Tyronn Lue on LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kawhi & Harden, Kyrie, Clippers Future & Shaq Stories

LeBron James is on an expiring contract. >> I'm surprised by that. >> You know, he posted a video. He's. working at the Clippers facilities. >> Yeah, I know. I seen that. >> Yeah, I saw that. >> What What that mean? >> I don't even know if I can speak on. that. >> 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]. Hello. Welcome to another episode of. Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also the pride of Club Shay. Stopping by for conversation on the. drink today. He's a two-time NBA. champion as a player for the Los Angeles. Lakers. He's a coach that authored the. greatest comeback in finals history with. his team down 3-1 with two of the last. three games on the road. And don't. forget that Warriors team had the best.

regular season record in NBA history at. 73 and N. He helped the Cleveland. Cavaliers win the first and only NBA. title. He's the Olympic uh gold medal. winning coach, first team all in Big 12. point guard selection. His number 10 is. retired by the University of Nebraska. He has a street named after himself in. his hometown of Mexico, Missouri. The. current head coach of the Los Angeles. Clippers that led them to the first ever. conference finals. Here he is, ladies. and gentlemen. Tyron Lou. >> Too, what it do, man? >> How you doing?

>> I'm good, bro. When growing up in. Mexico, Missouri, if somebody would have. told 10-year-old Tyoo, you're going to be an NBA player and. you're going to play on with two of the. greatest players in NBA history. You'll. later become a head coach and you'll be. author of the greatest comeback in NBA. Finals history. >> If somebody would have told 10-year-old. Tyron Lou that, what would you have told. him? >> Hell no. Hell no. But I mean, you know,

you always dream and dream dream big. You know, you put the work in. But. >> to like come this far from, you know, where I come from, it just it's crazy. It's crazy to believe. And like I said, been blessed, like I talk about it all. the time, just, you know, come from. Mexico, Missouri, a small town where we. call it one way in, no way out, you. know, and so to make it out and be able. to help the people I've been able to. help. It's just a blessing. >> You know, my brother tells a story all. the time. It's like coming from rural. South Georgia where there's really no. one that you like. If you're in LA, you. might see someone that's that you might.

aspire to be like, or you come from a. big Chicago or New York, you might bump. into a Jay-Z or you see a Kanye. But. when you're from a small rural town and. there's really no one from that hometown. that's ever gotten out and become what. we call be on television or be on the. radio, how hard was it for you to find. motivation to want to leave Mexico, Missouri? >> It was hard, but I idolized my uncle Jay. Graves. Okay. You know, um he played. basketball. He wore number 10, so I. wanted to wear number 10. And um he just. taught me a lot about the game, but like.

you said, it was no one to look up to. and idolize cuz TV wasn't, you know, games on TV wasn't big back then, you. know. So um you just kind of had to pick. the people who you wanted to be like. And um outside of my uncle, the other. guys I want to be like, it would have. been going in the right direction. Yeah. You never you see them with all the. cars, with all the money, and you know, that's kind of like what you aspire to. be, you know, just having money, just. being able to do what you wanted to do. And um so I was, you know, like I said, blessed and thankful that I was able to. get out. >> Fast forward, here we are now. You're.

the head coach of the Clippers. Big. acquisitions this off season. You make. the trade for uh Bradley Bill. Chris. Paul comes back after what, four or five. year away from the Clippers. Kawhai. seems to be finally healthy cuz he. started to play really, really well down. the stretch last year. James Harden, you. resign him. The Bill, the Chris Paul, are those the missing ingredients? What. is what what do you guys need to do? Because. >> OKC ain't going nowhere, >> right? >> Houston traded for that 7 foot monster.

We know he's the elite scoreer and when. you pair him with what they already got, Shingun and they got Van Pleet and they. got Thompson. What is What do you guys. need to do, Too make sure you guys are. playing in the conference finals with a. chance to go to the NBA finals? >> I think the biggest thing for us is just. health. I think um you know when you. start the season and your best players. you know aren't available when they when. they're hurt right. >> you know you got to play a different. style of basketball until they able to. come back and that kind of hurt us last. year like. >> we had to play a style just to win games. to try to stay afloat. We really didn't.

have a a flow or system how we wanted to. play because our best player was out. He. played I think 37 games last year and. >> like I think eight or nine of them like. was at 20-minute restriction, you know. So, >> you know, we so we leaned a lot on. James. James was great. You know, Zoo. was great. Yes. Um Nick Batum I mean um. um. >> Norman Pal. >> Norman Pow was great and then Derek. Jones Jr. had a career year. Um Chris. Dunn had a career year. So guys stepped. up and we took on a a mentality and we. took on like a like we're going to be a. defensive-minded tough team and um.

that's who we became, you know. So James. led the way I think with his leadership. I think Norm, you know, being able to. score the way he did, Zubac, you know, being getting went to another level. Yeah. Went to another level. Um I. thought was good for us and we had an. identity in this defense. And then when. Kawhai came back, you know, you try to. integrate him into something that's been. working, you know, now you get your best. player back. It's kind of tough, you. know, to to do that. >> because they've been playing one way and. now you bring this guy in. >> Yeah. So, this year, like I said, just. starting camp, Kawhai's healthy and we. know when he has a camp and he's.

healthy. He's a monster, you know. Um. James is back, you know, we got Brook. Lopez, you know, who's huge for us. I. think another big body we can throw at. Joker and we're playing against Denver. Like, you know, when Zoo's out of the. game, we've always been small and so. he's punished us inside, you know, being. able to score and we had to double team. Now, he's picked me apart with passing. So just for us being healthy, I think. for majority of the season, I think we. got a chance to do some special things. >> Does Bradley Bill coming in, does he. replace what you lost with Norman Pow? Because you had to move Norman Pow. He.

moves on and Pal, he's explosive. He's. an explosive scoreer. Now we know where. Bradley Bill was in Washington. He went. to the All-Star game. He averaged 30 for. a couple of years. So we know he can. score, but that's not necessarily what. you need from him. >> Yeah. I think, you know, Norm, like I. said, led a team in scoring last year. and had a career year. and he was. phenomenal. And um you lose a guy like. Norm, it's always tough to make up for. that. Um but Bradley Bill, like you. said, who's been a perennial all-star. who's averaged 30 a couple times in his. career. Um he's definitely going to be a.

big help for us offensively. So we're. going to need him to score, but outside. of scoring, we're going to need a to. make plays for other guys, too, because. he's going to draw two or three guys and. he can make a pass, he can make a play, and then defensively he's always been. good, but you got to challenge him every. night. Like if he's on like bad players, like he's not as good. when he's when. he's guarding a guy that can play, he's. a really good defender. And so, we need. his total all-around package. And when. you play for a team like Phoenix like he. did the last couple years, you got. Booker and KD and you the third option, like people like, "Oh, well, he he have.

18 points, shot 50% from the field and. 43% from three, right?". >> You know, so I mean those are. unbelievable stats, but when you playing. with KD and Book, it kind of gets. overshadowed. And so, I think, you know, by coming here, I think gets a fresh. start. I think he's going to be great. for us. How difficult is it, Too, to get. a guy when he's been the guy where he. was to get him to come in and says. that's not what we need here because. he's not it's going to be Kawhai. It's. going to be James Harden. And I think. he's strugg like you said he's had good.

numbers, but I think he struggled. because when you go from 30 to 18, that's a big and people look at you. different. They talk about you. different, >> right? But the talk really doesn't. matter because you don't know how the. team is structured and how they're how. they want to play. you know, he might. took a backseat to KD and Book like, "Listen, I'm going to guard the best. player. You know, if y'all need me, I'm. going to be here." But I don't think, you know, with our team, he'll get lost. in the sauce because James is such a. great passer. He makes it easier for. everybody to play the game. And we're. going to need him to score. We don't. need him to come in and, you know, try.

to be somebody else. We need him to be. who he is, you know, and so, um, keeping. him involved and engaged offensively is. going to be huge for us because he can. do a lot of stuff. He can cut, catch, and shoot. He can come off screens. He. can handle the ball as a, you know, secondary, you know, ball handler. So, he can do a lot of things offensively. And so, we want him to come in and be. who he is, not trying to fit in. >> Chris Paul, you bring him back. What. What are your expectations? Because I. think what is CP going into his 20th. season, >> 20th season, and he's still a quality. assist guy. Now, he's not the scorer.

that he once was, but you're not you. might not need him to give you that kind. of that offense, but you need somebody. that can move the ball. He is a pure. point guard. He's looking to pass the. ball first. what is your expectation. from CP? >> Yeah, kind of same thing with Bradley. Bill, you know, just being who you are. and you know when you get older in age. and you play so long in the league, um. your main goal is to win and I so I. think they're at the point in their. careers where we just want to win. whatever it takes. But you know CP, you. know, being 40 years old and playing 82. games last year. Yes. You know what I. mean? Like so.

>> nobody plays 82 anymore unless you. bridges. >> Right. Right. And so he um has done a. great job as far as just changing his. diet, you know, how he eats, how he. trains, and he's going to be huge for. us, I think, for our young guys as far. as know, teaching them how to work, teach them how to be professional, and. then like you said, being a hell of a. passer and creator, and he takes care of. the basketball, he doesn't turn the ball. over. So, that's huge for us. >> But you do realize when you bring these. players in, combined with the players. that you already have, expectations goes. up exponentially. >> Yeah. >> You know what's expected of you guys.

And you guys just happen to be the. oldest team in the NBA. How'd that happen? >> If you don't have expectations, you. don't have a chance to win. And so, you. should never shy away from that. You. know, as a coach, you should be running. to that. You know, having a chance to. compete for a championship. >> Um, that's that's all you can ask for. Just having a chance to compete cuz. there's, you know, about 20 teams that. come in every season and they don't have. a chance to really win, you know. And. so, for me, I think we really have a. real shot. Like I said, with the guys we. acquired this summer, with the guys we. had here last year with a healthy Kawa, I think we really do have a chance to to.

be an elite team, you know, and so it's. gonna take a lot of work, but we can get. there. How important was for you guys to get. into your own building? Because as long. as you stayed in Staples or the or. whatever they call it, >> it's really hard to have an identity. because the Lakers have been there so. long, they won so much in that building, especially not not so much in the last. 10 years, last 15 years, excuse me. But, you know, with Shaq and Kobe, everybody. remembers that. And now you got the. Lakers, and now you got LeBron in that. building, you got uh uh uh Luca. How.

important was it for you guys, Too, to. get your own building? >> Well, it was important. And I know like, you know, everyone makes the rivalry, the Clippers, Lakers, whatever, but to. me it's more about the city of LA, you. know, and so when I first came as a. rookie, like it's all I knew and they. embraced me. And just being here for the. people in the city of LA is it was it it. means the most to me, you know, and so. if you're a Lakers fan, if we're not. playing the um the Clippers not playing. the Lakers, you should be a Clippers. fan. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like it's us against the world, you. know? And so that's kind of how damn how.

they view it, though. >> I know. I. But I wish they would, you know, and so, um, for me, it was great for us to kind. of, like you said, Mr. Obama when he. bought the team, he said, "I'm going to. build us an arena." And so, you know, it. took some time and he did that, you. know, and so to have our own home and a. place you can leave your shoes in a. locker room, not have to move it out, every time, you know, we left to go on. the road or a concert came in, you know, it's huge for us to, you know, have a. place called home. And it's beautiful. I. mean, they've done a great job of just. everything they've done with that. You. know, nothing was was left out. Nothing.

was spared. He spared no expense. >> Nothing. >> Reports are, and you can correct this, that Kawhai trained until the end of the. playoffs. >> Is that true? >> He he trained like he put his body, he. was doing like the playoffs was going on. even though he wasn't playing. And so. when the clip, excuse me, when the. Thunder and the uh who they played the. Pacers when they ended. >> Yeah. >> Kawhai, he start took a break and now he. started back up. Why Why do you think it. was important for him to do that? I.

think just training his mind to be able. to play and get to the finals. Yeah. Like our season was over like we got. beat by Denver in game seven. But to. keep training and keep playing and just. pushing your body to that point of you. know extra two months of the season like. that's tough like and to train your mind. and train your body, that's what he's. getting ready for. So I love that. >> It's it's hard. I mean because you know. you as a player you play you play you. play and you see how great Kawhai is. when he plays and for some reason his. body has betrayed him sometimes not all.

the time because when he's when he's. healthy. >> it's hard to say he's he might not he's. borderline top five but he ain't getting. out of the top 10 when he's healthy now. you can say whatever because he can. still defend now he's not the defender. the two-time defensive player of the. year defender because he's kind of. focused a little bit more offensively. back then he was just a defensive player. that gave you offense. Now, he's an. offensive player that can still play. outstanding defense. But when you when. you watch him and you see cuz a lot of. people say, "Man, Kawhai just got load. management. Ain't nothing wrong with.

him." When you see how hard he works, cuz everybody talks about how hard he. actually works and you see how his body. sometimes betrays him. What goes through. your mind? >> I feel sorry for him, you know, um. >> cuz all the work he puts in, we see it. every day. and just what it takes to get. on the floor on a consistent basis. It. takes a lot for him to get out there. And so it's not like he's wanting to sit. out and miss games. Like he puts the. work in every single day and the grind. that he has to do to even get on the. floor to play, it's just tough, you. know, and so when he tries to push, you.

know, through that threshold himself, >> he gets himself in trouble. So a lot of. times it's coming from us, it's coming. from Lawrence Frank, you know, the. medical staff, like we got to protect. him from himself because, >> you know, sometimes he wants to play. back to backs, but we've seen the trend. if he does then you know he goes well up. you know and so even though he wants to. do it like sometimes you gota protect. him from himself and um it's just tough. because he's not a guy that wants to sit. out not wanting to play like. >> his whole mindset is to win. championships and that's what he wants. to do and like sometimes like you said. it just it's unfortunate you know it's.

um you know some bad luck that you know. things happen but it's not like you know. he doesn't want to work or he doesn't. want to play like that's definitely not. true. >> You played alongside Kobe, you played. alongside Jordan. Has Kawhai ever, because a lot of people say his game is. very, very similar because he had the. mid-range game. Both of those guys had. tremendous mid-range games. Um, has he. ever asked you any questions about. Jordan and Kobe? >> All the time. Yeah. All the time. Especially when I first um got here. And. so going down to San Diego, you know, a.

couple summers and just working with him. and just showing him that, you know, the. moves and the routines that me and. Jordan did every single morning. Like we. went to, we call it the breakfast club. get up, we lift weights, go to. breakfast, get to the gym about an hour. and a half early. And I went through the. same post moves that Joy went through. every single day for two years. And so I. knew his routine and so I brought that. to Kawaii and just kind of showed him. footwork, you know, how they did it, what they were looking for, you know, how to take advantage of different, you. know, and so he really picked up on it. It was crazy. We was talking about it.

like four days ago. When when you come. back to San Diego and I was like, man, I. don't know. You know what I'm saying? When you come back to LA, >> you might need you might need to come to. Vegas to get that in. >> Yeah. know, but you know, he got it down. and just showing all the different. things that I learned from Jordan and. Kobe and just the footwork and stuff and. he picked it up and he really embraces. it. >> Right. >> Is he as quiet as he seems? >> No. >> No. I mean, he's like me. I don't really. like, you know, being around the media. and talking out, you know, up front. >> But you. >> around his guys around Oh, he's a funny. He's a funny dude, man. >> I That's what people say.

>> Super funny. Like, and I. >> People say he he joking. He having a. good time, but but when like when he the. cameras are around. >> Yeah. >> He's like so robotic. >> Yeah. And that's that's kind of what. makes him him, you know. A lot of times, you know, stars, they want to get out in. front of the camera. They want to be. seen. And he's a total opposite, you. know, and so he rather let his game do. the talking and speaking. And so, you. can respect that, you know, and I and I. love that about him. But he's a funny. dude. >> You you resigned James Harden, the. two-year deal. When you guys make the. move and you get Harden, what was your.

expectation? because you have saw him. from afar. You see him score 36 a night. You've seen him win the MVP. You see a. guy goes from the six man of the year to. one of the two or three best players in. the NBA. So when you get a guy like. that, what what are you what's going. through your head like damn I mean I. don't want to mess I don't want to talk. I don't want to mess up too much of what. he's doing but also needing to play. within the scheme. So what's your. thought process when you get a guy like. a James Harden? >> Yeah, it's tough. You just got to, you. know, kind of figure out the first thing. you do is go to a player like that and.

say you be who you are, you know, and. we're going to try to make sure we. incorporate into the team dynamics, but. be who you are and if you're doing too. much, we'll let you know. Um, but when. he first came, I thought, >> damn, T, you you say you doing too much, you'll let him know. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I mean, when he came. when he first came, he wasn't doing. enough. like he was taking he was taking. like seven shots a game you know and so. PG Kawawaii and then we had Russ you. know coming in and so James was just. more the facilitator you know making the. plays but um when he started to like you.

know score more and be more aggressive I. think we went 35 and six or something. something crazy 33 and six. >> and um we had a a hell of a stretch you. know when we once we got him but. >> we had worked on something all training. camp about our cutting and slashing and. moving and we brought him in we just. totally killed it like cuz James guys. space so we can we can make the right. play and and make sure guys in the right. spots and so um it made it tough for us. but we adjusted to it and like you said. when guys are great you just got to let. him be great. >> right. how do you make sure that game seven.

doesn't happen again because we hear. James Harden is great in the regular. season and then come playoff time we. don't seem to get that same level of. James Harden is it mental is it. something that you can do is it. something the players around him can do. what can you guys do to make sure he's. at his absolute best when you need him. to be. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't see what the. difference is between game six and game. seven. You know, the game six was an. elimination game, right? >> He had 30 what? 36, you know. So, like I. don't think it's a mental thing. I think. teams are prepping for a hell of a guy,

you know. And so, when you have two or. three guys loaded up, not going to let. you play to your strengths, not going to. let you iso and get to where you want to. get to. It just makes it tough, you. know, and so, um, >> that's when other guys got to help out. >> That's when I got to help out. That's. when other guys got to step up. And, um, I just take most of the blame. like if. he's not if he's not performing, if my. players are not performing, I take it's. on me, you know. Um and so for me, if. that's going to be a problem, then we. just got to win in six games. Don't go. to seven. >> Yeah. I think that that dunk that dunk. that put back dunk by Gordon really it.

took a lot out cuz y'all had y'all had. that one and then all of a sudden you're. like. >> we're about what is he going to go? I. think he was about to go. No, y'all was. would have won the game. >> Yeah. No, it was tied up. >> It was tied up. Okay. But yeah, >> um, >> something that I can't recall, and you. were around Kobe a lot more than me, and. Jordan, I can't recall if he did it. either, but when they had a bad game, they never ducked out on the medias. >> No. >> And it it it bothers me when things go. well, guy drop a 40point triple double,

the guy got 50, 60, they'll talk. They. have a bad game and then they they they. run from their responsibility of talking. to the media. What What's your take on. that, T? Um, I don't like it, you know, but I think, um, guys are built certain. ways in different ways. And I don't. think it's more of a disrespect thing. I. think it was more like you let yourself. down because they train so hard and you. work so hard to get to these moments and. if you don't play well, like you're. pissed off at yourself. Correct. It's. not the media or anybody else. And so, um, you know, it's better ways you can.

handle it. I think guys should. Um, but. you never know how guys are feeling. Some guys Yeah. Some guys can't handle. it. You might get them on stage and they. might go crazy, you know. >> Yeah. You'll be glad you like, "Yeah, you should have ded on that one.". >> Exactly. You know, so I mean, I wish it. was a better way. They could handle it, but you know, um, you know, if you don't. play well, if you don't do what you're. supposed to do, step up and meet the. responsibility, you know, of doing the. media. Woo! That 98 draft class. Dirk, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Mike Bby, Al. Harrington, Larry Hughes, Rashard Lewis, Antoine Jameson, Jason Williams, Bonsie.

