The Draymond Green Show - Pascal Siakam

Raptors being the other one. I'm honored to have this next guest, my brother, Pascal Siakam. Thank you for coming on the show. Bro, thank you appreciate it, man, appreciate it for having me. I don't I'm not a podcast guy. But there's a couple of them that, you know, like when they tell me, I'm like, I'm I'm in it. I'm in it, So let's go. I appreciate that. Man. I I can't say that I'm over twenty nineteen yet.

I know we want a championship last year, but you got too many of thoughts to be to do that. You got too many of thoughts to say that like

you got a lot of them. But see, here's what you having experience, and it is actually one of the worst things in the NBA that can happen to you, which is you go to the NBA Finals and you lose, right because as you know, celebrating that like it's great, like you celebrate all summer, everything's fantastic, right, but I had the same short summer you had, yes, and so you you you go that far and then you lose, and it's like the worst experience of all times, like

you lose two months of your summer. Right now, I definitely agree with that because I remember like when I went through we went through that year like the whole something, the whole like season, and I saw this season probably I was like two forty when I started the season, and once we got to the finals, I was probably like to eighteen to seventeen, like bro, like I was

like Skinny, I'm like, yo, like this is crazy. So like I can just imagine, especially like you guys like Lebron like going through like like going day in the row and like just having that type of time, and then the summer was like new to me because usually I'm like yo, like I'm in the summer, like that's my favorite time of the year basically because like I'm I'm in the gym every day, I'm working like just routine, routine, and you get to that point it's like, man, like

we don't even have a summer, you know, so like, yeah, it was crazy. So I can get that. I can definitely respect that for sure, absolutely, But bro, I want to I want to start this off about going back to the beginning of your journey. Now this You know when when I do these podcasts, Um, you like to do research, so you know a lot about guys or and particularly we had a woman, our first woman last week, one of the ghost Candice Parker. UM. But you like

to have information. I want to be one hundred percent honest with you. I have the information that I know about you, and I didn't want to do much research because I wanted to hear the story from you. I wanted to learn more about you from you, and so what I know like born in Cameroon, Um, you came over played at New Mexico State. You know, you got to the NBA, But I don't know all the fillers, and I didn't want to because I wanted you to fill me in on that. So just start me off,

like take me back to Cameroon. What what age did you start playing basketball? Right? Um? Yeah, started well because growing up in Cameroon, if you if you're from Cameroon and probably like a lot of countries in Africa, like when you grow up, you play you play soccer or football like like they called it, and it's like that's the first thing you do, like we never like you don't know anything else. Um. For me, I was lucky because my brothers played basketball, like they started playing soccer,

but then they started playing basketball. I'm the I'm the youngest, you know, off six and I four brothers. Um. I have three brothers and it's like yo, like they started playing basketball and growing up like I just I just you know, watched them and I was like, man, like maybe I'll try it. I was probably like first time I playing basketball is probably like sixteen seventeen. Yeah, like like my first time. And I remember we went from my friends, like one of my friends. I came back

because I was in boarding school. I mean I feel like I'm like going everywhere, but I was in boarding school, like and I came back. I usually to come back for like the break and I come back and some of my friends was like, yo, like we're going, We're going to this camp and it's is this NBA player and stuff. And I'm like, okay, like I have no idea, I don't I don't know anything about the NBA really, and and it was looking back mute and it was like, oh, okay, man,

like this is an NBA player. He's doing a camp be some Cameroon. And my friends was going, so they were like all right, let's go. So I'm like all right, cool, I have nothing to do. I'm like I don't mind, you know. So um I just went and I was one of the best players in the camp. And and from that it was like I didn't even know anything about basketball, you know. So it was just like super

crazy that I was selected to that. And then after that it was just like I went to basketball with our borders the year after um I was started like seventeen, almost eighteen, and it was like after that it was just like man, I'm I'm I'm going to college in the NBA. Oh, I'm going to college. And then the NBA. So it was like pretty crazy. It's pretty fast, like the way it happened, and so at that point you're

pretty much just you're just going off all sure athleticism. Yes, that's it, like literally, because I mean in school, like I was always obviously I was probably I was all, you are the best, and like just like running, like like high jump, like we did all that stuff in school. So I'm like I'm one of the best. But it was just like just pure athleticism, like from playing soccer and just like my stamina was good so I could like run for days, um, and and I could jump.

So it was just literally just that like literally just running and jumping, hustling and and doing that, and and that was just the first, probably my first skill in basketball for sure. That's crazy. And one thing that I did here was that all of your brothers received Division one scholarships to play college basketball in America? Yep, yep. How How did how did that like that come about? Where they're receiving Division one scholarships, Like what was the

path for them to get that exposure? Yeah? No, the path for them it's like obviously for me, Um growing up in Cameroon, like I was blessed on my dad, Like my dad was like you know, like he was okay, like financially, like you know, like we yeah, we we were in like you know, like we had mostly everything

that we needed. And he's like he always dreamed about basketball and like the NBA like that, like this was his thing, Like he he loved that and and so he always saw that all I mean, you know, like people that go in the NBA to play college and then to go to the NBA. So like that was like his thing. So he was like, all right, I'm gonna do everything that I can to find a scholarship. So he he did all the work, like talk to

