Mick Unplugged - Rick Barry | Rick Barry's Sports Journey: From Professional Basketball to Pickleball Championships

Episode Date: November 11, 2024

Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Mick Unplugged." I'm your host, Mick Hunt, and today, we have a true sports legend joining us—none other than Rick Barry. In this episode, we dive deep into Rick's storied basketball career and his transition to success in pickleball, where he's clinched numerous national championships. We explore his unique take on game fundamentals, including his famous underhand free throw technique, and his candid critique of modern NBA play. Rick shares nostalgic tales, like his missed 1964 Olympic opportunity, and opens up about his joy and pride in his sons' basketball careers, with special mention of Canyon Barry's impact on the 3x3 basketball scene. We also venture beyond the court as Rick discusses his new passion for pickleball, his entrepreneurial ventures like founding Pickle Zone, and his dedication to promoting health and wellness products. Plus, get insights into his lifelong love for fly fishing, his upcoming engagements in Australia and New Zealand, and his wishes for unity and progress in our country. It's a conversation filled with wisdom, nostalgia, and inspiration. So, stay tuned as we unplug with the one and only Rick Barry!Takeaways: ·       NBA teams should consider underhand free throw technique. ·       Competing in pickleball and winning national championships ·       Disappointment over not making the 1964 Olympic team Questions & Answers: 1.       Question:Mick Hunt: Rick, you've been a vocal advocate for the underhand free-throw technique. Why do you think it's not more widely adopted in today's NBA, even though it has a proven high success rate? Rick Barry: Mick, it boils down to ego and aesthetics. Players don't want to be seen as 'unconventional' or 'old-fashioned.' Despite its effectiveness, the underhand technique has a stigma. My success rate with it was over 92%, which proves its value. It's a missed opportunity for many players today. 2.        Question: Mick Hunt: You've mentioned that modern NBA players often lack deep understanding of game fundamentals. What specific fundamentals do you see as being most neglected? Rick Barry: players today often overlook positioning, screening, and teamwork dynamics. Natural talent is great, but without mastering these basics, it’s hard to reach full potential. A strong foundation in fundamentals is crucial for long-term success in the game. 3.         Question: Mick Hunt: Let's talk about officiating. You've criticized the leniency towards moving screens and carrying violations today. How do you think stricter officiating could impact the game? Rick Barry: Better officiating would enforce proper gameplay, improving the quality and fairness of basketball. Uncalled violations allow bad habits to persist, making games sloppier. Stricter calls might slow the game initially but would elevate overall play and skill levels in the long run. Connect and Discover Instagram:         Instagram.com/rick24barry Facebook:         facebook.com/profile.php?                  id=100008984350886&ref=xav_ig_profile_web Website:            PlayersforGood.com X:                          @Rick24Barry Book:                  Confessions of a Basketball Gypsy Product Website - use discount code rb24 gokinesiologysleeves.com aloemd.com medicileaf.com      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's my biggest disappointment. I tried out for the Olympics in 64. Totally agree. They don't talk about the IQ. It's not IQ. It's just the knowledge, okay? You didn't have the high IQ. It's a matter of studying it and learning it and understanding it.

Ball man relationships, screening off the boards, learning how to put yourself in the right position to help your men to become a screener. When did you determine that I do this, and for those that are listening, not watching, underhand, I have a higher percentage of making that versus the traditional. I wish I'd been smart enough when I started in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career. Welcome to Mick Unplugged, where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves, and game-changing conversations. Buckle up. Here's Mick.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of Mick Unplugged, and today we have a first. You can't tell the story of basketball without talking about my very special guest today. Tons of accolades, which we're going to get into. Fearless player, unorthodox style, and that style has become an icon. All that's great, but today he's changing the game of pickleball. We're going to talk about pickleball too. Golf, environmental advocacy, and health. We're talking to the Miami Greyhound, my legend, Mr. Rick Berry. Rick, how are you doing today, brother? I'm doing just great. If I was doing any better, I'd be making a comeback in the NBA.

