The Herd with Colin Cowherd - All Ball - Game 5 Finals Finale; Former NBA Video Coordinator Mo Dakhil on Lakers Bubble Run, 2021 Contenders, Clippers Collapse

Episode Date: October 9, 2020

In this episode, Doug explains why he's confident the LeBron and the Lakers will close out the Heat in Game 5, why their bubble focus has been remarkable, which teams he thinks will contend in 2021, and discusses the Finals and 2021 contenders with analyst and former NBA video coordinator Mo Dakhil. Make sure you download, rate and subscribe here to get the latest All Ball Podcasts! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.

Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. For 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English.

Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it.

Listen to the Clifford show on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Remember all those big dreams used to have? And then life made other plans. With a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, it's time to bring those dreams back. Start your own business or commit to van life with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Now, you could win the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter mode four by four that we have enter the Dan Patrick show Ultimate Camping Rigs sweepstakes. To enter, get official rules. Visit Danpatrick.com or Fox SportsRadio.com. Have to do it by February 2nd for your chance to win. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this

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So we're T-minus hours away from the NBA C. season concluding. I really believe that. And this is not a shot at the Miami Heat. They're a great story. They got some good young players. I think Jimmy Butler has exuded tremendous leadership. But this thing's about to come to an end. Why? LeBron James. And here's my assumption. Do I think LeBron James has been perfect through the NBA playoffs? No. But if you look when he's played his best, it's been close out games. You give him an extra day off. You give him the incentive of going home to his kids. All these guys want to get the hell out of there. And the chance to win he. He's played. his fourth NBA championship. It's a wrap. You know, he's been saving everything up. Look, if he can win that game, can win game five,

I really, you know, I have no idea what he will have left in the tank, but I just don't see it happening. And I'm just, I'm impressed by his ability to pace himself, his ability to get others

to play at this magic level. And we're going to talk with Mo, who was in the video room with both the clippers and the spurs, about, you know, you have two coaches that are video room guys. It started there and worked their way up and now are tremendous, everybody respects, I think, Eric Spolstra. I do think it's really interesting. Frank Vogel has done an amazing job with this team.

But one of the reasons that, you know, one of the reasons that team tanked last year, the Lakers did, was because LeBron lost confidence in them. And I think the opposite is true this year. He exuded, and maybe some of it was false confidence, but he, He seemed to always have confidence in Anthony Davis, and Anthony Davis became his second in command, and they gave confidence to somebody's other guy. Like, KCP, dude's playing hard. I've never been a KCP fan, but I will tell you watch him.

He's playing his balls off in terms of his level of effort. We know Caruso plays hard. Obviously, Rondo's giving them a bunch. And Kuzma doesn't play smart, per se, does some crazy things, but he is playing much harder than his reputation would tell you. And I think that's LeBron's leadership. I think the season comes to an end. This is not a historic run in terms of the teams they've gone through,

but it will be a historic run in terms of they went into the bubble and the clippers got kind of melted down because of it. And they didn't. And they're going to come out champions. So he's going to win four and all of our shows are going to talk about him versus Jordan. I don't think he's Jordan. I think he's magic. He's a better version of magic.

where, you know, this is how magic was late in his career. Obviously, they didn't win in 91 when they lost Jordan, but it was the ability to get others to play at a magical level up until it was the point in which you could take over. Now, do I think there's going to be some sort of, there's going to be any sort of dynasty here? Probably not. I wonder what he looks like next year whenever they get to the playoffs in terms of his level of fatigue. And I also think that the competition is going to be much

different. The Clippers are going to figure it out. They've got too many good players or too many good stars to do it, to not figure it out. I think the Warriors will be back next year. Really do. The Mavericks will probably be like the Rockets used to be where really, really good offensively, just probably not good enough defensively to win it. That's my last thing that I

want to point out before we get to Mo Decc. The non-basket guy, the guy on TV who just is hot taker is going to talk about the greatness of LeBron and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But to all of us basketball guys, and you're listening to this if you love the stories of basketball, the stories of sport, the story of the L.A. Lakers is this. That's the best defensive team in league. They play unbelievably hard. And I remember talking to, I'm not going to tell you who it was, a former NBA player who became a college coach,

and he's like, you know the thing about college basketball. That's not like the NBA is if college basketball, you just get guys to play hard. You can win games just by playing hard. And the NBA, you can't. It's not just if you have stars, they're just better players. Which there's some truth to that. Like they do have the two best players in the series.

