The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Draymond Green Show - Candace Parker

Episode Date: March 30, 2023

Candace Parker joins ‘The Draymond Green Show’ to discuss who is the greatest woman athlete of all time, how idolizing Michael Jordan as a Chicago kid influenced her, why she picked Tennessee over Connecticut for college, being a new mom as a WNBA player, Damian Lillard’s comments about NBA ring culture, the various problems and potential solutions facing the WNBA, what she enjoys about doing TV for TNT, how much longer she’s going to be playing, and more. Produced by: Jackson Safon #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green Show. This next guest, I am honored to have. It's actually the first woman on the Draymond Green Show. And, like, initially, when we first started, it was like we were getting guests and I was very strategic about the guests. And then, like, the way they were lining up, it just became a thing of, like, the first woman that come on the show, like, it has to be like, you know, like, you got to have a resume to come on the show anyway. But the first woman that come on the show, like, the resume has to be, like, insanely stellar because, like, we all love first. like you're the first to do something. It's the most amazing thing. So I'm going to go down this list and just bear with me. Two-time W-NBA champion, two-time MVP, a finals MVP,

seven-time All-Star, my favorite of the list, defensive player of the year in 2020. Quite frankly, when everyone was trying to say like she was slowing down, defensive player of the year, stop to talk. rookie of the year in 2008, which was 12 years before the defensive player of the year, insane. Seven time all WNBA first team, three-time R-W-N-B-A second team, two-time NCAA champion, two-time AP female athlete of the year, 2008 and 2021. So we're going back and again, 2020 if the defensive player,

the year wasn't enough for y'all to stop saying she was slowing down. I'm going to just go AP athlete at a year. Two-time John Wooden Award winner. Two-time Olympic gold medalist. And we're just going to leave the high school accolades where they are. This next guest needs no further ado. CP3, Candace Parker. Welcome to the show.

Thank you so much. I appreciate you having me, man. I'm excited to be a part of your show. Thank you. I appreciate you coming on. Now, with that being said, who's the quote? The greatest woman of all time with this resume. Because, see, they don't mention your name enough in that conversation for me, and I have a problem with it. So I need to know who's yours.

Like, we're going to start this thing off hot. We're getting right into it. So, to be honest with you, I was a big, I'm a big era, you know, person. I love that. I love that. And I can, I feel like the goat is who you aspire to be like. like when you're in your driveway and you're trying to be like that person

and I watched a lot of a lot of tape and my dad was big on Cheryl Miller and so Cheryl Miller to me I know a lot of people didn't get to see her play and her career was cut short and there was no WBA for her to really prove what could have been and so

I think just somebody at 6-2 that can handle the ball that was athletic like you didn't see that. She was way before her time so I think Cheryl Miller to me is is that. I think that's absolutely amazing. You know,

like, I knew about Cheryl Miller growing up as a kid. My aunt actually was a standout basketball player, so I knew of all of the women and that Babers. I knew of all the women, like growing up back in the day,

and Cheryl Miller, like, I feel like the respect that everyone had for her. It just let you know, like, what she meant to women's basketball. And with Cheryl,

it wasn't even, by women, What she meant to basketball as a whole? Like, I think that validates that statement. And so I appreciate you for that. I was expecting you to possibly go somewhere else. I feel like you took the media route on me. But honestly, you know, I don't take the media route.

Come on now. I'm all about it. Let's go. Let's go. Let's get into it. You know what? I'm excited about this interview because I know you talk a lot more junk than people may know you talk.

And so I'm looking forward to getting some, if I can get something out of you, I hope so. But no, let's take it back to Chicago. Growing up in Chicago, and especially the time that you, the era that you grew up in, you grew up during the Michael Jordan era, during the 90s Bulls era. What was that like growing up in Chicago coming from a basketball family and being able to have that right there?