Oh, we can make that happen. I've seen the game, Rick. I don't know. You could probably still put up 10 and 10. I'm trying to. I've been trying for decades to get him to put the designated free throw shooter rule in, but they're not going for that. So, Rick, one, I'm honored. Two, I mean that when I say this.

You can't tell the story of basketball without mentioning Rick Barry. I mean, you know, top 50 NBA player of all times. They redid it to 75, and you're in the top 75. My personal opinion, if they had a top 10, you're in the top 10 as well. You mean that much to the game of basketball. Has that ever really set in that like, you can't tell the story of basketball without Rick Barry? Well, you know, I don't think about it that way. I mean, I was just lucky enough to have a father who was a semi-pro player and coach who taught me the game, the way the game is meant to be played. I had a great fundamental understanding of the game. And

I think that's a critical thing in all you do in life. When I talk to young kids or to companies and people, I say, you have to have, you can't build a tall skyscraper, you know, and that's redundant because the skyscraper is tall, obviously. You can't build a skyscraper on a small foundation because it'll topple over. So the bigger the foundation, the taller the building. Same thing. If you're playing any sport, if you're doing anything in music or whatever it may be, you have to learn the fundamental principles and concepts of whatever that is and give yourself the biggest foundation possible. Then you can build on that. And if you're blessed, especially in athletics with great natural ability, as far as coordination and things of that nature, you'll be able to

maximize your full potential. There's a lot of guys in the NBA today who are there because they're so gifted athletically that they made it to the league. They'll never be as good as they should be because they don't have a real understanding of how to use all that God given talent in the most efficient manner possible. So it's very difficult for me when I watch games, especially when I'm listening to some of the broadcasters and talking about these players. And I say, what game are you watching? Why aren't you talking about this? Why aren't you talking about that? They just are masters of the obvious. They talk about things that anybody in the world could possibly know. They're not really giving you an opportunity to teach you more about the game so you can understand it on a much more enjoyable basis or level. I totally agree. They don't talk about the IQ. And I'm going to say in today's game,

a little bit of the lack thereof,of right they don't talk about the fundamentals it's not iq it's just the knowledge okay you didn't have the high iq it's the matter of studying it and learning and understanding it ball man relationship screening off the boards you know learning how to put yourself in the right position to help your men to become a screener you know the terminology that they use in the game i go crazy and i know i haven't seen jeff van gundy in years he probably hates me because everybody's telling him, oh God, Rick Barry always talks about you when he says about the fact that you're a coach in the NBA

and you're talking about players setting a screen. You don't set a screen in basketball. You don't set anything. Setting a screen, that's just saying that you have to do something. I have to set a screen. No, you don't. What you are is a stationary object.

You have to learn to put yourself in the most advantageous position so that me, your teammate, so that I can use you effectively and turn you into a screener by running my man into you. You don't said anything. And so that's the part that drives me crazy. Years ago, when I was really watching stuff and doing the broadcasting, I charted a Chicago Bulls Atlanta Hawk playoff game.

Fifty nine moving screens took place and the officials didn't call it. from doing the broadcasting. I charted a Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawk playoff game. 59 moving screens took place and the officials didn't call it. 59. Wow. Yeah. I mean, it's unbelievable. And then let's not even get into talking about carrying the ball. They carry the ball walking up the court.

I mean, if I could carry the ball, how are you going to guard me if I can carry the ball and do what they allow these guys to do? And then how about traveling? How about the extra step that they get to take? I mean, it's just, it's so sad to watch the game with the amazing talent of these young players. They have such incredible natural skill and talent. And I just watched them not doing the things the way that they should do it. And it just breaks my heart. And I had heard years ago when I talked to people about it, they say, yeah, well, you don't, we don't have the time to do the coaching because I didn't coach in the NBA level. We don't have the time.

Well, make the time. You need to make the time to teach them. The problem is they're not being taught at the young age. So now you have to spend so much more time to break a bad habit. I tell people one of the easiest things in the world to do is develop a bad habit. One of the most difficult things to do is break that habit. Is to break it. Absolutely.

