The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Draymond Green Show - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Episode Date: July 24, 2024

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joins the Draymond Green Show from Resorts World in Las Vegas to discuss his early years with the Detroit Pistons, turning down a contract to join the Los Angeles Lakers, learning from LeBron James and Rajon Rondo, and rumors from the NBA Bubble about the Los Angeles Clippers. KCP also breaks down his time with Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, his new teammates on the Orlando Magic, and more. 0:00 Start2:00 Early years with Pistons19:00 Joining the Los Angeles Lakers27:00 NBA Bubble stories41:00 Comparing Bron and Jokic53:00 New teammates on Orlando Magic Produced by: Jackson Safon #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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On behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over, age varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire, 168. hours after issuance. See dkng.com slash B-Ball for eligibility and deposit restrictions, terms, and responsible gaming resources. What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Dremont Green Show. We are here at Resort World in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League. I'm honored to have another champion here on the Draymond Green Show. Two-time World Champion, my brother, KCP. What's up, my dog? What's up, man? Welcome to the show, man. I appreciate you.

Coming on, I always talk about like the resume you got to have to be a guest on the show. Like, we don't just want anybody. Like, we want all-stars. We want champions. We want all the famers. Because that's what the people want. Yeah. So I appreciate you coming on, my man.

I appreciate you having me, my brother, man. I appreciate it. Absolutely. But, I mean, let's get into it. Take me back growing up in Georgia, country. What was it like for you growing up in? to make it out of there, like, was it AAU that got you out? Was it the high school?

Like, what was it that got you out? I would say AAU basketball for sure. That was the most exposure I had as far as on the basketball circuit. I probably maybe had one color coach to ever come see me at my high school, you know, to see me play. But, yeah, AAU opened the doors up for me for sure. Who is that coach? I forget his name, old coach from Alabama. Okay.

But like, we were the first coach ever come see me play. But after that, that's when I ended up seeing three coaches from Georgia. And that's when I, like, I committed to Georgia, like, verbally. Because I wanted to stay home, close to home. And to have my family be able to travel to come see me not too far. So, like, Georgia was always, you know, what's going to be home based for me, you know, even though I had, like, all the offers in the SEC, but I wanted to stay close to the crib. I love that.

Same for me. You know, we're going to Michigan State. Like, I wanted to be close to the crib. And so that was a big thing for me. So you get one high school coach to come to your, one college coach to ever come to your high school, but you become a McDonald's All-American. Explain that to me. Because I had way more high school coaches,

I mean, college coaches come in my high school, and I wasn't no McDonald's. Yeah, high school would probably be tripples to size as mine. Like, but like I said, A&U opened them doors up for me, you know, where being on that basketball circuit, you know, doing what I do, basking, shooting the ball, you know, playing basketball,

having fun. I guess when I started getting, like, a lot of eyes on me, you know, being able to, sending out my highlights, you know, in high school for, like, you know, coaches, like, college coaches to see. I feel I had, most of the college coaches come see me play when I was playing AAU basketball. So, like I said, that opened up the doors for me. So I have a question, a very interesting one for me. We're like the same height.

I'm a sinner. You're two. For me, growing up in a lot. a small city being the tallest guy. They just put you at center. Now, it was a little different for me, which is why I got my guard skill from, because I play center defensively, but offensively, I play point guard. But my uncle was the coach, so he taught me the game, he taught me, so I had all the

guard skills, which is why I'm able to play the position the way I do now. But there's always this thing when you're the, when you're the tallest kid in the small city, everybody want to make you a center. that clearly wasn't the case for you. Why was that? I had a couple of guys that was taught to me in high school so that I didn't have to play that position, even though I did play all five position in high school.

But, yeah, I had some guys that were, you know, 6-8, 6-9 playing in high school with me. At that small-ass school? At that small school, yeah. So, like, I got a chance to be able to just, you know, play my position. And, like, it elevated my games, just, you know, just learning every position, I would say. And also just every day after school, you know, going to my hometown basketball court, you know, playing with older kids, you know, got it to push me around, you know, stuff like that made me a little bit tougher, tougher.

And it just, you know, basketball just stuck with me, man. It was something about the game that I love, and it just shows. Absolutely. And eighth pick to the Detroit Pistons, drafted by Joe Dumas, which is like a father figure to me. Still talk to Joe. We go way back there. I remember as soon as you got drafted. But just walk me through that experience, going to the Pistons, which wasn't the organization then.

Yeah. That it is now. Yeah, true. Talk me through that experience and, like, going to Detroit coming from the South, going to the cold, snow. I feel like that was the biggest adjustment for me, the snow. Like, my first year there as a rookie, man, it snowed all the way into about May. So, like, that was, like, my, the hardest adjustment, you know,

being able to learn how to drive and that, you know, get to work, be safe. But I feel like it was tough for me the first two years. I couldn't get my family out there. Like my family wouldn't travel out there. Like having good vets around me at the time, you know, got me through my first two years, you know, to understand the game. But my experience, man, was great. I got a chance to show, like, more than I can do,

because I feel like they drafted me because of my defense potential, I would say. I don't think they knew what I could do offensively then. So I had an opportunity to showcase that and that what took my career off. He says you had good vests. I always talk about the importance of vets in the locker room. I am a product of great vets.

I had Jared Jack, Jermaine O'Neill, David Lee, Carl Andrew, David West. I got Andrew Bogart. I had great vets. And like now that's one of the things that I think is missing from the league. You look at some of these teams. And like some of these teams, vets are like, year four or five.

It's like, you're not a vet. Not yet. No, you need, like, scratch the surface of what a vet is for sure. It's crazy. Like, in year five of my career, I had won two championships. In year seven of my career, by year seven, I had won three championships and played in four NBA finals. Nobody in the Golden State Warriors or here. was looking at me like I'm a vet.

