The Herd with Colin Cowherd - All Ball - Longtime NBA PF Amir Johnson on HS to NBA Jump, Brad Stevens Respect, Guarding LeBron and KD; Inside Kawhi's Gm 7 ECSF Buzzer Beater

Episode Date: July 22, 2020

In this episode, Doug talks with 12-year NBA veteran Amir Johnson about being one of the last players to go straight from high school to the pros, if he'd do it again, why he didn't mind going to the D-League early on in his career, why he respects Brad Stevens, his philosophy for guarding LeBron, KD, and Giannis, Joel Embiid's potential, why Ben Simmons is so reluctant to shoot, and his perspective of Kawhi's insta-classic Game 7 buzzer beater in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Sixers. He also discusses playing in The 5 Tournament with all ex-NBA'ers, and how he processed the death of Kobe Bryant. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On The Look Back at It Podcasts. 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor. It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that doesn't. does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. 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. 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 valentines with 1-800flowers.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 18-stem enchanted rose medley for 399-99, or upgrade to 24 reddish. roses for $10 more. Go to 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1,800flowers.com slash tune in. Hey, welcome in.

I'm Doug Gottlieb, and you have downloaded, subscribed, and rated all ball. All basketball all the time. Now, my guest this week is Amir Johnson. Let me pump out another pot or two here as we're getting ready for the quarantine bubble basketball games.

Thursday, we'll see our first kind of scrimmages from the bubble. It should be fascinating. It's a nice little ramp up. And remember, as of now, and this is July 21st, on the 20th, we found out zero positive bubble quarantine test. So the bubble seems to be working, even though dudes had to be told, hey, man, put some, put some shorts on when you can answer the door. And there is the tip line, what is it, the rat line, the think line, the snitch. line. Regardless, it seems to be working out for the NBA thus far. We don't have games yet,

but we're creeping closer and closer to them. A bunch of things I want to get to. Amir Johnson's our guest. Amir is essentially the last of the Mohicans, like the last guy to come straight from high school to the pros. And, you know, it's interesting. You'll be fascinated here about his trials, his tribulations. Like, end of the day, he made it. But would he have been? But would he have been, been more ready, more refined, played more. Would he have made more money? Had he gone to a year, two years, three years of college playing at Louisville, was where he's supposed to go.

Let's welcome in Amir Johnson. He's playing in the five tournament. This event is available on pay-per-view, direct TV, dish, and on-demand off your remote. The event has also been attracting the betting public. We see bet online and others carrying lines on the games. Live games you can bet on. That's right. Sports is back.

And it starts with the five tournament. I want to talk about all that, but first, let's start in high school. You're a high school superstar. And you're in the era where guys were going straight from high school to the pros. You were going to Louisville, signed, sealed, delivered. What was the process like of deciding to be, frankly, the last guy of that generation to be drafted straight in the NBA? Well, yeah, you got my background down.

Well, after being in high school and seeing in 04, you had the White Howard and those guys of 05, by the time we came up, we were like, you know, why not do that too? And I remember at the, I think that was like the game where everybody, who's going to really go to college and they want to try to go to go to the pros. And, you know, guys have to be like, I'm going to college, like, no, I'm going to try to make the pros. And it seemed like that game was like the game where you can showcase and why not, you know. Yeah, I mean, there's, okay, so on your team, on your team was Byron Iton who went to Oklahoma State,

Monta Ellis, who went straight to the league, you, Mario Chomers went to Kansas, one of national championship, went to eventually went to the league, Luke Zeller went to, what, Notre Dame, Micah Downs, but he didn't do much at KU, at KU, Julian Wright, who went to KU then to the league, C.J. Miles, who went, he went straight to the league, didn't he? Oh, do you go to Texas for you? He went Texas for you. Oh, he went straight to league? Okay. No, he was the only guy in my class was CJ.

