Paul Pierce on LeBron, Kobe, Jordan, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Boston Celtics & NBA Legacy

What if you guys were the same age? What. if you' came in cuz you came in 98, LeBron came in 03? >> If we were the same age, I don't believe. he would have had four championships. He. wouldn't have got. >> you kept him. You kept him for four. >> He wouldn't have got those two in Miami. You know, I was at an older age then. A. lot of miles and stuff and it was hard. for me to keep up with him. >> I'm looking I'll be looking at that tape. shutter and I'm like. like damn, I couldn't even move. life. All my life.

Been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want a slice, got to roll a dice. That's why. All my. life I've been grinding all my life. All. my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice. Hustle paid the price. Want a. slice. Got to roll a dice. That's why. all my life I've been grinding all my. life. [Music]. >> Hello. Welcome to another episode of. Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also the propri of Club Shay.

Stopping by for conversation on the. drink today is one of the greatest small. forwards in NBA history. He's an NBA. legend, an NBA champion, a finals MVP, 10-time all-star, four-time allNBA. selection, a member of the very. prestigious 75th anniversary team, signifying he's one of the greatest 75. players in NBA history. NBA scoring. champ, NBA three-point contest champ, self-proclaimed best scoreer in NBA. history, pure score in NBA history. Pure. Hall of Famer. His jersey is retired by.

two storyried franchises, the Boston. Celtics and the Kansas Jay-Hawks. He's a. McDonald's All-American, Mr. Basketball. in the state of California. Government. name is Paul Pierce, but you know him as. the truth. Here he is. What's up, >> Truth? Good to see you, dog. >> I'm always I I always like when I read. off people's accolades, >> I'm always I'm anxious to hear when you. hear everything that I read off. And. it's not that you deserve that, you. earned that. Yeah. >> When you hear all the things that I. read, what's going through your mind?

>> I'm like I'm like, damn, I ain't heard. it like that in a minute. Like for real. I'm like, man, I I really did left my. mark on the game. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? And and it's. come from childhood, you know, coming. from here in Englewood and and going. through every stage and. >> being one of the top from like high. school to college to making it into the. league. I mean, it's. >> I've been blessed, man. You know what. I'm saying? It's just a testament, I. think, of my hard work, my dedication to. everything and and um and it's showing,

you know, based off what you what you. read off, >> right, >> man. Let's toast that then. Oh, man. It's great to have you on, >> man. For sure. >> You did break the internet. You said. you're the best pure scoreer in NBA. history. I want because when people. think of scores, having followed the. game as long as I follow, people talk. about Kobe, people talk about Jordan, they talk about Kevin Durant, they talk. about James Harden. You said you are a. better a pure score. What is what is. your definition of a pure score? >> All right. This is this is what I'm. going to say because when I said it,

>> I didn't give enough context to it. >> Correct. >> And so like this is I I'll say it like. this. If you just took. everybody's greatest scoring strength. >> or just say their athleticism, let's. just say the athleticism, >> okay? >> And put me in that rim with them. That's how I feel. But Paul, you know, people don't look at you as being. athletic, Paul. You don't jump high, you. don't rise. That's why I feel I'm If you take the.

athleticism out of it, >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? Take the take. Jordan's athleticism out where he can't. just jump over you to score and we just. do everything on the floor, >> right? >> I feel like my skill level is. >> better than Cob, >> man. Cob is close. >> He close with no no. Look, look. You close to him when he close to you. >> because if you ever watch Cove. interviews about me, you know, he always. talk about my footwork. Yes.

>> And Cove had elite footwork, too. >> Yeah. >> And so like Cove without his athleticism. was still pretty elite because of that. Cuz his IQ and his footwork. >> Correct. >> And there's not a lot of players I can. say that about once I take their. athleticism. So if there is anybody, he's. >> he's right there. Well, Harden is not the most athletic, but Harden can put the ball in the. basket at an elite elite level. >> Yeah. But listen to this. When you look. at how you score, >> okay, >> so like say like you look at Harden, >> one of the greatest scorers, ever had a.

historic season, >> but he was all threes and layups and. free throws. >> Yeah. >> Like. >> no midi. >> Like he could shoot the midi. But like. think about this. I could come off like. today's game. >> Name me one player that can come off a. down screen and hit a jumper, right? >> They don't even run. Ain't nobody tried. to hit. >> Nobody can do that. Like maybe Kevin. Durant and Steph Curry. Yes. >> But like post game, mid-range, off the. dribble three. Yeah. Step back, off the. pick and roll. We not talking about. nothing athletic. Just getting buckets,

>> right? >> I feel like post game, mid game, elbow. three all the way out. I had no. offensive weaknesses. Like not one. >> So when you said that statement, how. many how many former or current NBA. players call say true man? What you. talking about? >> I mean, they thought I I was on on. something, but I'm like I mean, they. didn't they don't think like how I was. thinking and like how am I explaining it. now? >> I think it'll make more sense when. people watch this. You know, when you.

say, "But even that, take. >> all the top scorers. Take the best thing. they do, >> right? >> And you can take the best thing I do.". See, the thing about me, >> you can't even tell me what's the best. thing I do offensively because I think I. do all of them the same. >> Really well. >> You know what I'm saying? Like you you. could say Curry take his shooting. ability away, >> right? >> Uh uh Jordan, what his his fate away or. whatever. Like you like what do you take. away from me? >> Like I can do like what's my greatest. scoring strength? Nobody can even tell. you. >> cuz I did it all well.

>> I'mma push you to the three-point line. >> I won a three-point championship. contest. I won a three-point contest. >> That ain't nobody guard you. >> I mean, I've dominated games from the. three. >> Yeah. >> Like you know what I'm saying? So I say. it like that and it's not a knock on the. gray scores because I respect all of. them and. >> you know it was a knock on Jordan. because I respect Carmelo Kobe and all. of them but I'm like. >> I'm right there. >> Right. You did you did something that. you're the first player to win the. three-point competition for from a for. Celtic since Lagbert and you beat Steph.

Curry. That. >> I always tell people. >> that's the thing. See it's not just. winning the three-point competition. It's who you beat in order to win the. three-point competition. I say, "Hey, Steph Curry was in the content." They'd. be like, "Oh, he was a rookie." It was. still Steph Curry. It was still Steph. Curry. >> It wasn't Steph Curry. That's all I need. to know. >> Steph Curry was in the contest cuz in 10. years from now, Steph Curry and I beat. him. I don't know how old he was. I. don't know how old he was. >> You know what I'm saying? He was there.

>> He was there. That's a Hey, we ain't. talking Hey, we're not talking about 10. years. We not talking about No, we. talking about He. >> is he the greatest shooter ever? >> He's the greatest shooter ever. >> Well, I beat him. That's all I'm saying. >> Kevin Durant responded and said, "You. know what?" He said, "I really I really. didn't see any weakness in Paul's game. I understand where his confidence comes. from." You mentioned, "I ain't have no. holes. I can post you. I can hit the. midi. I can shoot the three. I can drive. the basketball. I can drive and pull up.

You I can go to the Hey, I can put the. ball on the floor and get to the rim. You find me. I'm going to the free throw. line. Going to make 80 plus% of those.". So, when you look at it, it ain't really. That's what I'm saying. Like what? Like. what can they do that I can't except. jump over somebody, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? Like. >> I got I can shoot the three. I can shoot. the pull up. I can shoot all Who's the. greatest scorer? Kevin Durant. I can do. everything he can do. >> He just probably do it at a higher. percentage.

>> Oh yeah, he going to shoot at you. >> Yeah, he going to do it. And that's the. difference when you talk about the. scores. >> The efficiency in which he does the. efficiency in which someone does. something. That's what they're looking. at now. >> That's what they're looking at. But if. we just talk about just the ability to. do that, >> put the ball in the basket. >> that way, >> right? >> Then I'm right there. But like when you. doing it at a higher percentage, it. looks different like on another level. and and that's what he does. >> In today's game, who do you when you. watching today's game, you like, "Okay, I see a little bit of my game in him.". >> Man, um uh I pro I say Shay Gilas cuz he.

played below the rim. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? He not just. blowing by people. his footwork. >> pivots and stuff and he and he just he. just gets gets to the money, >> right? >> And so I can say him, Jason Tatum. >> Okay. >> Uh I can say that about him. And. >> yeah, I definitely see Tatum more so. >> Tatum and Jimmy Butler, too. >> And the reason I see Jimmy Butler. because he get overlooked a lot, right? >> You know what I'm saying? It ain't all. flashy.

>> No. >> You know what I'm saying? But he he gets. the point A to point B and he gets and. that's how it was. And he his mental his. mental is like we got the same type of. mental type. >> And people like Flash. >> Yeah. >> That's why Jordan cuz we had never seen. a player like Jordan. I mean the tongue. hanging out the way he got the ball in. hand got it in your face. He elevating. over people. You know Connie Hawkins and. and and and Dr. J could elevate. But. Jordan it was just something about that. sweet and this from that point on you. find a guy that has that flash. Kobe. came with flash. And it's like now if a.

guy can score, man, he don't look like. George. He don't do it like Cole, >> right? >> You got to have flash with it. Now, as. great as Shay is, I don't think he gets. the appreciation because it's so it's. fundamental, >> right? >> We like things unorthodox. We don't need. We don't, >> you know, we come from the era, Shannon, to where, you know, as a culture, we. flashy. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? Like the way. we dress, the way we walk, the way we. >> You hear me before you see me. Yeah. The. way you look at my car. That's how we.

play sports. So, we gravitate towards. that. >> We do. >> You know what I'm saying? And that's why. when they start talking about the face. of the league, they gravitating toward. >> Anthony Edwards. >> because of his flash. >> Correct. >> When Jason Tatum has won the chip now, has been on top of the world and nobody. really gave him that when they won it. You know what I'm saying? So, we look at. that that that shiny. >> that's attractive that we gravitate to. And so, and that's why I never really. got a lot of the credit cuz I wasn't.

that. I was more of a nononsense player. And that's why I throw Jimmy Butler in. there. He's like that. I feel like. LeBron been the face of the league since. his second or third year. >> You know what I'm saying? We We was. calling him the king from day one. >> You know what I'm saying? I heard about. him in high school. NBA Caps was flying. to his game. I was in the Allstar game. in Philadelphia. I'll never forget this. We about to We was in the locker room. cuz we all congregate both teams, East. and West. They was like, "It's a kid. right now that can play in an All-Star. game today." And I was like, "What?". They was saying that in the NBA All-Star.

locker room while this kid was in high. school. That's when I heard about him. >> So LeBron had to be what? >> 18. They was like, he this kid can play. in this game today. >> That's that's what they were saying in. the locker room. >> Oh my goodness. This episode is brought. to you by Prize Picks. You and I make. decisions every day, but on Prize Picks, being right can get you paid. Don't miss. any of the excitement this football. season on Prize Picks, where it's good. to be right. It's officially that time. of year. You might lose hope in your.

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Leslie, Oscar De La Hoya, Willie. McInness. Uh Sher I mean Sher Miller is. not from LA. She's from a suburb, but. she's from We We going to group her in. there. You the best athlete come out of. LA? >> No, not the best athlete. He probably. meant more like basketball player, but I. wouldn't even I wouldn't give myself. best basketball player. >> Who you going to get at? >> I give it to Lisa. >> Okay. >> I give it to Lisa Lesie. I've always had. admiration for her. She from Englewood. like. >> Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? I had honor to. see her play in high school when you. know the word around town. In Englewood. small. >> Yeah.

>> So like you hear about people when you. young you like let me go check out. everybody talk about Lisa. She scored. 100 points like and. >> at the half. >> man I'm trying points at the half even. if you by yourself. >> Right. Right. She was cold man. I'm tell. I got to give flowers to Lisa. Right. >> You know I looked up to her as a kid. watching her at Morningside bringing. that we come from the same place. Right. >> And so, uh, I give I give it to her. >> Give it to her. >> I I'll probably be in the top three or. four maybe basketball players. >> But like athlete, that's kind of a. stretch cuz there's so many great.

athletes come out to see. >> cuz so big. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What's your fondest memories of growing. up in Englewood? What did What did five. sevenyear-old 10year-old 12y old Paul. Pierce, what did he want to be? What. growing up and uh and running around. Inglewood? What did you want to be? Man, I think as a as a young black kid. growing up and like so I'mma tell you. this Shan I was born in East Oakland, >> okay? >> You know, and then I moved to LA when I. was like 9 years old, >> okay? >> So like everybody dream as a kid is just.

like to be in sports or rap, you know, you know, that's just what it was in the. black community, you know, we didn't. feel like we can be. >> doctors or the Huxaboo, even though we. watch that, >> you know, we just felt like that was the. only way out the ghetto. Mh. >> And so my dream was always to be in the. NBA or or or. professional sports because all our. heroes was that. >> Yes. >> You know, unless you rap, >> you know, cuz I'm looking at other black. kids and black successful people. >> wrapped.

>> sports. >> Correct. >> You know, so my dream was always to be. uh in the NBA, man. It was like it was. it was all or nothing. >> You know what I'm saying? And I. >> and I was a pretty smart kid, you know? went to my classes. I'm not saying if I. didn't make it in hoop that I wouldn't. have been nothing but I would have found. a way to do something whether it be. sports or just succeed in life because. I'm a hustler. I'm a grinder and I'm. going to find a way. >> You going to find a way to figure it. out. You just devoted. It's not that you. couldn't have been better in and and in.

and your books but the books. >> was about let me do what I need to do to. make sure this basketball thing pans out. and if that basketball thing don't pan. out then I'll think about something. else. But you got a singular focus and I. think you have to. >> Yeah. >> Nothing else. I Well, I got a plan B. I. got a plan C. I got a plan C. D I got a. plan A. >> If A don't Hey, after a couple years if. A don't work out, I'll get to B, C, and. D. But right now, it's all eight, >> man. And then you don't realize how hard. you really work or like people say it.

Yeah. >> But they don't do what it takes. >> to actually get to the dream. >> Yeah. >> You know, like me when everybody going. out, man, I'm telling you, man. Me and. my boys, we used to when I was like in. college, we would go out to the club and. we'll leave the club and go to the beach. and run and go to the sand dunes and run. up that hill. We were so obsessed with. it. We was like, man, you know what? Ain't nobody talking about nothing. tonight. Let's go. Let's go. Let's go to. the gym. Let's go to the sand dunes. You. got to be obsessed with it.

>> My grandfather used to tell me and my. brother and I all the time we growing up. in rural South Georgia, he say, "Never. mistake habit for hard work." And it. took a while for me to understand I had. to get older. >> See, people do things over and over and. think they're working hard. >> Just cuz you go to the gym every day, that don't mean you working hard. You. doing that out of habit. >> Yeah, for sure. >> So, people mistake habit for hard work. And when they don't get the results, see, you can't be you can't complain. about the results you didn't get for the. work you didn't put in. >> Right. >> Man, coach messed over me, man. I was.

spoke I was spoke back. Hey, hey, Paul, wasn't I better than you in the eighth. grade? Paul, wasn't that better than. you? >> He sure was. Yeah, you was, dog. But you. you you. >> chose complacent. >> Exa. Exactly. >> You got complacent. >> But it's funny to hear other athletes. say it. And if you've been a. professional athlete, you understand. what it takes to get to that level. >> Yeah. >> Man, coach just like you. That. >> coach ain't put no ball in the basket. Coach ain't catch no passes. >> See, those people is excuse makers.

>> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? Like whenever. my mom was like, you know, she always. told me like, "Listen, dog, you going to. forge your own path and don't don't get. discouraged, but you got to put in the work." But. like, don't make excuses for this [ __ ]. Yeah. >> Like you you It's on you. If something. happens, it's on you. >> Correct. >> Don't stop blaming everybody else cuz. you going to spend the rest of their. life blaming everybody else for your. failures. >> Yes. >> I blame me for every time I mess up. something. >> That's the only person that. >> And then I can get over it better.

>> Yes. So it's easy. >> But you grew up in o you started your. first nine years was in Oakland. Then. you come to Inglewood. The gang culture. was heavily in both areas. How did you. not succumb to that? >> Man, that's a that's a story we don't. document enough. Like I think there. needs to be like a documentary on the. way sports and gang culture came up. especially for like inner city kids. It. kind of went hand in hand.

>> Yeah. You know, because you grow up with. guys and once you start getting older, you start forging your path, but y'all. still live in the same. We still cool. >> And so it's like you can easily get. caught up cuz I seen guys that was great. at basketball, but they were still in. the streets, >> you know, and and that comes from like I. think having like. the right people around you, the right. friends, you know, and the right. >> parents. I saw my mom struggle. I was I. come from a single parent home, okay?

And I never met my father, you know, uh, >> to this day. >> Well, I I seen pictures of us when I was. little. I don't remember. >> You don't really remember it though. >> No, like I was like three or four. >> Okay. >> But I don't have a memory of them. And. so, you know, the one thing I always. preach like don't be a follower, >> you know, cuz I think that's what that's. what, you know, the gangs is all about. just following each other, >> you know, >> or wanting to be. I've heard people say it's the only. family I know. is the only family I had.

They made me feel like I was a part of. something. And that's what family, you. know, you're supposed to feel the love. And I never felt love at home, but I. felt love from this group. >> But like, if this is love, then why are. y'all beating my ass like to get on? If. this is love, why you asking me to put. my life on the line and have dangerous. acts, >> right? >> You know, I'm getting in the car and. there's a driveby, I can go to jail, >> right? >> You know, I've been caught in one of. them cars, Shan. Man, I've been caught. one of them cars and I looked at my my. life flashed between my eyes and I never.

got in that car again. I didn't know it. was gonna happen, >> right? >> But I was just like, I can't put myself. in this situation no more. >> You know what I'm saying? Because I see. a lot of my young friends. get killed. I seen a lot of my young. friends like it's it's. >> it's crazy like as a kid you don't. really think about it cuz we so used to. it growing up in like like it's. traumatizing now. Like when you think. about it like. >> what could have been or what could have. been lost. But we we taught to be tough. when I just lost my my friend I was with. at the movies yesterday. I went to like.

three funerals in high school. That's. not that's not normal, >> right? No. Absolutely not. >> You know what I'm saying? But we looked. at it as like, man, >> deal with it, >> right? >> You know, this is what happens, you. know, like today, >> you know, you going to have to see or. see somebody and talk about it whereas. like you got to deal with it. >> But I'm like, man, just don't stay out. stay from this area. Watch, you know, watch. And then that's not normal the. mindset cuz like my mindset was like man. I just want to make it to 21. >> Yes. Wow. >> You know like damn what you want to be.

when you grow up man I want to just be. 21. >> 21. >> because you know the statistics was. >> most young black kids before the age of. 21 would be dead or in jail. >> Correct. >> And you hear that all the time growing. up. And I was just like get to 21. Paul, was there ever a situation I remember. where like when I was in college and. then I got to the league, I had guys. that I went to high school with. I knew. what they were doing, but they would. never put me in harm's way. I would be. somewhere. I was like, "Hey man, I'm. headed back downtown. Anybody want to. ride with me?" They like, "Nah, Sharp, I. got that stuff on me. I ain't going to.

cuz I ain't going to even put you in. harm's way. You get stopped, they. already know I'm dirty. Now, if they. ain't going to talk about me, they going. to talk about Sharp's homeboy in the. NFL, so forth and so on." Was it a sit? Because it used to be like that. Guys. would not let guys, bro, you got some, man, get your ass out of here. You got. stuff going on for you. Get the hell. around here. >> Yeah, that's that's what gang culture. once you started getting good in the. neighborhood. >> That's the thing about the gang culture. and sports. They started rallying around. that. So, they was just like, "Nah, you.

can't come over here today, right?". >> Or, "Nah, we got to make sure you get. home because if anybody going to make it. in a hood, we going to make sure you. make it.". >> Yes. >> You know, and that's the story don't get. talked about. You know what? We going to. go to the games. Ain't nobody going to. do nothing. They was like your your your. security, you know. >> Security way back then. >> Yeah. Security way back then. Like don't. mess with P. You know he going to make. it out, right? You know, cuz if he make. it out, we feel like we all made it. >> We do. >> And that's that that was the culture. And that's what it was. I did have that. You know, it' be times like, you know, I'm over there, they they smoking weed.

and everything like, "Man, you got to go. home, man. You know, get go home. Get. home." I'm just outside around the. corner, but this is what I live around. You know, they all standing outside, man. Go home, man. Get ready. get get. you go go go to the gym or go shoot some. hoops, >> right? >> Like, all right, get out of here. >> Bet. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Is it true that you got cut from your uh. high school basketball team as a. freshman and a sophomore? >> Sophomore? Yeah. I got demoted. Like, >> so so you tried out for bar so they put. you on JV? >> Yeah. Yeah. But then he brought me back. up. Uh he brought me back up because.

look, we was missing some players. He. brought me back up cuz we was missing. some players. I think we only had like. seven players for this tournament. Damn. >> You know what I'm saying? Cuz over. Christmas break, right? It was going. everywhere. So I was there. >> So he had no choice but to play. >> and so I started ball. I took advantage. of over opportunity. Yeah. >> You know, and that's when people got to. realize when your window is there, >> you got to seize it. That was my window, right? >> Cuz like maybe I wouldn't have gained. the confidence I gained if.

