Mahomes Magic, Russ Trade Rumors + a Zach LaVine Interview

fan duel sports book makes it easy. Welcome back to The Draymond Green Show. This is our tenth episode, milestone episode UH number ten, which I am excited about. We got another great guests, UM one who's about to be named to his second All Star Game. UH. And it's also helping lead the Bulls to the top seed in the Eastern Conference. UH. You know they've gone from non playoff team last year UH to right up there at the top at the Eastern Conference, a lot like us

in the Western Conference. UM. And so it's it's been beautiful to watch. And I also want to shout out JJ. Shout out JJ Reddick and the old man in the three podcast obviously, uh we had JJ on. I think it was our second episode, uh that we had JJ on. If you haven't heard that episode, it was an incredible episode. Definitely go back and check that out, um, if you

have not heard that one. Um, but I highly recommend everyone checks checks out j J Show this week because you know when when when you're doing these things, you can kind of feel like, all right, that was a good episode, you know, and you can feel yo, we crushed that one. And I think, you know, I get that feeling at times, um, you know when we're doing our show. But I also got that feeling, UM when

I was recording JJ show. Oh man in the three with with j J and Tommy, I thought, like number one, the conversation went on sixty minutes longer than it was supposed to go. Um, and not one second, not one time, was guys checking their phone to see what time it is,

worried about the time. And that's how you know when you're in a great moment and you don't have anyone worried about the time and checking or you know, j J. They had a flight out, they came to San Francisco, they had a flight out they weren't worried about their flight and checking the flight schedule, because when you're in that moment, you have to really just embrace it and dive all the way into it. And that's how you create greatness in anything, not just in podcasting and anything.

And I thought, uh, that was that was what was going on the other day when we were recording Old Man in the three. I thought it was a great segment. I thought it was fun. I enjoyed it, uh JJ and those guys they had some great wine for us to drink, So it was an amazing time. So go check that out. Um. Also check out episode number two of The Draymond Green Show if you haven't out already.

Uh that that was a great episode. J J is, as we spoke about on that episode, he's kind of a pioneer in this podcast space or for current players. And although he's not a current player anymore, Uh, he's I think he's been doing in the podcast space now for six years, which would take him to year nine, eight or nine of his career. And so uh he kind of you know, made this made help make this lane available to a lot of us, and it's been beautiful. He's done an incredible job. And so check that out,

check both of those out. But before we get to that, as you know, we're gonna go around the association, but we're also going to step out this outside of the association and talk a little NFL and I think that's where we will start at. Man, that divisional round was the craziest not only division around in in NFL history, but that was the craziest playoff weekend in NFL history. You're talking for walk off scores like that, that that

doesn't happen like it just doesn't happen. And I think led by the absolute last game of the weekend, which were the Chiefs and Bills. I mean, Patrick Mahomes is insane. Thirteen seconds and you get down the field and get a field goal that's unheard of. And you know when when you have things that happened like that in the game all night. Actually read the Bills coach uh Sean McDermott. He said, I've watched those last thirteen seconds a million times, and I and you you either handle that one or

two ways. Some people, for instance, myself, I have not watched the entire game seven of the NBA Finals to this day, still haven't been able to watch the entire thing, and so I think you go one or two ways. You either don't watch it at all, which may not be the right thing to do because it still lives in my head. Is I don't think I've really laid

it to rest. Or you're Sean McDermott and you're watching it over and over and over again, which I also don't think is the right thing to do, because you're reliving that moment over and over and over again. And obviously you have to watch film and improve. I personally just didn't think I needed to watch that one game to improve. Maybe I need to go back and watch it and just embrace it, I guess, But until that day, I will continue to stand on the side of not

watching it, unlike Sean McDermott. But back to Patrick Mahomes and how I mean, like you kind of knew the Bills were in trouble when he got that first eighteen yard passed and when he got that picked up those eighteen yards in the first down and they had time out to stop the clock, like you kind of knew, Like, all right, they are one pass away with cheetah Um, with Travis Kelsey and with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, they're coming up with these fifteen or twenty yards that they

need in order in order to kick or give Bucker a chance at the field goal. And then the Chiefs wins the coin flip, and when they win the coin flip at that point, you know, whoever wins this coin flip, that's who's winning the game. Like neither one of these defenses are stopping these quarterbacks right now. We always talk about offense and defense and how great offense is going to ultimately beat great defense in most cases unless um Draymond Green is on defense, and then it doesn't quite

go that way. But you know, those quarterbacks both had it going and no defense was stopping them at that point. And so that then brings us to the rule. And you know, there's a lot of people um discussing how to how the NFL needs to change the rule, UM.

And my question to everyone out there is, and obviously you can't answer here, but you know, if you want to tweet me some answers or tweet some answers to the volume and you know, maybe we talked about them next week, maybe they're irrelevant, who knows, But it's college football way of doing over time better than the NFL. And should the NFL adopt what college football does or should they just go about it the way they go

about it? And then but also just allow the Bills and in this instance to have an opportunity to score. But then it kind of gets super long, and you got to think about the TV slots and like, there's so many things that come into play when you're discussing this.

And so you know, a team goes down to score, i e. Kansas City Chiefs, and then you give and then you give Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills an opportunity and they go down to score, Like do you start back with a kick off and then you go again? Like because then that starts to run into other shows that the network may have other games. If there's other games on, you know, then you run into that issue.

Or I mean, what if these quarterbacks go back and forth for you know, seven possessions in a row, that's severely going to outweigh the time that um that is a lotted for an overtime, So do you scraped it overtime? Like there's a ton of things that we can discuss or you know that the NFL can discuss the changes they can that that can be made. But the reality is, I personally don't think they're going to change it. I think that's kind of their way of going about it.

