Club 520 Podcast - Club 520 - Andre Drummond on playing w/ LeBron, Kobe’s last All-Star Game, Anthony Davis vs. Embiid

Episode Date: January 23, 2025

We’re back with Season 3, Episode 27 of Club 520, and Jeff Teague and the guys are joined by Andre Drummond. Drummond speaks about why he chose UCONN, and immediately rising to stardom with becoming a top-10 pick in the NBA Draft. Andre tells stories about playing alongside LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers, playing in Kobe Bryant’s last All-Star Game, and discusses who is harder to guard between Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. Drummond tells many more stories that you won’t want to miss. Timeline  3:00 - Best rebounder ever? 10:00 - Time at UCONN 18:00 - NBA draft class 31:30 - Kobe's last All-Star game 42:00 - Getting traded 48:00 - Playing w/ LeBron #Volume #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart Podcast. The Volume. All right, man, we back. Another episode of Club 520 Podcast. I'm the host. My name is DJ Wells. Special, special guest in the building, man. To my left, we're going to introduce my man's last.

But to my far left, we got my dog. Bitch will be handing out the prayer leaves. How you doing, Nasty? Cool and nasty as midnight. God damn. We in the trap, baby. We here. Yeah. We got my dog Bitch will be handing out the pearlies How you doing, Nasty? Cool, Nasty It's midnight God damn We in the trap, baby We here Yeah

You know what I'm saying? 24 hours We got our off days You know what I'm saying, Dre? Listen, I know you keep your feet right But have you ever seen the black forces With the white laces? Nah, I like them, though

So I get some You tapped in? Yeah I got you, doggy You got me right, bro I got you I got you We gonna do the red laces, too

We gonna send them out to Taylor. I appreciate you. I love it. Don't ever disrespect your feet. Keep it classy, bro. Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Keep it classy.

Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Keep it classy. Nah, I got you, Drew. I promise you.

When would you do that? Just some shit back in the day, bro. I used to hoop in the middies. Like with straps, paws. I saw it, bro. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I just put White laces in them

And then shit Niggas big That shit is dope Hooping in the mid Forces is dangerous I did that too though Shit she Wallace Yeah he hooped

In the ultra Yeah yeah That's a different beat Yeah the orthopedic joints For sure To my right my dog Young Nacho Young Teague

How you what I'm chilling bro Just lost a tough game But shout out to my boys At Pike Y'all fall hard young Teague. How you what? I'm chilling, bro. Just lost a tough game, but shout out to my boys at Pike, man. Y'all fall hard. I'm proud of y'all. But I'm chilling, man. Excited. Glad we got another, you know, another player in the bill.

Legend in his own right. You know, UConn stand out. I'm excited. For sure, man. You know, people always give me a slight percent. I'm excited that we got a guest. I'm like, damn, I'm supposed to be mad. We're happy with what the show is talking about. Y'. I'm like, damn, I'm supposed to be mad. We'll have people on this show before we come in.

Y'all know what time it is, man. For sure, man. Listen, man, we got a two-time All-Star, 13-year pro, one of the best rebounders to ever play the game of basketball, man. He said he the best. Yeah, talk your shit. Come on, man. Stats don't lie, man.

Out there drumming in the building. Big dog. Appreciate you sliding on us, bro. Appreciate you, man. Hold on. You said you the best ever? That's what I said. I'm a this, bro. Hold on. You said you're the best ever? That's what I said. I'm a Rodman?

Hey, I don't know about Freaky Rod. Freaky Rodman's crazy. Nah, we'll chop it up, though. Let's get into it. Dittus Rodman's crazy. He used to have 40 rebounds. You used to have some crazy stat lines.

For sure, zero points. But jokes? Rebounds, stat lines, you'd be crazy. 20 rebounds. You used to have some crazy stat lines. For sure, zero points. But jokes, rebounds, stat lines, you're going to be crazy. 20 rebounds and 20 points. You're doing 20 rebounds and no points. That's all right. I respect the lineage. But is that, is Rodman who you, Bottle Joe? Nah, bro.

Who turned you into a rebounder? Shit, my rookie year when I came in, bro, I called my high school coach and I asked him, I'm like, yo, like, how do I stay? i asked him i'm like yo like how do i stay like i'm here like how do i stay yeah so he's like you gotta find something that you are good at and master that shit so i started looking at all the stats just probably midway through the season like probably around right now and uh i seen like the guys who average the most points most rebounds blocks steals and shit and i seen the guys who average the most points, most rebounds, locks, steals and shit. And I seen the rebounds and the most was like 12.5 at a time. I think it was Dwight. And I was averaging

like 9.8 as a rookie. That's pretty good. This isn't a sexy stat. I could be the best to do it if I really put my mind to it. If I'm already averaging 9 by not trying. Huh? I ain't worried about the numbers. Ricky, your mic wasn't about to end. the average of nine by not trying. Huh?

I ain't worried about the numbers. Damn, Ricky White was about to end that. That's great. I came in with the real numbers. He right, 32 is the best,

32nd best rebounder ever. Yeah, we'll take it. But you, well, but you had crazy stats in like high school though too. Yeah.

Like, but yeah, but to touch on the rest of that topic, just, I seen the stat line and I said, you know, I'm going to try to be the best there of that topic, just, I seen the stat line. I said, you know,

I'm gonna try to be the best there is. Yeah. So I just meant so far as like when you was like coming up to like, I fuck with that story, of course, but I'm saying like, it just came naturally, bro.

Okay. Yeah. It's like a natural, natural gift of just like having a knack of where the ball is. Cause I found out about it. Like your sophomore year, I just didn't got that. I thought you started your journey then i just think i that i thought

you started your journey then you know what i mean because i felt like you was i don't i can't remember because i was telling them before like you was known to me before anthony davis anthony davis came on a little later i feel like senior can you get that growth spurt exactly so i feel like you was like one of the first ones that was like high on the totem pole I think your like sophomore year where you was really like killing the high school yeah that's when it started for me sophomore year sophomore junior year yeah okay cause your stats was then so to hear you say it started

in the league is kind of crazy redacted is the better word for that situation yeah redacted shout out to that community bro I'm the global ambassador to special you can't do that I mean that's just figure of speech shout out to that community bro I'm the global ambassador of Special Olympics you can't do that I mean that's just figure of speech

respect to everybody there we go see that's how you correct them live on here man we're trying to have some media training basketball talk no smut no smut listen we know you with the Sixers right now we want to take it back to the beginning man listen there was a talk on the podcast

here shout out to Moog back to the beginning, man. Listen, there was a talk on the on the broadcast here shots and moving on to a backward connection. This is no set of FIBA squad I was on no say you 17 had a conversation him and Quinn cook was going back and forth about who was getting killed by Kyrie. No, so now you were present with this and I'll say as a as a party, you have no bias in this. What really took place? You remember that happening? Or was it just Kyrie was killing everybody?

We try to get to the bottom of this. Whatever Kyrie did that morning, he was letting people have it the entire day, bro. Who was guarding him? It was fucking James, Cole, everybody. It was just one of them days, man. You know, Kyrie's a special talent. And when he gets

into that mode of just like him being himself, like it's fun to watch, bro. Sometimes you just got to stand to a side and just like, damn, this nigga is really good at basketball. Nah, he had 50 on us when we, he had 50 on me in Brooklyn. His first game in Brooklyn. Did you see that in him though back then?

Like, damn, he going to be a star in the NBA. I mean, I played against Kai in high school too. So I got to see him then to him going to college, you know, him getting hurt early, then obviously being in the league with I played against Kai in high school, too. So I got to see him then to him going to college, him getting hurt early, then obviously being in the league with him at the same time. Some of the stuff he does, bro, is just you can't teach

that, bro. He's an unbelievable talent, for sure. He got a neutral answer. Yeah, he can't be... Quinn, you safe on this spot. Yeah, shout out to Quinn. Bob Ness. Quinn, you safe on this pod. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Shout out to Quinn.

Quinn put it on Marcus. Marcus put it on Quinn. Oh, no. Marcus put it on Quinn. That's the homie for sure. Quinn put it on Marcus. Marcus put it on Quinn. Y'all going to share that.