>> I didn't take advantage of my window. >> And from that point on, it just my. confidence grew. >> Yeah. >> I was the youngest on the team. And then. it was just like, man, you know what? we. going to keep him up on varsity and he. going to start the rest of the year. >> Wow. >> Like the last 16 games started. >> And from that point on, that was it. I. started gaining confidence. >> I was getting stronger and I was just. like, man, I can be good. So now I'm. like, shoot, I'm I'm I'm in the gym. Like I'm getting better. I'm start I'm. growing into my my little grown man. phase now. I'm just like, "Oo, okay.". Cuz you know when you get that.

confidence and you just see confidence. is everything is everything. When you. start seeing shots go in and you getting. better and you growing and you like oh. man I can do it. >> and then I got the people around me. saying man you can you can do it. You. like I don't know who job I took but he. ain't getting it back. >> Ain't no coming back from this. Ain't no. coming back. >> You might as well stay on Christmas. break, bro. >> Yep. Yeah. Ain't no coming back from. this. >> Backtrack. The reason why you moved to LA. Did you. burn the house down? >> I did have a situation like that, man. What you mean the situation,

>> man? I was a kid and and you know, man, this is something like a lot of people. don't know this story and thank God. social media wasn't out because I was uh. I was playing with matches. Yeah. As a. like eight-year-old just we had a little. small two-bedroom house and three boys. in it. And I was playing with I'll never. forget it either. I'm whitening up the. quilt, blowing it out like you know we. call it quilts then. We don't have a. quilt. >> Kids don't know about that. the quilt. that was handmade. So, I'm blowing it.

out, seeing how matches worked and it. lit it and it said and I looked and I. and it was so out of control in my mama. bedroom. I ran out and sat on the couch. >> You ain't tell nobody. >> say nothing. >> Didn't say nothing. >> Next thing you know, it's smoke and next. thing you know, man, we we man, I'm in. front of the house. The whole. neighborhood outside, fire trucks. >> Did you tell them what happened? Yeah, eventually after I got my ass whooped a. lot, man.

>> They beat it out. >> Yeah. You know, and that's why I'm so. proud that I made it that I was able to. reward my mom, right, >> with a house when I got to the league. and stuff. >> This is the house I burn. Mama, this for. the one I burned down, >> man. This is true story, man. I got. relatives to this day that'll tell you. this story, >> man. I'm telling you. It's like And. then, so as a kid, when I get back to. the neighborhood a year later, we moved. back in the house. So, I guess a year. later, we moved back in the house. I'm. going around the neighborhood. They like. arson. The older kids is calling me.

arsonist. I don't even know what that. is. I have no clue what an arsonist is. at the age of eight. You know what I'm. saying? So, I'm like, why are they. calling me that? You know what I'm. saying? I was like, damn. And then later. I found out, oh, you you know, you. >> you set fires. You set fires, >> man. You didn't get that Smokeoky. American PSA. >> I know. >> Don't play with badges, >> man. Things happen for a reason, you. know. >> Did you ever try Do you ever try. football? >> Yeah, I was good at football.

>> You was good at football. What position. you play? >> I was I was a quarterback and then I. played DN also. I started in football. and baseball like Damn. >> But I broke my leg. I was playing uh. with older kids. So I was like eight, nine years old playing with like 13, 14. year olds cuz I was big kid. Broke my. leg. >> and then I broke my leg again when I. turned 12. Okay. So, I broke my leg. twice before I was even even a teenager. >> Damn. >> And so, mom is like, "You're going to. stunt your growth. You can't play. football.". >> Yeah. They thought you was going to. break your growth. >> Yeah. That's that's the stories we got.

told. Don't lift weights and don't you. broke some, you can't play no more. >> But I was originally football and. baseball before I even. >> thought about basketball. >> Right. >> So, >> so high school, you you turn it out, you. go to the McDonald's All-American game. >> Yeah. Um, and you was recently named one. of the 35 greatest McDonald's. All-American players in the history of. the game. >> So, what was it like? Okay, you finish. up your senior year, you get to call.

Paul, uh, you're a McDonald's. All-American. Obviously, if you play. basketball, there's no higher honor for. a high school basketball player. You Mr. Basketball in the state of California. and you get to invite McDonald's. All-America. That was everything because. I remember my sophomore year I told. everybody I want to be in that that. game. I remember watching Jason Kid in. that game when I was I said I'm I'mma. play in that game. I'm telling one of my. best friends and he was like man shut up. you know get out of here. I said watch. I'mma play in that game. That's when my. kind started growing. And so when I got.

that invitation I was like man this is. it. This is the top of the top. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? And then I got. KG there cuz the summer before me and KG. played together. AU. He stayed at my. house. Uh, so me and KG history go way. back. >> That expla That explains it now cuz I. was wondering I said, "Well, damn, how. they I mean they didn't come out. together and then to research it." I was. like, "Okay, they was in the McDonald's. All-American game together." I didn't. know the AA story though. How many. people know that AA story? >> It's it's it's it's out there. They So,

our high our AU coach flew Kevin out to. LA this summer, our 11th grade going to. 12th grade year. He was like, "I got. this kid, Paul Pierce." Cuz then you. have to read about cats. Yeah. You. didn't know. >> Yeah. It was no internet. >> He saw a picture. He couldn't see. So he. flew him out. He actually stayed at my. place. Okay. >> For for a whole week, >> right? >> And we practice at Inglewood High School. and we drove out to Vegas and we played. in the tournament, won the tournament. And so that year, KG was in South. Carolina, was going to move. He was. getting out of South Carolina cuz he was. dealing with some issues out there.

>> So I was trying to get him to move out. to Inglewood. You can stay with me. And. so he was feeling either coming out to. Inglewood or going to Chicago, >> right? wind up going to Chicago and and. you know the rest is history. Left out. of high school and all that, but that's. when we started our relationship the. summer before. >> Okay. I'm looking at that game. KG, Vince Carter, Stefon Malbury. >> Um. you're like, "Okay, cuz Vince won the. MVP." That who won the All-Star game. MVP? >> KG won. >> KG won. Vince won the dunk contest.

>> Yeah, he he embarrassed me in that. What. you. >> tr. I know. >> And you know what? You know what Katie. said? I was so excited to be in the. McDonald's game. I participated in the. three-point boy contest, the dunk. contest. I just said, "Sign me up." I. knew I had no business being in that, but I was just like, "Sign me up.". >> You missed six dunks. >> I know. And then I seen Vince for the. first time, and I was just like, "Whoa.". >> Yeah. He going to win. >> He going to win a lot of these for years.

to come. He could have won the NBA dunk. contest as a senior in high school. >> cuz he was I mean you see old footage. and his head is at the rim in high. school. >> Man, that's what I'm saying. I'm sorry. I just was happy to be there and I. wanted to participate. >> I'm trying to help me understand this. A. kid from California, Inglewood, California. How the hell you end up in Lawrence, Kansas? Only Darthothy wanted to go back. home, >> right? >> Who Kansas? No beaches. >> Yep. Ain't a whole lot of people that.

look like you out there. >> Not at all. >> And you like, "Yeah, this where I need. to go.". >> 100%. Hey, that Listen, when you grow up in. the streets out there and you seeing. what's going on, I need to get away. >> You trying to get a far away? >> Far away from this. And I'm not coming. back. I'm not I'm going to come back. from a week to see my mama, >> right? >> You know what is crazy? I took my visit. You said LA. You know, you know, you. take your visit party. It's fun. It's fun. Cal Arizona. It's. fun. Fun. When I went to Kansas, it was.

nothing going on. >> I was like, "This is where I need to. be.". >> Focused, >> locked in. >> I I ain't got to worry about it. Because. see, if you in UCLA and USC, every. weekend you going to be home. >> They going to be like, "Hey, I want to. go to the game. I want to go back into. the neighborhood.". >> I came out there, I was like, you know. what? This is just nothing going on out. here. They got a long john silvers to. eat. I'm cool with that. >> You know, I'm coming here, >> right? >> And and that was it. Cuz I I was I was. mature. I knew what I needed, you know,

and I knew I was like, man, I'm I'm not. coming back to the wood cuz. >> it's too much. >> too much going on. >> Yeah. >> When you look at Kansas players, where. does Paul Pri rank himself? You got Will. Chamberlain, you got uh Embiid, you got. Wiggins, you got Danny Manning. I mean, you got some great Kansas Jay-Hawk. players. >> I put myself in the top five. I'm going. say Wil is the greatest player to ever. come out of Kansas. And then, you know, it's everything's up for debate. You. know, Embiid was the number one pick.

Wiggins was the number one pick, you. know, but if we just talk about your. Kansas career. >> Yeah. >> You know, you got to put like. >> Danny Manning got Manning. >> Danny probably second. >> Yeah. I remember Danny in the miracle. >> Yeah. Danny. >> Ain't no way he's supposed to They. supposed to win a national championship. >> You got to put Danny and I never went to. a final four. I was a first team. all-American and I had some good stati. stat statistics but you know it's guys. that really had great college career. Mario Chmer's in there. >> for the national championship.

most outstanding player. >> Morris twins Thomas Robinson he was. national player of the year I think. So. we had some great players come out but I. put myself in the top five because of. what I was able to accomplish from. college all the way through. You look at. at the end of the story. >> Oh wait you number two. behind will. >> Yeah, I'll probably number two. You be. number two behind and that ain't a bad. that a bad. >> that ain't bad. >> So now you come out, you have a great.

college career, >> you come out in your draft, Vince. Carter, you got Dirk Ninsky, you got. Mike Baby, Antoine Jameson, Jason. Williams, Larry Hughes. So if they were. to reddraft, say, you know what, we know. we know now and they reddraft, where you. going in the draft? >> I'll probably go number two. It'll. probably be Durk. Yeah. And then me. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I would say that uh you reddraft. then you probably go Vince. >> Yeah. >> Durk, me, Vince, then uh it's it's it's.

close from then. I mean, you could say. Mike Bby or Antoine Jameson, >> something like that. Uh yeah, that but. that'll be the top three right there. >> Do you believe you should have won. rookie of the year? Man, as much as I I I was after the. first month, I was I went a one, but. then I sprained my ankle and let me tell. you this story, Sher. I was in my my boy. was living with me my rookie year. He. came out from the wood and he was like, "Oh, I sprained my ankle." He came in.

like, "Did you see what Vince did last. night?" And I was like, "Man, I don't. care what Vince did like cuz we compete. for rookie of the year.". >> And I'm like, "Damn, you know what? He. is killing. He's showing me all these dunks." So I I. couldn't I couldn't deny what Vince was. doing his rookie year, man. He was going. crazy. I mean, he was dunking on. everybody, >> man. He got Zo, he got Rick Smith, he. got everybody. >> as a rookie, too. I mean, he just that. was his coming out party and I was just. like, I couldn't deny that. So, I I I.

deserve second because I missed cuz I. was hurt and I was if I didn't get hurt, I we it' been a closer race. >> Closer race. >> But Vince deserved that. As a rookie, what are some of the things? Because I I. I think every league has what rookies. have to go through. Some people call it. hazing or initiation. You got to bring. donuts or you got to get chicken or or. burgers for the flight. You know what. I'm saying? It's a it's a. >> a ritual. It's an initiation that, you. know, I'm like, man, I can't wait to my. I can't I was like, I will make the team.

next year just cuz I want somebody to. bring me is that I got to bring. everybody else. That that's the sole. reason. So, what as a rookie, what do. they have you doing? Man sh. you know you had to bring that care. package to the vets. and make sure to put it in the bag about. to go on the road. You know what that. care package was? You know you going to. have a little bit of everything. >> Yeah. >> You wasn't afraid like Hold on man.

Y'all put y'all putting me at risk. >> Yeah. >> Come on man. Come on now. >> risk. Hey, you you you playing at the highest. level. You put that care that care. package. Hey, put that in the luggage. when we get to the airplane. >> Damn. >> And then I got to take the package back. when we land. Whatever's left of the package. and dispose of it. >> Yeah. So, you get this, you get drafted, you going.

to the Boston Celtics. What What were. you think like, damn, >> where did you want to go? Did you work. out for the Celtics? I didn't work out for the damn. >> that's what I'm saying. I was projected. to go number two, >> okay, >> in the draft. So, the number one pick. was the Clippers at the time. >> and number two was Vancouver. Vancouver. had a need for my position, but the. Clippers did too, >> right? >> And so, I asked Elgen Bailey, "Let me. work out again cuz I wouldn't have mind. came home to the Clippers my first year, >> right?". >> Uh, who took Candy? >> They took Oliver Candy. And then number.

two was Mike Bby. Three was Ray from Lef. France. Then it was like Antoine. Jameson, Vince Carter. >> And you know the crazy part when they. picked Jason Williams, White Chocolate. >> Yeah. >> I didn't even know who that was at the. time. >> He went to sack, right? >> Yes. But I didn't even know who he was. because apparently he went to I didn't. even know what college he went to. Apparently he got suspended for. something. Didn't play, right? >> And I was just like I was sitting there. like, who is that? >> Right. you know, and then then when. Boston called me my name, I was just.

like I didn't even work out for them, >> you know. And then like a good friend of. mine, Chanty Bilups, I remember talking. to him while he was in Boston, >> right? >> And he was telling me how I like I was. like how the league is, man. You know, this is before I got drafted, >> right? >> And he was like, man, you know, training. camp was tough, dog. I got Rick Patino. He had like five or six of us on IVs. And I was like, what? Like we running. like y'all run like that in the league? He was like, "Yeah." So when he called. when he called my name Boston, that's. all that's going through. That's all we.

going through. Yeah. He going to kill. us. Oh man, he going to kill us. We. going to be on the Ivy's. So I'm going. hard this summer. Like I ain't about to. be on no Ivy. [ __ ] running these. sands. But it was just it was a shock. truthfully. I didn't know whether to. smile. I I was smiling, but I wasn't. happy. >> because you understand Boston was one of. the premier franchises in basketball. I. mean, at the time you talking about. Knicks, you talking about the Lakers, you talking about the Celtics and the. Bulls at the time because Jordan had. >> reinvigorated everybody was talking. about the Bulls. So, you go into a.

storyried a historically great. franchise, although they had been on. some lean years. >> Did you look at like, man, man, the. history, it's hard to say an NBA team. got more history than the Boston. Celtics. all those championships, all. those great those great names and those. jersey retired. You see six and 32 and. 34, I mean, excuse me, 33 and you got. double zero and you got Koozie number. retired and you know all the um the KC. and Sam Jones.

>> Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's crazy. When I. first got there, my one of the first. persons I met was Red Arback, you know, cuz he throw a charity golf tournament. before the season. So, I had a chance to. sit with him. He was like, "Paul, come. here." And I looked and I didn't think. he was talking to me. I didn't even. think he knew who I was, >> right? >> So, I had a chance to sit down with him. But then it was such a blessing, Shannon, because think about this. I'm a. kid from Los Angeles area, >> right? >> Going to the Boston Celtics. >> I'm really going to find out who my. friends are.

>> You know what I'm saying? >> Absolutely. >> You know, let me see who rocking with me. now, right? >> You know, cuz we as LA, as a black kid, we hated Boston. >> Hated Boston. >> We hated Boston. I'm a Lakers fan and. you know it was that whole magic bird. white that was a thing. >> Absolutely. >> You know what I'm saying? So it was just. like. >> let me see who the homies is now, >> man. >> But if they roll with you. >> Yeah. But like I had a homie I invited. to the game. We play the Lakers,

man. Heard he wore the whole Laker. uniform. So me in the back, you know, my. mom my mom didn't play that. >> Yeah. She was like, "Who's this?" Right? He with you. You can't be We ain't doing. that. Cuz my mama whole family going to. have my jersey off. You know, my section. he standing next to all the Sel jersey. >> with a Laker jersey on. >> Yeah. With a Lakers jersey on. He We. This is all like, come on. I know we all. from LA, but it's time to switch up. y'all. See who. >> you put that on when you go back out. there. >> Yeah. That's cool. Yeah. But like, damn.

You know, so I found out who the real. homies was fast. >> You get that first check. Obviously, all. the things that you like, I'm going to. the NBA. I'm going to be a professional. athlete. And all the things that you. wanted to be able to accomplish and you. always wanted to do, now you have that. opportunity. When you got that first. million dollars, what's going through. your mind, >> man? It took a while to get that. million. Sh. people think cuz think look, let me tell. you this. When I got drafted number 10,

my check for the year was a million, >> right? >> We had a lockout. So cut that in half. >> So then 500,000, right? Taxes. Cut that. in half. >> Yeah. >> So really all I had was about like 200. >> The age you get is 3 to 5%. >> Yep. So knock that down. I needed me a. apartment to rent, >> right? >> And. >> probably what 2500 3,000. >> about 3,000 at the time in LA too and. Boston.

>> Okay. >> So I just had like you whip. You gotta. have you gotta get around. >> whimp man when I tell you I had about. like my first year I probably had about. like 10,000 left. >> You was a Were you able to get mom. anything? >> Man, mom's I hardly gave her anything. that first I had to sign cards, you. know, and I you know and I retired and I. was like it's going to come in my but. man I I I didn't even get her a house my. first year.

>> Wow. Wow. You know, I didn't I I don't. think I got her house till like my third. year, >> right? >> So, you know, >> when you got that first big check, though, when you looked at it, you you. you uh you refine you read up and you. like, damn, >> man, this more money. I mean, >> when I was dreaming, >> I don't know if the money I don't know. if the check was this big even in my. dreams, but now this is a reality, >> right? That's when mom's got that house. Go ahead, mom. We driving around Beverly. Hills. We up in the hills, you know? So, I got her something nice. That was a It.

was just so special for me to just see. the look on her face, you know. And you. know, my mom old school, I got her a. Cadillac, right? >> You know, she wasn't the new it was the. new version of the Cadillac, though. You. know, cuz we we we always dream like, I. my mom, I want that Cadillac. That was. the dog. >> That was like, you know, in the black. neighborhood, the Cadillac was like a. Benz today. Absolutely. >> You know what I'm saying? A Cadillac was. that thing. >> Blacks damn near Cadillac cuz that's. what all blacks got. They didn't ain't. get no Mercedes Benz or BMW. They wanted. a Caddy. Caddy all. >> crown. They wanted that that uh uh that.

L dog, right? >> That coupe Deville. >> That coupe Deville, right? >> That Clette Coupe, >> man. That they want that long boy. But it was the new body style at the. time when around the late, you know, early 2000s. >> cuz we grew up looking at that long. thing with the couch seats. >> Yeah. But I got her a Cadillac and she was. happy to go, you know, she just wanted. to get her good outfits to go to church. in and her Cadillac, get her nice hat.

and just to have mom looking like that. in church was like, man, everything. >> You pulling there with a hat on and that. new the new caddy with the hat on just. to go in there with her sitting next to. her. That was everything for her. Paul, we was talking a little bit this. off off camera about guys making so much. money. >> and do through maybe it's a bad. investment, >> maybe it's a divorce, maybe it's. >> even if it's kids, you had kids in the. marriage and you're not divorced. If you. have kids outside the marriage, you can.

imagine what it costs. I mean, private. schools and and you know, all that other. stuff, insurance, no things like that. >> Yeah. and guys going belly up and now it. happens in a lot of sports but you know. football players even though they're. making great money now their money is. not guaranteed basketball players you. see a h 100red million they're going to. get $100 million minus the taxes 200. million they're going to get 200 million. minus the taxes 300 you see I think Luca. can be the first guy to make 400 million. in 28. >> having been around and seen guys like.

how does a guy lose that kind of money. man I think people don't understand Like. cuz when people see you saying like it. like like today the number is so. ridiculously high it's it's be hard to. lose that. Yeah. So like my maximum. contract my first contract was 80. million, >> right? >> So let's cut that in half. >> That's 40. >> 40. >> minus the 3 to 5% for the agent. >> agent fee. Boom. You talk about that. Then you talk about your you want to get. a house. >> Yeah. >> Now I got a big deal. I want to get a.

house now. So I spent like four or five. million on a house. >> Yes. >> State taxes on that. Now I got, you. know, the family on payroll. >> Yeah. >> Boom. So now that's about another like. half a million, which every half a. million costes you a million. >> Million. >> And so it can go faster than you think. Yeah. >> You know, and then everybody ain't. making my money, >> right? >> You know, majority of the league is. making lower than that. >> But here's the problem that they run. into. Half the league ain't making your. money, but that same half spending your. money. >> Now you want Now, Yep. Now I want to go.

stunt at the club, have nice meals. yet. >> I want to I want to go to the club. >> Get a bottle. Get that bottle service. >> 5,000 every time I go out to the club. >> Oh, man. >> Man. All right. Now, shoot. Oh, damn. I. got. >> Let me take care of this girl over here. Let me throw her 2,000 a month on rent. This my girl, >> you know, I don't want her to live with. me, but I'll make sure she got her. apartment, you know, that that. >> get her get her nice little car, get her. a little car to get around. >> That's my girl, you know. I got her a. little something. That's my girl, >> you know. I don't want her, you know.

