Dray's First Game Back, March Madness + a Joel Embiid Interview

fan duel sports book makes it easy. What's up, everybody? Welcome to The Draymond Green Show. This is episode seventeen, and boy is it a big one. We've been processing this with for a while. I hope you clocked the wordplay, processing it, trying to make it happen. Schedules collide that

and it happens all the time. East coast travel, West coast travel sometimes can be hectic to put it together, but we got it done this week and I am excited to welcome m VP candidate five time All Star the Process Joe L. M B to the show today. Uh he would be our guests and this interview man was it a good one? And I mean, what would you expect though, It's Joel who talks a bunch of shit to everybody and anybody, and then it's me who like to talk from time to time, and it's us

having a conversation. So I thought it was great. I hope you all enjoying it and take away from it, um, some of the things that I took away from it. I thought it was an incredible interview. But before we get to that, let's cruise around the association a little bit. Uh, starting off with my return. Sure, it was incredible, um, but it was a blur. I mean I was like, if you watch when when I checked into the game, I actually didn't process that welcome back, and ovation I

didn't process it at all. I was nervous and ship like if you if you see me, like go back and watch the clip and look how like watch how fast I'm like ripping my pants off and taking my

shirt off. I got turned and then I just had straight for the free throw line and Ruey said something to me next to me, He said, man, I thought they were cheering her at me, And I was so out of it I started laughing, like, yeah, hey, where and I'm like, wait a minute, oh that was funny, Like I mean the nerves that I was feeling, um and getting back out there. You know what, when when coming off an injury, you're just never you can just

never be too sure how it's gonna go. So it's that on top of not planning for a couple of months, on top of planning with with Stephan Clay for the first time in one thousand and five days. Um, you know, it's all of that in one and it was a blur, like it just was moving way too fast for me. Like I mean even with the ovation, like most people would like stop and like waver like acknowledge. I didn't even realize that. Like it took me to get home

last night. Check my phone. I went to Twitter and like my first my first response to the ovation if you go look at my Twitter page, I think I said, like, wow, that's the first I had really even heard of it, Like I had no idea. And by the way, it was to three am by the time I saw it, Like I had no idea that was the case. And so I most importantly I want to say thank you

to dub Nation. Um, I mean that was incredible. It was something that I would remember for the rest of my life of what I do remember of it, but I mean just to be welcome back like that. I can't think thank our fans enough. It was incredible. It was such an amazing night steph birthday. To come back

on steph birthday so obviously incredible. I said the other day in one of my interviews, like, now this this should be a very memorable birthday for him, like he scored forty seven, it's our first time playing and in one thousand and five days. Because thirty four sucks, like like you're turned thirty four, Like that's no fun. It's like I turned thirty two last week. I thirty two, Like it's it's just one of those birthdays and so and in thirty four is even worse. Like thirty four.

You're like right on the cusp of having a big thirty five but not quite there. And so it's like in reach but not quite there. So it's boring as hell. But I think the birthday turned out great, Like it was an incredible night. Step dropped them boys off of forty seven, which was beautiful to see. I wish he would have could have gotten fifty, but we came out the game the last minute and a half, and I have no doubt in my mind that he would have gotten fifty if we were selling in the game. But man,

it was just it was such an amazing night. I felt great for the most part. I think once I got to the end of my lads, like the end of my six minutes stretch, I got, you know, my win and get a little challenging. Ever, for the most part, I felt pretty good. Um, a couple of times I'm dribbling down the court and I like, just lose handle little ball like it's a field thing. And so I'm still getting my fieldback. I feel like I'm at about seventy seventy seventy five per cent or something like that.

And I got I have a month to get ready for the playoffs, and I have no doubt in my mind that I'll be back um where I left off for the playoffs. But overall, I thought it was pretty good. I thought, you know, we did some really good things. Is on the offensive end. I thought we did some really good things on the defensive end. And like I said, uh,

some of the moments that felt great to me. Number One Steph putting me in the position as soon as I checked into the game um to catch the ball and the post and hit him was incredible because as soon as that happened, which was the very first player I was in, as soon as that happened, I was like, oh, like I felt normal after that, Like I felt like, oh, I'm fine. Like once that first thing is think that first thing happens, then from that point it's just kind

of like all right, like now it's just basketball. And so him putting me in that position was extremely important because you start to run up and down the court a few times, three, four or five times and nothing happened with you, and then that that nervousness just starts to build and build and build and build, and it gets a little hectic. So I was extremely appreciative of that. And then I think it was just such a moment like and and so that moment really stood out to me.

And then also the another moment that really stood out to me was the the back door cup uh dime for Clay in transition. That moment was beautiful to me because it was Steph and Clay right on top of each other, and then it was myself and so that play kind of involved that play kind of involved all of us, and so I thought that was like, those were the two moments, like two plays in the game that really stuck out to me that um that that moving forward, I'll remember those plays in that game. It

was such a beautiful thing. So right in the four game win streak, which I think is great, especially off of that stretch of games that we had that I think we lost nine out of eleven, and so to see how to squad this bounced back from that and you know, pulled out some very tough wins. By the way, I thought. I thought that was a beautiful I thought that was a great show of character and resilience because the reality is this team, this team has not really

gone through much. And you know, I know most people say, oh, well, they got championship experience. We got four guys with championship experience and then eleven or twelve guys with not much playoff experience at all, and so trying to get them to understand what it takes to win at this time of the season and moving forward, it's something that you have to really teach, and I think that's something that we needed to go to in order to figure it out.

And I think, you know, we we definitely showed that we're capable of figuring it out and and putting it back together. So that's been beautiful to see. But yeah, man, I mean, and just wrapping up about the comeback, I mean, it was it was incredible. As I said in my press conference last night, I'm very thankful for Rick, Celebrati and all the work that we put in to get

back here. Man, it was not an easy role. Like four weeks ago, I could barely run, Like two and a half weeks ago, I was like super excited dunk of basketball, like literally too dunk the basketball, and and so like what I had to go through to get back to that court, especially in the time that I

did it was it was hard. It was, I mean, super challenging, but very rewarding to know the work that I put in that Rick and I dedicated ourselves too, to know that it brought me back here to do what I love with the guys that I love to take the court with every single night. And like I said, for the first time in the thousand and five days, like that's insane, And I could have never imagined that that would be our reality. But that is our reality.

And you know the band is back together. And like I said last night, to seed three, seed seventh seeds, I don't give a damn. We went in the championship and that's that also not quite around the association, but in the basketball world. I know you may see I have on my Michigan State Spartan sweatshirt. This is not a coincidence. Um. As you know, we have one show a week, and so this show has to live for the Michigan State David Davidson Wildcat Game seven ten match up.