Right. And yeah, you got guys now who ain't got no rings. No all-star appearances, no nothing. But they kind of walk around this league like they vets. That's like, it's the era now. I came in and lived in 2013. My vet was, I had Chauncee Billups. I played with Chauncey.

Wow. I played with Tayson Prince. I had an opportunity to be. coached by Rashid Wiley. So I also had a chance to be around that bad boy area, you know, even though they was on their way out, you know, but still I got an opportunity to them being my bets. And then like I had Josh Smith as a vet, you know, said to have been through the lead, the ups and downs, you know, like I had like a bunch of guys, Charlie, Bill and the Way, but I had

some good vet that taught me how to be a professional, how to stay in this league, you know, and just to be mentally strong. So did Ben come back? Were you still there when Ben came back? No, I wasn't there when Ben came back. When Ben came back, it was his, he was retiring. He was retiring his jersey. So I got the opportunity to see that as well.

Yeah. So, like, and retiring in Choncy Jersey there. So I got an opportunity to see a lot of things and, like, be around a lot of great people. You know, like you said, Joe DuMars, man, he did one that drive through me, you know, put me in position to, like, be able to meet these guys and, you know, and be able to, a part of their family. There was a story, famous story. You've been with Clutch Sports, your entire career. Yes.

There's a famous story about the contract that you turned down in Detroit. Number one, I don't know whether you turned the contract down and not. I would love to hear that from you. But what I do know is if you did turn the contract down, you've made all the money plus more. Plus more. Talk to me about that. You know, me and Rich talk about it a lot. And now, like, that we, here in my career now, we can laugh about it a little bit.

But I didn't turn down that much money. You know, that money wasn't offered to me, but, like, what they were saying. But, like, even if I did turn it down, like you said, you know, I rich believed in me. I believed in myself, you know, and what I can do. And I felt like at the time I deserved more than what they were. offer me. So like me and my team, we made a decision where, all right, if I put it in the work, he going to get, he going to handle the rest. So that's all that was said. Like, I put

in the work, you know, and made all that money back and plus more. So like, my work paid off, you know, as far as like me, everybody might say I turned it down. Okay, cool. I turned it down. got it back, you know. It didn't take long, but like we slow ground it one year, two year, one year, you know, but we end up getting it all back. I think one of the most interesting things, the part that people don't talk about, people always want to talk about your failures. They always want to talk about where someone falls short.

They always want to talk about this guy didn't get that money. He turned this down. He turned that down. But the side they don't talk. about is if you stay there, are you a two-time champion? Because you still got the money, plus more. Yeah. Double at this point, but if you never go to the Lakers, if that never happens, you don't

end up at the Lakers. Yeah. Do you end up a champion? So when you look back at that now, was the stress of waiting ultimately worth what What came in the end? Yeah. Because I've had some, going through that process after Detroit, I have some stressful moments, you know, where it took me year and then it brought me down, you know.

So I believing in myself, believing in God, you know, having my wife, my support, you know, and everybody around me, you know, like, encourage me, you know, like, you got this, your game shows, you know, everything, you know, just go out there and play your game. I worry about anything else. And I set my mind to that, you know, like, do your job, you know, right? Don't let about out do you and just play hard, no matter what. Was there ever a point in that where you started to doubt yourself or where you started to doubt rich?

I want to say I never had a doubt, but like, I said, say it, I was, I was impatient, I would say, I wanted to come like as soon as possible, you know what I'm saying? That's all, like, he would tell you that like, that's all he would tell me, you know, just be patient, you know, it's going to come be patient. This is, this is just the job, the business, you know. So, like, that would just me being impatient, you know, and just belt myself, you know, and like having a little bit doubt then, but just, that's just do that and being impatient, you know, wanting it now, you know, instead of waiting on it. As I got older, I started to learn that, you know, patience, you know, it helps me stay calm, stay peaceful, you know, and I know my guy Rich, you know, I know he got my back.

You know, I've been knowing him for since I've been in this lead, so. Yeah, now, Rich, rich the best, man, like, from a contract negotiation standpoint, obviously. But it goes so much further than that. I don't think people understand that. That was all about to just about to say. I was like, when we talk, like, we rarely talk about basketball. So it's like, like, why ain't you calling you? But, like, that's him, though.

Like, he knows, like, what he can do. Like, so it's not just, like you said, it's just not about basketball. Yeah. You know, and he makes sure of that, like, all right, don't worry about this thing. I got that. You know what I'm saying? We can talk about anything else. And, like, he don't help me with a lot of stuff, you know.

So. Yeah. No, I think I always tell people like, man. I think what I appreciate more most about Rich is he teach you, A, how you're supposed to live your life. Like, so many guys get taken advantage of. So many guys don't see stuff coming. And I think he, A, teaches us how you're supposed to live. B, one of the most impressive things I think Rich has ever done with me.

And like yourself, that's my brother. Like, he's in my wedding. Like, goes so much further than being an agent. But I think when I, you know, I also know how to separate the two. You know, I know 99.9% of our cause, I'm talking to my brother. Point one percent I'm talking to my agent. And I know how to separate the two. But I think one of the things that stood out to me most,

and I still say it to this day, I like, When I bought my first home, and I was searching for homes in L.A., this dude walked 10 houses with me. And I remember when I first found a home, I found a house in Bel Air that I thought was the house I was going to buy. And, man, me and Hazel was excited as shit. Like, look at this house, this is nice. Like, Rich.

Rich was out of town when we first saw it. He, like, I'm back tomorrow. I land at this time. Schedule it for this time. We'll go see it. right away. As soon as I land, I'll go straight from the airport

to the house. Perfect. He landed, we get to the house, walk in, I'm excited. Shit, like, I got the crib. First house. Woo.

He walked in. He like, nope, nope, nope, this thing, nope, that thing. Way too much of this here. Nope.