>> So, that's. >> What about the homies? You got you. flying the homies out. You got three or. four homies. You bring them out. They. first class. They stayed at If they not. stay with you, they stayed at the hotel. You paying for everything. >> Paying for everything. >> And they got that reflective shine. So. that Hey, that's Paul Pierce, homeboy. Yeah. >> Hell yeah. That's me. >> Then you going to go on at least one. trip. >> One. >> At least one. You got about four or five. of them. >> Hey, you paying for everything. >> We're going to Where we going to stay. at? The Reds. >> Well, what P, what's your room? Oh, I.

got the file suite. >> Right. Right. I'mma get But the rich the. regular rooms is 800 a night. >> Right. Right. And you out there a week. >> your room 2500 a night. >> Right man. And then you constantly doing. that. That add up man. People don't know. if you ain't got them endorsements. I. was fortunate enough to have some. endorsements. So I used to use my. endorsement. I'm use that to. >> pay for that. Put my NBA money over. here. Right. >> You know what I'm saying? But like for. the guys who ain't making max deals, man, you look up after. five, six years, you look up and like,

man, I'm check to check. >> Yeah, that happens a lot. >> It does. And is gambling cuz you know, we we're very competitive. We. competitive everything, man. Let's shoot. Let's shoot for 5,000. Let's shoot for. 10,000. Let's play Tunk. Let's play. Beray. Let's play Guts. >> You know, the ain't nothing for free. >> The black culture is is built around. gambling. And when you got money and you. successful. >> Yeah. >> You see it everywhere with us. You know, you see it in the music videos shooting. dice. You you see the car games on the.

planes. >> Uh you know, guys want to be, you know, they want to impress their girls. High. roll, go to, you know, and I was a. victim of that. I was going gambling, you know, going. >> you did casino gambling. >> Yeah, I was going to the casinos and. stuff and doing all that. >> But you playing blackjack. >> I play blackjack. I play blackjack. >> Uh and it's easy when the money rolling. in. >> You know what I'm saying? But I I I had. a lot of examples around me, >> right, >> to say like, you know what, P, you. better slow down, right? >> Like they losing money. You you can end. up like this. You know,

>> uh my teammate, you know, Antoine Walker. was a victim, >> right, >> of of gambling. And. >> and he told a story that, you know, hey, >> the story, >> I'm bringing all my homeboys. I'm taking. five, 10 homeboys with me. I'm gambling. 5, 10, 15,000 a hand. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I ain't never did that. Nobody. My limit is like 300 ahead. That's a lot. >> But see what happens is you get around. somebody that got that kind of money and. they playing like that, you want to. impress people. >> Yeah, I seen that.

>> No, I. >> I see now that I'm watching that that I. like to watch. Like I didn't had a. chance to watch, you know, Michael. Jordan and and Charles Barkley and them. and I was like, >> yeah, see Mike See, Mike be trying to he. know he want to make he want to bet. enough to make you uncomfortable. Bro, I'm not going to lose my house fooling. with you trying to impress you. >> Uhuh. >> Nah. Hell no. >> You know, and now you know what a lot of. guys get caught up with taking the. credit lines. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? So, I don't. take the credit line. So, I bring. >> Once you got what? Once you got what I.

came with, >> Yeah. I'm good. >> I'm good. That's it. >> This is this and this entertainment. You. took this. All right. I'm I'm good. >> In Boston, you had a situation. >> You got stabbed. um neck, back, uh you. got hit over the head. Had you ever had any issues in Boston. before that incident? >> I never had no issues before that. You. know, I was in my third year.

>> Yes. >> Uh I have I have had no problems in the. streets, right, >> with nobody. I really believe that it. was an isolated incident. >> Okay. >> And you know, I think egos got involved. in it. >> Yes. Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? And. it shouldn't have happened, you know, as. a situation to where I tell the story. You know, we played pool, we ended up at. the pool game, went over to the club. You know, it happened so fast, Shannon. It was so crazy cuz we literally just.

got there. It was me, the uh Tony Bati, Derek Bati, maybe a few other guys. >> And it was just like, man, I'm I'm. young. I'm I'm. >> going to have a good time. The hunt is. there. It's going to be lit. want to go. talk to some girls or whatever. I mean, what? I'm in the league. I mean, am I. doing something wrong? >> No, I'm not doing nothing wrong. I want. to meet some girls that's attractive. I'm, >> you know, I'm young, successful. >> and, you know, and I get into a. situation and it's it's still blurry. Like I I like I don't remember.

completely because I I was like I had a. concussion from it. >> and and everything, but the the the only. thing I really remember was three girls. and one guy. >> Mhm. you know, and it was just like a. situation where I I I I wasn't. disrespectful, you know. I never want to. disrespect. >> somebody that I in a situ in a town. where I don't know. >> You don't really know what's going on. >> But my fault, where I messed up at was. we walk in as a group.

>> Yeah. >> And I tail off. >> I don't go to the section with them, >> right? >> I walk this way instead. >> Yeah. >> Like when you together, y'all supposed. to stick together. got to, >> you know, and that's that's a lesson I. heard learned. It was a hard lesson. >> Yeah. >> You know, because if something. escalated, at least if my guys were. there, they could have deescalated it. >> Correct. >> And you know, I wouldn't end up in that. situation. >> And you know, it happened. It was just. like I guess it it talk it went from. talking to some girls to argument. pursuing and then next thing you know,

I'm feeling attacked. >> So I'm just like, >> it was one guy, it was both, >> man. It looked like one guy right here. >> Yeah. >> But like after it was all said and done, it was like three or four guys and I'm a. big dude, right? >> You know what I'm saying? So you ain't. gonna just take me down, >> right? >> And so you know this the reports that. came out from the people was like, "Man, if you didn't fight for your life, you. would have been dead." They was like, "You was fighting, but they was jumping. on you and everything, but you were. still fighting back and everything." And. >> you know when three guys with three. knives.

>> Wow. >> You know what I'm saying? It wasn't just. one. It was like three. It was like. based on the puncture wounds, it was. three different knives. >> Wow. >> So they all was boom boom. >> poking you. >> And I'm just so blessed that like damn. >> They said if you didn't have that. leather coat on it would have been much. worse than what it was. You possibly. could have lost your life. >> Yeah. I had a leather a tough leather. avarax jacket. >> I wish I had a picture of it cuz it was. shredded. >> Right. >> And then when I came out of all of it, I.

just remember the end of it. You know, I'm looking at myself like I'm. like bloodied up. Boom. I I just. remember wiping the blood. I couldn't It. was like profusely bleeding profusely. >> And then it was just like, "Damn, I need. to go to the hospital, you know, cuz. this my clothes is soaked in blood." And. fortunately, I made it down the stairs. >> cuz I got pulled into like a black room. over here, didn't go down the stairs, and the hospital was literally one block. away. Like literally, I could have. walked there, but we drove there, got. in, and if man, who knows if I if the.

hospital wasn't right there, I couldn't. be sitting here talking to you today. >> And you know, that that right there. really changed my life. >> It ch did it did it change where you go? Did it change how you move? Did it. change how you talk to people? Did it. change how you uh assembled? Uh the. women, you know, like, okay, you got. somebody cuz you got somebody. I don't. want to hear this. I just broke up last. me and my man broke up last week or you. know I'm getting a divorce but we still.

together. How did it change the way Paul. Pierce interacted moving forward? >> Man, it just chang like like you said a. lot of it. It changed how I went out. because after incident I didn't go out. for a couple years. >> Yeah, I can imagine. >> It took a couple years for me to step. into a club again. >> You know, it just changed my whole. mindset because I didn't realize how. many people it affected. >> Mhm. You know, I'm sitting in the. hospital and I'm seeing stacks of. letters and I'm seeing know my mom's my. brothers.

>> Your mom worried to death cuz your mom. in the church so she's a she's a woman. of faith, >> man. Woman of faith. Pray every day. Like, and I'm just like, damn. I'm. looking at how it affected everybody. around me. And it was just like, man, I. put myself in a situation to where I. affected all these people that love me. >> and I was I can't do that again. Never. >> I can't do that again. I I'm like I'm. too valuable to the family right now.

>> You know, I done made it this far. >> not to throw it away like this on some. on some [ __ ]. >> Yep. >> You know what I'm saying? I don't have. to go to the club. >> Like, you know, I came out here to hoop, you know, and I ain't even signed my. deal yet, >> right? >> I ain't even got my big deal. What am I. doing? >> Right. you know, and I know you young, want to have fun and but I. >> but everybody truth I tell guys all the. time. >> I say there are a lot of guys that are. excited and happy. Yeah, man. That's. true. That's sharp, man. Hey, man. How.

you doing, man? I love the Broncos. I. love the Celtics. But there's another. group that feels some type of way. because of who you are. Oh, you think. you could talk to my lady? Oh, you can. man. Your lady choosing me, bro. I I I. didn't say anything. But it's that way. And so for me, that's one of the reasons. why I was very very uh uh how I moved. and I didn't really go out and I only. went out. >> one. There's one teammate when I was in. Denver. If he wasn't going, I wasn't. going. >> Right. >> And that and we always we walked in. together. We we never left separate.

When he walked in, I walked in. When I. walked out, he walked out. >> Yeah. >> And I I look and I would tell the guys, you know, a lot of time because a lot of. guys do feel this way. uh truth is that. they see somebody their football player. and they touching somebody. I said, "Bro, don't do that.". >> I said, "You got to understand a man. gonna fight really, really hard in front. of his lady cuz he not going to let you. plunk it, >> right?". >> I said, "And you don't know what he got. on him, so just let that go. Let it go.". Hey, you know, had a situation, man, I.

had man, I'm about to fight my own. teammate. >> Yeah. >> He was like, he was touching the girl. He's like, "Oh, you got some on your. back." "Oh, he with you.". >> Mhm. I said, "Oh, I brought I said, "No, no, we not going to do that.". >> Right. >> But you have to understand, did you ever. go back to that club again? >> No, never again. You know, and if there. was some advice that I can give to the. young professionals, >> uh, coming to the NBA or coming to the. NFL, whatever sport you play where you. at a high level, I would say like, you.

know, I was on a young team. I should. have got with a vet. >> Yes. >> You know, right away like, man, let you. know, I want to go out with you. I want. to kind of see how you. >> how you how you move. >> and everything because I don't know how. to move. I'm still learning how to, you. know, make the money and what to do with. it when I go out. >> What? You 21 22? >> Yeah. I'm 21 22 years old. I don't know. how to move like that yet. I'm not. knowing that like maybe I should get a. security guard or a table, have them. escort me in a certain different way. Yeah. You know, and stay with the group. like, you know what I'm saying? So for.

the young players and the young. >> hoopers or whoever you are a successful. black athlete who are in the line like. you know get with somebody who been. there done that right. >> who've been around for a minute though. not no four or five year like somebody. 10 years in the game but something like. that understand. >> that understand like you got to do it. like that and talk to them. >> you know so that's what I would say. >> from that point on did it change like. the type of woman that you dated or the. type of woman that you was like. interested in because you know sometimes. you know you like we like what we like,

but sometimes what we like get us in. trouble. >> True. That Yeah. But you can't go to the. places. where. >> they're going to be it. >> They going to be it. >> You know what I'm saying? >> I know exactly what you. >> I can't like I know I like what I like, but. if she kick it there, I probably don't. even like her, you know? But if she. >> Because ain't no first time probably. >> Yeah. Exactly. And and it's just like.

you never know, >> right? You don't. >> you you don't know. >> And that's why you need to get with the. vet cuz the vet can pull your coattail. Hey, bro. I know she look good, but hey, >> yeah, she done been around. >> She done been blah blah blah blah blah. so forth and so on. So to not put you in. harm's way cuz you know how guys are. You get with somebody, they going to let. you they ain't going to tell you at. first they going to clown you. >> Yeah. >> They got they got they got they going to. clown you. I'm just telling you how to. be real. having been a professional. athlete and see young guys come in and. see this young lady that has dated.

several guys on the team and maybe one. of the nuggets. >> I done seen that. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? But. >> I don't know cuz I I I'm not out there. like that. So I don't know until you. bring her around. And then when I see. I'm like, "Bro, bro, what what you. doing?" Nah, man. I got a good girl. >> Yeah. >> No, you don't. >> Yeah. But but if but at that point in. time, no matter what I think of her or. know what she's done, I got to respect. that man's choice cuz he chose her.

>> Yeah. >> And I the last thing I want to do is. cause friction between he and I. >> Right. >> But you can't let. outside interference ruin the locker. room. I done seen that, man. >> For sure. Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> So you got to have that talk, >> you know, like come on, man. It'll ruin. the locker room if you go that route. you know, and I don't want to have to. break the news to you later, you know, cuz I didn't seen it happen. But you the the bottom line, you just.

got to be careful who you with, where. you go, areas you in, what time you in and out. So, you know, I never stay to the end. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. I never stay to. the end no more. >> I'm never going to hear last call. >> Never. >> You're not going to be They not going to. be putting the stools on the bar. >> Yeah. All the lights come on so you can really. see everybody before if it you you too. late. If you stay too long. >> if they're doing if they're saying last. call, if they putting the stools on the.

if the lights come on, you stayed too. long, bro. >> Yep. Yep. But there's a lesson to be. learned and I'm happy that the lesson. that I learned that I'm still here, that. I can be a game. >> to the to the future and the young gen. I'm not saying not to go out and not. have fun. Enjoy it. You know what I'm. saying? Because it comes and goes. >> Yes. But be careful and be smart. >> Be smart. >> Yeah. >> Boston, we hear a lot of different. stories. I mean, uh um Mr. Russell, Bill. Russell wrote a book about what they did.

to him. He's the winningest uh uh uh. sports. I mean, 11 championships and 13. seasons and everything that he had done. He had fought for the civil rights. I. think it was a 67 summit that he was. there and all those guys and he did. that. So, and I've heard a lot of people. come from the outside and say, "Well, Red Sox fan and Boston fans, they yell. this and they yell that.". >> I don't know if I've ever talked to a. player that actually played for the. Boston team. >> What is it like playing in Boston? Did.

you see any of the racism? Did you feel. any any tension? >> I never had a chance to experience that. Okay, >> Shannon. I I think you know as fans. sometime when. >> opposite teams come in you you feel like. >> you feel a certain type of way. >> You feel a certain type of way. You know. Boston is a sports city and it's hate. amongst. >> our fans toward anybody else who ain't. Boston, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? And you might. have a guy in there liquored up and. >> you know might get outside himself and.

and say the nword or something that or. whatever. You know it's probably has. happened. It's never happened to me, >> right? you know, being that I I was a. player there, I was loved there in the. city. You know, it's times I went to the. restaurant, got a standing ovation, just. like I mean, it's a real sports town, but like I've never felt like the racism. and, you know, but you know, you go back. >> in the day, you know, a lot of the Irish. migrated to Boston and a lot of them. was, you know, racist. And so, I'm sure. there was a lot of.

>> parts of the city where it's still like. that. I just never experienced, >> right? And you didn't go to those parts. to try to figure it out if they rac. Irish pubs. Right. Right. You know what. I'm saying? To where they. >> You're not going to Charles Town. You're. not salvation. to get liquored up and call me a. >> No. >> How tough was it? You get to the. Celtics, you understand the tradition of. the Celtics. 60s they won all the time. The 70s they. won. The 80s they won. Now you get there.

and you guys are struggling. How tough. was that to deal with? Because like you. said, the Boston fans, they're used to. winning championships. They won eight in. the 60s and they didn't want what they. won in the 70s and they won what they. won in the 80s and now you're in the 90s. and the early 2000s. You guys aren't. winning championships. >> Yeah. Well, you got understand the the. support system is amazing from the. former players. >> Yes. >> Man, that kept my head up. Just Red Herb. coming in town, going to dinner with him.

like, "Keep your head up." giving me a. cigar. Bill Russell going to dinner with. him. You know what I'm saying? Hanging. out with Cedric Maxwell. You know they. >> Man be hating. That's my guy. Bran, you. be hating though. >> BR my man. >> Yeah, man. He good. He a great dude, man. >> Man, that's that's like my big brother. right there. I used to tell him. everything. And you know, just having. him around just like, man, what do I got. to do? You know, I'm talking to Bill, having dinners with him, and just like, man, you just got to stay on the path.

and everything. And, you know, they kept. my my sanity of not wanting to get. traded or go somewhere else, >> you know, just having those guys around. Jojo White. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, he lived there. He was. instrumental to me just keeping my. sanity going through all the losing. years. It's just like the family of the. Celtic culture kept everything together. And so, you know, that's what I try to. bring now with this generation. You. know, I try to be there at the games and. go to practices and and call Jason time. and time again,

see if they good or, you know, so you. know, I try to just carry on what they. was able to do for me. >> That, man, that's that's awesome. Did. you ever think in those years you got. drafted in 98 and then. >> it was a long time before you won that. championship. Did you ever think you was. going to win a ring troop, >> man? Cuz you see Kobe like, damn, Kobe. and Shaq, man, they winning all damn. And you see the Spurs with Tim Duncan. and and and and Manu and Tony Parker, they're winning, man. I'mma tell you, I.

didn't think it was going to happen, Shane. Like this 20067 season, when I. broke my foot, uh 30 games in, I believe, and we lost. 18 games in a row. >> Damn. >> I was just like, damn, we farther off. than I thought we was. We we more than. one piece away. >> Yeah. So, I was like, I didn't think it would. happen, you know. So, I'm having. meetings with ownership, uh, Danny Doc, like, you know, man, this is the year. Kevin Durant coming out. I'm telling.

you, this dude, we looking at Kevin. like, oh, y'all need to y and we got. young Perkins, we got young uh, Al. Jefferson, young Tony Allen. Them guys. was out of my range, you know, for. winning. You know, I got to wait for. them to develop. in four years I'm going. to be on my 10th year or 12th year. I'm. going to be like out of my prime or. something. >> So I didn't think it was going to happen. and but that was the that was the. crossroads. >> That was the crossroads thing. It was. like a blessings in disguise that I.

broke my foot that we lost that many. games because we was a me we was at. least middle of the road team when we. healthy. We was like hovering around. 500. But when I broke my foot and we was. able to get that draft pick that led to. Ray and Kevin, >> it was like a blessing in disguise cuz I. was ready to I was ready to go. >> Wow. >> Yep. It was. >> cuz you you was you was not good enough. to win the championship, but you wasn't. bad enough to lose the tank and get and. get and get a top three top four pick. >> I'm on losing teams and I'm still making.

the All-Star game. >> Wow. >> Like you know I'm every year losing. teams and that's hard to do. >> Yeah. on a losing team still they like. man he in he's in. >> but we losing and so I was just like man. it ain't going to happen but but that. was the crossroads of the summer to. where we they supposed to we was. >> favored to get the number one pick the. fifth pick I had a watch party for the. draft I was like oh I'm thinking like we. get Kevin Durant I can stick around cuz. this kid gonna turn the franchise around.

I could see that. >> we didn't get it I was I thought that. was it I thought I was out of Yeah. >> Then they maneuvered, got Ray. I was. like, "Oh, hold on. They just traded for. Ray. I'm I know I'm sticking around. You. ain't going to trade for an older. player, >> right? >> To not have me, >> right?". >> So, we must be in rumors. Kevin coming. Y'all, we trying to get Kevin. Oh, man. That's all I ever wanted. That's all I. ever wanted. >> You got ticket. You good now. >> Man, all I ever wanted was just a. chance, >> right? >> Just give me a chance. You know, like. when you look at the great players, like.

even look at LeBron, he needed Wade and. Bosch. Yes. I don't care how great. LeBron was, he ain't it's tough to win. by yourself. You need other. >> You can win. But winning a championship, >> win a championship, right? You could you. got to have another great player, you. know, and so. >> it was a blessing in disguise and, you. know, the rest was history. >> Is it true that you demanded to be. traded to the Mavericks? I I actually was in the club that summer. and ran into Mark Cuban and Dirt.

partying. Went to their section and I. was like telling my agent I want to go. play them because that year Oh, yes. So. that year they they was a 50- win team. Yeah. I think they was the number one. seed in the West and they lost the first. round. >> Yeah. >> So I was just like this is perfect. >> That's the year they lost to the. Warriors, wasn't it? >> Yes. So I was like I thought it was. lined up. I was like, "Ooh, they primed. They can win it. They need if they get. me, >> right?". >> Cuz they already really good.