They already made one change, which was if you get a field goal right there, then the other team has an opportunity to score. They already made that change. I can't really foresee them totally overhauling the rule. I just I personally don't see it. But I don't know. I don't know. Um. I thought the Cincinnati Bengals game was also an incredible game, and it is. It's incredible to see Joe Joe Burrow the way he's taken over that team, and and and Jamaar Chase is insane. Like Jamaar Chase,

it's so good. He's probably the best receiver in the NFL right now today as a rookie. And it's interesting because he set out uh his last year at L s U and I was wondering, like, is he sitting out because he's not gonna have a great quarterback? As he's sitting out because he don't want to get hurt. And you know, most guys when they do stuff like that.

They usually fall in the dry. Jamaar Chase didn't fall and rightfully so, because if you're judging that, if you're judging him off sitting out that last year and you missed Jamaar Chase, you have an even bigger issue on your hand. And I was recently UM listening to someone speak on guys sitting out of bowl games and Shannon

Sharp actually went in on a little bit. Kirk Kirk Herb Street UM was discussing some guys sitting out of the bowl games and he was I think it was the Ohio state wide receivers and he was kind of destroying them, and Shannon Sharp went at him, and I

applauded Shannon for going at him that way. Uh. And one of the things Shannon said was with coaches UM change programs all the time, and you have all of these people leave on on on their on these kids or young student athletes, and then once the student athlete does it, it's a problem, you know. And and Shannon went in about that, and I thought it was great, UM incredible, because players aren't treated with the same respect

that organization and coaches and general managers UM are. They're not giving the same grace that those people are given, whether like I said, whether it's general managers, organizations as a whole, coaches, we're just not giving that same grace as players. And I don't know if it's because of the clickbait. I don't know what it is, but I think it's ridiculous. And I was appreciative of the way

Shannon went in on that topic. So yeah, man, I hope everyone enjoyed that weekend of football the way I enjoyed it. Uh. And now moving on to the Association, obviously there are huge, huge, a lot of Russell Westbrook trade talks, trade rumors going around. I know, I saw yesterday the Houston Rockets were saying they would trade John Wall for Russell Westbrook and picks. And the reality is, I'm not sure Russell Westbrook gets traded. Um, I don't.

I don't if I'm guessing, just as an NBA fan, I don't really foresee it happening, nor do I think it really should happen. Um. You haven't really had the opportunity to see that team healthy, uh and and how they could grow together healthy uh. And I also don't like how Russell Westbrook gets all of the blame for everything going wrong. Like there's just it's just not possible that one guy is the blame for everything going wrong. So just been kind of keeping out with those trade rumors.

As we know, it's that time in the NBA where trade deadline is approaching over the course of the next few weeks, and so you're gonna hear more and more talks ramp up, You're gonna start to see deals made. And then obviously Russell Westbrook is the biggest name in any of these talks, so that's and he's on the Los Angeles Lakers, so that's always going to take the cake, and that's kind of who we've been hearing about the

most in the trade rumor. So I said, I as a basketball fan, I'm I am excited to see what happens at this trade deadline. And that's just not Russell Westbrook, that's just as a whole. I think that's always an exciting time. You have some guys finding new beginnings, uh that the new beginnings that they need and want, and then you have some guys that uh don't quite find the new beginning that they're looking for and it doesn't go right. And that is the uncertainty of the trade market.

Number one, you don't. You don't most guys probably guys has no say and where they where their trade the too. It just kind of happened, and a lot of guys find out they're traded on like Instagram and Twitter, which I think is ridiculous, um and needs to be changed, but it happens. De Marcus Cousins found out on the interview after after the All Star Game in New Orleans that he had been traded to New Orleans, you know.

And so you would think then, because we are human beings, that that rule would have been changed then, and yet it still hasn't. And so maybe one day it will get changed and we will be treated like the human beings that we are. Uh. When when being told that you have to uproot your family, your children, if you have children, your wife or a girlfriend or fiancee or

whatever it is, that life totally changes for you. And it'd be great as a human being that plays basketball and not just as a basketball player that were viewed as um that if you if you could find that out the way you should find it out. And that's my hope for not only the NBA, but for all leagues for anyone who goes through things like this, that's

definitely my hope. Um, we'll see if it happens. And lastly, uh, around the association, there's also been these rumors about James Harden test and free agency, which what a weird time for it to come out, like if he is going to test free agency, Like the free agency doesn't start to July. One's January. Everybody's trying to do all they can to compete for a championship. And so I thought it's a very weird time for it to come out.

But maybe it came out because if you do think James Harden is gonna leave, And actually I spoke to you all about checking out JJ's podcast, So I'm not gonna go all the way into this because we discussed this on JJ's podcast. But um, I'll just summing up quickly. When Lebron left Cleveland and went to Miami, you no longer really see teams waited out for free agents. Um, they kind of move on if they know a guy isn't going to resign, So maybe that's why it came out.

But they are competing for a championship, So I don't know. I just thought it was a little weird that that came out at that time. But James Harden will be a free agent and he has the right to test free agency if that's what he wants to do, and no one can stop that. He would be in a restrict to free agent. So um stuff is getting interested around the association. And as I said before, it is that time of year where you start to hear all

these things. So buckle up your seatbelt because it sounds like it's about to be a wild ride on this trade deadline. So we shall see. But without further ado, I am going to turn this over, or not turn it over, but I am going to welcome in my brother NBA All Star, one time All Star Sooner be too, All time All Star, Chicago Bulls Slam Dunk Champion, All NBA performer, Zach Levine. Man. This this interview is is

an exciting one for me. Uh. You know, obviously in doing this, you had an opportunity to um not only ramble on about my thoughts as I like to do, but also had an opportunity to sit down with We sat down with Hall of famers, future Hall of famers, and today I am honored to have another future Hall of Famer. UH. One time All Star sooner be too. UM. Two time dunk Champion, which which produce some incredible dunks.

