S2E2: The Al Horford Effect

presented by card Lets. Here are your host, Mark Demiko and Abby chin all Right, welcome into the latest podcast episode, View from the Raptors Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics. I'm Mark Amiko with my co host Abbey chin Uh

and we are so excited for this episode. Today we got to sit down with not one, not too but three members of the Boston Celtics, all to discuss one of those three members, and that man is He has been referred to as the o G. He's been referred to as Mr. Reliable, and he's been referred to as the Godfather. Most of you probably know exactly who were talking about. That is the man the myth the legend

Al Horford, but Abby, we oh we are. But he's been built up for his entire fifteen year career at this point, right, big part of this team and that's

why we wanted to bring him him to have this conversation and to start out with two guys and Rob Williams and Grant Williams, who Al Horford has made a significant impact on UM during their young careers. Abby, what stood out to you, Um during the conversation that everyone's about to hear with Alan, excuse me, with Rob and Grant about the way that Al has kind of influenced their young career so far. My biggest question for both of them is was what was your first memory of Al?

And it was so interesting to me to hear Rob say it was just coming into this building. Rob, who as you will mention, did not have the most did not necessarily get off on the right foot, I would say, in his NBA career missing a flight, say he earned the time lord nickname, and we do talk about that everyone that will come up. We will talk to Rob

about that. But the moment he stepped in this building and saw Al Horford, the way he worked, the efficiency with with he works, but what also what a true professional in this league looks like, and just the impact that that had on him from day one. I think we cannot underscore how important that has been to Rob's development and to the player that we're seeing today, and and just the leaps that he has made this season.

And also to hear Grant who wasn't here, who didn't have Al as a vet in his rookie season, but now in year three, you see the leaps that he's made, and you hear the way he talks about Al and the influence that Al has had on him. I think that it's unmistakable just how big of a presence Al has had. While he may not be the most vocal leader,

he's certainly someone that these young guys look up to. Yeah, and it's no coincidence speaking of Grant, that Grant Williams is having the best year of his career while Al Horford is there playing alongside him and pray to sing alongside him and showing him the ropes of what it means to be a professional each and every day. But we talked to these two guys and then we bring in Al Al himself to hear his his viewpoint on

leadership in the NBA and his viewpoint on his leadership

within this organization in two different stints. Now, it was really interesting to me um to hear how that developed, like how he developed his leadership skills, which, as these guys say later on, it's it's really more of what he does and not necessarily what he says, but how that's differed a little bit during this second go around with the Celtics, and that he's actually talking a little bit more and he references a specific reason why that's the case, and it actually goes back to last season

with Oklahoma City Thunder. I also was really curious about the dynamics of leadership inside an NBA locker room. I feel like something that we all talk so much about and it's especially highlighted when there is a void in leadership. So just to get Al's views and what he thinks a good leader is and what makes someone have the respect and the platform to be that inside an NBA

locker room, to me was really interesting. And to just hear about the dynamics within a team and what it takes to really be able to step up and be that guy, and the Celtics it's interesting. Um, it's funny Mark. Coming into the season, remember head coach Emyo Dooka had plans of naming and captain and then he got into and realized, you know, there are leaders in this group,

many of them. And that's something that came out in our conversation with Al is just how that works on this team and why it works and why it's so important. And I think that's that's what you're gonna learn here during the first part of our our conversation here with Rob and Grant is just how important it is to have vets on the team who set the example for the young guys. Um. So, without further Ado, let's let's stop holding it back. We're gonna let you dive in

right now. Rob Williams and Grant Williams opened up the conver station talking about Al Horford's influence on them, and then we'll transition right into the conversation with the man himself, Al Horford. I hope you'll enjoy. All Right, we got

the Williams brothers, Williams and Williams, Rob Williams, Grant Williams sitting here with us. We're gonna talk about Al Horford today. But first and foremost, I want to ask you guys just about veteran leadership. Uh impact. When you think about vets that come onto your teams and play with you, guys, what is it the stands out of guys that actually have an impact on you individually? I feel free either wanted you to jump in if you've got an answer

right off the top. Um uh, I say with Joe Johnson, I know we recently had Joe Johnson or whatever. Um. One thing I picked up from him is just, uh the fight, you know, Um, no matter we were died twenty or thirty, every time we came to the bench, it was the fight. You know. One time coach setting me out to get a breather, he looked, he was like, let me know when you when you read it, Joe justin Yeah, that like he ain't tired, you know, like get him back in. So I feel like I kept

it from him the most. Definitely from me. I feel like over the past few years, we've had a lot of great vets. We've had kimba Um this year especially al Al has been a big focal point of this team, and he's done a great job of He might not be the most talkative guy in the world, but he's very much so of do as I do. He's probably one of the most consistent guys we have in the building. UM, just in terms of his routine, in terms of how he approaches today, but also on the court. You know,