But I would say what's carried this team is their level of effort, the percentage of plays in which they play hard defensively. Have they had to get LeBron to play faster? offensively, sure. Have they had to get Anthony Davis to be more assertive offensively, sure. Have they had to put Anthony Davis on Jimmy Butler because his length gives them trouble? Yes. And then, by the way, they haven't changed their coverage in going under screens. It's once Anthony Davis guards you, now he's automatically, their coverage is the same. It's just based upon Anthony Davis's coverage is always going under screens because of his length

that makes sense. So I think what should be remembered about this Laker team, and really about the heat is you can get your team to play hard and that does that does help you have regular and postseason success above the normal level of your athletic gifts which is normally something reserved for college college coaches are famous for getting you to play hard pro coaches are famous for trying to get everybody make everybody happy and let the stars be the stars and they go it's a make or miss lake but the truth is effort is important especially defensive effort and both of these teams play incredibly hard defensively. The Lakers are just better and they have a little bit better skill position players.

Modicchio is a guy who's been in NBA front office. He's actually been the video coordinator for the Clippers, the Spurs, and the Australian men's basketball team. He writes for Bleacher Report, also does podcast for the athletic, and he's the founder of Jumpball.net. It's kind of to spend some time this year as we get ready for what I think is the conclusion of the NBA bubble season. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Doug Goddell.

Leap Show weekdays at 3 p.m. Eastern, noon Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio in the IHeart Radio app. Moe, let's start with LeBron. How do you think he's played? Not just in comparison to any other player, but to a superstar player, your thoughts on LeBron five games in, what are we, five games in? Four games in going into five. I think he's played well. I don't think he's been the most amazing. LeBron we've seen in the finals in general, but I think he's played well.

He was, you know, the best Laker, I think, in game three, and even then they, you know, in their loss, even then he wasn't good. I mean, with all the turnover he had. But overall, I just think, you know, he's been consistent, at least stats-wise. You know, so for me, it's not the best LeBron performance in the playoffs or in the finals yet, but, you know, we also know when it's closing time, he tends to show up a little more ready to go. Yeah, no, no, I kind of think this

I kind of think this sets up really nicely for him. He gets an extra day off. Everybody I've talked to is ready to go home. They're all like, we're done. And he hasn't played, he hasn't done the game seven against the Spurs-Lebron thing yet.

And it really sets up well for him, especially considering the matchups, like, outside, you know, Igo Dala is on his last legs. Jimmy Butler can guard him some. but they're starting to get to where they're not daring him to shoot, but they are giving him some of those shots off ball screens

playing underneath some of them. So I feel like he's going to have a huge game five. They're going to win. And people who love LeBron and be like, see, he was dominant. And because most of America didn't watch, like, yeah, okay, LeBron's the best. Where it was a little hitter, he looks a little different than in previous NBA final series.

And they're not playing against the best of the best with the heat. Yeah, and I think also this kind of goes to how it's been throughout this round of the playoffs. You know, his best games, I think, in each series was the closing, you know, elimination game knocking the other team out. You know, he dropped 38 against Portland. He had 29 and a triple double against Houston. He had 36 and another triple double against Denver. Like, you know, I think when he sees the closing time, I think that's what. it goes. And I think you're right, it just kind of sets up perfectly.

You know, AD was great the first two games and, you know, he had the terrible game three and I think that's going to kind of hinder, you know, we're all talking, this is going to be finals MVP conversation. I think that's going to kind of hurt him, especially if LeBron has a monster game to close out this series and win his fourth title.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast, Superhuman, documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds.

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. Yep, that's me. Cliver Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skit.

the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music. The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast.

It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to The Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye They said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill?

Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, this is the second episode where we've discussed, correct.