But more importantly, UH went on after that dunk contest to show what an incredible player uh he is and and became an All Star and what we share in coming and what started this relationship which is is growing and it's a lifelong one. Is an Olympic gold medalist. I am honored today to have my brother Zach Lavine Zach, what am my dog boy? I appreciate it, man, I'm absolutely I appreciate you coming on. This obviously means the

world to me. I have an opportunity to have these conversations we had t mac on last week, but just just to talk not only basketball but talk life, UM and and just kind of get it all out there. It's always fun for me. But you know, from from Rendon, Washington, UH Seattle for for those of y'all that that can't put two and two together. Uh Zack Yet, if I understand correctly, your parents are athletes, right, yeah? My dad UH played professional football. UM. The Portland Breakers is the

USFL team. Back in the day, it was like the other NFL. And then when you played for the Seahawks as well for a couple of years. My mom extremely athletic plays off for growing up, So it was in my blood from the get though, extremely athletic. Uh. We we we've seen that, that's for sure. Um. And so your dad he played for for the Seahawks. Is that how y'all? How he ended up in Seattle? Or is your dad from Seattle? Now? My dad's from San Berndino, California.

Grew up in up and Socale and uh ended up meeting my mom there after you after he retired, So he just ended up staying in Uh, ended up staying in the cold, rainy city. Okay, okay. And I also read that you became a fan of Michael Jordan through the movie Space Jam. You didn't, You didn't watch basketball before Space Jams. So I was. I was a baseball player growing up because my dad, my dad, I run baseball to uh when he was before he went to

before he went to college. Um. And then while I was younger, just watching Buggy Bunny and Michael Jordan together, I think as a kid, that's that's the best combination you can get. That. By the way, I've heard your dad is out of his mind, especially when it comes to your workhouse. I've seen some of the videos in the black was crazy, Yeah, but it got me to where where I had to go. Man, and me and my dad are best friends. Um, and that's what I wanted to you know, I wanted to be like him

growing up. So I think it's a it's something that just molded me who I am. That's interesting. Uh. And the question that I have as a father, um, and always trying to find that balance of how much do you push your kid and what's too much? And I've seen I've seen growing up some dads that probably pushed their kids way too much, and and it altered the relationship,

altered the father's son relationship. And for me personally, UM, my relationship with with my obviously my my two girls olive in cash, but my son, my relationship is way more important than him ever becoming a basketball a star or my two girls becoming stars. My relationship with him is way more important. And so when I see that or hear that, it's kind of heartbreaking because to see a father lose the relationship with their son and to hear you say, my dad is my best friend. And

how hard he pushed you. What was the thing that kept your relationship so tight and not him pushing you away because he was pushing you so hard in basketball? Yeah, I mean I think that's a big thing. And like you said, it's sad because being a dad and fathers number one, UM, and I want to be there one day that you have kids. But it's it's something that I had to realize growing up. Was you know how bad he wanted it and wanted for me, I had to want it that bad as well. And he was

pushing me to you know he was. He was helping me do all the things that he didn't have. He didn't have a dad grown up, he should tell me. So I wish I had somebody like me that would love and care for you and tell you all the mistakes I made and trying to guiding the right way. So as as a youngster, I really realized, like, you know, he's not here to hurt me. He's just trying to help and guide me to be the best person I can be, not just as a as a basketball, baseball player,

whatever it was, but as a man too. So, UM, I always respect to appreciate that that's that's what's up. And so you go on from high school and then as the Mr Basketball in the state of Washington two thousand thirteen. I know a little bit, you know, I know a little bit and and and and Jackson. Jackson is great at what he does as well. But I

know a little bit about you. Man. No, so so you're you're Mr Basketball, you go on to u c L a um and having and walked me through your transition and going to u c L as I know from me, uh and going to Mischigan State. I struggled a little bit that that first year I didn't get much time. Uh, the odds were kind of against me, and I played. As the year went on, I started to play more, but early on it was a struggle for me. So I walked me through you getting you

arriving on campus and how your freshman yor went. Man, I mean, coming from coming from Seattle, I mean, obviously you're not the most highly touted or like really hot hot play the basketball. We're a little bit slept on the Northwest. So you know, obviously I did my thing in high school, and but I wasn't a McDonald's on American I think I was in the top like seventy five players. So I wasn't going in thinking I'm gonna

be a one and dunk guy. But UM always been a worker, and you know, always when I step on the court, was the most confident person just because the work I put in, So going out there, I had

a chip on my shoulder. And then being able to play against prose immediately um on campus, you know the runs up at U c l A at the Sack, So playing against guys like Westbrook Drew Holiday, uh, er guys like Josh ship Um and like testing my game out, like right coming straight out of high school and seeing where I was really good for me and uh, just finding my way. I didn't started. I didn't start at U c l E either, but I came off the bench, had a good role and really just started picking up

momentum from there. That's that's funny because I I remember watching you at U c l A and I'm like, how are they not starting this kid? Like this is insane. Yeah, we had a really good team and I wasn't I wasn't upset about not starting because we were really I think we're like top five in the country with me, Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson, Norman pale To, we're twins. Like we had a really tony Park. We had a really

good team. So, um, I was always accepting of a role as long as I was able to, you know, go out there and contribute. And were you the highest draft pick of that group? Yeah, I think yeah I was. I went thirteen. I went thirteen. Um, so it was you know, it's the way it worked out. That's interesting because I think a lot of young guys can learn from that. You know, we all want to be starters. I think that's just the nature of what we do. But for I think there's even more so than starting.

