And welcome everyone to another edition of Orlando Magic Pod Squad. On this edition, we catch up with Magic assistant coach Jesse Murmis kind enough to join us and give us some insight into the behind the scenes work that this incredible staff assembled by Jamal Mosley has done this year in the last three years here in Central Florida, Magic Pod Squad brought you by the Florida Department of Transportation, remind you that fans don't let fans drive drunk. If
you've been drinking, don't get behind the wheel. Instead, find a sober driver or catch your ride service. Remember, drive sober or get pulled over, Have a great night, and drive safe. On this episode with Jesse Murmis, we get into his NBA journey, what led him to being on the sidelines for an NBA team and did he ever think he'd get that opportunity, How it is working for Magic head coach Jamal Mosley, and what is so special
about Polo Banco. In this edition of the Orlando Magic as they make their playoff pushed down the stretch, lots of fun with Jesse Murvis. On this edition of Magic Pod Squad, there's fonds of long enough the Orlando Magic.
This is anth This is Jennings Suggs. This is Paulo Man Carroll the Orlando Magic and you're listening to the Pod Squad. Hey, welcome every.
One to the latest edition of Orlando Magic Pod Squad Dotje Marc Telli, George Galante, Jake Chapman here with you, and it is our pleasure to welcome in Orlando Magic assistant coach Jesse Murvis kind enough to join us and George and Jake. Just so you know, he's already there's one thing that he does that none of us do, and that is workout.
That is workout.
And I took no surprise to anybody. But how about that We get in not too bad last night, right, Coach. We get in about one in the morning to the hotel, and you've already got yourself a workout. At the time of this taping here in New York City, you're already up and at it.
Yeah, I was. I was pretty pumped that we pulled that one out, So I had a list, ge got didn't sleep nuts.
Is that what happens?
Do You got to get up first thing in the morning after a big, a big win like that and get off some of that energy.
Yeah, well it was. I mean, as you know, every back to that game in the NBA's an adventure and it was looking pretty bleak there. Thank goodness that most had an unbelievable halftime because we were able to pull that thing out. And so I was pretty pumped because I knew we had a day off today in New York and I knew it would be ruined if we lost that game.
So well, that's right.
Well, you guys, hear it your business. No, it's interesting, Jesse. We want to get your story and for everybody listening, we're gonna go back and tell your story, your NBA journey, kind of how you got how you got into the NBA.
And if that was the goal and all that.
But since you touched on it, it's remarkable timing because you know, Josh Robbins was there from the athletic and of course we know Josh Robbins in Orlando and he wrote a nice story about coach Mosey and how about he should be considered Coach of the Year this year in the NBA, the great job that his staff does and all of that. But was different about that halftime last night because that came out in that article as well.
Well, you know, we we typically have a routine where you know, coach will addressed the team, all show some offensive adjustments, coach also shows some defensive adjustments or things that are hurting us, and then you know, we'll bring it in and go out there and he just kind of passionately, kind of woke them up, said some really uh some good words that I won't repeat. But we
didn't show any film. You know, it wasn't really about basketball and the x's and o's, and thank goodness, he hit it right on the head and our guys were able to respond as they they always do to him. Yes, yes, Jesse.
What do you feel like has has flipped this year as opposed to maybe last year. It's basically the same roster for the most part. Is it a matter of having the same group for for an extended period of time. Is it something else that you guys have seen behind the scenes that has clicked this year? What is making this team into what is becoming? I mean we're a top fourteen right now in the East.
Yeah, that's a pretty dynamic question, and there's I think a lot of factors, but I would say the biggest thing. Tipping my hat to the players. I feel like they all player development wise, have really improved, and collectively they've taken a big jump, and then obviously Paolo and France have taken a big jump, and and because of the
improvement that they've made because of their hard work. When you have that type of improvement from year to year, then it helps the players kind of guide them into more roles and responsibilities. And I think what to all the guys credit is they're all buying into what the team needs to win the very next game. And we have a little bit more of a role definition going on with Paulo and Franz kind of leading the charge, and so that puts you, you know, more in a
win now mode as opposed to a development mode. And and really that's you know, it's it's a tribute to Moe's with obviously the culture and everything that he's established, and then to the players for working their tails off, buying in and doing what it takes to win.
