Club Shay Shay - Club 520 - Eric Gordon on James Harden Rockets, guarding KAT, joining Embiid, Paul George & 76ers

Episode Date: October 7, 2024

We’re back with Season 2, Episode 108 of Club 520, where Jeff Teague and the guys are joined by Eric Gordon where the guys talk about EG’s illustrious basketball career that dates back his AAU days in Indianapolis against Jeff. The guys talk about the James Harden Houston Rockets team, stopping Karl Anthony-Towns in the post, and teaming up with Joel Embiid on the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming 2024-25 season. #Volume #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a professional football player's career ends and the applause fades and the screaming fans move on? I am going to share my journey of how I went from Christianity to now a Hebrew Israelite. For some former NFL players, a new faith provides answers. You mix homesteading with guns in church, voila! You got straight away. He tried to save everybody. Listen to Spiral on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, y'all?

It's Cam Jordan from the New Orleans Saints here to tell you, it's going down. On season two of my podcast, Off the Edge, with me, Cam Jordan. Catch new episodes every Wednesday, and I'll have the biggest NFL stars join me to give a player's perspective of the biggest storylines, trends, and did that really just happen moment from around the league.

So tap in to Off the Edge with Cam Jordan's podcast, your ultimate playbook for all things football and not football. Listen on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kari Champion, and this is season four of Naked Sports. Up first, I explore the making of a rivalry, Kaitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese.

Every great player needs a foil. I know I'll go down to history. People are talking about women's basketball just because of one single game. Clark and Reese have changed the way we consume women's sports. Listen to the making of a rivalry, Kaitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast,

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Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Maria Kondakova. And I'm Nate Silver. And our new podcast, Risky Business, is a show about making better decisions. We're both journalists whom we light as poker players, and that's the lens we're going to use to approach this entire show. We're going to be discussing everything from high stakes poker to personal questions.

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Alright, man, we back another wonderful episode of Club 520 Podcast. I'm the host my name is DJ Wells. Special special guest to my left man. We're gonna introduce my man's last to my far left. We got my dog Bishop B handing out the pearlies. How you what nasty? Cool and nasty. Let's get to it baby. You know what I'm saying? I know what you really normally be on but you got the Adidas on for EJ today? Yeah Adidas athlete. Adidas finesse. This one for you. And the other time we got them villain shoes on over there. So I'm gonna have you show respect to our guest one time. To my right, my dog, young Nacho, young T. You got you what, man?

I'm chilling, bro. Another 07 graduate in the building. So it's about to be a good pot for sure. For sure, man. Like you said, another 07 class. Listen, man, we got a legend in the building. Indiana legend. Anytime you talk about high school basketball, you better mention his name seven class listen man. We got a legend in the building Indiana legend anytime you talk about high school basketball

You better mention his name right here, man We got a J Eric or 17 year NBA vet in the building appreciate you big dog sliding through man No doubt man. It's been a long time coming up should have been a long time ago, but it's it's good that I'm here now You've been busy getting money man. We understand you still Busy getting to it we have to say you'll sketch a little bit different nine months out of the year. But listen, man, we gotta take it back. Y'all origin of basketball, playing each other. I'm saying 80 Nappos, Indiana,

one of the best places to play basketball. And we always talk about who was called growing up and nobody ever goes against it. Everybody knows since Lissai, you was the codest, bro. How was that growing up with those type of expectations, bro? Well, I mean, it was different because, you know, I've been playing as Jeff since, I would say,

what would you say, about eight years old? Yeah, yeah. I'm in the Minnesota Gardens. Shout out to the gardens. The funniest thing is, growing up from elementary school and middle school, I was always the shortest kid out there. Like, I was the smallest, I was the shortest,

but I always had, you know, I mean, my game was there, but I was just the shortest kid out there. Like I was the smallest, I was the shortest, but I always had, you know, I mean my game was there, but I was just the shortest person known out there. And then as I reached around, you know, eighth grade, I mean, I was damn near built like a grown man at the age. And seventh grade, I mean, I barely even played because I was growing so much and, you know, a lot of motherfuckers thought I was on steroids or whatever, but I did get a.

I was one of them motherfuckers. I remember that was the roommate. You on your origin, but E.J., we thought you was on that shit. I was on that shit. I grew a lot, and then going into high school, I was able to really propel and be myself. I ain't trying to throw your folks address out, but did you always live that close to the JCC?

Majority of my life, yeah. Yeah, majority. Shout out to the JCC. That's a staple. Hoop sessions in the city. For sure. Your daddy still fucking with it over there? Oh yeah, yeah, he's still over there.