There's more power in owning your role. And so if you if you sit back and you mope about it and I think I'm better than this guy. I think I'm better than that guy. Then you start to look at the draft boards, you're climbing up the drive boards. It's very easy for that to start the crumble. But I always try to tell guys it don't it don't matter. Uh, if you're starting the game, are you in the lineup that finishes the game exactly? And that's what's important. And

I remember you being in those lineups closing our games. Yeah, no, it was. It was big time. And you know, like you said, accept your role and talent always shows regards of when you're playing or where or or your role on the team. You know, can you shine in those moments? And I feel like when opportunity knocked opened the door absolutely. And and so you're drafted thirteen to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where with a young Andrew Wiggins with with a young

called Anthony Towns. Yeah, and it didn't quite go the way everyone wanted to go. I now, I personally think you guys were very young and so being out people don't understand, um how important experiences in this league. And I felt like they never gave y'all enough time to grow together and kind of and they kind of moved on fast. What what did you think or feel about that? I mean, like you said, experience and us being extremely young.

I mean we're nineteen years old altogether, you know, sharing the sharing the court, it's nothing is going to be perfect because you have to go through the bumps and bruises. And you know, realistically, we only had to the three years to really like everybody wanted the process to happen so fast and us to be good so fast. It just doesn't work like that sometimes so um, but growing up and having those experiences, you know, those our guys,

and it was it was really fun. But like you, like you said, I don't I don't think they let it marinate enough for us to really see what could have happened. Do you think that group could have been successful if they did let you all play or do or do what you have just preferred for it to

go the way it went. I mean, I think everything happens for a reason, but you know, it's it would have been tough you realistically, you know on this it would have been tough there for everybody to stay on the team from a financial standpoint because we're all, you know, really top level guys. But we never got to the point to find out if it would work or not. I mean always I think financially it could have worked, though. I mean, you look at our team for instance, we

have Clay making a max. Obviously Step making the super super super max. Uh. But you have Clay making the max. You have Wigs making his max and what the max was at that time, and I'm also making my max for what I could have signed for or and so I think it could have worked financially, it could have, but you guys also won, you know, a handful of championships and we're in Minnesota and the small markets. You just you never you never know. I don't, I don't know.

It would have been tough, but you know, like you said, you never know, you know. And so you you you were traded to Chicago, and Chicago hadn't really rebounded. Um. I mean, obviously you had those few years in there with Tips and d rows uh and Jimmy had a solid run there, but Chicago never truly rebounded since Michael Jordan left. And obviously we all saw the documentary and how Jerry Krauss broke the team up. He told them now was it for Phil, it don't matter and and

and they never rebounded from that. And now I think everyone's finally starting to see that rebound. But walk me through those years of Chicago. I found out an interesting stat when we were at the Picks, which was Zach hadn't won three games in a row. Yeah, since college. I think it was yea four games of row since college. That was my first four game winning streak. It was just it's interesting. Yeah, that's interesting. You gotta played the

car hill um going going to another rebuilding team. I was coming off a c L injury when I got traded as well, so I only got to play about I think it was less than twenty games my first year there. Um. And for anybody knows coming off a cl that first year isn't really you're you're you're just getting your feedback, um. And then that next year really when you become back to you know who you are

and all that training comes in. So it was a great opportunity for me to go out there and showcase all the work I put an off season, you know, because I work out and I trained, you know, like I said not to not to be a number two, number three guys, Like you know, I work out and I want to be a superstar. And that's and that's what I worked for. And I think when that opportunity came, you know, I wanted I wanted to be ready for

it absolutely. And I know for me when I played in Chicago, Um, every time I hear the music and the start of lineup, it feels like Michael Jordan's about to run out. Yeah, because that's just like that's where we all learned that sound, Like, that's where we learned. Um, you know, I can't really I'm not I'm not very good musically, so I can't really make the sound on

my own. But we all know the intro song of the Chicago Bulls, And like I said, for me personally, when we're playing there, every time I hear it, I look at the tunnel like Michael Jordan's about to run out, and absolutely and then it's only Zach Lavine run out and I'm a little disappointed, but it's a good no. But but so you you you didn't you go to Chicago Bulls initially knowing that the team was so bad?

Did you feel pressure and going in there, uh to live up to what the Bulls were or because the team was already bad, there was no pressure. I mean me, coming from a rebuilding team, I didn't know any different. And that's where, like I said, you have to play the cards you're dealt, and that's where the experience and learn how to win all comes into play. Because you know, I had to learn from myself what it took and

to go into that. So it it was a process. Um, obviously you go out there and try to do everything you can. But you know, I was just looking forward to the opportunity to, um, you know, play my game and then hopefully, you know, have the bulls built around me. As I showed progression now to year to the years two thousand twenty one, Um, you become you become an All Star for the first time, you went an Olympic gold medal. Sound like a damn good year to me,

my man. Yeah, hey man, look at a lot of work goes into that, and it just, uh, you know, it started manifesting. And then obviously going into this year with the with the year that we're having, the additions that we brought in, it's been it's been incredible. And and and talk me through those additions and and I want to hear about one in particular. Alonzo has been a great addition. Alex Caruso has been a great addition.

But Damar, and you know, coming into coming into the well, just going into those talks, there's a lot of talk about you and Demorroo'll play the same position. How is that going to work together? Once? And then DeMar dusk, did you well, before we get to DeMar signing, did you have any conversations with Damar about coming to Chicago or was that all done with Damar and Arturos. But they went through their own process of going to get him.