>> Yeah. >> We can win it. So my mind was like, "Ooh, I'm all dirt need." So I'm like, I'm trying to line that up. Like, oo, if. I can get the Dallas, they already good. I can give them that extra dog they. need. But it didn't work out. And then. the Celtics did what they did, >> right? >> Is it true that you and Kobe had a bet. that who was going to get traded first? >> Yeah, we did. Damn. How you know about. that? Damn, that's crazy. We was at you. We was at UCLA playing pickup game, >> right? >> And and this was the same year. We both. garbage. We both in the lottery.

We at UCLA. We playing against each. other. Then it was like the rounds was. over. So, you know, he sit on the. sideline. I was like, "Man, we we he was. like, "Yeah, I'm trying to get out of. there." I think he was talking about. Chicago. >> Yeah. You almost got dealt in Chicago. >> I think he was talking. That's how me. was talking cuz we used to play in the. summer. He was like, "Man, I'm going to. get Yeah. He He's like, "I'm out of. here." I said, "I'm out of there, too.". And then we was like, I bet I get out of. there before you. We was like on the. sideline chopping it up like that. because we was so bad the year before. And then the crazy part about it that. next year we in a championship against.

each other. >> Ain't that crazy? >> Cuz that's what they they got pal, right? >> Yep. Yep. The summer before we both was. thought we was. >> out out of there. Yep. >> Do you believe had they not gotten pow, had you not got Ray and Ticket, you'd. have left? >> Yeah, 100%. 100%. It was it was the. marriage would have been over. It it was. just too it would have been too. frustrating. I wasn't going to be happy. It was it would have got to the point to. where I probably would have forced my. way. It it would it would have went.

boiling over. >> But when you get ticket, you get Ray. >> How are you guys able to blend it? Cuz. it normally it takes normally it takes. time. Yeah. >> For a team. You guys have never played. together. Uh uh uh maybe you played with. Ray when he was in Milwaukee. Y'all was. in the All-Star game together, but. Ticket was always in the West. I know. you had a relationship with Ticket when. he was at in the McDonald's All-American. game, but you guys have never played. together. How was Doc able to mesh you. guys? There's a lot of big personalities. now that you got to mesh together.

That's a lot. You got to break into a. locker room. >> Yeah. I'll tell you one thing, Doc is. great at that, man. What Doc first did. when they when we first did the press. conference, man, we went on a Dougbo. ride. Just us three. We went around the city and we was just. talking to Doc like how we going to make. this work, you know, cuz everybody it. was a lot of speculation that I was. going to be the a man that I was going. to be the egotistical one out of. everybody and Paul is he's going to be. selfish. He ain't going to work with. them. It was a lot of a lot of people.

saying that and I was just like all I. wanted was some other team opportunity. >> opportunity. But I I will tell you like. Kevin, he was the lead dog in all this, right? You know, to be honest, because. Kevin is the most selfless superstar. ever in history. >> Wow. >> He came in and was just like, Paul, this. is your team. >> I'm just here to help. I was just like, damn. Cuz I was thinking like, man, Kevin's the man. been the MVP. >> He just was like, P, this is your squad.

I just want to help win a championship, >> man. I ain't trying to step on no toes. Everybody dropped their egos at the. door. But the thing is, we all had. previous relationships, whether it was. me with Kevin, Kevin with Ray, Kevin. with both of us. >> And that whole summer, we talked on the. phone every day. >> Wow. >> Call Kevin. Hey, let's book Ray in. Boom. Man, let's get to Boston early, man. We going to do this. Man, we was. making we was making summer plans to win. the championship the summer before.

>> Wow. >> That's how we was talking. Say, man, we. going to win it together. And then when. we went, we going to go to Italy. That's. the conversation we had. We going to go. here. I'm telling you, we was already. seen it. >> Yeah. Y'all was already locked in like. that, >> man. We seen it. We was like, man, we. going to win this. And of course, everybody, we on the cover of every. magazine. I'm talking about people hated. that, >> right? >> Oh, man. The teams across the league. like, they ain't won nothing yet. Why. y'all crowning them? >> Right. >> But it just it was like the holy. trinity. It just came together right.

away. So, man, it was just. it was crazy. I couldn't believe when. you look back at it now, it do take time. to come together. We came right together. like day one, we got out the gate like. seven and0 like came out like didn't. have no issues. >> You know what our first issue was? The. first round of the playoffs. >> We like when we went to game seven with. the Hawks, that was our first adversity. We had no adversity throughout the whole. year. We came out just smacking teams. like out the gate. First adversity was.

in the playoffs. That's when we started. learning more. Game seven, first round, >> second round, another game seven again. versus LeBron. Yeah. >> Like, man, we like, "Oh, damn.". >> So, >> once you guys got past that, you like. we're going to win the championship. >> 100%. Once we got past that young bull, I was like, it was all downhill. But. then, but then you think that like you. get Detroit, but then you got to run. into the bumper. >> Yeah. >> That's why I be telling people it's hard. to win. >> Yes. It's hard to win a chip, Shannon. You know this.

>> Yes, for sure. The hardest thing to do. is win in professional sports and then. win consistently. >> Yeah. >> Because you can have a little success. and sometimes a little success goes to. people head, >> right? >> Because the hardest, you know, I. remember uh. we won uh the first Super Bowl. >> Mhm. >> Gary Kubak who was our offensive. coordinator, he called me off 84. He. said, "You know what? Congratulations.". He congratulated like he said, "You know. the hardest thing to do?". >> He says, "It's the repeat." Yeah. >> I said, "Why you say that, Cool?". >> He said, "Because everybody thinks. they're the reason why they want.".

>> He said, "The people that cut the grass. out there, right? >> The reason why you want is because look. who we cut that grass. >> The people that craft services that. bring the food, it's them. It's the. people that clean, it's them. Everybody. thinks they're the reason why.". >> Yes. Yes. >> And that's not it. We saw that with our. team, you know, and you seen it like. once you win it, >> people think they can do more. They. didn't do more before.

>> You know what I'm saying? >> Y. >> like you saw that, huh? I We saw that, too, cuz people wanted more of a roll. now. >> Yes. >> They went from like, "Nah, I want to No, I want to, you know, I'm I'm making the. fries. I want to make the burgers now.". >> Like, no. >> No, I don't want to make no fries. I. want to be cashier. I don't need to be. managing the degree popping on me. >> Right. >> I want to be and who was that the. cashier now? They want to be a manager. >> Right. Right. Now you like come on man. >> Absolutely. >> This is why it worked. >> This is why the this, you know, this is.

why this system worked. You was doing. that. >> The super team you guys were people. don't want to say it, but you guys were. a super team cuz Ray was a a perennial. allstar for sure. Ticket was a perennial. all-star and an MVP. You were a. perennial allstar. >> I would I would consider that a super. team. >> Did you consider it a super team at the. time? >> The way we was. we was flying in these cities in our.

hotels. It was packed outside. Felt like. it. >> That's when I knew we were super. >> Hey, look. That's what I knew. I didn't. know at first, but when we landed in. certain cities and that crowd be out. there in front of that hotel. Yeah, we. was super. >> But you know what? And and what what. irks me is that I'm old enough to. remember is that seems like fans are. okay if a team put a super team. together. >> They've always been super teams. What. the hell you think the 80 Lakers were?

>> What do you think the 80 CS were? >> They were super teams. They had B I. mean, think about it. Bird is a 50th. anniversary team. So is Kevin Kevin. McCale and so is Robert Perry. They had. Dennis Johnson. >> Y. >> they had Tiny Archer Ball. >> Five Hall of Famers. >> They had uh uh uh Bill Walton. >> Look at Look at the Lakers. Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Wilts. >> Yeah. >> Bob McAdoo. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if y'all noticed anything. All those guys in the Hall of Fame. So, they were a super team. They've always.

been super teams. Go back and look at. the 60 Celtics. They had 11 Hall of. Famers of 13 guys. Look at the Lakers. So, they've always been that. It's just. that guys now have better relationships. They grew up like you and Ke. They play. AA ball together. They're comfortable. playing. Well, Bird would have never. wanted to play with Magic. Well, Bird. didn't have a relationship since he was. 9 10 years old with Magic. >> Yeah. >> So, the only time they saw each other. maybe was the McDonald's All-American or. once they got to the NBA.

>> Yeah. But I think the problem what. people have with the super teams today. or or whenever you know Kevin and LeBron. is how they came together, >> right? you know, like ours was. manufactured. It wasn't like, "Hey, Kev, come play with me or Ray.". >> You know, I it was Danny maneuvering the. trades and hopefully things had. everybody ain't got Danny a. >> They had to have the right pieces and. all of that. And so I think people kind. of frown upon like, you know, Braun. going there and Durant going, you know,

where he went. But, you know, you got to. have other great players to win. >> You got to. >> You got to. And I mean, >> and just think about it. The Lakers won. the NBA title and got the number one. pick in the draft. >> So just imagine if y'all didn't won the. title and you get the next year y'all. get the number one pick in the draft. >> They won the They won the NBA title and. got James Worthy. How is that fair? >> Yeah. I don't know how they was. maneuvering back then. Jerry Bust and. Red Arback. I don't know how they was. maneuvering. They was they was running.

the league. Huh? Cuz you know back then. you could like declare for the draft and. then and go back. Larry Bird declared. for the draft and went back. >> Yeah. >> So that's how the Celtics kept it. The. Celtics kept his rights. >> Yeah. Right. >> So just think about it. You're like, "But nah, I'm going back to school and. they still got your rights, >> right?". >> So it was it and back then, you know, they had territorial rights. So you come. out, you going to a city that was close. by you. There's a lot of things that. that if they were to do that now,

>> people lose their mind. >> Yeah, there there was some things that. there was some chess going on back then. for sure, you know, and that's why the. league grew to what it grew into. >> You said something very interesting. You. said. >> it takes. more than one great player to win a. championship. You see LeBron leave. Cleveland. >> and then go to Miami, team up with D. Wade, team up with Bos. But it's still. it took a bad making shots. It took a. Mike Miller making shots. It took a real.

making shots. Can you explain to people. that that that. watch the game of basketball, love the. game of basketball, why is it why and how it's so difficult. to win a championship? because you play. I mean all the 82 games and you know a. Tuesday night game man I don't feel like. it but somehow you got to summon it up. to give it everything that you got. >> How why is it so difficult to win an NBA. title? >> Because you have to be good and lucky.

Like there's going to be an element of. luck involved in every championship run. and year. And what I mean by that is. health. >> is a thing. Yep. Because if you think. about it, like Toronto is not beating. Golden State if KD. >> is 100% healthy. >> Absolutely not. >> Right. >> No. >> And there's just certain things that. happen along the route that it's just. like like if Kawhai misses that shot. that bounces off the like.

>> Yeah. Just like a luck is a major. factor, >> right? >> And and health like if you're one of the. league I always say this like Paul who's. going to win the championship. So every. year you got about four or five teams. that can win it, >> could realistically win it. >> So I say, "All right, whatever team is. the healthiest at the end will win." So. like look at OKC's run. They went seven games with Denver. >> Mhm. >> Uh. the kid strains his hamstring.

>> Uh what's his name? Gordon. Gordon. >> Gordon. Gordon. >> I'm thinking like, man, they pushed him. to seven. If he's healthy, >> it's going to be tough. And look at. Indiana. >> Tyresese Hallebertton. >> How lucky was he? Them shots boom going. like there's a element in all of this. >> I think he hit like three game winners. >> Three game winners that win. >> and then they go seven. They go seven. Indiana. But he tears his Achilles early. in the game. So who you're right? Who.

knows. >> who like does OKC beat a healthy Boston. team? >> Mhm. >> Right. You know who knows? So, I mean, it is what it is and it's part of the. game. So, I always say that luck is an. element. I feel like in 2010, if Perkins. don't tear his ACL, we got somebody that. we can put on Cassaul to where cuz. Gassaul went crazy on us in game seven. >> Yes. >> And so, I feel like, man, man, maybe. they got lucky, right? >> You know, so it's it's always something, you know. So, I I feel like those are.

the two big reasons you win or you. don't. being around the game, following the. game, you still study the game. Has. there been a player ever been as. criticized as LeBron James? >> Never. >> Like the pressure that was like I told. you earlier in this conversation. >> cuz you said when you was in the locker. room, you was in the All-Star game in. Philly and they said there's a. 17-year-old kid that's in high school. that can play in this game right now. That's the hype he was getting. And. under these conditions with the social.

media and to be able to live up to it, like when you look at all the great. athletes all through time and you know, people will say, "I don't like LeBron.". That's not true. I I have much respect. for LeBron. Like LeBron, >> y'all had battles. >> Like LeBron is the reason I am who I am, >> right? >> You know, like I I became a better. player playing against him. And and what. I will say, there's nobody in the. history of the game.

that's. been as hype that's lived up to it and. surpassed it and had to carry so much. weight on his shoulders politically, athletically, and then be under the microscope to h be. a household citizen. Yes. >> Like he has no blemishes. >> Yes. He got no margin for error. >> Like And he has no margin. Think about. all our great athletes. Ali had his, >> you know, Russell went through his magic. went through Jordan had his thing with.

the gambling. Like every Floyd. Mayweather had his issues go with the. jail. Tyson, all the great great greats. at the top went through something. >> LeBron is 20 something years in and I. don't. >> No blemish. Yeah, >> that's incredible to me when cuz I had. to really sit back at it like damn you. know Cove dealt with his thing in. Colorado got past that. >> like he ain't what he deal with man he. been model citizen like even if it's.

some speculated rumors it ain't. naturally whatever whatever he deal with. behind whatever who who cares. >> but to go through your career how he's. went through it is incredible Man, >> I tell people all the time, I say, "No. matter what you thought he would be, >> he superseded it.". >> He became that and more. >> Ain't nobody you thought you was like, "Yeah, he good. He really good." But you. ain't thought this man was going to be. no four-time league MVP, no four times. finals MVP, would play this many years,

be the all because people thought. Kareem's record was going to be. untouchable because Bigs because you. know big after Kareem got, hey, they. went Kareem get the rebound, pass it. out, Magic hold that thing up. All. right, get on down there. go get a camp. and throw it to him. He's a wing guy. Guys ain't supposed to play that long, play that well, Pete. True. That ain't. supposed to happen. I don't care what. anybody say. You not supposed to play 23. year 22 years and play at the level the. man was an allNBA selection. The man was.

sixth in MVP voting in year 22 and he's. still regarded as a top 10 player. I'm. just trying to think like if I was given. the nickname Truth my rookie year and I. made one Allstar game, I'll be getting. killed. >> Like he had the nickname King from day. one. >> From day one. >> And lived up to it. >> Yes. >> You know, think about nobody got their. nickname. Only one that got their. nickname early was Magic.

>> Yes. >> That high school and lived up to it. >> Yes. Like like who had a nickname as a. rookie coming in. >> and lived up to it? Like we all got our. nicknames. Like Allan Iverson, the. answer got his when he became the. answer. >> And the ticket got his when he got that. big contract, >> right? He got a big contract. Like the. nicknames didn't come until you really. did something, >> right? >> You know, he got his before he actually. did something and lived up to it. So. that's crazy right there. those battles. that you had with LeBron, you say it.

helped shape who you became and you knew. that you had to go through Cleveland. when he was on Cleveland in order to get. to where you wanted to go, the. destination you had to go through. You. had to go through the king. >> Well, yeah. I mean, I'm not a top 75. player today if I don't have battles. with him and having those type of game. sevens, right? >> And and and and playoff moments against. him. I'm I'm not a Hall of Famer if you. know I don't. do those things against him and Kobe.

like so that's why I say like you know. me being able to put on that jacket he. was a big part of that. >> right. >> you know you got to you got to. >> go through some real battles with some. real players like some to really get. that kind of credibility. >> you know yeah I was a a allstar player. but you got to have shining moments. versus the best. >> you do. >> you know versus the best and when you do. that then you get verified. >> Yeah. >> And so I needed him and I think he. needed me too. >> for sure. >> Like cuz when I look at it like we was.

putting him out the playoffs and that. critical game six in uh. >> in Boston that he had if he loses that. game that changes. >> Oh yeah. >> He's not thought of he's not thought of. in the light that he's thought of now. >> Absolutely. after losing the weight, losing in the fashion that they lost the. previous year to Dallas and the comeback. and the lose in six game. >> and yeah, but it was that game that now. it re it rein like. >> okay.

>> now we see why people call him that. Now. we see why 45 and 15. Nobody expected. that. >> Yeah. But like that was a game where he. went into a hostile environment. We win. that game. We go back to the finals. >> Yes. So he went through there. He had to. have the mindset where people was like, "He's not he doesn't have the killer. instinct. He's not clutch." It was all. these things being said about him. He. erased all that in that game. And then. in game seven when they beat us in in. Miami. >> cuz he had like 30 Well, he had like 30. 40 play that game too. So like when you.

start having games like that, it builds. that. >> Yeah. >> builds that in you now. So like when I. start hitting gamewinners, I feel like I. hit them all the time. You know what I'm. saying? They give Pete, "Hey, let Hey, let's run this pin down. Let's run this. flare to P. Let P come up off this. thing.". >> So now that Ourm, I felt like it grew. Yeah. >> Going going through Boston and having. that type of game. Wow. >> You get to your first finals, unfortunately, you got to play your. hometown team. >> You got a team that you grew up. >> thinking about. You saw Magic win all.

those titles. You saw Cap, Kim, and. Worth and all those. You grew up, you. understand the tradition of the Los. Angeles Lakers, but you also understand. the rivalry that is the Los Angeles. Lakers and the Boston Celtics. So now. >> like damn, >> I wouldn't have it any other way. Boston. versus the Lakers, but they got a mofo. over there that wear that number. He was. he 24 at the time. I think he's 24. >> 24. Like man, why could I get somebody. else that's a little easier to get me.

first? And Shannon, you know this like. to win is stressful. >> It is. >> It's like cuz like people don't take. into account I'm not. >> I'm not talking to family members. I'm. not I'm like I'm. >> you locked in. >> I'm so locked in that it's putting. stress on my my wife and kids cuz I. don't want to sleep in the same room now. cuz I want to be over here and now I'm I. lose a game now. I'm not talking to. nobody. Hey, it's so it's so stressful.

and it puts a strain on the people. around you. >> And that's the part that don't get. talked about enough. >> Like it's more than a game. >> It is. >> And you got that seven times. See, we in. the Super Bowl was one game. >> Yeah. >> So my family's coming, the kids are. coming. I go see them for like a 30. minutes that Thursday when they arrive. After that, >> my mom, everybody said, "Y'all not going. to see your dad until after the game. Ain't nobody going to call me until. after the game cuz I'm focused. I don't. need Hey, go to SeaWorld, go to.

Disneyland, go wherever y'all want to. go. Hey, it's on me, but don't call me. unless it's an absolute emergency. Somebody going to the hospital. I don't. hear nothing. >> Just the rise of the rise and fall of. the emotions. And I'm like, damn. All. right, we beat LeBron. All right, cool. >> Now we got Cove, King Cole, Mamba. Like, man, it's like you can't sleep some. night, >> right? You got to figure out like damn, you. know, you up watching tape, you you then. you in the hotel thing, this party I'm.

talking you in the hotel, they might. people yelling outside the hotel. Yeah. Like. >> pull the fire alarm. You can't get no. sleep at night. >> It's all kind of things that can. distract you, dude. It's it's like. that's like but I wouldn't have wanted. it no other way, you know, for me as a. kid growing up in Englewood to play the. Lakers, a team that I grew up a fan of. and then now I'm a part of this history. of Boston and LA. >> Like I couldn't have asked it to be any. other way. It was almost story book,

>> right? >> Like damn, I'm really playing the Lakers. in the finals. Like I'm a part be part. of this. >> forever. >> forever. Let me let me ask you this. because I've heard and not just in in in. in in in basketball, but I've heard this. in football, too. I've heard guys said. that when they won a championship is not. what they thought it would be. >> Like, is this it? When you won the championship, was it. everything that you thought it would be? >> Man, Shannon, it was everything and.

more. I built my whole life around this. Like it's just like I don't know who say. stuff like that, but like when I. dedicate my life to this. >> Yes. >> And for just this one moment, even if it. was only for like that night or. whatever, I can say this for the rest of. my life. >> It was everything and more. >> I still feel it. Yeah. >> When I go to Boston, it's cheers. >> When I look up and I see that banner, it's not going nowhere. >> It's over. It's never it's everything. and I'm when I I when I go to Paris the.

mill is on us. Yeah. >> Like it's everything and more than I. thought it was going to be cuz I didn't. know. I mean the feeling is there but. when you it's getting it's constantly. like you still feel it to like it's been. >> 17 years since I won and it's still. every time I'm in the city it's still. like it still feel like we won it. yesterday. >> It does. You know it does. >> because to be a part of it Denver I was. a part of the first one the winter. championship in Denver went back to back.