My Spartans kind of let go the rope a little bit down the stretch and ended up as a seventh seed when three weeks ago we were number one in the Big Ten. We end up as a seventh seed and tournament. And so that's the story for another day. But My Spartan Dogs is going into Greenville, South Carolina, which is essentially a home game for Davidson, and we are going to destroy Steph Curry's Davidson Wildcats, and there

will be some good bets. There would be a monetary bet, there would be a better Steph Curry walking into the game in the Sparty costume. No, no, no, and not not just my jersey, not just a Michigan State T shirt. He will come to a game as the Michigan State Spartan mascot Sparty. That's what it's gonna be. So I'm looking forward to that game. And so I had to wear his shirt just to let it be known. My Spartan dolls is March. You know what they called time

is so Mr March. You know how he gets it done at this time of year, and I don't think it's any different now this year. Now, the second round matchup that we have is Duke and you know what coaches, oh say, you give me the first game with the weekend, I'll get you the second one. And I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to give me the second one. I've actually never lost in the second weekend of in the second game of the weekend. That is his thing. You give me the first one, I'll

get you the second one. And he delivered. So goodbye Davidson, coach K I got nothing but love for you, man. We want to go medal together. Incredible, great great run. Congratulations to the legendary the great coach k such An honor. I had to play for him in the two thousand and sixteen Olympics. But Coach K, you must enjoy retirement after round to my friend, because my Spartans, we're getting

it done, baby, That's what we do. Coach. But it's been a great run for you, coach, and I am upset and sad that it has to end at the hands of my Spartans Coach K. But it has to. And to all the Dukie Blue Devils out there. J t um Seth, I can go down the list, Kyrie, like I can go down on this list for days. Bet the money my Spartans taking y'all down. So let me know what it is. All you Dookey Blue Devils. All you guys who zion, All you guys who showed

up for the coach k retiring game. Queenn Cook, by the way, I absolutely thought that was incredible. Of how everyone showed up like that was amazing. Kudos to the to the Duke program now was spectacular. But all you guys, I'm taking all the bets Michigan State round two after we crushed ste Curry, Davis and Wildcats. How about me? I need those bets, you know. I'm always rolling with my spartans. Man. As I told you all that this this next guest, it is one of the guys I'm

most excited, uh to speak with. I think when when we're done playing basketball, we'll probably have a show together. Um and it's gonna be the number one radio basketball show in the world. I'm just throwing that out there. Hopefully the big fellow take debate. But man, I'm extremely excited to welcome five time All Star m v P front runner candidate this year and was an m VP candida last year arguably could have been m v P

last year as well. But really excited to welcome this guy. Man, guy who I'll be locking up that always me by eighty pounds, got me about six or seven inches, Joe, L and B. Welcome to the Draymond Green Show, my brother. I appreciate you coming on. How you doing, I'm good, I'm good. How you doing? I can't complain, Man, first game back, I'm feeling great. Bro. I'm so excited to be back out there on the floor. Man, I've never you know, I've never been through and and I know

you are. It's someone that definitely understands it even more than I do. I've never really been through an injury that kept me out that long like I've been out. I was out for eleven weeks. Like I've had some injuries that I needed to rehab, but they were all over the summer, and so I've never been through an injury that kept me out that long in the season. Man, it's brutal. Yeah, it sucks. I mean when you think about it, and I missed my first within my first

three years because of injury. Obviously you know that that all that also kept me at longer than you know, he was supposed to, just because they wanted to make sure that I was right. But it sucks, can't you? I mean for you you said it was eleven weeks for me really three years. So yeah, especially coming out of college, so you lose, you know, those first three years of experience that you can't get uh in that time,

and it does suck, Yeah, now for sure. Man. I it gave me a totally different appreciation for what guys like yourself went through, um, what Zion Williamson is going through, what Clay Thompson went through. Like, it gave me such a deeper appreciation week too. I'm like, all right, man, like this, this is crazy, Like what we're here six hours just in the weight room doing like car strange, Like what are we doing? Man? It's crazy. So at some point, at some point it doesn't make sense because

you're going every single day. Obviously you do a bunch of of exercises every single day, but sometimes the same thing and like it's just like it gets annoying. Like I remember my first my first year, so I was doing berialub all the time and then uh, you know that had me. You know, they wanted me to sit on the bench and travel with the team and all that and all that stuff and um and we were that was at the time where you know, we were

losing a lot every single game. So like I had to go through that that you know, having to go through you know, we are met with single single thing. Mentally, he is already tough, and then you gotta sit on the match and watch the losing going into the game and knowing that you don't have like your team doesn't have a chance to win the game, so you're probably gonna watch losses after losses. Like he was like, mentally,

you gotta be extremely strong. Absolutely, I think I think for me, Um, I hadn't said on the bench most of the games. I was like, maybe I said on the bench one game and two games the entire time that I missed. Obviously, you know we have a much better team. But I think what people don't realize when you're going through rehab, you're on a totally different schedule

than the team. To to to you're their way earlier than them because you need to get your rehab in before they come in, prepping for the game or prepping for practice or whatever it is. You're then their way later than them. And to two then ask a guy like, by the way, we want you to sit on the bench, that's your whole day gone. Yeah, for sure. And so I thought like for me, that was a big thing where they didn't make me sit on the bench. Um

and and it was good for me. But and speaking of your injury and essentially missing the bulk of your first three years and then UM and then following following those three years, you didn't go on and signed a five year, one hundred and forty eight million dollar rookie extension. What did that tell you that the team was willing to bet on you like that? And you probably had

played all the forty fifty games leading up to that. Man, I remember when my agent at the time, Uh, I don't have an agent anymore, but my agent at the time was Leon mos He came out to me. It's like, yeah, I didn't wanna, you know, resign you that want to give you, you know, five year hundred or whatever that was. I was like, what are you talking about. I haven't played basketball, Like, I played thirty one games in three years, and we're talking about you know, a Max Dill like

and I only played thirty one games. And then he started going over it. He's like, yeah, but they want to put you know, all these protections and all that stuff, like this amount is gameted. And I was like, I don't care how much he's guaranteed. I'm signing whatever because this is insane. Like they're giving me a hundred and

fifty million after playing thirty one games. I was like, Yo, they gotta be crazy, like And that was still at the point where like, brother, that was my fourth year or fifth year playing basketball, really my really, but when I started playing in the NBA, and that was really my you know, second year because I had missed you know, those three years so you know, at that point, I never really believe in myself at that point where like you know, people always saw something different in me, uh

than I did. Like at that point, I was like, alright, I'm not even that good, Like I don't know what they're saying in me. But like if they're gonna give me, if they're gonna give me this amount of money, and I'm not from here, I'm from Camro, Like, yeah, I'm glad it's still it because I don't know what's gonna happen in the future. Like, you know, I I just missed two years and you know, everybody's talking about he's never gonna play the end. Yeah, like he's already missed

two years. They're talking about you know all the you know bus uh you know in past history and all that stuff. You know, all these bad stories coming out, you know about me, whether it was the weight and all that stuff. And it was at the wrong time too, because I was at the time when I just lost my little brother, when I had to go back to kem More so you know, all that stuff was like it was crazy. And you know, when you know he came up to me, it's like, yeah, this is the deal.