So anyway, I love the game. I marvel at the incredible talent and skill. I mean, are you seeing where guys are shooting three shots from for three points now? I mean, it's crazy. They're shooting the ball from 28, 30 feet and they're shooting 40%. But the thing is, it's still use it efficiently.

Use it at the right time. The best time to shoot a three-point shot is three on two break if you don't have a layup. You have the best opportunity to get an offensive rebound because you have two guys with their back to the basket backing up, trying to guard three guys running at them. And if one guy pulls up and shoots it, if there's no layup, shoot the ball because you've got three guys moving towards the basket, two guys only there. You've got a better chance of getting an offensive rebound than they do. That's the most advantageous time to ever shoot a three-point shot.

Why you should play up-tempo. Go for the dunk. If you can't get the dunk or layup, shoot the three. But now it's like they are. It's like they're forgetting the mid-range game. That's almost become a dying art form. And then the inefficiency at the free-throw line of players, I really don't understand. And I say this every time I do any kind of a podcast or an interview. When is some general manager or coach of an NBA

team going to demand that their player learns how to shoot underhanded free throws to get himself up to a better percentage? You are an employee getting paid millions of freaking dollars and you're telling and you tell your boss, we're in the real world, can you tell your boss that you're not gonna do something he wants you to do to make his business better? Rick, I've been waiting for all of my life. 46 years, the moment I saw my first Rick Barry film, always been a huge fan.

When did you determine that I do this, and for those that are listening, not watching underhand, I have a higher percentage of making that versus the traditional one. I didn't want to do it. My father was a semi pro player and coach did it that way. Back in those days, they shot two hands, set shots and two hands underhand. And so thank God he was relentless about I only did it to get him off. They was driving me nuts. So I said, okay, let's do this. So I did it the summer before either my junior or senior year in high school. I remember which one it was. I was a 70 something percent shooter. And when I started to do it, I gave it a sincere effort and really worked at it.

And I said, wow, this is really good. I mean, it's, I'm comfortable. I'm relaxed. I mean, everything you do is up here, you're guarding, you're playing your arms up here. I'm relaxed my arms. I'm standing in a natural position. I have two hands to control the fly of the ball. It's been proven by, again, physicists, that the softer shot, there's less moving parts. It's the most efficient way to do it. And so I said, yeah, this is great. And so I shot over 80% and I just getting better. And then I was smart enough. I wish I'd been smart enough when I started in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career. And, you know, that's why I always admire Tiger Woods. He's the best freaking golfer in the pros to change the technique. I changed my technique late in my career. And, you know, that's why I always admire Tiger Woods. He's the best freaking golfer in the world.

He changed his swing twice wide to get better. He thought he could get better. So in my case, I thought I could get better. And so I figured out something to do. I tried it and it worked. My last six years, and I brag about this because it's the only part of the game you can be selfish and help your team. I shot over 92% my last six years. My last two years, I shot over 94% from the free throw line. I only missed in my last two full seasons, I missed 19 total free throws, 19. Andre Drummond, when he was with the Pistons, missed 22 in one game. One game, right? Yeah.

So my basketball claim to fame, Rick, is junior high, back when there was junior high, right? Junior high, game-winning free throws, I shot underhand. And that whole year I shot underhand. You probably took a lot of abuse. You probably took a lot of abuse from that. So the next year I didn't. So when I went to varsity, I didn't. I'll tell you why in a second.

But what you just said, you take a lot of muscle fatigue, of mental angst out when you shoot underhand. Like you have full control through the release, which you don't when you're here, right? And there's more moving parts. Exactly. Exactly. And so my coaches asked me and they were like, why are you doing it like that? I've been watching nothing but Rick Barry videos for the last two years. And if he can do it with all of his success, I'm pretty sure he's doing it for a reason. He wasn't doing it for publicity in the 60s and 70s, right? That's for sure.

