1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - Evric Gray (Fomer UNLV Basketball player): February 25th, 10am

Episode Date: February 25, 2022

Watching games with people who know more than you is funWhen a program is doing well, what is the cause?Defense should be the first focus for basketball teamsNebraska Basketball, what does Evric see?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's time to go one-on-one with D.P. Coming at you live from the Coppull Chevrolet GMC Studios, here is your host, Derek Pearson, presented by Beatrice Bakery on 93-7 The Ticket and the Ticketfm.com. One-on-one on Friday. Bowling is dominating. They're winning the third match of the morning so far. Volleyball. and their third match. I believe that it is...

They are currently tied three to three. Allie and... Akana. Akana going at it and then still to play Rodriguez, Alec and Maddie Kubrick and Kinsey Knuckles. Lindsay Krause and Nicklin Hames have already won. Whitney Lonestein and Kennedy

Orr have also been victorious. So there's that. Beach volleyball is so weird because I'm watching this and I know that these girls can get up like above the net and it's just, I know they're playing insane, but it's just so weird to see them because they're going for the kill and it's like they're barely getting up

and it's just like, ah. It's saying it's wearing tear, tired muscles. That sand is real, real work. We would always, so back in Kearney after our conditioning for track, our final day of conditioning would be beach volleyball, little tournament between all the teams who'd split up into teams and have a little beach volleyball tournament.

And it was rough. Like it was so much fun, but it was rough. Yeah, it's the work. You always think you're athletic until you try to jump and run in sand. Like to hear them talk about it, they've been talking, Nicola and Kenzie have been talking about it and trying to walk us through.

And I'm like, I would think that, you know, the difference between digging on a hard floor versus sand. They're like, well, yeah, it's all work. And the up down, and you don't have any help, and it's two people to cover, you know. A lot of space. Like a lot of space.

And then the communication, the signals, hand signals, the verbal signals, all of those things. And then, you know, some of the places are indoor beach. Some of them are outdoor. So it's outdoor. You've got to deal with heat. You've got to deal with wind blowing,

which affects serves and spikes, who they pick on, who picks on them, that sort of stuff. So they've been really good about explaining what this is. And it's fantastic to me to have them go through it. So it's been cool. And again, bowling's doing its thing. I'm going to stop by bowling right after this show.

I think I can get a match in if I get in over there. Maybe I'll call on up over there and give you a live update. Give you a live update, which would be pretty cool. Do a little play by playing your phone. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. I think you should get it get an interview how would you do that yeah like so what do you think in there uh 7 pin uh I need I went a little high there got a little too quick in my release I need to slow down thumb up don't okay they've been so good to explain like very technical right like I you like I you like to think that you can bowl you know what you're doing but you have no idea right it's just

But that's really with anything. Like, even if you, like, like, people that think they know how to golf and they're like, oh, yeah, you know, I got, I got, you know, this club and this, you know, part of the course and this is why I did this and this and that. And then you listen to, like, a caddy and a professional golfer talk about it. Different language. What? Different language. Different language, different game. Like, across the board.

So. Like, people that, it's just with, like, you know, basketball. You think you know. You're like, oh, yeah, it's simple. and they got a back screen here, back cut, you know, he's doing this, and he'll get an open shot here. And then you hear a coach or a professional basketball player. And it's, I mean, even if you're a professional basketball player,

you saw the look Austin Reeves gave LeBron James at one time. He's explaining everything to him, and Austin's like, dude, I have no idea what you're saying. You are speaking Greek, and I don't understand. You know all of these words that I have no idea what they mean. And sometimes I like to listen, and it's just like, ah, I totally get that. And in reality, I have no idea what you just said. it happens with with with with with with day like because jay oh yeah like he's

like he's elevating it right i've learned a lot right and you go okay and then you have to go back in a lap like which which for me is it's a great piece you know placekeeper like okay dp you need to get back in the film room because you missed it and then you got to go into the film room with him like you got to go with jay that would be interesting uh to have him break it down. So I'd like to watch, I'd like to watch like an entire defensive sequence with Jay and just have to break it down. Well, you know what it's like because you watch basketball with Eric Strickland.

That was interesting. Frightening is the word. And I was very, I felt very good about myself because at one point I explained what I would do at one point. And he goes, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that'd be really good. I was like, ha ha. I just got complimented by an NBA player on some basketball stuff. Right?