Look at this marble right here. We go in the backyard. It's like, beautiful backyard so it appears. But, like, if you actually go through it, some of the stone is mismatches like they went to this stone yard

and got with the stone that was left there cheapest went over to this stone yard got the stone that was left there at the cheapest put it all together and when he showed me we walked through this house and he started pointing out all these things we didn't even make us through the whole house

we got up to the master bathroom he stopped in the master bathroom he sat down and he said listen I'm not letting you all by this house yeah Oh, man. Because y'all will be looking for the next sucker to come by his house from y'all.

Because he bought the sucker y'all for this money right now. Then y'all going to be looking for the next sucker to come by this house for y'all. And for me, that was, that was, and by the way, this is well into him being my agent, years until him being my agent. But that to me was like a level of detail, a level of care that, like,

you don't get that from agents. Get that. These agents not coming to walk a house. They don't care what house you buy? Really? Don't even. Just get one. That's what they're saying.

Like, that's what I said. Man, I respect Rich so much, man. Like, because he helped me out with so much, like I said, like, like a few things with,

like, like, being married young, you know what I'm saying? Even, you know, he's been through it, but like, just helping me navigate that, you know,

because like, so much, he gave me that, that safe space, you know, he said to be able to talk to him. him about that, you know. And like I said, like we talk about, man, whatever it is. Like I said, 95% of the time is, it's not basketball we're talking about, you know,

and it's just about life. Like, that's why I respect about him a lot, man. He just humble kid, like, even just, man, like reading his book. Like, man, I felt like I was him. So, like, it was crazy. I was like, now, I feel you. And I, when I read it, I was like, man, I did not know half of that about you. You know, like, he don't show care. You know what I'm saying? But, like, I didn't know how about that about you. I learned so much from reading that book. Yeah, that's why it was me too.

Me too. It's crazy. No, story is insane. So then you go from Detroit, kid from Georgia, country, move to Detroit, that adjustment,

and then L.A. What was the adjustment like now going from Detroit to Los Angeles? For the Lakers, by the way. Nobody's showing up to these games in Detroit. I noticed. I wouldn't say that. Like, when I was in Detroit, now, I was playing at the palace. No, we had a nice little crowd.

Sometimes. Sometimes. I was like, the palace is, like, historical, you know what I'm saying? Like, the Bad Boy Days area. So, like, we had some fans in there. A few fans in there. A few fans in there. But they ain't the Lakers fans.

True. There's a lot different from that, like, because... I said it when I, after I won, you know, the championship. But, like, it's a little hate relationship with the Lakers fans. You know, like, they love you regardless, you know what I'm saying? But, like, you're doing bad or, like, you ain't playing up to your potential that they think you can play yet? Like, they own you. Like, they own you.

Like, they don't let you know. Like, and then you plan at your greatest, like, they wish you. You know what I'm saying? I was saying, they're with you, I was saying? They wish you regardless, but, like, they don't let you know what you're doing good when you're doing bad. And that's why I respect so much about their fans, you know? They're hardcore, you know what I'm saying? They own you.

What? And how are they on you? Like, is that coming through social media? Is that, like, you walking down the streets of LA, they're coming up? Like, oh, I would say a little bit of both. I want to say they're not so negative, like, when they see you in person, you know what I'm saying? Like, more, you know, supportive, you know what I'm saying? Stuff like that, you know what I'm saying?

In the heat of the moment, in the arena, I can see a little bit different than they're, like, what they're telling you, like, you know, pick it up, you know? I've had, you know what I'm saying, a little bit of both, you know, through so. social media, like, into arenas, you know, to a point where they was, they was like, comment on my wife, my wife, pictures or like the pictures, she posts and saying shit about me. So it was a lot of stuff that was going on at one point when I was there. You get to the Lakers. Lakers not very good. I think, what, a year later, two years later, Braun comes.

Year later. Year later. Y'all get Brown. Changes the outlook of the franchise at that point. Lakers have been struggling for a while, kind of toward on the end of Kobe's tenure. And Tocode retiring a couple years. You get there.

Then Bron come. What was that like, like that big of a force coming to the team, the media attention, which the media attention for the Lakers is already crazy, but then you get Bronner there. Like, what was that? that transition then like from going from playing with like all these young dudes. And you kind of being the vet in the sense of what we were talking about.

Yeah, been that young vet, they so called you today. Yeah, I was. I think I was. I think the older two guys when I got there 2017 was, was I, Azeel Thomas and Brooke Lopez and Corey Bure. I was only three older guys. And I was 24 at the time when I got there. And everybody else was like 19, 20, 21.

It was fucking crazy. Then Brian come in. How did it change everything? Did it change from day one in practice? Did it change just the games? It was also a growing process. I don't think y'all made the playoffs that first year. No, definitely was a growing process.

Because, you know, everybody, him adjusting, you know, to everybody and everybody trying to adjust, you know, to, like, him being there as well. So, like, it was a big adjustment, you know, everything did shift, you know what I'm saying? As far as, like, you know, how we practice, how we watch film, you know, like, doing like stuff as a team, you know, a lot of the stuff changed there. And I was unfortunately, I was fortunately to have, you know, Rondo, too, at the time, you know, when Brum was there. So, like, like, they get, them two can both navigate, you know what's on the court, you know what's on the court, you know what I'm saying? how we want to play, you know, I would say.

But, like, it was, it was an adjustment, but I don't think it was a big adjustment. How was the conversation? I'm a basketball player. I love, like, I love the X and O's. I love the game within the game. And so I'm asking this question personally for me, because I wasn't.

Okay. What was the, what was the dynamic, the conversations like amongst Brian and Rhonda? Because for me, those are two of the greatest basketball minds to ever play in the NBA. I would say the conversation of dialogue, like, as far as, like, in film, man, like, they broke down everything. Like, that's who, like, Rondo was one that taught me how to watch film, you know, how to watch, like, I didn't start watching a full game of film until, like, two years, like, two years ago. Wow. Like, that's who taught me how to watch a full game of film.