Well, Ricky Davis, Rafael Austin, Cino. Moley, Earl Boykins. What do you. remember about that draft class? >> Y'all got a nice little Y little squad. You got Dirk's in the hall. Pierce is. going to the hall. Viz Carter's in the. hall. >> Yeah. Um it was um it was crazy because. you know my junior year you know at. Nebraska um I had a you know I had a. really good year and so I was like man. can I come out because I didn't know if. Steve Francis is going to come uh and.

then Baron Davis right and Baron Davis. had got hurt and he tore his um ACL at. UCLA and so when he got pushed back he's. going to come out that year so if BD. would have came out I'd have came back. to school for my senior year you know so. once he got hurt that's why be my I you. know so once he got hurt I was like. I got to I got to make a move you know. and so I came out you know end up being. the 23rd pick. Um but just going through. that draft it it was crazy because I had. a chance and opportunity to go 15 like.

Orlando said they were going to take me. 15th because they had three picks right. >> they had um so they took Mike Doliaak at. 12, >> Keon Clark at 13 and then for 15 they. supposed to take me but they took uh. Matt Harper. >> and then from Georgia Tech. >> Yeah. from Georgia Tech and then I think. 16 was I think Michael Dick but then I. Michael Dixon went 14 and then Bryce. Drew went 16 and I was supposed to win. 16th and I didn't do that you know so. then when you don't know you kind of. like oh you know what's going. >> now all of a sudden you thought 15 you.

don't go 16 17 18 so you start sliding. you're like damn did I make the right. decision. >> right and so you know they want to have. a draft party back in Mexico for me and. I was like man I ain't going to be. embarrassed like I ain't have a draft. party no don't get drafted so I was in. uh New York you with my agent Andy. Miller at his house. >> And so, you know, when I heard my name. get called by the Denver Nuggets 23rd. pick, like I went crazy. It was like a. dream come true. And, you know, for a. guy like you said from Mexico, that. doesn't happen, right? You know, and so, um, it was like, you know, a blessing, a.

dream come true. >> And then you got then you get traded. You like you get drafted to the 23rd. pick, Tyron Lou. Yay. Yay. That pick was. traded to the. >> You got back flips. go go from happy to. like backflip man the Lakers Kobe and. come on manaack come on Kobe and Shaq. and like being in LA and then so like. what blew my heart was I like when when. they said traded to the Lakers cuz I. know Jerry Weston came and watched me. play right. >> um in Hawaii and we played against.

Virginia and I had a hell of a game he. was sitting courtside like thumbs up. like winking at me I said oh like you. know what I'm saying let me keep this. let me keep this up. >> and I so I they say I get traded to the. Lakers man I jump off the couch I go. crazy My agent scared me. Well, this is. totally different. You're not going to. Denver, you're going to the Lakers. So, this is very important. You got to So, he scared me. So, now I'm I'm going from. being high to like scared now. Yeah. Killed my high. Like, and we talk about. to this day like damn. Like, I was like. excited and now he scared me cuz now. like I'm like Like, what I got to.

do now? Like, you know? So, but like. that was that was huge, man. But you go. into a situation, Too, where you're like. you're all Big 12 and you handling the. ball, you're scoring and you know that's. not going to be you what you going to be. doing in LA. So how how do you. transition? Because you transition like. you like forgot I mean you could score. but you like nah that ain't my thing. Let me lock in on this defensive end. That's how I'm going to have to be here. Well, what's what's crazy is that, you. know, like coming out of college, I. averaged 23 that year, you know, and so.

um all I knew was scoring the basketball. and, you know, playing with pace, playing with speed. And so when I got to. the Lakers, you know, I came in, it was. lockout season, >> you know, so the first 35 games, I ain't. even I ain't even suit up. I didn't even. suit up. >> Damn. >> I Yeah. I wore I wore a suit for the. first 35 games. And so, you know, we. only played 50 games that season, right? >> Um you know, Dale Harris got fired and. Kurt Ramis took over, right? And um he. was my workout guy. you know, that whole. time while Dale Harris is, you know, was. there. >> and so um the last 15 games he gave me.

opportunity to play and I play, you. know, I played well, you know, but just. looking at it like every day I'm like. scoring and practice, I'm doing my. thing. Never got me on the floor. But. just sitting back and just observing and. seeing what guys were doing and what I. could bring, I said, "Okay, like D Fish. is a he's a he's a good player, solid. player, makes open shots, does the right. thing, doesn't turn the ball over." Um, but we don't have an energy guy. like a. guy could pick up full court, pressure. the basketball like and so just looking. at that and just learning from that. instead of you know being pissed off and. being mad like just learning getting.

better. I seen what they needed and when. I got my opportunity man I just picked. up I ain't never been a defensive. player. I mean I can play defense but. like I've always been a scorer you know. and so um to be able to do that and see. what we needed and then make that my. niche to get on the floor like that's. what I had to do so I was willing to do. it. You should be a you should be like. all a lot of these players look up to. Michael Jordan and all these other guys. Pton Princeton and TJ McConnell should. look up to you because you. >> that was that was your gig before way. way way back when. >> Yeah. >> You get to LA.

>> Shaq and and people always talk about. Shaq's generosity. It was reported that. Shaq gave you a sum of money to go to go. get laced out. Um, it's funny because, you know, when I first met him, we went. to the Sentry Club and so, um, when I. first met, he didn't know who I was. Like, they had drafted me. He didn't. really know who I was. And then Uncle. Jerome like, "Man, that's the guy we. just drafted from, right?" He's like, "Oh, okay." Like, "Whatever, whatever.". He said, "All right, well, just come to. the house tomorrow. I'm going have my. chef cook and just come by." And so, um, I said, "All right." So, I brought a.

couple of my guys. We go to Shaq's. house, man. A hell of a spread. We eat. good. And so, we just sitting around. talking. And um he's like, "All right, here, you know, before you leave, hold. up." So he goes to the back, comes out. with $10,000 like, "Here, go shopping. and get you." I was like, "What?" He's. like, "Yeah." I said, "I can't pay this. back. Like it's lock out. I'm getting. half my money. Like I No, no, no. Just. keep it. Don't worry about it. Just keep. it." That's kind of guy he was. Like. bought bought Mark Mass in a truck like. because he, you know, he wasn't getting. around, but like that's who he was, man. Like Shaq would give you anything. He.

took care of a lot of people. And like. said, he don't get a lot of credit for. that, but he's always been like that. He's like a big kid. If you see him, I. mean, the thing like he goes in the. store, he's like, and and the parents. will tell the kid to put it back cuz. they can't pay for it. He say, "No, I. got it.". >> Right. >> He and he's he he is he he's he's a he's. a a oversight. He's a 50 yard. I think. Shaq's probably 50, 51, 52. But he's a. big kid. Yeah. He's a big kid that wants. the best for everything. Everybody. >> Everybody. Yeah. >> But uh he a prankster though.

>> A super prankster. A super prankster. So, um, one time, you know, Devin George, you. know, we're on the team and. >> and, um, you know, Sha had told him to. do something. He didn't do it. And so, usually he'll like put a towel, wrap a. towel around his hand, he'll punch you. and beat you up until, you know, till. you surrender. Um, but this day, like. Devin, we had a game and Devin didn't. want, he didn't do something that. morning, bring donuts or the newspaper. or something. And, um, Shaq went in the. bathroom and he and he.

in Devon's shoes. And so, So, so when he. come out of the locker room, he kind of. like, you know, knocked it where it come. to to like the top of your shoe. And so, Deon not knowing we getting ready for. the game. Deon not knowing, he comes in, puts his shoe in, and he puts his, you. know, foot in in a in a pile of sho like. he would do stuff like that all the. time. Like just just. >> Yeah. Crazy stuff, man. >> So, what did Devin do? >> What could he do? I mean, what you going. to do? Like, >> oh, man. Come on, Shaq. Man, that was.

unnecessary. He was mad, but like what. could he do? You know, and nothing you. can do about that. Like just take it as. a loss. >> For one, you might get beat up and then. two, you might get cut. So, >> you know what I'm saying? >> You lose lose. >> But you was also you played with Dennis. Robin. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What was Because obviously he's one of. the great small rebounders. He might be. the greatest small rebounder in NBA. history. You talking about a guy that's. 67 that led the league in rebounding for. like seven straight years. I mean, he he.

was getting like 17 18 rebounds a game, which is unheard of. >> So, what what was he like? Was he like. cuz you know, Shaq, I saw Shaq said he. didn't take he didn't like to take. showers. He would leave and go straight. to the club. So, what what was he like. practice behind the scenes? >> He was a hard worker. You know, he was. quiet. He didn't really do a lot of. talking. Um but when he stepped on the. floor, like he gave everything he had. every single day, you know. And so, um, the funny thing is like when we wore our. practice uniforms and stuff, he always.

wore like pajama pants and like a white. t-shirt. That's how he practiced, you. know. So, um, but I mean, just, you. know, talking to him on the end of the. bench cuz I wasn't playing at the time. Like so like you said the first 35 games. like I'm on the sideline he comes sit on. the end of the bench and like just. talking to me about you know what Jordan. did and like how Kobe you know reminds. him a lot of Jordan and the similarities. and um we used to talk you know a lot at. the end of the bench you know but he. wasn't a big talker you know hard. worker. Um I don't like the way it. ended. They kind of like you know made. like it was his fault whatever but it it.

wasn't. >> Was he taking his shoes off at that. time? >> Oh he yeah he always had his shoes off. Yeah he always had his shoes off. Um, and now that I'm older, I see why. He's. comfortable, you know? But like I see. why. But I mean, he wasn't a problem at. all. Like he when he was supposed to do. his job, he did his job. And you saw by. the fans loved him, too, when he was. here. >> Oh, yeah. They love everywhere he's. been, the fans love him. >> Yeah. >> You with the Lakers from 98 to 2001, you. won two championships. What was that. time like? Because LA loves winners. And. if you win in LA,

you you're go you're golden forever. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean it was like being, you know, with the Beatles, >> you know. I mean, you had Kobe Shack, you know, we had Rick Fox who was a. movie star, you know, Ron Harper who. already won with, you know, won with. Jordan, >> B Shaw, Dish, you know, then the first. one was Glenn Rice, we had Robert Ory. and. >> Horus Grant. It was just like like. traveling with the Beatles, you know, and like every city we went to, you. know, Shaq had a party, a birthday. party. So, I'm like, damn, like when is. your birthday? like every time we went. to a new city like tonight Shaquille.

O'Neal birthday bash you know like and. so you know when we get there like the. whole team that's that's what was. different about now and then back then. our whole team went out like 15 guys. like every single night so when we got. to a city we go out have fun we kick it. um but you knew like every time we we we. stepped into the arena like we was going. to win like and so like to have that. feeling knowing that when we go into an. arena we're going to win like it was no. better feeling and then like I say at. the time having the two best players in. the world like I mean what could you do. about that?

>> Would you say because you were there you. were in it. Would you say guys were. closer then or are teams guys closer. now? >> Closer then. I mean because you didn't. had a social media um guys weren't. playing all the video games. Okay. Um. you know it wasn't a lot to do. So guys. we always stay connected. You play. cards. You know you went out together. You went to dinner together. Um, but now. with just so much social media and so. many, you know, movie outlets and all. the different things you can do now, it's just it's totally different, right? You know, but back then like we all were. together every single day and like every.

team I was on back then it was the same. way. >> You're coming out unfortunately for you. was in the NBA finals because that's. when people everybody knew like Tyron. Lou was and you took the assignment of. guarding Allen Iverson who was the MVP. that season. >> and look he he went haywire. He went. that first game one. He went crazy. >> Yeah. >> And but you were undeterred like when. you when like you giving it everything. you got like come on come on come on T. you got to get like bro I'm giving this.

dude everything I got. >> I mean. >> ain't nothing working. No, he's a beast. and like I mean to be relentless the way. he was and how he attacked every single. time like and it's crazy like he's like. probably two three years older than me. but I idolized him like just you know. just how he carried himself you know. being 6 foot you know with the braids. and you know um bringing that hip-hop. culture to you know to the NBA. He has a. heavy influence on the NBA. >> And so it was crazy. The two weeks. leading up to the finals, I played AI in. practice every single day. So I was able.

to run fast and forget the triangle. Like I was able, you know, run fast, shoot all the balls. And um so I knew. everything just studying the film, watching him and all of his counters, everything he did. And so in that first. half, you know, um I didn't play, you. know, I was on the side. I didn't play. the first half of the game, right? And. so with six minutes to go in the third. quarter, um I'm sitting on the floor, me. and Devin George, and then you know, Phil looks down to the end of the bench. He's like, "Lie, I was like, I jumped. up. I jumped up at this point." A I had. 36 points already.

>> What you want me to do? >> Yeah. With six minutes to go in the. third quarter, you know what I'm saying? Ended with 48, but like just having that. chance to to play and like say, play. against someone you idolize and. respected so much, you know? So, I know. a lot of people make like a a big deal. over the step over and all that. But, like, to me, it's just competing. Like, if you play hard, you compete. There's. going to be some things that happen that. you don't want to happen. You're going. to get dunked on, you're going to get. crossed over, you know, whatever it may. be. But, like, they act like he crossed. me over. I fell down. He stepped over. me. Like, he made a good move. When I. contested a shot, he walked back, he. stepped over me. And I think the biggest.

thing was Doug Collins cuz he, oh, he. steps over Lou. He goes crazy. So, then. I made a big deal out of it, which, you. know, it don't bother me. Like people. see me all the time like, you know, that's Tyler. That's the guy that AI. stepped over, you know. So that's how. I'm known. Not a three-time champion or, you know, like not nothing like the guy. Yeah. The guy that AI stepped over, so. it's whatever. Yeah. >> Was AI the toughest matchup you had? Cuz. you've had to go I mean, you've had to. guard a lot. I mean, >> no, he was the toughest matchup I ever. had to guard. Hands down. >> But when you look at cuz I'm old and.

there and I I remember him. He I mean, he's 6' tall, but he thin. Did he Did he. weigh 160? >> 160. That's what he weighed. No, that's. what he weighed. 160. But. >> man, just speed, athletic ability, um. the way he attacked you, like his. handle, like he just he could do. everything. He shoot it mid-range to the. rack, finish over big, dunk on a big, like get you in foul trouble, and then. in transition, he was like a miniature. LeBron. Like he was unstoppable in.

transition, you know, and so he. definitely was the hardest guy I had to. guard, you know, in my career. Kobe, you were close to Kobe and did you. you guys played a lot of a lot of one. You get it? >> Never because this guy right here. So, a. funny story is so um my second year um I. think eighth game of the season, I got. hurt. So, I had to get microofacture. surgery. Okay. >> And Kobe broke his hand. >> And so, um when we got better, like you. know, just rehabbing or whatever. So, like the for three months, me and Kobe.

worked out every single day. The team. was on the road. It just me and Kobe. And so, uh, me and my cousin Doodle, we. would go to the gym and we would play. one-on-one full court, right? >> And I could never beat him. Like, I. could, you know, cuz I was a good great. one-on-one player, right? >> And so, we be in the car, we get back, man, why you can't beat him? Like, I. said, man, I don't know. Like, I just. can't beat him. And then like two years. later, he became Kobe. like I see why. him, you know, like no, I see why I. could never beat him, you know, but like. people don't get the chance to see like. I mean Kobe had a man handle like the. ball on the string, all that and one.

stuff and all he had all that like. >> never lost the handle. Like when you. talk about guys like skill-wise, he was. one of the baddest guys like ever. And. so something I had to clean up, I want. to clean up today. >> And I talked to John Sally already. So. he told a story on the podcast about um. Kobe was on the on the uh plane and like. he was bobbing his head like he was. listening to music and so we was at the. card table playing cards and John Sai. said. >> you're not listening to music are you? He's like you listen to everything.

everybody's saying. He was like yeah I'm. listening to everybody. He's like why. are you doing that? And he was like to. see if somebody talking about he says. nobody talking about I just want to make. sure I know what's going on or whatever. But John, I told a story that that I was. talking about CO. I'm like, Cob was. my man. I would never. He said, "No, I. didn't say that. He got cut in the snip. How I said, "No, you gotta clean that. up." Because that's my guy and I would. never talk about CO, you know? So, he said he got a podcast with the same. people two weeks from now. He's going to. clean it up because that's not the way. it happened. But, um, go ahead. I'm. sorry. You. >> did you know, cuz sometimes people like,

"Man, did you know he would be back?" I. did. >> from from working out with him because. like you said you working out behind the. scenes and cuz I mean everybody remember. I remember 17 year old and Dale Harris. getting an opportunity at Utah and he. airballing the last shot. That's what. people like well dam I was like. everybody keeps saying he going to be. good he going to be good. I like what. well damn. But I did factor in I was. like dude supposed to be a senior in. high school. Really though he ain't. supposed to be he in the NBA. You you. could tell that he was going to be that.

he was going to be Kobe B. Yeah, but not. not to factor in the air balls, to. factor in he took those shots. >> What? >> The mentality. You know what I'm saying? The mentality to take those shots. Yes. >> You know what I mean? >> Cuz a lot of times people shy away from. >> Oh, they don't want it. Yeah. They don't. want it, you know, and I've seen that. And so at 17, 18 years old to have the. mentality to take those shots and shoot. the air balls. Like the thing about. Kobe, which is different, you know, is. I've never heard him talk about money, like how much money he made or how much. money. It was always about he wanted to. be the greatest. Like I want to be the. best. And to see the work he put in.

every single day, you can tell that's. what he wanted to do, right? And just. from like being there at 5:00 in the. morning, being the first guy there. working on his body. What 17 guy 17 year. old guy, you know, is working on their. body, you know, getting, you know, the. soft tissue stuff, eating right, >> mature way beyond his youth. >> Yeah. Like nobody's doing that, you. know. And so, um, to see all the stuff. that he did at that age, >> um, it was just phenomenal. You knew he. was going to be I knew he was going to. be great. Like had no doubts about that. just the work he put in and how hard he. worked. It was just it was it was gonna.

happen. >> But I think I I forget the outlet. They. had Kobe ranked the 11th best player in. the history of the game. You played with. Kobe. You played in this league. You. coached in this league for a number of. years. The 11th best player. >> I would never say that, but it's my era. I I don't know, you know, like back in. the day. I can't speak on how great guys. was back then because you say like the. TV outlets, the games weren't known to. you heard about it. >> Games were taped, the ladies and gent.