the schools, like find schools. He had friends because he used to travel go to the US like back and forward for like even even the friends and so he had a connection. So he would just find he found people the big games like oh okay, your your son can come here and play high school basketball or something like because they left earlier than me. I left when I was like eighteen years old, like I graduated high

school and then I went to the US. My brothers they went earlier, like so they started they did probably like two years of high school or something like that, like probably each of them and then was able to play high school basketball, get a scholarship, and then go into the to them to college. So how were you eventually spotted? You ended up at New Mexico State? How were you eventually? Yeah, so I went to basketball with

our borders. After I went to basketball with our borders, it was like, I mean, I got some attention, you know from people. Some people talk to my dad and it was like, all right, like you can you can go. We're gonna find you a scholarship to go to like a prep school. I went to a prep school before in Texas, UM and I probably did like probably like a year there. And then after that, UM the prep school, I went to the coach his son went to New Mexico State. So so then he so from dad, that's

when I learned about the coach. I had no offers really like I had no offers or anything like that. The dad he talked to the coach about me or whatever, and then from dad was like, all right, the coach likes me. This is my only college offer. I'm like all right, cool, like I'm in there. Like so it was just like it was just that's just how it happened that I don't like, I don't man when you came and you eventually go on to be the twenty seven pick in the NBA Draft. But again, I'm gonna

be totally honest with you. My first year playing against you when you were with the Toronto Raptors, I'm like, yo, this like, all right, this guy's athletic, but like I can go help, like I can help off, I can go plug the gap, Like I don't really have to worry about this guy much other than like him slashing, cutting, getting to the rim, offensive rebound. And then it's like the next year you came back and you're totally different player. All of a sudden, Now you got to ball in

your hands. You you pulling up in the mini, you shooting the three. I'm like, yo, like, who is this guy? How do you get this good? This fast? Obviously your work ethic is tremendous. I've seen your work. We've trained in the gym with some of the same people, travel games, athletic games with James, and I know how hard you work. But if you had to point to one or two people to say, without these people, I would not be as good as I am. Who would you point to

outside of just your peer work? Right, UM, yeah, nah, for sure, Like I think again, like it takes it. It takes a village for sure, Like you know what I mean, like to be able to get to this level. Um, and I probably had a bunch of people in college that Um. One of the coaches in college, it was his name was Preston, Like was what was in the

gym every day? Like literally New Mexico State, I mean we lost screw says there's not much to do, like we like you're not gonna go out there and find like you know, places to go where you got to go party and all that, Like you gotta drive like forty five minutes to go party somewhere like And that was in the Apostle in Texas. Like so I'm like yo, like I'm I'm sorry, I'm not doing that just to party, Like I can't. So I'm like after parties, I'm in a gym every day, like you know, we're working out

every single day. So that was like college and then we get to the NBA. UM. I remember like my first time meeting Rico Hins like that was for me. That was like the first person like that I got to work with, like really, like you know what I mean like we sat and just just build a plan together.

And I remember my first time meeting him. Um, I think it was the first year that started doing like you can go put your name in the draft and then like you see if you want to you want to do it or not, Like I think it was like I appreciate it did that so, which I think was a blessing. So I'm I'm going there and I'm I'm I'm and I'm working out with Reco like it was like my agent knows Reco. They went to U sell it together. Um, so it's like that relationship already.

And I get there and I'm like all right, like I'm trying to test the waters like I want to see, like I don't want to see if I can if I can make this happen. And my first time working out would Recoo and we played a little bit like the first time he saw me, like he was like yo, like I don't even know what you're thinking about, Like

stop stop thinking like like I don't. I don't want you to think about testing the waters or whatever the kids might be like you an NBA player, Like I don't want to hear nothing like going back to school is going to be a worse of time because I remember at that time, like I was really debating because like my dad was like he loved basketball, but like his thing was like, yo, we got to finish school. Like he was so big on that, like we got to finish school. Like I don't want nobody just like

going out there with no education. So like that was always playing the back of my mind, like yo, like I want to be able to get my degree and all that, you know and soul. But then like once, once we had that conversation with Rico, man like he just puts so much like confidence in me, like so much, like you know, like I've never really had like I've had that before obviously my family, you know what I mean, but like people outside of at like um just just

believing in me. And like from that first day it was like yo, like like like let's do this, like you you're ready. And after that it was like, man, like you go out there every summer, We're in a gym every single day, just grinding, like I'm there twenty four seven, you know what I mean. Whenever you're looking for me in the summer, I'm in the gym, you know.

Person like he's a person that's there with me so um like that that's a guy that I can definitely say, like you know, like you know, we put the work in like and he was always there, committed to the work every single day. Man, Rico is incredible. You know a lot of us have had the opportunity to be touched by Rico obviously not um for a lot for most guys, not to the extent that you have. But I just want to make sure on this show that Rico Hans get the love that he deserves, you know.