You know they're gonna gonna get into this amount of money. I'm like, you know, I don't care like they're grant to I'm taking it because I don't know what's about to happen. Like I'm like reading into like what all these people are saying about me, Like I don't even believe in myself. I don't know how good I am and how good I'm gonna be. So I was like, yo, like I'm not I don't even want to fight it, Like I was like, just do whatever you have to do.

That's incredible, man. I have a couple of questions follow ups on a couple of things you just said. Number one, talk to me about not believing in yourself because from what we've seen, um is And it's funny that you say that. And I have interests in this because I too, you know I am I am. I'm not bashful at all, just like yourself. Like if I have something to say,

I'm gonna say it like yourself. And I think one thing you you exude confidence, Like when anyone see you, you exude like like we know like Joel, not only is Joel good, but Joel think he's gonna bust your ass, like no matter who you are, But to then go on to say you didn't believe in yourself, Like walk me through that journey for someone as confident as yourself to to then lose confidence and say, like, give me anything. I don't believe in me, so give me whatever. Whatever

they're gonna give me, I'll take it. So I'll take you to the town line. So think about so your whole life. Uh, you know I went to you know, obviously it's cool. I was really good at school. I never really thought, Yeah, I didn't stop playing basketball until I was sixteen. So before that, I was playing you know, soccer, I was playing volleyball, so and I was actually out

of one, you know, sixteen years old. I was about to actually go to France to try to become a professional volleyball player until Luke came back to look bad mute. He came back to Cameron. Then he had a campaign, which, you know, a camp I didn't even want to go to because I had just started playing basketball like three months before. That's how I was like, yo, I'm not good enough. Like you know, these guys have been playing basketball their whole lives, and like there's no way I'm

gonna get picked for his camp. And then I went over there and you know, like I said, like people always saw, you know, something different, and I saw it myself and he ended up giving me that the portrait. It so I get to I get to the US. I went to more Overt Academy that whole year. Like I was practicing with the JV team and the senior team, but I was playing j V. I don't know if you've seen the clip of me, uh, I don't know

if you look at it, that's a funny clip. So that and then I just run out of bounds, like thinking O the world, like I didn't even know where I was. Like that was my first year in America. Like that was like you know, seven months you know, playing basketball and you know, I was playing g V and all that stuff, and I didn't really get the chance to really show what, you know, like what I could do, if I could even do anything, you know, my Greenie year. So I had to transfer to another

school to basketball, and that was still in Florida. And then I get there. I got the opportunity and then people started recruiting me. I get to Kansas. The first practice, it wasn't really a practice. It was like a scrimmage that we had. We had you know, I was a freshman. We had to rig black. It was like a senior transfer from Memphis. Uh. You know, people were watching the woman's he was watching it. Dunked on me so hard. I was like, I'm not ready for this, Like there's

no way. So I go to cool stuff off face. I'm like, coach, like I can't do this, Like I need to rushur like and I was at the time. I thought I was gonna be in college for like, you know, five years, and like I really didn't think I had the potential to be in the end because my whole girl come into America was to use this basketball opportunity to try to get a degree and make something out of my life and go back home and you know, make money of my family and all that stuff.

So I never believed that, you know, I had any chance in basketball or whatever. So I told him and then he's like, you kidding me, You're gonna be the number one pick in two years. And then I'm like, uh, I've always like before I got to college, I was always told that, you know, coaches lie all the time and then I'm like, he's dude, he's just lie. He's just lied to my No way, I've not been living whatever, Uh he's saying. So we go on. Obviously I went

to school Eggs and Uh. One thing, one thing that people don't know is that I'm always gonna be so thankful for him because when we went to college, he has so much height and so much attention, like he was crazy that people were like, he's pretty good at what he does, but at that time they were like he's the next of all James, like he's gonna be better than them, so like he has so much hype, and everybody just minded to come watching, like scouts, like we always had so many scouts, and I was I

guess I was kind of also using that a portrait it to show them, you know, what I could do. So when they would come in the gym, like I would be randomly walking on you know, a keen dream shake, and I show them that, yeah, I got it, and

you know, they started saying that in me. And then obviously you get to the league and you know, the food injury, you gotta miss a couple of years and and like I'm mentioned, the stories are coming out and my brother died, so like I've really lost all the confidence because I'm like, I I can't I don't know

what to do. Like I even thought about like giving up a basketball because I, you know, my brother died and all that stuff, and you know, but going back to your question, is like the first moment that I thought that I had a chance wasn't answered. I stepped on the basketball NBA floor for the first time my third year against Okay, See, I stepped on the floor. You know, Steven Adams was guarding me and all that stuff. I you know, I was called a bucket, my first bucket.

And then I was like, it's easy. We ended up losing the game, but like that's where like the culture completely change in filling like all these losing years before me, and there was so much excitement. People were like going crazy. They were like it's about to change. And then I was like, well, like the attention that I'm getting, and you know what I was, I was like, I think that's called like twenty two points and like twenty six

minutes of my first game. I'm like, I was on many restrictions the whole year, but I'm like, you know, this is easy, right, I can't do this. And then that's where, like, you know, you know, back in the day when I used to be going crazy on Twitter and all that stuff and talking but the guys, that's where I felt it because I'm like, you know, like it's easy, and like, like my personality is also that

I like to talk. I like to talk trash like I like to I showed that I'm better than you know, everybody else, and you know that's why I you know, I was going crazy on Twitter or whether I was playing against you know, whether it was stalking trash or you know, kicking the ass on the ford like it

was fun. But that's where I really find out that, yeah, like it's easy, I gotta chanse so so for so for those of y'all out there, let me take you into the mind of these superstars and and it's filled with irrational confidence, which is what it ends up making these guys superstars. And if y'all didn't hear him, he scored his first basket and then in his mind, from

the first basket on, it's been easy ever since. And the reality is it has been But there's only a select few of guys in this league that can really reach that type of irrational confidence. And so when you go around the league, you see certain guys being called superstars and they're not. Like the reality is, there aren't a bunch there. There aren't more than ten superstars in the NBA, Joel being one of them, and that and that's ten is probably a bit strong, and that term

gets tossed around so loosely. But to take you guys in the mind superstar, because I've had the opportunity to play with a few of them, it's it's like irrational confidence. Like I scored one time and then at that point it was easy to me. And so I just want to make sure y'all understand the mindset of these dudes and how insane it is. And that's why it's only a few of those guys. But and going back, so