The expectation for winning from the get-go, like the Bulls won six championships. We moved to Naperville, Illinois when I was three. So we got there in 1989, and that was right before the Bulls started winning. So my first memories were sitting down watching WGN, watching Bulls games, and Grant Park where they would do the celebration. And I just remember loving the Bulls. Like you grew up with the expectation of like, we're winning again this year. how it is. And I think it was, it's no, it's not ironic, I would say that I kind of fell in love

with basketball around their second three Pete and around the WBA started and just watching Michael Jordan and, you know, I was a big Ron Harper fan. So watching Ron Harper and B.J. Armstrong and Luke Longley, like that was our team. That was our city's team. And I think it just set the expectation of winning like from the gig though. Like from when I first picked up a ball, it was like he had to win championships. So you're growing up watching that. In the meantime, you have an older brother who's building a career and he eventually goes on to the NBA.

What impact did he have on you? And the pressure in being a sister and as good as you were with all the expectations that you had, but you have a brother that's an NBA player. And then you have to live up. Did you feel like you needed to live up to something due to that? I was always in awe of my brothers. They are and were my heroes.

And so everything that they did, I was trying to do. And I think for so long, I tried to play basketball kind of quietly. I really leaned on soccer and volleyball. Like, that's what I wanted my identity to be, just because I would go to school and, you know, kids would come with my brother's rookie card for me to sign when he got drafted and was playing in Philly. And so the pressure I think was there

And I kind of for a while was resistant to it But then like I said I picked up the game And I loved it I fell in love with it and I started picking my brother's brain About stuff and I remember him breaking down Basketball and out the same as like we put the soccer ball And you know us kind of he was that older brother So we didn't have the competition

But there was just this huge shadow That I had to kind of try to recreate And luckily, I'm not a shooter. Like, my brother is a shooter. So I didn't really follow in his footsteps. I kind of had my own thing. And then my middle brother was just brilliant. Like went to Johns Hopkins, went to Washington, went to Washington for undergrad.

And so to follow in his footsteps and get to their school and hear their teachers talk about them, it made me want to be great. And it made me want to live up to their legacy. And so I always say, you know, my biggest family memories is just going on a Saturday. to the park and just us, and that's where we talk about junk. You know, it's fucking jump. That's where I learned. You know, it was from my brother.

So not only, you know, my fade away, but also, like, to be competitive. And that takes me, too. So I feel like when I grew up, surrounded the same time you grew up, like in women's basketball, I've always been a women's basketball fan, especially women's college basketball growing up,

like Shemika Hodgeclaw. Like, I feel like you were either Tennessee or you were Yukon. Like, it was no in between. You didn't one year root for Yukon. You didn't. And so I was Tennessee guy, Shameka Holensklaw, Tamika Catchings, like, go down the list. And then eventually I'd become a Candace Parker fan once you go to Tennessee. Why was it Tennessee for you and Coach Pat Summitt over Yukon and Gino Oriam?

Because I feel like if you're a blue chip, you were looking at those two. Well, Pat was different. You know, I think my parents knew earlier than I did that that was the right place for me. And like I said earlier, my brother went to school to become a doctor. He went to the best school, right? And for me, I wanted to go to the best school to be, I wanted to play basketball. I wanted to play basketball professionally. But I also wanted to do more than just play basketball.

I wanted to be a good human. I wanted to be a mom. to, you know, do major in communications. I wanted to do all those things. And it just seemed like that place and that coach and that program would really prepare me for life. And I had a front row seat to what it takes to be a strong woman for what it takes to demand respect, for what it takes to be able to walk in any room and look people in the eye and know

you deserve to be there. And I think it started at my home and then it carried to Tennessee. And so I guess it kind of came down to me telling myself reasons not to go there. Like telling myself reasons why I shouldn't go there. Like I want to play in front of people. And we sold out and we led the nation in attendance my whole three years that I played at Tennessee. And so to have that following and to have that legacy. And I wanted to be a big fish in a big pond.

I didn't want to duck pressure. You know, I wanted to win a championship and be one of the best and one of the greatest to play for one of the greatest programs. And so I think that competitive element kind of came out in me. No, like I said, I was, I was happy you went to Tennessee. I always grew up a Tennessee fan of Pat Summers. So that was... But your time, like with you going to play for a coach like Tom Izzo, that you knew was going to prepare you, like, nothing you faced today is a surprise

because of what you experienced in college. Like the type of guy, you know? No, 100% like the toughness that you had. to have to play for Tom Izzo. Like, the things that I'll go through in the NBA, I'm like, it's a piece of cake. Like, I play for Izzo every day. You know, like, when you speak of Pat, it speaks so much to me of my experience with Coach Izo.