Yeah. We are going to share the torture that day. Yeah. But that team alone, y'all was fire. Yeah. Shout out to Brad Beal, man.

Brad Beal. Jason Randall was on our team. Johnny O'Brien. McAdoo. Yeah. Who else am I missing? Tony Parker. Gilchrist was on our team too, right?

Gilchrist was on our team too. Damn near everybody almost made the league on our team. It was close to. Yeah, McAdoo. Is that who went to, did he go to North Carolina? Damn. I remember him. Yeah.

That's great. Young James. Was he? He played for the Warriors for a little bit. Okay. Yeah. That's great. Young James. Was he, uh... He played for the Warriors for a little bit. Okay. Yeah, I was over

thinking about that. But y'all was loaded. They're a good team. Yeah. Being here, I started off talking about your high school days. Obviously, you was killing it, man.

Let's talk about how you got to UConn, man. Are you the greatest walk-on ever? Because we had a guy named John Lucas. John Lucas, my dog? Yeah, he walked on at Oklahoma State.

He said he's the greatest walk-on ever. That's up for debate. Yeah. I don't know what his stat line was or what. He ended up winning player of the year. Oh, yeah. He can have that shit. I feel sure he did that.

He got to the bottom four. J. Luke was hooping. John was J. Luke. John was my dog, but hell no. Hell no. It's Scotty Pippen, bro. Nah, it's Scotty Pippen. Shout out to Luke, but you got a great, great

origin story. Great childhood, my nigga, but I'm asleep on that. Okay, stay. I'm not going, bro. Scotty was different. Yeah, Scotty was different. Nah, how did you land at UConn? Who you got? Nah, it actually was crazy. Scottie was different. Now, how did you land at UConn? Who you got?

Nah, it actually lived. Scottie came out of his home. And then, um, Brittany Gray. Brittany Gray walked on. You got us a walk-on? At Baylor? No way.

Wow. They was on their committee. Rob, if she was a walk-on. Hey, my boy getting shit done in real time, I like this. For you, Mike, where'd you walk on? That's crazy. That's crazy.

I didn't know that. But how did you, like, what happened to make you a walk-on at UConn? Well, that's crazy. That's crazy. I didn't know that. But how did you, like, what happened to make you a walk-on at UConn? Well, I graduated, I graduated high school

and my, so I didn't go to school with my, my friends in public school. I went to a boarding school at St. Thomas More. And after I graduated, like all my boys,

we all wanted to like finish school together and just go our separate ways from there. But my family had other plans for me uh i think it was maybe in august late august right before school started and i'm getting ready to decide where i'm gonna go and my family had an intervention with me and the basement on some godfather lights was dim and all that my aunt's uncles my mom

their sister there and it kind of just pulled me aside and said, listen, we don't think you should go back to high school. So I'm like, well, we already got the plan. I picked the school. We're all going. Now you're picking the college.

So I'm like, all right, so we're picking the college. Where am I going? So I loved North Carolina at the time. North Carolina was my favorite team. Kentucky was another. How about that? Kentucky, yeah. I know that was heavy on you. John Calipari to this day still says I'm one of the only players that he didn't get that he went after.

Yeah. You made a good decision, though. Yeah, I went to UConn, man. So I chose UConn. They didn't have any scholarships. I still wanted to go anyway, so I took a loan out. I knew I wasn't staying longer than a year anyway, so I'll pay this shit back at some point in time.

For sure. What made you pick UConn though? I'm from Connecticut. Yeah, I know that. I didn't know if it was like I just wanted to stay at home. Yeah, I'm from Connecticut. I already had the history there. Seeing them as a kid going to the games, seeing Jerome Dyson and how she seemed to be getting their hair braided by my aunt as a kid. Jerome Dyson. Yeahim Tabi get their hair braided by my aunt as a kid.

Jerome Dyson. Yeah, yeah. I'm already a part of the family. And Stanley Robinson too, rest in peace. Sticks. Hashim Tabi used to get his hair braided. Yeah, Hashim had braids. My aunt used to do it. Damn. Shout out to auntie, boy.

Word. Shout out to her. She got some hands on her and you on me. Bray, to be here is crazy. She had to lock in. I just had to get in the gym for to be shit.

Shout out to Sheed to be. Number two pick, baby. He was my draft class. Shout out to Sheed. Shout out to me. Goddamn. So, you kind of ladies is different, man. He was my draft class. Shout out to Sheik. Shout out to me. He was my draft class. God damn. For sure. You kind of ladies is different, man.

So you could have went to Kentucky with Marcus, A.D., Gilly. She called, bro. Damn. That would have had a... That squad was already crazy. That would have been... You were Anthony. You were Anthony Davidson.

College row would have been unstoppable, bro. Yeah, it would have been no... I beat everybody by 40, bro. It should have been crazy. Both of y'all niggas on the defensive end, sick. What was another school,

though? So it was just UNC? North Carolina. Florida was another one. USC was another one for me, too. Okay.

And Texas was the last one. All right. Damn, you're my caballo. I loved UConn when I was going, when I was a grade school man. What do you rank yourself as bigs in UConn when I was going when I was a grade school man where you rank yourself

as bigs in UConn history I just stayed there long enough to even be in the ranking okay NBA career I guess you can put myself

up there somewhere but college career I just they breeded a lot of bigs yeah that's underrated you know what I mean Sheem

well Mecca probably the best big sure then it's Sheem Sheem is up there Sheem to beat Sheem is up there. Sheem to beat.

Sheem, Charlie Willing to wave the one-two. Charlie will be for sure. What's the... Jeff Adrian was another guy. Jeff Adrian. What's the boom? Yep. Josh Boone.

Yeah. Damn, all them played. Damn, they're the same time. Yeah. Them bigs, their front court. They had some killers at it. They had some killers at it. You can't always keep a killer or two.

I know a lot of people with some respect they need more respect even the dude that's the what's his name Donovan Cleary yeah I was gonna say

he killed that kid too that's hard that's a program I mean obviously they get that respect but like you said as far as putting up

banners and consistency UConn no question whooping shit yeah Kimba got one Baz got one who's the greatest player from UConn would you say. Whooping shit. Yeah. Kimba got one. Baz got one. Who's the greatest player from UConn?

Would you say it's Ray Allen or would you say greatest player? Yeah. That's tough, man. We have a lot of guys, man. All right. Why they was at UConn? I think for me personally, for what I've seen, I would say Kimba because I got to witness what he did. Yeah, he was crazy. I mean, the list

of guys that UConn has, I mean, it's hard to really choose the greatest of all time. You got Ray, what he did. Yeah, he was crazy. I mean, the list of guys that UConn has, I mean, it's hard to really choose the greatest of all time. You got Ray, you got Rudy. I'm going to go with Karan Butler. Karan Butler had a crazy run, too. You want Karan over Kimba? I love Kimba to death. Kimba got two chips, right?

Or that's Bozzo. No, he got one. That's Bozzo got two chips. Yeah, Bozzo got two. Karan Butler, he just made UConn look cool to me. Like, I knew Ray. I didn't see Ray Allen like that. You know what I mean?

96, I seen him at Iverson, but I didn't watch it like that. I knew Rip Hamilton. Karan is more relatable to where we come from. But Karan, I feel like I'm from the inner city. I feel like he got in trouble. I know he got in trouble. You related to him more. Yeah, I'm like, yeah.

He made me want to go there. And Ben Gordon was cold, too. I wore a t-shirt because of Ben Gordon. But Karan Bullard just really, like, was like the guy. My thing with Kimba is just that run he had in the Big East, to take that and then still go get a chip. Like, he really, like, went and got this. Yeah, that's tough.

What's your greatest game that you've seen him play? That garden game. Yeah. That was the best that you've ever seen. Shout out to my boy G. He on my pro. Yeah, he from Indiana. My pro in the game.

You talking about bro he scored on? Yeah, he on my pro in the team. We're going to get right, though. We're going to get right, though. Every year, forever. Yeah. He part of March Madness. Future Madness.