But in my era, if I had to pick and. choose and say, was he better than the. guys back in the day? >> Oh, not no question at all. Like, no. question. I mean, to win five. championships, >> like I said, to win two, you know what. I'm saying, without Shaq we thought. would never happen and to do all the. things he did, like come on, man. Like, no. Definitely not 11. That's crazy. Had Shaq and Kobe stayed together, let's. just say they would have had a. harmonious relationship. Um, I'm trying.

to think. It's hard to say because. Stockton and Malone wasn't on that. level. Stockton was the best player. There was no question about it. No ifs, and a but. It's hard to say Pippen and. Jordan. Jordan was the best player. There's no ifs, and but. But when you. got two guys and you got two Therb. Breads and they running and they looking. eye to eye, I'm the best. No, I'm the. best. I'm the best. >> in the world. >> The world. >> In the world. Yeah. >> Had they been able to coincide, let's. just say for another three years. How.

many championships do you think they. win? >> They could have won eight. They could have won eight. And if you. know I know I I wasn't there for the. Detroit series or whatever. And I'm glad. my best friend Chanty got a. championship. You know what I'm saying? Um like there was some bickering back. and forth then. Like they could have, you know, they could have easy won that. But if they had stayed together, they. won seven eight championships. Like. could nobody beat that duel. Like. somebody might have slipped up and won. You know, Detroit won, you know, and. they had a hell of a team. Um and what.

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Sportsbook. The crown is yours. If it. had been a situation I get that I think. the best situation we can use in this. situation uh tu is co is uh Kareem and. Magic. >> people don't realize this but Magic's. rookie year Kareem was MVP. >> right. >> Magic was finals MVP. >> right. >> but as they started to progress Pat. Riley said I need more from you he. called him Buck that's what he called. Young Buck he says I need I need more. scoring from you.

>> Magic asked Pat Riley to his. You run that by cap. >> Did you kill that with Kareem? >> Right. Right. >> Cuz Kareem they he going to get that. thing down on the block. He said I run. it by him. >> If they could have had that type of. relationship, I don't think nobody beat. him. >> No. >> I think they might they might like like. the Bulls won three and took two years. off. If if they had if they had had a. Kareem and Magic type of relationship, I. don't think nobody can beat them. >> No. And I'm mad they didn't. I'm mad.

because that was greatness. Like. >> and we might have never seen that again. >> No, never. >> Because it's a perfect situation, Too, because you got a big and a little, >> right? >> It's a it's a it's it's a guard and a. center. >> and you're you're never you're never. going to get somebody Kobe skill. >> with Shaq dominance. >> You saw it, >> right? >> I'm glad I saw it. >> Me, too. I'm glad I'm glad you was a. part of you. You You got an opportunity. to see it up close and personal. How dominant was it on every, you know,

every night? Shaq going to give you 30, Kobe going to give you 27. >> Yeah. >> Kobe going to go score 40, Shaq going to. give you 30 and 20, >> right? >> To watch that every night. And because. back then teams have about four or five. bigs because two bigs, he following them. out. >> That's that's easy. I mean, barbecue. chicken. >> Yeah. Foul trouble in the first three. minutes. Like the starting center is out. of the game in the first three minutes. And what they don't understand is when. you go to Hacker Shack, which is cool, now you in a bonus with six minutes to. go. Now Kobe goes to work. So any hand.

check, Kobe's going to the free throw. line, you know? So like, >> man, come on, man. Like it just was. >> I mean, he was just so dominant. That's. why like when you walk into an arena or. you go on the road like can't nobody. beat us. Like you know, like we got Cob. and Shaq. No matter how things go, how. bad I'm playing or defish or Rick, it. don't matter be Shaw, we don't got to. make a shot. We know we got at least 70. coming from these two guys. And back. then you was only scoring eight. So we. got to get 10 points, you know, between. >> between the two between the other seven.

of us. >> Yeah. So like it don't matter. Like they going to get 70. All they got. to do is get 10. You know what I'm. saying? So it didn't matter, man. And so. like that's how great they were, but. like a lot of teams have a one-two punch. or these are the best two players in the. world. >> World. >> on the same team. >> Yes. >> When has that ever been done? >> Do you think we'll ever see another. Shaq? Because people don't realize how. how Shaq was 7 foot one was 325. Shaq. could run. Shaq was agile. Shaq could be. >> I'm trying to think of somebody that.

that size. Maybe Wilt, but I didn't see. Will play. That's the only person I. could think of that was that size that. could get up and down the court. But. people don't realize how athletic Shaq. was. >> Oh man, he was super athletic. like, you. know, take off the glass, push it, you. know, go full court for it, no look. passes, and just. >> seeing like how he moved like he, you. know, people give him, you know, stuff. about being a pick and roll, like, you. know, whatever. But like he was agile. like he can move, he can side to side, laterally, he can up and down, he can do.

whatever you want. And to be that big. and be that dominant, like we'll never. see that ever again. I mean, I don't I. don't how like. >> not not not a guy his size that can move. like that. You look there are guys, okay, Joic, Mike can make better shots, can you know that and and Job, but I'm. talking about his size, his ability. Nobody will ever be that dominant again. >> Never. >> Nope. Dude, if you were the coach, let's. just say I'm going to make you feel. Jackson and you're the coach of Shaq and. Kobe. How do you keep them together? How.

do you make peace? >> Whatever it takes. No, seriously, you. can't you can't lose that. Like that. changes people's lives for forever, you. know? Not just Shaq and Cob what feels. feels already feel you know but the. organization right. >> all of us role players like you know. what I'm saying like that changed our. lives forever like you get you keep. those guys together and you get a chance. to win six seven eight championships. like. >> in LA like come on man like. >> no no no no no better thing and so. whatever I had to do whatever I had to.

say I was going to do it you know and so. you I mean you had to like there's no. way you can you can lose Shaq like you. know they had to stay together and so. that was just very disappoint. appointing, you know, especially all the. success that we had. Um, it was it was. disappointing to see that happen. >> I think the thing for me is that Shaq. replaying in his mind saying he wish he. had done things different because he. knows he knows he left at at bare. minimum he left two championships with. the Lakers on the court. He knows that, >> right? >> He knows it. >> I think more than that, but at minimum.

at minimum. And so now he sees all these. guys winning MVPs and winning titles and. he's like and people start talking about. well he's he's up there. He's like hold. on wait a minute y'all y'all forgot. about me. >> I don't know how. >> Yeah. I mean there never like you said. it's never going to be a player like. Shaq ever again. You know. >> no not that size not that athleticism. Not that dominant. No. >> never. And so, um, like I said, I just sad that that it. happened, you know, the way it did. because they were supposed to be. together for, you know, in my eyes, you.

know. >> What was Kobe like in practice? Because. everybody say like look I mean uh Lou. will tell the story that he made him. take off his shoes cuz they was bull. diving in the game. They didn't play. hard. What was he like in practice? Because we heard the last dance uh uh. Jordan, you know how he swung on Steve. Kerr that he he was not afraid to. approach guys, get in guys face to make. sure everybody was giving their their. best effort. Not not in the game but. practice. game. What you saw in the game every. single day,

>> every single day, he wanted to be the. best player every single day in. practice, in the game, and that's just. how he competed, you know, and so um. every time we got a new player like, you. know, Glenn Rice. Yeah. >> And Glenn Rice was a bad dude. Yeah. You. know, >> Cole wanted to play one-on-one to show. him like this is my this is my team. We. got J.R. Ryder, same thing. Like J.R. Rder got there, he wanted to play him. one-on-one. Show him this is my team. like used to, you know, cuz. >> you used to be mad over there, but not. here.

>> Yeah. And so, um, that's just who he. was. Like competed every single. possession, every sprint, every drill. Like he wanted to be the best. And. that's no Like it's every. single day he was the same person. What. you see in the game, you saw him. practice every single day. >> You end up leaving and you you go to you. end up at Washington with 40-year-old. Jordan. Obviously, he's not the same. He's not uh the first three Pete. He's. not the end three Pete. He's taken time. off and he comes back. But could you see why he was Michael.

Jordan? >> Oh, no doubt. I mean, you see a guy. that's 40 40 years old and average he. averaged 21 points a game on one leg. See, people don't take take into. consideration like he played on one leg, one knee, you know, for for two years. and he averaged 20 points a game, you. know, and so I could just see just. coming in um to the gym like Kobe, like. I said, was a super worker and you see a. guy like Jordan, you know, you come to. practice, you know, two hours early, think you coming in about to work out,

Jordan's already done, lthered up, done. lifted, sweat on the court, did all this. footwork stuff, all this basketball. stuff. You're like, damn. like I came 2. hours early. He's already done at 40. >> So what was he like at 23, 24, 25, you. know, and so you knew that's why he was. who he was? And so when I first walked. in, I was in awe like to be able to play. with somebody you looked up to and. idolized your whole life and to be, you. know, >> he don't even seem real, does he? No. I. see I. >> People think I'm lying when I say that. The first time I saw him, he like he.

levitating and I'm looking at this man, he probably think I'm a He like, man, man, Sterling Sharp little brother look. crazy. Cuz I'm I'm look I'm looking at. him like he not cuz he not real Too. He. not real. >> And when people see him like you know he. never had a lot of security. No. >> Like but when people see him they stop. like cuz they're like in all like oh. that's my and before you can really say. something he's already gone. Like it. wasn't a lot of crowd control like. because like you see him and you just. freeze like all the other celebrities. and stars and like people going to run.

to him and go crazy. >> Nobody ever really ran to Jordan because. you can't believe it's him. >> You can't believe it. Like it's just. like he's walking like you tap somebody. you look you froze and then you look up. he's gone. You know what I'm saying? Like that's how it was. It never was. like a oh and they rush and go crazy. because you just couldn't believe it you. know and that's just. >> and he played at 40 he played all 82. >> 82 games second year. Yeah. >> It seemed to me back then. I mean he came in that era well it was.

important to play 82 games. >> Badge of honor. >> I don't think it's important now. >> No it's not important now. It's a badge. and honor, especially back then. Um, but. if you look at a lot of the medical um, the science, um, it makes sense, you. know, like to play 82 games, but see. back then we play 82 games and then you. had a two-hour practice the next day. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like now. guys play. >> and a lot of guys they were taking. commercial flights before this thing got. high tech and they took pride charter. Them guys was flying commercial. >> Yeah. Going to the airport.

>> Yeah. Getting in line with. >> Yeah. sleeping in in the airport, leaving at 6:00 in the morning to catch. flights to go to another city. So, it. was a badge of honor to play 82 games. back then. Like, that's what you wanted. to do, right? You know, and so, um, but. with the medical and the science how it. is today, like it makes sense why a lot. of us can't walk now because, you know, like how hard we went, all the. practices, all the games, right? Um, so. it is a little science to it, but. >> um, like back then you wanted to play. every game. That was just that was your. mindset.

I've heard a lot of people say in. today's game in the game the way it's. being played and the way it's being. officiated today. Jordan at his Apex how many points would. he average. >> today? >> Yeah. Oh man. 45. >> you b what you mean you can't touch. nobody. It's a foul. So I mean you got. the best player in the world. But you. know what I'm saying? You got the best. player in the world. >> 45 tu what he average 36 one year.

>> He average 37. >> 37. Yeah. >> So yeah add eight to that cuz every time. you get touches two free throws, >> right? >> You know so I mean like the zone stuff. could be a difference and you know like. back a legal defense but. >> Yeah. I mean I don't see like it. wouldn't be a year he wouldn't average. 45. >> Wow. >> You couldn't touch nobody. I mean I mean. you can't touch nobody now. So like the. physicality is you know pretty much. gone. um anything you going to the free. throw line and just how smart he was, you know, especially nowadays like take.

advantage of these guys, you know, just. as far as just IQ alone, >> right? >> What's the what's some of the best. advice Jordan gave you? >> Um so when I when I first came um to. Washington, you know, so I was in the. triangle for, you know, two years on the. field. So when I came to Washington, um. I was like, man, I guess I got turned. loose now. I can just play my game. And. you know, um, >> so when I got there, like I was just, man, playing with pace, pushing it, you. know, just not understanding really how. to play the game, right?

>> But just playing the game, if that makes. sense. >> And so he just taught me like, >> you know, um, different reads, how to. run the pick and roll. If a guy's. playing you like this, you know, do. this. It should be your counter. And, um, he gave me a lot of confidence, right? You know, I think um, shooting. the basketball because, you know, I. could shoot, but you know, when he kick. it out to you like Jordan passing the. ball, like, oh, like, you know what I'm. saying? like, man, I don't care if you. miss five in a row. If you open, you got. to shoot it and gave me that confidence. Um, which the second year when I was. there, I was like second in the league. in three-point shooting. But it all came.

from that first year. And, um, I don't. think I had the confidence that I. needed, like I said, to play with. Jordan, right? >> And, um, he gave me that confidence. So, going to that second year, I was like, man, I was pissed off cuz I didn't play. the way I wanted to play. I thought I. was going to be the starter. Um, Chris. Whitney came in, did a hell of a job. He. was a starter. He played well. And then. Larry Hughes came in. And then I think. that second year I came in with a chip. on my shoulder. We got to training camp. like I'm coming in to be the starter, right? And that happened for me. But it. all came from that first year of Jordan. give me confidence to be the player I. wanted to be. >> Was he hard on players?

>> Yes. >> Too hard? >> No. I mean, if you do your job, you. ain't got to be hard on just do your. job. You know, so like if you come in. every day and do your job, >> right, >> I can't be hard on you, you know? But if. you slacking, if you bullshitting, like, yeah, he wasn't taking that. He wasn't. going to tolerate that, you know? So, um, >> so he was almost like he was he was a. player coach. >> Yeah. On the floor, right? Like if you. slack and you're not doing what you're. supposed to do, right, he's going to. call you out. He's going to challenge. you. You know, if you can't handle the. challenge, then you just can't play. >> Right. Because a lot, look, he took a 17.

year old kid from Glenn Academy inwami. Brown. Andwami is a 611. He was, you. know, and everybody said, "Well, you. took this guy." But I mean, by most. draft boards,Wami was the best player. coming out that year. >> A phenile. >> Yes.Wami. >> was. >> 611. could run up and down the court. I. mean, he he had it all. >> First step, can drive, can pass, you. know, like I said, running on the floor. He's athletic, can do everything, you. know, can do everything. But, you know, when you put a young kid in that. situation, I was old, I was four or five. years older than Kwami, right? You put.

me in that situation. I was already. scared to play with Michael Jordan, you. know. So, if you put a 17, 18 year old. kid with Michael Jordan and then you're. number one pick, so the expectations. >> expectations are through the roof. >> Yeah. And so, um, that's hard. That's. hard for anybody. I've seen guys that. are, you know, great players and guys. that, you know, 10. >> allst stars in all NBA play with LeBron. and, you know, get to Cleveland, couldn't make a shot, you know what I'm. saying? Like scared to death. So, you. can imagine like a 18-year-oldwami like. andwami was talented. He was skilled and. he had great year. He played what 12.

years, 13 years, and he was and he was a. really good player, you know, and so um. people look at, you know, what he should. have done from the expectations of being. number one pick playing with Jordan, but. Jordan put a lot of, you know, a lot of. if he had, let's just say for the sake. of argument, he's still the number one. pick and he goes somewhere else. Does. does his career turn out different? You. think? >> I think so. I think so. You know, because now he's he's being featured. The mistakes he's made, the mistakes he. made are not being magnified now. You. know, you're not on TV because Jordan is. there. So, you're probably going to a.

worse team. >> You know, Jordan, when he came to. Wizard, we we was bad, but. >> we had a TV time, right? >> You still had Jordan. And then with. Jordan, there's expectation. >> Exactly. And so if he went to another. team, you know, he'd have been, you. know, it' have been a lot different. You. know, he would have been able to make. those mistakes as a 18-year-old kid and. he'd been able to grow and learn, you. know, instead of. >> at his pace because everything when you. play with a historically transcended. great player, everything gets sped up. It ain't no learning. >> None. >> You got Hey, go I ain't never driven.

before. Drive, >> right? >> Yeah. And that's and that's how it was, you know. And so um he get he was man. that was the right pick. He was a bad He. was a bad dude. >> Also on that team was Charles Oakley. Now Oak. >> now he Oak is no nonsense. He ain't. going to take no mess. Do what you're. supposed to do. >> He old school. What was it like playing. with Oak? >> I loved it. Yeah, I loved it. First of. all, I walked around thought I had. security everywhere. So I wasn't really.

tripping off, you know, really tripping. off nothing. But um what Oak was really. good at, he was a chef. >> Yeah. And so we would go to, you know, house. Yeah. He would cook for us like. two times a week. He's, man, throw down. like the best of them. But, you know, Oak taught me a lot too. Like I said, just, you know, being on time, being a. pro, putting in the work, how he saw the. game cuz he could really pass like, you. know, just seeing the game, different. reads, you know, and so, um, he really. was a mentor, like you said, towi and. our younger guys. We had a young team,

Heidi White, Eton Thomas, like those. bigs like Brennan Haywood, like those. guys looked up to to Oak and he really. showed them a lot as well. And just, you. know, bringing that professionalism as. being a, you know, older vet, right? He. was really good for us. >> NBC got the NBA pack got a part of the. NBA package back. One of their. contributors analyst is going to be. Michael Jordan. What type of analyst? I. can just imagine the first time he. criticized somebody, they are go I. wonder if they gonna say he don't know.

what he talking about. What did he. because they said that about everybody. else. They said that but everybody else. Well, he he wasn't that good. He wasn't. that good. So I wonder if Jordan ever. says he didn't play well. Somebody. didn't play well. What will that guy. say? >> I think they'll take it. But I don't. think it's more so to be critical or. critique. I think it's more so to be. around the game, right? >> Like we need him, right? Like we miss. him, right? you know, and so, um, you. know, we bought the team, you know, you. go play there once a year or twice, you. see him sometime, >> but like I think we need him around the.

game, >> right? >> You know, and so for our younger guys to. be able to see him and see who he is. and, you know, what he's done for this. league and, you know, be around the. greatest like. >> how they pull that off. >> NBC, I'm trying to figure out how how. they pull that off because he's a guy. like, you know, he likes to be. >> he's ultra competitive, >> right? >> He got a fishing team. He used to have a. motorcycle team. He has a NASCAR team, so he likes to compete, but he likes to. compete, compete, compete like him, >> right? >> He like to be on the boat fishing. He.

like to be around the cars. He like Oh, man. Yeah. Playing cards. I don't know. I know you got them card stores cuz he. he was a card. >> Boray was his his Bay Gus. That's that's. that's the Oh my goodness. He love he. loves being competitive. I'm just. anxious to hear to to see. how he how he sees the game and what. he's going to say about the game. Does. he like the way the game is being. played? Does he like all these. three-point shots? Does he like all.

these guys? I mean, there are some guys. ain't got no business taking a. three-point shot, but the analytics say. they need to get up 30 that this team. need to get up 30 a game so anybody can. shoot them. Yeah. >> I'm just anxious to hear what he has to. say about that, Luke. >> Yeah, I know. I think um that would be. interesting, you know, but I think um to. me, I think he's going to be more there. to help. I think, you know, help the. young guys, just help the game grow. Um. >> you know, he wasn't a big three-point. shooter, so no, >> I think they said the mid-range game is. is is a lost art.