There you go. Shout out to Pops, man. Love seeing Pops out, man. Especially what y'all doing with the program with the there. There you go. Shout out to Pops, man. Love seeing Pops out, man. Especially what y'all doing with the program with the kids, man, I love seeing him at the tournaments, man. He be holding it down for real. Nah, facts. Like, E.J. was the first dude when we was little,

I seen him hit a left-hand layup. Nah, besides Reese, you know, Reese was left-handed, but Eric went to the basket and he switched to the left. I think he was like third grade, second, third grade. And my Pops was like, now that's a player. You know how my Pops is. He always go big somebody else. and he switched to the left, I think he was like third grade, second, third grade. My pops was like, now that's a player. You know how my pops is, he always go big somebody else. So I was at home pissed trying to shoot a left head left.

Still can't shoot one to the stack, fuck it. It's cool though. He went, ah, so he called. Did your pops start you off with the fundamentals first though? He for sure did, that was the number one thing. And shooting was number one, handles was second. And I mean, he kept it very simple for me. I mean, he was hard on me.

Like, he was hard on me. Because to be honest, he really made me hate everybody I played against when I was in high school. So let me tell you, so I'll put it like this. I knew he was going to play Pike first game. And you know, fuck him. On that Monday, on that Monday, my dad would be like, hey, Jeff, Jeff, he gonna be ready to go.

What the hell you gonna do? I mean, you already know he's got the handles, you know he's got a jump shot. I mean, what you gonna do? Because half the time you might guard him, you might not, but what you gonna bring to the table? And he did that every week, just pest me on and pest passed me on like in Chicago. He's one more, you know What are you gonna do against him? Like he made me really hate every one of y'all before

Boy good, I'm like damn well fuck you I'm like, damn, well fuck you. He won't say nothing. He still won't say nothing. He just kill you after a while. Like, this one fight said shit to him, man. I don't know what the fuck wrong with him. He a robot. So your dad put that killer instinct in you, baby.

For sure, I know for sure. He never, he didn't believe in bad games. He didn't believe, he said, you just figure out a way. You know, he always wanted me to score and always wanted me to win. But I'm telling you, when we was going against in a big game, whoever their best player was, I mean, he just wanted me to go after him.

And so that's definitely part of the story. Because I was going against a lot of good players. Everybody was. We talk about, Tony, you, Michael Conley, Greg Odin, Josh McRever. The list goes on for real. Them, of course, Bikin' now. Shit, did you ever play? Uh, what shit, Walter was hype back then.

Yeah, Warner's all a little bit. I mean, see, we even played against Gordon Hayward and Emma Brownsburg. We traveled and, I mean, we traveled, I mean, we were we even played against Gordon Hayward and Emma Brownsburg. We traveled, I mean, we traveled, I mean, we were traveling everywhere. You played broad river too, I swear I was. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right, hold on. Was he on the court?

He start laughing. Hold on, I did play. I know that switch was crazy. Motherfucker, Otto said to pick on me so hard, nigga. I know that switch was crazy. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know.

I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know.

I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know.

I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. Getting to the high school stuff though, you was probably one of the best at you teams ever, man. We talk about it all the time. How was that, like, planning that experience with that crazy ass team? Did y'all know y'all was that good at the time? No, we knew that, you talking about Spice and Deheat?

Absolutely. Yeah, no, we knew that we were that good because we were bought in, we weren't trying to be like most kids out there trying to score 30, 40, 50 points. I mean, the average, I would say the high score of that game probably would have 18, 16 and everybody shared the ball. Everybody, and we won every game. Like every game that we, when we were all healthy,

we won every game. So, but I think in three summers we only lost probably two, three games. Yeah, they. I was whooping shit. You ever remember one of your toughest matchups back then? Because was you on there when they played, when y'all played Lou Will?

Lou Williams was a major problem. I've never seen too many guys like him in high school. I mean. I remember that game with y'all in the Georgia Stars. He had an NBA game in high school. He played like how he is, but imagine way more athletic. And Lou Will would dunk on you in high school too. There was, he was.

Nah, Lou was a problem. Yeah, he was a major problem. Shout out to my dog, Lou. Shout out to Lou, man. Yeah, like what he was doing in NBA, I mean, in high school, I mean, it was just with more athleticism. but that's what I tell people about you Like when we got to me we got me got to the league and share by like man

I'm like me I should have seen how athletic he was in high school I'm like I'm gonna fuck a dump from the free throw line all type of crazy shit like And people know you as a shooter. I'm like shooting like that, but that No, I said I did early on in my career before I had those injuries during my time in New Orleans, but yeah, I would. No, I know. I remember Tommy Freeman. Shout out to Tommy.

We ain't gonna do Tommy. I remember. It ain't me. We're here now. We know you was on Speedy in the Heat, but you know what I'm saying? He finished your career with a different team. and was the reason he got dunked on And I remember that game too cuz I felt like there was some calls getting missed And we were pissed off and then

We were pissed off. Yeah, y'all were up. And we were pissed off. And then that shit go. I just. That's when I say, yeah, he the best player in the country. It was between you and B's because B's did us bad. And then we was beating y'all. Then you went off for like 35 in the second half.