Andrew Bynum? Andrew Bynum as well. Andrew Bynum, yes, sir. I forgot about it. He went high. It was a high pick. Right. So what was it? Okay, so you decide, I'm going to go to the league. I'm not going to go play for Louisville. Well, back then, you could actually put your name in the draft,

and if you didn't get drafted, you could still go to college. So it was like a win-win, just like, why not? You know what I mean? See if I can make the league, if not, you know, I do my thing in college, then get drafted later. But I was, luckily I was able to get drafted. When you got drafted by the Pistons, was there a thought, man, this was a mistake? A young kid, I always wanted to play in the NBA.

And being from California, I was a Laker fan. And Detroit just had beat my Lakers, but I'm happy to be in the NBA. All right, you show up, okay? You show up in Detroit, second round draft pick. What do you remember about your first training camp? Guys that are super old. I'm playing against grown men, and I think the only thing I had with me, anybody told me, and I had that work ethic,

and that's all I had with me. I didn't know how to drive. I was young. I had to learn how to get my license. I was first out of high school. I had to learn to take care of bills in my own apartment. was a little bit of challenge for me because I was so used to just taking the bus everywhere. Mother, and I had to basically be in this grown man world.

Basically, I feel like my first year was basically my college years of just learning the process. And let alone the learning how to drive and learning how to drive in snow was a difficult part for me. And I just kind of figured everything out on the fly. Who was the coolest to you of the older dudes? Everybody was kind of just took care of me. But I think the most interesting was probably Rashid Wallace. I feel like the way he just was just so intriguing

like it was just different from everybody else like I remember one time he came he's a Kansas City a chief fan he came to practice in a football helmet because he was I think it's team one man it was just he's just the interest in them funny dude but everybody was so down

to earth and cool like I was a young kid and every vet just through the NBA you had you kind of bounced around high schools right and then ended up you know You had to sit your junior year. And so, you know, but you did all the A.U stuff. Then he played for Ed of Zamet at Westchester.

But, you know, anywhere you'd gone, like you were a dude, right? So what's that like, though, to roll out? You're in the NBA, but there were so many games you didn't play early on your career. What do you remember about that part of the experience? I just knew how to work hard. You know what I mean? Even if I didn't get the opportunities I was looking for, I always was the first one to step up and work hard.

do things that other players wasn't willing to do. And I felt like that just kept me in the NBA and kept me such a long career. I didn't mind. I didn't mind going down to the D-League playing for a few years. I didn't mind coming off the bench.

And when I finally got to start, you know, I tried to get that starting position. It was a bunch of stuff I went through. But like I said, all I had, as a young kid, I knew I had to, when I touched the floor, I knew I was going to work harder than anybody else. you'd been in the league and then you get sent,

and you're, like, what you're describing in terms of work ethic and not pouting, like that seems like something mature far beyond your years. So you get sent to the D League. Like, you're a dude who played in the league. And, you know, Matine Clee is a former first round pick. He's in there. Some other dudes are in there as well. What was that experience like?

I feel like if you just love the game of basketball and you just want to go out there and prove that you can play into a high level, I said, why not go to the D-League or G-League and play basketball? Because our team at the time was a championship team and was stacked. And I didn't have an opportunity to play because, you know, they were going for another championship. And I don't go down to the D-League and go out there and actually get some games into my belt. So when I am ready to play at a championship level, you guys would bring me up. And I did just that.

And like I said, I didn't pout about it. You know, I just embraced it. I had to play with some great guys. Like you said, the team cleeds and all those guys. A fellow teammate, Alex A actor at the time, was down there with me, and we just enjoyed the grind. How did you adjust when you're in Sioux Falls the next year? That sounds a dude from L.A. in Sioux Falls,

that sounds like an interesting experience. Yeah, it was, honestly, it was like a foreign country to me. You know, I didn't know where I was. Everything was, I mean, I think we were staying at going just actually. you get traded to the bucks and then eventually you land in Toronto, and that's where your career really, really took off, right? I mean, and if you track it, right? Go ahead.

Once I went to Detroit, I've learned basically how the NBA life works. They taught me everything I leave, so I got to Toronto. I felt like, okay, now I'm on my own. Like, I had some great vets there, but I felt like I've learned so much from the time to basically take your wings and fly. and that's where I probably had my six-year career there. That's why I probably... Yeah, what is it like to go like...