Well, and then what my coach said to me, and I changed because he said it this way, and I got so mad at my older self. He said, well, it's a granny shot. You don't want to look like a granny. And I was like, well, Rick Barry's called it underhand shot forever. I didn't know it was a granny shot. Like I didn't know because I watched you and everything

you said was underhand. It was the moment that they said granny. I was like, oh, I guess guys aren't supposed to do this. So I want all the listeners and viewers to know it's the underhand shot. And if it's going to you, you're going to shoot a higher percentage. Like I promised you today. There is no way. If Shaq had taken me up on my offer, Shaq would have won multiple more championships instead of a guy going to the of one of the skills you should have as a basketball player on the professional level to protect that player. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life.

Oh, it's ruining the game. No, what's ruining the game is a player not being able to shoot the ball efficiently from the free throw line. And to put in a rule to protect it, that would be like baseball. Oh no, let's take football since football season's on. Baseball's over now with the Dodgers winning.

So let's take football. So you would say that, okay, you're playing against, let's say, okay, let's say I don't know, where do you live? South Carolina. Oh, South Carolina. Okay, so let's take one of the football teams down there and anybody, whoever your quarterback is, and they're playing against X team. And this team, okay, well, this defensive back

is not really good on a deep route. Well, you can only throw two deep routes to him. You can't only, you can only attack him twice because he's bad at that. I mean, that's stupid. I mean, or the same thing. Okay. So you got a great guy doing stuff. You can't run to the left side because I mean, you're putting in a rule saying that you should be able to do whatever you want to do in the game, because what do you do? You've exploited the weakness of your opponent. So if you're, you've got a guy that's not good on deep routes, you're going to run deep routes at him all day long. I mean, but no, they're putting in a rule that doing in the last two minutes, you can't foul off the basketball.

Yeah. Okay. Intentionally. That's what happened. We lost the game that way against Phoenix. We would have gone to the finals two years in a row if they had given that. We lost to Phoenix in game seven. We should have won a game that they fouled off the ball when I had it. And my teammate, unfortunately, missed the free throws and we lost the game in Phoenix, which we wouldn't have lost. It makes no sense to put a rule like that in. So I'm ashamed of the NBA for having done that. That's ridiculous. You should never put a rule in to protect the deficiency of a skill of the players in the game. Never. Totally agree. Totally agree. You know, aside from you can't tell the story of basketball without Rick Barry, I also tell people the Barry

family to basketball is what the manning family is a football and i wholeheartedly believe that you have well yeah i mean my other boys didn't reach the same level as a couple of his sons and everything but the thing is his sons got better than he was and uh but they don't have the numbers okay i have five boys and all five got division one college scholarships and all five was like professionally i mean the odds on that are so astronomical it's ridiculous i was hoping one of them would be good enough to play basketball and I have five of them to get division one college scholarships and all five play professionally. And, you know, my one son just now, Ken, who made the Olympics in 3x3 should have been in the NBA,

but that's a whole nother story. And people say, well, yeah, it's just done. You know, no, trust me. My son couldn't play. Trust me. I'm not. I say my son can't play, but my son definitely should have been playing. I can throw out numbers and stuff now to show you why when he played for one of the teams. He was playing the team. The guy on the pro team for the NBA, he was shooting 26% from threes, 36% from twos, and 65% from the free throw line. My son was playing on the G League team. He was averaging 13 points a game on only seven shots coming off

the bench, you know, playing part-time, shooting 48 from twos, 40 from threes, and 85 from the free throw line, and he couldn't get a 10-day contract. The other guy was making $7 million. So you tell me, you know, what's going on, and I'm telling you, the problem with the NBA is that the general managers, if they make their decisions, they don't want to admit they made a mistake. Right. And that's a problem. That's a problem. You know, and I was going to talk about Canyon because where I was going to say, Rick, was, you know, you have a lot of accolades. Canyon has the Olympics, right? Yeah. That's my biggest, that's my biggest disappointment. I didn't, I tried out for the Olympics in 64. It was a political thing. They had a quota system that they had to pick from all these teams. They lied to it. I didn't even get, I was one of the top scorers in the country.