I'm like, this motherfucker here is crazy, man. Like, everybody like, he was supposed to play with y'all. I said, yeah, man. What the fuck? I'm like, how you just go lead a year? I come. What the fuck? And everybody like he was supposed to play with you. I said yeah Like how you just go lead a year I come what the fuck Now y'all was covered. Yes crazy. Like you said man shots in class I was 70 D. Roses retiring your former a you back How's that? You know I'm saying like that experience like cuz you went from that great SB seem to like y'all going crazy That was different. Yeah for sure cuz uh, throughout the high school man

I wouldn't say we were any enemies but we always played against one another and we always and then we played against each other and I in a regular high school game and So and then we was like, you know, I didn't like Indiana Leith at the time and then I was like, you know What let's just join forces and they were like for sure. Let's just make that happen And I mean I had a that team was fun man, but we only had six seven players let's just join forces and they were like for sure let's just make that happen and uh i mean i had a that team was fun man but we only had six seven players yeah they didn't need nobody else they had no real big man i mean tim was a big man but he was like six four he was six four and could do everything yeah for real man he was well yeah he was a dog for sure was you already um committed to illinois before you went to Main Streets?

Yeah, I was committed during my time at Main Streets. Okay, okay. I remember that being. We always do like a little mumbin' of silence. For certain shit. Yep, yep. Yep, yep. So much.

That's what I'm sayin'. Yep, yep. I mean, me and D-Roll, we was supposed to go to the same college. That was the plan. It was either Illinois, maybe IU, maybe Memphis. And we heard a lot of things in Illinois, what was going on there, this and that. But my heart was always in Indiana. I always wanted to play at IU., it all worked out at the end.

I went to IU, he went to Memphis, but I thought we were both gonna go to IU at one point. That's crazy. It's crazy, they tried to put us in a three guard line and my member Coach Samson called me, and he was like, I'm getting you, I'm getting Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon. I said, why the fuck you think I'm going there?

I was like, you can't hang this call up. I think I'm about to kill the bitch. I'm telling you. Yeah, all right. Wait for us here. I'll come. I was like, no way. He called me.

I was like, Eric going to Illinois. He was like, not on my fucking watch. He literally said that. Not on my watch. Shout out to the realest. He won't be going there on my watch. I promise you that, T. I promise you. Y''m not going. I told my dad I'm not going there. He didn't dare. So, IU was automatic number one, like out the gate. Yeah, I did.

I mean, yeah, I always loved IU growing up, but. Okay. And because I know I wasn't going to go far. I wanted my parents and I wanted my family to go to every game, so. Okay. I was like, I'm going to go to every game. I'm going to go to every game. I'm going to go to every game. I'm going to go to every game. I'm going to go to every game. I'm going to growing up, but. Okay. And because I know I wasn't gonna go far.

I wanted my parents and I wanted my family to go to every game, so. Okay. That was the main thing. Yeah. For sure, I mean, before we get to college, we gotta talk about one of the most historic high school basketball games of all time.

You know what I'm saying? What you did to the Jordan kids at North Central, bro, was very disrespectful, but still one of the best things ever. Please recap that, because like you said, you going to say these games hating everybody, pops with the battery on your back, because what you did to them, bro, that look personal.

Before we start, I just want to say, big shout out to Marcus Jordan. Go ahead. Who was this Jordan? Who was this Jordan? If Marcus would have had what he had this summer then, they might have won. He'd be the real MJ.

Go ahead, H. You know, I didn't know anything about Loyola Academy, but, you know, first thing that came to my mind, you know, at Chicago school, you know, I thought, you know, but then when we watched, when I watched them on film and I was like, you know, everything's evolved around the Jordan kids. Like they're the best players on the team and And their team was small and I was like Okay, every time when I get the ball if if I don't have a catch and shoot

I'm going down I'm taking it to the rack like every time or I'm gonna at least try to dunk But the main thing what I really wanted was to do one of Jordan's dunks in in game thing what I really wanted was to do one of Jordan's dunks in in game. He disrespectful bro. ESPN baby. He so disrespectful. With Jordan in the crowd. What was that a 50 piece? What you have on there?

I think it was close. I don't know the exact number. Bro I was watching that shit crying last time bro. Then they had the Eric Gordon jerseys. I was like oh they wild in they had the Eric Gordon jerseys. I was like, oh they wild in there. Eric Gordon was insane. Yeah, I was like, they wild.

I was like, this is dope though. It made me feel good being from Indianapolis though. Hell yeah. Like you said, like you look at them teams, it was like, okay, y'all come with Chicago, but what I deal with on a daily basis is people who's going D1 or to the NBA. Like y'all like.

Yeah, for sure. Like, y'all like. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Like, almost everybody on, and whoever went to the school in these conferences, one player went to the NBA. Yeah. Somebody went. Which is crazy.