And you know, your guys, you don't make it unless you have supreme self-confidence. But, you know, second round pick. I guess your first big deal was with the Pistons. The biggest one was with the Raptors. Like, what's it like emotionally to go, you know, NBA, D-League, D-League, trade around, to sign one of those big deal. like your $34 million deal. What is that feeling like?

Big time for the young guys. I feel like 90% of the NBA is all mental. I mean, because as young players, we've been doing this all our life, like growing up playing basketball and park and gyms and anywhere possible, we even make our own hoops up in the bedroom. And I feel like it's just so mental

when you play in front of crowds and play with a team and play against these stars, you know what I mean? We definitely know how to play the game. And the mental part is just you got to just maintain. I feel like you just got to think. And knowing that you can play with these.

And once I got my big paycheck, you know, it was just like, wow, this is all I work for in my entire life. And you just want to just thrive off that. You just want to continue working and see if you can just get more and more. and it was just a big accomplishment for me. When you work, all this time, like, take me back to Sioux Falls. You talk about it, was just all about basketball. You got a game that night.

Would you have a full workout earlier in the day, or were you just to show up hours before and get a workout? What was your routine? One of the assistant coaches down there at the time named Ryan Hoover, and come up in the morning with me. Ryan Hoover, just seen him, just seen him, Ryan Hoover, like, Ryan Hoover, a little white dude from Notre Dame? Do you remember Ryan Hoover?

He was my teammate. I was a point guard. He was a two guard. He was a senior. I was a freshman. I started Notre Dame my freshman year. Who's my guy? Right?

And I like that, first of all, that dude can hoop. That dude can, he can really, who can really, really shoot. And if you don't believe me, just ask him, he'll tell you about it. Right? Like, Rockford, Illinois, he could. So, so what, so, okay, so in terms of your routine, because I find this fascinating that dudes don't talk enough about.

What did, when, would you, were you, did you get in the minds, said of, hey, I'm a pro now, I'm just going to do what I do well and focus on that, or were you constantly in-season trying to expand your game? What's your philosophy? First of all, I worked within the office for the team. I know I can get my looks, you know, and it was basically at the elbow, which was the office, and I worked from the elbow at the time, and then I would just work on some skills, just get a bunch of shots. One thing I do wish in my career is, like, I would have shot more threes because the NBA has transitioned to the three-point line, so I wish I would have did that early on.

But now I would work on a bunch of shots, drives, and post-ups. Post-ups are real big. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 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. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 was 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, 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, so. 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. 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. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, We get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch.

Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway.

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up to me. He goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to. wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, Rhett, mama

want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. In an interesting, I bet. In an interesting, like, when you're growing up, you're still in the era where, you know,

when you're bigger than dudes, coaches would yell at you to get down the block and work on your game, now right now it's like i had to i had the game i was when i came in the NBA i was like but 210 215 i had to put on weight to guard guys like shack so that that was like the NBA like you had to guard the post like i had to guard ben wallets and rachit wallace in practice and tony mcdice and kelvin kato and chris weber like i had to guard those guys that were on the block so i had to basically put on this way to guard those guys and now you're guarding guys nowadays like katee and karee and

And all those guys that are versatile like that that likes to shoot the three. So the NBA definitely transitions big time to when I've been in there. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's 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 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99. 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. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. and they see you.

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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. 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 it belonging begins with us.org, brought to you by the ad council. In 2015, you go to the Boston Celtics, signed a deal with the Boston Celtics.

Brad Stevens is your coach. What is that like? Young coach can create a play like we would be in the game and he would see something another team was doing defensively. He'll call a timeout, kind of break down their defense.

And I found that just amazing. Like, I have so many different coaches. Coaches are good at certain things. Like, you have coaches that are just strictly good at defense. You got coaches that are good at just talking to players. And you got coaches that can actually, you know, draw plays in coach. And Brad Stevens was one of those coaches that could actually talk to and draw up a play, just a wizard, you know, with that.