Like take the win. And then I was like quiet the rest of the game. Yeah. Not going to blow it. He was talking about all this stuff and I was like, I'm going to let you go. Not going to blow it. But it was fun. Yeah, not going to do it.

Of course, it's that time, right, where Nebraska basketball playoffs, tournament plays in effect. So there'll be some swapping of schedules and such depending on matchups. And I think we're going to try to get focused to Lincoln schools. But if we don't know how many are going to be in and how long that's going to go. Yeah. So, and if that's not the case, then we'll get just to, like, semi-finals and finals. Okay. I don't think we're doing quarterfinals unless it's a Lincoln school.

Same for the women. So we'll have the girls, both girls and boys, class A and class B. Nick will focus on the class B. I will focus on the class A. We'll be drawing folks into it and dragging folks in. I think at some point I want to drag Jay Foreman into it, helping him, you know. To be a color commentator. Yeah.

I told you the story of what else does he got to do. Have I told you the story of what I thought color commentator was? Please do. When I was younger, you know, you hear people, you know, play-by-play and the color commentator. He's a color guy. And for the longest time, I thought they were saying colored commentator. He's the colored guy. And I was just like, oh, okay.

And then like, I see him. And I'm just like, wait a minute. this isn't this isn't how this works well but then i was also wondering how do they get away with saying that on tv but there was so but there was a time there was a stretch where there was a white play-by-play guy and a black analyst so he's like oh no he's the play by play and he's the colored guy he just go for the longest time that's what i thought it was and they're like no and then somebody's like it's color commentator color commentator oh they're like yeah they paint the picture And I go, oh, that makes a lot more sense.

I forgot. I was wondering how they got away with saying that on television. It was very confusing. It was, you know, especially there was a lot of that going on. And I was like, wow, okay, can we stop? Can we please? So, yeah, young me was weird. Young everybody.

Look, I was in the same space with you. So I can't really do that. I can't really throw it under the water. That's what it was. Like, that's what it was. Not our fault. I feel like the beach volleyball camera cut out because I've refreshed it three times and just so come back. Well, we're trying to get, of course, Everick is on Everett time.

It happens. Yeah. Well, I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to go over with, so I'll just go over with you. How excited are you to see James Hardin with Philadelphia? I'm actually extremely excited. I think that this will work out pretty well for Philly. I think this is a better fit than Ben Simmons in Brooklyn, although I think that could be a problem for some other teams.

But James Harden in Philly, if it's not complete Houston James Hardin, but if it's a mix of Houston James Hardin and Brooklyn, James Hardin, where he plays the point and he gets everyone involved, and he realizes this is Joel's team. You know, you just got there, and I know you're a superstar, you know, a future Hall of Famer, but this is Joel's team. He is the leader of this Philadelphia squad, and if he can realize that, and he plays through Joel, I think those two would be a perfect match, especially with Tobias, if, you know,

I mean, they have to keep him because the trade done like that past, but they kept trying to shop him, with Tobias Harris, who will take the responsibility of, guarding whatever team's best player. So then James Hardin can rest on the defensive end. Joel and B. can do his thing, you know, when people get to the paint. And all of that. I mean, James Hardin and Joel and Bid are going to be a force.

If they can get it together, it'll be interesting. A little inside out like Dwight Howard in Orlando. Well, no, just think Hardin Capella. If they can get it, it just, that's the way I'm looking at it. Hit this man's intro, please. The man's intro. Let's bring him in the right way. Here's a guy that gives them more depth at UNLV, Everett Gray.

He brings nine points off the bench for Coach Tarkhanian. In less than 20 minutes of playing a game. Here he'll have a chance. Oh, as he goes up for the dump, Miller takes a piece of the arm. Two, two on Miller now. Team foul number five. Here's another basketball player with a baseball background. He was a third round pick of the Ashkenny

pros and 87 was Everett Gray. Let's bring in the running rub. Everett Gray, Ev, what's happening, brother? It's good to talk to you, D.C., in a minute. Well, you know, as we adjust and adjust us, you know, you and I will land on our regular 10 o'clock day. You just got to let me know what that day is going to be for you. Like which one works for you?

Just let me know I'm there for you, D.P. It doesn't matter. I like talking to you guys and talking to you and talking sports and story time with Uncle Ave. I got a funny story. Rico, Rico, smile. Rico goes, it's, Ed, we miss it. I was like, yeah, it's been a while since we talked to Everick. Yeah, Rick, I'll miss you, too, man.