Didn't even get invited, didn't even get invited to the trials. The only reason I got to go is Gary Bradds, who was at Ohio State, backed out at the last minute and they tracked me down. And so I went up there. I wasn't even one of the initial invitees. And then they said, okay, you're going to be judged on what you do during the trials and the games that you're going to be playing. So I did what I had to do. I come off the bench. I did, I thought I played really well. I, you're going to be judged on what you do during the trials and the games that you're going to be playing. So I did what I had to do. I come off the bench. I did. I thought I played really well. I, you know, I had to guard one of the best defensive guys on one of the AAU teams. And I thought I did a good job on him. And, you know, I scored points. I shot the ball. Well, uh, Willie, Willie Morrell from, uh, from K state played really well as also, uh, Wally Jones played

really well. John Thompson never even got a chance to play. He was so mad. I got a story there that I won't even tell. And so, yeah, so I walk off the court in St. John's when the crowd was yelling for me to get me back in the game when I had played well. I started the game, went to the bench and, you know, just basically sat on the bench and hardly played again. And Joe Lapchick, the former NBA player and coach at St. John's, very famous gentleman, comes up to me and says, and he's on the committee, right? He says, young man, you're not going to make the Olympic team, but you're going to be a great pro basketball player. I'm going, whoa, wow. Okay. And I'm saying to myself, wait a second, I thought I played pretty good. And I thought they were supposed to evaluate this. Obviously he already knew who was on the team. And I'll be perfectly honest with it. And the trials and do stuff, Bill Bradley did not play well. Okay. And he was a

great college player that he deserved to be on the Olympic team. Then with averages, absolutely. He did, you know, so he had a bad trial. In fact, the United States is the only team in the only country in the world that they don't take their best players. You have to try out and you have to have a bad time trying out. A lot of times you don't make it in track and field. Do you have a bad day?

You might not make the track and field team. You might have the world record and you won't be on the team. There's no other country in the world that would not take the world record holder in their country and force him to go to a tryout and not put him on the team. So it doesn't make any sense. So it's stuff like that that's really kind of interesting. So I was so happy for Canyon after he had the sad experience of not getting a chance in the NBA to really play, which I thought he was capable of certainly doing, and to get to be an Olympian. And then, sadly, Jimmer for that, you know, they were the top scorers on the team. They were the two best back then. You only get two and three on three, not three. It's a three-point shot, though. And from distance-wise, and my son was

number one and Jimmer was number two the whole year in the world tour. And so, you know, you lose Jimmer, and they still lost three games by only two points. My son had two unbelievable games that they won. They almost had a chance to get to the medal round. Two free throws were missed, not by him, but two free throws were missed that would have put him in the medal round playing with only three guys. So I was so happy for him to see the joy in his face and the experience that he had. And, you know, I told him in life, everything happens for a reason. It wasn't meant for you to be in the NBA, but you've dealt with it so well.

And he made a commitment to spend all those years. He's on seven USA 3X3 national teams, participated in five international events. And was it five? No, six. Participated in six international events. No, he didn't participate because he didn't get to play in the Olympic qualifying. They went to their tournament. He got hurt two days before they didn't qualify in the first Olympics in Tokyo.

Well, I said to him, I said, son, listen, everything happens. I said, it's maybe better. I said, had you made it, that would not have been an Olympic experience with COVID. That would have been a totally different thing. And so he didn't get to make that, but he was chosen to be on the team that went to qualify for it. So, but then he played and he was the only gold medal the the USA and never won years ago was the world cup and three X three. And he played on that team with Robbie Hummel, a bunch of other good guys that are doing it and Kareem Maddox.