That second year, you guys go to the Eastern Conference Finals. That's the year that Isaiah was unbelievable, right? he's averaging like 29 a game. Like the rest of the team was just built on, like, you guys just defended and then kind of let him go into shocklock and he would just go. What was that season like? He was out of his mind by Isaiah. The team when I got there, they had made the playoffs before I got there. They lost to Cleveland in the first round.

And we were just, they were basically trying to build on that. So they brought me along for Toronto. And we're basically looking to build. We did just that. You know, with the team we had. Isaiah and the coaching the branch. You know, we just, a couple of injuries we had when Isaiah got hurt. That kind of what he came back, and about his sister, when a sister's passing, rest in peace,

China has a team. But what we accomplished there to basically rebuilding himself. What is it like to guard LeBron? You got to be strong. You know, you can't be, you can't be soft guard. Because he comes at you downhill a lot, and he'll, if he finds any weakness, he'll just overpower you. I feel like you just got to make him go one way to the help. You have to have help guard him.

One-on-one is going to be tough, and you have to guard him. Whatever your defensive plan is that night against him, he'll tell you a part. And if you do guard him well, he'll just start passing it and give open guys. So I think you have to be almost perfect with your game plan before the game. And if you mess that up, you know, he'll pick up. your part, especially in the playoffs, because the playoffs is another different level for him. And that's just experience of what I experienced or what I've seen. What's it like to guard Durant?

He is all around because if you pressure him, make him drive, he can get to the basket and down. And if you fade off, back off, he can shoot over you. All I would say is with the hand up, if you're strong, try to use your strength on him. do your best to contain him because he has grown as a player. You know, he has seven foot. I was watching something where, like, play online where, like, players evolve to, like, top of Kevin Garnett, and then, like, the league just transformed to all these stretch fours and whatnot.

And then right now, KD is, like, ranked at the top right now with just him being at the four or five spot, take any big off the dribble or he's definitely in tough guard. All right, Kauai Leonard. Kauai Leonard does it, doesn't, and he can make a jump shot. Post up, he is what his name is, you know, what they call him, like the Terminator Robot or whatever he calls him. He plays a game the right way. And it can take over a game. It's as simple as it is what it is.

He can get to it any shot he wants. You don't have to do too many crossovers. He just a couple dribbles and he'll shoot over you. You know, he has, of course, he has those big hands so he can palm the ball. 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 I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped 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 Jett. 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. 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 finishing that sentence. 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 podcast. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardaway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, 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. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't

realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth, or are you a good person because you're afraid?

Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way.

Open your free, our heart radio app, Search learn the hard way and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clever Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game.

This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, Hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. A rep, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Miss Parker.

Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. All right, what about Yonis? He developed tremendously, man. I remember him as a young rook, and he's one of those guys that has a crazy work ethic. I'm just getting bigger and stronger. He became one of the biggest strongest guys in the NBA, almost unstoppable in transition with this length and his strength. he's developing a great three-point shot man he has that i definitely believe he'll win a championship you of them eventually when you went to philadelphia you're brought in kind of like in boston right

like you're a culture everybody respects you as a culture guy you'll defend you'll do little things you've been a part of championship caliber organizations right so um so you go to philly and they got and they have mbd uh what what's he like because because i've i've seen mb I saw him in college, and I remember I walked into the gym. I was doing a Kansas game, and Bill Self was like, this guy said, he's a Hall of Famer. And I was like, what? He's like, he's a Hall of Famer. And he's an unbelievably skilled guy, but he's also a huge goofball.

What was Embed like? I mean, definitely one of those guys that could be a Hall of Famer. I feel like he is one of the only guys that actually will post up. on the block, like a legitimate big, that will post up on a block and can get you a bucket at any time. Definitely a goofball. He's still a young kid, fun to be around, always cracking jokes. But he has a tremendous work ethic.