So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapy. Careers, Kear Games. And in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

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Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Is it fair to say that in terms of basketball athletic talent, Anthony Davis is the more prominent Laker and the better Laker? Yeah, I just look at the time where we're at. You know, LeBron's slowing down as much as people don't want to admit it. You know, he's in year 17. It's not a shot. He's still really good in his 17th season. But, you know, AD's entering into that.

that prime age, you know, where we're going to start to expect to see him kind of hit another stride and take it to another level. And I think just athletically where his body's at and things like that, it's just its nature at this point, you know, and normal. So I think that's kind of where we're at. LeBron probably has the better IQ, but, you know, he's hitting that age where, and I'm hitting it now, too, I'm feeling it myself where my mind thinks I can do something. My body's like, no, no, you can't do that.

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Ah, but looks like mom doesn't realize her coffee cup is still on the roof of the car, and there it goes! Oh, that's a shame. That mug was a fam favorite. Don't sweat the small stuff. Just nail the big stuff. Like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size. Learn more at nhtsa.gov slash the right seat.

Visit nhtsa.gov slash the right seat. brought to you by Nita and the Ad Council. Okay, so help me out. I mean, I've heard people say, like, well, this is the beginning of what could be a dynasty. Like, I'm not sure I see it that way. Now, the Lakers can make some adjustments. Maybe they move Kuzma.

I don't know what their feelings are truthfully on that. But let's be honest, this is the year in which the clippers were a bit of a mess down the stretch, but they're clearly going to be a challenger. the Golden State Warriors essentially took the year off they're going to be a challenger I think the Nuggets this was a year earlier than

maybe they even thought they could challenge Donna Mitchell is going to be a problem for years to come we'll see how that relationship with Gobert kind of works out I'm not a big I'm not big on the Rockets I don't think they'll be a challenger in the future

but they're always kind of around and as of now they do have two star players and of course you got Portland and then you know when I've talked about Brooklyn's going to be legit next year. The Celtics should be better. The Bucks should be back as well. This is a great opportunity for him to win his fourth ring, but I think on paper it looks like it'll be prohibitively more difficult next year. Yeah, I think the talk of dynasty is a bit much. You know, I think everybody's

kind of looking past really what the NBA is going to be stacked next year, and that's going to be in both conferences. We didn't even mention Dallas in the West. They're probably not going to be a contender, but New Orleans is going to be better next year. There's a whole slew of teams in the West alone where you're just kind of looking at it going, you know, there's going to be 12 teams fighting for eight spots. And that's the scenario. Even in the east, the teams you mentioned, you know, I don't think Toronto's going anywhere anytime soon. I think, you know, Washington could be interesting, depending with John Wall, you know, how he comes back from the injury and, you know,

basically a year and a half it feels like, you know, of not playing. But it's just too much to say the Lakers are going to be there next year. I mean, if I had to bet, I'd probably bet the field just on the pure fact of, I think the field's going to be better. And maybe the Lakers make a monster move, but I don't even know, you know, even if they move Kuzma, I don't know if that's going to bring back a, third star that the Lakers think they're going to get. I mean, it's a contract thing where he doesn't even make that

much, so you have to attach a bunch of other contracts and so on. So I just don't think this is a situation where we can start talking dynasty. You know, they got to do it again next year for us to start saying, all right, this is a dynasty. You know, we're so fascinated

by the idea of it. I think next year is just going to be really interesting in the sense of we're going to have even more parity across the league. And it'll much more interesting. Yeah, I agree. I think you're going to see a league where you have two stars on so many different teams that it's going to be.

And look, some of these guys won't have played in like a year and a half. So I don't know if that will lead to more injuries or less injuries, higher quality of play, lower quality of play. The whole thing is fascinating. Why don't, why? Look, here's what I heard about the Clippers. I know you were part of that organization previously. I just heard like the bubble

they were not a bubble team and the Lakers what made later be reported was they were in bad shape in terms of how they were doing with the bubble and two things actually two or three things helped them right the one they got Houston

and I think there's a general I don't know maybe dislike or competitiveness with Russell Westbrook that that drove them to one and they lost that first game that helped them right but but also like I don't I think Russell Westbrook talked a bunch of shit and I thought that kind of woke them up a little bit I also if you remember that they are two games they had two

games that were postponed because of the because of the the protest with what happened in Wisconsin and that helped they were exhausted mentally and physically and then all that and then their families arrived and that kind of regenerated them and then the clippers lost and they were like well fuck it let's just win you know at the time I think they had like nine more games, let's win nine more games or eight more games, and we get to go home and win a championship. Like, this is a wrap. So I do think that some things help the Lakers.