he always has your backing, is reliable. UM, one of our best switcher, is one of our best ring protectors with rob like so. UM he's one of those guys we looked to for not only advice if we need if we need him to talk, but also for his ability because he's able to come in and not only UM have our backs on the court, but he definitely has our backs off. When you talk about advice, how

often do you go and do that, Like how often do you just sit down with Al Horford and just like talk about life or get advice from him, either from on the court or off the court. I've asked him about UM times of past years, like when he was with the Hawks, when he was with other teams, to see the difference in between the teams then versus now where we can improve um as our consistency, because those were those Hawks teams, like you look back and they were one in sixty games three years in a row,

and that's something that we we envisioned ourselves doing. And also just asking him about the life outside of basketball, because as important as it is on the court to to get better and to improve, um, you can watch him what he does, but off the court, it's important to take care of your mental health, take care of your um ability to now like foster relationships, but also just to establish your mark in the league in different ways. Great,

you actually met Al right when he was with the Hawks. Yeah, my cousin to my cousin, slim stoldom are play with Al. Al's rookie year was my cousins I believe, third year in the league with Mike Withston and that cruise. So, um, that was right before Budenholzer got there. And so I remember me now like eight years old, him, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Joe so like all those guys. Yeah, all

those guys. To be able to say that technically played with Joe Johnson and Al Horford, that's kind of weird to me because that shows either how old they are or how how quickly we've grown up. It's starting to get how old you guys are, right, don't just push that off. Hey, listen, when you have two kids, you've already for that. Yeah, five years older than you are with two kids now, right, facts, But even speaking to

my kids, Um, when I first came back from missing the games, I did a great job. But just coming up to me, you know, giving me advice, um, telling me make sure I helped my girl, make sure she get the proper rist you know, because play a big part mentally. So just going off of what Grant said, I feel like he can help you as much as he can on the court off the court too, for sure. Rob, what is your first memory of Al? Because you came in as a rookie. I mean it was a little

rough in the beginning. What's here around in the summer when you were here? Before you answer, we gotta go over it right, just so everyone knows. Right, Like you missed the pressor at first, then you missed the flight in the first practice, then you probably didn't have to go on context, and then you get to Boston and like it was like you really started to figure things out and you changed a little bit. And Al Horford had to have been a part of that on some level.

Yeah he Uh, Well, kind of answering both the questions. At the same time, Al showed me the professional side of it. You know. He came in every day, the same workout, Zack, same time. You know, you had the same routine. Like granted, Al may not be the one that's yelling on the court like hey get get you know, do this, but if you just watch him, you know what I'm saying, just watch him, watch everything you do.

I just watched him, and it wasn't that I wanted to do the workout he was doing, you know, lift the waist that he was lifted. I was just watching the consistency that he had every single day still to this day, you know, just watching it. So I feel like as far as growing up in that aspect, you know, he helped me a lot just watching him. I don't even know if he knows that I was, you know, watching him, like I mean, I've told him, but I don't think he understood the severity of it, you know.

So what about that first memory though, that Abby was asking about, like remember you associated with him? Like the last as I was just watching him or he don't talk much, you know the other day like hey, or what's up with just watching him work out and the stuff he was doing every day. I was like, okay this, I started centing and he did serious. I gotta you know what I'm saying, I gotta match his intensity. So uh, like I said, I don't even know if he knew

that I was watching him like that. That's tough, you know. But he definitely helped me with the professional side of him. He comes in early, right, he like it in for sure? For sure? For sure? What and great? You talked about this a little bit, the balance that he has to How do you learn from that and what do you take from that experience? UM, I would just say we

I call our Mr Aliable, and I say that for all the court stuff, but I also said that for our mentality. So obviously we were not having a great year, you know, and we go through times when we when we you know, we argue and we drop our heads, but Al is always there telling us, you know, it can get better. You know they can get greater. You know, even when we're down thirty points and all of us sitting on the bench with our heads, you know, it

just come up. It's not fired up yelling, you know, it's just like listen, you know what we're doing wrong. You know what I'm saying. Let's move on to the next one. So even that that little advice, like we said, he don't speak much at all, but that little advice is like, Okay, this is a vet. You know what I'm saying. He'd been here millions of times. You know what I'm saying. He knows, he knows exactly what's going on. So you gotta gotta listen to him. You call him

Mr Reliable. Have you guys heard that Billy Donovan back when he was a Florida he nicknamed and the Godfather when he was like eighteen. No, I never what do you think of that nickname? That fist? Uh? Does that have that little little dark side to him? Because he was like he was so quiet that when he spoke, you listen, Yeah, that's the thing. Yeah, I think I've seen him getting mad a couple he ever gotten mad and just straight up yelled at you guys. Um. He

would tell us like, come on, get it together. But I feel like I only see him yell at the ref and it's not really a yeah. It's like a pang, yeah, like a come on now, Like it's not really let's not do that. Let's not do that tonight. What's the most angry I'm disappointed? What's the most Like Lively, you've seen him behind closed doors, like locker room situation, and Rob you would probably know more just because he's been around him a little bit more often as a teammate. Yeah.