I went to Baltimore was the first to win. there. >> you when you put and that's why I don't. know how you feel cuz I and I always I. like to ask athletes they like man when. you lost I said man it broke me I said. because I knew how I said. >> things hurt. when you put so much into it. >> when you put so much of your time your. energy and effort into something and it. doesn't work out. It don't just have to. be sports. It can be a relationship. It. can be a business. The more you put.

something, the more you put into. something, the more it hurt when it. doesn't work, >> right, >> man. Look here. I still I lost to. Jacksonville in 96. I still ain't got. over that. It been 30 years. >> Yeah. I ain't got over 2010. Game seven. Damn, we up in the fourth quarter. Like, it's still. >> because you know what you put into it. You know how many times you ran those. dunes. You know how many times that you. denied certain things just so you could. be the best truth you could possibly be? >> And when it doesn't work,

>> man, it's equivalent to a man being. married 20 years and divorcing. >> You like, damn, I invested all of this. time and energy and it didn't work out. That feeling is not a good feeling. >> It's not. >> And it sticks. >> cuz you feel like you're a failure cuz. what did I what what did I do? What. could because now guess what I got to. do? I got to play replay it over and. over, >> over and over. >> What could I have done differently? What. should I have done differently? Man, if. I have trained, man, if I have trained a. little harder, if I have lift lifted a.

little bit more weight, maybe if I. didn't go out that night, maybe if I. have studied a little I mean, all that. >> is the same thing. >> Same thing. It's crazy. It's crazy. I'll. never let it go. You know, to this day, I never watched that game. That game. seven we lost. >> I haven't I haven't watched that game. that division round playoff. No, I don't. need to see it. >> I don't need to see that. >> I know what happened. >> Right. Right. People always say you No, I ain't watching that. I ain't watching. that. I know what happened. Right. Like. you said, >> but in that game, man, hold on. I'm just.

trying to figure out how you get wheeled. off in a wheelchair, P. >> All right. Look, so the diagnosis is a. strain maniscus. That was the diagnosis. the next day. >> Have you ever strained a meniscus? >> I have. >> You know, you can still play on that. Yeah. >> But it hurts. It hurt. It still hurt, >> you know. And I don't know. And then. your knee is kind of loose. It's It's. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. You don't have real. stability. I mean, maybe y'all can play. on it. It's hard to play on that if you. if you a football play all that plastic.

cut that we got to do. >> And so when it first happened, it was. like a sharp pain. >> Yeah. >> So it was going down my leg and I was. just like, I ain't never felt no sharp. pain in my knee. >> Right. >> And so that's why I reacted the way I. reacted, but I didn't know the severity. of it. Right. I just felt the sharp. pain, right? >> And I knew it was something. So, like. doctor's like, "Oh, hold on. Get away. from him." I'm, you know, I mean, like, damn. Pick them up. Pick them up. Get the. wheelchair. I ain't asked for no. wheelchair.

>> I said, "Hey, hold on. Get the. wheelchair." You know, they just brought. it out. It just And then they had. cameras all on everything, all in the. hallway and everything. So, I was just. like, man, when I got back to the back, I was like, "All right, hold on, man. Let me let me stand up. Let me see how. to put weight on." I hadn't put weight. on it. Think about it. cuz they carried. me. >> Yeah. >> And I sat down. >> Yeah. >> So, let me see where it's at. >> So, I I stood up. I was like, "All. right, >> it ain't bad. It ain't that bad. I'm. doing this and it's kind of loose, >> right? >> But it ain't it ain't.

>> I'm weight bearing." And you know, anything that's weight bearing, you. good. >> You good? Yeah. >> You know, cuz you know how sprain ankle. feel, it's hard to put the weight on. Yeah. >> And any other injury that where it's in. your your legs, it's hard to put the. weight on. So, once I put the weight on. it, I was like, "It ain't as bad. Let me. give me a knee brace. It just feel like. loose like it's going to tear any. second. Right. Right. >> Let me just stabilize it. >> and and and let me see how I feel. Right. >> And it's the finals, >> right? >> I ain't never been to the finals. And. it's game one. >> And I don't know if I'm ever going to.

come back to the finals. >> if I'm ever coming back. I'm going back. out there. Right. Doc was like, "No, there's no I said, "Man, I can put. weight on it." I just ran out there. He. I was supposed to be on the thing. He. was supposed to test it, do all this. other stuff just to make sure it wasn't. nothing. >> I ran out of there. Right. >> I was like, "No, I'm good. Give me the. knee brace." And I just ran out of. there. >> So, it wasn't for you to go to the. bathroom? >> No. No. I made a joke up on on on the. halftime show, >> man. Come on. Why would I go to the. bathroom in the biggest game of my life, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? Why? >> I mean, but y'all have to go to the.

bathroom, but if y'all have to go, y'all. go. You a. >> I've never had to go to the bathroom. during the game. >> Never. >> Cuz we got to go. We go on the sideline. >> Yeah. But I ain't like I ain't never. walked off bench to go to the bathroom. >> Really? >> Never. If I have to, it's going to be at. halftime. >> No, you can't wait. >> I ain't never left the bench to lose the. bathroom. Ever. Ever. >> You end up with dropping 15 points in. the third quarter, shooting 70% from the. field. People like, man, I don't know. I.

don't know. I don't know if you really. hurt. >> I I love that. This is going to live. forever. Hey, I love that. >> That's your Kurt Gibson moment. Kurt. Gibson against against the uh the A's. when he hit that home run. >> That lean over that that stretch out. home run. Yeah, I remember that. >> Oh man, it's going to be weather. >> You win it the first year and then you. come back, you're back in the finals and. you're facing the same team and it comes.

down to a game seven. >> man against the Mamba again. again, >> man. That's tough, you know, cuz he talking. about we got to play the greatest and he. ain't going to just keep struggling, you. feel like, but they was built and Kobe. his will and he didn't have the best. game, but he he turned P Gaul into Pal. Gasol, >> right? >> And and that was. >> because y'all neutralized him. It was. pow and then in metal round metal roar.

piece then he hit that shot when when he. hit that shot Paul what went through. your mind. >> you know what I couldn't even be mad cuz. I I don't I didn't watch the game but I. know the play because it's it's think. about this you got Kobe Bryant iso on. the left wing on Ray Allen and this is a. crucial possession right. >> so. >> because I think they they're up one. >> they up one so if we get a stop Yeah. >> We like cuz Kobe known for icing the.

game right here. >> So I'm like all right let me help off of. >> meta. >> Mhm. >> Cuz that's Kobe. Yeah. >> Like let's not forget who this is. >> Like we'll worry about him later. Right. >> So. >> when Kobe drove I stepped up to like. hell no. We can't let him beat us cuz he. can beat us, >> right? >> They going to have to prove that these. other guys can beat us. And when he hit. the shot. >> it just proved that he had other guys. that can beat us, right? So I couldn't. even be mad, you know, that Ron cuz he. was struggling from three.

>> all series long. So I was just like, he. a late contested three then hats off. Couldn't even be mad because I'm not We. can't let this dude beat. >> Yes. Anybody but Kobe. >> Anybody cuz we know he can beat us cuz. he's beaten too many teams. >> So it was just like damn. >> And we had to lead most of the game. I. think we had the game. I think we led. like 90% of the game, >> right? >> Like it was unreal. I can't even. >> You mentioned game seven. >> Is it fair that Doc receives criticism.

for the game sevens that he lost? He's. lost them to the Clippers. He lost uh he. you guys had a 3-2 lead in that series. cuz they went back for both games and. they won game six and game seven. >> Is it fair that Doc receives the. criticism that he receives for losing. game seven? No coach in NBA history has. lost more game seven. >> Really? >> Really? >> Nope. >> Oh wow. Remember they uh they lost the. really the one that really that when. they had Embiid and Harden and they lo I. think it was I think they and they lost. to the Hawks. Remember they lost to the.

Hawks. >> They lost to the Hawks. >> Yeah. When Ben When Ben Simmons wouldn't. take that shot. >> Oh, damn. Oh, right. Right. >> Yes. Yes. And then they had another one. I think. Who did they lose to? They. might have lost to the Celtics. >> Uh yeah. The Celtics I think. >> in a game in a game seven. >> Yeah. A couple years ago. Yeah. >> Yeah, I think so. But the thing is like. I will say this about the NBA and it's. different from football. Like.

>> you can have a player. >> carry you to a win. >> One player is good enough, your best. player to say, "Come on, guys. >> I got this tonight.". >> You know what I'm saying? You done seen. it too many times. I got this tonight. Yeah. >> We didn't seen Dirk the Whiskey do it to. the Heat. Like, y'all get on my back, right? Like it. And then when you get to. the game seven, really coaching is out. the window. >> It's like. >> they know all our plays. You know, they. the scout report the scout this this.

comes down to your stars. >> Yes. >> All game seven comes down to your stars. >> and and point blank period. So it ain't. I can't put that on Doc. You know, I. could put the 31 blown series leads on. Doc. when he you know, he's been up 3-1. Yeah, I think he blown like two or three. season. >> Yeah, Clippers and just the Nuggets. He. had that with the uh the Magic against. the uh the Pistons. >> Y. Trace McGrady. >> Remember that cuz Tracy was like. >> Tracy was like, "Yeah, I know what it's.

like to go to the second round.". >> Like, I'll never forget that. I never. forget that. >> That's on the coach and the player then, but like game seven is on your best. players truthfully. Like they got to. step up and bring you home. >> We need some clarification. Mhm. >> The Ray Allen Ray decides to go to the. Heat, >> right? >> You KG Rondo. >> Mhm. >> Are you got Are you upset that he left. or are you upset? Part of you might be.

upset that he left, but it did it have. more to do with where he left and went. to? >> Absolutely. It was absolutely where he. went. You got to understand, we've been. battling on LeBron for the last four or. five years. >> Yeah. So now it's they're our rival. Like like not the Heat ain't our rival. It's LeBron. >> He's our rival. >> You know what I'm saying? So like, dude, we just played them in the playoffs a. year ago. >> Like you can't go play with them.

>> So you don't want him to go help him get. a championship? >> Yeah. No, that ain't how this work. >> No, I would have I would have been. better off him going to the Lakers. And. that's our biggest run. >> Damn. I would have been cooler with him. doing that. >> So you so if so if Rail say you know. what hey man look I'm leaving you know. blah blah blah I'm going to lay I'm. going to join Kobe. >> You cool with that? >> If we had that conversation and and it. was like a conversation. I think the. biggest issue Shannon was we didn't have.

no conversation with them. Listen we and. I tell this story all the time. We. >> we was a brotherhood. when you win and. you know our wives are friends and our. kids are friends, we doing family stuff, Halloween, Thanksgiving, >> and for you to abruptly leave without a. conversation like hey I'm thinking about. >> you know doing this we built something. here like is there something like if. there's an issue with contract maybe. there's something I could talk to Danny. about or wick.

>> like lean on us first. >> like to us to wake up and hear it. >> right. >> like that's the issue I And me and him. had that conversation. I was like, "Damn, we couldn't even get a phone call. or nothing." Like, is it something we. could have done? >> Like, we could have maybe talked to Doc. if the contract wasn't to your liking or. or or whatnot. You didn't like your role. on the team. Like, something like what. is it? >> You know, maybe we can help. But like to. just like get up, leave a house, don't. don't tell us where you going, then we.

see where you at. You know, mama mama. didn't like that. You know, I couldn't do that. >> Rumor had it that Ray was looking for. homes when he. >> while during the Miami series the year. before, >> like before. >> Is that true? >> No, this was the rumor that we were. playing Miami in the playoffs the year. before, right? >> While we was down there, he was already. looking at houses. >> I mean, Miami is nice. >> Like, you can't be in the middle of the.

series. You already checked out. No, no, I ain't checked out, but you know, mama. want to live in Miami. >> The weather is nice. I don't want to. live in Boston year round. >> You already in this series like this. some [ __ ] I'm coming to play for. them next year who we're battling. >> You think he was upset with his role? >> I think he was upset with his role. and then went to Miami and got the same. role. If Ray stayed, we could have won too. I. feel like. >> you feel you felt at that point in time.

if Ray comes back, y'all had y'all are. equipped to deal with the uh LeBron. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You got understand we went back to. the Eastern Conference Finals. >> Yeah. >> Uh two years like we went to the finals. 2010, but then we played them again in. the conference finals like two or three. years later in Miami. Yeah. Remember. that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we was we was equipped for a. few more years if he stayed. >> Right. So that's I mean that's. >> it's funny how you guys used to handle. disagreements.

>> in Boston. It's reported that there was. a disagreement between Ray Allen and. Rondo. >> for sure. >> And you brought boxing gloves. >> Yep. >> And y'all say, "Okay, settle it.". >> Man, we was having a lot of tension at. the time in the locker room and it was. like little clicks. You know how the. teams be up clicking up and you know we. was in a we was in a situation our team. was built old young. >> the young guys kicked it the old guy. kicked it so we felt they old the young. guys was like y'all don't mess with us.

no more you know what I'm saying cuz. something happened Shan like something. happened man we was on the road one day. and something got back to the wifeies. >> who pillar talking. >> man it was some pillar talk going on to. where it was messing with the locker. room. >> Oh, for sure. Absolutely. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? It came. from the young guys. So, the oldheads, we was like, man, we we got to just move. like this now. >> You know what I'm saying? We had to move. different now. So then they like, man,

why we don't mess y'all don't mess with. the young dudes. And then, >> no, y'all talking. Y'all pillar talking. >> Yeah. And so then KG got into it with. Perk. >> Rondo got into it with Ray or something. It was just like a division then. So it. was just too much going on. It was just. like, man, all right, we going to get. your issue off. I brought these gloves. I had an issue at the time. We had. another dude on our team named Patrick. O'Brien. So, I started off first. I. said, "All right, we going to get our. issue off. Let's put these gloves on. >> cuz I got an issue with you.".

>> Damn. >> Put the gloves on. We put the gloves on, right? So, no, no, no, no. We're going to go three minutes. Boom. So, then next, so then we didn't know that Big Baby had. an issue with Tony Allen. So now Big. Baby and Tony Allen, they get they get. they issue. All right, who next? Rond, I want him. Me and Ray. Damn, he's. already. on him. Come on, let's get it off. And. when I tell you I was right there,

man, you remember you just watched that. fight Canelo B. >> Canelo Bud, >> remember that ninth round how Bud came. out? Ninth round. Rondo came out like that with. conviction. He wanted to like he missed. all of them. >> Yeah. >> But. >> but he was trying to tear red head off. >> If he had connected on one of them, bro, man, man, I'm glad he didn't connect on. one of them cuz he was swinging with. some conviction. I'm talking about it. was no jabs. It was.

>> He was throwing number haymakers, >> man. It was no jabs. So. >> Rod was throwing one hit a quitter. Whoa. And I was just like, damn. Okay, >> you got that. We got that out. >> Break this up. We got to break this up. This is if somebody connect this is. going to get out of control. So, we. broke it up. But yeah, they had a little. issue and you know, I don't. >> Did they Did they men once they got past. that? So, it was was it better after. that or it still had friction? >> No, it was friction still. You know,

>> cuz the report was is that Ray wanted. Chris Paul? >> Oh, I don't know that I Oh, maybe. So, it was like Yeah. And I think it got. back to Rondo. >> Yes, >> that's one of them. >> But it was a lot of other stuff I. believe that Ray was doing. >> cuz I think, you know, Ray would often. go to Doc and be like, you know, Rondo. not. >> g, >> right? >> And I used to be like, Ray, you just go. to go to Rondo. >> Just go Rondo. >> Yeah, cuz I used to be like, Rondo, run. that. Like, come on, dog. Like, like, come on, dog. Hey, we got to like come.

on, man. Don't go to. >> Yeah. >> to go to him. >> cuz he will feel you snitching on him. >> Yeah. like go to him cuz I'll just go. right to Rond sitting right here. >> like Rond come on man. >> what we doing out here. >> right. >> you know what I'm saying that was that. was like RP I got you all right cool we. >> but see Ray's personality is not like. yours see Ray not confrontational Ray. going to go to the coach hey coach. handle that and then Ray but see Rondo. going to realize where it's coming from.

>> yeah yeah but Ray is not as. controversial but he's political. >> so you could polit politically talk to. Rondo. Like you can use them words to where he. understand like me and Rondo might have. a shouting match, but we going to get. over it. You could you going to talk. better to him than me and him, >> right? >> Like yours going to come off different. We going to shout it out and then we. going to be cool though. But that's I. mean that's how we are. >> But you guys and then there was a. ceremony I think the championship. ceremony that and and Ray didn't come.

back for. Or maybe or maybe there's. something that he was you guys didn't. invite him back. >> No. Oh. Oh, it was something Ray didn't. come to. It was a few things Ray didn't. come to, dog. I'm telling you. And. that's what made the relationship tough. cuz when Rondo first resigned this new. deal, >> we all had a get together for him at a. restaurant. He didn't show up. >> Man, look here. The man tried to tear my. head off. I ain't coming. P. I'm going. to be honest with you. >> Same thing though. And so like all that.

built up to. >> man I might have came and kicked that. whole cake over. >> So but we we just felt like no matter. your relationship like we got to support. each other. >> Okay. I see what you're saying. >> If I got a bowling event y'all all got. to. >> like if they doing this like come on. everybody support each other. We on the. same we're trying to win bro. >> Like you ain't got to stay long. >> right? >> You know and that's you know and that's. that was kind of like the beginning of. the breakup. >> with all of us. And it was just like man. wish we could have stayed together a few. more years. You mentioned one of your. former teammates, uh, Glenn Big Baby.

Davis, and he had an unfortunate. situation where got involved with some. some activities and now he finds himself. in in in federal prison. How difficult. is it to see it's, you know, for me it's. very difficult to see my former. teammates when they fall on hard times. because I I remember, you know, I choose. to remember the great times that we have. in the locker rooms, on the bus, on the. planes, laughing and joking on the. practice field and to see him going. through what he's going through. How. difficult is that you be? >> Man, you hate to see, you know, a few.

things when you're done playing that. you've accomplished so much with people. You hate to see, you know, them go. broke. >> Yeah. >> You know, and need something from you. cuz I'm always willing to help. >> Yeah. >> You hate to see them go to jail, which. has happened in this situation. And I. haven't had a chance to talk to Big. Baby. I would love to like reach out. You know, I've had a few teammates go to. jail, actually. Uh and you know. sometimes like it's hard to communicate. because you gota the letter writing and.

the visitations you got to do so much. and then they in other states. >> Yeah. >> And so you try to just talk through. other people that can get the mess. closer to family members but you hate to. see that type of stuff because of the. bonds you. >> you built. >> you built and you hate to see people. fall on tough times. And. >> you know hopefully this makes him. stronger because like him going in he. seemed like he was on some positive. vibes. He didn't seem like where he cuz. he was all on Instagram and you never. know Instagram covers up a lot of our. emotions.

>> Yeah. Instagram fake. >> Yeah. You know it covers up who we. really are. >> cuz Instagram got me thinking I'm broke. >> cuz everybody live everybody got. culling. Everybody got uruses. Everybody. got like well damn what they doing that. I. >> Right. >> I'm like well damn y'all got it like. that. >> Right. Right. I'm like. >> everybody everybody happy. Everybody in. a happy relationship Pete. Everybody. been married for 10 15 years. They what. got the woman of their dreams. They got. the man of their dreams. The family is. great. I'm like, "Come on now.". >> Nah. What you see on there and what you. see in person is two different things.

>> entirely. >> That makeup come off. Yeah. We know. We. know what's under that makeup. >> KG. >> Um, you mentioned that you guys had a great. relationship and everybody talk about. how, you know, how intense he is and how. much he talks. Did could you tell when. KG was getting under people's skin? >> Yeah. I mean, dude, KG just is just an. intimidating force just like looking at. him.

like, man, like his aura. >> Yeah. >> Like he got a whole aura about him like. just walking in the room and then if he. start barking at you and saying stuff, it's just like you got to understand a. lot of the and he do it to the younger. guys too. A lot of the younger guys. looked up to him. >> They did. And it was just like, you. know, I didn't heard some stuff like, oh, is that true? What he told what he. told Yokim Noah? Cuz he's like, hey man, I admire you, man. The way you play. He. said, man, get on my get off my D, man.