But you can just watch it, you know what I'm saying? But like, he taught me what am I looking for, you know what I'm watching this film? You know, and then just having them two together and film together, man, it made, I would say, it made everything so easy, you know, on the court, you know what I'm saying? Because now you know where to be. You know when this motion is happening, I know I got to shift this way. I got to do that, you know what I'm saying? So they put it, they break it all the way down to a point where, like, if you're fucking up,

you're not giving out effort, you know what I'm saying? So, like, if they give me to you this way, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's knowledge, man, just take that, you know what I'm saying? That was one of the thing I took away from both of them. I just learned how to, like, break down that film, you know, and actually know what I'm looking at when I'm breaking it down, you know, so. I was, and it's helped my career, you know what I'm saying, being able to be a leader on other teams, you know.

Absolutely. was there ever a point or whatever times where those two bump heads on their ideas because there was some high-level thoughts both of them dudes having. Were there ever times that they bump heads on their ideas? And if so, was there ever time where Ronald backed down and say,

okay, we go on what Rondo saying? Yeah, I feel like they both had, you know, their disagreements as far as like what we're doing. But I feel like that that would be, you know what I'm saying, more when they're discussing together because I've never seen it, you know what I'm saying, happen, you know, in person. So I feel like if they're discussing amongst themselves, like they have a disagreement, I feel like them guys, you know, they fix it before they even kind of, like, before we see them or like before we have, like, team film, you know, or whatever.

But yeah, I've never seen them like, I disagree in person. But if they did, it's like, I feel like they both. you know what I'm saying, humble enough to be able to listen to each other, you know what I'm saying, as far as like, because they both, like you said, man, one of the greatest at knowing the game. And I feel like, you know, them both hearing each other out, you know, helps out both of them. Absolutely. And speaking of your time with the Lakers, y'all didn't go on the winning championship in the bubble. There's a lot of perspectives on the bubble. Quite frankly,

by most people who weren't there. Right. But there's a lot of perspectives on the bubble. What was your perspective on as someone who was there, won a championship there, so essentially was there the longest time, what was your perspective on the bubble and being in it?

It was hard. I'll say this. For me, I'm going to restrain it. It wasn't hard, you know what I'm saying? I enjoyed, you know what I'm saying, the time, you know, know, of just, you know, reflecting on myself. You know, I was there about myself.

You know, you couldn't really see nobody. You couldn't really have the family there. But the biggest sacrifice I had was just not helping my family there, you know. Trying to manage to deal with that. You know, the kids. I just had my third child at the time. And he was just a baby, you know. So that was the biggest sacrifice, you know, for me just leaving the, the family.

family for that month at that time, man, was a lot. And I felt like it was, for me, it was great. You know, the stuff we did in the bubble or, like, being locked in that room, I did that at home. So, like, if I'm in my game room, you know, I'm done that six hours straight to playing the game. So it's like, it really did fazes me as much, you know what I'm saying, as far as me missing the family and the kids and stuff like that.

But other than that, man, I had a great time. That's funny And for those that say the bubble championship has an asterisk next to it I'll say it before you go I am not of that group because it is hard as hell to win a championship I don't care where the fuck you win it at

but for those that say there's an asterisk next to the championship that y'all won in the But what do you say to them? They just hating, man. It's like they, that's like, like you said, it's one of the hardest team to, like, the championship to win, I would say, you know, playing a season and season's set down.

Like, don't know if we're going to even come back to play basketball or, like, we sold how, like, the regular season on how we was playing. And then we're like, what the fuck? Seasons over with, like, damn. All right, what if, like, they do, What if we don't, can't come back? Because we already had in our mind, like, man, this is all championship regardless of if COVID stopped it or not.

You know, so then the season stops, you know, boom. Season started back up, but we got to go to the bubble. So, like, before they even, you know, like, boy even happened to that going to the bubble, like, as a team, you know, we still, like, you know what I'm saying, was able to, like, you know, you know, who, I would say. You know what I'm saying? We did within the rims of like the testing of the NBA, you know, stuff like that. But like, we were still able to like be around each other, be able to hoop, you know what saying, and have fun, like, regards of like if the season stopped.

So once the, we knew the season was like starting back up in the bubble, we was like, we was ready to go get our championship, like we wanted. You know what I'm saying? Then, you know, season stopped beginning in the bubble. Yeah. You know, guys, a lot of people don't like, these things, like, have people in mind messed up. Like, man, all right, now it's time. I'm ready to go home.

You know what I'm saying? Like, forget basketball. So, like, I'm so grateful. And I'm like, I appreciate all, like, my teammates at the time. Like, man, they mindset was, like, on that championship. They weren't ready to go. They came here for a reason. Right.

And we wanted it. So. You said it was harder. It was one of harder. championships to win as someone who's won multiple championships, what made it so much harder to win there as opposed to if you're going to Miami for an away game, you know, or you're going to another place? I would just say the mindset we, like, we had, and how everything had, like, everything had

happened, I was saying, like, COVID shutting down, you know what I'm saying? And like, we wanted that one so bad, you know what I'm saying? We would have jumped through flaming hoops for it, you know. So like I said, this was like, for me it was the hardest one because of like all the shutdown, like restarting shutdown. You know what I'm saying? That can change a lot of people's mindset, you know what I'm saying? And like you said, man, fuck this. Like I'm not dealing with this anymore, you know.

So I was appreciated that. that thankful to everybody on the team at the time. At the same onset, they weren't ready to go. So. There was word that came out of those meetings. And again, for those of you all watching, I was not there because we absolutely sucked that year. I think we won 15 games.