Why do you think the Clippers fell apart? I think part of chemistry and continuity, you know, it's the one thing we can never really quantify. But, you know, they hadn't played really together all that much. I mean, the only time they were fully healthy was the start of that Denver series. know, where they got everybody back, and even then conditioning-wise and things like that. But the bubble itself kind of highlights your team chemistry, because those are the guys you're only seeing every day. You know, it's a super extended road trip. You know, I've talked about it many times.

Like, when I went on the road with the team, you know, for the Grammy trip in L.A., which was a two-week road trip, you know, by day seven or eight, we all hated each other. And it was just because we were always with each other. And, you know, you extend that out to two or three months. And if you don't have really the just the foundation of chemistry or camaraderie, you know, it gets highlighted. And I think that's kind of what brought the clippers down more than anything. And it just sort of the bubble shows their works more than highlighted their skill. And I think that ultimately is kind of what I would think brought them down more than anything else.

what what it's interesting we're watching two coaches who both began their NBA careers as video guys what was that experience like for you I mean it was amazing I mean here's the thing about the video room it's the mail room you know of the NBA this is how you really kind of get into coaching if you're not a former player or have have the required connections and things like that It's the area where I learned the most and was able to study the game. You end up just watching four or five games a day, you know, breaking them down, going through plays, you're working closely with coaches, you're talking with players, you kind of start to learn things.

And from that, everything, you know, the game flowed down. I was able to see things a lot easier and a lot cleaner that I probably, you know, wouldn't have if I never had that job. I would have been more just as a fan wouldn't have been able to keep up with the speed. And you just learned so much, Doug. It's honestly like you go in there and it's the graduate level program. You study everything. You see it all.

Now, the other thing, too, is not a glamorous job. Right. Long hours. You know, there were nights I slept in the office. I used to have a desk drawer that just had a pillow and a blanket for nights that I knew I was going to be there all night and I was going to sneak in a nap. There were times where I got off the team playing at one or two in the morning and just, just drove to the facility to start working on something and just say, I'll just stay here tonight. You know, it's a very tough job and can really be taxing on you health-wise almost.

But ultimately, you learn so much and you develop kind of your philosophy and things you like. You pull plays. Like, you know, at one point, I had like my own personal playbook of plays I liked that I wanted to keep. So it's all those things. So it's fun watching, you know, Eric Spolster and Frank Vogel kind of ascend to the level. I've been quietly to myself doving this, the video coordinator bowl. You know, and watching these two guys kind of rise up from that to get to this level. It's a lot of fun because you just know the work that they had to put in earlier.

And they had it at a harder time, Doug, when, you know, I didn't have the, or they didn't have the ability to record games and go back and break them down. had to do things live, they had to do it off tape. I remember a story, Coach Boodenholz, who told me once of, you know, when he was working in the video room at San Antonio, he used to have to call in the satellite coordinates to get the game, you know, recorded. Sure, the old big satellite, sure. Yeah, and that was, and he goes, like, and it was 50-50. He's like, sometimes I'd get the game, sometimes I'd have some random stuff recording,

and, you know, it was all difficult in that sense. So, you know, it's the job, even though it's gotten a little bit easier, it's also gotten tougher because with new technology, everybody expects more. And I think ultimately, though, it's just fun to watch these guys who've grinded, because I know the grind, regardless, however easy you think the job is, it's a grind. And people think it's glamorous. Look, I would fly into cities and never leave the hotel. I'd be there for, you know, we fly in, and I'd just be there breaking down games,

and then go to the arena and then on the next flight to the, the next city. So it's not, it's just a very difficult job. Yeah, I, um, I covered Jeff Bezdelock a bunch when he was in college. I remember he was at, Air Force when he was at Colorado. We were sitting around and he was, he was

on Pat Riley staff in Miami. And I go, I asked him kind of the same question like, what was it like? He's like, you want it what it was like? He's like, we were really, really good. Really good. You know, we had Hardaway and we had Zoh, and we had his great team and Riley's the best.