so you go through that entire journey. Um, you go to the seventies sixers, and I thought you did one of the most you made one of the most genius moves when it came to Philadelphia as a city and when it came to the seventies sixers as an organization, and all these teams has something that they go by. Some slogan that they're kind of where their season is or where their team is that they're going to build on throughout the years. Ours has been strengthened. No version,

blah blah blah. And the seventis was the process, embraced the process. You then took that name and made it your nicknames. I'm the process. What made you do that? Because I thought that was genius and I and and to me it felt like once you did that, everybody else in that city, everybody else in that fan base, everybody else in the organization was like, oh, there's our guy right there. I thought that was genius. What made

you do that? There was a couple of things. The first thing was obviously I got drafted by Sam Pinky um and you know he's the reason why, you know, we weren't able to whether us draft me or have these mini pigs and all that stuff. Um, you know. And then I got to the league and my second year it was basically full stop by I don't wanting names, but you know my spoken so I said, uh, by the NBA. Uh, I would say, I don't know, but

I think that's what it was. Um. And then um, you know that that that pissed me up because I felt like, yeah, sure there was a lot of losing, which I wasn't part of because that was before I started playing, but I knew that eventually once I started playing, it was gonna change, which he did, so they're basically

forced him out and I didn't like it. And then during the time in the process didn't actually stopped with me, but I was like, you know what, around that time, the league did not like the process because it was a bunch of losing, like they saying it was like tanking. You know, they were losing on purpose, which in the NBA, like no one to lose his own purpose. That you're not gonna put NBA players out there and tell them not go lose a basketball game, like they're gonna go

out and they're gonna do their best. And sometimes most of the time like if you're not talented enough in the NBA, you're gonna freaking loose if you play the games you know, more talented plays, So you're not gonna put guys out there and tell them that you're gonna lose.

So to me, they weren't losing on purpose. So I got paste off because you know, there went Sam Mickey out of town and I knew that that didn't like the process, all the losing stuff, and then I was like, you know what, I'm gonna pasch some people off, like giving them on the team. Like there was a bunch

of people I didn't like that world. Like I remember, like I wan't say names, but I used to get calls about like he you please, stud you will not to mention you know, the press name, like we're trying to move on from me, And I was like, I watch watch this. So that's why I started pushing the agenda about like you know what, I'm gonna support my man's because he drafted me. He had you know coming out of college before I got drafted, like he believed in me. I was hurt, but they still believed them.

Miss I was like, you know what, I'm not a supporting too. That's why I too call you know, that whole process thing to try to you know, try to keep what he was doing that really show them that like yeah, like we got powered, Like it doesn't matter if they don't want to talk about the process or if they want to forget about it. Like players, you don't have a lot of power when they spit and

I started understanding that. That's why I was like, you know what, I'm gonna keep pushing that and that's why it stuck. Wow, that's incredible and not surprising that you picked that to piss people off, because that's what you do. Um what I'm not surprising at all. But and speaking of the process and speaking of you pissing people off, because that's what you do. And you and you even mentioned in yourself you were going crazy on Twitter, like crazy.

One of the things that you did to me that stood out the most, and like you were one of my favorite followers when you were going ape ship on Twitter and Instagram. And one of the things that I absolutely love that you did was when you would do the location and the location was whoever you had just dropped off that night. And one that really stood out to me because people people look at the NBA today and they tend to forget like how stuff has turned over.

And at that time, Andre Drummond was a starting center in the NBA. He was an All Star center in the NBA. UM, y'all were in the same conference and you're just now starting to make your name and you put Andre Drummer's head. And then your your caption was like our own real estate in your hair for free or something like that. You said like, and I'm like, yo, this dude is out of his mind. And then that kind of started this this this like this beef amongst

you and Andre Drummond. But by the way, by the way, it wasn't a beef. I was always you know you, we want the same team and all that stuff. I always kicked this ass like you never had any chance, Like like you never had any chance. So check this though. When he decided that he was gonna come to your team, I was kind of like, huh. And then I saw the video. Then I saw the video of him arriving at the arena at the facility once he signed, and you kind of turned and shook him up and kind

of went back to Wars. And I was just thinking to myself, like, what is going through his head right now? Is he really feeling like I owned this man right now? Like you just came to back me? What was going through you? I have to know. I need to know what was going through your when he decided he was going to side with y'all. I mean it, reality hasn't helped his career because he's revitalized his career and backing you up and not going to Brooklyn, and he's playing

incredible basketball in Brooklyn. So it worked. But what were you thinking, Well, I said this thing, So I think I think most of the time, like you know, I talked trash or in the past, when I usually when I used to like really go out it with, you know, anybody, whether it was Whiteside or Druma or whoever, um, you know, to me, like he's never been you know, serious to the point where I like, i don't hate anybody, Like

I'm like, I'm doing this for fun. Like people get that feeling is hurt that he's on that like that has nothing to do with me. Anything that I said and anything that I do. I literally I'm not I'm not. I'm not kidding. So let's say, whenever I'm about to send a twig, before I even said a tweet, I'm in my kitchen on my livel just die because I know that people are gonna go crazy, whether they're gonna take it seriously or whether they're don't think that it's funny.

I'm already so done. And then when I sent the tweet, I'm like, yo, I'm like crime because I'm like that's why people love or whatever. But at that time, like I was like when he sounded with us, I was happy because I'm like, you know, like when you look at you know, the previous years, like you know, every single time that I went off the floor, we always

lost leaves. You look at Game seven against Tamano when we lost that series, Uh, I play, you know for the what for these six minutes, for the six minutes we were what plus three or whatever when I was on the floor, and then in the two minutes that I said, we were minors stand so like to me and my mind, I was when we signed my I was like, I just need like a competing like someone was not gonna come after it was not gonna come

on the floor and just lose leads. So I was like, you know, if it's you know what we need and and I was found with it. But you know, if you look at that, if you're looking at the video that you were talking about, it was really enoughing. I was just you know, walking out, I was lifting, doing my thing, and I greeted him, I said, you know, welcome to feel it. But then again you know in my mind, I could never forget, you know, the old days,

you know when I used to go out. Then I remember posting that video and dancaying after I gave I was after the game, so about our story. So we go before that game, we go to Detroit. I had like we lost that game, but I had like thirty and ten uh, and then he ended up getting ejected or whatever. But after the game he was talking crazy. He's like that man is out of ship and run. I'm like, like, what are you talking about, bro, No, you just won't. But I just had dirty on you

and I'm out of shape. Watch one, Watch one. I'm about to do to you. So I'm like. The next meeting was a couple of weeks later. I'm like, you don't know what's coming. So in that next meeting, I had like thirty two in the first half. I was gone and he was in fire trouble. I was going. I was like, bro, I had thirty two in the first half. I was like killing them. It was about a lot and all that stuff. That's why I remember you texted me after the video that uh that I posted.