And so we didn't actually make the bubble. Yeah, I had a lot going on that year, man, a lot going on. To be quite honest, I was in L.A. having a great time. so I'm actually a little happy we didn't make the bubble. Also, before we move for, Adam Silver, the mayor of Los Angeles, who wasn't the mayor at the time. So talk to the previous mayor.

This man just admitted that they ignore all your COVID guidelines, all y'all testing. They kept playing basketball. They cheated on their way to a championship. Cheated. I feel like this is Deflategate. or something of that nature because these guys,

when none of us could play basketball, they just kept playing basketball and getting better, and then they go on and win a championship. So that's why I'm putting the asterisk next to it because they was cheating. No, I'm just funny. We did it through the rules, man. Every player got tested.

You know what I'm saying? If you had Kobe, got to go home. You can't be around us, man. We did. I bet Brian probably had Michelle sitting there testing everybody. We didn't want to stop playing. Like, man.

And it was like, if it was just the Lakers team at the time, like, no outsiders, no anybody, like everybody's within their perimeter like the COVID testing that the NBA wanted, I feel like we were good, you know, like they couldn't say nothing. Well, guess what? They definitely can't say nothing now. So it's a great time to talk about it. later, man. Three years later, we're good.

Great time to talk about it. But there was reports that came out. During that time where y'all was, like, having the meetings in the bubble and the season stop. There was reports that came out that most of that, like the season stopping and people not wanted to play was from the Clippers team at that time. Is there any truth to that? Because, by the way, by the way that they went out,

It kind of looked like it was true. By the way, that was one of my favorite series of the book, that Nuggets Clipper series. I was just like, man, how in the hell? You up 3-1. Even if you talked about leaving, you up 3-1. Finish the job. Finish the job, man. Lose the next round.

Like, you knew everybody wanted to see Lakers Clippers. that year, you know, just finished the job and like, then we can sweep y'all, like, then you can go home, you know? Like, I want to do it now. Like, and then we just sitting there waiting, like I was saying, that's one of the favorites series I was like, because we had to sit there and watch, you know what I'm saying, this whole series, so.

So who was in the mean quitting? Who was in the meet? From the Clippers team, who was in there quitting? Because of what I heard that there was some guys from the Clippers team in there like, man, I don't want to play, I want to go home. Is that true? Who was in there quitting?

I just want to know because, by the way, if you ask me, they left a championship sitting on the table. Now, whether they were to beat y'all or not, we'll never know. It would have been one of the best series, you know what I'm saying, that year, you know what I'm saying? For the play, you know what I'm saying?

Like, so, like, everybody wanted it. You know what I'm saying? And we wanted it as well. We wanted that opportunity. Like, we're going to put this shit to bed. Like, Lakewood, Bergers and Clippers. Like, here it is, you know. And they just shit the bed, man.

Like you said, back to that conversation, like, I've heard it, yeah. It did come from their team, but I don't know who said it. You know what I'm saying? The boys was quitting. The boy was like, they was ready to go. It was first team ready to go. And then, like, I forget who, OG, Miami. What's his name?

Udinas. He stood up, and he was like, man, he just talked about more for like it being for the younger guys and the, like, the guys ain't going to be able to have no money, you know what I'm saying? If we do stop this, like right now, like, what about these guys, man? They just getting drafted, you know what I'm saying? You're two, three guys. Like, what are they supposed to do about money?

You know, like, are you older guys going to help them out? You know what I'm saying? Some of your veterans are your rookies? I mean, you know, some of your young guys. So I think that, like, kind of shifted when he's like, he stood up and said all that. And I think it changed a lot of guys' minds. But, like, that were the first team ready to go for show. That's great.

Them boys left for, they left a golden opportunity sitting right there on the table, and they never got it again. That's why I told you. When, like, a lot of stuff, the stopping, starting to stop them, is I had a lot of people's mindset change. Like, now, all right, I've been here long enough, and then, all right, you want to stop? I'm done, you know, so.

Appreciate the 2020 Lakers team, you know, for having that mindset, you know, saying I was winning that championship. Absolutely. I think it's crazy what, you know, hearing UD stood up and said that because the reality is I remember sitting with Rich when y'all were in the bubble. Yeah. And like when all those conversations was going on,

Rich is literally getting calls as it's going on. As it's in and what's next, we got another meeting later. And I remember sitting there with him, and one of the things that he was saying, which no one was thinking about, is and to you down this point, but even to take it a step further, if we stop now, not only does those young guys

not make money, but you're actually going to have to negotiate an entirely new collective bargaining agreement. Yes. Which could take up to a year of two to actually negotiate that agreement. And so the league would stop for two years.

Two years. Now today, you're not closing a $76 billion TV deal if that stops. True. Right. So when you look at all of those factors and the effect that it had on the league, now how can you say the championship

that was won through all of those factors have an asterisk buy it? That's why I stopped listening to people when they say that, man. I just like, man, all right. It's a championship. We won. And I got my ring.

Right. We were still able to celebrate, you know what I'm saying? Like, on the property. you know, in Orlando. But, I mean, we had a great time, and we would not have, like, in the finals, I think, like, let's take a end of the conference finals, and then finals, we was able to have the family there, you know,

which was great, you know. Our family was able to, like, see us win the championship. We got the confetti coming down. It still was a, you know, a championship level. But, you know, everybody would have loved for the fans to be there, you know, to be able to celebrate with the fans. But, you know, at that time, unfortunately, we didn't get the opportunity, but we won. Adam pulling that bubble off is still one of the greatest things I've ever seen in sports.

Come on, man. Like, how do you do that? And with that amount of time you have, you know what I'm saying, you get this done, I was able to come here, you know, play and not have to worry about, you know what I'm saying. And with, like, going back to, like, the bubble, like, but, like, it was so much, like, just so much basketball. can hear everything, you know, play calls, you know what I'm saying? Team, man, they calling everything out.