Stop. I was right there. I was right. He. said that for real, Pete, man. 100%. Man, look Joe Kim. And they made up. since then, and we laugh about it. And. Joe Kim is cool. So we was at the free. throw line. He was like, man, I'm. sitting right there. I heard the whole. thing. I'm right there. He was like, "Yeah, KG, man. I just want you to know, you know, man, I look up to you. Uh, man, I had your poster and everything, man. Damn, you know, I would love to. work out." Something something along. that,

>> man. Get off my D. Like, he yelled it. I was like, damn. No, but look. No, but look, it was. another one. Here go another one. Here. go another story that all thing got out. It was another player. He was like, "Hey, uh, hey, we at the free throw line again.". Because, you know, this guys like to. talk. He like, "Hey, Kev, man. I just. want to invite you. You know, I'm having. my wedding this summer. Uh, you know, I. would like to continue inviting, man.

Kevin, man." Looked up and said, "Fuck. you.". Like, go damn. I was like, "Damn, KG. I look like. So, the one thing I did. learn, dude, don't talk to Kevin during. the game. Like, >> talk to him before or after or text him. that. Like, y'all over here telling this. stuff during the game, he is in full. gladiator mode right now, dude. Leave.

him alone. >> Right. >> Like, come on. Stop that, y'all. >> The the the the situation that he and. Carmelo got into it, the Cheerios things. have been debunked. Yeah. But how. surprised were you were you that Melo. was waiting at the bus and wanted to. throw heads at KG? >> Yeah, I see. I didn't know what was. going on cuz I think I was still in the. shower or something. >> Uh, you know, before I realized what was. going on, right? >> Like, and I didn't even hear what was. said to this day. And I've never asked. him,

>> right? >> You know, it's just certain sick things. you just don't even want to know if it's. true or not, you know? And that's one of. them for me. And it was just like, damn, he must have he really got under Melo's. skin. And then when it came out that he. was talking about something about his. wife and all that and I was like, man, I. didn't heard KG talk a lot of [ __ ] but. he ain't I don't think he went there. with it. >> You know what I'm saying? Maybe he. thought he heard something like that, but I ain't I ain't never heard nothing. to that. to where you like that's crossing the.

line. >> Yeah. Oh yeah. >> You know, hey man, people wife, man, people don't play about the wives, the. girlfriend, kids. Hey, you stay away. from that. >> Yeah, stay away from that. Everything. else is fair game. >> All right, we playing a game. It's. whatever. But like the personal family. and and kids and vibes, they keep that. out of it. Now, I've heard the. girlfriend stuff. >> a lot. The girlfriends is open. >> Yo, they do. Yeah, for sure. >> The girl, if it's just your girlfriend, that's open season. I heard stuff like. that, not from him, but other players.

like, "Hey, that's your girl." Oh, yeah. She was with me. It's like, you said. that like in the game? I was like, "What?" to the other player and the. player was all this game the rest of the. game. >> Man, it's some stuff. I know you just. heard some stuff, too. >> Oh, for sure. >> Oh, man. >> I might have uttered a few things. >> Let's go ahead. You know, >> like you said, it's fair game. Fair. game. Fair game. You you uh you uh uh uh did you smack. talk trash talk to Kobe.

>> sometime? But like like Kobe he he he. different like he just. he he he like his sometime his mouth. talk was breathing hard on you like he. just had this look in his nose. He had. this thing with his nose and flared like. like. >> like he wouldn't say nothing. >> I was just like a [ __ ] You know what? I. should have said nothing to do. No, but. it was one Allstar game. Uh, so we beat.

them in the finals. So the next year in. the All-Star game, >> he at the free throw line. and I yelled something from the bench. >> like that's why y'all blew it last year. or something. I said something foul. >> Yeah, you you going to choke like you. did in the finals last year. >> You choke. Yeah. I said you choke. You. gonna choke. Man, we was about to fight. in the All-Star game. >> for real, >> dude. He came over to me on the bench, walked right dead over there, got in my. face. I had to stand up like, "Hold up.

Hold on. You ain't going to stand up on. me now." Come on. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You a Yeah. So, I had to stand up like, "What you talking about then?" So, I'm. thinking like, "Dude, like he he really. like we it's the Allar game. I know we. like I'm thinking we about to squabble. in the Allar game. He was He was hot. I. I was like, damn. All right. You know. what? I ain't trying to do all that in. the allar. for real." Man, I was like, damn, I. sure, you know what? Let me chill. >> You mentioned the battles, like you. said, look, I'm not a top 75 player. I'm.

not thought of as a player I am if I. don't have those battles with LeBron. When he's at Cleveland, when he's at. Miami, >> he's at Miami, I'm in I'm in in uh. Brooklyn. >> You a lot of times you guys guarded each. other. >> Uh that game that game I think was that. game six? >> Mhm. I think it was game six. You had. 40. He had 42 or you had 42. He had 40. But you guys were going at it. >> You guys I mean.

>> that was that was uh we game seven. Boston. We both had 40. >> Yeah. You guys were going at it. >> Yeah. >> So how you what are you trying to do to. get him off his game? Um is there a spot. you're trying to keep him from getting. to? Are you talking to him like, "Bro, this this not your year. This this is. this is not it." I would talk to LeBron. at the go our meetings at the free throw. line again like oh he you know I always. used to say he gonna choke at the line. because at the time he was always. missing big free throws. >> but like the the.

>> like when he's on you can't stop him. because the the the strategy is to make. him shoot jumpers but if his jumper is. on if he hitting then it's over. >> right and that's what happened in that. game that game six in the guard. >> y was hitting everything fadeaways. threes cuz the the scouting is to go. under the pick and roll, right? >> Let him shoot jumpers. And if if his. jumper is on, it's nothing you can do. cuz he's on now if you like when you get. down, you don't want to give him the. free jumper cuz now you got to get up. right.

>> now. He going by and doing all that, man. It was just like, man, you got to. pick the the lesser of two evils, but if. he got them both going, it's a long. night. And he's so strong, man. I just. remember trying to foul him, bro. You. damn near had to WWF him to just stop. him from getting the and one. Like I. remember so many different fouls I gave. I'm damn near tackling them and he still. almost. >> cuz you see the one with the Mars twin. when he playing Boston and he grabbed. him by the back and LeBron still lays it. up and get.

>> I did that so many times to where it's. down you down there got to tackle him. >> to stop him from like getting the and. one, >> right? >> Especially when he got that full steam. ahead. It's like man, >> you mentioned uh it's reported that you. told him I have the ball to take that. shot in game five of the 2000 Eastern. Conference Finals. You said that. >> it sound like me. >> That sound like something about sex. >> I'm trying to figure out why you and UD. got you and UD for them iron y'all. differences out. >> I ain't talked to UD. I really ain't got.

no beef with UD like cuz like and I said. some things and the reason I said what I. said because I didn't appreciate what UD. said about Russell. >> Russell West. >> No, Bill Russell. >> Real Russell. Okay. you know, he said. something I thought that was foul. You. know, Russell was passed by then. Yeah. >> You know, and I didn't appreciate that. And you know, we got a long rivalry with. Boston Miami and everything. And I threw. a shot. >> Yeah. >> You know what I'm saying? Like, >> and that's all it was because like when.

we played against each other, it wasn't. never know me and him in each other. face. It was more like me and D Wayade, right? >> Or me and Braun, you know? So, it wasn't. nothing like that. So I I said what he. said what he said and I was like kind of. like defending our culture our our our. side because what I said was I went on. Stephen Jackson page. >> um and he got his jersey retired down. and Stephen Jackson was like welld. deserved and I said I think I said not. given well not it was it wasn't deserved.

it was given. >> right. >> like something like that. >> and it was a shot and I probably and I. and I probably shouldn't have said. nothing like that. But I just. >> Yeah, you know damn well you ain't. supposed to go on somebody else page and. take take no shot Johnny nobody. >> cuz that ain't me. Usually I usually. don't do that cuz I tell a person, >> right? >> You know, and I just felt the need to. like say that cuz of what was said. I. felt it it was a disrespect toward. Russell. >> Uh but like you know I ain't got no. issue with UD but like if we see each.

other like face to face you know I tell. them the same thing like man I ain't. really got no issue with you. You know. this we we grown, we retired, we got. kids and stuff. We got kids. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? I I. ain't trying to have no issue with. nobody. >> Who you think talk more, Gary Peyton or. KG? >> Gary, bro, shut Gary up. You can't shut. Gary up. That's why I didn't. >> Man, GP be out his mind, man. >> You can't shut him up. Like once he get. going, man. I'm telling you, man. When. GP, you know, we played in Boston with. me, >> man. GP, me and GP was a fight one day.

and I looked up to GP. Like I completely. looked up to GP. He from Oakland. Uh I. followed him all the way through. You. know, him and my brother knew each other. growing up. >> And GP was saying something. and I was like, "Man, shut up, little. man. I'll beat your ass." He was like, "Well, do it then." He was like, he. started yelling and he started getting. all hyped up and all this. I was like, >> "Come.". I was like, he got so turned up and I'm.

like, "Man, I respect the G. I'm bigger. than him. I'm younger than him." G. Yeah, come on, man. I had to smile it. off. I had to let it, you know. But G G. G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G. G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G my. man I love G to this day. That's my big. brother, man. I But ain't nobody ain't. nobody talk more than G. G's not going. to stop. >> Like J like KG going to spit here and. there, but G is just going to keep on. going like all night. It's like damn, I. done turned him on. >> A guy that's caught a lot of criticism.

I think he does a great job on. television. I've worked with him um on. both shows, Undisputed and ESPN. >> It's Perk. >> Okay. >> Um he played his role. You know, look, Perk, you know, Perk ain't going to get. you no 20, but he going to set great. screens. He going to rebound. He going. to hard foul you. But he's caught a lot. of criticism. Um Russ, uh he said that, you know, he and Russ had a falling out. because he said something about Russ and. his wife sent him a letter. Uh, he and. KD been going back and forth a little.

bit on Twitter, stuff like that. What. was it like playing with Perk? >> Man, I love playing with Perk. He. understood his role and, you know, he. was our our enforcer, you know, he was. our big man. And I'll never forget. >> when I felt like I knew we would win. this series. I'll tell you this one. series. This was when Cleveland was the. number one seed with Shaq. >> Mhm. We were the four seed and we played. them in the second round. >> and I remember Shaq tried to punk Perk.

>> man. Perk stood in that Shaq face like. I'll beat your like and I was just like. oh okay you know I ain't never seen. nobody stand up to Shaq. >> like I was like that gave me confidence. like oh yeah we going to whoop them. >> You know what I'm saying? Cuz Shaq is. intimidating. I don't care how old Shaq. is. I don't care. He could be 99 years. old. Shaq is intimidating. >> to this day. And I'm like, "Oh yeah, Perk just like lowkey kind of got in. Shaq face, right?".

>> So I'm like, "Oh man, we we about to get. them." And you know, but that Perk. understood his role. And that's why I. say if he don't get hurt, I feel like we. win, right? >> Two rings. >> Was Did Perk have hot takes in the. locker room? Was Was Perk a chalker back. then? >> I mean, he understood the game and most of the. time it be me and Kevin cuz we stuck. around longer in the locker room. me and. Kevin like we be there cuz we the old. man they usually leave but Perk was. always knowledgeable he always had his. say in the conver but they you know they.

gone but then when we retired you know. he would all me and him would talk and. he'd just be like man you know I'm. looking to get into the business you. know what you think you know and I was. like he's very strong opinionated he's. always. >> perfect that's what you got to have you. got to have. >> he's very been been strong opinionated. and that's what you have you got to. stand on. >> you got to stand on anybody can say well. I like both guys or you know what It's. it's really No, you got to have an. opinion and stand when you cuz criticism. is going to come eventually. Criticism. is going to come because you're not. going to be on the right side of.

everybody's opinion. >> and you got to stand on it. >> And you can't be in this trying to be. liked all the time. >> N you know, you you got to say what you. feel. >> What you feel. >> and you know, he's always done that. >> Yeah. >> And so that's why he's great in this. >> in this space. >> What was it like playing with Shaq? Because you didn't get the you didn't. get the the magic Shaq. You didn't get. uh uh Laker Shack. You didn't even get u. um Heat Shack. You got a guy that had. been around. I think he had gone to. Phoenix and and and and came to you.

guys. I think he ended up going to. Cleveland last. >> But what was it like with Shaq? >> Man, that was one of the funnest teams I. ever played on. Like we didn't win it, but we I promise you, Shannon, if Shaq. had been healthy, we would have won it. that year. >> Really, >> dude? Go back and look at our record. with Shaq. I think we were like 28 and. three. >> Wow. >> Like and then he gets hurt. >> Yeah. >> Something like that. Like we were. rolling with All we needed was his. presence. Because the thing about Shaq, when you drive to the lane, nobody. helping off of them. So the lane wide.

open, right? >> And you not helping off KG, right? >> I was having a field day with them. Like. Rondo was having a field day with them. too in the line. >> Double layup. >> But then off the court, man, just the. laughs we had with him. And you just. know, you know, Shaq, he just he funny. He just he just a comedian. big, big old. kid. And then we had Nate Robinson with. him. >> Oh man, that that was that was one of. the funniest times because we all kicked. it. We all went to dinner. And this was. the one. the only person Shaq is the only one.

that had a bigger aura than KG. >> Wow. Cuz going, you know, being in. practice in the locker room, KG, he got. the biggest ore. Then you see another. big or come in there and you like it, it's bigger than that one, right? It's. like, damn, I'm in the locker room with. these these like a big big sun in the. locker room shining. I'm like, man. And. then and then we sitting there having. story time after practice. You know, the. OG's we going to sit there after. practice, be chopping it up, talking. about whatever, shooting [ __ ]. >> So, that was that was one of the funnest.

time. >> Was Shaq still pranking people when he. got to Boston? >> Was he still. >> pranking? >> Man, that is never going to stop, man. Come on. Shack was doing putting stuff. in people's shoes. Yeah. Uh uh uh K Lou. told a story of how he took a dump. >> in Deon George shoes, >> man. He was doing Man, he was still. doing stuff like that. Him and Nate. Robinson, dude. I'm telling you, there. was the two. It was crazy. But that's. who Shaq is, you know? So, it it made.

the locker room fun. >> Yeah. You also have a teammate, Dante. West, who's kind of falling on hard. times. He's dealing with some issues. Uh. Mark Cuban has tried to help him out, but he kind of had a relapse and he's. back in it. Um um what was he like? What. was playing with Dante like? And did you. see anything that would led lead you to. believe that this could possibly be a. fate down the road? >> No, I mean actually Dante was one of my. favorite teammates cuz I had him a young. Dante. You know, just having him and.

Tony Allen together was like, man, you. you wouldn't believe it. They was like. the good friends on the team and they. was my youngest and Deli Dante was. really good though. But just to like be. around him every day, his competitive. spirit and to know where he came from. and I knew when he was in the league he. needed medication. >> It was already Yeah. He Yeah. Yeah. It. was It was like when he was playing for. us, he needed medication then. And I.

didn't know it would turn into what we. see today, but we knew he had like. >> uh I don't know if it's a bipolar. disorder or something like that. I think. he was diagnosed with to where you know. Danny would like talk to him and make. sure try to make sure he take his meds. and all that because like you saw a. couple episodes like to where he go off. and you know he had a couple fights uh. in the locker room but you know you. didn't think it'll just turn into like. full on just. >> like he just had an episode. Yes.

>> Like and you know it just goes to show. you how difficult it is to deal with uh. mental health. I have two nephews and I. have the chance to see it firsthand, Shannon, what schizophrenia is like. >> Like it's the worst thing that you can. have for a family to deal with every day. because every day is new and it's. different and you don't know what can. happen, you know. And you know, I just.

encourage people to just if you're. dealing with this in your family and the. people around you, you know, just show the love and make. sure that you could give the support. that you can give because it it's it's a. real thing. And it it can damage it can. break a family apart. >> Oh, for sure. Absolutely. >> You know, and I've seen, >> you know, that firsthand. And you know, you you try to pray and you try to. not wish that upon people, but it's just. it's difficult. And like I said, it can.

break families apart. >> Wow. LeBron, heading into year 23. Year 22, averaged. almost 25 points a game, eight rebounds. a game, eight assists a game, shot over. 50% from the floor, shot 38% from the. three, shot one of his career highs from. the free throw line. You said you. believe 23 will be his last season. You. still believe 23 is his last season. >> Is that this year? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think this will be his last.

season. You know, I mean, he's. he's accomplished so much. He's played. so long and I I truly believe that now. that you've had the opportunity, like. you've done something that's never been. done in the game multiple times, >> right? And the one ultimate thing that's. there's two things that's never going to. happen while I'm alive. Nobody's going. to break his scoring record and no other. player will play with their son. >> Right. >> I don't believe that. >> those two things will happen. I think.

like there has to be. >> unless you had a son in high school. >> Yeah. Right. Right. and and I just have. to believe that he has a sense of. fulfillment now that you know he's done. it all and accomplished so much and now. he's built up such a great offthe-court. presence with his businesses and things. of that nature that that's going to be. his next challenge and growing that and. becoming the best in that field and. >> you know because I know it eats at him.

every year he doesn't win a championship. >> and I know he loves the Okay. But I I. truly believe that. >> you don't believe KD can break his. scoring record. >> KD's at almost 30,000. >> Where's LeBron at? 50. >> 42 regular season points. >> So, no. And so much things have to go. right. He has to be healthy for like the. next 10 years, I think. >> Cuz I mean, he has to play he has to. play basically at least seven years. >> and play all the games.

>> And play the games. Yeah. >> All of them. Mhm. >> No, no injuries, no sit outs. >> And LeBron's playing this year. I don't. think it I I think it's it's really hard. because normally guys retire when they. can't play at the level they're. accustomed to. >> You averaging 25 points a game, Pete, with eight and eight. >> It's hard to walk away and you make Now. it's different because we've never seen. LeBron in the final year of his. contract. Very unless LeBron really. wants to be in the final year of his. contract. is reported that the Lakers. like, nah, we we gonna wait and see how.

this year turns out. So, I don't think. LeBron goes I don't think I don't think. he really wants to go anywhere else. He's building a compound here in LA. He. loves LA. He came to LA. They didn't. recruit him. He came to them. >> Yeah. >> It's like winning a lot. I ain't even. played the lottery, but I won. >> Yeah. >> Magic Magic ain't do. He showed up at He. and Rich Ball showed up at Magic's. house. And that's going to be a hard. that's going to be a hard decision. because this is all he knows. I mean,

>> over half this man's life has been in. the NBA. Think about it. He's going to. be 41. This will be So since he was 18, all he knows is the NBA. >> But I have to believe that he doesn't. want to play just to play. >> True. >> You know, he wants to win. Like he wants. to win a championship. And if there's if. there's a situation to where if the. Lakers lose the first round or how they. lose, >> well, he should he should want to go. If. you lose in the first round with Luca.

and Austin Reeves and what you have, I I. I get it. You don't have no history. You. don't got no get great big man. But with. Luca and LeBron, you should never lose. in the first round, >> right? >> That in and of itself, you should never. lose in a place first round. >> Yep. So, I believe it's all going to. depend. I don't think he'll announce it, but I think burning the circumstances on. how they go out this year, he'll make. that decision. >> You uh. um you LeBron mom almost beat you up for.

piling that man hard. >> That was that what LeBron LeBron told. told Glo, "Sit down.". >> Glow tried to get Hey, Glow. Come on, mama. You know we love you. Come on, mama. Hey, why you trying to come? I'm. just trying to just not let him make the. layup, mama. >> I wasn't trying to hurt him. I ain't. never tried to hurt him. >> You guys have played You guys have. played a lot. >> Yeah, we play. >> LeBron has beat you 35 times. You beat. him 34 times.

>> Yeah. >> You want to go back and get try tie this. thing up? >> We going to tie this thing up. with a dagger three. I sit in the. corner. I'm going to go back and tie this up. Damn. I'm trying to think. What was the. last game? The last game was probably in. Brooklyn. >> Yeah. >> Or Washington. >> Oh, this is regular season, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Okay. Damn. That. close. >> What. >> What if you guys were the same age? What. if you came in cuz you came in 98,

LeBron came in 03. If you guys were. like, >> if we were the same age, I don't believe. he would have had four championships. He. wouldn't have got. >> you kept him. you kept it for four. >> He wouldn't have got those two in Miami. cuz I I I got to believe if we're the. same age and I could offset him. >> Mhm. >> And that would have been good enough, >> right? >> You know, like if he hadn't got 40 in. game six and we the same, I would. probably would got 40 and offset him, >> right? >> You know, I was at an older age then, a.

lot of miles and stuff and it was hard. for me to keep up with him. I ain't. going to lie. I'm looking I be looking. at that tape sh and I'm like. like damn. I couldn't even move like a younger I. could have moved with him but I'm like. >> yeah but we cuz you know in Brooklyn you. say you got him. You going to d him up. in Brook I don't know what you was on. that day. >> My mind and body say two different. things. >> Your mind was saying one thing that body. said no I I ain't. >> I got him. You know I I thought I did.