And then obviously I called tomorrow myself when we were in Tokyo the conversation with him, and I was all on board because I wanted a guy like that. For all the narratives that got put out about it, I think it was stupid, you know, for people that don't know basketball, don't know him as a person or basketball. But like Martin Roses all NYA, you know, players like

you said, future all the fame players. He's proving this before the narratives that got put out because he was in San Antonio, like he's been playing great basketball for a long time, came from so it was it was it was great to have a guy like that. The way we've been able to work our chemistry on the court has been, uh, it's been like a hand in

the glove. I think it's definitely been beautiful. And speaking of those narratives, obviously, as you know, I'm very close to the mars well and we would we would always talk through all of that stuff going on. Damar, is you know, he's washed up. He's kind of at the end uh mid range jump shots. He doesn't shoot threes. And you hear all of that talk um really for the last two year better part of the last two years since he since he went to the Spurs, and

you know, obviously he continued to push. And one thing that you and I both know, it's how he works and like works none stop. But what was it for if you've had these conversations I'm not even sure if you've had the conversation, But what was it for A K and the Bulls franchise that saw Demorrow said, you know he can fit here and this is will work? What was What was it that pushed them towards this direction?

Because I don't think his market was that hot, especially when when when the Lakers went away, which goes to show I always talk about tality evaluators and how they evaluate talent, But what was it that pushed y'all to to get over what everyone was saying about Tomorrow. I haven't personally talked with A K and Mark about what made them like him, but when they came to me and said, how this word I was off for? You know,

we needed somebody that. Obviously I knew I could go to battle with every single day that's been those positions. I haven't been to those playoffs, like like we were talking about before, and someone who's had big time success in the playoffs, somebody who has a comic presence in the fourth quarter and go down and make big shots and be you know, me and him can be you know, a one to punch you know, throughout the whole game. It's uh, it really has been like a match made

in heaven. Him playing in the mid range and he being able to get to the cup and shoot three. You know, we we we've been able to do pretty much everything. And uh, just that the presidence he has, man, you know, I mean, you know, he he is just such a confidence that comic presence has been able to help us this year. Absolutely, and it seems like everyone

is taken on that has taken on that demeanor. But I think when when I'm watching the Bulls, um whether it's following along on Instagram, whether it's watching the game. Uh you know, we're we're sitting here talking about tomorrow. But what I see when I'm watching the Bulls or like I said on Instagram, I see a totally different zach Levine. I see a zach Levine that is so certain of himself that Um has kind of dialed everything up.

I know one of the conversations that we had this summer was, hey, man, you you you are zach Levine, like you are that good and embody that And to me, Um, I think, as as great as Damar has been, big, you and I both know how it is to be have one great player on the team playing great to no one else, and so as great as Damar has been, you have been equally as great. And although you've always played at the level that you're planning that you've always

put up the numbers and all those things. I think it's something to say for a guy that is certainly

himself and carries himself that way. And it looks to me that there has been a change in you and my accurate in off because I remember me and you having that conversation after practice, and you know it was it was big for me to go out there and play on the level of guys of my talent and better than me, and me for to accept the role on team where you know I'm not going to be the number one option to score an option, you know, and we all had to end all roles and I've

given you like the reason we won that gold medal, Drake. You know, Katie is by floor was by far the best player of the same but you know, without you, we wouldn't have one that you were the overall leader, but you accept your role and played it for what it was. I think coming into the season, I never had that type of mindset. So by any means necessary,

just trying to find out a way to win. How I can you know, improve my game to play both sides of the floor and then also share the floor with another dynamic you know guy as DeMar has been and still be myself. Um, I've been extremely confident. Like you said, Damar has been off the charge. I know

I've been right there with him. So it's a you know, it's been really funny to play winning basketball and have this type of season for both of us has been it's been so fun absolutely and and standing in Tokyo because I I do want to discuss that that was such an incredible trip, uh obviously for us winning goal, but I may I always tell people what what we did over there was special and it wasn't that we

want the gold metal. That was special. We built a bond amongst that team that I don't think most people truly understands. And the reality is when we're over there, and you can speak to this too, when we're When we were over there, it felt like, including America, that the whole world was against us and one of us lose. It was crazy. I mean, you're looking on like like obviously on the phone because you don't get ESPN over there, but you're looking on the phone and you have Americans

dogging us and doubt like doging us, dogging us. The world has caught up. These guys can win, blah blah blah. And I felt like we had to come together the way we did in order to win. Really us burst the world, especially with us being able because of the pandemic, can not go anywhere and having to be so close knit each and every day. Um, you said, they definitely bonded us. And for me being my first experience you know,

over there, it was it was incredible. Now it was and I think, uh, for me personally obviously that that was my second one. But you know, and I appreciate what you just said about me on that team. By the way, UM. One thing that I learned my first time around UM in two thousand and sixteen, where man, I'm not sure how many minutes per game I averaged that Olympics. It was probably somewhere around six six to

eight minutes a game. But the one thing that was that stood out to me was since winning not two thousand and sixteen gold medal, not one person asked me how many points I averaged per game, Not one person asked me how many rebounds I averaged per game, Not one person asked me how many minutes I played per game. The only thing anyone ever says was you want to gold medal, didn't you? Absolutely I want to go metal.