And and and just pointing at you like all NBA Player, All Star and like I've watched you guys grind from the beginning of your career to all of a sudden, the entire Toronto Toronto Raptors team is out in LA trying to get better and and I personally, I think that all stems from your success and watching you and

everything that you've done and the growth that you've had. Brother, I take my hat off to you, because I mean you you literally went from a guy that they were spotting up in the corner that was not a corner shooter to like, all of a sudden, like you out of nowhere becomes the second option and like all right, like most guys can't take that next step to become

the number one option. Bro, It's amazing. And so I just want you to know, man, I take my hat off to you as as a competitor, as someone who got to guard you, like when I guarded you well in the finals we won, Clearly I couldn't guard you well enough. We are seeing how I'm saying so much respect shit it bro now now for sure not and and that that means a lot because at the end up day, like for me, like I just I just feel like, you know, you put the work in and

you do everything that you're supposed to do. But I think, just like getting especially being in Toronto too, like we don't like nobody really like like people. There's a joker runs like nobody really cares, right Like, so I think that jes Se seed, I respect you know from somebody that that's done it at the highest level, you know what I mean? Like that that means a lot for sure,

no no doubt I appreciate it. And so y'all want y'all win the NBA finals your third year, um the two years leading up to that, uh, Kyle and Damar leaders of the team, and you guys are having great regular seasons, great regular seasons, and eventually you run into Lebron in the playoffs and can't quite get over the hump. It's like it almost looked like Lebron's just all right, I'll get to the Raptors and I'll win the problem, right right, right, You guys then go on to trade

Damaru for Kawhi Leonard. When when you see that trade happen, I'm super close to DeMar. I know you have a relationship with DeMar as well. So number one, you see that trade happens, what are you thinking about the business of basketball? Number one? To see your number one player get traded and at that early in your career, what are you thinking about the business? But then also what are you thinking when you see that y'all got Kawhi

Leonard coming in? Right? Yeah? No, I think that like obviously, like instantly, Like the first thing is just the shock value of everything, right, because I think for everyone we saw DeMar Vegas, like we saw Demaron Vegas before all that, So like for us it's like, yo, we saw DeMar. We have our meetings that we usually do in Vegas in Summer League coming up, like so we're hanging out, so like I see DeMar so from that, it was just like the shock value of it. It's like, yo,

like what is happening? Like I'm just I'm confused and obviously like for someone that just close to DeMar and like just love him as a person, like bro like DeMar as a player. He was always one of my favorite player. I always used to tell him, like when even when he was on our team, I'm like, yo, like you want my favorites, like like just the mid range, like the things that he just looked so easy and effortless for him, like the way he was doing it.

Um So I think just from being a fan and also and then also being like his teammate and his brother, I'm like I'm hurt right because I'm like, yo, like this is this is crazy and and like you said, it's earlier on in my career. I'm thinking like like this canna like if the having a them all, like I don't, I can't even imagine what's gonna happen to me, you know what I mean. So, so that's the way I'm thinking about it, Like yo, like this is crazy. Um So those are the first things. And then after

after the shock Voudy, everything calmed down. You're upset, you're mad, you know, like you're in your room, you're upset about everything. But then after that you think about like the player that you're getting and in Kowhitland, or like another person that I watched, you know what I mean for me, like just someone I want to say, Die was state

mid major. I was a mid major. Like he came into the NBA like he wasn't really like like doing all these things, like he was a defender like he was it was it was this and that, and then

he became this huge star. So that's another person that I'm like, yo, Like I watched from far and I'm like yo, like his game is dope and and and so from that, I'm just like yo, I'm excited, like yo, like this is crazy, you know, like getting the opportunity to play with someone like that, and and and being on the same team being able to learn from him. Um So, after the shock, it was just like kind of like an exignment to say, like, Yo, what can

we do with this person? Because we've got a player that's you know, that's like really really really really good. You know. So yeah, and you know you guys, you know summer plays, how you guys going to training camp.

Are you thinking at that time like that, Kawi, it's possibly the guy that gets us over the hunt because again, what you just mentioned was, Hey, you're in Toronto where no one's talking championships like it's Toronto, like basketball isn't that And let's like, basketball has grown in Toronto over the last fifteen twenty years, but hockeys the biggest thing in Toronto hockey and Drake like and no, no, no, no, no, that was the case. But now you guys have changed that.

But that change also comes with winning a championship. Sure, when your rookie year, that wasn't the case, like, but then you guys win a championship and now a lot of people care about the about the Raptors. But are you thinking at that point you guys are going in the camp, you got Kawhi Leonard like, yo, this team can possibly win a championship? Is that the conversation around

the team going in. I don't think for us like for me, I don't think for Kauhi, I think it was you know, but for us it's like again, obviously, like we've never done it before. So like you know, like obviously we want to be we always had great, great teams, you know, like we go to playoffs who

do everything. So we're thinking we're a great team. But at the end of the day, you don't really think I had of that, Like you don't really think, like like it doesn't get in your mind right away, you know what I mean, because it's just like something that you really haven't done. Um. But but just looking at our roster and the players that we have, I'm like, yo, like we have a we have a damn good team,