Oh man, I ain't going to lie. That's. Hey, >> you you was say you was very outspoken. uh uh about KD going to the Warriors. You say it's not so much that they have. the ability to go. LeBron and KD had the. ability to go wherever they wanted, but. it was KD going to a team that won 73. games. They have the MVP and they had. just lost the finals. Do you believe. that KD would have been judged judged. differently had he gone somewhere else.

and helped that team win a championship. as opposed to the Warriors? >> Yeah, of course he would have got judged. differently because the way and it's the. same thing with Ray. >> We just lost to Miami then you joined. them, >> right? >> KD, you just lost to Golden State who. you should have beat, >> right? Cuz you up 3-1. >> You was up three and you joined them. And so that's why that's where the. criticism come in because it was just. like damn Katie, you good enough to beat. them, >> right? >> Like we feel like that's cuz that's how.

the old school stars won. We like, man, I'mma get over the hump. I'mma take my. lumps. >> Take my lumps. >> And people just thought felt like he. took the easy way out. >> Okay. >> And that's all. But like, you know, I. get it because we live in a culture to. where it rings everything now. >> Judged off your championship. So he. said, "Let me get that out the way.". Yep. So now what y'all going to talk. about, >> right? >> And so I get it. You know, it's more. understandably now because I come from. the old school and I feel like, man, you. got to you got to get it the hard way. sometimes. >> You got to take your lump and maybe Hey,

and maybe you don't get over the hump. >> Yeah. >> Charles Barkley and and and Carl Malone, maybe you don't get over the hump, but. what you don't do is and I I don't I. look at it like this. He paid his debt to to society. He paid. his debt to the uh uh the Thunder. Mhm. >> His contract was up. >> I'm trying to think. I don't know if he. could have gone where where could he. have gone. >> and won a championship. >> If you look at look look at the. landscape. If you go back if you if you.

can remember. If you go back and look at. the landscape, where is he going? >> If he goes to the Knicks, he not be he. not beating Kyrie and Kevin Love and. Braun in Cleveland. If he goes if he. goes anywhere else, they're not going to. beat the Warriors. He got to go back to. OKC. >> You got to stay in OKC. >> Okay. Okay. You you got to stay right. You you you went to the finals with that. team, >> right? >> And you up 3-1 against it. This was. supposed to be the rivalry that we. should have saw the next five, six years. to where one of these two teams is going.

to go to the finals every year, >> right? >> You know that you stay there, you got. the team. >> Yeah. >> But I think a lot of that had to do with. Russ. >> Yeah. >> You know, I think they had they was. bumping heads. Yeah. And it looked like it on the court. >> because you felt like Russ should have. got him the ball more, but Russ felt. like I'm the man, >> right? >> You know, >> and then, you know, it's hard to argue. cuz the next year he goes to win the MVP. and average a triple double. So, it's. hard to say that he couldn't be the man. He and and that's the hardest thing, >> right? >> Is that Shaq and Kobe should have won. more championships together,

>> right? >> But Kobe like, I'm the man. And Shaq. like, "No, you little bro." He said, "No, not no more.". >> Damn. Cuz just imagine. the perfect situation is Kareem and. Magic. >> If that Magic was C, where you want the. ball? >> Gotcha. >> Right. >> It's hard when one guy believed that he. can be the man and he should be the man. Magic knew he could be cuz Magic cuz. when when when Pat Riley challenged him. to say, "I need you to score more.". Magic went out and scored more, averaged. over 20 and won the MVP.

>> Right. But he's like, "And when Magic tells the. story that when C when uh uh Pat Riley. told him that he needed to score more, he like, you run that by Cap.". >> Oh, wow. >> You Hey, I need you to clear that up. with Cap, >> right? But damn, that was Magic's game. was passing. >> Yes. >> You know, when you got two guys who they. game scoring, then you got to say who's. going to right, >> you know, take the lesser role in all of. this. >> It's it's hard because the way we we. live in a society, we got to determine.

credit. somebody. It ain't no 50/50. No. >> truth. We got to get somebody be 51. We. got to get somebody 49. We got to be. 6040. We got to be 7030. Ain't no 50/50. So whose team is it? >> Right. >> Kobe got tired of hearing he Batman. >> I mean he got he robbing, >> right? >> That he riding Shaq's coattails. >> He was chasing something else. >> Yes, >> he was chasing something else. >> He knew that in order for him to become. he couldn't he can't Yes. He got He had. the mama name with with Shaq. But in.

order for us to look at him differently, he had to do this without Shaq. >> Yep. >> We're never gonna We're never gonna look. at him if he's doing all the He went. five championships with Shaq. We're not. looking at Kobe the same as we look at. him now. >> 100%. Yeah. He he was on a mission. He. knew that he had to get under that. shadow. >> He had to. >> Damn. He just It's a lot of just in the. histories of the sports is a lot of. whatifs. >> Mhm. >> Damn. >> Cuz plus I got We got to assign credit. to somebody. >> Yeah. We got to sign. We see this. We.

see this in football with coach Bichc. and Tom Brady. >> Who gets the most credit, >> right? >> Well, when Tom left, Tom went and got a. championship with with with New with uh. Tampa. >> Yep. >> Coach Bellich went to the playoffs and. then two years of mediocrity. He's the. coach at UNCC. >> Yep. >> We look at the 49ers. We look at Bill. Walsh. We look at Joe Montana. Coach. Walsh retired. Joe wins another one with. Tom with Sea. George Seafford. So we can. say so now we can definitively say okay. it was him.

>> right. >> we got to be able to determine who the. reason why we winning the championship. we got that's just the way we're wired. >> that's the way. >> it's not good it's not good enough. >> right. >> Shaq and Kobe nah nah n. >> but Shaq was so dominant. >> bet he would you had to see it people. don't real people people cuz people look. at Shaq now and they see him he he. having fun people just don't realize. Man, he dominant. >> You couldn't do nothing with him. >> Do nothing. Nothing. They trying.

>> Just imagine if they called foul. Shaq. would shoot like 50 free throws a game. if they they called every foul, >> man. Come on. It's Damn. You couldn't do. nothing with the big foul. >> You couldn't. People don't realize just. how athletic considering his size, considering his agility. People don't. realize how good people think, oh, Joel. Embiid, Joel Embiid couldn't move like. Shaq. young with Shaq with Shaq Orlando. Shaq and the first three years of LA. Shaq.

>> There wasn't a better athlete on the. planet. >> No. >> Yep. >> He's 71. He's 33530. lb and he can move like a 67 guy that's. 200 lb. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> You had to see it. Like I said, some. things like you had to see Barry Sanders. play in person to really appreciate what. he was doing. You had to see Jared Rice. You had to see Prime. You had Some. things you just have to see in person. >> So why is it you don't think that Jordan.

is better than LeBron? You saw them. both. >> I did. I saw him in person. >> Like cuz James, man. >> Come on. Come on. I mean, cuz you think. about it. >> Come on. >> Because he could do more. He could. rebound better. He could. >> So what do we go off of, dude? Because. this is the argument that I have today. like you know like better player is one. thing. >> Yes. >> Like is he just like let's take away all. the accolades.

>> Yes. >> Like LeBron. >> is probably the greatest player of the. game, right? But it's unfortunate that. we got to add the accolades and we have. to add. >> So we going So how many So we going and. we going to So we going to put those. like. >> 20 AllNBA selections in there. 21 all. NBA selection. We put that in there. Okay. >> We're going to put that in. >> We're going to put those 28 those No, no. We're not going to put those in. there. >> Okay. So, we're not going to do. accolades. >> This what we're going to do. >> Okay. We going to do. >> We're going to take.

the 15 years or 13 years Jordan played. the first and let's match him up with. the 15 years. >> My guy still playing, >> huh? >> My guy's still playing. You can't say. this guy if this guy was. >> So, we're crediting longevity as a. reason. >> You make it seem like LeBron just out. there. No, he's not out there, but I'm. see the peak of your superpowers. >> Did you see Did you see Jordan in Did. you see Jordan in in Washington? >> I never seen Jordan disappoint in a big. moment. >> Did you see Jordan in Washington?

>> Yeah, I played against Jordan in. Washington. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That was like a a a farewell tour. >> We don't do My guy still going at 23. Ain't no farewell. Ain't no telling. witness to me. >> Ain't no W. Ain't no telling. We got a We got a book that's a th00and. page and ain't the end yet. We ain't at. the end yet. >> Oh man, you ain't lying. I mean, that's. Nothing's ever going You're not going to. do that. Nobody's going to do what he's. doing ever again. >> I mean, think about those points. Truth. >> But is this is this a statistical thing?

Then if it was, then why don't we say. Kareem was the greatest before. >> But see, that was the that was But. here's the thing. Because people say. championships, but they crown Jordan as. the greatest players when he had none. If you go back and look at the late 80s, the early the late 80s, >> they found him as the best player in the. league. >> They said he was the greatest player. that we'd ever seen and he had no. championship. >> They didn't call him the GOAT though. >> But that we uh uh first of all, >> they didn't call him the GOAT. >> They said he was the greatest player.

>> we've ever seen. >> Yes. >> Just like when Barry Sanders was there, he's the greatest running back we ever. seen. >> Yes. But they said, they didn't say he's. the greatest player. They said Jordan. was the greatest player we had ever seen. and he had no championships. >> Yeah. But then they say he's the GOAT. >> But. >> there's a difference between greatest. player and the GOAT. >> But how do you get. >> Tom Brady? Like Tom Tom Brady when we. just look at Tom. >> like he's like he's the goat, right? >> Yeah. >> But like when you look at him compared. to like Rogers and Momes, if you just.

watch him, >> right? >> Like he don't look better than them, >> right? But see, I for me, I mean, look, I I I think Thomas because the. quarterback is so so damn important, but. I can make a case that LT or Jerry Rice. is the greatest players of all time, but. they're not as important as the. quarterback because he touches the ball. LeBron, Jordan was never asked to do. what LeBron has been asked to do. The. Jordan had a specific task. LeBron, they.

asked LeBron said, "LeBron, we need you. to give us 27. We need you to give us. 10." and we need you to give us 10. And. we need you to do that every night. And. in the meantime, we still need you to. guard the great best player. >> All right. I will say this, LeBron. has he has the greatest of all time. influence on winning. >> Okay. >> Like from day one, you put them on this. team, they're. >> better team than what if he's not on it. >> Well, you can say that about Jordan, but.

just like his influence on winning is. greater than Jordan. Okay. >> Because you look at the teams he took to. the finals, you know, it's like, damn, you dragged them or you dragged them to. >> that 2018 team ain't got no business in. the finals. >> But then you kind of erase that because. then you be like, damn, how did you lose. when you had this? >> I I think if you think about it, >> the only thing the only team the only. time that I think LeBron really should. have won the championship. was against the Dallas Mavericks.

>> He wasn't favored in any other. championship really. Does the journey. matter? >> How you win? Does that matter? >> It does to me. >> It It matters, right? >> It does. >> Like, because if you're saying Kobe. became something different because he. stuck it out with the Lakers and won. without Shaq, that matters. That's. elevated Kobe. >> Well, see, if they could have got him. pieces, do you think Kobe win if he. don't get Pal? >> If they don't get. >> Pal is not a top 75 player, >> but I'm saying if they don't get him. >> No, they don't. >> LeBron couldn't get nobody to come to.

Cleveland, >> bro. He took think about he got Timothy. Marosg 75 million he had Delaova. Delova is your starting part. >> up there. >> that see that's my point that's what he. was up against just imagine if Jerry. West was his GM he would have knew what. pieces to put around LeBron. >> but that's what makes the journey matter. like when you go through the rough times. like. like me and Cole like we talked about.

earlier We were like, "Oh, we going to. we we we you know, the journey's over.". But he stuck it out. >> Yeah. >> He And that meant something for him to. stay a Laker. >> and wait for them to see if they were. going to do something, >> right? >> He never ran. >> LeBron raided. LeBron waited. >> What year was it? >> Yeah, like year seven. He just realized. >> What year did Jordan win? >> Uh, seven or eight? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But here's the thing.

They got him Scotty Pippen. They got him. whole Graham. >> They Scotty became something. We They. don't know Scotty. They They didn't go. get Scotty Pippen. They drafted well. >> That's what I'm saying. They weren't. drafting well though. Truth. >> But they were trying to do everything to. get him. They got Ben Wallace, Shaq, Antoine. They was trying. >> But they Ben Wallace was my age. >> Yeah. I mean. >> Shaq was my age. >> But you think that, think about this, the great players, people always. gravitate towards the great players. >> Yes. The good role players gravitate.

>> Yeah, but they ain't going to Cleveland. to gravitate towards them. >> Why not? People tried to go to Cleveland. like Milwaukee won. Milwaukee won. >> Yeah. >> Denver won. Who want to go? >> I you I tell you what, let me ask you. this. You think Jiannis is going to. finish his career in Milwaukee? >> I mean, in the landscape we are today, it's hard to say that somebody's going. to finish his career with one team. >> Yeah. Because he wants to win. And you. know, once you get a taste of that. winning truth. >> Yeah. But whose journey was better, Jordan.

or LeBron's? >> You think it's harder to win as many. championships as Jordan did with one. team or win the championship that he's. won like LeBron on multiple teams? >> It's hard to win period. >> Yeah. Oh, for sure. We've. agreed to that. Yeah, we going to agree. with that. >> But now if I go say, "All right, I want. to go over here." But then I get to. handp pick. What part of the journey is that? That. has to mean something. That has to mean.

like Jordan is say pick pippin. Did he. >> right? >> They got him on a on a hinge that's. saying hey maybe he become something. >> right. >> you know like the journey has to like. mean something and you know it doesn't. take away from LeBron's ability right. >> like he's like like just take away all. everybody take away everybody's. championships. LeBron LeBron has the. greatest ability of any basketball. player ever. Like skill-wise, >> right? >> Like I mean, dude, he's the scoring. champ. He can pass like magic. He can.

rebound like Robin. I mean, he can. >> Yeah, he can do it all. >> He can do it all. Like, if I'm building. a basketball player, I want to build. LeBron like an athleticism. >> No, no, no player's been able to do. more. >> But the mental fortitude. is what we always questioned about him. >> Well, just let me ask you a question. Let's just say for the sake of argument, LeBron James would have had a. historically great coach. Say he had a. Dean Smith in college for three years.

and then he get a Phil Jackson for the. better part of his career. What coach. did you believe that LeBron James going. to have that's going to go to the Hall. of Fame? Maybe Spolstra. >> Spolster will go to the Hall of Fame. Tyoo will go to the Hall of Fame. Uh. let's see who he with right now. JJ Ready. >> JJ Ready, >> Mike Brown. V uh uh uh uh Vogle. >> But who made who? >> Who made who? Did Did Phil make Jordan?

>> All I know is Phil left somewhere else. and went and won a championship. >> But did Phil make Jordan? >> I'm just asking you a question. Did he. leave? Tell me the coach. Tell me the. coach. Tell me the coach that's won a. championship after they left LeBron. >> Uh probably nobody. Why that? >> Because LeBron. elevated the coach, right? >> Yeah. >> So did Jordan. >> Phil won Phil won three more. Phil won. five championships after he left Jordan.

>> I mean, come on. You inherited Kobe and. Shaq. >> I just said I just said what he did. >> You inherited That's like right now if. you inherit like. who ain't won a championship of a great. player in the league right now. Vogle. inherited Vogle inherited uh uh uh. didn't he have KD and Book? Oh, Vogle won with Braun. Yes. But did he get Book and did wasn't. he in Phoenix? >> Yeah. And that was trash. >> Oh god. My goodness. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm not taking nothing.

away. LeBron I think the coach. >> I think me personally I I give more. credit to the player than the coach. though. >> Do you? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I can see that. >> I give way in the NBA. >> Yeah. NFL is coaching. NBA is the. player. You know that. Yeah. One player. can change your fortune in the NBA. It's. different in the NBA. >> I agree. You know what I'm saying? >> I definitely agree with that. >> Let me ask you this. Clippers. You go to. the Clippers. You said that you hated. that you demanded a trade to leave.

Boston. If you had it to do over again, you finish your whole career in Boston. even though you don't win another. championship because it seems like once. you won, you start tra you still, you. know, that high. >> that high that that that high of winning. a championship. It's like they say it's. called chasing the dragon. So you never. get that high that you initially felt. the first time you did it, but you chase. it. >> Yeah. >> So you won it in Boston. Let me go to. Brooklyn. >> Yeah. >> Let me go to the Clippers or let me go.

to the or let me go to the Wizard. is is. you you chasing that. You wish you had. like, you know what, if I'm going to win another one, it's. going to be here in Boston. >> Yeah. I wish I could have stayed there. my whole career. >> Yeah, I really do. But I'm not mad at my. path because I had a chance to be an. influence on some other young teams. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I enjoyed that experience. I really did. Like just cuz being in one. place your whole career is great. Yeah. >> But to go to Brooklyn, experience the. big city, right? and then go to.

Washington to play with these young two. all star and give them some game. Yeah. And then to reunite with Doc at home to. finish it out. Like I I love the way I. ended it actually. Even though I would. have loved to end in Boston, >> I loved having that experience on the. way out. >> the way I did it cuz like even in being. at back home in LA, >> it was like it gave me a chance to. retire and really kind of like put my. feet down and ease into retirement in a. smooth way, right? cuz I hadn't already. had it figured out because I'm home. I.

have my house here, my kids, everything. >> I retired. I jumped into sports analyst. media and and it was a good transition. for me. >> How difficult was it for the Clippers? Because, bro, you're a 10 time allstar, you're a finals MVP, you're an AllNBA. selection, >> and you coming off the bench. >> Oh, man. >> I was, you know, it's crazy. I just. called game in Washington, too. >> Yes. Yes. >> And dog Doc put me on the [ __ ] I was.

hot. I was like I just I could have. stayed in Washington. Yeah. >> It started like I was just like I had it. it was like as when you get to that. level and I understood what Russ felt. >> in LA now. Russell Westbrook. Yes. >> This is my first time ever coming off. the bench. >> Yeah. >> It was like a shock. >> I was just like damn. It was like hold. on. Like you got to see who I'm coming. off the bench for. >> for Lance Stevens or wasn't it? It was. It was uh It was Wesley Johnson. >> Oh.

>> And I was like, you know, it ain't a. knock on Wesley, but I think I'm still. knock on Wesley. You said. >> I think I'm still better than him. >> And I was just like, you know, it got to. the point to where I just had to be. like, you know, >> but you was coming off the bench. You. coming in to clean up time. They be like. 3 4 minutes in the game. Truth that they. putting you in. >> at some point, but then it got to the. point I wasn't playing for at all. >> I was like, man, you know, I had to. accept. Did you talk to Jo? >> Man, we had little conversations, but. then it was just like it got to the.

point to where I understood my world. Right now I'm at the end. This is when. the light. >> the light comes on like this for me. >> I'm like, "This is it for me.". >> And then I was like, cuz Sam Cassell was. on the staff, right? So, you know, practice is going. I'm on the sideline. I get to practice early workout. So, he. like, "Pe, get in there, get some reps.". I looked at Sam. I said, "Sam, in your last year, did I bother you?".

>> I said, "Get away from me.". >> Cuz he was with us in his last year. >> Yeah, I remember. I remember. He said, "I. looked at him like, boy, I was on the. sideline chilling. I ain't bothering you, man. I got here. early, got my workout in. Now I'm. watching practice. >> Oh, >> everybody remember the viral clip?

>> You going back and forth with Draymond. >> and Draymond. I mean, it's quiet and. Draymond. Hey, >> you thought you go get that Kobe. treatment? They don't love you like. that, man. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know what's crazy? I. didn't hear him say that. >> What? So you didn't so you didn't hear. him say. >> no I'm on the bench and I'm talking to. Draymond cuz look. >> Golden State Warriors was like big. brother to the Clippers and I'm coming. over there like you know I'm the OG like. hold on y'all ain't about to be punking. us while I'm over here. >> and I'm like Blake you know I'm trying.

to put a battery in Blake back you know. cuz Draymond he you know. >> he going yeah. >> man he going he trying to go at Blake. but Blake a allstar too now. >> and he was like shut up you ain't Kobe I. guess I didn't hear until after the man. because he said it under the basket. where the mic picked it up so everybody. on TV heard it. >> but like in them arenas it's hard to. hear. >> so I didn't even I couldn't even hear. when he first said it right. >> I didn't know until I got into the. locker room and Twitter going off and. everybody said everything. >> going crazy.