Yeah, he's on one shot at my moment every single year. Yeah, he's on one shot at my moment legend, but it's all good, G. Happens to the best of us. Speaking of UConn days, man, you was somebody there that, like, I mean, obviously had a time in league,

but people don't give him his just do a hot call. He was in college. Hey, J. Lamb was going crazy at UConn. J. Lamb was crazy. J. Lamb fucked my boys up. I fucked with his

whole campaign, man. Even how he rocking now. He could smoke criminal, man. You a smart man. I said that shit to him the other day, criminal, man. You a smart man. I said that shit to him the other day, too, man. You a smart man, my boy. I don't talk about people's personal life, but...

Come on, man. Tap in. If y'all know, y'all know that, boy. You're going to make us go. Tap in. Smart man, boy. Nah, Jalen was raw. He was raw. Damn near X Factor on that team, for sure. And then that year, it was them was raw he was raw damn near X Factor on that team for sure

for sure and then that year it was them two that was going crazy yeah them guys was going crazy that was old it be my guys

man I was shitting Ryan Bo Wright for sure crazy bounce shit I was supposed to win yeah that's crazy

I was at Butler after me and him met because of Butler but I was at Butler student at the time. I remember that national championship, yeah. I drove all the way to motherfucking Houston. You was tripping.

I was there for that, too. Yeah. You was tripping. You drove to Houston. See, that game was awful. I was there, too. Yeah, I went to the Final Four. And I saw...

What was the... My boys, they was lit. VCU. We was in the club. Yeah. But the VCU, they was out of pocket. Yeah, VCU. I knew they was lit. We was in the club. But the VCU boys, they was out of pocket. I knew they was going to lose.

Nigga snuck out, can't kick the one. That's how we was in Miami. I said, boy, Houston, I ain't even mad at y'all. Y'all ain't supposed to be here anyway. They're going shot, nigga. You sabotaged, you're taking over. Yeah, I see the vibes.

You don't take Porter? No. Get well soon, man. But how was it? Obviously, it was fast. It was fast, bro. It was fast. The moment I stepped on campus, I felt like I was walking off.

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obviously because why is no more Play the Nation taking a loan out to pay for school? So I got red flagged for about a week or two. By the time I got back, you know, the season was about to start. I had to go to class and next thing you know, the season was about to start. I had to go to class and

next thing you know, we lost in the first round and I was walking across the stage for the draft. So you knew you was one and done though? You know what? I wanted to stay,

but the only reason, the only thing that kept me back from staying was we got banned from the tournament. Yeah. That next season. So that was really

the only thing that, if we didn't get banned, I would have stayed. What? Nah, you can't play with the, go to the league. Yeah. That next season. So that was really the only thing that, if we didn't get banned, I would have stayed. What? Nah, you can't play with the, go to the league. Yeah,

I know. But I didn't know I was going to go that high at that point. You didn't? I knew I was going to go lottery. I wanted to go like

one or two. Oh yeah, I feel like, okay, respect. But I knew I was going lottery. I'm like,

maybe if I go another year, I can get myself up there. So, you know, obviously, you know, you landed in Detroit, but was there any other places you thought you was going to go or maybe had any insight, thought it was going to pick you up? Sacramento.

Sacramento and Portland were the two teams I had good workouts for. I didn't even work out for Detroit, which is crazy. I worked out for them at, like at midnight, the night before the draft. They came in. Joe Dumars came in. I worked out for them in New York. Damn. That's crazy.

You know what I'm saying? One of the biggest decisions in your life. You got to hoop at midnight. Like, bro, you can't hit me up early in the night, bro. In my sleep, my agent called me and said, get your ass up. You got to work out. I said, for who? They said, for Detroit.

I said, they're ninth. You said we was going on lower than sixth. How am I working off of nine-four? So he's like, yo, it's a good idea. Just do it just in case. I'm like, all right, baby, let's do it. Was it bittersweet? Because you said you thought you was going sixth and below. Yeah. I mean, getting drafted is always, there's nothing like it, bro.

You can never explain that feeling hearing your name being called. People play video games to hear their name called like i got to really do it in real life yeah you know what i'm saying so it was a surreal moment because i knew my life was going to change forever like i wasn't just andre drummond from middletown connecticut like i'm andre drummond the nba player who made it from this small town in Connecticut. So, a lot of pressure came with it, too. But

I was ready for it. Grateful for the opportunity. How many teams did you work out for? Three. Okay. Yours was short. Cleveland, second, Portland. That's a hell of a draft I had, too.

Great draft. Especially, you look in that draft, you got Chris Middleton and Draymond second round. Second round. That's crazy. Damn, Chris Middleton was second round? Detroit took him second round. They could be Hall of Famers. They could be Hall of Famers.

Draymond and Chris Middleton could probably make the Hall of Fame. I ain't bad at all. I'm definitely not bad at Chris Middleton. You traded out of pocket. Y'all traded him as soon as y'all got him? Yeah. Damn near. Damn near.

Wow, bro. We took him for, what was that, Brandon Jennings trade? Yeah. Shout out to B. Jennings. Yeah, that's my dog. One of my favorite PGs I played with, man. He got my money, so I always love Brandon for that. Oh, okay.

So that's all. Yeah, it's all in his hands. That's hard. Yeah love Brendan for that. Oh, okay. So that's hard. Yeah, it's hard. That's hard. Damn, that's crazy, bro. That's hard. Trying to be generous. So you get through your rookie year. Was Stanton going to be your coach at that time?

No, I had Lawrence Frank. Lawrence, oh, shit. Damn, they're like unison. Oh, shit. Lawrence Frank, the executive, is different than Lawrence Frank, the coach. Lawrence Frank hated me, by the way. No. I remember when I was a free agent in the Clippers.

I was about to go to the Clippers. He was like, he's not going to play. I don't like him. Like, damn, well, Frank, give me a chance. What you do to Frank, bro? I don't know. I think I was talking shit to him when he was a coach in Jersey. That's crazy, bro.

You're smart all over that name, man. Nah, but shout out to him. Don't a coach in Jersey. That's crazy, bro. He's smut all over that league, man. Nah, but shout out to him. Don't nobody like you really good. I played for six coaches in my time in Detroit. We was getting off of coaches. How long you play for L. Frank? A season. Damn.

And then Stan came. No, Stan didn't come until... Damn, who was up to Stan? We had Mo Cheeks after John Lohr. So it was Lawrence Frank, John Lohr, Mo Cheeks, Stan Van Gundy, Dwayne Casey. I guess I remember Dwayne Casey. I remember Dwayne Casey. Damn.

How many years was you in Detroit? It was eight, right? Oh, okay. You did some time. I don't remember who was your coach when I hit you with that move. Damn. Yeah, it was a move. I hit him with a fake bounce pass.

Oh, you know, I was trying to reach you. Yeah, you was reaching. He got good hands. When you play pick and rolls, he be trying to rip the guards. I'm trying to get the motherfuckers to show me. Yeah, he got good hands. So I fake like I was going to pass it to the big. And he went for it.

He killed my ass. Yeah, I was smiling like a motherfucker. Nah, but he be ripping guards all the time. He go down and dunk this shit. But nah, you and Brandon Jennings in that pick and roll, y'all throwing it off the backboard and shit. I like when y'all got together. That shit was dope.

Man, what's so crazy about that is there is an infamous Pacers game. The child whooped our ass. And that's all Brandon just did was throw lobs to you. It was crazy And Louis is going to find The eclipse It's always resurfacing Bro y'all was murdering us

And all they was doing Was throwing lobs I was like god damn You got to pick your poison You going to let him score Or let me score We didn't Obviously it was either way

We had no Can say so in that situation Y'all was killing us Oh god I remember when he was When he first came in the league You know talking to like The older guys

They like he's strong as fuck I'm like the dude only like 19 they like no i mean he grown like he's so strong so when he was set screens like he slipped you slip out of them a lot and go get the lob so i used to be scared because i everybody's like well strong he is i'm like man don't hit me don't hit me don't hit me and he'll slip i'm like thank god but don't hit me, don't hit me, don't hit me. And he had a slip-up. I'm like, thank God. But I wasn't playing no defense. Because I worried about him. I was like, please don't hit me, please. He'll go get the lob. But, nah, y'all pick and roll. It was crazy.