But does he come into the locker room after, you know, something unfolded on the court, and does you let everyone know what happened? Yeah, but it's more of like just addressing it than it is an uproar, you know, so like he's not kicking trashing. Yeah, yeah, he's gonna address the situation. You know. He does a great job like speaking up, you know, instead of just uh letting whatever it's going on just keep going on in the room. He does a great job speaking up, you know what

I'm saying. So I feel like the hype is I've seen him might be uh who do we play the bulls recently? And they gave him like two b as calls I think or one it was a crazy car and I think he scored like ten points in the row, eight to ten points in the row, you know, and like I said, he wasn't yelling or like verbally you know what I'm saying, But I could see it in I could see like his eyes, his movement, you know,

I could just see it in him. So always think of Al was like the not a mediator, but a guy that like encourages you to talk to one another, like allows if it's healthy and if it's not, he's like the one to chess it all down. You know. It's like one of those like a parent kind of where it's like, if you want to get something off your chest, say it, but say it in the right way and everything like that. Let's let's move forward from it and grow rather than just being stuck in the mud,

repetitive seeing the right thing saying to let grant. I want to ask you because Rob came in as a rookie and had Al, and then there's a couple of years where Al wasn't here and you started your career.

What did you hear about Al before he got here this year and you actually had him as a teammate. Yeah, just that he was very like comes assistant, very like to the point guy like he was, like I've heard stories about Al just because of my relationship with some

of his coaches. I was coached by his um associate coaching college, Rob Lanier, who told me stories about Alan Joekim Noah versus me and Admiral, Like he always compared me to Al and compared Admiral to Joakim, like just in terms of I talk a lot more than now. So I was like, that's a tough comparison. But um, he's in terms of like basketball play, in terms of how we approached his cerebral like he's very smart and

seeing the game. So um, I feel like when I when I was coming to meet Al, Gordon kim By all those guys who have known him in the past told me that you're gonna really love his presence and love him as a player because he plays the right way of basketball. He makes everyone else around him better and that's something that we can really say. He truly does. Another nickname for Al do you guys have coined this season really the O G. How old does he seemed?

Because he's older than you, I mean, but he you know, he was my vet, you know, one of my visits my O G. And uh he missed the lab. But that's why that's why I called you know, reliable. They care for you. They're there for you. They teach you the game the right way, you know, they teach you the right things they do, So thanks for sure. How

old do you have to be to qualify as O G in the NBA? Five years? I give it longer than it because it's something something, it's something to think about it. When Rickie comes in, they're gonna be like, they've watch j T for the past seven years, and I'll tell little here he has. I've given you any

um inside, I don't know tricks of the trade. Yeah, yeah, because your games you touched on it right there. It's they're similar, like you have different body types, but the

games are really similar. Yeah. I don't know if he's told me them, but I've seen him do them, so like like what like I don't know if I should say, because they're like things you can get called fouls for, but like things that he does, like guarding the post, like just like his hands and like uses little like bumps and stuff, the way he guards the ball sometimes like you see like little things where like there's no

way that should not be called. Maybe it's because he's attending like wherever you're vet and then you try it and you don't get called for you're like, oh, people just don't see this. And so those are the things that I feel like I've learned from Alt, just like the parts of the game and also when the cut because when I was a rookie and sophomore, I was just running around the court with chicken with head cut off, like hoping that the ball comes my way versus like

seeing out like when he cuts. The timing of it, like like when a person pops he slashes, or when a person drives, that's when he feels the gap rather than just going early like like, So that's the things that I've kind of learned fromhim, just type of the space in the floor, as well as playing around your teammates and feeding off their their creation and making easy

baskets for yourself. Last, what I want to ask you, guys, we're getting toward the end of our time here, but how does Al as a leader like differ from other some some of the other vets that you played with, Because I mean, I know when he comes out to talk to us in the media, like just his presence is different. He's always calm, he's never like mad. It just seems like he always stays level that's gotta be unique to him in some way, shape or form from

some of the other guys you played with. I feel like, yeah, he doesn't. He definitely doesn't ride the highs and the loaves. Like he's very much so like he's very much so a person that like, whenever times are rough, he's he's there to make him right. Whenever times are good, he's there to keep you humble so that stays good. Like he's not ever going to be the person that like is celebrating and actually no, we end up going on

to twenty run Like he's not that type of person. So, um, that's what I'll say about Al And in terms of difference between other teammates, like we had a lot of great vests in terms of different responses, like Keimba was