Hey, guys, can we mark this too, because that was the first time somebody said that I asked a dynamic question. I just want to make sure for the record that we have that down that that that's the first time time. Oh, we're well aware that that's the first I want to make sure to make sure.
I'll clip it.
I'll clip it. Well, we'll thank you, we'll get it.
On the social channels. Coach Steve Clifford the other day was talking about Polo and he mentioned specifically, when your best player sets that kind of example, everybody else is sort of forced to fall in line. And we'll throw
Fronds in that as well. The day to day, the long NBA season, the record against sub five hundred teams, second nights of back to backs, it can be I think difficult to get up for games sometimes in the early part of February, for instance, But when you got Pollow and Franz who play every night and take every game as seriously as they do, it's just sort of the nature of the rest of the roster to fall in line, right.
Yeah, it's it's really impressive because I've been I've been so fortunate to be with so many of these young stars in today's NBA just because of my stops around the league, and the biggest thing that is hard for these guys to do is be consistent. You know, there's so many players in the NBA that can go out on a night and have a big game, have about you know, thirty five and and even have wins streak going and play really well for a time period and
then fall off for a while. And Uh, the consistency that Paulo has shown for a second year player is incredible. And so he's he's a big time player. Uh. Mentally, he's so tough and his consistency is what made him an All Star and and that consistency is what you know, gets you into the playoff contention.
Jesse, I always think the side of a great staff is is how you can kind of keep to keep the team afloat even when you're losing players for injury or out of the rochster or whatever. And there is a way that this team plays, and there has been since this since Coach Mosley and this staff got here. There's a way that this team plays. And I think that's another thing to Jake's credit, that Steve Clifford said, uh, the other day, but last you know, last night in Washington,
d C. It's a sluggish start. You're starting two Green Goblins. You've had over thirty starts for two Green Goblins. Right with gog and Anthony Black. But there's a way you play where there's expectations for those guys when they come in to not have a drop off. Just touch on the job that the role that you play in this coaching staff with keeping no matter who it is, ready every night.
Yeah, well, I think that what you guys see across the NBA and with the scoring and the just the offensive numbers league wide are incredible, obviously, and there's a lot of factors of that. Obviously. I know coach Kerr and some of the head coaches have complained about the officiating and the rule changes to try to encourage scoring. But also a lot of that is that the culture
of defense hasn't really from a coaching body. It has kind of gone away as well because it's just so hard to get these guys to be able to play
both sides of the basketball with the schedule. You know, there's a lot of factors to that, and so really it goes back to again Moe's driving home that you have to play defense here to get on the floor, and when you're held accountable for playing defense, it's a lot easier for a guy to go in there and plug in knowing that he has to play defense, and a guy going in there thinking, hey, I need to show out and score and do you know, do some you know, spectacular thing to try to keep this spot.
And so I think that you know, from day one, we've been a defensive minded team or you know, everything that we do is defense first, and we've been able to stick to that because of most And so when you do that, I think, you know, the guys at some point they have to fall in line there. They either got to play defense or they're not getting big petty. So he's made that very clear. And to those, you know, to our players credit they play defense.
Yeah, I mean I know if I was on the roster and I wasn't playing defense, I wouldn't want to get on the floor. So that would keept my roots on the floor for sure. Jesse, let's go to you personally, just for a little bit. Did you ever think starting out in South Point Catholic High School that twenty years later you'd be on the biggest stage.
The brightest lights.
I talk about your start and where you thought this this thing was going to take you.