I just want to ask you, okay, you was there when Josh Smith got there. Smooth. And y'all had Greg Monroe. That was a big-ass team, bro. That was one of the sickest. That was one of the sickest. That was a big-ass team. That's one of the worst lineups.

Yo, I started lining up with Chauncey Billings Contebius Caldwell Pope Josh Smith Greg Moreau And myself Damn y'all straight defensive

Minding bro Y'all damn near The Atlanta Celtics They know Stan was on bullshit Stan was wild When they had a move At the three

I said oh we're good I love Josh But it's no way He's playing a three bro Ain't no way I was running up Or down too They had Smooth at the three. I said, oh, we're good. I love Josh Adep. But it's no way he's playing a three, bro. Ain't no way I was running up and down. Two big long days. We made that shit work, though. We made that shit work.

They had to get Smooth off the bench, man. Yeah. Put Tayshaun in there. Yeah. Yeah. That made more sense, though. Yeah. I mean, he's a natural three.

Yeah. Smooth playing a... Well, Smooth run the floor. Yeah, but... Smooth trying to make sure three's in the area, though. Oh, that was all. Shouts of smooth. Keep shooting. Work on your game.

Oh, my God. But you know what the crowd was like? They was like, no! No matter the city. I love smooth and death, man, but that was not the line-up. I was like, yeah, this ain't going to last long. Not a lot of spacing. No.

Hell no. Not a lot of spacing at all. I want to get back to that, but you were talking about the physicality factor, how strong you were. How was your adjustment to the NBA from college? It was different because I remember my first few games playing against real grown men. I'm like, damn, I got to start fucking lifting weights. And then I played Dwight for the first time.

And that was the day I was like, played, I played Dwight for the first time and that was the day I was like, yeah, I need to really like buckle down because I never felt so helpless as a player in my life.

Like, he was like doing a post move and I just was like not there. Nah, Dwight was just crazy. He just hit me,

finished, I couldn't, couldn't stop him. Hey man, welcome to the league moment. Yeah, Dwight Howard for sure. Like, it was personal after that. Like, every time I saw Dwight, I tried to violate. Yeah. Yeah, like it, so. Hey, man. Dojo, welcome to the league moment. Yeah, Dwight Howard, for sure. Like, it was personal after that.

Like, every time I saw Dwight, I tried to violate. Yeah. Yeah, like, it was personal. Like, I didn't like what he did. Yeah. Dwight was different. He was laughing and shit. You know, he was a big-ass kid.

He was giggling and shit, scoring on me, you know, dunking the ball. I can't do shit about it. You just got to take that, though, bro. Nah, I'm not accepting that shit. No, I'm saying that. I'm talking about in the game. Like, you realize you physically not ready yet. That was Orlando Dwight. Nah, this'm saying I'm talking about in the game. Like, you realize

you physically not ready yet. That was Orlando Dwight. No, this was dog. He was sitting. Oh, shit. You ain't even see Orlando Dwight. Nah, I don't want to

punch that either. Oh, Orlando Dwight. Yeah, he the elbow on top of your motherfucking biscuit. Man, you know what? I threw a floater hit the top of the backboard.

I shot it at the front. Hit the top of the backboard. It was scary as fuck. I was scared as fuck. Dwight was crazy. It was nuts. He blocked everything. And that's one thing that people,

I know, whatever you say, the jokes is cool, but the reason why they got to the finals was because Dwight was that fucking good. He was in the 1-1. It was a progressive team. They had all shooters.

Turk Lewis at 6'9", but Dwight Howard was like that. He was still a double-double machine, though, in Houston. Yeah, he was a drop-9 point, but Dwight Howard was like that. He was still a double-double machine, though, in Houston. Yeah, he was a drop-out. Dwight ain't fucking... Nah, he was different, bro. He was an animal in Orlando. For sure. Your rookie year, you was...

No, this might be your sophomore year, I believe. You was a part of the infamous... You didn't play much that game, but the infamous Kyrie and... Brandon Knight. Brandon Knight back and forth to witness that live. That was my rookie year. I was hurt. I had a stress fracture

in my back. Yeah, I was there for that. That shit was insane. We need that energy back in the All-Star game. I know that ain't gonna happen. I want guys going at each other, man.

That was great basketball. We still talking about that 10 or 10 years later. That was elite basketball. You had Tim Hardaway and Dion Waiters do it. I want 10 years later. Yeah, that was elite basketball. Then you had Tim Hardaway and Deion Waiters do it. Like, I want that shit too.

See, yeah. We need that energy back. How was that to be a part of that environment though? It felt like street ball, man. Like, it felt like we was really just out there hooping with no conscience.

Like, no one was thinking. It was just like, you get a bucket, I got a score on you now. Like, it was dope. Like, guys were really, really playing. Man, Brendan Knight was cold. He just got caught up in a score on you now. Like, it was dope. Like, guys were really, really playing. Man, Brendan Knight was cold.

He just got caught up in a lot of bullshit moments. He was, but Brendan Knight was hard as fuck. He was cold, man. He's one of the most hardworking people I've met in my entire life. And we have the same trainer in Miami. Shout out to Remy Workouts. Bro, BK, man, he worked hard as shit, bro. BK, he a solid nigga, too.

Man, he was a solid nigga. He was cold. I mean, he still is good solid nigga, too. He was cold. I mean, he still is good at basketball, but he was super cold. It's just people catch him on the wrong highlight. And he got some fire highlights. His highlight tapes are crazy. They just never

play him. But they always play him getting dunked or crossed by Curry. Is that the best dunk of all time? That motherfucker. When Donald Jordan dunked him. Kyrie but you go check out... That motherfucker dunked that... It's one of the most... Because he failed and went flat. That's when memes start first coming out. He fell into

somebody's casket. They closed that bitch on me. That's crazy. But you... I remember watching that shit live, bro, because I was still hurt. So I'm sitting on the bench in I remember watching that shit live, bro, because I was still hurt. So I'm sitting on, I'm sitting on the bench

in my suit watching this shit. Mind you, I've never seen Lob City live until this game. Yeah. So when I saw that shit,

I'm like, nah, this is the NBA for real. Like, they, they had, man, I,

I, I gotta talk to you, Brandon. I would never handle that as good as you did. Nah, we, we fucked with had a, man. I got to talk to you, Brandon. I would never handle that as good as you did. Nah, we fucked with B-Kate. Nah, B-Kate was nice. B-Kate made great, great moves. Who the best B you done played against so far in your career? You going to give it to Dwight or somebody else?

Yo, B, man. Jokic. Embiid a couple years back. Who the tough was out of them two, though? Out of those two? I would say Embiid because he's more physical. Like I had to really like put force into guarding him. Like with Yoki's, I just use my speed.

I just guard him. Okay. But he's crafty, man. Crafty, crafty player. Smart. Knows how to get his teammates involved. Yeah. His IQ is just high, man.

Yeah. So you make one bad move, you're going to make you pay for it. Do you like this era? I don't. I, man. Yeah. So you make one bad move, he gonna, he gonna make you pay for it. Do you like this era? Like, cause you- I don't. I hate it. Okay. That was quick.

He be a little nasty. But I was about to say, I hate this shit. Do you see it kind of like turning a little bit though? Cause it's- It's starting to go back a little bit. Yeah, come say,

you got some bigs that can play. I know like 13 years ago, he used to throw the ball in the post line. Let me get after it. Yeah. And then it went to all threes. Usually it's a catch-alive

where you got to shoot all threes. And now I see it kind of transitioning back to you can throw the ball in the post. Some of the bigs can still operate. And you said you hate this area, so I respect it. How do you adapt, though? For me?

Yeah. Being athletic is really what helped me throughout the changes of the game. so I respect it how do you adapt though for me yeah I said being athletic is really what helped me throughout the changes of the game like when they were playing small ball five and everybody's

shooting threes I was able to guard one through five so you know I really kept my body right throughout that time I didn't let you know the game

like discourage me I didn't let it I didn't let it happen because I wanted it to and I offered a service that teams always need. I'd still give you 15 rebounds. And they got to guard me on the other end too.

So the choice is yours. You really want to keep putting a 6'5 guy on me, and I can guard him too? Yeah. So the choice is yours how you want that to go. Keep you in business for sure. I want to ask you, as a crazy rebounder, more shot attempts, a lot more crazier threes.