a very much so like a great team building that, like he was trying to connect to everybody, was very communicative. Gordon was very much so similar to Al like do as I do as I do, Like I might not say much, but like I'm very much so like just here to make things right. And then you have the guys across the time, like Tristan was very much so like a very competitive like gonna gonna tell you when you're messing up, but also that's gonna be half fun

with you when you're having fun. So just you go down the line, you look at each player and you appreciate all things you've learned from them. Grab like you were thinking about something over there. He said it right. I like how you compare out of Gordon because they're both like do as do as our do type players. And the thing is they have the respect to do that for people to follow them, you know. So it's like we know, if we watched them, we're gonna learn something,

you know what I'm saying. So they know without them even telling as we're watching what they're doing. But like he said, all Is isn't on the uproar side of stuff. He's level headed guy. You know. Uh, you just watch him and you'll learn everything you need to learn to be. What do we need to ask Al when he comes your best story? What do we got to go after him with you? I don't know. I don't know, Honestly,

I gotta think of him. I have one. I talked to him postgame after Cleveland and the playoffs, and it was the first time I'll be Lebron James in the playoffs, and it was the most intense. I caught him in the in the hallway afterwards, and it was the most intense I've ever seen. I think I've seen the interview. I think I've seen. Yeah, he was still in Yeah, just probably like talk. Yes, we here flapping, But I was about to say I thought game. I was about to say what I want to say. That's then we

beat Brin with Kim Button. It was the first time ever being Brin. He was like against Lebrin the same way. Oh no, I was about to say, so I can understand the excitement, like, you've never beaten somebody like I remember who I've never been. I've never been hairy in my life, her jobs day, I've never beaten him. And we got our first win technically against him Sacramento my rookie years. So I mean I want the same team, though not in high school. I'd be bam. I didn't

be here. Was had a different look in his eye though, his tone and everything. Yeah, he was he was, he was. He hit YouTube after this. I wouldn't he could have went back after the play type hype. I've never seen that huge win. What are the emotions right now? It's big, it's big. A lot of people doubt you know it's out there. I thought we were finished. What made the difference tonight? Hard? We got hard, The team got hard. You know we got me bad man. You know it's

all about how you rebounding. We bounced back tonight. Take me through that final play. I saw you talking to Marcus right before the endbound good job did the screen for Avery? Every knock that down. It's a huge shot. And before that, you want to hit a big one. Guys stepped up? How much confidence does this give you? Guys going in the game four? It's big. You know we already had, we already have confidence and uh, you know it's just nice. So good a win. Congratulations, Thank you.

There you go. You learn it from the O G from the Godfather, from Mr Reliable. We're gonna have him in next right after this commercial. Presented by our proud partner, Cardless, Today's episode is presented by the Boston Celtics credit card powered by Cardless. You'll be eligible to earn a special sign up bonus when you apply and are approved at Carloss dot com Slash Celtics. Then redeem your points for cash,

back game tickets, merch in much more. Card issued by First Electronic Bank Member f d I C offers subject to credit approval. Visit Cardless dot Com Forward slash Celtics for more information. That's Cardless dot Com Forward slash Celtics. All right, welcome back everyone. Make sure you rate, subscribe, download, and share after you listen. And now it is my pleasure to welcome in a first time guest. Al Horford. Al, this this podcast did not exist the last time you

were in Boston. So I guess, first and foremost thank you for coming on to pleasure to have you here. And secondly, just what's it been like to be back

in Boston. I know you made it very clear to the public that you were happy to be back. Um, you weren't exactly happy to be gone. But now that you are back, what's it been like over these first few months back playing for this organization? Yeah, so, um, just being back here just feels good, you know, to me, it just feels right. Um, you know, I'm I'm comfortable, happy to be here. Um. You know, obviously as a as a team, you know, we've kind of had our

ups and downs this year. It's uh, it hasn't been easy finding you know, that consistency that we want from our group and finding kind of that identity of who we want to be. So um, I believe more recently we've been playing a little better. Um and I'm in you know, I want to see how these next ten games go. But I do believe that we have an opportunity here. So um Uh. You know, basketball wise, it's been up and down. But um, but just being here,

you know, I'm just happy to be here. Yeah. I want to elaborate that on a little bit, just because obviously you spent a couple of years away, you went to a couple of different organizations, and you spoke really highly of your time in Oklahoma City. But coming back here to this building with a lot of the same staff, obviously a new coaching staff, but some of the same

people behind the scenes. What what is it? What is different about being here in Boston and playing for this organization as compared to maybe some of the other places that you've gone around the league. Yeah, I mean the biggest reason is kind of what attracted me here in the first place was the you know, when I came the first time, It's just the the culture and the tradition here in Boston and what the Celtics mean to the city. That's important. And they talk about it all

the time. I mean you you probably here it on social media. Yeah yeah, I mean it's I'm honestly, I'm never reactive you know, on social But the one thing I can tell you is that even on the street, I'm out, you know, you just feel it and you know that it's it's different up here. You know, it's different. It means something. And uh, as you get older and as you start understanding, you know, you talk about legacy and things that you want to do and things like that.

