garfin. I think starting to obviously young gage like always wondering, like, bro, why is there Martin Luther King everywhere in every hood, like every you know, like Black Area, Like, so I'll probably say Martin Luther King. You know, I'm not saying that because the m l K days here. But when I say, it's a lot of people that I could have put in that fists, a lot of people because

even though it's full, were like those people. I want to learn from Meyer, learn from you what I'm saying good bad, but just to take it away from sports Marla the King, just to understand that, you know, his message can't go wrong with that, you know what I mean? So I said, yeah, they definitely went wrong with that new statue we got in Boston homes and I just see it's crazy. Um, if you can see one guests one out of you kind of if you can have one guest on all the Smoke, who would it be?

But before you answer, you have to help us get your answer on this show. So gotta be someone you talked to, like a quiet Brandon Roy, like, just don't sake whoever you want to see if you gotta out them up. Yeah, y'all, y'all had the more yet yea brother yeah, Hey, that might be doing Hey, I don't rock with a lot of NBA players. He ain't an NBA player, to ask my brother. I love like death. Everybody swear the guy. We don't work. I don't want to hang out, work out nobody, No disrespect to you.

It's all loves marks my brother. Okay, y'all have him. Uh man, we're waiting on the claw. We're gonna get the cloth. Me and you both can work on that. Now we're getting the car. Now that's done. Deal. Yeah, we're gonna work on the claw. Sooner we're done today, I'm calling him. Yeah, we need it. I ain't rocking with you, clau. Y'all get on all the smoke, man,

because I don't do Hey, I don't do interviews. When when they said y'all call you know, y'all know hen so like I want y'all to know, like, I appreciate y'all what you stand for. You feel me message y'all putting out. You know what I'm saying, Like y'all trying to make a change, bro, But y'all doing it the authentic way. Ain't nothing fake about it. I watch everyone everyone. You know what I'm saying. The legendary bro. You've been

told me that. I mean, I'll watch everyone. But I appreciate your time from a standpoint of obviously during season, during season first and foremost, but just getting this and like you said, you don't talk to very many people. So for for your fans, for our fans to get an in depth understanding of who you are as a man like suck the basketball side, Like we get to

see you every night. We're blessed to see you every night, but to see your moral's, your principles, your values, but you stand for how important family is, how important being a father is. Like that kind of ship is dope to me because we wouldn't get that conversation. We went to dinner, you know, like we got to get in depth in and dig into it. So again, man, we appreciate your time. Like Jack said, especially during the season. We got some ship for you over here. We got

some merch for you. Merch for sure, all the Smoke Dot Store. And if you want to look as fresh as us guys up here on the stage, you have to go to all the Smoke Got Store and get your gear. I'll the Smoke Dot Store. Man. Man, we appreciate you that's a rap. De gen s Murray. All the smoke you can cass us on Showtime Basketball, YouTube and I Hart Platform Black Effects. I don't smoke, gastarre bit. We'll see y'all later, so