Featuring Aaron Gordon

It's so great to have you on my podcast. It's so great to see you, and it's so great to meet you. Yeah, it's nice to be seen and let's beat you too. The season is back on December twenty two, and you guys aren't going to be in the bubble this time, but still no fans. How do you feel about that? We're all competitors, you know, we love the game, and I think that's what makes it so special. It

makes it such a special league. As you know, regardless of the circumstances, you're gonna have some players that show up and play ball. This past summer, the NBA finished its season in the bubble down in Orlando. What was that experience, Like, it must have been so weird not being able to see family and friends for months. Yeah, it was a difficult experience being away from family, being away from France. But I think the NBA is needed

a good enough job to make us comfortable. Do you have a certain memory of something that you guys did off the court because you did have access to some cool stuff. Yeah, it was great. We had to have some of the golf courses out there and it was a good time, you know, going out there. Just seeing some of my teammates get better at golf throughout the weeks is really nice. I mean, we had fishing out there. Um, we had cord Hall. You know, it's a little bit

of stuff going on. Did you catch any fish? Yeah? Yeah, but they stocked the pond, so you know, it's kind of pretty. It's a guaranteed catch, but at least that like it just boost your ego just a little bit, sounds good? Oh yeah, confidence booster for sid for sure. Okay, with a bubble, for someone like me, I have a lot of anxiety and the thought of just being like

in a bubble for that long. How do you deal with that just mentally not being able to leave or have people in Oh yeah, it was you know, figuring out what is to just call them yourself, whether it be lighting incense or candles, reading, meditating and listening to the instrumentals. Um, you know, I find a healthy ways to pass it on. I hear you like meditating. I can't get into it. I just can't focus for that long. I don't know. Why do you have any advice? I

would just say, be observant of your thoughts. You know, see some of the things that are going through your head, some of the more recurring themes, recurring thoughts that you have. Just kind of watch them and uh, don't really grapple any emotion to them, just kind of see them objectively as best you can instead of subjectively. And I think it will make your thoughts more clear and more concise. When you meditate, do you focus on the present, think

about the past, or like, think about the future. I just trying to be still in my body. Um, just you have come to the present moment. Uh, you know. It's just saying that when you think about the future cultivates eagerness, and when you think about the past. It brings up depression, so you know you're trying to stay in that middle. H know, what, do you read any good books? Yeah? So I read Robert Green's Human Laws of Nature. Um, and uh, it's pretty good. You know,

it's just kind of there's a story. You have a lot of story figures in the past and kind of some things that they done it in what's been reoccurring, and just you know, human nature. It's fascinating book, but also tread now in this time that we're in more than ever. When you're playing, you know, you usually have like a whole like you have a whole stadium cheering you on. What was that like when no one else was there and it was just you guys playing. Yeah,

it was eerie. You know, it's almost awkward being at the freakro line and not having anybody boo you or cheer you on or anything like that. It's I didn't like it, But it's easier to focus. I feel like it was easier to make shots. The depth perception in the gym was much more for shooters because it wasn't that like giant space. So, I know, playing basketball with no fans sounds weird because of just the silence. Did

you miss getting booted at all? I mean it's going to be the same this season with no fans in the arena. Yeah. You know, as much as you liked inteer like silence in the booing crowd to you miss both both parts of it, something you probably never thought you'd say. You know, I'm all for it. You know, when you're go on a road game and you know the opposing team is just booing and booing and booing, you feel like you're coming together as a team, you know,

So it's something that you miss. Do you get energy when, like when if you're getting booed, because I know some people discourage them, but some people just hype them up even more. Yeah, I'm gonna start player like you start going to be able to go off nice nice. So I know the NBA players, Uh, they wore a variety of different words or phrases on the back of their jerseys. Um,

and you chose freedom. I'm just wondering, with everything that's going on in was there a certain reason, um, why you chose to have that word on the back of your jersey. Yeah. I feel like people should be free to chase their dreams. You know, free to have ambitions and free to have aspirations, you know, regardless of your skin color, regardless of your socioeconomic background. And um, I feel like as black men, we should be uh free of the fear that the police instill in our children. Yeah,

and I think for so long, like people are. I think some people think that this is like a new thing, but it's gone on for hundreds of years. It's now just being videotaped, and so people actually can't turn the blind eye to that. UM, just had to curry. What was your second option for your jersey? I actually wanted My first option was one Love, you know, the first well option was one Love, But they didn't want us

to pick our own sayings, so I chose freedom. I don't know, I like one love, though, you should make your own jersey and just right rocket shout out. I think what's so great about what the NBA has done. It's just it's allowing the conversation that I think has been needed to be had. And I think what's going on just in the world and all the social injustice. It's it's so boggling that we're living through a time

where there's even a debate about it. Um, what do you say to the people who don't even recognize that this is an issue at this point? Oh wow, I would just say, you know, turning a blind eye is just as you're just as well contributing to the social prejudices and social injustice that's happened in the world. So just be more benevolent to everybody, be more kind to everybody, go out of your way to say hello. Yeah, And I think more than ever kindness it does so much.