He's strong. He's big. And he's one of those transforming bigs. Not only can post up can actually take you out on the wing. And do a couple moves to get to the basket, get through Euro steps, man. He's just, he's unbelievable, man. He's just constantly involving his game every year, just doing different stuff. He's knocked out of three.

I mean, what more can you ask for if he's a big? He gives you all around the game, man. Like you said, when you need a serious bucket, put him on the block, and he'll get you a bucket for game. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1800 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. 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. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinnwity host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. Kids.

Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit Adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, at counsel. Why won't Ben Simmons shoot the ball? Like I said before, you know, 90% of NBA is all mental. You know, it's just confidence, you know, until he feels, he can shoot because he shoots in practice. Don't get me wrong, he can shoot threes until he feels confident enough to shoot the three ball in the game, he'll do it, you know, and he's just, he's just constantly

building that confidence, whether he's been an all-star, what, two years around. he's been player of the month of the year, rookie of the year. You know, it's just confidence just building up, getting better and better. Like I said,

he's a young player. Scott Clement. He'll be going to eventually start shooting. I know he shot a couple threes earlier this year. And he eventually starts shooting. But, you know, right now he's dominated.

He doesn't really need to because he can get to the basket anytime you want. Yeah. No, look, I always thought that he's, like, too smart. Like, he understands that he's not ready yet or whatever,

so he won't on corcum, but on some level, you almost have to, you almost have to shoot him. Like, look, Yonis shoots him, and he's still not there yet, but you have to do it in order to keep the defense honest. It's a it's a, it's a, it's, I, sometimes like you think too much.

And whereas he will. He will because when we used to practice against them, we used to, on purpose, we used to back all the way down to to the middle of the key. So he has to, for you should have to, force you to knock him down. And he used to win games like that when used to play five on five.

So he has the shot. You know, he just has to have the confidence. And we used to just help him out by just backing all the way off of him in practice and just letting them shoot it. So it's just all confidence with him. All right. So you're planning this three-on-three deal in Vegas, right? Yes, sir.

What's it like? It is fun. It's, for me, it's a good way to stay in shape. You know, I've been working out this whole time. throughout the year because I haven't been picked up. And for me, to just kind of play in this, it's a fun or two to play. I haven't played organized basketball since, you know,

that shot, Kauai, we lost in the playoffs. So it's a fun tournament. And it's actually, it gets real serious. You know, I realize it was serious when I seen they have bet online offering wagers and all. And I'm like, okay, people are really betting on us. And it gets serious, or at least I'm taking it serious. And it's just a fun ordeal.

A way for me to just keep staying in shape, keep working. And if you want to check it out, you can check it out on direct TV or on demand. And it's just a fun thing for me to go play and play some organized basketball. Yeah, it's on pay-per-view. It's like $19.99 if you want to watch a single game. $70.99, if you want to watch the entire tournament, all former NBA guys. And like you said, you haven't played since that shot.

Okay, so take me to the, what was discussed in the huddle before the play where Kauai hit that incredible shot? Well, deny the pass in. We're switching, switching everything. We know the shot. clock was low. The time was low. So we weren't going to let no threes go off or no shot go off. So we were doing our best to the four something at the basket with the contest. And as I see that shot over and over again, man, we made the right play. We had the great contest. And it was

crazy because when I was on the bench watching and it was such great deal we had, like I knew the switches and I knew the contest, I turned my back. And I'm like, okay, that shot is off because we were all over that. And all I heard was the crowd cheering, and I turned around, like, what happened? And I seen the replay. I made the shots. I didn't even see the fourth shot go in until I saw the replay. And I'm like, wow, we played great defense on that.

We did what we said we were going to do in the huddle. And he just made a tough, one of the best shots I've seen live. Well, I could say I didn't see it live because I've seen the replay because I'm talking about my You were actually there and you didn't. You didn't see it. What's crazy, there's a bunch of things that are crazy about, right?