Does that help your brand, EZ? For sure. Keep shooting that bullshit if you want to. It's an easy stat. Yeah, I'm going to get it. I'm going to get it. Yeah, facts.

Most definitely. I never thought about it like that. Like, yeah, if I'm going to rebound, I'm like, yeah, shoot 63. Go crazy. Yeah, shoot that shit. I don't give a fuck.

Yeah, that's a fact. It ain't help the payroll. Shit. Yeah. Contract renewal, baby. I want to talk about it, man. Your first All-Star. It'll't help the payroll. Shit. Yeah. Contract renewal, baby. I want to talk about it, man. Your first All-Star. It'll be in one of the most

special All-Star games around, man. How was that moment? Crazy. Kobe's last All-Star game. Insane. Insane. In Toronto. Yeah.

It was cool as shit out there. Like, it wasn't even enjoyable. Like, you couldn't even, like, walk outside in peace. Like, you were freezed the moment you stepped outside. Damn. But that game in itself was just memorable from like start to finish from like walking into the locker room seeing him you know being on the same court as him being able to interact with him knowing that this is like the last time you'll really be on the floor with him

i think we played them already twice so i didn't get to see him again after that. And it was just a special moment for me because as a kid growing up and watching Kobe and watching the things he's done with this league and to have a moment to share the court with him one last time, like that shit is, you'll never forget that, bro. Like I got that highlight tape playing in my house in Miami for no reason. Like it's just, it's circulated, just that. Did you? Like, when you got announced that you were going to make the All-Star team,

what was that feeling like? I know, like, getting drafted is the ultimate feeling. But when I got my one night, the All-Star night, like, that shit felt, like, unbelievable. It was a crazy feeling. Yeah. It's like, nah, this is it. Like, I'm at the pinnacle.

Like, I'm top 24 or whatever it is. Yeah, if you want to chase it, you start chasing it after that. Yeah. Cause like once you get there, I'm like, nah, I got to stay here. Like if you get it once,

it's almost like, it's like a fluke. See how they just disrespect me every time. Nah, bro. Nah, I threw this shit out there early. I said,

what? Let this nigga talk about his journey. We made it once. But did you hear what he said? Two time off. Did you hear what he said? He said, when you make it once,

it's a fluke. No, he said, no, I got you. I got you. He do that a lot. He get offended. He said, nigga, he starts to chase it.

Yeah. You want to keep going because you don't want to make it. You don't want to make it once. Right. And it's a fluke. This is like. That came out the wrong way.

I tried to give it a bait early. Like I made it once. Yeah. Well, no, definitely, definitely a great time. And this having my name being called,

uh, for the work that I put in to help my team get into the playoffs. I mean, that was the first time they made it since 2004, too. So an amazing experience, not even just for me, for my family. I think that's what really meant more to me, being able to share that moment with my mom and sister because those are like my staples.

That's who I lean on. So to share that moment with them, have them be there on a stage where they get to see LeBron James, you know, and these other, these other big time people.

It's nothing like it. Nah, that's the fun. And I want to shout out your family. Like you said early on, they, they,

you know what I'm saying? We, we see a lot of situations where people are in situations where they got to pull their family up and make all the decisions. Your family held you down

and said, nah, we not going back to high school. We looking at your best interest. So for them to be a positive influence in your life and for them to enjoy

that moment, like you said, that's fire, bro, for that moment. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Seeing everything come to fruition, just everything

that we planned and, you know, prayed about. Yeah, you got a lot of faith in your mama, man. My mama would say that. Man, I got the bitches that I'm seeing.

I'm 6'12". I'm straight. She ain't got no sense. She ain't got no sense. I know. I'm 7'4". Mama, you straight. You going to get your mama fucking Audi?

Mama had different plans. She said, go get that money first. No, shout out to mom. Shout out to mom. Shout out to mom. The rest will come. Yeah. The rest to mom. Shout out to mom. The rest will come. Yeah. The rest will come.

Shout out to mom, man. Yeah, fact. Shout out to mom. Shout out to mom. I appreciate everything you do always. Fact. Shout out to mom. Shout out to mom, Dukes, man.

Listen, I want to talk about, I mean, we're going to talk about other teams for sure, but one of the most underappreciated years is Blake Griffin in Detroit, man. Man. People need to speak on that more, bro. I know people talk about his Lob City days, but what he did that year, he was still hurt as well. Right. Y'all was going crazy to get to the playoffs, man. Talk about

that year, man, because BG was in the, what, top three in MVP vote that year? Yeah, they both was hooping that year. Yeah, that was killing. I think we knew that if we didn't do it now, this was it. So, like, between between myself reggie and blake um you know we came together that summer like yo like now is the time but we know blake you know

he was having the the knee issues like if we don't get the best out of him now like so this is it so i think we just had that that disposition and that mindset that we weren't going to be denied yeah and we just had this level of focus as a as a team i didn't just us three but as a team we had this level of focus that like now is the time because if we don't do it now we're all getting fucking shipped out of here yeah it happened yeah and it happened so um shout out to blake griffin man you know he he didn't have to do it happened. So shout out to Blake Griffin, man. You know, he didn't have to do it. Like, he didn't have to put his body through that

throughout that entire season, come back during the playoffs and still try to play on a hurt knee and still produce. And was still hooping. Yeah, still hooping. Still produced. So, you know, Blake was one of my favorite teammates

that I had, too. You know, he definitely brought the best out of me, too. Because I was still learning. I was still young, bro. Like, if you really think about it, like, I was 26, 27. And, you know, Blake has been around for a minute, and he's an established guy, too. So I learned a lot from him, too, about just being a winner. So shout out to Blake Griffin.

Appreciate what you've done for me in my career. I'm forever grateful. For sure, man. Shout out to BG, one of the coders, man. For sure. And that was you've done for me, my career. I'm forever grateful. For sure, man. Shout out to BG, one of the coldest, man. For sure. And that was a magical year for him, for sure. Like you said, bouncing back from that injury, still killing two. And then that was what, second All-Star night for you that year?

Yep. Yeah. Second one, L.A. What was that like? I just wonder what that felt like, the second one. The second one, The second one. We spent a block. The second one was just, you know,

it was cool for me because I got in late. I was a reserve filling for somebody who didn't play. So it wasn't like I made it, but I made it. That counts. It still counts. It would have been better if I was picked. But still a great feeling, you know, getting two of them and, you know, playing in that game. Always is fun, though.

Most definitely. I got to ask, you know what I'm saying, to make sure you make a change. What's that like, you know what I'm saying, going for being an organization? You was in Detroit for eight years. Now your first time switching up, doing a make a change what's that like you know i'm saying going for being an organization you was in detroit for eight years now you first time switching up do a different city how was that like especially i know like people talk about the actual situation of basketball but mentally what's it like all right now i'm in a different phase in my life yeah

getting traded from detroit was that was like a movie bro like it didn't it didn't make sense i didn't understand it. None of it. I didn't process it well. I don't think I took it very well because I was kind of blindsided by it and I didn't know why. I thought the relationship we had in that city was a lot stronger than what was presented, but

I forget that this is also a business. You want to retire? Hell yeah, I want to retire in Detroit, that was it that's home I still got a crib there now don't tell me people say that you fuck with them I grew up in Detroit so like Detroit was home for me it's not like I just got

there like when I was 23 24 I already experienced life I got there 18 years old so I was still, 24 where I already experienced life. I got there at 18 years old. So I was still a kid. So everything I learned was out there. But being traded and sent to Cleveland

was weird because Tristan Thompson was still there. So I'm like, how does this work for me? Nah, you good. T, double T.

Shout out to T.T. T, T, 13 for life. I didn't understand what the plan was and how this fits. What was the purpose of this trade? How does this work for my career? And lo and behold, I find out that it sent my shit spiraling. My stock just went down.

The appreciation for my game went down. So I had to get to a new mindset of just like, how do I maneuver? And how do I shake this, this narrative that is painted on me right now? So not one of my favorite clips, but like one of my things, I think the kids need to see when you was giving games to the kids, you was just like, look how this game goes. You know? So I've been here, I've been here, I've been here. This game can take you anywhere, but you gotta always be ready. That's like a true

testament in that situation. You're like, now I'm somewhere where I know I'm elite, but I'm in a situation that don't make sense, but I still gotta keep my mental here because I know I'm still worth something. That was one of the most fire videos. I was a max player, $100 million, and I had to go figure it out again.