you know what I mean. Like that's why I'm thinking, you know, but I don't I don't know to what extent, Like I don't know how it's gonna work with Kawuhi. We never played together, like like so at that point, I'm like, I don't I don't know what's happening, you know, Like I had no idea. Obviously it was Nick was the coach, like all these different things, like it's just a little different and and I had I had literally no idea what was going to happen at that point,

you know, Like so I couldn't. I couldn't really pinpoint like from the beginning of the season, I couldn't see that. I couldn't see it right away. Sure, watch the season was going. Then you kind of like, oh my god, like this is it's getting interesting, you know, Like I think that's what I would say. Yeah, you guys end up matching up with with with the Philadelphia seventy six

ers in the second round of the playoffs. Man Um, Obviously we all know Kauhi hit the hit the big shot in the corner, bounce, bounce to drop, saying, but I thought there was something interesting that that took place in that series, uh with a with a fellow Cameroonian for yourself and Joel and b and you came out then and you said he's a fake tough guy. And I would like to know, hey, number one, what made

you say that then? And where do your relationships stand now being you know, two guys from the same country, right, No, I think it's just it's all up because I think he's well, I'm from you know, I'm from Duala, he's from your own day, right like we if you if you're from Cameroon or you know anything about Cameroon, Like those are the two cities, right, it's like duala your own day. And it's always back and forth, like just like always talking trash, be like whatever you want to

call it. We have the best city, we have the best girls, we have the best parties, like we always you know, So it's always like like that, that little back and forth. So I think for for us just going back and playing against each other, like every time we do, it's like it's always that like that little like I just want to do better for my city because I know that better than y'all, you know what

I'm saying. Like, so that's always that. So and you know, Joel, like he's not gonna hold his tongue, he's not gonna hold his punches like he's gonna he's gonna talk, he's

gonna do all that. And when we play against each other, he's gonna make sure that I don't score, like he's gonna like be there helping do whatever he gotta do, like you know what I mean, Like just because of that, But but in terms of our relationship, like actually like it's like no, like we're cool, you know what I mean, Like we talk all the time and it's like it's

always love. Like at the end of the day, like two kids from where we're from, Like being at this level like it's it's on herd of you know what I mean. Like obviously we had our big brothers that was there before. It's like like the looka mute, like like the boom boom, like all those people. But to be at this level like and play where we at, like it's crazy, you know. So um so definitely we feel blasting stuff. But at the end of the day, once we go on the court, like it's beef, like

we had it. No friends, ain't no friends on this score. I'm at your neck. Um. Obviously that plays out. We end up, you know, go through the conference finals. Then we end up playing against each other in the NBA Finals, and we come into that series. Kevin Durant's out, you guys immediately take control of the series. Kevin Durant comes back in game four. Yeah three, game four given before,

I might have been getting four year before. And when Kevin Durant comes back, I look up six minutes to go on the clock and we got thirty six points and I'm like, yo, it's six minutes to go. In the first quarter, we got thirty six points. When you see Kevin Durant come back, he's clicking like that, we're clicking. What's the thought in your mind at that point, bro,

I'm not gonna lie to you. So before it again, like so you guys are working out and stuff like, and our first it was like it was always like a debate. I always Katie gonna play whatever whatever. So we get there and it's like, yo, like he's wimming up and I was like, oh, I bet like Katie's here, he's playing. Like it's a little like all right, all right, man,

like we're not we're not expecting this, but whatever. Like we're like, okay, we're kind of like thinking still in our heads because you know, like you said, we took control control of the series, so in our heads were thinking, like the momentum is on us, Like we have the momentum, like we're still good, you know, but we're get in that game, bro, like oh my god, Like I don't think Katie, like I don't think he touched like the rim like one time, Like I don't I don't even

think you touched the net like he shot the ball and I don't think that like I don't think it touched the net, bro Like it was just like straight like he was pulling from like whatever was like like

water like nothing like. So I'm like, I'm just like, Yo, this is gonna be a lone night like at that point, like literally like if there was like any panic, like at any time, I think it would have been like that point, like when Katie like came back, because it was just like for us, like we felt like we matched up word with you guys, you know what I mean, like and and obviously like it's tough to guard like playing Steph like obviously with you like all the things

like the movement, like all your offense and everything that you guys do, and it's like, Yo, it's crazy. But then you add Katie that we would feel like yo, like he's really like unguardable. It feels like because like some of the times, hope that he missed right, Like you gotta do your best and like challenge to the best that you can and just hope that it missed.

So absolutely, it was just like yo, like adding Katie and the way he was playing like he started that game, it was like, yeah, like it was a little the little panic right there, No for sure, and then obviously Kevin gets hurt. Actually this game, that's game five, Kevin came back. Because Kevin gets hurt in game five, we go back to go to state. Game six. Clay gets hurt in game six, and so that was definitely Game five.

But um, walk me through the feeling. H you know, you guys eventually close the series in game six, going in the first championship for the Toronto Raptors. But your first, your first championship, Walk me through that feeling of getting over that hunt and then you're like wow, like wait, we're NBA champions. Walk me through that initial field because I'll tell you something for me personally. Obviously I've been fortunate enough to win four. And I'll tell you what.