Who was trying to tell Norris, Norris was just on, you know, shout out to Norris, but Indiana was just different in them times, bro. Yeah, it's crazy. And when you didn't even have to lead a city, like we just talking about the MEC, we didn't even go to the region where you had, like you said, Eetwan, Robbie Hummel, Scott Martins,

like all the, like everywhere in the state, it was killers there. And it was crazy, like for me, I went to JEL, so I was at Pike End North Central half a day. To see the reception that like y'all got, cause y'all was cold, obviously you was that nigga. And it was just like, we ain't had that much school spirit. Yeah. At North Central?

Yeah. Oh, niggas had the air quarantine. They had he had merch boy Bro, you would have been a millionaire North Central. Oh, yeah. No, no essential. I loved it my time there I mean some of best days my life was there. So the fuck You can change it now coach I Think we had a pet rally we even have a real school section Crazy though, yeah, we talked crazy Let's talk about that that that senior year mashup beginning to year It was a always a common thing tradition pipe play North Central first game of the year. Yeah seniors You know saying you was going away. You're gonna. Are you that's another legendary high school game

How was that from your side? I mean, he talked about how you walk to it was like What was your mom say going into that? I was always underrated. So I knew he was a number one player almost in the country I was like a hundred or something. So I was just trying to let people know I could hoop. I was just trying to go out there and have a good show. But we used to beat them all the time before. So I knew he was like, yeah, it's my time to beat their ass. Like I was like, he's gonna come in here on some shit. I ain't really got reinforcements like I used to have.

You know, we used to be loaded. So I'm like, it's just me and my guy Phil. Kyle ain't never played varsity Fucking I'm about to shoot this So we was having back and forth and at the end of the game. He he did we had to do you killed though, bro I'm like 30 to 33 point while something like that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, he no you did get it going and I just knew like He would always be up there like he's always going to have a good game.

Like I knew a lot of those things and because because if if he does well, Pike does well, you know, even though they got other guys that can do some things. Because you still had Cordell Pasley, Kyle and Phil and. You had Big Dennis. Yes, he and Phil and. Yeah, Big Dennis. Yeah, Big Dennis. Try and have Big Otto though, bro. Otto was a motherfucking problem back in the day, bro. And then you had a Gant coach there now.

We didn't know him. Can't forget. He came a senior year, I didn't even know he could hoop. He came out hooping, I'm like, what the fuck is this little dude? Yeah. Cause we just playing game planing for you and your brother and Otto. That was it. We was like, everybody else, fuck him.

This little dude came out there hooping. I was like, damn, but it was a good game. For sure, class a game for sure. Like you said, you know what I'm saying? You got to IU. Yeah, I had a hell of a, you had a hell of a freshman year, man. I had a solid ass squad.

How was that step, like playing at that level? Cause you know what I'm saying, playing at simply all was different. No, it was different. No, we had it rocking and we just went through so much adversity throughout that whole freshman year. Cause we were talented as hell. I mean, every practice, to every game,

I mean, you play against good teams and I mean mean we just had a whip, you know DJ white Yes, I have Jordan Crawford coming off the bench. You had Armand. Armand Bassett. Yes, sir. And you had a Jamarca's Ellis tone. Rest in peace for him. And we had you know, Lance Stem. I mean we just had a lot of guys I you know, I can name the whole team easily, but we just had, we did have a squad. And I just hate it. I would love to see how far we could have went

if they didn't fire Samson. That's, that was the thing. Yep. That's crazy. Would you, I mean, obviously we didn't think he was going back, but like that play out, like you said, how like heavy was that moment? Cause you was killing.

You can see everybody like stopped at a halt when that shit came out. So like dealing with that in a university different than deal with that in the high school, because, you know, that's administrative stuff. But you on campus, you got to see it here. And now like I go through that, like like you said, the issues you was going through and also internally with the team going through the tournament, you know, all right. Now I got to look focused now. You like shit. I love college, but I know I'm about to go to the leagues.

Now I got to kind of think about me more than the team, but how's that mental process? Well, it was a lot mentally cuz I mean fuck as soon as Samsung got fired the next day of practice I see four motherfuckers in the gym and it was it was just weird cuz I wanted to win I still wanted to win but it was just such everybody was distraught cuz you know, I Mean that team was just so talented and we were so into with that coach, I mean, with Sampson. And I mean, it just kind of broke us apart, but me mentally, I mean, I still had to,

I mean, I still had to do what I had to do as far as trying to get to the league. I mean, I even fractured my wrist during practice one day. I mean, we go to the doctor, the doctor say, oh, man, you fractured my wrist during practice one day. I mean, we go to the doctor, the doctor say, oh man, you fractured your wrist, you gonna be out for a little while. And after that, the doctor's department, my dad said, fuck that, taping that shit up, and we still playing.

And we had to play, I'll never forget, we had to play against Wisconsin, like two days later, with a fractured wrist, so. Yeah. Yeah, went through a lot of. Yeah, locked in. Pops was down there with Joe Jackson. I thought Mr. T was. My pop was Joe Jackson.

Yeah, I think it's headed to hard growing up. You know what's crazy? They went to the league. Shout out to Pops. They paid off. The blueprint. For sure. You shouldn't have to worry about when you buy your tickets to your next big event.