And so for me to then bring that mindset to this team and trying to help guys understand, hey man, I don't and obviously on on this. This time around, I had a bigger a bigger impact and playing you know now everyone has an impact. You know, you we can speak of Keldon Johnson. You know everyone may may game put up so much fuss about Calton making a team, and I always tell people Kelden was one of the reasons we want that. The energy that he brought every

single day practice. We don't want to go to practice Kelton and they're loud, bringing energy. I don't think people truly understand that. And and that was me like I was killed in for four years or man six years ago. Six years ago, I was killed in and so I understood that. And like I said, I played a bigger role now. But for instance, um, it came down to like who's gonna start me or bam, I'm telling coach Pop like I don't care, like start man? Who who cares?

That don't matter to me. And I don't think people truly realize how important a guy settled into, settling into his role on on that on that US team is in order to win that go. No, it was it was a big time And what you said earlier, winning Trump's Everything, nobody asked many minute you play. You wanted to gold medal winning Trumps everything, and everybody was happy with the role that they had and that we got

to celebrate with the gold medal. It was that. I think that's what the main thing that I brought back, like you said too, even to the NBA this year, me having my my ole role back with my team winning Trump's everything, and that's what we have to go out there and do it, no doubt. And as soon as we got back from Tokyo, which we all flew back together, um news comes out maybe a week a week week and a half later that that you had left your agent and signed with Rich Paul and Clutch Sports.

And I thought that was a very big deal because the reality is that you were with Bill Duffy and yeah, and it's not that they were doing a bad job or you know. I know for me personally, and I can only speak on my own experience when I signed with Clutch Sports, it wasn't that my previous eg uh, my previous agent b J Armstrong was doing a bad job. I thought he was doing a good job and we

had a we had a close relationship. I just thought for me and where I was in my life and the things that I wanted to do, that Clutch moving forward was the best fit for me. It didn't necessarily make b J bad, It didn't make wash them in bad. I just felt that that was the best decision for me. What what was it for you that made you want to want to make that switch. It was like you just said, Bill and Nema that I love those guys the death. They helped me grow as a person and

help me grow as a man into his league. You know, I loved him. I still talked to him all this on. But you know, sometimes you have to go off and do something that's right for you at the right time. And I think me at this age of my career, Clutch lined up with everything that I was going moving forward to and even into the future. And you know,

I really appreciate what they did. But you know, I really appreciate what rich and Clutch is doing for me now and then moving forward because that's the that's the path I'm on, absolutely, um. And like I said, I I saw that you made that move. I thought it was a great move. And like you said, and just who you are becoming. And you know now this summer, you're having a great season, You're about to be an All Star. Your team is right there time for first

place in the Eastern Conference. Uh you know, so obviously looking I'll be that y'all get healthy because y'all have been bidden by the man. Yeah, y'all have been bidden by the injury bug like we have. I saw being that that that y'all get healthy now you're going into your first playoffs and you're able to compete for for what holds to be a championship. But and and speaking of y'all getting healthy, it looked like y'all have found a hit in Jim and being hurt. And I you, yeah,

uh what what what's your feeling on him? What does he bring to the table that that you like or love? He's a dog and you know he was he has a chip on the shoulder, was a second round pickles. You know, one of the players of the year in college. Kid really knows how to play, does whatever is ask will play defense, will go out there and score a game if he asked to play the point guard. I mean, he has a great feel for the game. And you know,

we appreciate him. And with us being out gave him an opportunity to go out there and start getting more comfortable and doing everything he has. And now with us being backed me and the Martin says, man, keep playing

this way because we're gonna we're gonna need it. And you know, I think I think that's how sometimes when opportunity happens, you go out there and start becoming who you who you're meant to be absolutely And I went on JJ Reddicks podcast that Will That Will dropped this week and one thing, uh that we discussed was the importance of team and the importance of culture within a team. And the reason I am bringing that up is standing

along the lines of value. Um, if you and Damar aren't aren't going about things the way y'all going about things being true professionals and vouch as well vouches an ultimate pro and Caruso and Alonzo obviously, but you know, whenever you're speaking of a team, you're always going to talk about the two top dolls. Just is how it goes.

But do you feel that they're the importance of culture and winning has helped move him along because as a young player, you also went to a Minnesota team that didn't have culture and it's kind of just guys out

there doing they do to you. Can you see the difference or the importance of culture and winning in him at supposed to what you were giving your your rookie year, because you're coming into a totally different environment, um, with experience, and I can include myself being a you know, a year pro now you know, seeing guys like me in the gym early guys like the Marks, staying afterwards, getting there and getting there working and they're gonna getting treatment.

Guys like Alice Cruser who's won the championships speaking during film sessions and walk throughs um a Lonzo ball sacrifice itself and pointing out defensive coverage is like, I didn't have that, you know, like you said, it was just it was just rolling the ball out and guy's just playing. So I am even coming from a winning, winning program in Illinois now coming into this, this is a totally different thing that I have. But it's helped him push

alongest game. At least I feel like to where this is a normal thing and this is how it's supposed to be ranked. Absolutely, and I wanna I want to backtrack a little bit and talk again about Zach pre Star Zach Lavine and what I want to talk about. It is actually an event that I attended with a with a bright ass yellow jacket on, and that was the Dunk Contest. I'm not sure I would ever wear that. Well, I actually I didn't believe I would ever wear that

jacket again. I actually gave the jacket to Mr fab because I'm like, I would never wear this again. I was thinking about that jacket a couple of nights ago, like, man, I should have kept that jacket. I throw that all small black nowadays in rock out. But I personally thought that was And I've watched a ton of dunk contests. I'm thirty one. I've probably been watching the Dunk Contest

since I was four or five years old. Um, I personally thought that was one of the best dunk contests I've ever seen, and it was pretty much what it came down to was you and Aaron Gordon. If and if I'm not mistaken, DeMar was in that dunk contest. No, Damar,