You win that first one, and it's the most amazing thing in your life. You win the second one, third one, fourth one, and the most amazing thing to me after that is seeing the guys who win it for the first time. So you got guys now on the team who hasn't won one, and like you celebrate with those guys and seeing the guys who won it the first time, it is the most amazing thing. Talk to me walk me through that feeling of winning that first championship. Yeah, no,

like it was. It's crazy because I just think that for us, like like you said, like we've I had that talk of like, oh yeah, the Raptors gonna go, They're gonna have a great regular season, They're not gonna do anything to the playoffs. So like we hear that all the time. And I heard it when I was with Kyle Damar and all those guys, And obviously I was I was younger coming up, um, but but that's all we heard. So I think you already have that

down in your mind. And and I think for us, like just winning was like yo, like this is like we actually did it, you know what I mean, Like and it wasn't just like it was like a team where like everyone like kind of like played a part

and like winning a championship. Like obviously you remember the Kauhi shot and all these different things, but like you know, Milwaukee series Fred coming back and hit it all those threes, you know, even even in the finals against you guys like those three, like me making a shot like you know Mark, like Kyle that first that game six coming

up like going crazy, you know, like the first quarter. Um, you just think about all those moments, you know what I mean, Like, and it was just like amazing, bro, Like just like the hard work that you put in and and just like that that joy that you get from like knowing that you are the best team in

the NBA. Like it's just it's just incredible, um and and and the other part of that is the city, like the country, Like you know what I mean, it wasn't It was just it's like, okay, obviously, like you win, as do the Warriors, right like San Francisco, everyone is

hyppy and stuff. But imagine you won that, and the whole US is like excited, you know, Like so that's you know what I mean, Like a whole country is excited about it, Like God, people are going crazy, like you hear story till today, Like I'm I still hear stories of people being like, man, like that championship. I remember what I was like, I remember, like you you can't even you don't even know what that brought to me my family like things like that. So I think

that's just what makes it like so much sweeter. I think that's amazing, man. And I always wonder about that feeling, which actually brings me to my next question, because when it happened, I looked and I'm like, how can you walk away from that? Shortly after that, two weeks not even you get the news that Kawhi Leonard is leaving and going to the LA Clippers. Quite frankly, I'm not sure how you can walk away from having an entire I mean, I feel like Kawhi would own Canada he

stayed like and you know, he walked away. What's the mindset then? Once once you realize like, yo, we're losing Kawhi, and not only are we losing Kawhi because you know, when you look back at it, not often do you lose stars or people like that for nothing. And when you look back at it, like that was the deal, Like that was the risk, Like MASSI makes the trade for Kawhi. He got one year left on his contract

and you you're risking him walking off. But ultimately in hopes that you get a championship, so you accomplished the goal. But on the flip side, you'd hope that the goal that you accomplished allows you to run it up a little longer and then Kawhi leeds. What what's the mindset? Once you once you'all find out that Kauhi is leaving

ahead of to the LA Clippers two weeks later. Um, I think, well, it's like mixed right, Like I think at the end of the day, Like for me, it was just like, man like, if there's one person that I will see do that, it would be Kauhi, like what I'm saying, like like in my head, like that would be the only like the one person that I'd be like, yo, like I can see him like doing that because you know the way he conducts his business, the way he is, like all the things that he does,

like it's always in like just like a particular way, you know what I mean. Like, so I think for me, like I'm thinking like man like and like I don't think he can leave. But at the same time, I'm like, yo, like it's Kawhi, right, Like Kawhi, He's gonna do what you want, like and and much power to him, because I like that's who he is as a person, you know what I mean, Like that's how he's always been

conducting anything. So Um, obviously like you hurt because it's like yo, like what can we like we look at our team it's like yo, like we can really do this, you know what I mean, I'm involving spread is if everyone is getting like you know what I mean, like it's growing to their own and we're thinking like, yo, we can really build something special. Um and and Kawhi leave. So it was just like, man, like this is this

is it was. It was sad, like it hurt, but at the same time, like I can't like, like I said, like I can only see Kahi do that, you know what I mean, like and and and it didn't really feel like oh, you know, like because because I can see that happening, like I'm not totally like surprised by it, you know, at the same time, So, yeah, did Kauai

make a mistake? Did Kawai make a mistake? I mean, I don't want to say he made a mistake, like that's that's crazy to say it because you know, like at the end of the day, man, like I think, as we all know, it's like the man happiness and like and like being you know, doing what you want to do and being in a place that I was going to make you the most happy, Like that's the most important thing above all, you know, Like I love kawhis as a brother or someone that that we want

a championship together. But like I would never like be like, oh, you made wrong the wrong choice, you know what I mean, just because he made a choice that was good like for him, you know, like and I respect it, um, but do I wish that? And I look at it and heights are like yo, like if it was on our team, Like why how he would look? You know, like yeah, maybe it would look a little different. But I can't. I can't blame the man for making a

decision for himself and his family. No, I can appreciate that. Man. You watch, you watch people in this league. They think like our lives belonged to them or or or our

decision making belongs to to everyone else. And so I can appreciate your stands on that because I watched like when Kevin Durant first came to us, and like people were mad at him, Like how can you be mad at someone for deciding what they want to do with their life, Like you don't just wake up and go to the gym, Like you wake up, you live in that city, you wake up like everything that you do, Like that's a huge part of it. So I can

appreciate your stands on that. Yeah. No, it's a lot that comes with that, Like it's it's so much more like and you understand it, like you know, like thing for us so well understand it. And and I want to say one thing about like because it's one thing that I really hate. It's like this whole thing now like people are betting and stuff like it's probably like

our culture. It is like the craziest thing to me because like people would literally like like I really wish you like death because they missed whatever it was betting on. Like it's the craziest thing to me. I just want to say, like I don't like it. And it's you mean about you lost your Polly. I don't care. I don't really meet your Polly today the mall Like whatever you did, whatever you bet, I really could care less, bro,