You want to be in a place where it's meaningful. You know, where you can bring you know, Joe, you can bring happiness to to a certain part. And I find that that here that you know, people care and you know if you know, if you're not doing well, they'll let you know and and and that's okay, you know, and if you are doing well, you know, everybody's rallying behind you and everything. So, um, it's just a special city. It's a special place. And that's what I like about it.

I like the fact that you know, there's a real care and and and it's it's almost like a way of life out here, you know, like and not not only in basketball, and you know, you know it another sports stupid you can relate with the Celtics. That's that's read our backs favorite quote, right, Playing for the Celtics isn't about basketball, It's a way of life. The passion

is a constant. A lot has changed though since the last time you were here. I mean Mark mentioned it from the coaching stuff, But how have you changed out since you left? Yeah? So um uh you know really um, you know, really grateful you know for you know, just obviously being here again, having an opportunity, um too with this team, see what we can do, see what we can be, um and and and just kind of build and go from there. But um also just looking at

just the landscape of the NBA. How you know how much the game is changing, because even now it's continuing

to change. And um, you know, obviously this time around, for me, it's almost different the way that I'm playing now, the way that the way that we're doing things, as to spend more time at the form that's the team, Yeah, being at the four, being in different positions, that I haven't really been before and and um, and it's it's it's something that that it's a it's a nice challenge for me, and it's something that I'm really you know

taking it in stride. Um. But uh, but more than anything, I'm just really you know, just really grateful to have an opportunity because I feel like, you know, once you know, we're you know, if we continue to do things the right way. You know, guys are you know, we're training, we're preparing, We're feel like I feel like everything is we're doing everything the right way. I feel like things will turn, you know for our group we're doing focusing

on you as a leader as well. What are some of the lessons you learned from the first time you were here that you brought into this experience and that you're doing differently. Yeah, so, um, you know, uh, when I came in, you know, with the first time, it was probably more um uh, probably trying to get a feel of everything, you know, observing, trying to learn things like that when I get to come back. Now, Um, I know what to expect, I know how you know

how our fan bases. I know you know how to talk. Yeah, I know, right, but like you know, just talk to a lot of the guys in the locker room. Um, we have a lot of you know, the main guys here, so like I have that report with them already and and um, but those guys are also in a different position because you know, now they're their view different, they

have more responsibilities, different things like that. So for me, it's just having that balance of um, you know, be more vocal with them, but also not getting to the point that, uh, you know they're almost shutting me out right, Like there's that always that balance as a leader, you always you know, at least for me, like I always like to listen you know a lot more and and and try to and put my advice wherever I see

kind of fit. So but this time around, like before, you kind of have to get to know a person and you know, before you can actually talk to them and say things. I know a lot of these guys now, like if I have to say something to them, I can just go straight up talk to him, tell him how it is, move on, and you know those types of things. So U that that's I think that's been

the biggest difference. And we just had Rob and grant on on the episode to talk about your leadership style and how vocal you have been the season, and Rob confirmed that you are more vocal now than you were

maybe that first time around. I'm curious, from your perspective, how much more vocal are you and and if that's the case, why, why why now, at this time of your career back here in Boston, are you kind of speaking up a little bit more than maybe it did when you were leading purely by example, maybe with a little bit of vocal side Um during that first stint, Um, Yeah, I mean I think, uh, you know, it was a different team. Uh, you know, we had different type of pieces,

we had, um, you know, more veterans. Uh. It was just different. Now I feel like, you know, with with the group that we have and with a guy like Rob, Um, you know, he's coming up so fast, like there's so much that he can learn and um, and he's doing a great job. And obviously the coaches are you know, on him and talking with him and stuff. But I'm also there to not overwhelm him, but to kind of have his back, to kind of pick my spots to talk to him and and to some of the other

guys as well. But like Now it's easier for me, like I said, because I have kind of some history

with them and just my experience in general. You know, I'm at the point that I'm there playing with the guys were I'm feeling the game with them, We're doing things together, so we you know, there's like that sense of you know, I can relate because I know what's going on and um and I'm just being more outspoken about it than you know, in the past, I probably would have, um, you know, not not said some things and just kind of just kind of let things go. Yeah, Rob,

it's interesting to talk to him. I'm sure Abby feels the same way about spending time with you, because we all know how rocky his career got off to a rocky start. You know. He he missed the press conference, he missed the flight, missed the first practice. But he talked about when he first got here, seeing the way that you went about your day to day really impacted him. He's he didn't necessarily remember like sitting down with you

and picking your brain about it, but he more said that he kind of just sat back and observed and watched the way that you're meticulous with what you do every single day in your routine. Um, what do you try to rub off on to young guys when you're around them in terms of taking care of your body, doing what you need to do off the court to be ready to do what you need to do on the court, and those types of lessons that you've learned