Well, it's so funny that you asked that, because I actually did think that, and that maybe was my problem a little bit as a player, because, uh, all the way up until I stopped playing, I really believed I was gonna play in the n b A. I mean, I had just a very naive, incredible belief and was a big time dreamer. And so even when I finally stopped, when I stopped chasing the basketball dream, from a player standpoint, I always as soon as I started coaching, I believe
that I would be coaching in the NBA. And so, uh, it was very vivid to me. It was very real to me, and I just took every step towards that as my north star. And I remember, you know, I've been with my my wife, Michelle for a really long time. We met in college, and I remember we were taking a road trip. I was coaching in an AAU tournament in Las Vegas, and we had to drive there and
and I remember we pulled off. We were having a sandwich, like a stop and and I remember telling her, you know, I'm going to coach in the NBA and we're gonna be fine. It's gonna be all good, because I think at the time I wasn't making any money, and you know, it's a really big time struggle obviously to be a basketball coach if you're looking to establish a family and you know, do the real world stuff, because you just
don't make any money for a really long time. And so I remember telling her that, and I remember her being like, Okay, Like I didn't know how convinced he was in that, but she vividly remembers me saying that. And so when you were you were a high school coach at that point, Jesse, Yeah, I was. I was a high school coach at that point, and I remember when I did get to the NBA, I remember her reminding me of that conversation.
Hm, the greatest l stuff coach?
Who are a few I'm sure you could do a whole podcast on this question, but who were a few few figures along the way who opened doors for you? And uh and and maybe give you a little pat on the butt along your way to get you to this point. Uh.
Well, growing up in Tucson, Arizona, Loud Olson was like, uh, the he was the man. I mean, he was so presidential, he was they they were winning at such a high level. He was everything. If you loved basketball, I mean, you looked up to this guy. He was incredible, incredible coach, incredible person, the way he carried himself and spoke and everything, and so I would say he was a big inspiration
for me. And and then when I got to the NBA, my first gig with the Denver Nuggets, I was so fortunate to be with George carl and uh Tim Ergovich who were just longtime old school NBA coaches, because it really gave I think most would say the same thing. It really set us up with a foundation of you know, doing things the right way, how things need to be done, how to pour into the players, and that really set us up for success in the NBA.
Eight No, it's interesting, Jesse.
You start, you know, you're in community college and then your Southern Utah and then you go you go back to Arizona.
Your your break in the NBA.
Right, I think you started with video with Denver. As you mentioned, that's when you met Jamal Mosley. You ultimately met Messiah Jerry with your time in Denver. But when you get that big break, now you're you're trying to work your way up the ranks. I mean, what was that conversation like in that move when when you're starting your NBA journey with the Denver Nuggets are really good, by the way, really good Denver teams.
Yeah, it was. It was so much fun. I mean it was incredible hours. I remember I didn't really see my you know, my wife. We'd moved to Denver. We were in this tiny shoe box of a place, and I remember I just did not see her. I mean, I was there twenty four to seven. It was extremely demanding, but it was so much fun. That team, the players with you know, Carmelo, Anthony and j R. Smith and Birdman and all Chauncey Billups, like all these guys, like I was learning from them just as much as I
was learning from the coaches. It was an unbelievable time because of one I mean, we were obviously really good, but like with having Kenya, Martin and Nyana, all these guys were so tough and it was such a the culture of it was toughness and they everyone was riding each other and if you didn't have thick skin around there, you were gonna be in trouble. So it was like, I mean, throwing you to the wolves and you're having earth.
I mean, I'm getting yelled at by the players I was getting yelled at by coach Carl by Tim Gergovich would take me to the side and just blastemy for oh my minutes.
Bring it out for what because it wasn't what they were asking for, wasn't set up or what were they getting?
Yeah, I mean maybe some of that. I was extremely hard worker, but it was more of like that's kind of like the culture. It just goes down the hill a little bit and it's like breaking you in, pushing y'all. Jist. Then it was very old school NBA, and so uh that pushed me to the limit, and I was so excited and I just kept asking for more. I wanted more all the time, and so whatever they threw at me, I tried to exceed expectations and because of that, I was able to rise quickly in demb.