Like I don't care, does not matter. It doesn't matter. Yeah, and the people that I love, like I don't care about nothing else. Absolutely, Man, a few more questions, I'm gonna get you out of here. I know you and Philly want to get on with your evening. I appreciate you taking the time, all right. In twenty twenty two, you were not named an All Star, but you made all NBA team, right, which to me is like kind of crazy because it's actually harder to make our NBA

yeah than it is to be an All Star. Right, What did you make of that? When you see your name come out in the our NBA team and you're like, I didn't even make All Star, You're like, what did you make of that? It was just I was confused because again, like it just for me, I don't I don't understand like the criter Like I don't understay anything. I don't want to say the criterias of like what it is to be an All Star or all the NBA MVP, like all these different things. Like I'm just

literally like lost in all of that. So, like I was confused. Obviously I felt like I was an All Star, but then it didn't. It didn't happen. Then in my hat, I'm like, all right, whatever, I'm just been cheating my season. I'm you know, I'm bawling, I'm doing whatever. And then

I get All the NBA. It was just like I was just confused, Like to be honest with you, like I don't know, I don't know how it works, you know, what I mean, like and and I just learned from me, like with everything that happened in my life, like I control the things that I can control and then the rest of it, Like, man, I could really care less, Like all I care about is just doing doing what I love, going out there and playing. Control what I can control, and I'm not going to stress over things

that I can't really control. So people pick who's on NBA and All Star and all that, and that happens,

and I just go with it. And speaking of that, there's been a lot of news lately, and I'm sure we'll probably see its soon with the new CBA coming up, but there's been a a lot of news about criterias as you just spoke on for all NBA, for All Star, but in particular for these major awards MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, most Improved Player in which you want, um and should there be a game limit and all

of these things. Where do you stand on that? Should there be a certain amount of games that you have to play in order to in order to be rewarded

with one of those major awards? Yeah? No, I mean I do think so, because because I think that, like um, it takes it takes a lot and and and most of the time, like obviously, like when I was coming up, and I think for me being just like one of the one of the players, you know, spicking up in the corner and just you know, and just and just playing defense and running and doing all that, Like it's

like it takes a lot. But at the same time, it's like, man, like you play twenty minutes a night or whatever, like you cool, you know, like, and I think that it's on people that like out there playing thirty plus every single night, like like people like you guys I go to the playoffs, go to the finals

and do it like consistently. I think that that just makes it like so much harder, like being out there doing it every day on a consistent basic like like you know what I mean, Like it just I think it just makes it like so much harder, and it takes like so much like like that's why I admire people like, you know, the Lebrons and those people that like, man, like it's it's crazy to do it consistently in that amount of time, you know what I mean, Like and

every day putting the work and not seen really games, I mean unless you're really really injured, um and and just doing it every single day. I think that's what makes it hard because I think there's a lot of people that can do it, you know, like you can do it one year, or you can do it, you know, for thirty games, forty games, you know, but can you do it for eighty two games for five, six, seven, eight seasons? You know? Like I think that's what makes

the greats who they are. And that's what you know, for me, a player like you strive for that, you know, like I want to play as many as game as I can put the world in to be the best, like for the longest that I can, and and and I feel like that's what makes it like like really special. So yeah, if you ask me, I would say I would say, yeah, it should it should matter like how many games you played, you know, to be able to win the worst no doubt a foreign player yourself. This

league has grown in tremendous ways. It's a very global game, a global league, and top three this year for the MVP racist international players. I think that says a lot about the game. I think that says a lot about the growth of you know, basketball and other countries is huge but if you had to vote, who are you voting for MVP this year? Oh yeah, if I had a voted for MVP, I mean, like, um, obviously it's

got to be. It's gotta be like you know, my cameriean brother, Like it's gotta be like you know, it's got to be and be like, um, I think that, um, you know, he's doing it, you know all like he's been doing it for years, but like just you know, this year doing it at an incredible level. Um. And and he's just he's just playing unbelievable basketball, like the team is winning. Um, he's doing on both hands of

the floor. Um. And and and I'm sure there's like a lot of all the people out there that deserve it, like you know, like the Tatums and and the your Kish and like all these people. But I think for me, like you know, I obviously I might be biased, but I say, like, it would be awesome to see someone from where I'm from like winning MVP, Like that would be crazy. It's crazy inspiration, like just to know that, like, man,