Like, I love that man in death. I've heard you speak about Pat. And, like, I hear every opportunity you get now to this day, you keep her name alive. And I honor that because Coach Iszo for me, like, I'll get my right arm for Tom Mizzle, like the things that he's done for me in my life and teaching me, like, I didn't know how to work hard. Like, what's that? Like, I thought what I was doing was working hard, like, teaching me how to work hard to get

in shape, like, how to compete. Like, one of my main skills in the NBA is competing. Like, I don't think people understand that's a skill. Like, Tom Izzo really taught me how to, like, compete at a high level. Now, I think some of it's innate, right? Like, you have to have some of it. But for me, with Tom Izzo, like, the reasons you're, like, I was going to go to Kentucky. Tubby Smith left, and I, but I always wanted to go to Michigan State, and I didn't really have an offer.

And then when I decommitted, I had to offer, and I went right away because I loved what Izo stood for. And I knew the man he would help me grow into. And I knew it was so much more than about basketball. And that's what I've watched your have. underestimate the value of life lessons in college. You know? Like the ball eventually is going to stop bouncing. It doesn't matter how great you are.

It doesn't matter. The ball is going to stop bouncing. And you need skills to be a good parent, to be a good partner, to be all of these things, to be able to work in an environment, to learn how to have a motor and to work hard. I mean,

and you are constantly reinventing yourself. I mean, even watching you now, to be honest with you, I'm not blowing smoke. Like, you don't have to do this. You don't have to, but you're setting yourself up for the next. And I think a lot of athletes kind of ride this wave and they don't prepare for the next, which is good. You know, sometimes you focus on what you have, but the greatest advice I got was from Michael Strayan, who on Mondays, after they play on Sundays, would get in his car and drive

and do a radio show after games. You know? And so like that mindset and that work ethic, it comes from people showing you, you know, how to do it and what it takes. No, 100%. And like you said in doing this, I think one of the best compliments I got about this show

last year when I first started doing it was Colin Carhart, who owns the network. Like, he was shocked at how hard I worked. He's like, yo, I don't understand. like why do you work this hard? But like, that's all I know. Like, I wouldn't be who I am today. And so anything I do, I feel like that's just how you have to do it.

Like, that's the way. But there's a stereotype with athletes that it doesn't carry over into other things. And I hope that this generation breaks that stereotype because as athletes, we are given tools, we work for tools that helps us excel at other things. And I think just now the world is kind of starting to see that in that we are literally given the blueprint of what it is to work in a team, to work hard, to fight for an actual, like, goal that's actually a trophy and like, you know, you win something or whatever. And that's what you're working for in the workforce.

whatever, you're working towards your goals. So I just, you know, seeing you do that and see you set yourself up for in another amazing career. I mean, it is inspiring. So keep it up, man. Keep it up. I appreciate that. And I actually want to get into that.

But before I get into that, I want to. So you leave college, you go to the NBA. And you have your daughter. You had your daughter in college. No, no, no, no, no. I left college. Second year. I left college in May, and I had, I was pregnant with her.

I got pregnant with her in August. So I had just left. Were you scared, shitless? Like, because you just spoke about being a mother and like how you wanted to be a mother. Like, the arguably the best player of a generation and you're about to have a kid. At the time, like, nowadays it's susceptible. Like, at that time, not really accepted, more frowned upon than anything, and no one really voiced in support.

Like, were you terrified? I feel as though I always wanted to be a young mom. Always. Like, I always envisioned, like, having a kid. I don't know what it was. Like, I felt like it was just like I was put on earth to be a mom. Like, I just always envisioned having the family. and having, you know, having a little you and, you know, being able to look at that person and grow up and whatever.

So when it happened, yes, I was, because it was not planned. But it was one of those things where I kind of just, I didn't see what everybody else saw. And I think that that's my gift and my curse is that when something happens, I look at it as an opportunity where, okay, when am I going to get back? how am I going to work towards it getting back? What day? So the day I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I circled on the calendar when I wanted to come back. Like what game I was going to play.