Like, that was like, much important to me, man, I could focus just on basketball. I had the can need, like, they might pump the crowd noise in, but it's just like them cheering. Yeah. So now you can't, you don't hear nobody talking to you, throwing off the game. So, like, that, I enjoyed that, man. I could play basketball. That's where I turned up, you know what I'm saying? So, no, it was, it was definitely, I have fun.

watching it. In LA outside, it was great. The weather was amazing. I had a beautiful time watching it. But then moving on. You know, you win a championship with the Lakers. You eventually end up moving on to the Denver Nuggets. What was that experience like going from playing with Brian,

who I always tell people, people don't understand how hard it is. is to get a good shot every time down the floor. Yeah. And when Brian, there are a few players, only a few, though. There's not many. Brian obviously being one of them. Joker obviously being one of them.

Where you come down to court, and every time they are capable of getting the team a good shot. What was it like going from then playing with Brian who's able to do that, but then going to play with Joker who can. kind of does it in a different way. What? I was about to say, like, it was just brine, you see brown on the ball mostly, you know what I'm saying,

bringing the ball up, even though Yoke can do the same thing, you know, point five. But, like, once you get there, like, them two guys, man, they, they demand attention, you know what I'm saying,

as soon as they check the ball in. You know what I'm saying? So, like, and I just, I just fared off that, you know what I'm saying? Like, I knew them guys was going to have so much attention on them.

You know, and I was going to either get a wide-up shot or we create a wide-up shot, you know what I'm saying? Now the defense got to move because somebody's open. You know, they either doubling them two guys, you know what I'm saying? What made it so much easier? And that's why I say they, I don't see a difference between them two, you know what saying? The IQ is fucking out this world.

They can, like, joking, they can shoot both in them play. They got the all-around game, you know what I'm saying? but I was saying just for them, like for me, what made my career great planning it with them. Like, they were willing to pass the ball when you open. Like, I don't care what type of pass it. Or if you open, they're gonna try to get it to, you know what I'm saying? And all I had to do was be ready to shoot, you know what I'm saying?

So in that, like, kudos to both of them guys, man. You know, like, they have made my career better, you know, like later in my, later in my years. So, like, man, they're my brothers, man. No doubt. My brothers. No doubt. And then being in Denver,

um, 2020 season don't end the way you want at the end. Jamar Murray's out. Then you come back 2023 with Jamar Murray. Was, were y'all in the spring? going into 2023 or at what point in that season? Was it like going in where we got Jamal back, we think we're a championship team?

Or was it at some point during that season, like, oh, we can do this? Oh, man, I felt like they already knew they was the championship team. You know, like the previous years before it happened, me, they made playoffs, you know, every year almost. I feel like they always tell me, they say, it was missing just a one piece. And like when I got traded there,

and I felt the same thing, I was like, man, I felt this in training camp. Like, well, I'm walking around guys, man, like, man, look, we can just stay focused, man, like, you got a chance, you know what I'm saying? And it's just me, before I even got there, me watching from the outside, you know what I'm saying, how their team chemistry was.

Like me plugging into that spot, man, was like the best fit, you know, like. So I told him, like, start a training camp, man. Like, man, we're gonna win this championship. Like, we're gonna win a championship. Like, if we can just, you know, stay together, you know, and continue, like, sacrifice and play for each other, man. Like, it's gonna be, like, it's gonna be a cakewalk, you know what I'm saying?

Like, and them, by me, like, being that vocal leader, talking about that, like, being the only one at the time, you know, having that championship. I feel like them guys, they listen, they gravitated towards you, like, toward me. You know what I'm saying? And when I spoke, I didn't even speak about offense. Like, all, like, we had top five, you know, offense, you know, that year. And for me, it was just about their defense.

Like, first thing I walked up to coach, my coach Malone and asked them, like, you know what was our defense last year? Like, there was like 20, you know what I'm saying? When in the championship, we was number one in the West. And we was top five defense, you know what I'm saying? So like, though, we're top 10. So switching that, you know what I'm saying, up, like, it changed a lot, man. And I'm just being, like I said, going back earlier,

you know what I'm saying, like learning from them guys, man, being that leader. I think it was important for them, like, at the time for the Nuggets, you know what I'm saying, to hear that, you know what I'm saying, to be able to have a guy that's won a championship, you know what I'm saying, that's been through that type of pressure,

You know what I'm saying? And taking my knowledge that I know from that championship, you know what I'm saying? Even though they say it was the bubble. But like I learned a lot, you know, as far as like how to get there, you know, what it takes, you know. And just bringing that to Denver, you know, them guys gravitated towards, man. Like they, they stuck with it. Absolutely. Also, I intentionally skipped over Washington, by the way, just so you know.

It's all good. We don't need to discuss. Nah, it was not much to say there, man, you know. Because at one point, we started on 10 and 4. You know, who was number one at one point at the time? It's always interesting starting to season to see in the bum teams at number one and number two in the conference. And you know they're going to finish at 14.

We definitely drop down. It's true. It's always interesting. But nonetheless, like I said, you know what? we're going to act like that never happened because Detroit is where it started you gotta have a little

couple of speed bumps in there and everything like the Lakers championship then there's like a blob of time and then the Nuggets You know how a road trip

you got you see a nice little area you want to take a detour you know what I'm saying Absolutely It was just like a little stop By the way I love D.C. Me too Oh, DC is amazing.