Damar what he was going to be? I remember talking because we played, uh we played Toronto like three days before the all start, right, and he said, man, I was gonna because it was in Toronto that was about to be an All Star the Dunk Contest until you put your name in there. And I remember correctly, he was like, man, I'm not about to jump with them young, Yeah exactly. But like I said, do you feel like that was one of the best dunk contests ever? Yeah,

I mean obviously you can't. You can't base any things on error, and I impact like with Domedic and Michael had or like stuff. Contest, but you have to put that up there to be one of the best dunk just on the pure skill athleticism in the fifties that we were doing. And um, it was a toss up and it just came down to who had the best dunk at the end of the overtime. And uh, I tried to go between the legs and the free throwing. I was the first time I tried that and I

made it. So that's the first time you ever tried that. That was the first time I ever tried the first time and only time happy you know. So, wow, that's interesting. That's interesting. And obviously that was up against Eric Gordon Um who went on to give himself the nickname Mr fifty What what what do you think or make of that? I mean, I mean a look, he's had a bunch of times where he could have won a dunk contests and know it's it's sometimes it's unfortunate. It's because not

everybody can win. And I'd be at the end of it even said like, man, look we should both be sharing this because just for the culture and for what we did for this, you know, event. You know, it was big time. But you know, a g definitely is gonna be cemented in dunk contest history even if he didn't win it. No, I I agree one. I actually thought the same thing, like, man, just stop this now, let them both win, and we're going about our night

because Toronto was definitely a great time. But what do you can't you ever see yourself participating in the dunk contest again or our little days behind you? Oh it's over, Yeah, it's done. I try, I can. I can still get up, you know that. But it's not h it's not. It's not the fort front of my mind anymore. And uh, you know, now with me logging more and more minutes, you know I was playing. I was only playing like twenty minutes of game then, so but didn't jump all

the time. So no, I'm saving my dunks for the You know, if you try to come over and set a charge or something like that, that's the thing though, I'm never coming over and try to set the charge. I think you didn't. You didn't try it before I blocked it. You try and I got out the way. I ain't know. Cool, but you're not dealing with Here is a fool. I'm not crazy. If I listen. I keep trying to tell Myles Bridges, who infamously went out and said publicly that the one going he wants to

dunk on this me um. I try to tell Miles all the time, You're not going to dunk on me. And the reason you're not going to dunk on me is because I am only going to jump if I know I have the advantage, and if I if there is even an inkling of not having the advantage. And when I say advantage, I don't mean advantage to block the shot. You want to block your shot, I need to be in a position of why I can file

you where you can't make that shot. And I try to tell Miles this all the time, Like, Miles, I'm only going to block your shot, file you or move out the way your those won't equal out to you dunking on me. It's just not gonna happen. So you may want to take that word of advice too. But prime m J. Kobe VC and you what was happening

in that dunk contest. A lot of people don't put put put Kobe in there, and Kobe was now and that's how I first learned about Kobe was in the dunk contest with the frow between the legs, Like back then between the legs wasn't common. Yeah you got I think exactly Isaiah Ryder had did it. Uh, but there it wasn't a common It wasn't a common dunk and Kobe was doing all that. But who you what's happening

in that dunk contest? Uh? I mean MJ is gonna get the biggest fan reaction you are Um, Vince Vince dog come with like the most I would say creative because he Yeah, it's gonna be a toss up. Man. I don't never put myself against anywhere. I think it will be being Vince in the final. You know, but uh, I think Vince might. I think Vince might take me because Vince I always go against the guys that you know came before me, and Vince bench came with some stuff.

It would be me Evince. It just depends on who makes the first dog. That's what I was saying, Ladies and gentlemen. Zach Lavine just um eliminated Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Let that marinate for a minute, you know that. Let that marrinae Uh. It's it's funny because last week, as I said, we had we had team back on,

and I asked te Mat. I said, t Mac back in those raptor days, you know how you you, you jumping guys do after practice, y'all doing all the dunks while I go sit down and watch and talk my jump um. But I was asking him, I said, you or Vince back in those days, Duncan and what what like? He didn't even blink. Vince Carter by far, like, not

even close. And so it's interesting that that's who you went with as well, because I think I don't think people realize number one, how athletic Vince was, but number two, how good of a player Vince was, but did it did? How good of a dunker? On how good a player he was? Like, the dudes are straight up all of famer.

Twe six thousand points average, you know what, nine thirty points per game a couple of times like that's you don't do that by dunking, you know, you're all absolutely absolutely no. I think I always tell people I think Vince had an incredible career and I think he is one of the most talented players that has ever stepped foot in the NBA. So it's it's great, uh to see you give him his flowers because that that doesn't

happen often. And like I said, when you're talking any category that includes Michael Jordan's and Kobe Bryant and you know, and the two other guys are the ones that walk out of that conversation because I too believe that you would have been up there. You you put on one of the greatest dunk contest performances that we've ever seen, and not once but twice and so two times right, you ain't what's funny about you? Remember you just said

team mak Eventure dunk after prod. You wanna know who beat me in the dunk contest that you wouldn't think of Wigs exactly. Listen, man, I have this picture on my phone. I have this picture on my phone the wigs jumping and he literally jumped for a rebound and his neck it's above the square, the top of the square. I couldn't believe he never wanted to do it. He would just casually, like after practice we would. He would

just casually do some stuff I've never seen before. That wow, and that's gonna you know, you know I did what I did dunk contest. It was crazy. Well, let's see, we got Wiggs, who are gonna make the All Star Game this year, and we all need to be pushing for Wiggs to also getting the dunk contest. I don't know if you're gonna do that. No chance he's doing that. But but before I let you, before I let you get out of here, I don't want to take up much more of your time. I am very appreciative of