And the schedule hadn't come out yet, but I circled the day that I was going to play. And from that point on, you know, I would be on the elliptical and I would be on, you know, shooting. I couldn't jump. But I was shooting. I was getting back and, you know, people are looking at me like, why are you doing all this?

So I think the biggest thing for me, was the balance. Like my mom was at everything. I had one line in a play. My mom was there. And so for me, I think it was more so not the pregnancy to get back.

Like I just assume my body is going to be able to do what I wanted to do. But it was the balance of being an athlete and chasing after my goals and my dreams and having a child.

And where is the gray line of sacrificing for her where it's not fair? versus sacrificing what you want to do in your goals and your life. And I will say I might have been a better basketball player. I might be looked at in a different light had I not had her, right? Or had I not been injured or whatever. But there is no amount of anything that I would give up for that.

like the fact that she's been able to be a part of my career to see me like we've grown up together we've lived in China and Russia and Turkey and gone all over the world we're going to Japan in a couple weeks and I just feel as though like it was my purpose and you know I think it it opened my eyes to the way that the world perceives mothers

and you know I mean it's interesting And I will say the NBA has changed the stigma of it. Like you walking in with your son for the tunnel, whether you know it or not, it makes a difference. Because guess what? In the media, they're asking me where my kids are when I'm on a road trip. You know? They're not asking you.

They're not asking Steph. They're not asking LeBron. Like, who's taking care of the kids while you're gone? So the stigma that dads don't have to have that responsibility has been there constantly. You know, and so I think just, you know, I know I kind of. digress a little bit, but I think having my daughter has completely set up who I am and what I'm about. And I have a life outside of basketball. I have passions outside of basketball. And I think for a while I was tunnel vision and I lived and died by it. And I think as a competitor, it's good,

but as a human, it's not. And so my daughter gives me that. Like, she loves me no matter if I score 25 points or if I score three points. Absolutely. Yeah, so I think, you know, it was a growing up moment for me, for sure. And y'all immediately go to Los Angeles of all cities. So, like, have to deal with all of the stuff that come with that. Now, how is that adjustment with a small baby and moving to Los Angeles, expected to be great?

Like, all right, you just had this kid and you still expected to be great. And I don't think people may realize it now, but again, we have to remember this is years ago. The Los Angeles, like plans for the Los Angeles sparked right after Lisa Leslie. That's a big thing. And so now you're expected to carry that with a little baby. What was that experience like? I only know one way.

You know, I'm going to try to be the greatest basketball player I can, and I'm going to try to be the greatest mom I can. And sometimes I screwed up it. both of them, you know? But I will say this. I think I don't feel like I feel pressure from the outside because the expectations that I put on myself

are way greater than what anybody could think or want or have of me. And so I didn't feel the pressure. I think more so I felt the frustration of not winning right away. I felt the anger of feeling like, you know, you're kind of in mud a little bit in terms of your talent level and what you're doing. And I mean, I had a baby and then I was injured.

And then there were these expectations to win. And sometimes maybe the team wasn't built in the way that I kind of saw, you know, what would be beneficial to us. We had a bunch of heartbreaks and last second shots. and but you know all in all I think I was just trying to focus on doing all I could to get that championship and I didn't envision like when I came in a league it was like how many rings do you want to win I was like six like Mike you know and then as you go through it you realize how fucking hard it is when a champion is how hard it is and people look at it like it's just so easy And it's not. And so dealing with the pressures was nothing because I wanted to win. I didn't care.

I just wanted to win. And so I think just that was what kept me up at night. It wasn't what people were saying about me or anything like that. It was just the fact that I wanted to win a championship. I feel like guys, like the more that I've won and like you just said how hard it is, I feel like I have a softer spot for guys that has, for instance, Damian Liller, like James Harder. You think of these guys who's had these incredible careers and haven't won a championship.