And I think Jeff Van Gundy's like, I was with Jeff Van Gundy and we're in, in the back of a plane. And I looked up and I said, what city are we going to? And he goes, I think Philadelphia. He goes, well, what city were we in? He's like, ah, we were in Charlie. He's like, did we win? I think we won. All right, let's get back to work.

Like literally it was, that's how much shit they were watching. watching and it's it's interesting because you know um uh it's it's a fascinating profession that i don't think enough people we haven't done it and in the media and i'm i don't i'm not one of these media guys that says the media like i'm part of the media i've been doing this shit for 20 years right or close to so i'm part of the problem we do a terrible job of explaining what you're talking about which is like look there's basically two paths there okay If you're a former player, if you're a former decent player, right, you try and pop up on somebody's staff or become a workout guy or do the scouting thing. But it's really hard for those guys because you've been making so much money.

And this is not really, and it's a, like you said, a grinder job. And no matter how hard athletes think, we all think when we're athletes, we work our ass off. And you do, but you can only be in the gym a couple hours the day. You can work on your, like, there's a lot of downtime. It's not that way when you're the video guy, when you're, the cream and sugar guy, right? When you're a scout, you're flying on, you're not doing real American Airlines,

you're doing all the can... Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games

and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days I'd put on 10 pounds, I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what you're saying.

Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health, purpose, and even music.

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast. It's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes,

follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jek.

And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now.

Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games.

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Connections in the cigarette lighters to whatever college town to watch kids play or whatever, and you're watching guys that you don't really respect and you're trying to evaluate what they'll look like in two or three years. Anyway, so there's the, there's the route of video guy, which means make nothing, work ridiculous hours, hope to latch on to the organization or coach that rises up, star player that skips all those steps and gets a job, or somewhere in the middle, but then you've already spent a good portion of your life away from your family anyway.

If you have a family, you don't want to do that shit. And so there's like three different paths. Why did you get off that path? I think ultimately I kind of got burnt out, Doug, to be honest, like I was doing the video job for San Antonio and eventually the Clippers while working for Team Australia. Like I didn't even have a chance to recharge my batteries for three straight years. You know, it was, as soon as the season ended in San Antonio, I flew to Australia and was part

of the national team there working throughout the entire offseason on that stuff. Then as soon as that ended, flew back, and next thing you know, I'm back in training camp all over again. And, you know, a funny side note of it is I was at the 2012 Olympics and in our preparation, we went to China for a tournament, flew back to Australia, then went to Europe and London. I come back next thing you know I'm on a flight from L.A. with the Clippers to go to China to play in the overseas exhibition games. And I was just like, I was just here. I was like, I was like, this is ridiculous. I kind of didn't even want to go. I almost turned to Coach Del Negro going like, Can we send the interns?

I just need a break. You know, so over time, I think it just wore me down, and it was a bit of a burnout. And here's the other thing, too. And, you know, the job is a means to an end. I didn't get into the NBA thinking, I'm going to be a video coordinator for life. You know, I wanted to coach. I wanted to progress and move up.

And I just saw when Doc came in, you know, he brought a whole staff with him, which he shouldn't. All the coaches just. bring everybody you're comfortable with, but I just saw how much I dropped down in the ladder, and I had to start that climb all over again. I just wasn't interested, and even after Doc let me go, you know, I had opportunities to go to other places, and I just showed this. I don't want to start over again.

I don't want to be the 45-year-old video coordinator and the NBA, you know, and still grinding. So, you know, I decided to kind of just jump off that and almost kind of readjust to normal life. and figure just to establish a normal sleep pattern. It took me three months, you know, and to be able to get six, seven hours in a row of sleep was a new experience for me. So for me, it just kind of warmed me down eventually. And, you know, I felt like I wasn't progressing enough

and I had to get off the road there. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800 Flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in.

If I could be you. And you could be me for just one hour. If you could find a way to get inside. Each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes Walk a mile in my shoes We've all felt left out And for some

That feeling lasts more than a moment We can change that Learn how at belonging begins with us.org Brought to you by the ad council Walk a mile in my shoes What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest?