See so simple, but it does so much in the craziness that is every year, but specifically this year. I think it's one of those things also where it's like for people who couldn't protest because they're compromised because of COVID, and if they still are and they still want to participate and be an active member in society and stand up for what's right, do you have any suggestions on how they can still make an impact. All the social media platforms are huge, you know, that's uh. A big

part of today's society is the virtual, virtual reality. So we'll just get out there or stay inside, I guess, and just keep posting on your platforms and then people will see I feel like the more we talk about it on social media and keep it going. I hope that's what makes the real change. You've been very outspoken about what it's like to live in the society that we're living. Have you experienced any systematic racism that people don't even notice on the day today? Oh yeah, I

mean just walking around the store being followed. That's kind of when you're when I was younger, you know, just kind of with the assumption that we're steal with Robin. I mean, well, you know people shop lived in that on us, you know, So it's just it happens being pulled over for no reason than just being black. Uh, It's just like having hair goes on and on, just being targeted. I can't imagine how frustrating that is. I'd love to talk to you about education, something I know

you're passionate about. Oh, for sure, I'm playing to college right now. When I just wrote my essay, essay question was this is really interesting if there's a topic in the news that's not covered enough, it would it be? And I wrote about education system. And it's the more you think about it. For those who are listening, there are so many different types of learners but yet, especially in underfunded schools, they're taught to learn a certain way

and aren't giving the tools to develop. And I think it's really cool what you've been doing with Code Orlando UM, which is a coding camp that you created, which I'm actually taking computer sciences here. It's hard, Yeah, it's really hard. What made you want to start this program? I think, especially now, being able to work remotely and digitally is

more important than ever. Uh, And I see that it's going to continue that trend, you know, being able to create opportunities virtually, whether it be for a different app or mostly mostly just an app, but you know, just the technology. Just have these these kids understand that they don't have to be a ballplayer rapper to make millions of dollars, you know, you can't be a computer scientist to you know, go by Lamborghini or whatever. You know,

there's other ways to ball out. And so just that opening of consciousness, I feel like it does a lot for uh, some of self conscious self conf It is. What's the coolest project that you've seen that they created? Oh? So they had a concept where some of the kids that are in children's hospitals who are bedbound Um, I can put on virtual goggles and have kind of a like a safe space and a meet up space, and that's a really cool concept. Wow, that's incredible. Yeah, just

really passionate, innovative. It's just great grasp of human interaction. Do you know how to code? No? Not very well. It's so fascinating to me. Just it's so important now more than ever, like coding, because like our lives are literally online. We a lot of us school is still online and jobs. So I think the more computer scientists that that would be incredible. Yeah. If definitely just the coded community. The majority of the computer scientists are um,

white men, you know, Silicon Valley. It's just would be nice to see, uh, kind of a diverse group of quotas. You've talked a lot about the education reform, and like I said, I'm really fascinated by this issue because I feel like it's this it's so present in everything and it affects the future. But it's not being funded enough and people aren't giving them enough resources. Um. So my question is, if you could create a school, what would

your ideal school be for every kid in America? So I'm looking to put one together in Orlando right now looking at ability the Armory. It's in the Creative Village in downtown Orlando, and uh, you know, it would just be a lot of expressive self awareness classes, whether it be breathing and meditation hopefully, uh, like a dance class and art class, a gym class, of music class uh. And then ways to protect your solf in America as a you, whether it be home economics, teaching yourself how

to cook, law, finance science. So it would be a very practical things and then also very self actualizing. Can I attend the school? I know, I like I'm about to graduate, but like high school, but I would attend the school. Oh yeah, you'd be a lot less stressful than some of the school school where you have to go.