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Terms apply, again, create an account, redeem code CLUB520 for $20 off. Download Game Time today. Last minute tickets, lowest price guarantee. All right, here we go. It's Cam Jordan from New Orleans Saints. Here to tell you it's going down. On season two of my podcast, Off the Edge with me, Cam Jordan.

Can't stop it, you know what's gonna happen. Can't stop it. That's right. Catching new episodes every Wednesday, all season long. That's what you look for in year 14, to do more. No, can season long. That's what you look for in year 14, to do more. No, that is wrong. And I'll have my friends who happen to be

some of the NFL's biggest stars join me on the pod. We'll give you a player's perspective of the biggest storylines, trends, and did that really just happen moments from around the league. And you know we'll have fun doing it. Ha, yeah! Oh, and I'll have a special guest each month join me to mix it up a little bit. Who is it? None other than, Sike. fun doing it. Oh, and I have a special guest each month join

me to mix it up a little bit who is it none other than. You have to tune in to find out. So tapping off the edge of cam Jordan's podcast, you're ultimately book for all things football and not football listen on the I heart radio out Apple podcast or every get your podcast. Hey everyone, it's Katie Couric. Well, the election is in the home stretch and I'm exhausted.

But turns out the end is near, right in time for a new season of my podcast, Next Question. This podcast is for people like me who need a little perspective and insight. I'm bringing in some FOKs, friends of Katie's, to help me out like Ezra Klein, Van Jones, Jen Psaki, Ested Herndon. But we're also gonna have some fun,

even though these days fun and politics seems like an oxymoron. But we'll do that thanks to some of my friends like Samantha Bee, Roy Wood Jr., and Charlemagne the God. We're gonna take some viewer questions as well. I mean, isn't that what democracy is all about? Power to the podcast for the people. So whether you're obsessed with the news

or just trying to figure out what's going on, this season of Next Question is for you. Check out our new season of Next Question with me, Katie Couric, on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kari Champion, and this is season four of Naked Sports, where we live at the intersection of sports and culture. Up first, I explore the making of a rivalry,

Caitlin Clark versus Angel Reese. I know I'll go down to history. People are talking about women's basketball just because of one single game. Every great player needs a foil. I ain't really near them boys. I just come here to play basketball every single day, and that's what I focus on.

From college to the pros, Clark and Reese have changed the way we consume women's sports. Angel Reese is a joy to watch. She is unapologetically black. I love her. What exactly ignited this fire? Why has it been so good for the game? And can the fanfare surrounding these two supernovas

be sustained? This game is only going to get better because the talent is getting better. This new season will cover all things sports and culture. Listen to Naked Sports on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. The Black Effect Podcast Network is sponsored by Diet Coke.

It was December 2019 when the story blew up. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, former Packer star Kabir Vajabiamila caught up in a bizarre situation. Hey, GB, explaining what he believes led to the arrest of his friends at a children's Christmas play. A family man, former NFL player, devout Christian, now cut off from his family and connected to a strange arrest. I am going to share my journey of how I went from Christianity to now a Hebrew Israelite. I got swept up in Kabir's journey, but this was only the beginning in a story about faith and football, the search for meaning away from the gridiron, and the consequences for everyone involved.

You mix homesteading with guns and church and a little bit of the spice of conspiracy theories that we liked, voila, you got straight away. I felt like I was living in North Korea, but worse, if that's possible. Listen to Spiral'd on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Maria Konikova. And I'm Nate Silver. And our podcast, Risky Business, is a show about making better decisions. Both Nate and I are journalists who moonlight as poker players.

We've both won, and I have to say lost, hundreds of thousands of dollars playing poker. And poker is a lens that we're going to use to approach this entire show because poker isn't just about playing cards. It's actually about how to make good decisions. It's an entire framework for thinking about the world. In addition to poker, we'll be talking about the wide world of gambling, so sports betting, for example, plus the news, politics, it is an election year, and personal decisions too. Like whether I should call a plumber or fix my shower myself.

Tune into Risky Business every Thursday. Listen on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. How was your draft process? You know what I'm saying? Did you, you know, obviously, you know, it's projected lottery. You go through a tumultuous situation to IU, now you're going to the league. How was that?

No, I mean, getting drafted was, I mean, that was a great experience. And my rookie year, I mean, that was- My boy went to LA. Yeah, that was- Hell of a city to get drafted to. Yeah, that was a unique experience. Cause that was actually the first time,

I mean, my first 10 to 12 games, I mean, I'm over here averaging five minutes a game and we were losing and I was like, like what are we doing here? So, kids got it good today, I mean, you could be, these young kids now, the guys that get drafted, I mean, they get the keys handed to them from day one. Because I think everybody in my draft,

only D-Rose was the only one that started. And everybody else had to work their way to starting and figuring out their way throughout that year. That's crazy. I still gotta get the keys though, they go, what's up? Oh yeah you the keys though. They go was up. Oh, yeah. Yeah He's Doing what he do best. What was that changing point though?