Our imagination, our sense of wonder And our family bonds grow too because when we disconnect from this and connect with this, we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. You miss it? You know, I do a little bit, and I miss, the thing I miss the most is the locker room

and the guys you got to the conversations I got to have with guys, you know, I was really lucky. I got to be around Tim Duncan, Monaghano, with Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and all the guys I got to be around. It's always kind of fun. I got to have conversations with Grant Hill. You know, I still talk with Small Crawford from time to time. Like, you know, I miss that.

Missing the one in the morning breaking down film? Not one bit, man. Yeah. No, no. You know, it's the, that's what you miss as a player, too, is you don't, you don't miss, you don't miss, you don't miss practice. You miss kind of the locker room stuff. You miss the bus rides and the funny conversations and seeing weird, seeing crazy things, you know, like, I told the story on, on my radio show where, so my first year, I had this crazy first year where Herber Doi was my agent and they had changed some of the rules. So I was supposed to play as in Israeli, but they had the Bozeman A and Bozeman B.

and so interperformance just they started their own team and we were living in Verraise, Italy, and we're going to play out of St. Petersburg, but I didn't get my passport because I had to live in Israel to get an Israeli passport. So, and they already had Mr. Jennings, Keith Mr. Jennings is the American point guard.

So I ended up like training with them for like two months, then go into the Lakers minicamp, then go into the CBA. I beat out like 13 dudes to, make the Idaho stampede, but then Rainey Livingston got cut from the Bulls, like two days before the season started. So the day before we're about to, two days before the season's about to start, we're going to play an exhibition game against college of southern Idaho. And I thought

it was like fighting for a starting spot in the CBA team. And they don't play me. And I was like, what the fuck? And turns out I got cut because Rainey Livingston was coming down. Makes sense. He's, you know. So then I go and I'm like doing radio in Oklahoma City. I, I play in the IBA with the Salina Rattlers for six games and go and play for a team in Russia I've been there a couple weeks we played a game in St. Petersburg we go to Moscow

and like literally I had been people had been taking me places and pointing out stuff to it and ordering me food because I couldn't speak the language I just would say eta eta eta which is that right so we go to Moscow and our best player is a guy named Sergei Chakalkin Chica was what they called him

And we had a lot of Russians and other guys that had played outside of Russia so they spoke English. But most of them didn't talk to me. And there was no other American on the team at the time. And so we land in Moscow and like it's the grayest, ugliest. It's not, it wasn't like their best Chermeteva, their best airports. It's one of the, and we go to the hotel. And I'm literally like about to go to my room. And the guy Chica tasked me on the shoulder and he goes, McDonald's?

And I was like, hell yeah, McDonald's. And he's like, we go. And so I was like, I threw my bags down. I grabbed my roubles. You know, I threw on a big parka and a beanie cap. And we went and we, I followed him on the subway. And we get off and we're at that big McDonald's in like downtown Moscow. And there's like no lines there.

And he's like, go like, you just like got to fight for yourself. You order. And I mean, I hadn't eaten McDonald's in years. And it, I mean, it tasted like a filet mignon to me. And he goes, good, right? I was like, yeah, it's good. Like, America? I was like, yeah, sort of, you know?

Right? But it was like a life's, those are the things that you miss. Right. You don't miss the, hey man, let's go do three-man weave. Like, man, if I do three-man weave one more time, I'll punch somebody right in the face. Right. Right. Like, it's that stuff.

It's the stuff that you can't really. Those are the memories we take with us, right? You know, some of the games we remember and things like that. But that's ultimately the, the fun stuff. And that's really kind of what makes it, you know, makes you able to stay doing it. You know, I was able to grind because I was able to enjoy myself with those guys. And, you know, it's tough when you're in a situation when it's a group of guys you don't really like.