And they, they went undefeated and they won the gold medal. And then he played in two America cups and won gold medal. He played in the, uh, and was MVP of one of those tournaments. And then he also got a gold medal in the Pan Am Games as well. And then he got to the Olympics. So the Olympics is the only one he didn't medal in, only because Jimmer got hurt and they came so close as it was. But he set a record for the most points by one player in any one game and two games in any one day,

because they played two games a lot of times in those events. And he had, you know, I'm not sure if they got it totally right. One place said 16, one said 15 in one game against France. And that's only 21 points. To score 15 or 16 of the 21 points, and he scored the last seven to help win. And that was the first win they had because they were so disappointed and stuff. And then he had the winning basket and 14 points against China the game after that. And so those are both records that we'll see how long they stand because they've only been in the Olympics now three, actually two years.

I mean, two Olympics. Two terms, yeah. But it may last a while because in all the games I've watched, you know, for them playing all over the world, I've never seen another player, you know, score that many points in one game. Totally agree. And one of the things that I appreciate about you and your sons, aside from the fact that I'm a Tar Heel and John and Drew had some time at Georgia Tech, right? But I'm a Tar Heel. Yeah, but John, but let me tell you, Brent wanted badly to go to Duke. Oh, he would have been such a great player for Mike. I mean, because the way he plays the game and knows how to play the game. And same thing with Canyon. If Canyon, if Bobby Cremins hadn't gotten ill and had to pull out of coaching at College of Charleston

after he left Georgia Tech, where my son Drew, John and Drew played for him. Canyonwood had an amazing college career because Bobby would have played him 38 minutes a game. He went there because of Bobby and then Bobby left. And then, you know, then he had a lot of other crazy experiences that it's not worth talking about. So anyway, let's talk about some more pleasant things. My son was great. So I'm happy for him. He's now done with basketball. I'm more disappointed. He's off doing stuff and doing freaking hang gliding and all kinds of other crazy stuff that scares me to death. And so I'm praying that everything goes well with him for that. He's got a job with L3 Harris, who was so good about allowing him the freedom to go

on that tour to qualify for the Olympics. So grateful for that. He's got a new special lady in his life, Frances. I hope that all works out for him. So I'm happy for him, but I'm so disappointed because I got such joy out of watching my boys play. And especially with Canyon, with streaming. I mean, I'm watching him play in Mongolia.

I'm watching him play in Abu Dhabi. I'm watching him play all over the world. With Scooter, when Scooter was overseas and Drew played overseas a little bit as well after the NBA, you know, I had to fly overseas to go and see him play. I mean, so this made it a heck of a lot nicer. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

So I want to go to all the great things you have going on now, right? So again, we could go over the accolades. NBA champion, ABA champion, five-time All-Star, or eight-time All-Star, scoring champion. What the heck are you doing with pickleball? Well, you know, when I gave up, when I started, when I retired, the hardest thing was to retire because I could still play. I had an operation and had my knee cleaned out and I hadn't felt so good in 10 years. And the NBA, this is telling you, in 1980 to save money, the NBA cut

their rosters from 12 to 11 to save money. Now they've got 16 players and two two-way guys, like 18 guys. And so timing is everything. And I was going to go with the Celtics. I already had talked to them until then. And then they cut it back to only 11 players. And so I didn't go. I would have played with Bird and McHale. That would have been crazy. And then I went on tour and played with Pete Maravich,

a bunch of guys overseas. I hadn't felt that good in 10 years, honestly. And so, but it wasn't meant to be, obviously. But had it worked out, it would have been really good. It would have been crazy to get the chance to play for that team. And I think we could have won some championships, no doubt about it. Agree, agree.

So now you're dominating pickleball, right? Yeah, I'm pretty good at pickleball. I've won multiple national championships in the U.S. Open and USA Pickleball Nationals. And I decided this year to take on another challenge. And so I hadn't played singles. I was worried how my knee would be with no cartilage to play singles. But I said, you know what? It's not going to be that difficult because I'm playing against so much older guys now.

You know, two, three hits, maybe. It's not going to be like you're out there killing yourself. So I practiced at the end of last year. I got a bunch of really good players and friends of mine in Florida where I spend the winters to work with me. And I went in the U.S. Open and competed there and won the Triple Crown, singles, mixed doubles, and men's doubles. And I got a nice partner, Fred Shuey, in men's doubles. We've won a lot of titles together. And he's 80 years old as well. And then I found Sue Matthews, who we won the U.S. Open. She played really well.