throughout your career. Yeah, it's it's about being professional. I think the biggest thing. It's about, you know, learning how to be professional, um, and showing the guys that you know, we're fortunate enough to play basketball. But with that comes responsibility and comes away to doing things the right way

and UM. And the one thing I've been impressed with this year is with Rob's commitment to doing things the right way and being very professional and UM. And it's you know, the treatment, the lifting, that taking care of his body, UM, just the extra work on the court, like he has it all put together and you can see it because it's translated very well. Also, he what I've seen from him from the beginning of the season until now, it's just his ability to continue to learn

and make adjustments and show them on the fly. And then that's just very impressive because a lot of guys, you know, it may take a while, it may not click, and he has the ability. He's so smart. He just has the ability to just pick things up and really really start making progress. So that's what's really blowing my mind with Rob and from, like you said, from his rookie year. So now it's a huge difference. He's much more mature. He gets it. He's there to pick his

teammates up. He's there to have the guys back, just like he's like the perfect team. He's like a kind of teammate you want to have. He's that that you know, he's that great of a teammate. It's been fun to watch the leap that Grant has made also this season has been pretty incredible. He mentioned he met you when he was eight years old, when you were a rookie with the Hawks. Do you remember that at all? I don't.

I don't remember he remember Grant? So he yeah, I mean, while mean, we had so many people, you know, come in and stuff like that, but I do. Uh. He recalled, like he kind of laid the whole picture out for me, and then I was like, Okay, I mean maybe, but but I really yeah, but but I really didn't remember. But yeah, the impressive thing about Grant is that he, um, he really put in the time this summer and you can see it in this game. He's really put in

the time to work on himself, on his shooting. Uh, just doing what what he can do best for a group, you know, not trying to do too much, not trying to do other stuff, being solid, and his shooting you know, has improved dramatically. And it's because I really feel like he's put in the time and you know, now he's seen the benefits. Now he's playing consistently, he's getting those you know, those minutes and uh so it's been also you know, impressive to see, you know, his growth and

in such a short period of time. A few tricks of the trade just from watching wouldn't give us what they were, But how long did it take you to develop those and to figure out the like when to cut in the when to cut in a game and in a play, and when to pop what you see

out there on the court. Yeah, so um, uh, you know, I think, you know, it's weird because with basketball, like you know, there's plays that they call and there's certain places that you need to be and things like that, but there's also the times where you just kind of it somethings like kind of like feel the game, feel the game, just move, try to figure out trying to find a place and and but also I think the coaches do a good job, you know, showing us film

and and and showing us examples of you know, when we can cut from the weak side and try to get a layup, when to circle around, or when to give somebody an outlet for a shot and things like that. So, um, you know, taking notes from that and and translating into the game, and once you're in the game and you're seeing it, you're that position again, you're like, oh, you know, I know what to do. So it's it's about studying

the game as well. You have to be able to study the game and look at it and make adjustments. Both of these guys when they sat here and talked with us, they they both said, for you and your leadership style and like your influence on young guys, it's not necessarily about what you say, because you're saying more this year, but you didn't used to say a lot.

But it's more about what you do. And that kind of goes back to what Rob was talking about that first day that he saw you going through your routine.

Where did that come from? Um, Like, how did that first develop in your basketball career? Was that in high school or before that or in college? Like when did you get into that? Um, you know, not necessarily what you say, but what you do type of lifestyle and leadership. Yeah, so, UM, I think definitely was in college. Um. You know, I was you know, fortunate to have you know, Billy Donovan,

it's a head coach. And then um, uh, the the guys that I came in to Florida's it's been you know, talked about a little bit, but you know, Joe Kim, Noah, Corey, Brewer, Torre and Green. Um, those guys really challenged me. Um as far as being committed to being disciplined, doing the right things. And on top of coach Donovan, you know, being the way that he was. And I felt like that's when it started for me and um and when I got to the n B A UM, you know, I was able to see, um, you know, some some

players doing things a certain way right away. And UM, it's almost one of those things like when you're when you're a kid and your parents tell you like, hey, you know, copy the good things and you know the bad things kind of tossed to the side type thing. And like I did that, Like you know, I came to the n b A and I was like, Oh, Joe Johnson, Like, oh, that guy is working really hard, like you know, like he's doing this eating, he's taking care of himself the right way, he's lifting, he's doing

all this stuff. Maybe another guy maybe you know from an gonna do that, you know what I'm saying, like stuff like that. So like really trying to put myself in the best position to be successful. But I was really lucky to have you know, Joe Johnson has a bad Mike Baby helped me a lot on the court.