I love Chris Paul. You saw Chris Paul at just about peak Chris Paul. What was that like? I mean, it was amazing, you know, watching him kind of come in. And people got to remember what the Clippers were before he got there. You know, we were an up-and-coming team. We had the possibility of being the eight-seed, like this is, we're coming out of the lockout. I remember Blake coming into the video room talking to me and one of our interns,

and we were sort of having a conversation, and Blake's lining up going, like, I like our schedule. If things break right, you know, we might be able to sneak into the playoffs. flash forward a few weeks later we trade for Chris Paul and now we're talking about a championship you know and he kind of raised that level and he comes in and I talk with him what do you need video wise and stuff and he he wants you know we have an iPad set up for him with games and things like that he's watching everything we're we're kind of constantly talking and then you know the most amazing thing going back to just some of the fun stuff like there were times where I had to sub in for the three on three for guys kind of coming back

from injuries and stuff like that. And we'll be honest, I don't belong anywhere near that court. But, you know, I'm on the court with Chris and Grant, and, you know, I think Rony Turrey off, Ryan Hollins, and our strength guy, Rich Williams. And I'll never forget it because Chris threw a path that was so amazing that everybody stopped. They somehow landed perfectly into Grant Hill's hands,

but it felt like it went through, you know, Roney Turi. off and just landed right in his hands. And everybody stopped, including Grant, and just kind of looked at Chris. Like, how the hell did you get that there? You know, and it was just kind of that sort of stuff, that billions from him in that sense. Watching that stuff was amazing. And then our first couple of games, you know, we had him and Chansy Billups, and we were in the video, I'm going, like, that's what it looks like when you have a closer.

I mean, that's just, you know, he raised our level and, you know, raised our IQ and everything about it. And that's kind of the stuff that Chris brought with them. That said, I think of the Knicks trade for him, it would be a disaster. Like, yeah, could they, would,

would they be better immediately? Yeah. But we're like, I feel like we're like a year and a half away. And I also think that you run the risk of like one guy trying to change the culture into just being competitive. Like the East is actually going to be really

really, really good. Like, I just, I'm not sure, I think most fans are going to be slow to come around to it, but like, Brooklyn's got Kyrie, they had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Right. The Boston Celtics were like a year away.

I don't know if Kemba will ever be, he might be a little bit over the hill, but I mean, Jason Tatum is pretty close, right? Milwaukee is really good. I think Philadelphia is going to be better with Doc. I don't know your feelings there.

And Toronto's pretty much established as of kind of what they are. And I would think Siakum will come back better because of this experience. Like the Knicks, even if they can acquire, like they're going to, I mean, you know what Oklahoma City is going to do. You're going to get, they're going to get way more than they should for a guy who they need to move on from to save some money. And I feel like the Knicks are going to get a guy who for a year is going to make them better. But it's going to frustrate the shit out of Chris Paul. and it's not, it's like, okay, fine, it makes him a playoff team, which is going to frustrate him because he really wants to compete for a championship.

I just think it's a terrible landing spot for him. Everything you said from the Nixon vantage point is right on, you know, and this should be a year that they actually try to tank and continue to build with their young guys. They're always constantly trying to pull off the trade to jump into being a contender. and skip steps. They have not been successful with that in like 20 years.

So, you know, it's time for them to start thinking, like, let's build first. Let's build group core young talents and things like that. That's why I wasn't a big fan of the Thidivode hiring because I know with Tiz he wants to win right away. So they're going to try to make big splashy moves and things like that instead of trying to build a program. But ultimately for Chris, too, you know, part of the magic that he was able to kind of create in Oklahoma City was because he didn't have to do everything for the first three quarters. You know, he had Gallinari, he had Shea Gilgis Alexander, he had Dennis Ruder, who all those guys could carry the load,

and then he just got to come in at crunch time. You know, and I think for him, this is a tough scenario. You go to the Knicks. It's a situation where you have a coach that we all know is we'll grind you to the death, you know, and run your ragged and things like that. And I think it's just a bad spot. For me, if I'm, if I was somebody in Chris's camp, I would be trying to get him somewhere else a place like Milwaukee or a place like Philly in the sense of at least he doesn't have to do everything for three quarters. You know, he can kind of sort of just manage everything, kind of play the same role he played in Oklahoma City just with higher caliber teammates in a higher ceiling.