That's awesome. See, I would have pushed George right out of the NBA.
I would have just quit.
I would would.
But speaking of the grind, I mean like then you are also a head coach Jesse in the G League and Dante and jakersoft They've never had to take any time at the minors.
So this is true.
Explain to everybody out there.
I mean, I worked in a minor league hockey team for four years and and there's just something different about working in the minor leagues where your staffs are much smaller and you feel like it's us against the world. Is that how it was for you when when when you were in sad your time in the G League?
I love the G League. That is the greatest league in the world from a pure basketball standpoint. It's exactly how you're describing it. It's so amazing because everybody there is in it to try to make it and it's just like a grind league. And uh, they know, you know, everybody there also knows that they got to do it together to make it happen for everybody. And uh, it's a beautiful league.
Uh.
The coaching is big time. You're able to learn so much because of the style of play. Uh, it pushes you basketball wise, because guys are in, guys are out. There's constant change. It's just an incredible league to develop your skills. And it's so much fun. You know, it's just a pure basketball experience because there's just not as much attention. There's not as much business and money involved, so it's just pure basketball all day long, every day, and I loved my time there.
I work in radio.
That's the g League of sports broadcasting, right.
Coach, When you became the head man for Raptures nine oh five, what was was there a hey, you're the mand now moment? I mean, that level of leadership is a little bit different when everybody is looking to you for those answers. Was that an eye opening experience for you?
I think maybe the first I think our first game was a close game on the road, uh in Fort Wayne, and it came down to it came down to ato by myself, and I remember running a play that I had seen a million times that Greg Popovitch had run from Onny to Noble and won the game. And it's a pretty ballsy call because you're setting up a back door and it's it's a very unsafe play to run.
But my style is very unsafe and pretty brazen. So my first time out, I'm trying to win the game and I draw up a play, a Popovich play, and so a short story goes is that the play did not work. It was not applicable for the level of play of my guys. They're G League guys, they just don't have the experience to execute that type of play. But again, you know, you're right in the heat of the moment, you're trying to go for the win, and you're just like, let's do this. So the play doesn't work.
They get the ball and they go down there and hit a game winning shot. Oh no, at the buzzer and like a pull up three, kind of like the one that Fox hit on us when we play a meno. He's like coming up, you know, just a little bit past half court. So they hit a game winning shot, and I remember why fucking to the locker room and
being like, man, was that a bad play? So that was probably my first moment of like no, what, Like, you know, you have to be a little bit more mindful of who you're dealing with and what their capabilities are. This is not the NBA, And so that was like a big time lesson, Like I had let those guys down, and I knew right away, and when I addressed them in the locker room, I apologize and say, Yo, that was a bad play call. That's my fault.
Well, probably didn't help that you called one of your guys Tim Duncan. It helps when you have Tim duncan help you execute those plays. Well, let's let's fast forward, Jesse to twenty twenty one. You get the call from Jamal he's taking the job here in Orlando and he wants you to be on the staff.
Right. I obviously you met, you had a nice relationship.
But that's I would imagine that's how it goes in this business. Right, you meet people along the way, and you never know who's going to get the job first, and who's gonna call who, and where are you're gonna end up. But how about that phone call that that he was coming to Orlando and putting the team together here.
Yeah, I was. I was super excited. I had known, obviously Jamal for a really long time, and we had a great relationship when we worked together, and we stayed connected through that entire time. So I was excited because I knew obviously what he was capable of as a coach. And then I was really excited for the opportunity because I love when organizations pick a lane and really like it's clear cut what they're trying to do, and I
thought Orlando was one of those situations. I think it's really tough in the NBA when you know, everyone says you don't want to be in the middle, like you don't have a chance to win a championship, but you're good enough to, you know, kind of win. So are you developing? Are you winning? I think it's really tough from a coaching standpoint to try to pull that off. And so this was a clear cut situation. We were going in at ground zero and we were gonna, you know,
try to build something. And you know, that's very exciting to me, and I'm very passionate about that, and so I was all.