Thing now, I love that idea. And something that I was thinking about is we're expected to kind of like go into life without knowing, Like we know how to do like algebra, but we may not know how to do taxes or how to create a bank account or create a checking account. And like these are the basics that I feel like should be covered. Also, yeah, I agree, So what is it like balancing you know, all of this wanting like creating a school, having a coding camp,

but also being a full time basketball player. Oh, you gotta just find your time to meditate, You find your time to las, find a vacation time. Other than that is pretty much grind. But it's fun. I love it, you know, So it's it's easy for me because I

love it. We have to take a quick break, but when we come back, I want to talk to you about what you love most about basketball, your perspective of mental health and sports, and why you've never won a slam dunk contest because it doesn't make sense to me. We'll be right back and we're back. What's your favorite thing about basketball? I like the swag. I like the originality to it. You know, you might see something new

every once every game. Do you have a specific game that has just like stuck out in your mind that you'll just never forget. Oh man, you gotta be that game in Toronto and DJ hit that hit, that game winner, the three point of the game. One those memories I can't even imagine. Okay, let's switch gears and talk about the mental part of the game. We actually had Kevin

Love on this podcast for the season one finale. We talked about how is an athlete, You're supposed to work out your body, but therapy is just working out your mind. So what do you do to keep your mental health in check? Mostly be about taking things into perspective, also meditating UM and praying UM, and just kind of clear in your mind. You know, there's so many things that

can wind us up and make a stick. Um. So just by meditating and kind of watching my thoughts and breathing and taking a couple of minutes to myself throughout the day, like five to ten minutes throw on my day, I can continue to progress and continue to grow in an upward spiral. Upward spiral. I was thinking about this because my uh, my brother and d are a basketball junkie. So I've been my mom and I have been recruited

in this for quite some time in the game. UM, and I feel like mental health hasn't been talked about. It's been talked about in the more recent years. But why do you think there is such a stigma with it? Just because a while ago in America, if you were seen as needing mental help, it seemed like you were mentally weak. Needed a therapist meant that you were crazy or psychotic and it's just not the case. You know, people need time to themselves, people need a voice of

reason and perspective. And you know, as a man and as men, you're not supposed to show emotions. Really, I'm supposed to really show feelings. And that's kind of the culture that we were growing up with raised within America. The culture shifting. There a lot of show emotions. UM, talk about feelings, and it's not seen as weak. It's actually seen as strong. You know, one of my best friends is victory goes to the vulnerable, So the more vulnerable you can make yourself more victorious to be. I

like that victory goes to the vulnerable. I think that's I haven't heard that before. Um, we all know basketballs and business players are getting treated all the time. This offseason was no a friend. In between games, you guys have all sorts of obligations. After every game, you have reporters asking you a ton of questions, and it's pretty much never ending. How do you stay centered through all of that. You're just trying to stay as even as possible. You know, you don't try and get too high on

trying too low. UM, just stay consistent, say solid, kind of stay um, understanding that growth isn't linear. You know, it's kind of like a kind of jagged upward and you know there's there's steps. You know, it's not just a straight line up. UM. So whether you winning or losing, you know, just kind of keep that same poise to yourself and understand that, um, there's more games to be playing,

there's more work to be done. Instead ever challenging to do that and try to remind yourself of that when you're you know, in the heat of it at all. Of course, of course, you know that's um, like all the preparation we do for our bodies, we got to do for our minds as well. So when it comes to the game time, we just let it take over what is naturally supposed to happen. So something that I'm so happy about is you're you're a musician. Now tell

me how this happened. It's just been um a way to express myself, very fun, getting to know new people and socialize with UM and a whole different community of people outside of the basketball realm that a is just really dope and very creative and expressive. So it's been just not nice to just be able to focus on something other than both. For sometimes, especially when my body

is hurt and they're aching or something like that. Let's say we were, like we're traveling on the plane or on the bus and I can just kind of like listen to my music and kind of write lyrics to So it's just something that keeps me calm. That must be like an entirely separate outlet. Do you notice any similarities between writing and music and basketball or do you think they're completely separate. They're definitely connected in the swag to it. You know, the swagger is there to the rhythm.