Later on, Kyle Korver came in and for me was a big influence, you know because you know at the time I when he came into the team setting, I recently just got married and he was just married as well, So like, you know, he was like somebody that I saw as a family man and how he carried himself and how he went about things. So um, so I was very lucky to have you know, really good influence

around me. Good the good leaders that probably didn't didn't talk a lot or said stuff, but just led by example, you know. And I think to your point is, like, you know, guys see the work. I see that. You know, you're not doing stuff just when the cameras are on or when the coaches are around, Like you know, there's a routine. You're doing things with a purpose and and you're trying to do the best you know to help

your team. What's the correlation. I'm just really curious about this, Like, what's what's the correlation that you've seen during your time in the league of the people who did what you did as a youngster and kind of taking all that information in like robbed it with you and really using it. Um, what's the correlation of that to success versus maybe some of the guys that you might have seen that came into the league and didn't soak all that information in

and adapted to to their lifestyles. Yeah, I mean, I think it's a big difference, honestly, I mean I think it's it's it's a difference between whether you're gonna make it or not, because, uh, you know, there's very few you know, Jason Tatums, there's very few guys that could they just have the ability that you know that they're probably gonna be here regardless. But Jason is another guy that I saw come in and you know, he was learning.

He was watching very disciplined, carried himself, taking care of his body, doing the things they needed to do. And you've been able to see the progress and their results,

you know, from a guy like him. But you know, unfortunately, there's a lot of other guys that you know, think that they make it, and they don't quite understand how to navigate and take care of themselves and do all those little things and be professionals, because at the end of the day, it's like just being you know, doing doing your job, being professional, But it takes more than just plane, you know, when when it's when the lights come on, like, there's a whole lot of things that

you have to do beforehand. So I noticed that the guys that are able to figure it out do that, and then some of the guys that don't quite make it. Years later I talked to them and it's kind of like, yeah, I wish I would have. I wish I could have. But you know, in the NBA, the window is it's very short, and if you don't you're not able to do it. You know, you have that next wave coming

coming through out. A bunch of those vets that you mentioned aren't necessarily guys I would consider quiet Joakim Noah very boiceterous and outspoken. How have you grow own as

a vocal leader? Like realizing what has that growth process been like for you? Realizing when you can't speak up when you need to speak up, because it's it's not something that necessarily comes natural to you, right, yeah, no,

it's It's true. It doesn't come natural to me. Um. Last year when I was saying okay see coach dagnell Um in exit meetings, one of the things that he said to me was like, hey, just to let you know, one of the things that I, you know, that I recommend for you is to you know, to to speak up because you you know, you're you're a veteran people you know understand that you want to win, that you want to play the right way, and you get a

lot of respect. You may not feel like you want to say things a lot of the times, but he just get gave me some advice about making sure that I was more vocal, that I spoke up, And that was last year. I was my fourteenth years. So I mean, and that the first time you ever had a coach say that to you, um, like in an exit meeting setting. No, I mean, I mean, I you know when when with with Brad with coach with with Brad was here, like we we would talk about stuff like that and and

I did it some bit. Um. I guess his point. He was telling me that I could do it so much more. You know that that was the difference because I I've had you know, Brad and I talked about it in the past, and um, and I tried to be like that. You know, there's times that you know, for me, it's like, I know, there's so much going on in the game, and a lot of the times, like you, the way that I see it is you

really have to be able to pick your spots. Like there's guys that I guess can constantly be talking and it's fine, but I feel like when you're constantly talking to somebody, it's kind of like it can be almost draining at It's like, man, you know, do your job and if I really really see something, then you know,

I'm gonna you know, call you out. And it's about how you call the person out because people may think like, oh, he doesn't say much maybe to the group, but individually I will pull guys aside and I will talk to guys. You know, there's you have to know who you you're dealing with. Like there's certain guys that you can talk to in front of a group and they can take the message be okay. Some guys don't respond that that well to that. So it's just kind of knowing that balance.

How do you describe the dynamic when it comes to the role of a leader in an NBA locker room? Because I feel like it is something that there is a hierarchy to it, and it's also a dynamic where it kind of changes and ebbs and flows and how do you find your role within that larger group and picture. So I believe that there's the more leaders that you have in your locker room, the more successful you're going

to be as a team. Um, I don't I don't believe in the in the one leader and the one person that that's everybody's gonna follow along and there has to be the example. I believe if you have multiple guys, they can go out and be professional, do what they need to do. And hold each other accountable. When you have that and you have the more you have of those, the more special I believe you can be um as a group. So you know, when I look at at an NBA locker room, that's kind of what I see.

You know, the more leaders that you have, the better that your team is going to be because you have more people that can hold each other accountable and more people are going to be professional and I'm gonna do things the right way. You said a minute ago about

knowing which guys you can kind of talk to in public and in front of the whole team versus which guys you need to kind of pull aside and talk to individually and address them in a certain way. When I hear you say that, it sounds like a coach.