>> And if teams are going to play in deep. drops and let you come off and take that. shot, then why would you master that. shot? Why would you master the shot that. teams are giving up? And if you see all. the gamewinners or all the clutch shots. or big shots in NBA history throughout. the playoffs, they're all mid-range. Like they're never like, you know, 20, you know, 30 foot through like Steph can. make some, but other than that, it's. always a mid-range shot that wins that. game, right, you know? And so why not. master and be great at something that. teams are giving up, you know? So I. think he'll be just be here just to help.

and enhance the game, like I said, as. best he can. >> You played with T-Mac at two stops. You. was at T-Mac in Orlando and in Houston, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, so there's been a lot. being said and I think T-Max said it. first that had he been on that Lakers. team that he believed they'd have won as. many championships as Shaq and Kobe. Co. sha cosigned what he said. And a lot of. people like, "Come on, bro. Everybody just got revisionist history. now." And not to say T-Mac wasn't a.

good, but do you believe they would have. won as many championships? cuz it's I hate when people do this. Too. >> Yeah. >> a great player. Well, if you'd put him. on that team, they it doesn't. necessarily mean it's true. >> It doesn't work like that. But. >> um I think they definitely would have. won. Like I don't know what to what. degree, but. >> T-Mac was he had no he had no. weaknesses. Defensively, he can guard. one, two, three, four. He's 69, right? offensively run, pick and roll, make the.

right pass, make the right play, post. up, either shoulder, turnaround, jump. shot, mid-range, pull-ups, >> can finish, athletic, and like I say, I. think with coaching and I think being in. the triangle, like I said, Woodfield, oh, he would have flourished. Like, he. would definitely would have flourished. And then you got Shaq who's, you know, the best player in the world, you know, but like I I don't know if like. >> it's just hard to compare. You know what. I'm saying? But like. >> um what Cole brought every single day, the mentality that he had every single.

day, like you got to bring that and you. had to have that. >> and bring it to Shaq every day. Now I. don't know if T-Mac could have done. that, >> right? >> Like. >> cuz you got to push Shaq. >> Yeah. Shaq. So Cole pushed Shaq every. day, you know? So like, you know, if. T-Mac could have could he have done. that? I mean, I don't know that. As far. as talent wise, I mean, he was, like I. said, one of the most talented guys. we've seen in this game, you know, so I. think he would definitely would have. won, but it's not the talent and the. court stuff. It's the challenging Shaq. every day. Calling Shaq out when he's, you know, when he's not doing what he's.

supposed to do. >> When Shaq calls you out, can you handle. it? You know, all that stuff plays a. part, you know, and then having Phil. Jackson as well, right? So, I think it, you know, like I said, it could have. happened, you know, for sure. I think Phil, look, Phil, not to say. Phil doesn't know, but I think Phil does. a great job of managing egos. Yes. I. think that's his I think that's his. greatest thing is that when you got. Jordan, but I don't think Jordan had a. rival. Jordan didn't have an equal in. Chicago, so it was easy. I mean, Pippy. might say that I was just as good as. Jordan. I could have been this and that. That's fine to say now. But.

>> Kobe really felt that he was on Shaq's. level. Shaq really felt that he was that. Kobe. So you got these two horses like. that and Phil had to somehow juggle that. team. >> I tell you how he did it. >> How he did. >> Day one he came in and he went at Coen. Shaq. >> about everything they had to do to be. better for this team to win. And he. coached them harder than he coached us. Like we never really like we have film. sessions. It was all Co and Shaq. >> It wasn't never Rick Fox. It was never. Harper. It was never Horus Grant. No, it.

wasn't. It was always Cove and Shaq. What y'all need to do? What you need to. do? What you didn't do? How you didn't. do it. And so he was hard on those guys. that first year like every single day. like own Kobe and Shaq. Own Kobe and. Shaq. And so if you get your first if. you get your top two players and your. best players to buy in. Yes. >> What are we going to do? >> Right. You got no choice. >> Yeah. Got no choice. And that's how he. did it. And that's how he led. And so um. it just made it easy. Like D Fish and. those guys, they ain't to worry about. nothing. It was Coben Shaq. >> It's funny that you say that cuz I want.

to transition. I want to ask you how. because in football coaches yell and. scream at the best player. So that's. some horse you know what bull drive. >> But it seems like in basketball man. y'all be tiptoeing around the superstar. Y'all don't be saying like in football. But you said uh uh Phil challenge Kobe. challenge Shaq. How delicate of a line must you walk. when you dealing with that level of. player.

>> back then? Um, you didn't have to worry. about as much. But then that was Phil. Jackson, >> right? >> So he comes in with instant credibility, >> you know? He got six championship. >> He already won six championships. We. just got swept in the first round by. Utah the year before, right? >> Like, so we had no choice but to listen, you know. Um, but nowadays it's a fine. line because back then the coach had all. the power, right? you know, and so you. couldn't go to coach, I want him fired. I want him out. They wasn't doing that. >> You know what I'm saying? Like back. then, like the coach had all the power. And so now it's changed. So if the star.

player don't like what a coach is saying. and you get on the bad side with a star. player, >> oh, he can get you up out of there. >> He can get you out of there, you know. And so that's why it's a it's a fine. line because. >> the coach doesn't have the same. authority that they had back in those. days. And so now you got to walk that. fine line because, >> you know, you you can do it. You know, you can do it, but. >> and take the chance or take the risk, but I'd rather take the risk than. rather, you know, have a guy walk all. over me. Yeah. I'd rather just take that. chance, you know? So, it is what it is. >> You like, "Hey, nah, bro." N.

>> I mean, you don't let them get away. with, they get away with at time, but. like some stuff you just can't let you. just can't let. >> because. the thing is. >> you lose the locker room. >> There you go. And that's what I tell. people all the time. I say they see it. Mhm. >> I said, "And then they going to like, well, if he doing it, even though. they're not the caliber of player that. said player is, if you let him skate too. much, then all of a sudden they're going. to start coming late. They're going to. start missing this. They're going to. start doing certain things. And then. after a while, >> Yeah. But I mean, it's like any company.

Like, if you're bringing me in $50. million a year and I'm bringing in. 50,000, you're going to get away with. more than I get. I mean, and you should. like Don't worry about Don't keep us. production intolerance. Yeah. Don't keep. a scorecard on what everybody else is. doing. Like you just handle your own. business. And so in any sport or any. business, like the top dogs will get. away with more, but like if it's. something that's. >> destroying a team or mess up a team, then you got to address them. But you. can't like come late every day. You. can't like that's just disrespectful to. everybody. You know,

>> with the Rockets, Thibido was on that. was on that staff. >> assistant coach. Yeah. um. he got let go by the Knicks. and me from the outside looking in I'd. like to hear what you think. I thought. that once they beat the Celt cuz I don't. think anybody thought the Knicks was. going to go to the NBA finals. >> Exactly. >> But when they beat the Celtics now the. expectations go way to here, >> right? >> And then you lose to Indiana. >> Right.

>> And then he gets fired. Is that how you see it? How do you see. it? Should he have been fired? Yeah. >> Hell no. I mean, it's the first time. you've been to the conference finals in. 25 years. >> Wow. >> 25 years. Yes. >> And so, the city was on fire. Yes. >> The fans were on fire. The players did a. hell of a job and teams did a hell of a. job. And so, >> to take a team the furthest they've been. in 25 years and then get fired. >> Like, it's just it just don't make. sense, right? you know, and so, um, for.

me, like I said, I thought Tib did a. great job, but you never know the inside. of, you know, what's going on with the. organization, but. >> I mean, everywhere he's been, >> he. >> he wins everywhere. Chicago, Minnesota, Knicks, every team he's been on, they've. gotten better, you know, and so, um, to. do that, I thought it was, I mean, I. thought was crazy. >> Yeah. Because the expectations now. because when you beat the Celtics, >> what's the expectations now? >> What expect the championship? I I don't. think I don't think when they went into. okay the playoffs start and you see the.

seating I don't think anybody thought. the Knicks was going to be in the. Eastern Conference final because you see. the matchup they not beating Boston. >> right so they lose to Boston he keeps. his job. >> I believe so. >> right. >> I believe so but because they beat. Boston and so they beat Boston the uh uh. Cleveland's out of the way. >> but we smooth sailing. and then Indiana get you and they say no. we got. >> but Indiana was playing great ball great. team and Rick call out did a hell of a. job. >> Yes. >> And who knows what happens in game seven.

if Tyrese don't get hurt, >> right? >> So like, you know what I mean? So. everybody Indiana beat, you want to fire. that coach? Like it don't make sense, you know? And so. >> I agree. I agree. I was surprised that. happened. >> Yeah. And I think like you said, Tibs. did a did a extraordinary job and then. to get that team there. But like now. when you come in looking at it, okay, we. go to the conference finals and now. what's the next coach supposed to do? Like Mike Brown who's a hell of a coach. Yeah. So now if you don't make the. Eastern Conference Finals. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's like it's it's just. tough. It's kind of like the situation I.

was put in in Cleveland. Yes. Like we. made the finals, you know, with Coach. Blat and now you bring me in midway. through the season. If we don't make the. finals and go to game six and I'm a. failure, you know, that's a tough spot. to be in. It is. You know, it absolutely. is. >> It's just it's crazy. >> But it's But you the knock is always on. Tibs is that he grinds his players. He. got them playing 40 plus minutes in the. regular season. And when you play that. many minutes, at some point in time, you. grind them down. I mean, you you I'm. looking at Male Bridges playing 45. minutes. I'm looking at Brunson playing. 43 minutes. I'm looking at OG playing.

all those minutes. And then. >> whatever it takes. in the regular season, TW. it takes to win. You got to get there. Like, no, I'm saying like I mean what. you want I mean you don't want guys to. practice, >> right? >> And now you don't want guys to play. >> Like they already get games off, but you. don't want them to play minutes either. Like I mean I mean I don't know. I mean. >> so what's a practice? So give me a pra. Okay. When you got to the league, your. practice compared to the practice that. you run now. >> Okay. So we had when I first got to the.

league, you play a game. Yeah. >> The next day you got an hour and a half, two-hour practice taped. You're live. contact body on body getting better. every single day. Now practice, I mean. game, practice the next day. It's going. to be a walk through. You ain't going to. have no contact. guys are not going to. go full speed. You probably got 30 30 to. 40 minutes because oh we just had a game. last night. >> What's that? What does that mean? Like. yeah. So they no practicing. So I mean. it's just a it's a big difference. It's.

a huge difference you know. >> But but the thing is but think about it. tu. >> the way you guys did it and you played. in the many games you played and the way. you practiced you guys had less injuries. back then than you do now. >> You had to train your body. I think you. had to train your body for that. But the. thing now now the guys my age we can't. walk. I mean, now we're paying for it. now, you know, in our older age, you. know, but back then, >> like, I think you got to train your. body, like you said, to to get to that. And if you going to the finals, like a. extra two months of the season, like you.

got to train your body. And I think. there's no better way than playing. games, playing minutes, and getting in. game shape, you know, like, and when I. was coming up, >> guys wanted to play more minutes. Like, you always cried about playing more. minutes, you know? So, now guys are. crying about playing two minutes, too. many minutes, you know, so I mean, it's. a fine line. You can't run guys into the. ground, you know, but if you're not. practicing and all we got is getting. games from you, >> like we need 45 tonight. We need 45. tonight. Like, you know what I'm saying? >> We need whatever it takes. >> to win, >> right? >> You know, >> Durk, you played you was you played with.

Dirk. What What was Dirk like? >> Um, a quiet. assassin, a quiet leader. Um, he did a. great job of just, you know, giving. everybody confidence and bringing. everybody along. He was happy for other. guys success, you know, like Jason Terry. and, you know, when guys play like he. was happy for that. Like he wasn't a guy. that demanded the ball like, "Man, get. me the ball. I got to have shots." None. of that. And you look up and like, >> damn, he's sixth or seventh all time in. scoring in NBA history. Like, I would.

have never thought that, you know, coming out in the draft together, right? And then having a chance to play those. two two and a half months with Durk. like just like all great players, worker, first one in the gym, last one. to leave, working on his body, working. on his game. >> and um what he's able to do, man, like. >> I would never saw that coming. No, never. I would never saw that coming. But then having a chance to play with. him and just seeing how he worked and. the work he put in, like he was a I mean. a ultra talent. >> That onelegged step back.

>> Oh, unstoppable. Unstoppable. Comparable. to Kareem's hook. Yeah. And now you see. how many guys you see shoot that one leg. step back and all can't stop it. >> When. you can make a case that the most. impressive championship. ever won is Dirks. >> You look at who he beat. >> Yeah. >> They swept Kobe and they had just come. off back to back. >> Yep. >> They went through they went through a. Young Thunder team and then what they.

did to the Big Three Heat. >> Yeah. with. >> that's Did. sitting back you're watching that. Did. you think that Dallas could beat the. Heat? >> I didn't think they had a chance. I. didn't think they had a chance. Um but. like I said, that zone that they had. was, you know, it was really hard to. figure out. Um defensively they were. really good. And then just they all. clicked. They all clicked in the way. they played, the style they played was.

um like Jason Terry, you know what he. did, then Dirk, then Jay Kid, you know, I think it was Shawn Marion, right? Sean. Marion, you know, so the roles those. guys played and you know, they bought. into their roles. They were starring. their roles like they just had a. complete team that knew how to remind me. a lot of Detroit Pistons. Yeah. Yeah. When they beat the Lakers, same thing, you know, except they didn't have a a. star like Dirk, but like they all just. fit together. They all play their role. and they had really good pieces. >> You were on that uh that 09 team, the.

Magic team. >> that and then you guys lost. Did you Did. you talk to Kobe before after the after. the. >> Yeah. Yeah, I talked to him. Yeah, I. talked to him and um you know, we. talking stuff back and forth like all. the time like he just, you know, he's a. competitor, you know, always talking. But, um he was um he he was locked. in, you know, he was locked in. Um he. really wanted that one back, you He. really wanted that one bad. >> cuz that was the one that was. >> Yeah. >> Well, that was the one that was going to. tie him with Shaq at four. >> Yeah. And he wanted that one bad. And um.

you could just see when he got that one, man, he was he was a different person. Yeah. You know, and um but that Orlando. team that. >> you had Dwight Dwight Howard was on that. team. >> Yeah. >> How good. Talk talk to us about Dwight. because I think Dwight gets fairly. uncritic gets unfairly criticized. because what he he laughing and joking. Everybody doesn't have to have a scowl. on their face to get the job done. There's many a myriad of ways to do a. lot of different things but end up at. the end of the day getting the job done. >> Yeah. I mean people want to criticize.

for anything. You know so I wouldn't. even you know look and read into any of. that but he was dominant. Like he was. dominant and you know what I give Dwight. credit for is you know Stan Van Gundy. who was a coach you know um he did a. hell of a job and you remember Jir. Nelson. Yeah. >> Who who went down? He went down and um. he still was a all-star that year, but. Jir was playing out of this world. And. he went down. So they brought me over. there halfway through the season, but I. was done. That was my last year. And. then they brought Rafer Austin in who.

had a hell of a year and really saved. save their season, right? >> But Dwight's dominance like on the. defensive end. >> like it was like no other, right? Like. I've never seen a guy to be able to. impact and dominate the game. defensively, you know, like Dwight was. able to do. rebounding, shot blocking, pick and roll defense. And then what. Stan did to take a lot of pressure off. him, which was smart, is he didn't. feature Dwight in the post, like coming. down just throwing post up and putting. that pressure on him to score that way.

It was more out of pick and rolls. He's. rolling throwback Rashard Lewis down the. gut deep seals finish or pick and roll. turkaloo lobs. And so he was able to. finish and get dunks and you know seal. and be right on like it wasn't he didn't. have to use skill. I thought it was very. smart for a young player like if that. waswami coming in, we're not going to. throw you the ball on the post. We're. going to you know feature you this kind. of way and he had time to grow. It would. have helped him out a lot. And that's. what Stan did. And like I said, Dwight. really, you know, bought into that.