I absolutely love D.C. But, yeah, we're not going to even talk about your time. Yeah, D.C. was, like, it was a great city for me. My kids, family loved it, you know, even though it was a year. We enjoyed it. We met some great people there, you know, even though we still friends with them now. So, like, it's a great city. Last year, y'all ended up losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

not able to defend the title and go back to bat. Throughout that season, did you know y'all didn't quite have the championship team like y'all had the year before losing Bruce Brown, losing Jeff Green? I think those were some huge losses. So in going through that season, did you feel like y'all didn't quite have a championship team? I thought we still had it, you know what I'm saying? Because, you know what I'm saying? The people we had behind Bruce and Jeff, you know, Peyton Watson, you know, Christian Brown,

like, them guys into championship run, you know what I'm saying? Them guys so promising, you know what I'm saying, that they'll be able to pick that slack up, you know. And we also have faith in them guys as well, you know, that they was going to do the same, you know. But, you know, it's all about opportunity, you know, if they get the opportunity, you know, Do what you do best, you know what I feel like During that season, you know, to run it back to back, you know, we all had the same mindset like that's what we wanted to do, you know, it

We had a few bumps in a row, like, you know what I'm saying, what we slipped up, you know what I'm saying? But it was three, it's a three-way top of first. Yeah. You know, I feel like that's where we spent most of, you know, how like, toys to playoff guys get their rest. But I feel like that's what we spent most of, you know, our energy and like time, trying to get that first place, you know what I'm saying? Playing catch up.

And playing catch up. And then like, we get to the playoffs. We have no gas, you know. We felt like the Lakers should have beat us. We was down every- They should have. Every game. They definitely should.

At least 10 to, like, I mean, the higher maybe, but what, 20 something? Like, I didn't just taking that energy, you know, using the deer, so it was a lot. that went into that season, though, that we wish we could have, you know, did better. That's interesting because when I think back to, like, our runs, that first year we won at first, like, nobody's tomorrow.

And we got it, we won championship. The second year, which was 2016, we won 73. And so although we weren't chasing the first seat, we were chasing the 7-3 wins. And when I look back on it, I don't regret it because, quite frankly, I don't think we ran out of gas in the playoffs. Like, we were up 3-1 still.

You know what I'm saying? So I don't think it was necessarily something that boiled down to like, ah, we ran out of gas. However, what I will say is this, though. After that, trying to win them 73 was so exhausting that then 2017, KD came, and it was never about like can we get the number one C we beat a bunch of teams so we're going to be in the race sport anyway

but it was never our goal like yo we got to get the number one C because I felt like at that point we knew like A we can win on the road so we need to go win a row again we can do that or two if we need to like we felt like we could do that and B you know some teams try to drop and stuff to get matchups that they want. That was never a thing for us. Like, it don't really matter who we match up again.

And so it's interesting to hear that, though, because I feel like our mindset right after that was like, we're going to make sure we get to the playoffs healthy. Yeah. Not necessarily be the number. If we're the 3C, who cares? Like, it don't matter. And so it's interesting to hear a team that just,

want a championship. But then again, I guess when I look back on it, that next year we were chasing wins too. But it's just interesting to hear a team that won a championship say we felt like we had to get the number one seat. I feel like that's what we,

that's what the, I wouldn't say the mistake, but like trying to get that, you know. And it was like, I want to say, we had like eight to, eight to ten games left. Like,

they even like, try to get that first place. but like you had okay Cs you had Minnesota like with them guys they was fucking hooping the team was like killing so like it's just me thinking it's like talking like some of the older guys DJ so like man it's like I felt like

that's like where our mindset was you know what I'm saying we knew we was gonna make the playoff but they was like I don't know we won't know one C you know what I'm saying and it was like talking like figuring trying to figure out who we would match up with you know that's what Like, I don't worry about that.

Let's just get to the playoffs, no matter what seed we are. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's not going to be our temperature route, but we was number one seed, but we had that route. No, it's not going to be that this year. You know what I'm saying? Because during the season, we did have Malk got hurt a little bit, and they sat down.

Yeah. I sat out a few games. You know, AG getting hurt. You know, a lot of things happened within that, you know, trying to race up first. So like you said earlier, you know, we should have just been trying to get there healthy, you know, regardless of what seed we was, and then just go from there. Before we get out of here, we must talk about number one, congratulations, a new three-year, big money deal.

Man. Another one, so congrats on that. Appreciate it. But first off, just what excites you, well, before I go into that, I'd be remiss if I didn't say. The Magic are finally trying to win some games. And the reason I say that is because, so a couple years ago, I was on the shop and Mav was asking me like, or P, was asking me like, yo, who's the teams that are like on a soft Tuesday? Like, you're just like, yo. And I was saying, like, at the time it was the Kings.

Yeah. Although the Kings for us was different because of that northern California ride. It was the Kings, the Lando Magic. And it's funny because when we played the magic the next year, the young fellows out there like, yeah, motherfucker, like, you think it's going to be a game coming? I was like, oh, I like them. It's the young core that y'all got now.

Yeah. But just talk to me and, well, I actually spoke about this during that draft. they end up drafting Paulo, everybody was saying they was going to drive Jabari Smith. I personally thought

Paulo was the should have been a number one pick they ended up taking them. In large part, they was watching the Draymond Green Show taking my intel.

They was high on Sparre. Good intel. They took the intel, but they did right. And I think Paulo is one of those generational players that that organization

hasn't been one that's been willing to spend money. They would give a Jeff green a one year 15 million because somebody else one year 15 million which pretty much says we got a

we got a cap threshold that we have to reach so we're going to give you this one year deal but we're not really trying to win and we're not locking nobody in and now you see like obviously they got the young court they just extended front but bringing in someone like you says

to me that oh now oh they're serious now like they bring in the guy who's proven to help lead teams, championship teams, proven leader, two-way guy, knocked the shots down, defend the other guys, the other team's best wing player.

They're ready to win now. What are you, in looking at that situation that you're going into, what are you most excited about about joining the Orlando Magic? Oh, man, just, I'm just, I'm excited, like, all around, you know, just to be able to play

with a young group of guys that's, that's hungry, you know what I'm saying, that's had a taste of the playoffs, you know what I'm saying? Took Cleveland to a game seven. You know, they know what it takes. And I just talking to a few guys, you know, a mindset, you know, is about winning. You know, it's not, oh, I'm this guy, I'm that guy.