Like, one, it's over and beat. Right? And now look, you don't want him to get to, Kauai, to get to his right hand, but I've never seen a shot hit the front rim twice, the back room twice,

and then go in. Like, that's got to be the softest, softest rim I've ever seen. It's almost seven-footed, man. He has so much air on the shot. I don't know. But I think he works on that, man. So that's just one of those great players.

doing the fundamentals he works on. He just made an unbelievable shot, man. I believe, honestly, I believe if we would have won that, if we'd have won that game, we'd have won that serious, and we'd have went off to win a championship. I believe that, truly. But, like, the playoffs is tough. The playoffs is tough.

You know, I've been in a bunch of them, and it's a different level. And you always, I always see in players' eyes, like, what separates the players from, the rest. You can tell, man, like LeBron and D. Wade, unbelievable. Why is the same? And that's the perfect. I have friends that coached in the NBA,

and they always say, like, look, this league, sometimes you just great defense, but just guys just makes a great shot, right? Like, the guys are so good, you can play almost perfect defense, and guys are just, they're so good, they make those shots, whereas at any other level of basketball. Yeah. You know the same. I'm pretty sure you heard, you know, great D, better offense.

Yeah, that's what that's the, that's the, that's the expression. Where were you when, when you heard Kobe died? I was heard it. I was at my house in Vegas, and I, I've seen it on, on social media. And like, you know, social media is always, you know, lying about stuff. So I didn't, I didn't pay no mind. And then I started getting text messages. And so I'm looking like, yeah, I've seen it, but, you know, I didn't believe that's true.

So, like, okay, I went on my day, lay back down. And then I cut on the TV. And I'm like, okay, wait a minute. If this, if there's three times in the day, this can't be real. And then I found out I kept watching TV, and then I just shut it down, and then I just folded. Man, I folded it in the couch. did move.

The day was ruined, and I just kind of just slept it off. And it was heartbreaking. Still is. Still is. I can't believe it. When you think of Kobe, what do you think? One of the greatest players in NBA history. My father, great man, just, you know, he is one of those guys that did everything right.

in the public eye. Yeah, it's really interesting. Go against it again. No, it's really interesting because he's a couple years younger than me. We got to be friends a couple years before he died. But to watch his own kind of personal evolution, I think maybe is the most fascinating part, right? Because when he got to the league, you know, here he is in L.A., and he clearly wanted to be Jordan, right? like he talk like Mike, he walked like Mike, he wanted his patterns game after Mike.

Like he was like, I'm going to be the next Mike. And he had that, but it wasn't. And then he went through like a, then he went through kind of where he was, he's trying to be a little hood, which he's not really. He wasn't really, but he was trying. And then by the end, you're like, holy crap, this guy's brilliant, right? And he became this mentor to so many people. He had, he had, you know, his enterprise as well. But he became kind of just this brilliant dude.

who got, who understood so many things about business, about, you know, the realness of basketball. And there wasn't any of the, the BS. Like, this guy was just a brilliant man who understood how to relate to different levels of people, how to speak to NBA stars. Obviously, he carried with him an incredible amount of respect from NBA stars. But then, you know, he developed his business enterprise. And, like, he just was, it was really interesting to watch a guy kind of change and evolve

and grow up and maybe it's because he's L.A. And maybe it's because he was so good and so popular. Or maybe it's just because of the era where we did have the ability to watch him grow and evolve. But yeah, he became, he went through these different times and tribulations or whatever. Like, you know, he wanted out of the Lakers. He had some, you know, the one off, he had the off-the-court thing in Colorado. Like he went through all these different things, but it was all very, very public. And then kind of came out the other side as a guy where like 60 points in his last game,

Right? Like, who does that? This shit was crazy. 60 in his last game. I think, man, everything that you said just falls upon his work ethic, man. His ability to work is just unmatched, man. He does stuff. I've just never heard, like, players doing just with the game in basketball. And I think it's transferred.

Like, it's worth it. Like, what his wife said, he said he came late. one day to pick up his daughter and the next time he came like three or four hours earlier and he said he'll never pick up his daughter late like it's just mine it's just trained to just be better every day you just something that's to look up to like like as players you say okay what would Kobe do what Kobe would be up late sides or Kobe were going and that was just hit If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be? I always said I would have loved to shoot more threes.