And so I was able to do that. Because when you play doubles, it's all about your partner. Because if your partner's not good, they're going to to run through him they're going to go and exploit your partner so both of them did the job we won convincingly and then i just won the u.s world seniors in utah and you know won the singles again there pretty easily and my partner was alice tim who was a former number 13 in the world during the billy jean king day in tennis and played with alice and won easily and then also freddie and i played and we won the men. So now I'm coming up for the USA Pickleball Nationals in another week and a half or so. And then I've got the US Senior Pickleball

that I'll be playing in in December. So I'm trying to win the Triple Crown and those four things. You always got to have challenges. You know, I had gone to golf for long drive and golf and won four World Long Driving Championships there. And then they eliminated the old farts. So I had to find something else. And my wife suggested Pickleball.

So I'm really immersed in that. You know, got a company called pickle zone. That's going to be pretty interesting to see what happens, just doing a lot of things in that world. And, and it's good, you know, using Selkirk, you know, use the Selkirk paddles, which have been great for me. And they're one of the top paddle manufacturers and just have a lot of fun stuff going on. So, uh, yeah, that's good. Life is, life is great and health, which is good because every time I turned around, I was so sad when I heard about Bill Walton, who was a friend that I used to go on bike rides with Bill. And then Jerry West, who I knew since a rookie year, we're friends. I mean, I knew he had a little health issues and the idea that it was that bad. So, yeah, Chet Walker. I mean,

I just go on and on. All these guys, a lot of them younger than me. Some of them them are older but most of them are younger and they're all passing away so i wish their families all the best and sorry for their loss without question but anything quick you want to get into if they only got a couple of minutes because i have to get on another important phone call that i still work for a living i still do a lot of business stuff mainly because uh you know you just have to do that uh i didn't hear that word million in my contract negotiations let me give you a couple of sites you can put it on your sites and stuff go for me go sleeves.com so you can write these down you can get them to go sleeves.com alomd.com and medicileaf m-e-d-i-c-i-l-e-a-f.com and the SMALLRB. My initial is 24 to get a discount on any of the products

and any of those sites. Two of them are cannabinoid sites. Unbelievable products that I use on a regular basis. Just incredible stuff. And the Go Sleeves are amazing. I mean, for my knee, they're a sleeve with kinesio tape built into them. Everybody that I've gotten into them says,

Rick, these are unbelievable. Check them out. We got a lot of football players using them now. Runners are going nuts over it. If you have, you got to wear some sleeves and you got issues with your calves or other things, check that site out. Use the code for any of the products there. On the AlloMD one, it's Ultra Repair X is the cream that I use all the time, but they

got a lot of great products for women there. So feel free to use any of those, that discount code on any of the products in those three sites. So we'll get a chance. Yeah, we'll make sure i put it everywhere i'll post it on the show that'd be great i'll put it out on social rick i know you're busy yeah well we could talk another time you know give me a call next year when we're doing some stuff because i'm going to some going down i'm doing something i'm doing something down in

australia actually going fishing in the south island new zealand i'm into fly fishing as my two passions pickleball and fly fishing so uh stuff will be going on in the NBA or whatever it is. I know I had to be a little short here. We couldn't get connected in time. So give me a call then and we'll do something. Meanwhile, I got to get on to the other call. I wish everybody blessed holiday seasons. And let's hope that things continue to improve for our country. And we stop with all this divisiveness and whoever is the president, let's all work together to make this a great upcoming four years. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen,

Rick Barry, Rick, I appreciate you. Love you. Thank you for who you are. You mean the world to me, brother. Thank you.

My pleasure. Bye-bye. Thank you for tuning in to Mick Unplugged. Keep pushing your limits, embracing your purpose and chasing greatness. Until next time, stay unstoppable.