A lot of people don't want to do that, though was a max player, $100 million, and I had to go figure it out again. Yeah. I mean, a lot of people don't want to do that, though. And with that situation, it wasn't planned, too. A lot of people asked, like, yo, did you plan to do that? I said, no. Like, I was genuinely, like, in the moment with that situation because I'm seeing the next generation of what I was. And if I can just shed a little bit of light and show them there is so much more to this game than just scoring 30 points a game. You know, I feel like I've done my job.

And it was just one of those moments. I feel like I really. It really stuck what I said. I did. Because it was personal, bro. It was just us. It was just me and my team that I was coaching. It was just us.

There was 10 of us. Had us in a circle. And I was talking to. Because it was personal, bro. It was just us. It was just me and my team that I was coaching. It was just us. There was 10 of us. Had us in a circle, and I was talking to them like, I'm with y'all. These kids are fucking 15, 16, and they don't know what the fuck I'm talking about. But the way I explained it to them, it's like, bro, there's so much to this game that has to offer. Yeah. You take this shit seriously. Who embraced you, though, in Cleveland, though? Did anybody make you feel comfortable while you was there?

The team did. The team was great. And the organization, Cleveland's organization was great. They definitely knew that I was uncomfortable. And I still wasn't understanding what was going on because this was new. I've never been traded before, bro. I was like, I asked my agent, I said, what the fuck do I do? I've never been traded before. Do I go was like, I asked my agent, I said, what the fuck do I do? Like, I ain't never been traded before. Do I like, do I go home

or? Pack your shit. We ain't walking. He's like, go home. Pack your shit together. Did you get traded in the summer? Or like, was it? No, no, this was like eight minutes before the trade deadline.

Damn, bro. I was at the airport. So how did you find out? I was at the airport, about to go on a plane to, we're going to OKC in Detroit, and we're about to leave. And I'm about to pull up to the airport. My agent calls me and said, what are you doing? I'm like, I'm about to

get to the airport. I'm about to get out. I'm like, what's good? He's like, don't go. I'm looking at the time. I said, I'm like, damn, nigga, it's fucking 3.57. Trade deadline over in a couple minutes. Like, what you mean? I'm looking at time I said I'm like damn nigga it's fucking 357 trade that line over in a couple minutes

like what you mean he's like no I think they found a deal I think you're going to Cleveland wow so I said okay so I said now what

he said what you mean I was like what the fuck do I do now he's like go home I was like well then what I do now? He's like, go home. Yeah. I was like, well then what?

He's like, pack a bag. He's like, pack a bag for like a week. I think they got a road trip. Pack it back for a week. We'll come back and get the rest of your shit. So I'm like,

so that's it. I don't get to say bye to nobody or none of that shit. He's like, nah, bro. That's it. That's the business,

bro. That's it. It's the way of the game. So after that day is when I kind of became like cold. He's like, nah, bro. That's it. That's the business, bro. That's it. It's the way of the game. So after that day is when I kind of became like cold. Nah, thanks. Yeah, I became cold to like this business.

Yeah. Like it's hard for me to like create friendships in this business now. Yeah. Because how fast and how easily we're moved around

like fucking chess pieces. Oh, God. That's good. That's good they embrace you, though, out there in Cleveland. Yeah, but they embrace me. I love Cleveland. I had one of my best times in Cleveland. Like, they really, really embraced me because I wanted to win.

Like, I really wanted to prove people wrong that I am a winner. Like, I'm not just a fucking guy that averages 15 to 15 and doesn't win. Like, I wanted to win. Yeah. And that was really where that sparked for me, too, where I got to learn how to win. And the rest of this shit will come. Getting traded is awful. I remember

when I was in Boston. You know how you make it like, ooh, you getting traded. I was one of them dudes. Like, yeah, you probably on your way out, boy. And then it was me. They're like, T, can I talk to you guys? Oh! Kimba made it worse. Kimba like, yeah! Yeah! I'm like, oh! Kimba made it worse. Kimba like, yeah!

Yeah! Oh! I'm like, I'm different, sad. I'll be about 12 years. I'm like, nigga,

I'm about to cry. Nah, that shit feel different, bro. I can only imagine what that was like. I don't know what it is, but I think it's just

even worse when they be like, well, you about to be on the team flight or you about to get on the team. Yeah, drop shit is worse, bro. Yeah, bro. I was at the airport.

Yeah, they was going to call me at the career, bro. I couldn't chew it out. Yeah, you knew this. Once they canceled practice and were meeting at the plane, I'm like, somebody's getting moved. So I kind of had an idea

that something was going to happen, but I didn't know what was going to be. Damn. You know he felt some sort of way. He said, damn, I can't say bye to nobody. Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah, fam.

He's trying to say peace out. They probably wondering where the fuck I'm at. Yeah, like you said, you know the game. Hey, you're in Tennessee. Like, damn, I can't even peace out my people. Like, no, that's crazy. For sure. That's some bad vibes.

Sick business, man. Did y'all play them after the trade deadline? Did y'all play Detroit? Damn. Pandemic happened. Yeah, I went to Cleveland. I think I played six games and then the pandemic happened. I went to Cleveland and uh I think I played six games

and then the pandemic happened oh shit I didn't get to see them again so I got traded to that year fuck I got traded back to Atlanta that's who you got traded to

yeah I got traded back to Atlanta he was in the good seat during the pandemic they ain't close nah we was Atlanta was in Miami oh yeah

they didn't get fucked by the pandemic he brought that shit up here. See? Fuck you. You know what's so crazy? Shout out to all, you know, COVID. We took it serious. This nigga had a party. You family now.

You know, this nigga has a party. He got niggas taking tests. You can't come in my house until you get your nose swabbed. This nigga getting everybody sick. He never died the next day. He can't come here without a good one. Somebody lied. Somebody didn't take their test, man.

I was good. He was fucked the next day. I just woke up. It was all wicked. We had a hell of a time. It was a great party Everybody coming with Their papers I'm like yeah

Swap them again Cause I don't know Yeah make sure I woke up It was done I couldn't taste nothing I was done I called niggas like

Hey y'all Y'all probably won't go to Niggas like Oh my Niggas in city for a month And you know what's crazy I still think about that time where like everything shut down and it's crazy that we blame Rudy Gobert

for this and he did not get to leave COVID but him touching the microphone he definitely didn't help the call he didn't help the call he definitely did I remember that he's one of the illest for that for sure start coughing and rubbing the mic he said I remember that, though. He's sick for that, too. Yeah, he is wild. He's one of the illest for that, for sure.

He started coughing and rubbing the mic. He said it didn't... Two weeks later, global pandemic. Yo, that is wild, man. They should have shut him back. That was one of the craziest moments. I remember it was another game that happened. They just stopped it.

Right at half time, I was like, no, niggas got to go home. They stopped our game. It was Vince Carter last year. happened they just like stopped it like right after I was like no niggas gotta go home they stopped our game it was Vince Carter last year and they was like yeah the game's about to be over

and whatever like they about to end the league they was telling us during the game they was like y'all wanna finish the game and they was just like everybody was like

put Vince in Vince in Vince went we was playing New York and Vince went in played like the last quarter hit a couple shots and some shit and, played like the last quarter, hit a couple shots and some shit. It's like, I'm done.

Damn. That's crazy. It's crazy. It's 20th year or two. It was like 22. I don't know what year it was. It was really shitty too. How many years you spent in Cleveland? Shit, like a year and a half. Oh, okay. And then it was LA, right? Yeah. I was going to ask you, I mean, obviously you played in some solid cities, but how was that going was LA right yeah I was gonna ask you I mean obviously

you played in some solid cities but how was that going to LA cause like I know them Laker fans that shit's crazy Brown was there like how was that like I know that's a different

type of pressure yeah I mean going into a big market for the first time was insane like they really if you don't got

if you're not strong willed they will talk your ass out of not playing basketball no more. Damn. So for me, I mean, I went there with a mindset just to try to help the team the best way I can. Both AD and LeBron were hurt when I got there, so I was playing under man at the time, too, so I did what I could.