What do you think about the future is coaching in Is that something that you would be interested in, because I mean literally, as you're talking, I'm like, that sounds to me like a coach and the way that he knows how to address certain people in certain ways, and that's important for coaching staff to know. Coaching is stuff. I mean, I know you guys are better around you know,

coaches and stuff. But the grind is real. Um. Uh you know, I'm I'm I'm a family man, you know, and you know, and there is a big time commingment to it, you know. Uh, it's something that I mean, I don't know, haven't really considered it. Um to be honest, Um, you know, I'd have to to wait and see. I don't you know, I want to be with my family, like you know, I mean, I've you know, it's traveling.

It's hard, especially your kids start getting older, like all this stuff, and you know, we neble to spend more time with my wife and things like that. So, um, it's not in my cards, I would say, but I understand what you're saying. Um, uh, you never know. But but yeah, that's you know, Uh, it's it's hard coaches, It's a lot that goes with it, you know, the players and you know, the expectations and the media and like all this stuff and all the travel and every

worst part multiple times every day. I know we're supposed to be wrapping up. But do you think, and there is so much talk in the buzzword of being a leader and leadership, do you think that the we, the media but also I mean outside, make too much of that conversation, um of the leadership. I mean, I mean, I guess I could understand, you know, I guess uh, I honestly don't read. I'm probably the wrong guy to

ask some of this stuff because I just don't. Um, you know, we don't get into I just don't like, I just don't. But what all I can say is the answer that I gave you. It's like, the more leaders that you have in your locker room, I feel like that, you know, the better chance and the more successful you're gonna be. And you don't have to be the talking type like to be a leader, right, Like you can you know, lead by example, and you can do your job and you can do things the right

way and do things for the team. That's being a leader, like you know, Um, there's different types of them, and and you know, as long as you care for the team and you're trying to do things the right way, that's that's all you can ask for. Before we let you go, I just want to ask you at this

stage of your career and hearing what we've told you that Rob and Grant talked about and the impact that you've made on them, the influence that you've had on them. Same thing with a lot of the guys in ok Sy have said that this season about oh Man. When Al was around last year, he changed the way I

think about things and do things. When you hear that from young guys who are starting to make and find their niche within the league, like Robin Grant, how does that make you feel that you played a role in helping them to get to where they're going and where they are well? And obviously it makes me feel good. Um, you know, I just feel like, uh, it's a part of game. Um. You know, this is the NBA is a brotherhood. It's a big, big brotherhood and um, and you know just how guys kind of paved the way

for me. You know, I hope that I'm able to help other guys in any way that I can to help them, and and they know that they have a responsibility, you know, as they continue to grow in the league, when younger guys come in and be a good example and and try to help them as well. Um, and you know it's it's, uh, it's a lot going on in the n b A. You know, you're trying to

figure things out, You're growing up as a man. Things like that so, UM, I just think that if you know, whether it's talking to them, leading by example, whatever, it is just doing your part to help you know the

next the next group of guys. I wanted to tell you that Rob Williams over the summer, I had asked him a question but also mentioned just the rave review that you had given him, and the look of pride on his face was so obvious, and it was really cool to see that clearly how much respect he had for you and how much that meant to him to hear you talk about him like that. And so I think it's um, certainly your message is being heard. Yeah,

and that's why they call you Mr Reliable. These are three nicknames that came out Mr Reliable, the O G and then the Godfather that's stuck around since Billy Donovan gave it to you. What's your reaction to those? It's funny, man, it's funny. I mean all three are really funny. UM apply applicable, I think so. I think you could say that I think all three are. How did the Godfather one come about? Because we don't do you actually have like an angry streak somewhere when se needs to be

taken care of I can. I can, no question about it. I can. I mean that this it's you know, you know, there's a lot of passion in basketball and things like a lot of the times I try to, you know, stay level headed as much as I can, but there's no question about it. But I think that with Donovan. I think when when he told me, at least when coach Donovan told me about it, was like he just, um,

you know, just talked about uh, you know. He said something like about like you know, when I would talk, like everybody would listen, you know type thing, And I think that's kind of what he was referring to. And I probably in college again, I didn't talk much, but you know, when something needed to be addressed, something you need to be said. I feel like guys knew that I had the best the team's best interest at heart.

And you feel that when you're you know, when you're out there, you know, at the end of the day, like who are the guys, Like what do you care about? And my old my goal is always to win, Like that's what I care about. Well, you said that you can feel it, well, you're out on the court. There's no question we can feel it when we talked to the other players about the impact that you've had on them.

So thanks for coming on the podcast you from the Raptors, and and thank you for being the leader, um and the influencer that you've been on on so many young guys who've come through the league, including some of the guys you're playing with this year. You're really putting them on the right track. I appreciate you, guys, Thank you. Thank you are listening to View from the Raptors Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics, presented by Cardless m HM