Like what game you remember what game or what happened between you and the coaching staff? Like what like all right give Eric the ball now. God damn it. I mean there was I mean there was a lot I got into it. I'm in right got in trouble a little bit with the team and yeah But things just turned out for me because you know a lot of guys were injured I think Baron Davis was injured and all that and then then I Got the start a lot of guys got injured. So I got my start. I never forget is against New Orleans again CP3 and I never forget it was against New Orleans, against CP3. And next thing you know, we won like three, four games in a row, even though we still went like 20 and 62.

Yeah, I was trying to. Yeah, we were still getting our ass beat, but that's kind of solidified in my career. And I did well, and I started to find my way and be myself. I saw out there, like, that helped your confidence out a lot in the NBA. Like, damn, I'm averaging 20 in the league. We losing, I want to win, way and be myself. I saw I figured like they helped show confidence out a lot in the NBA Like damn I'm averaging 20 in the league. We lose and I want to win but shit. I'm killing get my shit off I remember how strong this motherfucker was when he came back after his rookie season. He was working out with Chris

We was over there at best choice. Yeah, he called me up there I was getting ready for the draft and I came up there and I look Like nah He called me up there, I was getting ready for the draft. And I came up there and I looked, I said, what the fuck? I was like, nah, the Chris was like, you gotta get bigger, man. I'm like, shit. It doesn't look like The Rock. What the fuck am I doing with that? He like, well, that's what the guards look like, man.

Damn. Nah, I ain't gonna make it, G. Nah, man. You sound like B.H here when Gordon came back. I swear to God, Gordon Hayward, I love you. You know, you're one of my guys. He was on that shit. Don't do that.

Ain't nobody tell me different. My boy just retired so we can speak that. My boy had that vein in his dick. Yeah, he crazy. I was coming back too slow. Now Gordon came out the campus big. I said, damn. He wasall was coming back too slow. Now Gord came back to campus big. I said damn. He was skinny his whole life.

Yeah. He got to the, damn it, or what, the league or his like his last year of Butler. His last year of Butler. Cause I remember like I was on campus at the time and I was like alright but he came back there and I was like that's a pro. But even when he came back that first year from the Jazz I'm like damn like you hit a growth spurt at 22? Did that slow you down though getting bigger or did that you feel like that helps you?

No, it helped me because my game was all about contact every time I get a little basket. I'm I was looking for it. Yeah, so You know because I believe in every time I look for contact I don't even really have to be sometimes I don't have to feel like I have to be explosive getting to the rim So okay. Yeah using the science using the invent tricks learning how to score professionally I don't even really have to be, sometimes I don't have to feel like I have to be explosive getting to the rim, so. Okay. Yeah, using the signs, using the invent tricks, learning how to score professionally, it's crazy. I never really put two and two together,

now you was on the Donald Sterling clip, that is crazy. That is crazy, no wonder why there was a lot of issues. Did you go to the white party? I have, three years of it. Oh, man. The wife nigg it should have been. Right.

They said, yeah, white party on the show. I just want to see this. That's crazy. That is crazy. But like you said, one of your best games against New Orleans, you didn't know you was auditioning, no, I'm saying that you go to LA. I had to leave sunny L.A. for New Orleans, you didn't know you was auditioning, you know what I'm saying? You go to LA, you start checking your seat. My boy had to leave sunny LA for New Orleans,

man, how was that transition, your first taste of the basketball business? Man, I was, I'm not gonna lie, I was pissed. I was pissed. Because during that time, people forget, I was supposed to sign a max deal with LA, right then and there, and then, that's when we had the lockout.

And once we got back from there, I mean, I was, they were promising like, you're gonna be here for five years, this and that. Because the trade was done. I mean, it was supposed to be, I think, Blenso came in and Alpharouk. And then we thought that then when they backed out of it, I guess they were certain might have probably went to the gym and they just threw me in there and the rest was history. And I

was a little bit confused and I was younger too. So, and then when I got to New Orleans, like I wanted to do well, but I had already got injured. I was already injured and, you know, people down there, they just thought I just didn't give a damn or anything while I was down there, but but uh But hey a couple years early when I got to New Orleans We went to the playoffs and I don't know what people be Getting mad for down there. That's a lot to ask for down there Be grateful Cool city though it Orleans is a cool city though. It is. It is a cool city, but nah, going from LA to New Orleans

is like me going from Atlanta. Nevermind. I still live here. What you gonna say Indiana? I still live here. What you bout to say? Talk to Indiana how he really feel. I still live here.

No, it is though. It's like Atlanta to get back home is crazy. Yeah. It's like, oh, it's a is though. It's like a limited, back home is crazy. It's like, it's a different total. It's like, I mean, being from here made it a little easier, but the way of life is way different. For sure, I gotta ask, you done played a couple of dope cities. What's your favorite city you played in so far?