>> it's going crazy cuz you know everybody. thinking I'm just ignoring him but I'm. just kind of like. >> I didn't hear him. >> right. >> and so you know it was funny I give it. to Draymond he one of the alltime trash. talkers he got. He got me. Oh, man. B you you also bad. You've been. going viral because you said you better. than D. Wayade. >> I did say that. >> Yeah. >> But then you know what, Shannon? That's.

what made me who I am. >> You hardly believe that, too. >> Yeah. >> But that's what gave me my edge, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? You know, I. never cared about what people thought of. me or other people's opinion. When I. step on the court, I'm better than all. of y'all, >> right? >> You know, and that's what made me who I. am. And I'mma work toward that. >> You got to believe that though. >> You know what I'm saying? And so I'm. never I'm never going to like I'm. retired now. I can change up whatever. And I knew I was retired then when I. said it, but like that's who I was and.

that was my age. >> I felt like every time I stepped on the. court, I was the best player. >> player. >> And that's why I made the accolades I. made. >> Right. Um, why didn't it work out with Kyrie and. the Clipp and the uh Celtics? >> Man, I don't know, man. Because I. thought, you know, in the preseason, I. was at that game at the practice. He. said, "I'mma be a Clipper for life. I. mean, a Celtic for life and I'm a. resign." And man, but you know, Kyrie. different, you know, he think on a whole.

different level. He on a whole different. level wavelength, a whole different. stratosphere. And I thought that could. be something that was going to work out. they can win a championship with him. But, you know, Kyrie, you know, it. didn't work out with him and Braun. It. didn't work out with him and. >> Katie Katie in Brooklyn. It didn't hurt. work out, >> you know. So, you never know what. >> Kyrie is thinking. We would have loved. to have him in Boston for all them. years, but it worked out. You know, it. allowed Jason and Jaylen to grow. Yes. >> On their own because, you know, Kyrie.

was the was the OG and, you know, but. everything happens for a reason. >> What do you expect from the Clippers? They got Chris Paul, they got Bradley. Bill, they got James Harden. Kawhai. seemed to be healthy. He worked out for. like a month after the season. Um, talking to uh Too, Too said he wanted to. make sure his body he missed half of the. season last year, but he looked good and. they're a different team when he plays. >> What do you expect from the Clippers. with Kyrie with excuse me, with Kawhai.

being healthy and all the additions? Man, I just think I think they'll be. competitive, but I just think their time. is kind of passed. >> Yeah. >> You know, they older. James Harden is. older. Kawawaii is older, dealt with so. many surgeries and Bill is older. >> It's just like this is a young man's. game. >> Yeah. >> You know, and these young teams is. >> good, right? >> OKC, >> Minnesota, and you still got Denver over. there. I think they'll be competitive.

and Tyoo is a great coach and y'all got. talent, but them is a lot of big names. and we all know that older big names. usually don't win and so they'll they'll. they'll be good. They may be better than. the Lakers maybe, >> but I I don't see it. I don't see it. >> John Wall called it a career. Are you. surprised that how soon it ended for. him? >> Man, John had a lot of lengthy injuries. You know, sometimes that can take a toll. on you mentally. You know, >> then I think he lost his mom.

>> Yeah. Yeah. And you know, he's made a. lot of money. Yeah. >> You know, in this game and, you know, he. probably didn't accomplish all the. things he wanted to accomplish, but man, he had a great career. >> He had an unbelievable career. >> He had a great career. He's been an. all-star. He's number one pick, man. My. my shout out to the young fella. I'm. glad I had to spend a year with him, give him some game, you know, and I I. text him from time to time, hit him up, and just be like, you know, how you. doing, young fella? And you know I I he. has nothing to hold his head down. And I.

know it didn't end the way he wanted it. to end. Correct. And we all. >> we all want that story book ended. though. >> Yeah. We all want the story book. But. sometime it don't go that way. But I. mean you know what he had a story book. >> coming from where he came from and being. >> hundreds of millions. Why is that on the. story book Shannon? >> We always got to judge on championships. and all that way. Like what? >> Or retiring on our terms. >> Yeah. Like no I made he's made hundreds. of millions of dollars. He's played in. NBA. He was the number one pick. He had. a story book life. >> Yes. >> How about that? >> How about that? You're right. You walked.

to work 20 miles in a bathroom. The Knicks. You really You was convinced. the Knicks was going to lose to the. Celt, >> man. Oh, I was sick. I was convinced. I. hate the Knicks. And they hate me. They. hate me. You know, that's a Boston New. York thing, man. I know. I put my foot. in my mouth. I said that on national. television. and to this day I don't regret it. And. people everywhere I go say, "Did you.

really walk?". >> You saw it. You saw me in my robe. Walk. inside the road. >> You saw it. You saw it. >> You got a new show, Truth After Dark. >> Yeah. >> Uh where it seems you're talking, you. giving advice about relationships. Mhm. >> Uh, and people seem to don't want to take. advice from anybody that's not married, >> that's not in a relationship for 20 plus. years, been stable. Why do you feel you're one of the best.

to give advice on relationships? >> I mean, because I've seen all sides of a. relationship. You know what I'm saying? I've been married in long-term. relationships for 10 plus years, a. couple of them. >> I've had. uh kids. I've had long-term girlfriends. I've been on both sides. So, I can speak. on it. >> Like, it's like you being in the NFL, you can speak on it. >> Yes. >> Like, I can speak on being. Even if I'm. not married now, I can speak on it, >> right? >> Cuz I was married for a long time. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I been engaged and I've.

had girlfriends and like I just, you. know, I see my perspective the way I see. it and it ain't for everybody, right? You know, I mean, I try to speak for. everybody, but you know, everybody. different, >> right? >> I just go off a lot of my experience, Shannon, and you can take it how you. want it, >> right? >> You know, but like I've I've seen it all. and even if I didn't experience, I've. saw other people Yeah. >> experience and I learned from them. >> and that's why I feel like I'm more than.

qualified, right, to give, you know, relationship advice. You once said that marriage is for poor. people. It offers no advantage to a man. >> Yes. >> So under that premise, would you get. married again? >> That's a good question, man. It like. Yeah, I'll get married again cuz I'm. getting old. >> So you want a hospice wife? You want. somebody to take.

>> Yeah, I'm getting old. Sh. Yeah, I'll get. married again. I mean I mean it just it. just I hear too many of the horror. stories like especially for. like I said old people and poor people. like think about a man successful rich. man like I hate seeing stories like she. got 70% of his wealth and and she got. the kids and she like. feel like you stripped a man down of his. dignity. >> Yeah.

>> Like I hate seeing them stories. >> man. It just drives me nuts. And it's. too many of them, >> right? >> And the percentages ain't in our favor, right? >> As successful, not only black, just people in that. upper tax bracket. It's just like. >> no advantage for us. >> And I'm not saying don't do it. Just, you know, wait till you get old. >> or you broke. >> Did you Did you and your wife grow apart. because you had, like you said, you'd. been married 10 plus years. You got.

kids. Yeah. >> Uh uh uh how did you come to the. conclusion you're like, you know what, babe, we need to part ways, >> man. You know, I think it happens over. time. It wasn't like a sit down one sit. down. >> Yeah. Yo, there there Oh, no, no, no. There's a continuation. >> Just, you know, and it happened in. retirement and a lot of players, you. know, get divorced in retirement and. it's just like it's a whole new dynamic. that happens. Yeah. Because like it's cool when you. >> in and out. You miss each other. you're.

going through whatever you're going. through and you can deal with it and the. and the you know she get to get on go to. the game highlight herself and she in. the limelight still too but then the. lights cut off. >> and now you coming home telling the kids. to do this and changing the whole family. dynamic. >> and it causes a riff. >> You know what I'm saying? And it just. like it causes like like you start side. eyeing looking at each other like no I I. wouldn't allowed this if I was home all. the time, right? You know what I'm. saying? And then it just causes a.

divide. And I just think like. kind of like that's what happened. >> Yeah. >> You know, the divide and the. communication wasn't there in my. situation. >> and. >> you know, and it happens to a lot of us. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's hard to make that. adjustment after you done playing. >> be home all the time. >> and then and then now you home all the. time. Then you just get up be like, I. need to go somewhere. >> Right. >> And now y'all you arguing because you. got. >> why you why you go you ain't got you. ain't got no practice. Yeah, you ain't. got no going. >> like now cuz you just so antsy. You used.

to traveling every week. >> You used to leaving. >> every week. You just like I don't know. how to sit down and then now that's. something. >> that's a conflict. >> That's a conflict. And you know if I had. it to do all over again what I know now, I would have been probably more. sensitive to their needs, right? Instead. of being selfish. >> You know what I'm saying? It was. selfish. >> Well, you got to be selfish to be great. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I. >> You got You hear LeBron when LeBron. talks. >> Mhm. >> LeBron says, "I denied a," you know, and.

the first thing he says is family. because when you when you what you and I. did. >> because family is the closest. That's. why we mention them first is that we. apologize to them for being selfish. >> You've got in order to be great, you got. to be selfish because you're going to. miss recital. You're going to miss. certain things. You're going to miss. this because guess what? Oh, I can't go. play in the game because I my daughter's. recital. Well, I can't do to celebrate. my anniversary because I gota I gotta. miss this game. So, because I got to do.

my wife's anniversary. So, you become. selfish, >> right? >> The greater the player, the more selfish. he or she is. >> Right. >> I've said this. I said, I've took those. traits that made me who I am and it. affected my marriage. >> You take it in a relationship, it'll. ruin it. >> Yep. It affected the relationship. >> Yes. >> Cuz now you seeing it all the time when. you home. >> Yes. selfishness, doing what you want, just just so many things and like you. just. >> and they might let it be, they'll let it. slide when you got a basketball, when.

you play basketball, you play football, you play a professional sport, or you. have a business. But when you retire, say, "Oh, I want to spend more time with. the family.". >> Yeah. >> That ain't what you, man. You ain't been. there 20 years, >> right? >> And then you going to come in there and. think she going to let you change. everything how the apper how the system. work. >> Yeah. >> Ain't going to happen. I didn't know. what the system was. I tried to come in. there and change it. >> So, but you know, to this day, you know, everybody cool. >> Yeah. That's great. >> You know, kids is we everybody get. along. So, you know, like it's an.

experience. >> Yes. >> You know, and you go through it, you. learn from it and and you move on. >> Did you see the story where uh the guy. sent the the the young lady $200 and she. sent it back? She sent it back to him. >> Say because she knows her worth. Was. it 200 or 2,000? >> I know my worth. If a girl sent me. 20,000, was it? >> It was 2,000. >> 2,000. >> Yes. He sent her $2,000.

>> She said she says, "I know my worth. We've been dealing with each other for. an extremely long period of time.". She sent it back to him. >> That's a red flag, Shannon. Anybody can. use two racks. I'll take two racks right. now. >> I can use two racks. I mean, damn. Like, what you mean, >> right? >> Like, you you like girls like that, >> you you stay away from them because. like, oh, you must used to be dealing. with who you dealing with. >> Yes. >> Who you dealing with that's doing that? >> I want somebody to throw, well, such and.

such used to do this for me. Well, he. not doing it no more, so why he stopped. doing it, >> right? >> You telling me who used to do it. I want. to know why he stopped. >> Right. That's the question right there. That's the question. >> They they quick to throw that up in your. face, though, P, >> man. And that's why I be trying to tell. him, "Look, you got to It's It's messed. up right now, Sharon. >> It's messed up. The game The game is. messed up.". >> P, you be giving some good advice. You. told him say, "Look, a hardworking man. is building something, leave them pretty.

girls alone. Get you a five. Get you a. solid six. >> Keep it real. Get you a five. Solid. six.". >> Get somebody that's humble. >> Yeah. >> That don't require all this. >> Cuz nine, 10, that's a lot of. maintenance. That's a lot of upkeep. And. see, and I and I and I so I always have. to go back. I'm not gonna tell her she a. five or six, >> right? >> Like we all know. I'm let her give her a nine. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But you know the public know you a five. or six. >> Look, >> but I'm going to make you feel like a.

910. >> I'm a six. You a six. >> Yeah. Let's go. >> That's That's over 10. We good. >> We good. >> Yeah, >> man. Somebody humble who don't care. about Man, let's go get a sandwich on a. Friday night, >> right? like and not, you know, and not. be tripping. >> We ain't got Look, I understand that, you know, occasionally we going to go to. the Mastros. We gonna go to State 48. >> We we'll go to the nice establishment, but that is not a prerequisite. You. don't have to walk on the red carpet. You don't have to be seen. We don't have. to post everything on social media. Oh,

look, you know, my soulmate, my rib, and. all that other foolish because you you. hiding things. >> You understand what I'm saying? I feel. like this the prettier girls are are. like that. They're caught into the the. clout. They're caught into the the nice. things because we feed them that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, because when like if I'm not. constantly feeding her ego as like a. beautiful woman and a beautiful That's. why I say that. >> you're on your phone and somebody is and. that's what you want all the time. >> And I can't keep up with that.

>> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> Yes. I know. I can't keep up with that. >> Hey, it was one like you had to tell her. all the time. >> like. >> that you would babe. You're amazing. right? >> You you you are you awesome. You this or. that. But I've never I've never I've. never been in a situation like that when. I had to constantly reinforce. >> who she was and who she is and what type. of person and you know what type of body. and how she looked and everything. >> I'm like damn I felt like I was the. full-time cheerleader. >> Yeah.

>> I had I mean they constantly getting it. So they need it. They want it from you. and the minute you don't. >> I'll get it somewhere else. >> Yes. >> Or some somebody will. >> Like it's hard to keep up with that man. man. And I hate that that it's like. that. Like, and that's why I said, man, let me I'm I'm going to go this route, you know, somebody who a little more. humble, who who actually like. appreciate, right, >> the comments. >> Well, do you know you shot the shot at. Ruby Rose? I mean, >> I mean, the truth, the truth, he. normally call game. The one thing I know.

about truth, he called game. >> It go in. You hit that bucket. You pulled a step. Pulled up a 30. >> I had to I had to catch myself. I had to. catch myself. >> Cam just went viral. He says he wants to. know a girl's past. The man that she slept with. >> Oo, I don't be wanting to know.

>> I don't either. >> No. But but how about this here? A ma uh. a woman's past is as important to a man. as a man's future is to a woman. Would. you agree with that? >> A man a woman a man a woman's past is. important to a man as a woman. >> as a man's future. >> As a man's future. >> is to a woman. >> is. >> cuz you want to know if he going to bet. that bread. He going to be he going to. be he going to be racked up. He wants to.

know how many how many bodies you got. and is any of them in the NBA, NFL or. MLB. She wants to know. >> you going to the NFL, you in the NBA, you going to play in the major leagues. or you going to be, you know, you going. to be work CEO? >> No, I don't know. Cuz most of them. girls, they chasing them that's already. in there. >> So his future is important to her. >> Yeah. Yeah, that is true. That is true. >> Damn. I don't want to know the past. >> I don't either. I don't really care. because you like me asking you can lie.

>> Yeah. >> I'mma go. >> more time I spend with you, it's gonna. show. >> Yes. Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? It's going. it's always going to come out. >> Yeah. >> Like anytime I've ever caught a girl up. on something, I didn't have to look. >> Yeah. >> It was just like, >> damn. What's this? >> It's right here in my face. >> Like it's We go somewhere. How you knew. everybody? >> Like damn. >> That's my boy. It's right here. Like. it's right. >> How many boy you got? >> I give you one. Can't give you both,

>> my friend. That my Yeah, you go. It's. going to come out. >> for sure. >> Every time. It never fails. I never had. to look, >> right? >> I'mma just chill, you know, and then. it's going to Oh, for real? Okay. That's. what it is. I see it. I see it. >> You have You have daughters and you know. they hear you you know my daughter like. daddy. >> You got to say that. You got to talk. like that cuz I got I got, you know, my. daughter's in their 30s.

>> Mhm. >> And so they asking me questions, you. know. I said, "Baby, I'm in the. entertainment bit." But can you find. another way to entertain daddy? >> Right. >> Like, damn. >> Right. >> How difficult is it to have that. conversation with. >> man? That's difficult Shan because like. you know I had to deal with the. situation. uh you know the ESPN situation where. >> the live stream. >> the live stream you know I had to deal. that was difficult situation because it. was just like damn and and and. you know even doing this truth after.

dark I say some things you know about. you know relationships or black women. and everything and. >> and I'm like you on this like you know. at this point I'm entertainment but then. it' be some hard conversations. you when you make the mistake, it's just. like, man, you know, I'm human, >> but it don't change the fact that I'm. still your dad, right? >> And it I'm I'm I'm human. And I know you. probably look at me like a superhero. sometimes and. >> and all of that, but you know, I make. some mistakes. >> Yes.

>> You know, I'm just like anybody else out. here. I make some mistakes. you know, some I I I regret and I say some things. and you know, they might not come off a. certain way, but like some of these. things I believe, you know, and don't. you want a dad that's truthful and stand. on his words and and I know they not. always sound like the best thing, but at. the end of the day, when I'm long gone. and everything, the one thing you can. say about me is like, you know what, at.

the end of the day, dad, he was solid. He was solid. He was he spoke his mind. >> and he didn't give a damn what people. said about him, >> right? >> And I know sometimes it may be hurt. >> or or something like that. But hopefully. some of the traits I give and my opinion. and the things I do and say can carry. over to make you a strong person because. I didn't I block out the crowd noise. I. block out the negative. And I hope that. my kids can do the same thing, >> right? >> You ain't going to always be the most. popular person in the room. You ain't.

going to always be liked and that's. what's going to build your character and. make you stronger and that's what it's. done for me. >> You still gamble like you used to? You. don't gamble no more, huh? >> No, not that much. Like once every six. months maybe, >> right? >> Like if I go to Vegas, hang out, but No, not like I used to. >> If because you try to f you try to fuel. that competitiveness cuz we competitive. >> Yeah, for sure. >> And that don't that never leave. And.

that's why we missed the sport. What can. we do. >> to rep replace what we done for the last. 20 years? >> It's hard. There's no replacement. >> None. >> There's nothing no replace that bus. ride, that plane ride, that locker room, >> that chemistry, that camaraderie. Ain't. nothing. >> You just got to find what makes you. happy. >> You know, I've been trying to like for. me it's pouring into my kids. >> Yes. you know, the more time I do with. that and just like try try to stay busy,

try to get the key is when you retired. is try to get routine. >> Yes. >> You know, cuz we we are. >> we're so routine cuz we know the. structure. Okay, I got practice at this. time. So, I need to get my workout in at. this time. I need to do this. I need to. eat. I take my nap, get on the bus, go. to the stadium. I'm going to play the. game. Everything is so structured. >> Structured routine. >> Now, I got all this time on my damn. hand. What the hell am I going to do? >> You got to you got to get your When you. first retire, you like I got free time. I can just do whatever I want. I can. travel here, go. That's the worst thing. >> And then so now since I've been back in.

routine, I've been good. I got, you. know, I get up, I work out. It's the. first thing I do. Uh, take care of the. mail, make run my emails, >> kids, sports with them. Like, it's just. I got a good routine going do my podcast. and this and that. So, I got a good flow. right now. So, but it's hard, you know? Right. It's hard. >> What's that? What's next for Paul. Pierce? What's next for Paul Pierce, man? You know, I'm getting older. My. kids are are are I got a couple kids in. high school. I got a young one. Uh I'm.

just trying to still go out here and. build out my media career. You know, I've been doing that from day one since. I retired. I stepped into the. >> media field and I enjoy doing that, right? >> You know what I'm saying? I I enjoy. talking sports. I'm I enjoy talking life. and relationships. >> and I'm just trying to build on it. You. know, I'm trying to. >> be a positive influence. I'm trying to. have a respectable opinion. >> and you know, I really love what you've.

been able to build, Shannon. You know, a. lot a lot of us in this culture, we look. up to like a lot of things that you've. been able to build and admire and. appreciate, >> you know, cuz we got a lot of things in. common and and you know, >> I think it's important for all of us to. support each other. >> Yes. and and that's it. Just try to be a. positive influence, take care of my. kids, and you know, eventually ride into. the sunset. >> The truth all, ladies and gentlemen, [Applause]. that's good.

>> All my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want. a slice, got to roll the dice. That's. why all my life I've been grinding all. my life. All my life been grinding all. my life. sacrifice hustle paid the price. want a slice to roll a dice that's why. all my life I've been grinding all my. life. [Music].