In, just what about the what about the other call?
At most gives you that first year where he's got COVID and he just has Nate Chibbets has COVID and uh, and you're the guy and you're gonna be the guy that to lead us for a few games while these guys are getting healthy.
What was that experience like for you?
Was it just was it as surreal as it seems, because if that was me, I would just I probably would have to pinch myself twenty times a day.
Yeah, So, well it was a little tough because this amazing thing was happening for me. But at the same time, I didn't want to be like over excited and happy because my guys had COVID and it was like the time, So it was like it was kind of you know, just mixed emotion a little bit. But again, I'm a five nine little spark plug that's coaching in the NBA, and if I didn't have a ton of confidence in my abilities, I wouldn't be able to survive out there
and provide value. And so there wasn't a moment where I was nervous, like I was ready to go obviously, like and it once you know, it settled in. I was excited for the opportunity and I was you know, I would coach as many times as I could possibly get, So yeah, it was it was It was weird because I definitely didn't want those guys to have COVID and
not be there and not coaching team. But I was obviously really excited for opportunity and I just tried to enjoy it and felt really ready and prepared for it.
And he was, guys, he was a spark plug during those timeouts. I got to stick my nose in those huddles and he was fired up during those timeouts, which was great. What can you tell us about Jamal Mosley. You probably know him better than anybody, Jesse, having known him as long as you have, and we do, you know, we do hope he's in the conversation for Coach of the Year because what this team has done and the
staff included, is just remarkable. Now sitting forth in the Eastern Conference, I mean, it's been so long here in Central Florida to be in this position. What do you can you tell us about the person he is and how hard Jamal Mosley works.
Yeah, he's in. I don't know how he does it. I really don't. I really don't know how he does it. Because you know, my calling card for my entire coaching career has been that I have unlimited energy. I have tons of positive energy, and that has been like a separator for me. And this guy blows me out of the water. I really don't know how he does it.
He's just, Uh, he's incredibly hard working, and he's incredibly caring and kind to these players and uh and that you know that plays out all the time and they respond for him because, you know, because he comes with such a low ego, kind mindset and treats everyone from top to bottom wonderfully and and and he's he's backing it up with the work that he puts in and what he says he lives up to, and so you know, it's he's just a big time he's a big time guy,
and he's doing a great job and I'm just happy to be along for the ride.
I say the same things I've asked Jamal. One time.
I was like, you're so positive all like I picture. I picture he just goes home and maybe there's a there's a rumor's area of his garage where it's just like holes are punched in the wall or something, because you just don't see it at any any length. At any time you come into the office, he's positive. E're you get in at three in the morning. On the road, he's positive. Like the guy is just overflowing with positivity, to the point where I was just like, Hey, this can't be.
You can't.
There's got to be something where I'm missing. You've got a punching bag or something at home that you're taking it out on or or something.
It's crazy that it's mind muggling. It really is.
It's a metal to having metal music on his way in it. This is the last thing for me, coach, and I didn't want to ask you this about Coach Moseley and the trust that it seems like he has from one through eighteen on roster, we've seen a handful of players close games out. I always say on the broadcast, he's a dance with who brung you type of coach, and whoever's got the hot hand or the matchup that night is gonna finish games. And obviously Paul and Franz
and Jalen are probably gonna be on the floor. But you know, whether it's Cole or Mo or Joe on down the line, whoever is playing well that night likely is going to close that game out. That's kind of stokes trust and gets everybody engaged, doesn't it. I mean, guys show up and they know if if I've got to go in tonight, I'm going to be on the
floor to close the game out. It just seems to me like it's you know, there's a lot of sort of statuses and agendas with players across the league, and it seems like coach Boseley has figured out a way and the players as well, who eliminate all of that stuff. Whoever's got it roll On is going to finish the game out tonight.