We started off a little rocky, but we figured it out. We're all good now. What did we understand who we were dealing with? It's like, oh, you're in your. Rike. Okay, gotcha, got you, gotcha. We understand now. First of all, how are you doing, bro? Let's recap. How are you doing? I'm good. Since the last time I talked to you guys, I got a Nike deal with my club team. It's a lot of stuff to it, but it's good for our program. We've been playing well.

High school season, we're in the second round. We play tonight. GP, we play Fremont. Nice. So we should be fine, you know, but you never know, playoffs. And just, you know, just been coaching and working and then, you know, and working on this new Nike deal. It's a lot, like I said, it's a lot to it, but it's worth it and it's all about the kids.

I don't play. I just put my system out there and the kids run the system to the right way and the kids all play the right way. So it kind of paid off for it. for the last 10 years. So Nike stepped in his game. It's a deal. Is it, so let's break that down because I know you're being humble and in the right space, but the reality is your IQ is off the charts when it comes to this stuff. So break it down for us and how this works. When a program is doing well, is it coaching? Is it system? Is it

a player? Is it talent? What is it? It's a little bit of everything. You know, the thing at with coaching with me, I let you I'll let you play through your mistakes. Now, if you do it like four or five, three or four times, we don't have to talk about it. And normally you sit next to me talking about it. But I let you play through the mistakes. It's, it's,

our kids usually buy in to where we play. Similar to to coach Tart our system. So and granted, we do have some talented players that could shoot the ball. But the good thing, D.P., they play

together, they played a right way. And with me, I don't care if you miss a shot. I don't care. I know you're not trying to miss it. I tell my kids, you guys know what a bookie is? It was like, no. So if you do know what a bookie is, please let me know because I want to make a little money, too. So, but that's a true story.

D.P., that's what I tell. I don't care if you miss it. I know you're not trying to miss it. And you give kids confidence when they shoot the ball, because I don't care if you miss 10 in a row. You better shoot the 11th. if you do not shoot the ball when you're open in my system, come sit next to me. I've never had a parent complain about not shooting.

Why you take my phone out? So he didn't shoot it. I've never heard a parent complain about that. You're making him take too many shots. It never happens. Never happens. You mentioned play the right way. What does that mean?

Because every fan has a different idea of what that actually means. What does it mean to you play the right way? Well, this is the key to any work environment or playing basketball, GP, and Rico. The thing is that you're not going to like everybody, right? So me, this is what I sell my kids. I don't care if you don't like that kid, but like him for 32 minutes. And then you can go your separate ways. Pass the ball when you're open, talk on defense, throw the ball to the open to the open player.

And sometimes you have to suck your pride up. If DP's going, got it going, we're going to try to get DP off, try to get him going, and then eventually they're going to end up have to make an adjustment, and then I'm going to be open. It's just being unselfish.

That's mainly what that means, playing the right way. It's okay if DP is rolling. I don't know about RICO, but the thing is that he's rolling, if he's rolling, we're going to make sure we get him the ball because we all win.

If he's playing well, we win, we all win. and that's one thing we harp on is being unselfish and paying attention to who's playing well, who's hot, and we're going to force-feeed the ball until he's not hot anymore. Everick, this puts you in a right space that good teams share the ball. It's not a one-man team.

It's not a situation. But you played on a team where all the names were known. everybody was super talented and somehow Tarkhanian got Stacey Ogman Larry Johnson Greg Anthony Everett Gray Spentero Moore like he got all of you guys to somehow play together

how did that happen because it seems to be a lost art now yeah it started with his assistant coaches Coach Gerg and Cleveland Edwards, rest of peace, Coach Cleave, and Coach Starr, Keith Starr. It started with them. The thing is that with those teams I played with, no matter if you average six points,

you're going to give a shot at the NBA. It's just, we just played extremely hard, and we didn't care about who got the glory. We knew who our best player was, and it was Larry Johnson. Right. We knew who our second best player. obviously he was the number one pick. But you got to realize it was three guys that went lottery in that draft.

And then George Acox went 20 nights. So we kind of knew where we were our pecking orders to, GP, because Tark always like, that's our best player. I was just telling the story in the show, GP, about, I remember when Larry twisted his ankle in practice. And it was a slight twist, but Tart canceled practice. I was like, whoa. I was like, for D.P. I was like, that's all the song it takes. Larry tweaks his ankle a little bit. We can get out of this three and a half hour of practice. I'd say, hey, L. How did you do me a favor, man? There's a convention at this time. And D.P., you know what convention I'm talking about. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Yes, it's in December. It's in Vegas.