You were like, yo, you're crazy, and that's what I do like I had a location like crazy, like you know, like I owned a lot of real estates, you know that stuff. But that's me. Like for me, it's fun like he's never he's never like serious. Went to the point where I'm like I hate this man, like I don't want of you around this man. Like I'm like,

I never take it personal. Like I'm like, oh, he stays on the court, And I said, after we get off the court, if you wanna, you know, talk to me or whatever, unless you say something disrespectful to me other than not like I would never be disrespectful to anybody, whether it's you know, going overboard and all that stuff. So I know where to draw the line. But other than now, like it's funny to me, Like I just I just go with the Bobe man. I just I

just love it. That's incredible, man, I I um, I appreciate that about you because I'm the same way I talked a bunch of jobs. It's never personal. You know, it was personal when you were talking to Paul Pish. That was that actually was like right off the top of the dome, man, because I'm gonna tell you what happened. I'm gonna tell you what happened with that. So we're playing and at that time Doctors obviously with the Clippers, and we're and you know, for us coming up, like

you know, the NBA going wave. So the Clippers when we were really young, the Clippers were supposed to be the next team out the West, you know, like they were the next young guys coming, and we're like, hold on, we don't really believe in them. We got something to say about this, and so it kind of you know, this this rivalry start button against two young teams, Us against them staff again CP and like at that time, Blake, it's the guy, you know, like Blake is like are

they they trunk? They're hyping black face of the league exactly, And I'm like, oh, like I'm clamping that, like I ain't feeling that. And so then you know, me and Blake had our situations. We had one where we had half court. He grabbed my side of elbowed him in

the throat. I get kicked out the game. He go back in the game, bowling got him a second tech, he got kicked out, and like all of this stuff keep happening every time we played him, right and and so then Pierce come over to the team that towards the end of his career last two years. I think of whatever it was, and now me and Blake Griffin already got a thing, like it's a thing, yeah, And Pierce yells from the bench, go at him, be g he too little, go at him, be g too little,

he can't guard you. So I'm like, out of here, go back down the court. Whatever we come back down, they're going at me again, go out and be g he can't guard you, too small. So now I'm like right, and he like shot fake. I go flying trying to beat the ship, and I followed him. Number one, Why am I going for Blake Griffin pump fake? Like Blake shoot the ball now, But at that time Blake wasn't shooting the ball like that. That's what I'm like, Why

am I and going for Blake? So now on fuel because I just picked up a foul and a pump fake I had no business going for And I really went for this pump ake because you over there talking and like, I'm trying to beat this shot so I can say something of you. And I filed and I got really pissed, like, wow, you just made me file him. So I'm walking back to the bench and I mean I'm walking to the free throw line and he's like, yeah, b G, I told you he can't guard you. And

I'm like, all right, Bro, I had enough. And that's why I'm like, hey, bro, you you're chasing this farewell tour like you're not Kobe, Like why are you doing this? If you retiring? If you if you retire and go home, like, ain't nobody doing no farewell tour for you? And like making this whole like Kobe different, Bro, Like that's Kobe, like the way did that's the way, Like you had a great career, Hall of Fame career, but stop, bro,

like you ain't getting no no tour. And so it just came right off the top of the dome like bro, you think you Kobe like you ain't no farewell to shut up. I was really I was really feeling. But I tell you what, man, I never expected that when I said that to take on the life that it did. Because there's a lot of young kids that remember Paul Appierce more for that moment then what Paul who Paul Appiers really was the reality. It's unfortunate he was the truth,

but he didn't get that. He didn't get that nickname by mistake, like he was the truth. But a lot of young kids, a lot of people remember him for that moment, and I think it was such a big moment. I'm one of the microphone called it, but it was involving Kobe. And then you know, like God rest Kobe.

So once Kobe passed away and like what happened to everybody how to shook the world, that that statement never rained more true, Like when Kobe passed away, everybody starts blowing my Instagram up like all then, like Kobe Anniversary and stuff like my Instagram blow up often from that moment, Like it never rained true because I mean look at that, like like we all know the reaction, we all know how it affected all of us, and so the story

never rained more true. Yeah, one thing after that I didn't mention Kobe is the reason why I started playing basketball. So really, yes, I was watching uh you know, uh that was about fourteen, and I was watching the finals, uh Lakers against Boston, and I standing up wearing that serious That's the first time I watched you you know, NBA basketball and all that stuff. And then I was like, Kobe was killing. I'm like, I want to be like him,

like this is crazy. Like and then but at that time, my dad didn't want to let me play basketball because he thought it was too physical, which nowadays it doesn't make sense because I travel, you know, being physical and showing my physicality against what I'm playing against. And then it was like no, no, no. And then one of my uncles has to you know, you had to start like trying to convince him to let me play basketball. And uh, that's how I started watching the Lakers and Kobe.

That saw was such a big you know, Kobe fan, and it hit me hard, you know when when that happened. Absolutely, man, it was tragic for sure. But I want to ask you this question, and I more so want to ask you this question, you know, and me doing this media thing. One thing I hate about media. It's how they try to stir controversy. I think it's unnecessary. I think it's pathetic. But I want to ask you a question about this situation,

um for my own personal sake. Uh. And what I want to ask you is with the Bend situation, I feel like at times we get thrusted into this position of like where you're almost defending the team. And and I feel like some of that happened to you in the Ben Simmon situation. Because the reality is this, I think some of it happened in the Russ KD situation. Like we see it often. It's not like it was

just you and Ben. It happens all the time. And the reality is I think we lose sighting ultimately, like what you and being like you you you you expressed your dismayed with the situation. You expressed like get him out of here. Then like you expressed all of that, but there was a point never never, I never said that to get him out of that. Aren't just I just didn't understand what was going on, honestly, like I didn't.

I didn't understand like what happened. And you know, while laying on to that whole situation to this day, I don't understand. I mean even you know when you look at and I don't have any pounds with him. Uh. And you know, like I said, like obviously we didn't win the championship together, but you know in the regular season we went down every single season fifty win seasons, Like I always believe that, you know, we had a chance to win together, Like I always believe it, even

to this day. I believe that we had a chance to win, and uh, you know what we were able to accomplish. Obviously winning matters the most, but I feel like, you know, we had a chance. And that's why I don't get I don't understand, you know, what was going on. Let's see what cause you know him to want to leave. I understand, you know, his explanation. Uh, but you know a lot of things don't make sense. Do do you think you're pressed conference after Game seven? And was it? Um?