We made it to the playing game. We won the playing game, so my experience wasn't bad. I mean, low-key, I would have stayed if they offered. But they had a different plan. So here's what it is. I enjoyed my time. It was great to play with LeBron, great to play with AD. Both great players.

Wish you could have did more. I got a question. Shoot it. AD or MB? In what sense? Game. Like skill-wise? Yeah.

NB? You think he got more skill than AD? Ooh, drone. MVPB. I mean, drone? I mean, mainly I say that because... I've played against them both, bro. No, that's your take, bro. You're in the league. I respect it. I've played against them both, bro. No, this your take, bro.

You in the league. I respect it. I've played against them both. I mean, AD is uber skilled. Like, he's super skilled. It's not even a question. Yeah, yeah. But the shit that Joel Embiid does at 7 foot and almost 300 pounds, it's...

That has he. Yeah, it's ridiculous, bro. Like, what do you do with that? Not only is he beating you with guard moves, he going to catch you in the paint, too. Body. Yeah, like AD, if he catch that on the pick he beating you with guard moves, he going to catch you in the paint, too, and body you. Yeah, like AD, if he catch that on the pick and roller, the pop, pick and pop to the elbow, he's dangerous. I feel like with Embiid, there's just so much more shit that he throw at you.

I think Embiid ISO game is better than AD's. Ah, for sure. I think AD, he uses quickness and his athletic ability more. Right. Joel Embiid, you can really just throw him the ball and be like, watch out. He about to try. Trust me, I guarded that nigga in practice every day. I was a test dummy for him. He was just trying shit.

For sure. I just asked you that, bro, because just listening to your story, I know a little bit about you, but over the conversation, DJ asked you these questions. You played with a lot of the best big man yeah in like our era of basketball like like griffin all them niggas is crazy that is crazy yeah think about it who would you say is an underrated like big that

don't get a lot of recognition that you would probably like he cold if y'all ain't really tapped in or he's good i don't want to say I got for sure underrated big that I think is nice that I don't think get a lot of like Vucevic

Vucevic or Vucevic I play with Vuce yeah but I knew you play with him I'm like

he kind of nice you play with him too yeah in Chicago yeah in Chicago Vucevucket yeah Vucevucket I got Vucevucket I get scored

I get his defense oh yeah Vucevucket play on defense but that's not why they pay him they pay him because he go get swiped yeah Yeah, in Chicago. Yeah, in Chicago. Boucher bucket. Yeah, Boucher score. I got to put some more respect on the drum. Oh, yeah, Boucher playing on defense, but that's not why they pay him. They pay him because he's going to get 24. Yeah, Miles. Me and Boucher, same level of defender. That's crazy. Come on, bro.

He not getting no stops, bro. Zero stops. I never once said I was the best defender. I compete. But I never was like that. That's what the sad nigga say. I'm going to tell you. I compete. I compete. I ain't no hurry. I try. I ain't like that. That's what the sad nigga say. I'm the same. I compete.

I compete. I ain't no hungry. I try. I ain't no hungry. I'm a team defender. I play the scheme. I can steal the ball. Well, he's one of his first men

to not say that to you. I compete. What the fuck is that? They couldn't score like this. Always the day. Paul, what's going on? It's crazy. Oh, shit. they could have scored like this they could have scored oh it's the day oh it's crazy it's crazy

oh shit I want to ask both of you this obviously you coaches T, coaching our alma mater for sure how was it like talking to kids

about basketball like trying to translate because y'all played at such a high level obviously y'all are great at what y'all both did how was it translating to the kids

because like it seems like kids now just like, they don't give a damn about anybody's resume. They're like, we on what we on. How is it hard like... That's exactly what it is.

Yeah, how is it like trying to get through to them? You got to try to relate to them in their way. You can't talk to them like, yo, you need to do this or that's how you do it. You got to shoot the shit with them.

Ask them what they fuck with or what you enjoy. Like, oh, you like playing the game, what game you play. Then you slip in a few conversations. Like, yo, like, what you think about this? What you see when you on the floor? How do you make your next guy better? But I think just the little things with this generation

is what's going to be beneficial. Just kind of really trying to understand them. Yeah, I went the route with, like, you just got to kind of encourage this group. Like, I know I grew up, my coach was always like, yo, you got to do this. I mean, like trying to relate to their better nature. Yeah, so now you got to,

they so used to everybody kind of encouraging them or babying them. Right. Spoon of feds. Yeah, so everybody more used to being catered to and everybody ego getting stroked. Like, you're going to be great. You're going to be great.

You're going to be great. And I think you got to kind of play into that. You still give them real game. Like, hey, it ain't going to be that easy. Like, you got to do it this way, this way. But you also got to encourage them because they don't hear too many negatives no more. Right.

Like, if you hear a negative now, it's like, he don't like me. Right. Like, he don't like me. He a hater. Yeah. I was about to say, I'm a hater. Yeah, he a hater. 100%.

And now, kids don't have to fight. I'm not even going to say they don't, but like, you can transfer now. If you don't like that coach, you can move on.

That shit with the league, bro. Yeah. That's crazy. Like, that's a great question. If being the number one player in your class and it's NIL money, like, what do you think you would have got?

Like, shh. Man, I would have bled that. You probably definitely would have bled that shit out. Man, what? I would have bled that out, man. You got an M? For sure. Number one player in the nation?

No question. For sure. You see what AJ got? Yeah, you could have. A couple three, four. Andre was like that. I remember. Yeah, you would have got paid. Nigga, was like that. Yeah, you would have got paid.

Would that would have changed your mindset? Rebound seven blocks. I'll take you to the beauty shop. To be brazen, go be elite. To be, go put some Moselite diamonds on the back of his braids. In the morning, I did. What's going on To you nigga

Like would that Would've changed Your mindset though Like you knew You were going One and done But like if you Got an NIL money

And you don't want To play a nation They like I'm gonna give you Seven million dollars You think your mindset Would've changed like Yeah I would've stayed

Yeah I would've stayed I mean I already told you Like I said before I would've I wanted to stay anyways Damn Why don't you want

A dead college experience Or Well partially before I wanted to stay anyways Damn Why don't you want That college experience Or Well partially Because I went to All boys school In high school Yeah that feels so Your mantle is strong

And I feel like I didn't really experience Life I feel like I was a Well not Shout out to Shout out to Jason Tatum too Jason Tatum

Yeah he went to All boys school too Oh shit He feels my pain They used to come out Shout out to Same time with Mordo So Did y'all have anybody Did y'all have anybody Tatum. Yeah, he went to all-boys school, too. Oh, shit. He feels my pain. They used to come out. Shot the same time as Mordo. Did y'all have anybody come perform at your school?

Because they had sexy ribs. Yeah, Nelly is getting hot in here. At his high school? It was all-boys. I hope that's not true. They have reached out and said that's not true. But that is

nasty work. Shout out to that Pam Brown. Hey, I'm really crazy. They said she can get open it up. So that's why I'm playing she can get wicked. Hold up, baby. Shout out to St. Louis. Nah, that's for real, though?

Yeah. Hey, listen, man. We sent it to him. That's the NBA sent tail post, bro. You got to be careful. I asked him if he was a problem, and I said, there you are. Nah, shit, I didn't need it. All right, but that's Tyka.

Like, damn, y'all don't get a problem or nothing. Hell no, dude. We got sisters, bro. I was always playing AAU and shit. So, I got to go to it. Damn. That's tough, man. I couldn't imagine going to a boy's school. I mean to go to it. Damn. That's tough, man. I couldn't imagine going to an all-boys school.

I mean, shout out to you. It wasn't awful, man. It wasn't awful. It wasn't as bad as you think it was. I mean, I lived in Connecticut, too, so I got to go home and shit. Nah, it wasn't bad. You was locked in, though. Yeah, I mean, I think you'd probably be more locked in on your education than sports.

Hell yeah. Shout out to Jerry Quinn. Yeah. Was that another decision from your mom and your sister? No question. Yeah. Yeah, I played one season at Capital Prep in Hartford, and it was like playing against children.