Bought into being defensive player of. the year. Bought into, you know, like I. said, rolling, ceiling, lobs, duckins, running the floor. And um like to take. that team to the finals, like I said, Stan Van Gundy, like I said, he did a. hell of a job. And um but Dwight, like I. said, what is he able to do defensively. and and dominate the game defensively? It was it was it was great to see. >> Do you believe Dwight Howard should have. been a top 75 player? >> Yes. >> I do too. Yeah, >> they did him wrong, man. >> Yeah. >> No, he should have been. He should have.

been. >> Your coaching crew, the Celtics, you got. KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Ron, Rondo. I mean, you look at that that squad. How? Because now this is really your. first foray into like being with I'm. talking about great great players. KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, all of those. guys are Hall of Famer. I believe. eventually Rondo probably was going to. get into the Hall of Fame. >> Lou, how do you how do you because. everybody say, "Man, Lou is a player's.

coach." A lot of times the guys go talk. to you when they didn't talk to the head. coach. They could talk to you. They. could relate. Even though Doc played the. game, you played the game. And a lot of. players say, "I like talking to the. coach that actually plays the game. because he I can see he sees it through. my lens. I see it through his lens." So, how how have you been able to. relate be so relatable to players while. still holding them accountable? I think. a thing I learned learned from Bshaw. like for my rookie year, I mean my. second year in the league, um he taught.

me tell the truth like just seeing him. be a tell Kobe and Shaq the truth like. when they mess up like man no it was. your fault like you know like don't go. blaming Devin George or like it was your. fault like and be did that every single. time and I'm like just looking at him. and he's like man you just got to be. able to tell the truth and so. >> you know that took me a long way because. when you tell the great players and the. star players like you know when KG come. out of game He might be going crazy, man. But I didn't I didn't foul him. And. you know, Scalabri be like, "Man, you. didn't foul him." He like, "Lou you foul. him." Then he like cuss me out or.

whatever. And then like, you know, three, you right, Lou, give me a D next. But like, you just got to tell the. truth. You know what I'm saying? I think. >> stars and guys that that you know, you. know, whatever. Like people respect the. truth whether they like it at that point. or not. Like if you real with yourself, >> you know, two days later, you come back. like, you know what, Shannon, you was. right. I was wrong. Like you was right. You know, they can respect that. But. like you know when I'm lying to you. >> Yes you do. >> Like if you if you drop a pass it was a. great pass but you drop it and I said. man that's a bad pass. Like you know.

like no he threw that was right. You know what I'm saying? Like you know. what I'm saying? Yeah. Like you know if. I'm lying to you like you respect. honesty and that's and that's kind of. like you know how I was able to deal. with these guys and just telling the. truth, >> right? >> So how was it going from playing with. Shaq to coaching Shaq. >> the last year in Boston? >> Yeah. >> It was I really didn't have a respon. responsibility, you know. So um you know. I think who was so we had Tibs my first. year doing the defense then Lawrence. Frank was Longabari doing defense then.

maybe I think Mike long so I really had. no respons I was still behind the bench. so it was just more so just you know him. talking stuff all the time you know but. like I didn't really have a lot of. responsibility I just really dealt with. Doc more one then um my projects was I. had Rondo and I had KG right you know. two of the craziest guys on the you know. what I'm. But I mean, both are fiery. Yeah. >> Both are, you know, in your face. Hey, get this, get it, get it done. So, how. do you how do you how do you navigate. that? >> Um, like I said, tell the truth. I think.

cuz me and K me, KG, and Chanty, we all. three best friends, right? So, me going. to boss, that was easy. And so, >> um, he was there before me and so a lot. of stuff he was doing, like guys would. would be like, >> "Okay, well, KG's going to do this, you. know, he's going to do that." And so. when I first got there, like um they. would serve food after the game, right? >> And so it's kind of like really how it. opened up for me. So um they would serve. food after the game and so um they would. put the food in the locker room and the.

coaches would never eat. So one day I'm. hungry as hell. Like so no. So I walk in. the locker room and I start fixing me a. plate and so Paul Pierce and Ronda. Oh. KG T's getting food. I was like what? So I'm getting my snitch. Yeah. So I'm. getting my food or whatever. So K said, "Man, Too getting food." He's like, >> "Shit, I can't do nothing about that.". So he's like, "What?" So you know, so. they going crazy like, "Oh man, you let. TJ." So then after that, now all the. coaches able to come in and get so. before the coaches couldn't eat until.

all the players ate first. Really? >> I'm like, "Man, we've been up doing. scouts and working at 7:00 in the. morning. Man, you crazy. I'm hungry. Like we're doing the same thing." Like, and so like they couldn't touch the food. until the players ate first. So I was. like, man, hell no. You tripping. So. when I did that, like it kind of opened. up everything. So guys like, oh man, KG, let Tu do whatever you want to do. And. so then after that, I just had all their. respect. You know, >> you. KG, everybody talks about KG trash. talking.

He I mean, you see, I mean, you you. know, you see him on his pod now and. then you you know, see him, I mean, you. hear some of the clips. He really talk. that much? >> Yeah, he does. I mean, it's more so to. get himself going, right? Like, you. know, he he wants you to talk back so he. can, you know, so he can, you know, you. ever heard like don't poke the bear, right? Like, he tried to get himself. going by talking trash and talking stuff. um to get himself fired up, but yeah, he. Yeah, he was good at it. That's that's. that's what he wanted to do. >> Rondo, can you tell like for me, I have.

former teammates that became that became. head coaches. When you're playing with a. guy, can you tell he has the qualities, the attributes to be a head coach? >> Yes. And it's funny because I didn't. know I was gonna be a head coach. Really? >> When I was playing for Doc in 2003, um. he told me said when you get done. playing, you can come coach with me. Like, yeah, right. I ain't coaching. He's crazy. Like, I ain't doing that. But like when it's over, that's all we. know. Like, you know, that's all I know. is basketball. And so, >> um Rond's one of those guys. I mean,

he's definitely a head coach. like just. seeing like he's probably the best. person I've seen as far as controlling. the game, understanding the game, understanding how to call plays, right? When guys haven't had a shot, when KG. needs a shot, when Ray needs a shot, what to call, what to run, like he had. to look over a doubt. Like, you would be. surprised at all the guys that are great. players that can't control a game and. call plays and, you know, throughout the. course of a game, but Rondo was the best. guy I've seen do that as far as just. controlling the whole game, you know,

just calling. Don't you have to look at. Doc, right? >> You know what I'm saying? Just. controlling the game, calling the game. And he was the best I ever seen doing. that. And so, like, when you're able to. do that on the floor, >> you could do it on the sideline, >> right? >> You know what I mean? And I think Rond. would be a hell of a coach. >> But how difficult was that? Because you. got a young Rondo and you got a veteran. in KG. You got a veteran in Paul Pierce. and Ray Allen. And to see this young guy. come in and do that and let Doc have him. have that kind of control. >> I mean, it was good because he wasn't. looking for shots. Now, if I'm call my. own play, I'm shooting 20. No, I'm.

saying I'm shooting 20 shots a game. It's But he was just doing he want to. get KG going, get Paul going, get big. Ray going. They had no problem with it. Like he I don't want to come in shooting. all the balls. You know what I'm saying? So it was I mean they loved it. >> Is it it was it because I hear you know. like he and I mean. >> the reunion he and Ray didn't get along. Him and Paul Pierce and KG for the. longest time. And I think for the most. part I think they've kind of made some. amends about Ray going to So So what was. what was Rondo's personality like?

>> Um he had a tough personality like you. know Rond fight the drop of a dime. He. not he ain't taking he ain't taking. nothing from nobody. Like. >> um and he had that mentality. And so. >> me my job was to more just talk to him. about how to control it. How to control. it. It's going to be times for it. Like. I'm all for it. Like somebody got a. line, you got to scrap, you just got to. scrap. I believe in that, you know, but. it can't be controversy all the time,

right? You know, and so you got to be. able to control it and be able to manage. it. And you know, at times it's going to. be called for, but sometimes it's not. going to be called for. And so you just. got to be able to to be able to manage. that. And so, but he's a feisty guy. Hates to lose. Wants to win. And if he. don't win, like I said, he's ready to. scrap. You know what I'm saying? >> Are you surprised that that he's not in. the league? I thought he played I thought he played. extremely well. Uh the Lakers in that in. the bubble. I thought I mean the the. years he played with the Lakers I. thought I thought he was phenomenal. >> Yeah. How old is he now though?

>> He might be a little long. He might be. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He got to be. >> 39. >> 39. >> Oh yeah. He's Yeah. I mean like I mean. if guys could do it, he he could be one. of the guys that do. >> cuz he seemed like he take care of. himself. >> Take care of his body, you know, control. the game without having to get shots, right? You know, from that aspect, it. reminds you a lot of CP, right? like. being able to just control the game and. get guys quality shots every single. possession. He's that guy. >> But you look at I mean you wouldn't. think but he has a game where he dropped. 40. He dropped he's had 24 25 27 assists.

in a game or a high two. I mean. >> it's not like he was like people think. oh he just you know he's just an assist. guy. No, he could score. He could score. >> No, he could score the ball. And so but. like you said just being able to read. the game and understand how you going to. get on the floor, right? like does he. really need to score when you got Ray, Paul, and KG out there, right? You know, so he picked, you know, he picked Yeah. You know, when he wanted to score and be. aggressive, but I remember like playoff. game against Miami having 40. You know. what I'm saying? Like he could Yeah. He. could score the basketball. So, I mean,

Rondo was a great player, man. Like, he. he don't get enough credit for, you. know, who he really was. >> I agree. Uh Paul Pierce, it went viral. for saying he's the best pure scorer. I mean I mean I mean I mean name come to. mind like maybe Kobe, maybe James Hart, Jordan, KD. >> Mhm. >> Not saying that Pete uh uh uh. >> he was a hell of a scorer. >> Yeah. And and Pete was my guy. I mean. he's my guy. We came out in the draft. together in 98.

>> on the lockout year. We worked out. together Englewood High School every. single day. Like that's my guy. Um but. he said some crazy stuff, you know. Um, but no, I mean I take away like like I. always say. >> just because Braun's great don't mean KD. wasn't isn't great. So like NP pitch was. a great score like footwork post. >> on the elbows catch and shoot threes all. the he could do it all. So he's not. lying about that, you know. So he gets a. lot of, you know, but he. >> he he could definitely score, but like. you said, when you, >> you know, say Katie and, you know, Cove.

and George are. >> I got to the free throw line more than. him. So, >> but I love that's why he is who he is. because the confidence he has. You know. what I'm saying? That's why he is who he. is. So. >> what was it? Because I remember the the. uh the last time LeBron was in. Cleveland, you guys beat him and he had. a monster game. I think he had 27 19 and. 12. Uh that game six y'all end up. beating before he went to Miami. Um.

prior to that, I mean prior to, you. know, uh you guys getting uh KG and and. Ray Allen, you know, it was more he I. think he beat you guys a little bit more. than you guys beat him. But when he goes. to Miami. and that year. >> Mhm. >> y'all got him. And I remember KG say. it's over. Y'all beat him. Y'all beat. him in game five in Miami. >> Was up 3-2. >> You're up 3-2. KG say it's over. We. ain't coming back down here. And then. LeBron in game six.

>> 45. >> That everybody says that's the greatest. game he's ever played. Did you Did you. get a sense? I mean, how soon how early. in the game did you know, boy, we we got. we got we in for it? >> I knew. I mean, I saw a look in his. eyes, you know, when he first on the. floor and just his mentality to start. the game. how aggressive he was. >> Yeah. >> And. >> we were always scared and Doc was always. scared to like trap and double team him, right, >> because of his passing. And so he. figured that like.

>> I figured like he's going to get. everybody's involved now. Everybody's. going to get going. >> He's going to get his anyway. But we. didn't think he's going to get 45, right? >> And like that game when he's when he's. able to do that game, >> like that's what really took him to the. the next level. like 45 go to Miami game. seven win game seven and then you know. to move on like but that game was oh man. I still have nightmares about that game. >> was was Miami Heat LeBron was that's the. best LeBron we've ever seen.

>> I don't know I mean. >> I think 2018. >> the year we went to the finals when. Kyrie was gone. >> Kyrie was gone Yeah. >> The way the way he put And y'all go to. Boston in that game seven and y'all beat. Toronto. Y'all beat Toronto. Y'all beat. uh uh Indiana. >> Yeah. >> And he had what, like eight 40point. games in the playoffs. He had that 51. >> against Golden State. >> Yeah.

>> He was just in in in Miami, he was. extremely efficient. >> Efficient. Yeah. >> You're talking about somebody shooting. 55 56% from the field. >> Yeah. That's crazy. >> Yeah. He was he was super efficient um. in Miami. Um, but I didn't get a chance. to watch it like I wanted to because, you know, of course you can't see every. game, but what he did in Cleveland, you. know, >> you get him back, he comes back. >> Yeah. That stretch he did had in. Cleveland, I I I think that was his. best. >> So, you think you you think the second. the second the return to Cleveland might. have been his best LeBron? >> Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

>> I can't say I disagree. >> Yeah. He the year. 16 16. the 1617 season uh we went back to the. final we played against KD for the first. time. Yeah. >> Like that season right there I think. >> was one of the best seasons like you. said. >> they ever had. And then I can't remember. what that playoffs was. That playoff run. he had that might have been the best. playoff run. >> That 18. >> That was 18. Yeah. Yeah. When he had. eight Yeah. I think he had eight 40point.

games. Yeah. And your guys end up y'all. swept Toronto who was the number one. seed at the time. Uh and then you go on. the road in game seven. >> Boston play all 48 minutes. Yeah. >> That that period that 15 to 18 I think. that might have been his best basketball. ever played. >> People always, you know, and you get. this a lot and I'm sure you've heard it. He wouldn't have done that if he played. in the 90s. He wouldn't have done that. and he played in the 80s. He couldn't. have played back then, >> right? >> The dude got Carl Malone's body. He can. handle the ball like magic. He got calm.

alone body and he's more athletic. Who's. been had that kind of athleticism that. can do all the things that he can do? >> I mean ask I mean I played in the 90s. I. wasn't sure. So you going to say LeBron. James couldn't play in the 90s? Like. come on man. Like I played 90 and I. wouldn't. >> Yeah. What we talking about? Like I. don't even make sense. Like if you're. great I don't care what area you play. in. You're gonna be great. Right. And it. is it is what it is. >> Coaching the Clippers. So, you now you. at the Clippers, you. No, I want to go to this. I want to talk.

about the uh the uh the Cavaliers. situation because when David Blat you he. gets you were in line to get the job. You were supposed to get the job, right? >> Yeah. We interviewed um the same time. for the job, right? >> And um my agent called me was like um. you know, Dan Gilbert decided that he. wanted to go with you know, David Blat. um but I got a crazy thing to tell you. um they want you to be the associate. head coach. >> And I was like no, like I'm cool. Like. no, I'm going stay here with Doc cuz I. figured like if I'm with Doc, who's the.

best coach in the league, like I'm going. to get a job next year. I mean, it's. coming, you know, so I'm not going to. leave Doc, I'm going to be loyal to Doc. And um he said, but you wouldn't believe. how much money he offered you. And I was. like, >> well, what they offer? Say they want to. offer you a million dollars a year to be. the associate head coach. And at the. time, I'm making 375 with the Clippers. Um doing. >> Yeah. I don't think I think I could do. that. >> Well, no. I still said no. >> You said no. >> Yeah. I was like, no. even in. California. >> Yeah. I was like, >> cuz you know that's 155. >> Yeah. And so I was like, man, like no, I. ain't I ain't do. I'm going to stay with.

Doc. I was like, you sure like, yeah, I. can't do it. >> So they came back an hour later said. they said they give you one, two, one, whatever, whatever. And I was like, >> no man, like I'mma stay with Doc. I. ain't going to do that. Like I'm going. to be loyal with Doc. So I called, you. know, B Shaw. I was like, B Shaw, man. He said, what you man? you got to what. you you got to take your job. I said, "Man, I ain't doing it.". >> And then so um I called Jerry West who's. my mentor, right? >> And Jerry like, you know, cuz you mother. you what are you thinking? If you don't.

take this job, they'll never give you. another job ever again. Think you can't. leave Doc's umbrella, whatever, whatever. >> So I was like, man, I'm not doing it. And so he's like going crazy. So my. agent called back again. He said like, they said, "Well, what do you want?" I. said, "Man, just tell them 2 million, 222, whatever, whatever." He called me. back said they said yes. >> You like damn I should have said two. So I was like All right. I'm I. gotta go. >> Hey Doc. >> So I called Doc and Doc was like you.

know what Ty like it's going to be hard. for us to match that. He said but I. think you're ready to like leave my. umbrella and like. >> you know spread your wings and do your. own thing. I think it'd be good for you. >> And I was like you sure? He's like man I. think it'll be really good for you. So. that's kind of how it happened. How I. end up going to Cleveland. So now, okay, you on the bench that first year, y'all. go to the NBA finals, you lose to the. Golden State Warriors in six. Halfway. through the season, they make a change. >> You get elevated. Now,

being a head coach is one thing. When you're the head coach and now. you're coaching the best player in the. NBA, that's something entirely. different, Tou. >> Yeah, it is. you and LeBron, what type. of relationship did you have with LeBron. before you became head coach? >> So, I had a relationship with Braun, Rich and Mav, Randy before um I even. came to be the assistant. Like, we. always been cool and tight. So, like um. we always had that bond and so. >> when I became the associate head coach, like I said, he then he came back, you.

know, so we already had that bond and so. >> um which was cool. Like I said, I had. Rich and Mad behind me 100% and then. Randy. So, even Braun get mad. And I had. those I had them behind me anyway, you. know. Um, but that's kind of like, you. know, like that's family. Like that's. that's family. So, >> you know, uh, when I took over, like I. said, I was scared because, >> you know, anybody can say I would have. did this, id have done that, you know, like especially all that social media sh. Yeah. You can say all that until you in. that number one seat.

>> and now you got to Okay, let me see what. you do. You said you go do that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. you know, and so, um, moving over six inches, you know, it's tough and like especially midway. through the season. >> Yes. >> And so, I just thought it was a lot of. pressure, man. Just like we just went to. the finals. >> Mhm. >> Game six, we lose. No Kevin Love, no. Kyrie, and now you want me to replace. Coach Blat who done a hell of a job and. if we don't make it to the finals and. make it to at least game seven, like, I'm a failure, right? >> You know, and so it was it was scary. Um, and I didn't really know if I could.

do it because like you coming through. halfway through the season, right? You. haven't really had a training camp. You. haven't implemented what you wanted to. run, >> what you want to do cuz you you got to. stick to what. >> and like say and you got the best player. in the world. You know what I'm saying? And so. >> it was it was it was tough, you know, but like I said, I will give a lot of. credit, you know, to um Cale Love, Kyrie, Braun, um Jr., Tristan, like. those guys, like they said, listen, we. got your back 100%. Like whatever you. want to do, you let's do it. We got your. back. And I said, "I'm going to make. some mistakes." Like, you know what I'm.

saying? I'm going to make some mistakes, but we all got to stick together. And I. give those guys credit like they have my. back 100%. >> But you. the the natural thing is like, man, Too. undermined David Black. He he was just. he was just that, you know, he was. supposed to be there anyway, and he. probably was doing X, Y, and Z. Did you. Did you hear that. >> all the time? And that's why it was hard. for me to want to take that job because. I knew what it was going to look like. from the outside looking in. And um if. they knew the truth about it the year. before, they would have never said that, right? You know, and so my job as. associate head coach is to do whatever I.

can. >> to make the head coach job easier, you. know. And so I did that um to the best. of my ability and um you know, I would. never undermine somebody for a job, you. know, cuz that's that's just not who I. am. That's not my personality and I. believe it will come back on you if you. do things like that. >> So what was it about Coach Black? Was it. was his message just not resonating? Um. what was it? because he did go to the. NBA finals. Y'all did make it to a game. six minus Kevin Love, minus Kyrie. I.

believe if you have those guys, we'll. never ever know. I believe you win the. series. >> I do too. >> But we'll never know. And then halfway. through the season, it wasn't like y'all. was in the six spot. Too. >> number one spot. >> anybody by the coach that's never been I. don't well maybe uh I think Milwaukee. did something similar a couple years ago. with Adrian Gri but I'm just saying I I. don't recall a situation of something. like that happening. Was his message. just not getting through? Was it just. falling on deaf ears? Somebody go.

upstairs. Why would you make a the. number one you're the number one seed. and you change the head coach after you. just went to the finals? Um I you know. for me I think he did a great job and. overseas like when you coach overseas. you are the face of the team. >> right. >> like it's what you what you say goes no. matter what no matter what players there. what like you're the face of the team. and when you come to the NBA. >> the players are the face of the team and. so um. >> it's a different dynamic and so just. understand that dynamic that you know as.

much as you want to go in and go crazy. and cuss somebody out you might can't do. it today. You know what I'm saying? Like, you know what I'm saying? You just. can't. And like his offensive system. like was great. Like I wish I could run. it today. Like all the stuff he did, but. like it didn't fit. >> with Braun. Like Braun's not going to. move like that. Kyrie want to dance. He. ain't running around. Kevin Love is not. a mover, you know, and so it was just. >> the offense they ran over there was. different when he came over here. now. he' been successful over there winning. all the championships and he was a great.

coach and I thought it was great stuff. that we were doing but it just didn't. fit our team and what we're trying to do. you know and so I think guys got. frustrated with the process and got. frustrated with you know how how we did. things like offensively and defensively. cuz some of the stuff was was different. but there's nothing wrong with change if. it works and it was working but it just. you know I think a lot of people got. frustrated and um didn't take the time. have the patience to really kind of wait. for it and that's kind of. where things got, you know, got got.

harder, you know, so that was it. >> Do you remember your first game getting. booed? >> Uhuh. >> Who y'all first? Who do you remember who. y'all played first? >> Play the Bulls. >> Bulls. And we was at We played them in. Cleveland. >> Y'all lost. >> and they booed me. Oh, I don't even. remember. Do they boo me, man? >> Yeah. I don't remember. I mean, like I. said, I got tough skin, so I don't like. if I mess up, I mess up. Like, I deserve. to get booed. I deserve to get crazy. >> Y'all lost uh 96 to 83.