like this is really possible, like um. And not only that, not only that I'm biased, I think he also deserves it now for sure. I think I think he's deserving as well, I must say, and I know Joel listens to this stuff because he busts my ass last week because of something I said on her. So I'm gonna

throw that out there. But I must say, after he had that conversation with me at half court about why he just played the way he played, for him to not play versus Denver, especially especially the way he dropped Joker off in Philly, like he really went that Joker in Philly. He got the best of that matchup that night. I was a little disappointed that he didn't play in Denver that night. I must say that. But you just

said something very interesting, and it's a real thing. What you said, I may be biased, And what I want to say to that is you probably are biased, and you are. There's no probably you are biased. Now it's a good bias because Joel is right there. It's not like you're saying some random like Joel should be m VP. But my point with that is the people who are making these decisions are also biased. And that's one of the issues that I have with these awards, because you

think about these awards. These awards decide if you're going to be in the Hall of Fame. These wars decide how you're going to be viewed and what you put fifteen twenty years of your life into ultimately in the long run, And like you have these people voting, and I just disagree with the voting criteria, Like I mean, like who's voting, Like, like I don't quite understand that because there are biases. Just like you just said, I'm

a little biased. You can't tell me, like if I'm up for Defensive Player of the Year and it's me versus someone, do you think Kendrick Perkins wouldn't be biased towards me as defense player, like voting for me defense player even if I'm deserving, Like I one hundred percent think he'd be biased. And so like what do you make of like who's voting for these awards? And like the like the way it's determined, because another thing it does is it determines how much money you make. And

that's crazy to me. Sure, yeah, it's it's pretty crazy. And and and I think for me, that's why I like, like I said, like I've I've just disconnected myself totally from that just because I'm like, yo, like I really don't understand it, Like I don't get it, you know, and and like you said, it's like just just people voting for that and then somebody have biases, you know, Like so it's like like what do you what do you do? Like I'm saying, who do we make to

have these votes? Like I don't know, like who do we choose instead of those people to vote? Like do we have computers voting? Like what do we do? You know what I mean? Like I don't. I don't know, Like I feel like it's it's just so hard and and and I feel like, yeah, it's gonna be biased, like and and it's hard, Like it's like what do you I just don't know how to respond to it, because I'm like, who do you put in that position

to make those votes? Like like who do would you suggest like to to be to be voting for all NBA and like all this stuff, like who do you think? I think? I think I think just like other things coaches um, because like there's a way of doing that that you can't vote for your player, right like you can you can't vote for your guy. I think they have a better sense. They watch the most film, like they like, I just think it has to be a

better way in deciding these things. Now what you I know the argument that they would make as coach, well, some coaches would do this, so you don't make as much Like I don't think there's a perfect answer, yeah, but I do think at some point it has to be addressed, like like for instance, All Star Starter, maybe there's a situation of media carries this much weight, coaches carry this much weight, and then we like you know,

we equal out the two in some way. But I just think the way that it's done right now, I'm just not totally short. Man, It's hard. That's why, like I told you, bro, like I try to. Yeah, I try to, just like man, like I can't control it. Whatever happens happened, you know, no doubt, no doubt, And

it's something. Two more questions. Number one, your name came up in a ton of trade rumors, and you know, I kept watching y'all games and watching yours and checking the box scores when I didn't get a chance to watch play steady, same thing doing what you do, not being bothered by that. How do you handle all of the trade rumors because your name come up every year? Just I mean, and quite frankly, it's just because of how good you are, these are your name is gonna

keep coming up. How do you handle that, you know, when those all those trade roomors are coming up. Yeah, no,

it's tough. It was. It was tough early on, Like I think that, you know, like early on, like for me, like just seeing that and and and I think that I was I mean, I'm not a huge social media person, but by the same time, like early on, like I was video on social media all I'll go on Twitter, like I'll check what's going on, like like I'll be on Instagram, you know, I'll see the comments and and you know, like and even the worst thing you can

like possibly do, like if you're a young player coming up, like don't never like go on Twitter and put your name it like it's probably the worst thing you have your name of the search bars, Like it's horrible, Like, don't do it, you know, like and and I would do I would do that, like as a young player.

And I think for me, like just what I own this stood from like just going through it, like the trades, like you know, with them, and like all the stuff that I saw, um, all these things happening, like seeing like how someone can be loved and then the next minute, you know you're you're the worst person in the world, like um going through the pandemic, like like all these

different things. Like I just like learn like from me as a person, like to to disconnect myself with like with that, you know, Like I try to, you know, I'm not on Instagram all the time, Like I just I just make sure that I have control over like what I do, Like what do I follow? Like who do I Who do I? You know, like you know what pages where you follow? Like what do you see every day when you wake up? Like and all those

different things. And I try to just like have my mental right in a space where like I'm focusing on what matters, you know, I'm focusing on my family. I'm focusing on my team and playing basketball, the game that I love and and try my best. It's hard, obviously, Like it's hard, Like you want to be on Instagram all the time, you want to be on Twitter, you

want to check these things. But I just think that what changed for me was just being able to have that balance and knowing like what really matters and and and trying to just like disconnect, you know, whenever I need it, And it's been it's been the best thing for me because because it's helped me to just be kind of like level headed, headed and just like knowing that the ideal, Like I got to come in and do my job every single day, no matter ups and downs,