Do you think that had any effect on it? I don't think it did, because but this is why, you know, you're a member of the media and all that stuff, But this is what you know, this is what you just mentioned. You know that they're always gonna try to pick up a little stuff just to make them, you know, look right, or just to cause like controversy and all that stuff. If you look at the whole press conference, they asked me a question, you know what happened? You

know what happened, like why caused this loss? And then I literally mentioned a bunch of events that happened. I mentioned, you know where it really started, and you know, I was mading notice like we all like me and you like, you know, I said what I have, what I want to say, and I'm not I'm not gonna, you know, just hold myself just because I gotta, you know, make people feel better and feel like I didn't hurt anybody's feelings, you know, I mentioned, I was like, you know, obviously

the pastor that I didn't even mention that. I said, you know, we just we missed an opportunity, and then uh, and then then I actually called our batist for missing the free though, and then I was like, I didn't call out by his name. I was like, we missed

the free though. And then I called out a bunch of events that happened after we had you know, we found a three point shooter and then I turned I I mentioned me turning the ball over when we went down full at that point, and I ended up calling in the fast point, which you know, pushed the lead up to six points. I mentioned a bunch of other

events where we made a mistake. I mentioned myself, but you know, the media has gone in the media that all that as you know, that one part where I said we passed up you know, a layup and we missed the freeto and other said, which doesn't make sense. So I didn't call anybody specifically. I just listened a bunch of events that happened that led to scars. At that point, we the skull was tight or we went down by one at that point, uh when you know, uh,

we missed the free through. And then I called out a bunch of events that happened after and but that just had to pick you know, that one part where it seemed like I was calling someone out when I wasn't real it too, and I was talking about like the sequence of you know, events that happened, for sure. And I think as as a leader, one of the things that I do respect is you calling out yourself and saying I had too many turnovers and especially that

one down a stretch. Like as a leader, you have to be able to do that, and I and I have the utmost respect for that because I think that's very important. And it's also very important that you can talk about your teammates as well, like like we all well shod we are doing. He's never personal, like even this year, like you look at you know, my press conference, retire whe is like when he's not taking shots, so he's missing shots or he's not taking wind open shots.

I'm like, yo, I'm calling him out. I'm like, like, you gotta be better. But like as teammates and because we're so closed off the court, he understands that that I want him to be better not just for me, but for the whole team and for himself because I I understand, I don't you know what it takes you win. I have him one, but I feel like I have an idea of what it takes you win. Uh you know, I've lost, you know on the buzzer meter when we had a great team and you know, who knows we

could have had a chance to win the championship. But play you guys in the finals? Vat youe? Uh? So Like I feel like I have an idea of what it takes you win, but I haven't gotten there. So like and as you know, you can't win a lot, I can't win one on fire, like that's impossible. Like I need my teammates up. So like when I'm calling out, whether it's you know, matisso Tom Greeze like Dan know that he's not personal. They just know that I just

care about that. Man, I want to win so bad that, like, you know, I just want them to be better and understand that. And you know it's never personal. And I must say something to you. We've had this conversation on the podcast before where I was speaking about winning and losing, and you you don't know what it takes to win

a championship because you haven't won a championship. You know what it takes to win because simply just because it's hard to win a championship, man, Like, people don't realize all of the things that has to go right in order to win a championship. Like it's not just about who got the most talented or who had the best year. It's so many things that have to go right. And so I would love to correct you here. And you know how to win. You've won since since you've been healthy,

one like, you know how to win. Winning the championship is a different thing that takes a bunch of things to align in order for that thing that actually happened. And the guy who I was talking about was Chris Paul. Because people say Chris Paul is in the winner funk out of here. Chris Paul is a winner. Chris Paul is one of the better winners in our game. Chris Paul just has not won a championship, but Chris Paul has one over and over and over and over and

over again. And you've done the same thing and you're still very young. So don't get caught up in that hole. I think I know where to take. You know where to take to win. You've done everything it does to take to win. And the reality is this, y'all lost on one of the most impossible buzzer beaters in NBA history to go to the NBA Finals if I'm not mistaken, the second one, second one to go to the conference finals.

And then y'all would have faith who been walking. That's that's a matchup that could go either way, you know what I'm saying. And and that that's also not the Milwaukee with Drew holiday Um. That's that's a totally different Milwaukee team. And and so it's it's the margin for errors this small, Like it's not like like you really were right there. And then say you do get through Milwaukee, because that was the same Milwaukee team and now you're

playing a beat down Golden State Warriors. Like it's so it's really that small. And I hope you don't get caught up in I have not won a championship and I'm not winning. That's bullshit. It's hard to win the championship in this league. And so don't get caught up.

And I understand that. I understand that because I've gone to the second one, you know, so many times, and you know, like, and you gotta be so strong mentally because if you're not, I've gone to the second one, you get to like game four, you're like, like you still like you still got like conference follows and follows, you got another couple, get like freaking fifteen games that you gotta play on whatever. Like, I'm like, you gotta

be mentally strong because the playoffs are training. Even in the second one that I've got it, I'm like, man, like, if I don't, you know, keep doing all. If I don't take care of my body, like, you're not gonna make it. Absolutely absolutely, it's one of the most important things. And by the way, the whole taking care of your body thing, it takes time to learn that. The way you take care of your body it maybe differently than

what I need to take care of my body. Right, It takes time to figure that and time and so like it's all coming together for you, bro. And I can sit here and talk to you for another hour, and I would love to, but in respect for your time, I've just asked a couple more questions and let you

go out. Know you got a game, okay, but okay, And and speaking of the ben trade and with Brooklyn, y'all brought in James Harden, a James Harden who a lot of people has rode off and said, um, he's out of shape and he's declined, and he's no longer than James Harden that we once knew. Only to see him reignite or come in with you guys, um and looked just like the James Harden we all knew before.