>> Okay. >> But. how I mean, do you understand what you. did? They fired the coach mid-season. >> You get that team. Not only did you get. him to the NBA finals, you orchestrated. the greatest comeback in finals history, down 3-1 to a guy that was he was the. first guy to be a unanimous MVP and two. of the last three games were on the. road. How do you lie to them? You got to. lie. Sometime coach used to tell us all.

the time. Sometimes guys, I got to lie. to you. >> How do you lie to them and tell them. they really got a chance to win this? You know what's crazy is that I really I. swear to God I thought that we can win. Like even we down 3-1. I thought that we. could. >> What? >> You had just lost. You had just went. down 3-1 on at your home court, Doo. >> But I'm saying we lost the two first the. two games we lost first. We got blown. out. >> Yeah. >> We win game three. >> Yes. >> We should have won game four. We tricked. it off the last two minutes of the game. Right. >> Right. So we go down 3-1 and I'm like, we still have opportunities to win this.

Like we we still can win. I really. believed it, but we had to make some. tweaks and we made some adjustments. And. like I say, I give our guys credit for. doing that. But what's funny like. getting to that point, um, every time we. lost the game, I never show film. And so. David Griffin would go back to our, uh, video guy DV was like, man, what the. hell is he doing? Like, why? He's like, listen, just trust him. He know what. he's doing. Like, just trust him. Like, if he's doing it, I believe in it. Right. So like because after game one or. even in the finals before like if we.

show film and like they was blowing us. out like it was like. >> you don't want mentally you don't want. that you know you don't want we can't. beat these guys. >> Exactly. So you don't want the guys. seeing that. So we come in have a fun. day shooting half court shots. >> tweak some stuff here and there and when. we win. >> that's when we be long film sessions all. stuff we make we're making mistakes on. and like what we got to clean up to be. better and it work because you don't. want to psych your guys out thinking. like man like how can we beat them right. you know? So Every time we lost, I never. showed film. We won. I showed all the. stuff we needed to get better at. And u.

we just had to make some tweaks. defensively and we made those tweaks. Like I give Jr. Shump and all those guys. credit for what we was able to do um to. change our strategy because if you play. Golden State the way they play, their. pace and how fast they play, you don't. know until you're in it, right? You. can't go to practice and and work on. stuff. >> You can't replicate that. >> Can't do it, you know? So I saw that. when you playing though, when you. switching everything, they going to pick. you apart. Like Draymond with his. passing, Stephan Clay with their. movement, like you just can't switch.

everything. And so after game four, I. was like, listen, when Steph and Clay. come together, splits and all that, we. switching it. Anybody else, you stand. locked in. So it won't be no confusion. We make a mistake, we going to make a. mistake on, you know, the other guys. We. ain't going to make a mistake on these. guys, you know. And so. >> it worked like Jr. Shump locked in and. Stephen Clay like if you guard Eagle. Dollar um Livingston you pushing up you. just protecting and like it changed our. whole series like it changed it and then. the performance that Braun and Kyrie had.

in game. >> game six. >> no game five. yeah in game five and like going home. for game six like I thought we warmed. down and then game seven you got the. best player in the world going into game. seven you got to love your chances right. >> so that's you know kind of what. happened. Was it ever a situation that. you had like. cuz it's hard because you got a LeBron. man or or any great player to like, bro, I need more from you. You got to give me. more. >> Yeah. Halftime of game seven. Yeah. Halftime of game seven. Um we come in.

the locker room and um like they we're. going to show film. Said no ain't no. film. Like so I came and said, "Brian, what you going to do, man?" What you. mean? So you got to do more like you got. to be better. Like what you want me to. do, Too? I'm like, cuz he had 20 points. and might have had seven assists, but he. he left a lot on the table to me and. this is game seven. You're the best. player in the world. I was like, we need. what you want me. I said, you got to. guard Draymond better. Score the. basketball, stop, turn it over, be. aggressive. Anything else you want me to.

say? So, he mad him up, right? So, I go. to Auburn. I slam the door. So later. after we, you know, it was over, Damon. Jones said, um, Braun came to him like, "Man, can you believe Tub man called me. out like that? That's some bull.". Whatever, whatever. DJ Jones said, "Well, I ain't been here all year, but. everything I read and you called and. told me, you trust him. Why not trust. him now?" He's like, "F you." You know, so he go to James Jones. James, can you. believe Too, man? I can't believe it. James Jones said, "Did he lie?" So then. Braun snatch his stuff out of the.

locker, storm out and that's all she. wrote. You know, I mean JR, but people. don't understand J.R. scored the first. seven, seven points that third quarter. did. And then after that, cuz he was. down seven. So JR scored seven straight. and then after that, man, Braun, what he. did after that was it was it was all she. wrote. >> The chase down and then Kyrie's. three-point shot. I don't know because that you guys had. gone like three minutes tou and nobody.

could score. I know. It was like. somebody put a lid on the basket. Yeah. Everybody was bricking air balling. You. you could feel that it was tightening. Everybody felt I don't care what anybody. says, everybody felt it. >> Yeah. >> Do you feel that if Iala had laid that. ball up that was going to be the. momentum that they needed to win the. game or you felt you guys even if they. had broke the score because you guys. scored first? Yeah. I mean, um, no, they. scored first. >> The guy escaped. No, tied.

>> Yeah. Was tied. He blocked it. Yeah. And. then Kyrie timeout. >> And then Kyrie started to dance, >> right? And so we called timeout. And the. thing about Braun was exhausted. And so. we get to the bench. I mean, he's like, he's done. So I'm like, >> You know, Kai, it's time to dance. You. know what I'm saying? So I like we want. to run pick and roll. You know what I'm. saying? Cuz Klay was a great defender. And like I said, Steph, you know, to. where he's at now defensive wise, like. he took a huge step and take pride in. garden, right? You know, now and so. >> they had no weak links. You didn't want.

Draymond. You didn't want Eagod dollar. You didn't want Clay. So I was like, but. we got to try to get step in action, right? You know, so. >> you know, we run a pick and roll. You. know, Kyrie gets a switch. I ain't no. gonna shoot a three, >> you know. I ain't gonna shoot three. >> And so he. >> But that's that's his that's his shot. though. That side step three, that's his. shot. >> So he gets to that right wing. He's. dancing and he shoots it and like man. like from that point on I just blacked. out like know what I'm saying like once. he made that shot I like blacked out. like don't I remember K love like you.

know. >> guarded Steph. guarded Steph and I remember it was um. at the end of the game we were up. >> three four Yeah. Braun gets fouled. We. up four. >> and they and it was two things that we. worked on. They ran two knee three plays. um for shots, right? And so. >> the whole series before we got to the. series um leading up to it and the. series, I was like, "Listen, we're going. to work on these atto's, but on their. knee three plays, guys going to be in.

different positions." So every day we. worked on their knee three plays. I. said, "It's going to come a time we're. going to need it." So like Kyrie and. man, we doing this again. Like cuz all. the games were blowouts. It was no close. games till game seven, >> right? >> And so we never had to use it. And so we. worked on it every day on this play. Kyrie, you guarding this guy. Tristan, you guarding this guy. Braun, you here. on this play when they do it now, you. guarding over here. Like, so we had guys. in different spots. >> So when Draymond goes to take the ball. out of bounds, you see like, man, what. the like? Cuz the matchup was crazy, but. we knew how we wanted to switch,

>> right? >> We got a deflection. So the ball goes. out of bounds. So they call the second. play they run atto wise for knee three. and guys go to different matchups and. Draymond's like, "Man, what the like it. messed them to." So then we win the. game. So the next day like see that's. what I've been working on. He said man. you was right. And like we worked on it. for se like eight days before the series. started and then every every day we. worked on the need three and they talk. trash to me man we ain't going to never. use this. This is stupid and then end of. the game we needed it. >> How are you able to earn the players.

trust in Cleveland so quickly? >> Um. I would say being amount of players I. coach and play with. I think that's one. I think winning I think um was something. and then I think just having a. relationship with Braun like I think. having a relationship with Braun really. set the tone for everybody else and um I. had a relationship with JR you know when. he first came in league you know he used. to come work out with us in Vegas and so. I knew JR um but the other guys I didn't.

know like you said but having Braun's. respect and having a friendship with. Braun um that really helped me earn the. respect of everybody else in the locker. room. You're the first NBA You're the. first coach in NBA history to win his. first post 10 postseason game. Did you. know that? >> Yeah. >> I don't think they going to be broken. >> Somebody almost broke it recently. >> They did. >> almost You good? They got to start over. again. >> Somebody almost broke it first. Yeah. I. can't remember who it was. Was it? Let. me see. Was it Missoula? Did they go?

>> Yeah, you might be right. >> Yeah, I think he broke it or got close. or tied or something. I don't know. I. mean, it was right there. I know. I know. that happened. >> I read a story that your uh. >> Is this true about the money that you. put up in the ceiling? Yeah. >> Or you made that up? >> No, it's true. >> You knew that you you knew after winning. game five that you guys were coming back. for game seven. Yeah. >> Because you didn't feel there was no way. they could beat you in game six in your. building. >> I didn't think so. And so after game.

five, um, our owners and and you know, front office people, they all in the. locker room. Everybody's going crazy. We. hype, whatever. So I walk in the locker. room. I said, "All right, everybody give. me $200." I was like, "What?" I was. like, "Everybody give me $200. I'mma put. it in the ceiling." And um, we coming. back for game seven to get our money. And so, oh yeah, they going crazy. So. everybody gives 200, 200. The owner, Dan. Gilbert, you know, Nate Forbes, they all. give money. >> Put it up in the ceiling. Um, but I had. got it from Doc cuz Doc did it. Um, we.

played the Lakers in LA, right, >> Christmas Day and they blew us out, >> right? >> And Doc said, "Listen, y'all remember. this. Remember how it feels cuz we going. to play them in in the NBA finals and we. come back to get our money and we put it. hid in the attic, I mean in the ceiling, right?". >> Came back and it was there and Doc pass. the money out. The only difference with. me, I kept it. Come on, Ke. Hey, I'm going tell you how. crazy Brian is, how tight he is. So, we. win the championship. We just won, man.

They in the locker room. They spraying. champagne. Brian like, "Man, where that. 200 at?" I'm like, "Come on, man. We. just won a You won by two." I said, "Man, I think this ball boy stole it. It. ain't It ain't in there no more." You. know what I'm saying? So, I kept that. I. deserved it. I deserved it, >> man. Come on, bro. 200. >> He wanted it. He wanted it back. He. wanted it back. I wasn't giving it back, though. There have been whispers about LeBron. possibly returning to Cleveland. Um, do.

you think he's going to return to. Cleveland? >> Um, >> before you answer that, are you. surprised? This is the first time in. LeBron's career LeBron James is on an. expiring contract. >> I'm surprised by that. I mean I mean. look, this is a player that like he's. >> he gave you 24 eight and seven last year. >> and he's changed the game. like he's. he's made it. >> to where these guys are able to go to. whatever teams they want to go and like. you said build build their careers and.

do like he was the one to take that. first step you know and so. >> he took all the heat. >> all the heat you know to get to this. point where now you see everybody's. doing it you know and he he paved that. way you know and so I think if he's on a. expiring contract I think um it's. something that he wants I don't think. that you know like. >> the Lakers said we're only going to give. you you know finish this year out and. that's it I think that's if he's on a. one-year contract that's where he wants. to. Um, going back to Cleveland. Um, I don't. know. >> Yeah. >> Like, can you see it? >> I don't. >> I don't I mean I don't I don't know.

You went to LA. You've done everything. you can do in Cleveland, >> right? >> I think you finish it up in LA. I don't. know how much longer how much longer. they want him in LA, but I think the. thing is he finishes up in LA. I don't. think he's done after this year. >> No, >> I don't think he's done. I don't. And. the thing is, T, I was tell I was. talking to somebody the other said, "If. you play 24, you might as well go and. get that 25.". >> Yeah, he's No, he's he's not done this. year for sure, >> but I think he wants to set that record. out there. He wants to set that record. out there. Ain't nobody going to get it. >> They can't catch it.

>> cuz KD he he thinks KD is the closest, but KD is 10,000 points away. That's. 10,000. So, if you average, that's another seven, eight year. That's. right now. >> Yeah. >> LeBron plays another two, three years. That thing going to be at 45,000 points. >> Yeah. I mean, it's going to be hard to. catch that. I don't see nobody. >> cuz you have to play a lot. You have to. play You'll have to have sustained. greatness for Cuz nobody thought Kareem. stay healthy and health. >> cuz nobody thought Kareem the record.

would be broken because first of all, only bigs played that long. >> Exactly. Longevity. >> And then you could play that long if you. were big because guess what? You go down. to the block, they dump it down to you. You ain't trying to get up and down the. court like that. >> You averaging eight, nine, 10 points. You know what I'm saying? when you get. that old as a big. Yeah. Like. >> think about all our great bigs when they. played, you know, past their prime, they. only averaged eight, nine, 10 points. Braun averaging 25. >> Yeah. >> Like. >> like, so I mean, I think he's going to. put it out of reach where it's going to. be hard to it's going to be hard to get. there. >> But he was working at the I saw, you.

know, he posted a video. He was working. at the Clippers facilities. >> Yeah, I know. I seen that. >> Yeah, I saw that. >> What What that mean? >> I don't even know if I can speak on. that. Yeah, you you you you gave him the. key. >> Nope. Yeah, he's working out at our old. practice facility. So, yeah, the one. that we had in Plier. So, yeah, put that. out there. The one that PLA, >> not the new one. >> Yeah, he went at our facility. You know. what I'm saying? >> I can't say nothing about that.

>> Had LeBron and Kyrie stayed together, they won another championship. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And I think um also think if um. KD doesn't go to Golden State. >> Oh yeah, but they had to get him. Yeah, they had to get him. They were never. going to beat you guys again, >> T. Yeah. If KD doesn't go to Golden. State, I think we win. And three in a. row. >> And I think Kyrie stays because you. can't leave after that, right? You know. what I'm saying? And so, um I think he.

stays and I think, um like you said, we. could we had a chance to win two or. three. Is there anything you could have done. differently to maybe keep Kyrie and. LeBron together or has Kyrie made his. mind up that he wanted to go elsewhere? >> Um, he had made his mind up. Um, but. that's like another Kobe and Sha. I. would never let it happen, right? Like, and I begged and pleaded. I begged and. pleaded. You know, Kobe. >> LeBron said he begged and pleaded. Said, "Hey, don't trade him. He still got a. year on his contract. Don't trade him.". >> Braun was doing an autograph signing.

with jerseys and stuff for his. foundation. So, I come sit next to. Braun. We sitting there handing the. phone sports center Kyrie Irving's just. been traded to the Boston Celtics man. Braun dropped the marker drop and just. lays back in his chair for about 10. minutes doesn't say a word like just. pissed off and um Braun was crushed and. I and I saw when that happened I thought. things would like be I thought Braun. would would do something different you. know sooner than later and that's what. he did. >> So you don't you believe LeBron would. have stayed in Cleveland had Kyrie.

stayed in Cleveland? Yes, I think so. >> Damn. I mean, you've seen breakups. You uh you. were there. I mean, you you weren't. there at the time, but Kobe and Shaq, you saw Blake and CP3. You saw LeBron. and and uh Kyrie. If somebody would have told you in the. beginning how well it was working that. this was going to be the ultimate.

outcome, would you have believed it? >> As far as what. >> them parting ways, >> all those guys? >> Yeah. >> No. No. I mean, I couldn't see it, you know, the way it happened, you know, especially like say Kobe Shack being in. it every single day in the locker room. >> like because they had too many great. guys around them. Like you had a lot of. great buffers, you know, like Rick Fox, Robert Ory, Baw Harp, like. >> they were old enough to like understand. like what's what was at stake. Yes.

>> And understand like. >> we got something special here. >> Yeah. Something special. And so they. would never let it come to where it came. to, you know. So that was tough. And. then you know I think Kyrie his biggest. thing is like he's a competitor he's a. killer like and so he wanted to show. kind of like Kobe did you know with. >> Sh cuz that's his mentor he. >> yeah I want I can win you know without. Braun and for me to take that next step. this is what I got to do and so to have. his own team and to do that like that. was his that was his goal and that's. what he wanted to do. So I don't think.

it was nothing no ill will against. Brown. It was just something he wanted. to do for his career. >> Right. >> KD. go he starts out in in OKC. He goes to. Golden State. Wins two and three. Goes. to Brooklyn. Leaves Brooklyn. Goes to. Phoenix. Now he's in Houston. Um. how different are we looking at KD if he. doesn't go to the Warriors. >> as far as if he won or not? >> Yeah. I mean, I think the only. difference would be if you won an OKC.

and which they could have they could. have easily done that too, right? You. know, so I mean, I wouldn't look at him. different, you know. I think um. a lot of great players like they think, you know, you have to win a championship. to be, you know, to to be on this tier, whatever. >> Well, it's not fair. >> It's us now. The media, we've done that. because we we say you're bummed. We we. say you're not any good. We don't say. you're bump, but we say you're not any. good. Or they put who's the greatest NBA. player that's never won a championship. >> Yeah.