And I think that's something that, you know, I hope happens for Chris because I want to see Chris compete for. for a championship. I don't want to see him on a next team and run him into the ground and I don't know if he'll be able to finish the season if he ends up there and they play him 38 minutes a game or things like that. Like I just don't think that's a great spot

for him. You know, it's interesting, the two best places for him, Milwaukee and the Clippers. Right. And I don't know what the Clippers would have to give. You know, they're obviously not sending Paul George back. But, and I just don't know

if you could, that marriage, although there's so many different pieces, could happen again. Last thing, you mentioned you spending your time in San Antonio, and it feels like the magic has gone there. Just, you know, obviously Pops gone through things in his personal life losing his wife, but having to trade away Kauai Leonard obviously completely changed where they stood in the kind of landscape of the league. But what was that like? Why, outside of having great players, why?

Why was that organization able to not just win championships, but, I mean, look around the league and so many guys spent time in San Antonio. You mentioned Bud and so many other guys. What was it that made it so special in San Antonio? You know, the first thing I think was pop down ownership let the guys they hire do their jobs. And Pop as team's president understood the most important thing that I think a lot of front offices and coaches kind of. kind of lose sight of sometimes. It's all about the players. What's good for the players, not what's good for the front office or the coaches.

The players were the ones that were always on their mindset. What's good for them? And I think putting them first and making sure that they were constantly taking care of made a big difference. You know, and they were, you know, the Spurs did something I never, it's silly. This is going to sound dumb, but it's something I never really kind of saw. and maybe other organizations do or have done in the past. But, you know, the spurs, you know, by the time when you make the playoffs, it's funny, all the coaches, I mean, all the players' wives and girlfriends all receive gifts, you know,

almost like it. You know, we understand you're part of this too. And keeping the families included and things like that. Like they just, they get it, Doug. At the end of the day, they understand that it's about the players first. and I think sometimes we have coaches that lose sight of that, and you can see it. And that's why they're able to have the longevity that they had. And then the other thing, too, was they valued their culture.

They created a culture. This is who we are. This is what we want. This is what we look for in players. Yes, you're a very talented player, but you don't really fit our culture, so we're not interested. And they were very selective in that process. And sometimes they passed up on guys that, you know, they, in hindsight, probably regret, but they valued the culture and wouldn't risk that over, you know,

bringing in somebody that could cause a problem in the locker room or be an issue for them. And I think that's something, again, that we're kind of seeing with Miami, you know, in the heat culture, you know, they understand their culture. They actually even went through some tough times, bringing in a couple of guys that didn't fit their culture. And, you know, they made a point to get them out and start to start to kind of get back to who they are. So I think those are the two things that really make the difference in San Antonio is they understand what's the most important thing, and then they value their culture.

And because of that, they had the longevity of it. It's amazing, right? Like, what was it, 21 straight years of making the playoff? You can't beat that, you know, and they understood everybody mattered, and everybody takes part in it. And I think that was ultimately the thing that's kind of set them apart. So, you know, the magic's gone, the magic's gone. But it was a hell of a run. It was a hell of a run.

Mo, great stuff, man. Awesome catching out with you. Love your breakdowns and continued personal success to you. Thanks so much for joining us. Oh, no. Thank you for having me, Doug. Be sure to catch the live edition of the Doug Gottlieb show weekdays at 3 p.m. Easter, noon Pacific. All right, last week we did a lot of college with John Rothstein.

This week we did some pros. I have a special guest upcoming this Sunday, which means it'll drop Monday. You do not want to miss our next all ball. In the meantime, make sure you listen to the Doug Gottlieb show daily, 3 to 60 Eastern, 12 to 3 Pacific on IHeart Radio, or you can download it whenever you download this podcast. And tell a friend about this one, because we continue to grow. We're at nearly a million downloads a month, and we want to grow this thing and continue to get better and better guests and have more and more fun and talk all the ball that we can talk. I'm Doug Galdi, but thanks so much for listening, and thanks so much for Modicil to join us.

This is All Ball. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this valentines with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1-800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18th stem enchanted rose medley for $3999 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite.

Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Street. Reader Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it all. Bet it in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.

Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. It was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what you're saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey, or my career in sports media. Now I'm bringing all of that excitement to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilled conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. This is an IHeart podcast, guaranteed human.