You've got to have the rhythm in the game and the flow. So how did you get started? I've always had an affinity for words in the English language, um So, I thought English sounds really nice and when you put words words together and flow and something that is meaningful and powerful and it just sounds nice on the ears. It's just always been something I love to do. Do you like poetry, Yeah, so that's pretty much where I started. Uh, just kind of writing simple poems and then just putting

a beat to behind them. I feel like I feel like I've realized in the past few years how powerful music is. Um and just like what kind of message you can get across. Is there a certain message you're trying to translate through your music that you haven't been able to while playing basketball? Of course, you know you want to have a fan base. I think music is meant to be free and bring people together. So that's all I'm trying to do. So one thing that I

found out about you, but I was fascinated by is chess. Okay, I have never played chess. Why do you love it so much? It was really competitive, but not in the way that basketball is competitive. It's really cerebral. Basketball is really cerebral as well, but that's what's really physical um and chess is and it's at all So it's kind of the same way to get um like my competitive juices flowing. But I don't have to use my body as much. I can just use my mind. So I'm

a gamer, so I love it. Is that how you get hyped before a game you play match chess? Is that the right terminology? Matchup chess least? Okay? Yes, so I'll just play on the court, wait until I my shooting time to my one off time I played chess. Okay. I have a few questions about chess. Have you played any of your teammates. Yeah, I played a couple of them.

Did you win? Yeah? Got him. I've always been fascinated by just like the art of it, because like I feel like it's this like it's really working your mind in a different way. Have you noticed that if you play chess before a game it improves your game on the court. Oh? Yeah, because it's just like separate. It makes you think there's concepts, like a thousand concepts behind chats, and it's just something that relaxed with me. Uh and yeah,

it gets my mind going. Wow. Okay, we have to take one more quick break, but when we come back, we can be talking about your experiences in the slam Dunk contest and if you could do one more crazy dunk, what would it be. We'll be right back and we're back, Okay. Can we talk about the slam dunk contest? First of all, how old were you when you first dumped? I think it was about eleven or twelve years old on my first start. How taller were you when you were eleven

or twelve? Oh? That was probably h five nine, so pretty big? What okay? I am five to on a good day. Five threes my dream? How older you when you're six ft? Oh no, it was probably about twelve. Tell you that's crazy. I've been big. I wish I could be that tall. I just wish I could see the world from like that view. I'd have to look up over everyone. You can see things coming from a lot farther. It must be great to go to concerts too. You can just see the stage you the best, best

scene to have. Anyways, back to dunking, what is your favorite dunk of all time that you've seen? Wow, a lot of the dunks. I guess it would be Vince Carter jumping over the seven footer in the Olympic Games. Yes, you know when you got a YouTube that when Vince Carter jumps over seven footer, it's crazy. I'm going to write after this, is there a certain one in the slam dunk contest that they'll just stick with you? Oh? Man? Um, just the whole contest, you know, in total, there's just

a lot of funs. So something that I don't get is that you had more of fifty points scores than anyone in history and that you didn't win. Why. I'm not sure. It's just kind of how it shut, guys, I check out. Okay, So I think I'm on the side that you should have won because yours was a lot more creative. If you could do any dunk, what would it be? I guess it would be, um, like three sixty under both legs and like, yeah, I think that's probably reverse through sixty under both legs. I think

I saw Jim I do it. It's great? Or is there every there professional dunk there? So it's pretty crazy. Going back to just talking about you starting to school and all that. What do you wish you knew at my age, which is now eighteen, I would say, uh, to pay attention to the details in the moment, Joey, what you do and have a great time doing it. See,

I try to do that. It's so hard to stay in the moment though, with I think this year, especially for sure, um, with everything that's happened in the craziness that is. What do you what do you think that we can do as a society to change it for the better? Well, um, I think people could just release some of the prejudices, you know, stop judging books by the color, and I think we will be better off for it. I hope that we can do that as a society, as a country because it's it's now more

important than ever before with everything that's at stake. So what I've been trying to do for season two is I've been trying to highlight a charity, uh and an awareness to it because I feel like that it's it should be happening and just bringing awareness to something people that are doing good. So is there a charity that you want to talk about? Oh? Yeah, sure, Oh charity that I'm involved with is my new Red Shoes out

of the Bay Area. Uh. It basically collects money and collects shoes to give the kids that wouldn't be able to buy on for themselves. So shout out to Money Red Shoes. All right, I'm gonna link them in my bio. Thank you so much for taking the time. I know you're very busy with everything so it really needs a lot all right, Thanks for having me on. Thank you guys again for listening to this week's episode. I hope

you enjoyed it. Don't forget to follow Aaron Gordon on social media and if you haven't already, followed me on Instagram, added Samy J. That's I T S S A. M M y j A y e and happy holidays. I know this season, this time of year can be really hard for a lot of people, so if you're struggling, you can always DM me. My dms are open to everybody and I will see you guys soon. Bye guys, M.