bad game, good game, I still got to show up at nine o'clock, eight o'clock in the German workout. I still got to I still have a game the next day, you know what I mean, Like I still have these things. And once I just like understood that, like I was

able to just be like, man, whatever happens, happens. And yeah, like you also fortunate that being at the center level, Like I feel like my value is the same everywhere, Like you know what I mean, at the end of the the day, I wasn't going to work in like wherever I'm at, like I'll be I'll have the same value just because of the work that I put in, And so I just try not to focus on what I

can control, no doubt. And before we get out of here, um, there's a rule in the NBA that if if if an owner of an NBA team is the lead investor on the deal we can invest, which I think is like some old rule that needs to be changed because quite frankly, like you look at the owners of NBA teams today, they are some of the most powerful people

in business. Like you look at a Michael Rubin, who research your soul, but like Michael Rubin is one of the most powerful businessmen soon to be of our generation. You know, um Joe Lacob Who's who's you know, one of the majority owners of the Warriors. He's huge in the tech space. Peter Goober is huge in the film and producing space. Who's another majority Yet if they're in the deal, I can't quite participate in it. And it's

the same for you obviously as an NBA player. But the question I wanted to ask you was this, and it's a two part question. Obviously the Ball Basketball African League, which I'm sure you're I know you're super familiar with, would you want to own a team in that league?

And say, at some point in your career, maybe later in your career, because you will probably make another few hundred million dollars here in the NBA, but at some point in your career, if they said, Pascal, we want you to go play in the bal we'll give your ownership of a team, or we'll allow you access to ownership of the team that you're going to play for,

but you'd have to go play in that league. Would that be something that you would entertain if if if you were given the opportunity at ownership in the ball league, because I think that league is going to grow crazy over yeah, I think for sure, Like I think for for me obviously, I want to be involved in that, you know, Like I think that as as an African player, um, someone that came up and and and for us to be able to just kind of like you know, be the voice and and and the you know, like the

younger generation see us and see Joel, to see me, to see all the African players, and like they want to be like Earth. And I think that we're just part of like that that that machine that's growing the game in Africa, you know what I mean. Like as obviously with the NBA and and and all those those all the other entities and and and I would I would definitely love to be an honor an owner of a team in all the bal Like that would be crazy to me, Like being from Africa and be able

to do that. And and you know, I don't know, maybe in my career if I'm like, oh maybe yeah, like you'd be like, yo, let's let's go and play over there. And then and if the game is growing the way it is over there and like which the growth that you talked about, like if it's going that way, um, like yeah, like why not. But owning a team for sure, like and you like, that's something that I would love to do and being a part of it, you know, so hopefully I think, yeah, I hope it can't happen

for you. Because what what what brought me to the idea was like a couple of years ago Andrew Bogan, who's a former teammate of mine who taught me a ton um he went back. He's part owner of the Sydney Kings in Australia. Um, and he went back and he played for the team they want a championship and like to go to like to think this man just went and played for his own team, helped him win a championship. How great that is for for their brand as a team and continue to grow. But also he

gets to participate in the upside. You know, It's like for us, like you want to you want a championship for the Toronto Raptors, you don't get to participate in the upside of that. Like I want four championships here to go to State Warriors, I don't get to participate in the upside of that. And I just think, like again, it's one of those old tired rules where it's like, no, we understand ownership at this point as players, you know,

like we're more privy to information now. Yes, maybe that was a rule in the sixty seven and eighties when we weren't privy to the information that we're we're that we're privy to now, but we understand ownership now and to be able to participate in the upside of the

asset that you're driving, I think it's long overdue. And when I was looking at the ball League because it's something that I've actually researched and been watching because at some point I would love to be involved, and I just wanted to know your take, um, you know, as

an African born player. Yeah, no, I appreciate that. And I think that like again, like I think, just how've you knowing that you know, like even for you to be be go out there due to research and and and you know, like you're not just gonna research anything, you know what I mean. I think that just shows that for us, like how the game is growing. You know, obviously the NBA is involved, so it makes it you know,

like already like a big thing. Um And just to know that, like, man like this going to be young young kids out there in Africa that could go to that league one day and then be able to find themselves in the NBA or maybe it grows to the level where it's big enough where some people would just go out there and they play, they live a good life and and and you know, like and they play the game that they play basketball, and the stay in

Africa and and do great things. You know. So I just I hope that like yeah, like it keeps growing and and and yeah, I just I hope that we can get an opportunity to be involved in that. My brother Pascal Siam NBA Champion. Although it burns me to say that, I appreciate you coming on the show man, Thank you so much, Welcome back anytime, and I appreciate it for sure now and again I want to give

your flowers. Appreciate you everything. That you do, and and obviously that being being able to do what you did, you know, and winning those championships and being a part of the organization like and another person that for me. You know, you watch and he's like man like, he's doing all these things on the floor. I want to be able to do all those things on the floor, you know, a soul um nah. That's it's great And I appreciate it for having me. Thank you, brother, you

much better than me. I appreciate you though, chat. I appreciate it, brother, Thank you, Thank you.