It's just about winning basketball games. And then trying to get to that point of winning the championship. But I'm just most excited just to play. with them guys on on on on this defensive end man just they they spend its top with no three or five you know top defensively uh and sucks man made defensive team no just them guys you know just that length uh I'm excited just man to see you out how teams gonna you know try to try to play against this you know it it's gonna be tough you just mentioned Suggs.

So, you know, joining Orlando Magic. Suggs is there who's really good defender. Obviously, we know what you can't. By the way, I must say, I saw you guard when you were in Detroit in particular. And I don't know if you remember this game.

It was at the palace. And then you did it again in an Oracle. But I saw you probably Gar-Step as good as I've ever seen in one Gar-Step. I remember the game. And I was just like... I remember the one in Oracle, too. Yeah.

I remember that one too. was just like, man, I can't screen this dude. Like, I couldn't believe you guarded him that well. Yeah. And that's when I knew, like, yo, this dude is different defensively. But, like, that didn't even, even, like, I didn't even know I had that, you know what saying? Like, it clicked my sophomore year in college.

Like, where my freshman year, I didn't need, I was playing outside of my position. I was playing three guard. And, you know, two files in college in the first half. You come on the bench. Come on over here. Right. So that was me, like, my whole freshman year. So I'm like, man, fuck, I want to play.

You know what I'm saying? I'm tired of sitting over here. And something just clicked. You know, next year, I'm going to the best team, you know, like player. And I'm actually moving my feet, you know what I'm saying? Stand in front of these guys against steals. And I've never worked on defense like that. You know what I'm saying?

Like, it's just like, something just clicked in my head where, like, no, this is your skill right here. Like, this is where you best at. You can, you score. ball, you know what I'm saying, but like your mindset and how it works, defense works first than the offense, you know what I'm saying? And I just, I just carried that on, you know, when I got to Detroit, you know, I, it didn't happen to my second year where, like, Stan came over. That's when I was going to the best player every night, you know what I'm saying? And it just got, I just got stronger, I got better at it, you know what I started to

watch the film, you know what I'm saying, like, and all that, you know, it ties into it, but, like, That didn't happen. Like, just, all, like, it just happened. Like, I don't know what. It just clicked. So what you're not being with the magic? Does that give y'all the best defensive back card in the league? Yeah.

I said it in my press conference. I don't be surprised is you see me in a Suggs, some, all defense team next year. So I'm supposed to make this year, too, you know what I'm saying? But, like, I don't know how that works, man. Well, somebody got to move over because I wasn't qualified to make it. it this year. I'm not getting suspended next year. Of course not.

So I'm gonna make it. So somebody got to move over. That's all I'm saying. I'm just going to go out there. I mean, a lot of guys on there that I felt like I was better than, you know, defensively wise, you know, that was on there. You know, first team, you know, that I feel like that was solid, you know, who they had

up there. Like, second team, you got at least considering, you know what I'm saying? KCP for sure. You know, could KCP do his thing, though. I can dig that. I respect that. Um, Fron just got his extension. Obviously, Paolo's next up, going to break the bank. What do you see that needs to happen with this team in order for it to take that next step?

Like, got the game seven, lost to Cleveland. That's great for a young team. Yeah. But a lot of teams get stuck right there. Yeah. What needs to happen? with this young team to ultimately take that next step? I feel like they got the formula already. You know what I'm saying?

I feel like they, one of the reason they bringing me over, I feel like they didn't have a lot of shooting, you know, you put a lot on, you know, Apollo and Vaugharn, you know, the mate plays, you know, but you also gotta have God, they're gonna be ready to knock down that shot too. And it was a lot of inexperienced as well. You know, they're young, you know, his first time. time they're making it, you know, as a young crew or young core, you know, like, I was like

surprised they went to game seven, you know, but seeing how they was, uh, the toughness, you know, the, the effort they gave, man, like, it made it, it made my decision easy, you know what I'm saying, to come to Orlando, you know, uh, and they, they wanted me just as bad as, you know what I wanted, you know, to be able to join their team, you know, and add what I can add. So, like, that, that made it easier for, like, me to make my decision. But, like, I'm excited about you guys.

Like, they just, they got the formula, just needed, you know what I'm saying? Like, like I said, just shooting, I would say. You know, just watching them watching through the playoffs. Man, my brother, I appreciate you, my dog coming on the show. It's been an honor sitting here having this conversation talking to you about your journey. Man, it's like, obviously I've been on one team and never had to make those adjustments. And it's always interesting to me to hear that journey because, like, I am, I keep everything the same.

Like, I don't, I don't adjust to change well. And so to see, like, guys do that, I have a tremendous amount of respect. Like, I struggle with, like, oh, man, it's a new coach of the staff. It's a new trainer in the training room. It's a, you know, it's a new strength coach in the way. Like, I struggle with those things. And so.

I say it's a hard adjustment. You know, no matter, you don't know what you're walking into, you know, how the team, how the organization is. Like how, like, the trainers are, you know, everybody around you. But, like, I would say every team I've been on, like, either somebody that came with me from the previous team or I'm going to a team where I know someone, you know, which made it easier, you know what I'm saying, to be able to just come over there and, like, just fit right in. You know, I know one person now hard and I can know everybody else. And every team I've been on, I feel like it's been that way. So Alice Crusoe, one of my good friends, man. Today I got traded, I signed with L.A.

I didn't even know he was playing with the G-League team, and I played against him in college. Wow. So, like, let's just have them type of, like, friendship, you know, and, like, people that you know, man, helps out a lot when you're adjusting to new teams and new cities. Getting traded, you know, having, like, with coos, having Brad there is about the only thing that saved Washington.

My dog, I appreciate you, man. That's a wrap. From the resort world, we appreciate y'all to the name. Vegas, baby. Peace.