That's a lot of cool-looking actresses. Yeah, yeah. I told this, I told this story. We only use the letters around here. Right. But I did say, you need to kind of, you know, your hamstring is a little tight. Right. He was like,

and sure enough, and then we got out of there a little early and we went to the convention at the Sands, and it was good times. But the thing is that we knew who our best player was, and we played through him, and that's why we were successful.

We got to realize to the EP and Rico, the thing is, our offense, our defense was our offense, and when you get stills, no, we don't stop and call a play. You get a steal, you get a layup. That's two points.

So that's how we kind of played, and that was the system, and that's what we kind of, everybody liked each other somewhat, and that was a big deal. You just broke it down, and great programs are usually defensive programs. Like, if you're going to fix a broken program,

the easiest way to do it is to become, exceptional defensively. Like, it's much easier to get good defensively than it is offensively, right? Right. Well, the thing is that, I mean, you know, defense, you can coach it all you want. It's either you want to do it or you don't. And if you can get 12 guys, because it was 12 guys, even our guys that came off the bench, like myself, and even behind me, they only knew one way to play.

And they already knew how if you get a steal, if you get into patch the lanes, you can get a layup. If your teammate gets a layup, you just scratch your butt down there, DP, and force a 2-on-1 so you can get the ball back. But that's what we kind of did. With my club team, I'm like, I don't want to call one play. Derek, I don't want to call one play. You and I agree on that. You and I agree on that.

I just want to get steals and layups. I don't want to call one play. Right. And the thing is that with, you know, with our system, I will definitely pick you, like with a club ball. If you don't, if you're just a one-on-one AAU team, We beat those teams by 30 all the time. But if you have a good team, they have a couple of plays.

I'll know your plays in one and a half minutes because my kids know. I'm kind of weird with plays. I remember their sets. And then we'll get in the past lanes and we'll make some adjustments, and we're out running and dunking the ball. We're talking to every great former UNLV national champion, NBA, Europe, now an administrator, coach, athletic director, runs an elite program. all season long as well.

So there's several things to play. And again, one, the next time you come to Lincoln, it'll be hopefully on the other side of pandemic, we can actually get you in front of some of the folks that you need to get in front of so that we can build that bridge to get some of that talent that you have. And I think that's an exposure that needs to happen.

Of course, Ramele Lloyd-Rach, Lloyd-Sons, he's coming here next year. I'm super excited about that. Blaise Keated, number one juco player in the country is coming here. You watch basketball with a keen eye and a ferocity that is impressive. What's wrong with Nebraska basketball ever, great? How is it that a program that should be great continues and is constantly not great? You know, remember you and I talked about this on air over a year.

I thought maybe he has to have a – he's got a win. to keep his gig. And it kind of went left. I mean, there were 7 and 20, I believe. Yep. I think maybe they missed on some guys recruiting. I'm not extremely, I'm not sure. No, you're right.

You're right. You're right. Yeah. Sounds like they missed on some guys. The thing is that with the portal, you've got to be careful, Derek, because other people's, you're getting other people's problems.

And it's a reason. Why? Say that again for the people in the back. Say it again for the people in the back. You're getting other people's problem. You have to be careful grabbing other people's part. It's a reason why they're in the portal. There's kids that's in a portal that's

averaging 15 points. You need to look at that. Why are you transforming? Transferring when you're already the guy averaging it for it. It sounds like you've got a parent problem or the kid is a problem off the floor maybe, or he's not a defensive player, he just wants to score,

and that's what you have to do. I don't think he needs to make sure he gets a mixture of some good high school kids and maybe a couple good kids in the portal, but you've got to look at the Porter. Don't always look at the Power 5 kids that's coming in the portal. Look at those mid-major kids because those kids are pretty good. Pay attention to them. But how about just recruiting old-fashioned and get some good solid high school kids and go from there?

I mean, they can't miss. I think he took a pay cut. I think he needs to make it right next year. He said he's going to keep his job. But he needs a new DP, you know, he needs to switch that 20 and 7. He needs to switch that to 20 and 7 next year for him to keep his gig. Ev, can you hold on and do another segment with us? Yeah, that's fun.

Okay. We'll throw it to break. UNLV, Running Rebel, Everett Gray. We'll be right back on one-on-one. Download our app by searching 93.7, the ticket in your app store. You're listening to One-on-One-on-one with DP on 937 the Ticket in the Ticketfm.com.