>> So rings are everything now. We'll take. a guy that's averaging 10 points and put. him above somebody that's historically. great because he has a ring. >> And Katy's one of the best players of. all time. >> All time. >> Yeah. So like it just it just. >> you know, everybody doesn't win, you. know? So. >> And they shouldn't. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> No. No. What what's the val What's the. value of a what's the value of a. championship if every great player won. it? >> Mhm. >> But you know.

if he goes to Golden State and win oh. well he went to Golden State. Well what. you want him to do if he don't win you. going to say he didn't win criticize him. still. >> If he goes and wins it's criticized as. well. Like it's just not fair you know. And so. >> um. >> I mean what else can you say? He's a bad. boy. He's a he's a bad dude whether he. won a championship or not won a. championship or whatever. Like he's one. of the best greatest players to play. this game. And so. >> what did you guys need when he goes to. the war if he when he goes to the. Warriors? What did Cleveland need to.

combat that? Cuz I don't believe I don't believe with. IKD I believe with IKD they're not going. to beat you again. >> Yeah. after you beat them at 2016 coming. back from 3-1. I don't believe they. could beat you again. I. >> I think we had the blueprint of how to. beat him. Like Steve Ker's a mastermind, so he probably figured something out. But I thought we had the blueprint. Um. but for us probably I would say like a a. dominant center, like a guy you can.

throw the ball to, >> dump it down to him and punish him. inside. >> Yeah. So Draymond's not helping all over. the place and like cuz you know really. good player but like offensively being. able to throw the ball, post the. basketball and and make plays cuz Kay. Love played more of the four. So but I. think a bigger center that can you know. can protect the rim could be dominant on. the block. I think that would have. helped us out a lot. But it was just. when they got KD like you you blitz it. wasn't it wasn't. >> you blitz Steph Draymond's the best. pocket catch the ball in the pocket and. now you got Clay and Steph I mean Clay.

and KD sitting in the like. >> I mean I mean Eagle Dollar for the lob. Clay in his corner KD in his corner like. what you going to do? >> And you still you're still worried about. Steph. >> Yeah. like it just it it was unfair. >> that last year. You guys had D- Rolls, you guys had uh uh DWade. and it just didn't it just didn't it. wasn't working. >> Yeah, >> it wasn't working. Why wasn't it. working? >> Um I think DWade and I said D Rose, you.

know, coming down towards the end of the. career, but D Rose, you end up playing a. lot longer than he thought he was going. to play, right? Um, but you have, like I. said, great players, you know, D Rose. one of my favorite players like to to. play the game and then DWI, you know, as. well. And then what they've been able to. do with other teams and then coming to. Cleveland with Braun, I think um like. Braun gave them the leeway to do. whatever they want. But I just think. just trying to figure it out, playing. with each other, the spacing, the. shooting, you know, all those components. played a factor. And um it just wasn't a.

good fit. Like it wasn't they could. still play. he just wasn't a good fit, you know, basketball wise. And um that's. just kind of like how it didn't work. And um but if id had a little bit more. time, I would have been able to figure. it out, you know, but it just like it. just didn't fit the style that we wanted. to play or had to play or need to play. It just didn't fit. >> Uh Adam Silver says he's changing the. All-Star game. It's become unwatchable. with Too. It ain't number threes ain't. number threes and dunks. And that ain't. the way, man. Nobody, Bro, I I I grew up.

on the All-Star game. they played. I. ain't saying you got to play it like. it's a game seven. I ain't got saying. you got to play it like a a playoff. game, but this is unacceptable. So, they've changed the format. >> What's the format now? >> Uh uh the it's the US versus the world, isn't it? >> Yeah. So, Joic, Luca, uh Giannis, >> Embiid, Sheay going to be Steph, KD, LeBron, Book. Yeah.

And what's the if they win then what? >> No, we want see we want to see some. action. We want to see the man we always. had a 200 somebody almost scored 200. points at the Allar game. >> No, I'm saying but it's like in baseball. if you if you win like you know. >> Well, that's what you should have did. We should have went go back to the East. West and the winning side get home court. advantage. No matter what the record is, >> the whoever wins the All-Star game gets. the home court advantage, >> right? >> Then you'll start playing. Yeah, >> cuz this come on them joking 73s.

>> I mean, I don't know, man. I don't. whatever. However, Adam S's going to fix. it is going to be great because like I. said, he he makes sure he doesn't, you. know, he does a great job. So, um I. believe in him. >> It's been a while since we had a an. American born MVP, Too. It been a. minute. >> Mhm. >> I mean, Joic got three, Giannis has got. two, and Bee's got one. Now we got Shay. Maybe not as a whole a whole but are is. the world catching up with us as far as.

basketball like not overall because each. player is from a different is from a. different country. >> Yeah. >> But they are getting better. >> Yeah, they getting better. I mean um. >> you know it ain't a foregone conclusion. 28. Now you do realize that right? Cuz. think what what it took Too It took. Hercules an effort. Too. >> No. >> Too. >> I mean, it took It took. >> Basketball still comes through here. >> Too, it took LeBron, it took KD, and it. took Steph.

>> Okay, that's why we the best. >> They not going to be there at 28. >> How many MVPs Braun got? >> Four. >> How many KD got? >> One. >> Steph, >> two. >> Okay, there you go. >> You try to have You try to have him. around for 20 for 28. >> No, I'm just saying. I'm just saying. like that's why we the best players in. the world. I mean they have like Joker. like they have great players too. What. I'm saying is they're not going to be. able to catch us because it's one or two. guys in each country, >> right?

>> Like we we're one place and we have all. the talent, we have all the skill, we. have all the athleticism, but like I. said, they are they are really good. They I mean they're great. They. >> because they're playing because the. thing is Tu is that. >> the Germans, they've been playing. together their whole life, right? The. Slovenians, the Serbians, the. Lithuanians, Australians, they connect. They've been playing together. >> 10 years old. >> Yes. >> We come together for two weeks. We come. to Vegas for two weeks, practice, then. we go to somebody, we play like three. exhibitions, and then they go play,

>> right? >> Now, I do think uh Wimby. [Laughter]. Wimby I think, but I I don't know, man. I just Yeah, we No, we're the greatest. You you you got you we got this in 28. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah, for sure. >> I'm I'm going to check out a game now. >> If you you can rewind this tape in three. years and say, you know what, but no, we No, we're going to win. >> You were on the staff at the Clippers.

when Shay was there? >> No, >> you were there. >> Nope. I was in um when Shay got there. I. was. >> You still in Cleveland? Cleveland? >> Cleveland? Yeah, I was in Cleveland. Yeah, >> Doc said he pleaded with them said, "Look, this guy going to be special. Don't trade him." But to appease Kawhai, you had to cuz Kawhai's like, "I ain't. got time. I need somebody that's. proven." PG was proven. He been an. allNBA player, can play both ends of the. court. But watching him, I mean,

watching Shay, did you know Shay was. going to be this? >> No. No, I didn't. And and I we talk. about it all the time and. you know 30 GMs or presidents or. whatever even like like if it would have. been done all over again. I mean I'd. have done the trade too. >> Yes. >> Like PG was second in MVP voting. Yes. >> Like two-way player like it was like. Jordan Pippen. You know what I'm saying? And Shay like say he was a really good. you know young player but you didn't. know he's going to be this you know and.

I think it was the best thing for Shay. because Shay would have stayed with the. Clippers. >> He wouldn't be Yeah. He wouldn't have. been able to have the ball in his hand. like. >> Exactly. And so he was able to grow and. figure it out, have his own team. Yes. >> And like I mean anything hindsight 2020, you can say, "Oh, I would have never. done that." But who wouldn't have. traded, you know, a first year player. for a guy like PG, you know, to team up. with Kawhai, right? Like anybody would. have done that. They lying. They say. they wouldn't have, you know, so now. Shane would say now like Yeah. Don't it. don't it's not it's not a question, but.

yeah, that was that was a no-brainer to. me. Did you try Did you try to get uh. Did you guys try to trade for Paul. George when you was in Cleveland? >> Yeah, when he was in Indiana. and and why why didn't it happen? >> I don't remember. >> Damn. >> Yeah, we tried to get him. >> PG LeBron and Kyrie. >> Oo, >> that see that might have been enough. That might have been enough to to come. back. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Cuz you cuz now you can throw LeBron. I. mean, obviously you let PG start with. him and then you can have LeBron, but.

you still got guys now you got three. guys that can really score the. basketball. LeBron, Kyrie, and uh uh PG. >> and Cale Love can score. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, that about Man, >> we tried. >> Damn. >> You You got to answer me this. This what. I want to know. The bubble. because this is what I got, man. And the. Clippers didn't even want to be there. Okay. They wanted to be there when they. got the 3-1 lead. They once they lost.

the 3-1 lead, they didn't want to be. there. I'm like, "What kind of bull. drive is that?" You know, who am I am I. wrong? >> Uh so so tell explain to the people that. was in the bubble because I see a lot of. people that didn't win try to undermine. it. I think who who was that that said. something the other day about it? Uh. >> I think it was. the GM, right? >> GM. Was it David Griffin? No, the one at. uh the one at Philly, >> my Yeah, Daryl Mory. >> Daryl Mory. Now, he almost blew the.

whole thing up talking about what he was. talking about. And now he want to talk. about the championship don't mean. nothing. Now, had he won it, I guarantee. you he wouldn't been talking about that. >> I'll take it. >> Give it to me. I'll take it. >> So, how. with the team that you guys had, did you. lose a 3-1 lead? And you guys had. doubledigit leads in every game. >> Yeah. Um. man,

Jamal Murray and and and Joker, like. they took it to another level. >> Yeah. >> You know, they took it to another level. >> And um. >> they they played great. I mean I mean. like you said, you if you build a 16 15. 16 point lead, like you was doing. something right, right? you know, and. so, um, it just they played better than. we did, you know, coming down the. stretch, you know, and so if you get. high at the right time, like you said, it's tough. And so, um, being up 3-1 and. have an opportunity to close them out.

Um, and we would have done that. I think. we could have won. We could have won the. bubble. We could have won. I would have. took it. >> You took that. >> Doc would have took it. What you mean? Yeah, we took it. But after that, Doc ends up getting fired, he and PG have a back and forth. PJ. said, "Well, I'm not playing the kind of. basketball that I want to play running.". You know, maybe he said, "I think he. wanted to run pendines and Docs had him. running flares or whatever the case may, you know, whatever the case may be.".

I've really never heard you say anything. about, you know, obviously players will. move on and you understand that having. played in this game, having coached in. this game that players are going to move. on and sometimes we might not ever get. out, but we don't see eye to eye and me. and the player don't see eye to eye. Is. there ever a scenario where you feel you. would player said something that you. would counter that or you just let it. walk? >> I let it walk. I mean, that's just. something that's um.

>> egregious. >> or you touching my man like you want to. scrap. No, I ain't running from that. You know what I'm saying? Like, but. yeah, I ain't running from that. But. like, you know, players going to be. upset. They're going to, you know, they're going to say what they going to. say. But I think if you're the leader. and you're a coach, like you got to take. the higher road, right? >> You know, I do believe in that. Um. >> and so, you know, to me, like I'm always. going to take the blame whether I'm. wrong or not, right? you know, and so um. if you're the leader at any corporation. or any profession, like if you the. leader of the team, like you should take.

the responsibility and you should take. the blame, even though you know 100% it. wasn't, right? >> But my job is to take that pressure off. you guys so you're not getting, you. know, crucified and and um so that's. just how I feel it should be, you know, and so I wouldn't go back and forth with. a player, you know. I wouldn't do that. >> The Lakers had a vacancy. you was in the running. I think LeBron called you a couple of. times, wanted you to take the job. Why. didn't you take the job? I mean, you. played for the late I mean, I think it's.

always a good story when a when a when a. guy can go back and and coach the team. that he played for. >> I would have loved it. I mean, it been a. dream come true. >> Yeah. >> Why didn't you take the job? >> Uh, one, um, they offered me short. years. They offered me three years and I. wanted to do five, >> right? >> Um I guess because they was trying to. tie me to to LeBron. Um two, um the. money was low and you.

>> No, no, no. Don't don't they know the. cost of living in LA? >> Well, I'm saying it wasn't low like for. me personally, the money, it was low for. the head coach and and for what it meant. to everybody else going forward. It's. kind of like, you know, the players. association, if you take a bad deal, they're going to give us all bad deals. And so, I just felt for me being a. championship coach and being black, >> right? >> You know, I thought it was up to me to. make sure I set the standard. >> Yeah. If I take a bad deal, then what's. everybody else going to get, you know?

So, >> a worse deal. >> Yeah. A worse. So, I just thought it was. up to me, you know, um to make sure I. did that, right? And then for me and I. it it's hard because you know loyalty is. tough but then I couldn't pick my. coaching staff you know I have. >> Huh? >> Well they would let me pick my coaching. staff so they was going to pick my. coaching staff for me and so I had to. leave a lot of guys behind which. >> whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa what. you mean pick your coaching staff. >> They wanted to pick my staff for me. >> So in other words instead of say I want.

to hire you know John Drew or this guy. that guy they like no you got you got. him and him. Yeah, >> but you don't know them like that. >> Um, I knew some of the guys. I mean, it. wasn't it wasn't a thing where I didn't. like the guys they wanted me to hire. My. thing was just leaving guys behind, right? >> Like, so if I'm fired and my guys are. out of work, >> then, >> you know, I'm I get a job and just say, "Oh, forget them and just leave them. behind." Like, we won a championship. together, went to four straight finals. together. Like, you know what I'm. saying? And so, what I what we've done,

we showed is it worked, you know? And so. I just felt that that wasn't um that. wasn't something that I wanted to do. And so those three things kind of, >> you know, nipped it in the bud and, you. know, we went I mean it was no bad blood. like it was just it was what it was. >> It wasn't. >> And then, you know, uh Monty Williams. >> Yeah. >> saved the world. >> You know what I'm saying? Getting that. big deal. Yeah. And then cuz we had. coaches meetings in Chicago just talking. about, you know, it's going to be hard.

to fire coaches if we make more money, >> right? >> You know, and so they don't really. respect us um as leader as an. organization. Like we running a billion. dollar organization, you know, they. don't really respect us. Like we getting. three, four million. I mean, it's a lot. of money, but I'm just saying like in. the coaching world, they can just let. you go. They paying, you know, some. teams paying three, four, five coaches, you know what I'm saying? like Monty. Williams. So I told Steve Kerr, I told. >> Phoenix, >> uh I told Doc, I told um Spo Like cuz. this was like, you know, four years. I. said, "Y'all y'all the face of the.

league far as coaches." Like, "Y'all got. to get the money up." Like, you know. what I'm saying? Right. >> And they like, "Well, you know, whatever." So two years later, Monty. goes and gets Detroit. Yeah. And then he. gets the bag, then Steve Kerr, then Pop, and then me. You know what I'm saying? Then now everything has gone up, you. know, and so. >> um and I think it's fair. I think, you. know, when you. >> you you have a a coach and. >> there's 15 players and you like the four.

13th 14th highest paid player. I mean I. mean out of the the players and the. coaches like that ain't that ain't fair. Like you know and so. >> um I thought he did a really good job of. just you know showing appreciation for. coaches and and you know cuz it's a hard. it's a hard job. I've always wanted to ask you this. Why. do you like I look at you, you give John. Wallace an opportunity, you give Russ an. opportunity, you give Ben Simmons an. opportunity. Why what is it about that? What why do. you why do you why do you why do you do.

that? Give give guys an opportunity cuz. you know Ben for whatever reason seemed. like he lost his confidence and we'll. touch on this a little later. John Wall. had a situation. He went through some. stuff with his mom and he had some tough. injuries. Russ. Uh, why why do you do. that, Too? >> Because I played and I understand. And. so, you know, a lot of times you just. need, you know, a coach that can give. you confidence and, um, get you back to, you know, where you want to get to, you. know, and so, um, I've been a player. when,

>> you know, the time's almost up and, you. know, like the clock is running out. >> and, you know, you never want to see go. guys go out like that and having. relationships with those guys and giving. them opportunity. Um, I will always do. that. And so, you know, a lot of guys. have career years playing under me. because, like I said, I give them. confidence or guys that didn't want to. play the game no more like Reggie. Jackson and Nick Batum and then they're. playing six, seven, eight more years, you know, when they was ready to retire, you know, and so um it's important to be. able to give back, you know, to our guys. and um in any way I can. And so, I.

really enjoy that. >> What happened with Ben Simmons? You talk. about a guy that was rookie of the year. He was a AllNBA player. He was a a. perennial allstar and then all of a. sudden it just didn't click. Something. something happened. Um me I trace it. back to that Atlanta game where he had a. layup. I mean he had a. looked like a dunk and he passed it and. his coach was critical, the best player. was critical and I remember I was on. undisputed with skip. I said it's over.

I said he's never going to be the same. And he said why you say that? I said. because the head coach said what he said. and his best player said what he said. I. said he broke his confidence. I said and. that city and then you know you see the. meme with this is Ben Simmons and it's a. trash can going down the street because. the city is flooding. It broke his. confidence and he hadn't been he hasn't. been the same player since. Now I know. he's had some injuries but how how do. you when a guy he's the first overall. pick. He's rookie of the year. He's.

perennial, a perennial allstar. How does confidence confidence is that. big of a thing in basketball, Too? Confidence is everything in life, whatever you do, >> you know, and I come from one of the. most confident places in the world, Mexico, Missouri. Listen, I'm telling you, you would think. everybody down there is Michael Jordan. I'm saying everybody, you know, it. doesn't matter. like. >> you know from oh my guy got Damon to Jro. to Conrad to Stacy to Fit like everybody.

think they think they're it you know so. having that confidence plays a big. factor in everything you do. >> um for me um I think I equated to just. that you know that play whatever I don't. think that changed I think the injuries. really set him back you know having two. back surgeries you know then we acquired. him this year seeing what his knee you. know seeing like how his knee was you. know all things he had to fight through. to be able to get on the floor I think. played a big role. Um. >> I think you saw in Brooklyn last year. like he was he was he was good like he.

was back to being you know who he is and. >> the thing that didn't work with us you. know last year which I'm pissed off of. myself about is that. >> um he needs a ball in his hands and so. does James and then so does K. You know. what I'm saying? So So it's hard. >> It was hard you know and it was hard. >> cuz he can't play off the ball. >> Exactly. Yeah. and you shouldn't want. him to because the way he plays, the way. he passes, his pace, the way he plays. the game, >> um, and how he can make people better, you don't want him off the ball, you. know, and so it was just a tough dynamic. and I take full responsibility. I didn't.

figure it out the way I needed to. >> Um, so he really didn't have a fair. shake. So, I'm I'm I'm still pissed. about that. >> Right. >> What's it like, Russ? No matter what you think about him, he. has the most career triple doubles. He's. average triple double, I think what, three seasons. He ain't gonna cheat you. >> You know exactly what you gonna get with. Russell Westbrook. Big hey, you gonna. get an outstanding play. You going to. get a turnover. You're going to get an. air ball. You going to get a big three, but he going to give you everything he. has and you can appreciate that.