So after that season, my mom was like, yo, we got to go somewhere else. So she didn't give me much of a choice. We visited a couple of schools, went to South Kent, went to Wilbraham and Munson, and then St. Thomas More. Damn, your mom had a vision, bro. Like, how tall were you? My mom didn't really know much about basketball,

which is the crazy part. My mom didn't really start learning basketball until I got to St. Thomas More. Oh, okay. How tall were you, like, in seventh, eighth grade? Shit, probably you're right. Damn, so were you hit your growth spurt? I don't even think I did.

I think I was just big always, bro. It's crazy. I mean, he's six. I've been in sight since my sophomore high school, though. Yeah, I'm six. That's when your numbers was crazy. That's when I found out about you. Sophomore year?

Yeah, that's when I was average. I've been in sight since my sophomore year. Niggas average seven blocks, bro. I know I heard you, but I used to always watch Rivals. I remember he was dribbling and shit, though. Yeah, yeah. I remember. I'm like, this nigga here.

You wasn't that motherfucking big, motherfucker. Nah, this nigga. Motherfucker put on that college play. He baby shagging. He gave Draymond that shot. He drummed that shot up, baby, for sure. You was skinny, nigga. Yeah, nah, for sure.

He was like handling and shit. I remember it was a Pangos video of you. You was crossing niggas and shit. I'm like, nah. Shots of Pangos. So you started off as a guard or they always used you? Yeah, I was always taught to play every, if you watch my videos from high school, I always say I wanna be able to do everything.

I never wanna limit myself. So I would always play that way. Bring the ball up, pass, shoot. I love passing. I like getting my teammates open, so. I haven't to limit myself. Yeah. So I would always play that way. Yeah. Bring the ball up, pass, shoot. I love passing. I like getting my teammates open, so. I used to watch them. What you think the best part of your game is, though? I know you're the greatest rebounder of all time.

That's what you said. Passing. Passing? Yeah, definitely. That's a really good passing. For sure. The underrated part of your game, I think, is your ability to steal the ball from guards.

Like, if you watch, obviously, I'm a basketball head. He will pick point guards' pockets all the time. They'll try to cross him. That was a thing where I'm from, though. In Connecticut, if you steal the ball, it's almost like getting dunked on. Damn. Yeah, so for me, I got to thrill out of that.

Steal the ball from people. I used to pick everybody's pockets, and then he'd get on a fast break. He'd get on a fast break, punch that shit. I used to be like, this motherfucker get dribbled up. Like, if you run at him, he going to throw it behind his back. Like, I guarantee it's a highlight. Louisa find it. You on a fast break, throwing it behind your back, going down, punching that bitch.

I'm like, yeah. Did you play with any other pros in high school? Against? Against? Oh, Damian Lee. Okay. Yeah, Damian Lee. Okay. Yeah, Damian Lee. Werner.

That's Steph. Yeah. Okay. Shot to Damian Lee. Okay. Damn. Who was the hardest matchup in high school that you remember? High school probably was Joe.

Yeah, high school wasn't that hard. I mean. Oh, yeah. I didn't play nobody. Isaiah Austin was up there with me. Isaiah Austin was hard. Isaiah Austin. Was that Baylor?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Got it. Aaron Gordon played against him, too. How was that? PJ. PJ, what's the bro from Bruce? Fucking. Harrison.

Harrison played against him. CJ Fair played against him. Oh, you played against me as well? Yeah, he played. Yo, nigga. This was raw in high school. Rose Noel. Nardless. What was that played against him. T.J. Fair. T.J. Fair. He was wrong in high school. He was Noel. Nardless.

What was that like? Because he was... I tried to kill him every time I saw him. He was bigger than hell. It was smoke. Yeah, he was bigger than hell. What'd you average against Nardless? He had the look.

That's bro. Real time. Real time. Figure it out, man. Noel was like that, though. He was too strong. He was too strong. No, man. No one was like that, though. I take you, though. He was too strong. He was too strong.

This nigga is big as shit. You walked in here. I heard that comment he made when he walked in here. It's smaller here. I said, what are you? You a nigga? I heard you say it to him.

I said, what the fuck is this? I'm feeling like, let me look. I said, well, damn, that's what it is. Nah, I'm feeling like, God damn it. You're going to see my head on the ceiling?

Nah, that's the staircase. We all normal height. There's a trap down here. What we got right now? I don't know. The real trap. The real trap,

for sure. Can't drop the low ever. T-I-D-C, Young Fly. Thanks. For sure, man. Like you said,

year 13, man, with Philly, man. And all of a sudden, I have an up and down year, especially with injuries, man. But how is it so far, man? T-I-D-C-Y-O-N-G-F-L-Y-T-O-N-G-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D-E-R-D- trade to Brooklyn. Fame won't let you go that time. Nope. Nah, I got caught in that. Yeah, the city was mad about that. Yeah, I got caught in that. They were not thrilled about that. But being back now, it's pretty, it's dope, man.

I just think injuries are our crutch right now. You can't escape it. Between myself, PG, Joel, obviously, being out for another

seven to ten days. Jared. Jared being out for the season. That boy's good. Yeah, he was hooping for it. Nah, for sure. He could play basketball. Yeah, he was hooping.

He was good. Can you speak on how good Tyrese is, bro? Yeah, he's high on the Tyrese-McTree train, for sure. He been here. I love Tyrese. I mean, I got to see Tyrese when he got drafted. Because, obviously, like I said, I play with Philly. And just seeing his growth as a player and as a point guard.

Yeah. I'm truly a fan of what he's done. No, he's cool. Of course, all y'all work hard, but does he have like a different type of grind than everybody else? He has an incredible work ethic. That's fire. He works hard. Like he's in the gym before everybody else.

He's last to leave. Okay. Shows up hours before the game to get his work done. So, he puts the work in to be great. Yeah, I love this guy.

You think, like, you play with a lot of point guards. We talked about you playing with bigs. Where would you rank him as, like,

point guards you play with? Like, I think Brendan Jennings is cold and all that, but, like, where would you put Tyrese? He's in the top 10 for sure. Damn, 10? He's probably the top 10 for sure. Damn, 10? He's probably 10.

Hell nah, John. Name a player you play with. Kyrie Irving. Yeah. That's a good one. Steph Curry. That ain't fair. Go ahead.

You ask questions. Yeah, yeah. I was going to say, I'm thinking... I want to hear you name nine names. He started off with Chauncey. Nigga, you done played nine names he started off with Chauncey nigga you done played

with everybody in the NBA Chauncey Billups um what am I at four right now yeah uh he gotta be at the Chauncey has to

he fine he's fine he's fine that's Tim was the same man so he's just trying I said Tim was the same but he's trying to get

the memory going that's all yeah but damn the fact that you play you play with all to... I said Tim was the same man. He's trying to get the memory going. That's all. Yeah, but damn, the fact that you play... You play with all the best players in the NBA, bro. Yeah, he hasn't missed. Real shit.

He played with Bron, Kyrie, Steph. James Harden, bro. James Harden, Joel. Where you put him at your two-guard list, though? Paul George. Jimmy.

Jimmy? Yeah. He a point guard, though. James Harden. Yeah, I think he's a PG. Combo guard, though. Where you put him of all time, though? That's a tough question, bro. That's a PG combo guard though where you put him of all time

though that's a 5-20 argument that third slot we were going back and forth between him and D-Wade we don't want to put that on you don't want to be in this I ain't trying to deal with that

I ain't trying to deal with that we ain't enough shit. We got a lot more questions for you, but we're going to wait, you know what I'm saying, until we do this another time. Like you said, you still a current player.

We won't put no smut, put you in no situations, man. I appreciate that. No, for sure. But listen, man, we appreciate you sliding on this, man. Listen, man. Of course.

We wish it helps your team, man. Have a great rest of your year, man. Keep killing. We appreciate you sliding on this, man. It ain't going to end, ain't it? Yeah, sorry. We're trapping late. I'm dedicating it, goddammit.

Spend that time again, because niggas got girls and shit. What time is it? What time is it? What time is it? The real hoop session. And we'll be back next time for a little 520.

For sure. The Volume. This is an iHeart Podcast.