I felt like that is set me back right now from being in the NBA today because at the end of my season with Philly last year, Brett Brown, he said to me, this is my Brett Brown voice. You know what, A, we love what you do. You're bringing energy on the court. You rebound, your hustle. But we want to go with Mike Muscala because he shoots better with the three

and he spaces the floor better. I was like, coach, there's no way. I'm going to look at Mike Muscala outwork me on the floor. No, no disrespect with Mike. You know, Mike is a great player, but I was like, he's not going to how to work me. He was like, you know, he just fits better, you know, with the three-point lines percentage-wise.

And the NBA, again, it transformed into a three-point league and everybody's looking at stats. As a coaching standpoint, if you look at my body at work of career, I was always the hustle guy getting rebounds, scoring points that way. And that's what got me paid, so I was just so used to doing it. I threw out my career, okay, this guy doesn't shoot three, so I wish I would have just been. I didn't get to shoot.

I shot him a little bit in Toronto, but when I got the Boston and that – How do you get yourself going now? Like you said, like this is playing the three-on-three deal in Vegas? the first organized ball you played since last year. How hard is that for it? Because you've always kind of been part of a team. Now you still want to play. You still want to be in the league.

How do you get yourself up and work every day? Well, I still have that mentality. Like I said, I think of the guys before me. I think of Kobe and how I've came up to make it in NBA, and I just keep that same mindset. Like, how did I get here today? What did I do? And like, okay, well, this is what I was.

was doing. I was in the gym early. I was in a gym late. I was working out three, four times the day, and I just kind of stick to it. That's what I know. I know how to work. And I continue that. And especially, it's definitely important to keep up with yourself at this time, with everything going on, just make sure I stay in shape, keep up with my health. And when the call comes, you know, I'm ready. I stay ready. I'm pretty sure. Every vet that, that's a, that's, that It's been through this ordeal that I'm going through that's been out of the league. It's probably been through the same stages of making their way back in, of staying in shape. It's Jamal Croft.

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 IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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 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 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. 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.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Kear Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app.

Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the 4th. And on my podcast, The Cliverts show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff, like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker, this linebacker walks up

To me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, ref, my mama want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker. Listen to the Clippers show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

You just got to stay ready. When they need you, when they need a good vet, they'll call you. Favorite hotel you stayed out on the road in the NBA? Favorite hotel. Let's see. There is a lot. You can't beat Miami. You know, the rich of Miami is nice because you got the weather. You got the pool. You know, that's always a go-to. You know, what I really like? That's kind of like hidden. I like, what do you call the hotel in Chicago? The Pensas. Peninsula. That's it. I have a friend. One of my friends, like, have you ever been the peninsula in Chicago? He's like, no. He's like, it's literally a nicest hotel I've ever been to. I never want to leave. Beautiful hotel. Beautiful hotel. I think Chicago has one of like the best skylines.

And it was a nice hotel. But you can't beat the cities with like this good weather. Like when you make that, that weather, you finally, if you're playing the East Coast and you get a bunch of snow the whole time and you go to East Coast, you get some sun. Here's the sun. I mean, can you believe, though, that like here you are, the Lakers and Clippers are finally good?

And you haven't gotten that call? Like, that's the call you want, right? Purple and gold, that's got to be the call. I mean, I don't get a really. I mean, my whole career, I've always played for an East Coast team. I've never played for any West Coast team, man. It'll just be awesome if I could play one time to my hometown, man. That'll be beautiful.

I know my family will be going crazy. And like, oh, because they're all a Laker fans. They play for the Lakers. Like, yeah. Who's the one dude who didn't make it your most surprise didn't make it. Like my generation Shay Cotton, he's a little younger than you, he's a little older than you. Who's the guy

who your most surprised didn't make it? Whereas you did and some of the other guys. Didn't he have a documentary? Yeah. Just recently I think of us? Yeah, man child. Yeah. Man child. You know, I didn't even know about him until I watched a documentary and that dude was unbelievable, man. No, he was nice. I was watching that very very good. He was

unbelievable. Who's the, who's the Shea Cotton of your age? He's not my age, but when I was in high school, we went to watch some of his games. Was it DiAngelo, Beangelo Collins, I believe. How about this one? He lived at my parents' house. Really? Yeah, he went to my high school.