How how is that? And I've seen that you said, man, I get more open shots than I've ever gotten, Like, how how is that partnership been working out for y'all? And where do you see y'all as far as duos in the NBA? Where do y'all rank? Well, that's not that's not uh, that's not on me to figure it out, you know, where we ranked and all that stuff like at this one like really like I'm really just focused on, you know, finding ways out to you know, get better

every single day. And then obviously since we had him, we added them like you just provide, you know, something that we've really never had since I got to feel it. So that's a welcome site. And he's been great, and I think all of us and especially him, he is still trying to figure it out, you know, how to help everybody. But uh, you know it's James hard. And I told him, like I don't care what anybody says, you just be yourself, like freaking go scared the ball,

be a playmaker. He's been a lot, he's been you know, trying to play make a lot by that times, Like I also wanted to be aggressive, uh and look for his own shot and all that stuff. But I mean from all the stories that you hear, how that is, you know, it's completely different. I mean, fun guy to be a my uh you know, positive energy always uh you know, since he died here, uh you know you feel like you know, uh and like you said, it's all about timing, and you know, some situation are different

than others. I don't know what happened over there. Uh,

maybe it wasn't the best situation. Uh And I would imagine that he put a lot of thoughts into, you know, really making that decision because you live, you're living, you know, a team with freaking Kevin Durant, like you know Kevin Douet, like you playing with him, you know how good he is, and you know, I always say that, you know, like I really believe in myself as far as like, you know, talented and what I can do on the basketball flow, especially skills when it comes to you know, my size

and all that stuff. Like if there's one guy that I think, you know, for the size and you know what you know we're able to do on the floor, that's the one guy that I'm like, yeah, he's more talented than maybe because the guy is seven feet and he can do everything on the basketball code and even better than I can't. Uh So, but you know, James has been great. I think we got a chance to, yeah, maybe meet you guys in you know, in the finals, but we got a long way to go. We we have,

We're not where we're supposed to. We're still walking on a lot of things that we got to correct, whether it's defensively and then offensively, trying to find you know, trying to make sure that we all succeed and all that stuff. But ultimately, I think, you know, we got a couple of games and to really get on the

same page and we'll be fine, no doubt. I think it's been I think it's been beautiful to watch as a just for me as a fan of basketball, like to watch y'all two out there together, and and young Tyrese Maxie who has has been amazing mm hmm. And I feel like his growth to me, he's kind of like a wild car for y'ard, Like, you know, still really young. So it's hard to get a consistent from a guy in his second year in the NBA, Like,

that's a very hard thing to do. That's that night to night, that's be the most improved player this year. So I respect that. I respect that, but I mean, we'll see. But I like how it's coming together for y'all. And then obviously I think, you know, doc Is is one of the better coaches in our league, and so I'm interested to see and hopefully we will meet you all in the finals because as you know, like nobody else in this league, I'm locking that ship up. So, yeah, whatever,

that's why you need a double team. And we thought we played all that's crazy. I never asked for a double team. That's that's not even in my makeup myself to be double every single every single time I play against Hey, if you want to duck in like shock, you get too fitting to pain. The double team gotta come, big fellow like me. At that point, you gotta go for what you know, you know what I'm saying. But I mean, if you say that, you just you know

that good of a defender. I mean, I've never asked for a double to him in my life, so that anan I think I'm a pretty good defender, especially when I'm on. So I mean, when when when we when we put you in every pick and roll and they bring you up to blitz because you can't get it. You know, you're just like blitzing because you can't get up the floor. That's kind of like asking for a double team and you're gonna double staff. You want me

to play, You want me to play drop against Steph Curry. No, you don't gotta be dropped, but you ain't gotta blitz it. I wasn't. I wasn't blessing last time. I was just trying to make sure we got the ball out of this make place because you can't shoot the basketball, but I make every other play and leave me open down the stretch. I'm a but with I wather make Steff core or you beat us. I take you any single day. Man Many many has sucked him to that, to that money, said,

brother many that mindset? Hey, no, no what I check this out. I would be remissed if I didn't talk to you about um the m v P conversation with you and Joker right up there at the top. Um. I don't think there's a wrong answer, But how how are you feeling about that? Where do you feel like you're at right now? And what do you think has to happen for you to close it out this year? I mean, first of all, Uh, your kidches Uh is amazing.

I see if Is is a master, Uh you know, only play against him twice a year, but you get to play against him, you know, four times a year even more in the playoffs. That's a potential matcher for you guys. You know how good it is. And I know good issue because you know I'm also happy that big guys are dominating the league when you look at whether it's me, I be honest, Uh, you know, it's

good to see. Uh not nothing against you guys, you Americans, but it's also good to see for people you know coming you know, Americans, you just dominate you guys at your own sport. So that's that's good to see. But he's a he's a monster. But I did a lot of you know, campaigning for myself for MVP last year, which you know, I could have gone either way, like if I would have stayed healthy and you could have

gone either way. But I was also happy that you want, uh you know, and you know this shot, Yeah, I feel like, you know, I took my game to even higher level then I did last year. And the knock on my last year was, you know, I didn't stay healthy for enough games, which you know they're probably go and use that against you too when it comes to defensive here. But you know, this ship one more can

you ask? You know, I production went higher, Um, you know, I stayed healthy and you know, and we had a lot of drama, but you can sit out about a lot of teams, but you know, that whole situation was it was extremely draining. Uh, he was, No, it was it was tough to go through it, especially you know, every single day, being asked by the same questions at the same such subject all the town. Like like he was, it was very he was very annoying. But like I said,

like you know, everything just speaks for myself. You know, like you said, there's no right the wrong answer. Uh. You know, he's a master. Uh you know, but I feel like I've also put myself in a position to you know, when I deserve it and it is my time. But like I said, it's up to you guys, you the media. I don't got I don't got that kind of vote. I wish I did have that vote, possibly no better than some other folks, but I got that vote yet. But but I'm saying, you media friends, you

know what deserves it's gonna win it. Uh. But you know, um, you know, winning the championships matters to me a lot. So uh if I went to not win it and win the championship, even better. But then again, but then again, you know, we all have eagles like you want to You want to win a bunch of defensive Player of the Year in your career, just like I want to win a bunch of MVPs and Defensive Player of the

Year in my career. I at some point like, you know, yeah, like like it would be cool to you know, do both two, especially at the same time. Hey man, you ain't winning a defensive players you're bliss and stuff their own bliss with Rudy Gobert, hold on, hold on, hold on, or that's why Steff always fucking chills them playing because you cannot play drop against freaking Steph Curry. And by the way, we and we had that conversation about you know, you know, out of figured out who's a great defender

and who's not. So like me, it's like, I don't know, I don't know who's the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year this year. I'm not sure. I agree, Yeah, I agree? So what what would be your criteria to figure it out? You know, who wins that was, let's say, defensive Player of the year. You gotta have what the top ten difference, right at least? I think you definitely have to have a top ten defense. Sure, Like you it's like, you can't win m v P and you

got a bottom five offense. I think you got you gotta have a top ten defense the full seas or whatever. Yeah, Like I think you you gotta have a you gotta have a top ten defense, but you also have to pass the eye test. Like just because you have a top ten defense doesn't necessarily means like, hey, this guy is a defensive player. Yeah. I think sometimes that gets

skewed at times. But like I said in my press conference the other day, I think there's no debate through thirty four games, which was what I had played before I got hurt. We were eight and six through thirty four games play. I don't think there was any secret that I had to solidify. Okay to follow that, I

don't see who solidified themselves since then. And so my thing is, if if nobody solidified themselves in these thirty four games since I went out, and I have had it solidified thirty four games in, then how can I not still go on to be the defensive Player of the Year because I didn't play enough games. Because I'm gonna play, I'm gonna end up playing forty eight games. I think I've seen people win it and play fifty

and fifty one and fifty two. So in my two games, short of being able to win it, Like, I think it's been proven. You know what my defense does for a team. But if I win it this if not, whatever, if I didn't win the VP last year missing games, you can't win defensive fail the year either. That's true.