Yeah, well that that kind of is the the end result of a ton of work up front to build a relationship with each player. Yeah, like this is a this is a business, but it's a human business. You know. To get a group of young individuals who have everything in this business is telling them to do what's best for themselves and be individual and and there's a lot of reward when you do that. Unfortunately how it's set up.
And so to get guys to be okay with that mentality to do what's best for the team all the time, it takes a lot of work and a lot of time, and a lot of relationship building and a lot of communication, a lot of ups and downs. You know, you you have to work extremely hard to build that type of trust and build that type of patience with each guy.
I mean, these are young guys who have a lot at stake for them family, and so I think it goes to you know, just how he treats people and and and I think our staff as a whole is along those lines of just philosophy wise, we really put the players first, and we really you know, shoot them
straight and I think they they appreciate that. And and when you have that type of close knit bond with your players and you're able to tell them when they're messing up and what needs to be done to win that game, whether that's sitting on the bench that night and not closing the game. I think they all believe and they know that we have their best interests at heart. And and Mos has really worked his tail off for them to buy into that, believe that, and accept that.
And so it's all about relationships. It's all about the human connection with these guys. And when you have that in place, then you're able to make those type of decisions. And you know, the other night, Hollow was wasn't very good to start the third quarter. Uh, he was turning it over. He looked, he looked frazzled. You know, I still think he was stealing. You know, he's still not one hundred percent healthy, and it was clear he needed a reset. You know, we went to the time out.
You know, there's only played for four minutes into that third quarter, and I remember we went to the time out and he looked at me mostly and and and we were both like, yeah, let's get him out. You know, he's just he needs a reset, he needs tom he's not playing well, he's hurting us, and and we'll get him and we'll get him back in. And he sat the entire third quarter, which is obviously very unusual to take your best player out that early and a half.
But to Apollo's credit, he's such a pro and we have that trust with him, and we have that relationship with him. He came back to start the fourth quarter and he single handedly destroyed them to start the fourth and force the double team at the end to allow Jalen Suggs to hit that three to seal the game
in that Utah game. So you know, that's that's a lot of a lot of credit to to Mos to be able to build a relationship and trust with a guy like that, To be able to take a guy out like that that early and a half, that just doesn't happen very much in the NBA.
Let me just add credit to most and his staff, because if you when you talked to Coach Moseley about it, the first thing game does is he gives credit to you guys. I'll try and everybody involved. So but that's great stuff, Goach.
You appreciate that that's great.
And I tell you this to have that human side of it.
You don't.
It's refreshing because there's all walks of life. You know, there's there's humans involved, and you don't hear that that it's humans first, And I think that's outstanding thing.
We watched Polo make his NBA debut last.
Year and I'm working the game with Quentin Richardson and we sit in the back and we're, you know, five minutes into the game, and he looks at me and he goes, Dante, we got a dude. We have a dude watched to five minutes of his first NBA game. And since you mentioned Polow, just just we'll end with that. As Magic fans get excited and as we gear up for this playoff Porsch and who knows where this is gonna take it, it's just so excited here at Central Florida.
How much does he help having that guy when you.
Put a game play together and as you think about this playoff, Porsche, how incredible is pollow band Carol?
He's incredible. I've been so fortunate to be around some big time players in my journey in the NBA. Demarta Rosen Kyle Lowry, James Harden, Carmelo, Anthony Lebron, James, I mean, I've been around the big and he is one of those big dogs.
That's awesome, a.
Big time player. He is a dude. As Q said, he's one of those dudes, and Orlando is going to be very fortunate for a long time.
Good stuff, but we appreciate it.
Jesse, good luck the rest of the way, and uh, we'll try to close this thing out in New York and we're excited here the final nineteen best of luck.
Thank you guys, thank you for having me.
Awesome.
That'll do it for this edition of Magic Pod Squad.
We'll see you next time.