>> every single night, every single. practice, every single day. And the. thing that um which you know I equate. him with with LeBron like when you get. great players like that. >> Yeah. always on time, early to the bus, early to the meetings, never late. Like, you know, that that means a lot. Yes. You know, that should show respect for. your teammates, for the staff, and for, you know, who you're working with. And. every day, he's going to bring it no. matter what. Practice, like I said,

games, shoot around, you know what. you're going to get every single day, and you can respect that, right? So, that's why so many people love Russ. because, you know, every single day. you're going to get this, and you can't. ask for anything, anything more. What's it like being a coach for Steve. Balmer? You see him there. I've never. seen an owner that has more emotion. watching a game. I mean, he is a true. fan because he goes through the gamut of. emotions just like I'm like, "Bro, you. do realize you got like a hundred. billion and you supposed to be just.

sitting there just like stoic." And he. >> Yeah, >> he it every every shot turnover. I mean, you could tell. >> Yeah. >> I'm like, man, >> he's fully invested. >> and. >> one, >> you know, people just see the games and. like how the game and, you know, his. actions and and reactions, whatever. >> Um, but what I've learned from him is. Shannon is that no matter how much money.

you have or how rich you are, you know, you could be a good person. >> Yes. >> And that's what he is. like to treat. people the way he treats them like is. like if you got a guy who's. >> worth 150 billion. >> and to treat everybody like I mean. everything's so personable everything is. like genuine you know he's not faking. he's not he doesn't have to like he. doesn't need anybody like but just see. how he treats people like it just goes. to show like and that's why I try to be. good to everybody like he doesn't like. you come across because you know you. never know and I just seeing how Steve.

Balmer. >> did for me in Mexico what he's done for. this organization what he's done for the. city of LA, what he's done for the city. of Seattle. Like, he's just a genuine. person. It's a great person. And you. know, you you don't see you don't see. too many better human beings than he is. >> Hold on. He went back to you to Mexico, Missouri with you on a private jet and. stayed at the Best Western. >> Best Western and said it was some of the. best sleep he's had in a long time. So, I said, "You know what? If he can come. and stay, anybody I don't want to hear. nothing from nobody. Anybody can come. and stay in Mexico if Mr. Obama can come.

and stay in Mexico." Like. only what five other people can say they. can't. other outside of that. Everybody. else should come. >> Yeah. >> Who's your favorite player to watch in. the NBA. >> right now today? >> I have a few. >> Um I love Ant-Man. >> Mhm. >> Um I love Tatum. Um. just some guys that are not on my team. said. Um love Steph, you know, still. what he brings.

Um who am I missing? Fella. Oh, Kyrie. Yeah, Kyrie. >> Kyrie dance. >> Kyrie. >> I mean, it's just so many great players. It's hard to like remember, but like. Yeah, Kyrie. Love to see him dance. >> Um, yeah, I love Ant-Man, the stuff talking. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I think and I love, you. know, watching, you know, Tatum play. kind. >> But your uh Tatum is a cousin of yours, correct? Y'all play real cousin or play. cousin? >> Real cousin. >> Okay. Cuz you know, sometimes, you know,

we are. >> too grown to play. >> Yeah, man. You know, but you know, but. you know, I we are we Hey, we'll cave. some up call somebody and we be closer. to a German shepherd than the actual. person. >> Yeah, for sure. >> What? >> You got to help me understand. Where all. this hate for JT come from? >> What hate, >> man? They be killing JT, man. He ain't. do this and and I I want to ask you cuz. you was there. How that man a three time. allNBA selection and can't get but two. minutes a game in the Olympics? >> Two minutes a game? >> Yeah. Okay, my bad. Five. No, he played.

more than that. Um, >> Too, you got to figure it out. You you. you told me we've been sitting here for. over an hour and a half and you say you. can figure out how to get guys minute, how to get guys shot. You mean to tell. me you couldn't figure out how to get. that man more play getting that man on. the court more than that? >> Yeah. I mean, I take responsibility. because I'm part of the coaching staff, right? So, whatever we decide to make as. a as a um as a staff, I'm never going to. go against that. I'm not going to go. whisper and say, "Oh, we should like No, like once a decision's made,

>> that's what that's, you know, >> everybody got to buy into it.". >> That's what it is. And as much as it. hurt me, like, you know, I thought. >> now he's like, "Damn, cool.". >> Yeah, I know. No, no. Like I'm saying, like, you know what I'm saying? I wanted. to play, I thought you should be out. there. But like, you know, once you make. a decision, I'm not going to go, "Oh, man. This is the No, I mean, that's the. decision we made as coaches.". >> Yeah. And I'm not going to never throw a. coach under the bus or a player or. nobody else. You know what I'm saying? So, of course, it's my cousin. So, you. know, of course you want to see him do. well, right? Yeah. Hell yeah. >> Upbringing.

Mexico, Missouri. Hell, I. >> What was it like? What What What kind of. town is Mexico, Missouri? What your What. do y'all grow? What do y'all grow? Is it. livestock? Y'all have, you know, you. have corn, >> bricks, bricks. >> We was known for bricks. >> Okay. >> Um AP Greens and Nationals. Um we were. kn we were known for having the number. one uh was it fire brick? Yeah. Fire. brick. Um I think in in the United. States and so that's where like all the. money was generated from and then when.

they closed those plants down that's. when you know Mexico kind of went you. know went down. >> But to me it was like a small city right. you know because it's a town of 11,000. people. Well back then it was 135 but. now it's like 11,000. >> but it was a small city because. >> um you had people that did everything. So if you want to gamble Yeah. All the. guys taught you how to lock the dice or. three car mile taught you how to you. know whatever you know if you wanted to. you know you don't get drugs you had. people who were you know went to college.

and had you know got degrees so you had. everything you needed around and it's a. small community so you're getting that. every single day you know and so you. learn about it you know every single day. what you supposed to do what you're not. supposed to do um what to get into what. not to get into and what it teaches you. is like when I got to the league you. know you get around all these guys that. grew up in the city and you and you look. and they don't understand and see what's. going like guys are cheating or when. guys are locking the dice or they don't. know what's going on and you look at.

like damn they from the city but they. don't see what's going on you know it. kind of so like me I'm like in Mexico. you learn everything at an early age. >> you know 10 11 12 you know about. gambling you know about you know if. you're going to be in you know the drugs. scene if you're going to go out and. party if you're going to be whatever. you're going to be you can learn about. it right now and so I thought it really. did a good job of was teaching me. everything at a young age. So when I got. older, I wasn't numb to none of the. You know what I'm saying? I've. seen it. I've seen it from every every. angle. And so that really helped me to.

grow. And like I said, just having the. confidence that they have back home, >> like from a, you know, crackhead to a. whatever. Confidence. It don't matter. They walk around, you know, just as. confident as anybody else. And that's. what I love about being in Mexico. because everybody's together and. everybody's one. It don't matter, you. know, what you done. If you dropped out. of high high school, if you dropped out. of junior high, whatever, like we all. people, we all together. And that's why, you know, I love I love it so much. >> You don't drink or smoke? >> Never tried it. >> Cuz your your father had a substance. Is.

that why? A substance abuse problem. Is. that why? >> Yeah. Um I could say that, you know, um. my dad, you know, like he smoked crack, you know, growing up. And um I give him. credit, you know, once he went to prison. and got out. Um he's been clean for 23. years. >> Wow. Yeah. Never had a drink, never had. a, you know, any drug. And we formed a. really great relationship. And so, shout. out to Ronald Kim for getting himself. together. But, >> you know, that takes a lot. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> You know, being on drugs the way he was.

and to be clean and for us every day, L. >> Yeah. >> You know that as an addict, a recovering. addict is every. >> day you got to drive by the liquor. store, you got to drive by the package. shop, you got to somebody smoking, >> right? You got to do this every single. day for the rest of your life. >> And I'm a sugar addict and I understand. and I understand. Well, surely Tim was. coming on the table. You know what I'm. saying? I see it. You know, like I said, my grandpa, he drank a lot. And so I. love my grandpa Tyrone. >> So just seeing those things and how it,

you know, when my grandpa drank when he. come home at night, how he would act, you know, and how my dad was and just, you know, seeing those dynamics, you. know, made me want to stay away. And. then also like it was like a badge of. honor like all my friends or you know. they're drinking it. I don't want to do. that. Like I want to be different you. know and so. it's 48 years now so they don't. need to doing it now. >> Yeah. Yeah. You too late. >> Yeah. >> You said you went you live with your. uncle and you spoke about your uncle a. little briefly earlier too. >> Two different Yeah. My uncle Jay. idolized basketball. And.

>> that's not the one you live with. >> No. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I went to live with my uncle. Kevin. Okay. Um. >> is that your mom's brother or your dad's. brother? >> My mom's brother. Yeah. And so um my. sophomore year in high school. >> um I got in some trouble back home in. Mexico and. >> um the family came to a agreement that. you know I needed to get out of there. like you know and have a father figure. being in a bigger city and have a chance. to cuz like. teams wasn't coming coach wasn't coming. to Mexico to recruit you know and so.

>> to try to display my uh I took my. talents to South Beach you know what I'm. saying and went to Kansas City and um my. uncle, like I said, he took me in, you. know, and um as a sophomore, you know, that's tough, you know, he took me in. >> and um you know, I hit the ground. running, you know, it was it was hard. because in Mexico, you used to being out. on the streets till 1 2 in the morning, >> you know, you're being policed and by. all the different, you know, my mom's, you know, friend or you know, it was a. community that raised you. >> Yeah. So, you. >> ain't such and such boy. You know,

better, >> right? And so you get to Kansas City, it's a big city, you know, and so it was. the dynamics were different, you know, having to be, you know, in at a certain. time and, you know, being, you know, being more safe and right, you know, it. was it was it was it was an adjustment. for me, but I needed it, you know, and. so, uh, you know, Kevin took me in and, uh, did my three years there and then I. was able to go to Nebraska from there. and then kind of, you know, so it got my. life on track because I was going the. wrong direction. So it it was it was. very much needed. You had some health health issues. Deal.

with some chest pains this past season. Damn. Coaching stressful, huh? >> This season? >> Yeah. Was it last season? A couple. years. When was it? >> In Cleveland. Cleveland. >> Yeah. In Cleveland. Well, this year I. had No, my I messed my back up. Yeah. My. shoulder and my back. >> What did you do? >> I'm trying to get big like you, man. You. know what I'm saying? You trying to. throw that weight around and all that. just You know what I'm saying? >> I know better, man. Them days are over, man. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And so I had, you know, I messed my back. up. Um that was. >> sciatica. Um, no. It was like it was. like.

Yeah. And so, but Cleveland, yeah, is um. when I had the chest pains and. >> um didn't understand what was going on. Like, you know, I feel like a heart. attack, you know, well, whatever heart. attack you think feel like, >> right? >> And um. >> I was scared to sleep at night because. like these sharp pains were like just. like shoot through my chest. Like. >> I was scared to go to sleep cuz I didn't. know what was going. So, I wasn't. sleeping and we did all the testing. So, I went to um Cleveland Clinic. >> Yeah. And um I did all like the EKGs, the echo test, the the treadmill, all.

that stuff. >> And so the doctor said, "Listen, you. might die, >> but it won't be from your heart. Your. heart is perfectly fine." So I'm like, "Damn, like what's So" So I was like, "Okay, I feel better about that, you. know, whatever." So we still kept trying. to find what was going on and got with a. doctor and they said, "Oh man, you're. experiencing anxiety and depression, you. know." And so I was like, "Depress? I. ain't. >> I'm from Mexico. I ain't dep like I'm. like, "Yeah, I ain't depressed." Like. whatever. He's like, "No, like that's. what you're experiencing." And so he was. like, "Um, I want you to do this." So.

they had some medication for me to take. for a couple weeks. I took some time. off, which I give Cleveland. >> Yeah. Yeah. They they were really like. serious about it. And. >> um I give Kobe Almond a lot of credit. for just saying, "Listen, take the time. you need. Don't." So took a couple weeks. off, changed my diet, you know, took. some medication, started doing yoga and. all that stuff. And. >> um it helped. And then I got off the. medication like right after the. playoffs. And so the the guy the doctor. said, "My happy place is gambling." Like. being in Vegas.

>> Yeah. Being in Vegas and the playoffs. >> That was my happy place. And so. >> he's like, "Anytime you get a chance,". So like what was crazy is like our. general manager like Deon Griffin, he'd. come to the house two times a week. We. have a poker game, you know? So like. they did everything they could to, you. know, keep me engaged. But um once I. found that out, but like it hasn't been. a problem ever since. But like that was. some stressful times. How many hours a. night were you sleeping? >> Probably three. tops. >> Damn. Hell, I might be stressed and. anxiety.

>> Three times. >> But I but I I mean since I retired I. mean I used to sleep fairly good when I. was when I was a player. But once I got. to a certain age I don't. >> Yeah. I mean but I mean cuz my when you. get older you don't sleep. Grandma don't. sleep when we have. >> I I wonder why you cuz them old people. be up. >> Yeah. They go to bed at 7 o'clock, but. they up at they up at three. >> Yeah. So, but when you go to bed, you. having chest pain, then sometimes you. spitting up blood like and you don't. know what's going on, you know? So, like. >> you know, cuz like coach, it's tough.

like when you want to be the best, when. you want to win and got the best player. in the world. >> You know, you would eat too many oxtails. and hog mall and stuff like that. >> No. No. Probably a lot of sugar. A lot. of sugar. >> Oh, you so you like you got a sweet, too. >> Sweets. Yeah. Yeah. cuz we we see uh coach Papovich had to. retire. I mean obviously coaching is. very stressful. >> Yes. >> Because you coach a team and the. expectations are very very high. You. understand that you understand when you. get into this profession what is. expected of you,

>> right? >> So it ain't no pretense. Well, you know, I'm with this team. It ain't that no. more. Hey, it's now and the players that. you have, you got a guy that was a top. 75 player. As a matter of fact, you got. two of them on your team. So the. expectations are. >> right. >> is to win. >> Yes. >> You feel that? >> I like that. >> Yeah. I like that because if you're in. position to win a championship, that's. all you that's all that's all you can. ask for. >> Yeah. That's all you can ask for. And so. if it was a situation where you're not. playing for a championship, you're not. competing for a championship. >> What we doing this?

>> Yeah. You know what we like those. expectations. >> Give me your alltime starting five. teammates. Your former teammates. Guys. that you played with. >> far as talent or who I love. Give me. your starting five. Who you gonna start. with? You got You got five. You got a. starting five. >> But you're not I'm saying who I like the. most or who the best players. >> You had to put together a starting five. of your five teammates. Who would it be. and why? >> I Shaq. >> Shaq is one. >> Kobe. >> Kobe. >> Jordan. >> Jordan.

>> Hold on. T-Mac. >> T-Mac. >> Oh, damn. Ya. Me. >> Yeah, we got Yao. >> Dirk. >> Dirk. J kid. Hey, I'm sorry about leaving. So, I mean, you going by position, right? So, Shaq, >> Durk, Kobe, Jordan. >> You can put T-Mac in there. You can put. JK in there. >> Yeah. Go big.

>> Yeah. >> Yeah. T-Mac, Cob Jordan, Dirk, Shaq. >> Damn. >> That's nice. That's a nice little squad. that guy. Y'all might win some. championship. >> Has ring culture become a problem? We. kind of touched on this a little bit. earlier because now if you ain't got a. Now if you ain't got a ring, you. >> I think I think it has. I think it. become it's become a problem because now. you have guys um thinking that winning. is more important than loyalty and doing.

it the right way. >> And it's not their fault, but it's like. you said, it's what is projecting to the. world now, right? Um, I think it's hard. to see u franchises draft great players, young players, and you're willing to. grow with, but they leave to, you know, to try to pursue a championship because. they think that's what's. >> going to get them, you know, to this. point to the pinnacle. And so, >> um, I just think, yeah, it's it's. definitely, you know, clouded our game, you know, just as far as say, oh, you.

got to win, you got to win championship, like you got to be a great player and a. great person. like everything's going to. take care of itself, you know, and so I. know Steve. >> and a no it ain't no guarantee even if. you go someplace you're going to win a. championship. >> Yeah, exactly. You know, and so um I. think winning is important. Like you. play to win like correct that that's the. number one goal like that's the ultimate. goal, you know, but I think there's the. right way to do it though. Like you. can't sell yourself, >> you know, because you want to win a. championship. like I just, you know, it. just so to me um being the best player.

you can be, doing it the right way, um. grind to get to that point, um I think. it's important and it's it's more of a. feeling when you do it that way. >> Is the era of the super teams over? >> Yes, I think so. Because of the way, you. know, the cap is structured now. The. first April, they're going to punish. you. >> Yeah. It's it's going to be hard. >> If you want to spend a billion dollars a. year to try to win a championship, be my. NBA say be my guest. And then also like. if you're going to do it, it's going to. be with older talent like guys is 35, 36.

that going to take less money to try to. win. But. >> um I think the super teams and. especially the way the game is played. now, right, >> with all the cutting, slashing, picking. up full court like stars ain't doing. like so you need three or four guys. around to do the dirty work, you know? So it's going to be a little different. So it might be one here here or there, but right. >> for the most part, I think that's over. expectations for the C the Clippers this. season. >> Um to win at a high level. Um to me, I.

want to get to the conference finals. Um. or better. Um and we have a talented. team to do it. Like our biggest thing is. over the years has been health, right? You know, um which has held us back and. still think about and dream about my. first year. Like if Kawhai don't get. hurt um that year like. >> Oh, is that the Utah series? >> Yeah, he gets hurt. We beat the number. one seed Utah and then we played in the. conference finals against Phoenix go to. game six you know PG had a hell of a you. know series and you know came up short. you know and so every year has been.

something you know Kawas miss every. playoff series PG's been out for playoff. series and so it just been tough so for. me I think um with our coaching staff. you know um the the team that we've. assembled with you know Jeff Van Gundy. um like I said Brian Shaw's done a great. job Jay Larenega you know Larry Drew, Jeremy Castleberry, Dante. So, we got a. great group of guys that have played the. game and some are that understands the. game have been head coaches before and. so I think with that dynamic with our. players, I think we got a chance to be.

pretty good. So, I'm excited about it. >> Clippers head coach Tyron Lou. Ladies. and gentlemen, >> thank you very much. >> Appreciate you, bro. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> 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' been grinding all my. life. [Music].