But the only thing is where they going at you is they're they're really counting against you your prior history, because missing twenty games is not like out of most guys only gonna play a max is seventy anyway for sure, and so missing twenty games is really not that much. I think what they was counting against you, what's your past history? So they can say, oh, but he's always hurt, right, and you the reality is hurt like that in five years. I agree, But you know how it goes, these narratives.

These narratives take on the life of their own and then that's just kind of what it is. Yeah, but I do, I do agree with you. But uh, yeah, you're definitely gotta pass the eye test. And yeah, obviously you guys defense is the freaking best in the league. So I guess he's not up to us, He's up to the voters to go to uh to make I want to mention something like to me, it's like, yo, like I don't understand that you can be a defensive player in the year if you don't carry at least

top five or top ten defensity in the league. That doesn't that that would not to me, that would not make sense. Uh Like given me, Like I feel like I've gotten so good offensively that you know people forget about the defensive start still like yeah, sure, Like it's hard to like play, you know, freaking thirty six minutes every night and do everything offensively and defensively, Like I'm gonna have my mom as well. Yeah, we all we all have like our moments. Well you're gonna slip up

here and then and all that stuff. But like keeven in those conversations, I hate like going like when I started in the league, my first goal, I was like, I want to win Defensive Player of the Year. That's what I want. I never cared about m v P and all that stuff, and I was always I gotta

win defensive Player of the Year. But I just hate that because I my offensive game, as you know, Garante one on the level that you forget that, you know, I'm still right there, like, you know, still caring the top ten defensive team, you know, averaging you know one point once it or whatever, one point five blocks, Like it's just knowing to me. But then a game got a control what you can absolutely if you win enough,

then you're gonna get your respects. So he's all about winning absolutely, man, last question, how I let you go um and also paying how muche to uh one of the guys who come before you from from from your homeland, UM came a larger one. I know coming into the league you would always say like I wanted you wanted to pattern your game after he came a LaJuan, No disrespect to the to the great came the dream because

he is incredible. But I think with the way you've expanded your game to just say it's he came, Alijah Wan, I think is doing it's not to me, it's not quite accurate. Now, granted you do have some dreaming. You got to shake the footwork all, you know, the MIDI all of the stuff that the dream had. But like the way you push the ball in transition, the way you shooting the three, the way you mixing the guy step back three, that's different to me, And so I just wanted to act for you in your mind, is

it still came for you or has that expanded? Man, this is a spending two everybody. I just uh, I just I'm a willing learner and I want to learn everything. Uh, you know. To give you an example, uh, you know, my first two years uh in the playoffs, I've really struggled because I was just supposed to play. It was easy to double me. I couldn't shoot off the dribble and all that stuff. So me and True Handling my trainer, we were like, we gotta figure that out, like I

can't be easily guardess. So we had the found ways out to like add, you know, something new to my game. That's when we started watching you know, whether it was Kobe like Kadi uh, you know, like dirt and all that stuff, like basically any legends that that has come to the game and that you know, had whatever particular move on that they added to the game that everybody uses. So we were like that's where we walked down. We were like, I gotta be unpredictable, like I like, people

can't know that I'm just gonna post up. I gotta be able to take the ball, push it and push it in transition dual has it put up like Katie or far away like Kobe or a July. So we just decided that, like we needed to spend the game my game. And yeah, but to answer your question, Yeah, at this point, like it's not a kid is a bunch of you know, every like a lot of superstars that I've come in into the game and all that stuff,

and uh, we had this conversation at All Star. Obviously you know I feel about you know, old school players and you know how they're being raided and all that stuff. So I don't even want you don't even want to get me started as I can. You can you imagine you know, that's cute level that we have nowadays, or let's see me doing that back in the freaking six days. That would have probably put me in jail. I would have been the greatest player ever. Absolutely, That's what I'm saying.

Like it's crazy, And we had that conversation and sometimes you just like it just pisses me up. Hey man, if anybody get it, I get the skill level today, it's like so far ahead of what it was back then, which is why I don't understand the whole nbas But I don't understand. And there were some names on it. I'm like, like that that put the hoglight on it. And I'm like, you know, I wanted someone droople like one,

this is crazy. Uh, I'm way better than this. Sorry, I don't know what you guys I said, Yeah, I don't have the resume yet. Um, like, I don't have that. But when you talk about the skill level and like if I'm actually better than a lot of those guys that I don't know, like and if you don't agree that, we can't talk basketball because the skill level nowadays compared to you know, back in the day, I don't know, that would have probably shot us back then if we

were doing all this stuff. Absolutely, it's crazy, man, Like, it's just it's it's impossible that you can say some of those guys on that list part of the seventy five best players to play and it's like, come on, man, that it's it's something something that's off with that list. You know, I respect all the accomplishments and stuff, but you know, man, absolutely that's another conversation for another day.

But there's a lot of names on not least well, I'm like, I don't know what you guys talking about but there's no way but stop it. Like stop, hey man, Joe, Joe Brother, I in my heart believe you're gonna be on the one Hunter. I don't know how they're gonna be now you that. I don't know how they're gonna be deny I hope. So man, we'll see you gotta man, man, I appreciate it, brother, but I will tell you this

before we go. I'm also not sure how they're gonna deny you m V p um with with And like I said, that's no disrespect to Joker, who is incredible. That's no disrespect to any other other other guys that's in the running. Um. You know, the mar has been incredible. John Moran has been incredible. Like I think there are guys who are definitely deserving to be in that conversation.

But with what your team dealt with this year, for you to keep that team right up there the one seed most of the year, to see like for I mean, for you to do that missing an All Star like it wasn't like the trade happened right away and there was another All Star there. You're missing all Star for sixty games and to still carry that team the way you did with guys in and out of the lineup. I don't know what else you gotta do, my brother,

whatever are you doing it? But you know, like you said, there's a lot of guys you know that can be mentioned that. You know, I have a lot of respect for all of them, especially your Kish because I'm so happy that you know, eggs are taking over and all that stuff. So European biggs not to be mixed up

with your American big bigs. Whatever happens. I was. If I win it great, you know, if he does so, allright, listen, listen, y'all, Joe, Joe is going for the European bigs, for the African bigs and for Joannice the African descent European big that's what we roll over, my brother. I appreciate you coming on man. As I said, I could do this for another two hours. Thank you so much for taking the time, Bro, Really appreciate it.