He got in trouble because he got in a fight, bad fight at my high school. And that's kind of what began kind of the spiral of it. So dominant, man. And I've never watched them like the McDonald's and one of these last their games and killing everybody. And he just couldn't get over the hump. There's another one, too.

Another guy that went to Fairfax, let me think of his game. I think he got hurt. Evan Burns. Evan Burns. He played for my brother in San Diego State. Evan Burns was another one, man. I used to go to their games in Fairfax,

and Westchester was like the rivals, and he was going up against Trevor Reed and all those guys. he was another guy that definitely made it. Well, you did, and hopefully you'll make it back again. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your time and how much I respect your work ethic and all you've done, all you've accomplished

in the sport. Thanks so much for joining me. So much, and again, tune in to the tournament, again, DirecTV, on demand. You can check me out. I'll be playing hard. Thanks, Amir. All right, thank you. And we're live here outside the

Rez family home just waiting for the... And there they go. Almost on time this morning. Mom is coming out the front door strong with a double-armed kid carry. Looks like Dad has the bags. Daughter is bringing up the rear. Oh, but the diaper bag wasn't closed.

Dipers and toys are everywhere. Ooh, but Mom has just nailed the perfect car seat buckle for the toddler. And now the eldest daughter who looks to be about nine or ten has secured herself in the booster seat. Dad zips the bag close. and they're off.

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 NHTSA and the Ad Council. 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 dot org brought to you by the

united states forest service and the ad council look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest. It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure.

And they see you. Their fearless guide is this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. What an interesting guy, right? And a

great perspective and a guy who does have an amazing work ethic. And, you know, as a guy who he bounced around about like four different high schools, when he transferred from Verben Day to play for Ed, his name at Westchester, he missed his whole junior year. But he was widely respected as the best player in the state of California. There's some really good players in his graduating class. And he went straight to the pros and, you know, kind of got buried for a couple of years. And while he's had some success and did have some.

rather sizable contract. He's never been close to the best player on his team, which is part of the discussion with going to college, which is you do have to learn to dominate at your level. Now, I don't know how he would have been used had he gone and played at Louisville. I don't know if he would have put on as much weight and become really kind of a tenacious defensive player and stop. But that's one of the things that happens is if you get to the league

and you can't, you don't stick, right away, you got to figure out, all right, what is the role that I can play in order to stay in the league? Which, God bless him. I mean, look, at some point, you just decide this is who I am, this is who I'm going to be. But for a guy who was one of the top five, top 10 high school players in America to then become a role player throughout his entire NBA life, that kind of speaks to when you skip that, you skip college. You know, you go to college, you dominate for a year, you dominate for two years. now you go to the NBA, you're a little bit older, a little bit more mature,

and by the time things clicked for him in the NBA, they would have been clicking out of college. Would he have been set back a couple years in terms of the big free agency money? Sure, but he never really landed the huge free agency money anyway. So I think college is as close to perfect as you're going to get. I think the G league's flawed because you are playing against older dudes. You are playing against more talented dudes. you're missing playing in college.

You're missing the first time away from home, but you don't really have to worry about money. You don't have to be an adult, as he was talking about, kind of an adult lifestyle. I think all that stuff is important. To live on your own, to go away from home, to learn about being part of a team,

but also to dominate around your age group, which you're not going to do when you get to the NBA, with the exception of, you know, LeBron James, who's a freak of nature, once in a generation player. So I love to having a mirror on. I really appreciate him joining us. And thank you so much for listening.

I'm Doug Gottlieb, and this is All Bowl. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1800 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 example. exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 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 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 it. 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. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 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... I mean, 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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games.

This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen and learn the hard way on the IHard radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHart podcast. Guaranteed human.