I would say Houston and LA. Those are my Houston's. Fire city. Yeah, Houston and LA top two. Hey are my Houston. It's a fire city. Yeah, Houston and L.A. top two. Hey, you was a part of one of the Dakotas runs in basketball at Houston. Like, you know what I'm saying? How was that, you know what I'm saying?

Contended every year in the West, and y'all had to go against one of the best teams ever, man. Yeah, man, that was definitely the most fun team I've been on, and you know, we were together all the time, you know. It was, I mean, it was easy to win. Like, it was very easy to win. We just ho all the time. You know, it was, I mean, it was easy to win. Like it was very easy to win. We just, Hoop, our coach, I mean,

he was a big part of it. Dan Tony was a big part of it. I mean, he let us be us. We followed, you know, his scheme, but at the end of the day, you know, he just let us be us and he made it fun. You know, his experience made it fun. But, but yeah, I mean, like we had a hell of a team. But yeah, I mean, we had a hell of a team.

James was, I mean, being around him, working with him every day, I'm a special player. But we had a lot of other guys that, I mean, it was. Now y'all had a squad. No, we did have a squad for years. Y'all had a squad, bro. What was that like, embracing that six man road, coming from being a starter,

and then going to being a six man, embracing that six man road, like coming from being a starter, and then going to being like a six man, and then like embracing the road, and then like really, really flourishing in it though. Yeah, cause during my time in New Orleans, you know, I was like, I'm gonna go to, after I left there, I was like, I'm gonna go to a team where I just want to win and I'll figure out the rest. Like, I'll just go figure out, I'm not gonna be injured,

I'm gonna figure out ways in which I can be injured and just go out there and play. And, uh, I didn't care what, if I started or not, but soon as I got there, I was like, they gave me a, you know, a formula to, to what I needed to do. You know, they didn't care if I ever practiced, they was like, we just want you to be healthy to, and, uh and you know great training staff good, you know medical staff and everything and but After that, I was I just embraced it. I think I was like, I don't care. I'm gonna win six men in a year I want to

You know knocking out knock down a lot of threes during Dan Tony's play cuz you know how that it was difficult to guard It's so and that was perfect for the way you played basketball. Like, oh, no, just layups and threes. Like one of the best shooters ever. Of course he can do that. Yeah, yeah. See everybody, the funny thing is everybody wants to talk about doing that, but you gotta still be able to,

you know, move the ball. You know, if you don't have a clear cut, a layup or whatnot, then somebody else has to be open. So, but it was, it was good basketball. Nah, y'all was tough to play. We played y'all in the playoffs. Whistle They'd put your ass like that.

Sweet. Get us out of there. Laughing Y'all got one game, didn't you? Minnesota? Oh yeah, I cooked that game. You right. We didn't get one game.

That's all I did. I didn't get one game. I cooked that game. I'm thinking for We didn't get one game. Oh, this thing's good. I didn't get one game. I cooked that game. I'm thinking for a minute, man. I'm like, well, at least y'all got one, actually. They got us a better game. I had one good game.

That's crazy. Hey, listen. Know something? We can't talk about James Harden too much in this podcast. Y'all be getting away, but we're not going to let that legacy die down. You saw it firsthand. Like, James Harden was really killing it. Everybody tried to act like that did not happen.

It's weird. That he wasn't killed? Yeah, they tried to downplay that now. happen. It's weird. That he wasn't killed. They tried to downplay that now. Like it was just okay. Cause of the Luke and stuff. I might know James Hart was really destroying shit. If y'all didn't run into the Warriors, it's a different conversation. And even some of the stuff that happened with like- CP don't pull his hamstring. Y'all win that series for sure.

Yeah, no, I truly believe the same. If CP didn't get injured, we would've won that year. I really do. I think so. Won the championship. Yeah, they had on beat. Yeah. For sure. I would.

Y'all was up what, 3-2? 3-2. Yup. Y'all was on. You know what they did in Cleveland? I respect the, respect the. They was gonna beat whoever was in the East. I don't know.

They was scoring too much. It had to be Cleveland then right? It was. Yeah. They was gonna beat whoever was in the East. Yeah. That might have been tough. That'd have been a hell of a series though. That'd have been a hell of a series. That's what happened, hold on. But. Yeah I was definitely supposed to come out the west that year. Who was the best player you played with in your career so far? In 17 years?

Best teammate? Nah, best player. Then you can do best teammate. Best player. That I ever played against? Play with. Play with. Don't be on the bus right now. I love it. That's a tough one, boy. You been around some killers, bro.

You asked me to play with you. I'm not going to lie. I'm not going to lie. against play with play with Don't you on the bus right now? I love it Been around some killers brought some shit, that's why I'm asking you And what's crazy is now you about to play with another goat coming this season this year Yeah, you got MVP Joel. Yeah KD was a special one and James was a special one. Cause I mean, I played with AD, AD was. Yeah bro. Young AD was.