you coming on. Uh. The last thing I want to discuss your You are a free agent coming up this summer. Um, how are you approaching free agency? Are you excited about it? Um? I know, for me, I never wanted to hit free agency, like I I signed my extension. Um if I hit free agency once, but I was a restricted free agent, which was after my third year, and I to hit at that time because that second year I ain't play,

so I needed that third year to during my money. Uh. And then obviously my current contract, I signed the extension. So I never wanted to hear free agency. But how are you approaching this? Are you excited about it? Are you not worried about it at all? Right now? And just playing. I think that's a little cliche because we all think about things, especially when talking about the type of money that you're going to be up for. Yeah. No, obviously I'm excited for it. Now we're focused on the

year and everything like that. My whole focus is on winning. But I'm ex I've never been a free agent, you know. Last time I was, I was a restricted free agent and I had to sign an offer sheet, you know, so not a lot of people go through that. Um, so I'm excited about it. And uh, you know, obviously I got you know, a great support system with Rich and Clutch that's gonna you know, take care of me and my business on that end. But you know, I'm looking forward to it, and uh, you know, because it's

a new experience. You know, not not a lot of people get to go through and have a choice. So I'm excited. And Hunter as well, Yes, and my wife as well, my brother. Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead. No, you know, We're we're we're we're extremely excited obviously, like what we built in Chicago when we're going through this year, you know, I'm extremely happy and I know that, you know, for right now, this is my home but you know, it's uh, you know, I'm excited because it's a new experience.

I must say. I am excited that you're going through this, were Rich. And the reason I am excited is because I know the way Rich goes about his contract negotiations, and um, I've now been I've had two agents before Rich, so I've gone through contract negotiations with now three agents, Rich being one of them. And he goes about it in a way totally different than I had seen before. And I think that one of the things that I was most impressed about was the way my contract was

drawn up. I think so many guys get caught up in how much money is it, what's the dollar amount? And the reality is there are a lot of little nuances and contracts that if you don't understand, you can get screwed over, you know. And and Rich, there's actually one one, the one who taught me all of those things.

I mean I'm talking about going in I mean your seven or eight of my career and and seven and I didn't know those things that he's taught me, whether it was the payment schedule, um, love of the game, you know, all of these different things that he included in my contract that really made my contract worth more than the actual dollar amount, which is that you didn't

know about that until your eight years. So I think that's what I'm looking forward to a rich because like you said, he really is a bond about it, you know, and absolutely so I am excited to see you go through your process, brother, But even more importantly, I am as excited and watching you and Tamar Tara park the Eastern Conference and I and I think, I think it only goes up from here, like this is your one

that we're seeing it. I think I think it only goes up here from you, from here for you guys, and you know, I was talking to Tomorrow and you know, and just looking at your roster like that's going to continue to improve and and you guys are going to continue to improve with your two workers. So I'm extremely excited about her, brother. Good luck the rest of the way. Good luck with getting you all guys back healthy. I'm looking forward to getting back healthy and getting out there too.

But I can't thank you enough for coming on, my brother. I appreciate it. Man. You know, I'll talk to you any time in the NORF season. We only do a night glass of wine to get the dog. We We're definitely gonna do that. Oh. By the way, I see you got you got a new balance of you on. What's that about. You know, I'm a little bit of a free agent right now too, so I'm just you know, I'm messing around with all these different brands and uh, you know, enjoying my time there too. I'm a free

agent everywhere right now. It's crazy. I love to see it well and it works. It goes hand to hand, my brother, But good luck the rest of the way, bro. I appreciate you coming on. I appreciate you dog. Stay safe, get healthy. Man, Yes, sir, thank you man. That was incredible. Thanks again to Zack for coming on. Uh. As you know, Zak is one of the brightest young stars that we have in our game. And I know it doesn't quite seem like he's that young because he's eight years in number.

What you do have to remember is that he came into this league at nineteen uh so he is very young, uh still with a lot of runway to go in order to continue to build the Hall of Fame career that he's building. And I as a brother of his, as a big brother of his is excited to continue

to watch his journey. There was so much talk about him not winning, uh And as T Max said to us a week ago, winning has a lot to do with the players that around are around you and not just the one guy who is the guy on the team. And as you can see, Zack, they went out and Zach some help there in Chicago, and you could kind of see that last year when they kind of did

the overhaul and brought in usafsh from Orlando. They traded some high picks that they have drafted, but also they gave up some picks as well, some draft picks, and so they put the talent around him, and he is flourishing. They are flourishing, and it's a beautiful thing to see. So I'm excited to continue to watch Zach's career. I hope you all are equally or even more excited to continue to watch this growth because I think it will continue to grow at the rate or even faster ray

than it's been growing. And Zach is embodying the star that he's become and I love that, and I think everyone has to do that. If you I had um a press conference before an NBA finals when we're playing Toronto Raptors and the guy was asking me that I think I was the best. I don't think you can be the best if you don't believe that you are

the best. And so I think that's important, and I think that is a huge part of Zack's growth that we've seen this year and the winning that they're doing, because now you can follow that and it's a beautiful thing. So that's a rap for episode ten of The Draymond Green Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, make sure you check it out. Check all of the episodes out there there for you to enjoy. We love doing this. I

love doing this. Try to bring some some knowledge and advice and great interviews to your headphones, to your radio if you're listening in the car, to your computer screen or your phone. If you're watching on YouTube, make sure you subscribe for the Volumes YouTube channel and you can check me out. But also you can check others out as well, other great podcasts. And so with that said, that's a rap for episode ten. Until next week, Peace in rivers and Inverlever Liver