Young AD, he was a. When he was coming into his own. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and that used to, KD. I'll let you come back to him. It's a tough one. Yeah, you better. That's crazy.

Yeah, I forgot about the Finney squad. Yeah, yeah. KD, cold. One of the best deal, going to a crazy. Man. That's a tough Yeah, I forgot about the Phoenix go. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he called one of the best deal going to a crazy Man, that's a tough question for him. Yeah Yeah, we got our asses though people want to know how you know saying now let's talk about now, man You know saying new season coming up got you where you at around right now. You know, Philly with it How you know saying how did you come about that situation? You know, I'm saying

Well, I want to get a chance to win and I thought you know Philly cuz you know, I'm familiar with their Front office Darrell Maury and all them and then I look at their team and I'm like man Maxie. He's really involved And be you know, maybe a player, you know You look at Kelly Oubre and and now they have Caleb Martin and then you got PG that just in the mix with all of them I'm like and You know me to to fit in, you know to be knocked down shots and shooting, you know create You know as those guys are creating so I was like man, we can really have some a shot at something

Thanks. I'll show you know, see I go crazy sure I don't know if y'all gonna be the pacers, but you know I'm saying I feel like I, we can really have some a shot at something I don't know if y'all gonna beat the Pacers but you know I'm saying I feel like Why you never come home bro, why you ain't come fuck with the Pacers man Man, I don't think there's really ever been a real shot in chance thing He said he wanted to win I like that was a good answer EJ, but I'm gonna answer it for you He didn't want to come to the playoff too many years. He had fit this team perfect. Now I mean, you and Philly, you fit that team perfect too,

but the way you shoot the ball, but people always forget that you're a really good defender. Like this nigga is strong as shit. I'm telling y'all, like you can't post, him and Chris Paul and Eric Bledsoe, only guards you can't post. I used to watch people try to post him. Oh yeah, Andrew. But this was like, I'm like, this nigga is strong as shit.

I watch people. I watch him guard cat. Cat was trying to post him. You got a lot of smut on cat name. I know. I love cat. I love cat. But what he trying to post him. You got a lot of smut on cat name. I know, I love cat. I love cat. But what he trying to post y'all? Yeah.

He couldn't post them. He said we switched everything. We switched everything. He couldn't post them. I swear. Which is crazy, he being modest. But your two guards shouldn't be switching your five comfortably. That's nuts.

They look strong, man. Him and PJ, James strong as shit. They had a strong ass team. That's a good thing to highlight, though, because people don't talk about how good of a defender you are, though. They focus in on you shooting,, but I I think the six ain't standing cuz you here I just think y'all got a good chance to move forward though I don't this year I got a way better team than y'all had over the recent years man. Yeah for sure

Don't worry the patients ain't shit. That's just that's what that's not we good money. You know what? They gonna make the playoffs for sure the playoff play in not on No, we don't know What's he uses it's important today We know the Hawks they gonna be here, you know how we rock the Hawks trade trail in this demon time now I talked to him the other day. He back Say you on that Everybody treat them 11 journeys like them Julius Riddles

These top heavy now bro. Yeah, these top heavy we are we under the radar. It's cool. Just have Cut off T. Straight up. Oh, y'all crazy. Oh man, well listen, I know you got a heart out. EJ, we appreciate you sliding on this big dog, man. Listen, legend in the city. I love it every time we talk about basketball, especially when it comes to high school basketball. It's always praise for you, man. We've been excited for this episode.

This is one for the city. Y'all had classic battles, man. We appreciate you sliding on it, man. Good luck this year, know what I'm saying? Except for when you play the Pacers. Good luck this year, man man we appreciate y'all rocking with us like share subscribe all that good shit we'll be back next time club 520 the volume

what happens when a professional football player's career ends and the applause fades and the screaming fans move on. I am going to share my journey of how I went from Christianity to now a Hebrew Israelite. For some former NFL players, a new faith provides answers. You mix homesteading with guns and church, voila! You got straight away. He tried to save everybody. Listen to Spiraled on the iHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. biggest NFL stars join me to give a player's perspective of the biggest storylines, trends, and did that really just happen moment from around the league. So tap in to Off the Edge with Cam Jordan's podcast, your ultimate playbook for all things football and not football. Listen on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Kari Champion, and this is season four of Naked Sports. Up first, I explore the making of a rivalry.

Kaitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese. Every great player needs a foil. I know I'll go down to history. People are talking about women's basketball just because of one single game. Clark and Reese have changed the way we consume women's sports. Listen to the making of a rivalry, Kaitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese,

on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, 1974. George Foreman was champion of the world. Ali was smart and he was handsome. Story behind the Rumble in the Jungle

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starting October 9th on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Maria Konondakova. And I'm Nate Silver. And our new podcast, Risky Business, is a show about making better decisions. We're both journalists who moonlight as poker players, and that's the lens we're going to use to approach this entire show. We're going to be discussing everything from high stakes poker to personal questions.

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