And like I used to talk a lot of, I used to always, and like I still will, like Charles Barkley, like, never won a championship, Chuck. like I'm still going to talk about him. But there's also another side of me that's like, like James Harden, does James Hardin win a championship if he don't run up against us every year in the conference finals? Like, I mean, with Carl Malone, that won, Parmalone would have won a championship or John Scott would have won a championship

if MJ wasn't, or Dominique Wilkins when Atlanta. Exactly. Talk about all these guys, yeah. But then. But then these guys end up being discredited for what they've done in their careers because they didn't win a championship. But actually, only you and I and obviously are the champions, knows how hard it really is and all of the things that has to go right in order for it to happen. You got to be like, you have to be healthy at the right time. You got to be clicking at the right time.

You got to get a little lucky. Like. But people. underestimate and undervalue the luck element. Because you know I'm a Golden State fan. Like, Layla's favorite team. No, I am. I've told you this.

Absolutely. Like, if you look back on if everything would have gone perfect, right? Y'all could have six or seven championships. Absolutely. Right? Now, if everything would have went wrong, you'll maybe only have one. or two.

Like, we look at these plays as, and I've always said this, we allow individual plays to determine somebody's entire career. Like, really, if Houston Rockets wouldn't have missed 27 straight to weeks. Listen, y'all's defense is great. But some of the things are wide open, like wide open. Yeah. At least 10 of them were wide open. Or would have Carl Malone would have put the ball up like this,

and Jordan wouldn't have come baseline and knocked it out of his hand. Like there's so many elements of stuff. So I believe that there's so much luck, but I also think you make your luck. And like to watch y'all know, because there's a champion's mentality of knowing when that play is. Like knowing when you have to make a play. That's true.

You know, and you can only know, that when you've won. You cannot, you, you can try to know it, you can try to feel it. But up until you win, you're guessing. You're guessing when, when it's time. Like, is it time now? Okay, no. Is it time now?

You know what I mean? And so I feel like watching you guys and watching y'all last year, like it really was you knew when it was time. So I think there's luck, but I also think, you know, there's that. mentality and that winner. So do you think, like, actually, as of late, Dame has been really outspoken about it. Do you think the flack that guys catch or not even necessarily the flak, but essentially how guys are dropped down in the rankings because of not winning championship, do you think

that's justified? I think in the past NBA, yes. the modern NBA? Probably not. Because I think there's so much switching teams and going places that then you're going to

have to start not validating championships as well. Because do you remember when the Lakers did it? It was like Caramillan went to the Lakers and Harry Payton. Yeah, and they went to the Lakers and it was just kind of like if they went a championship this year

They haven't won one before. And I think this is what I'm facing now. Like there's so many people that are calling me with payee and, you know, you just switching teams. And I'm like, listen, at me. I've won championships, whatever, however you want it, I'll give it to you. We want it a hard, hard, hard way. I've gone back home and won a championship.

And now I'm deciding that, you know what? I don't want to play 40 minutes. I want to do everything. I don't want to, I don't, I don't, I'm cool winning. near my family, picking me off the court, playing for an adult organization, an adult practice facility with stuff that I've never had in my career. Call me what you want, but don't at me with that.

And so I think we have different ways of validating and not validating players. Do I think Charles Barkley is a freaking beast or in his guess? Like Chuck could fall. absolutely and he played during an era that was playing against I mean so but I think now it's a little bit because so many guys are changing teams so it's like what is day I'm going to do because you are kind of wasting a little bit of years and I get it like you want to stay loyal and there's a lot of people that want to start and finish in the same place and I think that that's admirable but you also have to look at the big scheme of things if you care about where you are on the list. So are you saying KD coming to the Warriors

and you're going to the to the Aces are two totally different things? I think it's two totally different things. I've won two championships. So you're saying what you did is more LeBron than

Katie, essentially. LeBron went back home. I'll be honest. I'll be honest, yes. I think LeBron to the Lakers for yes,

career-wise, but also business-wise. Yeah. Absolutely. He's talking about wanting to be a billionaire. Well, guess what? I want to be

a female magic Johnson. I want to be a businesswoman and I want to take female sports and female athletes and have them looked at differently in

tech, in investment, in just business in general. And so for me, I think it would It was family. It was business and it was basketball. And it's like, and I think that that was the main part. Drummond, I have not had a locker in my entire career. I've been in the WMBA for

16 years and I have not had a locker where it has my name on it and I can leave my shit and then come back and know my shit going to be there. I have not had that. Really? That's my own that you walk into and this is your own area. Nobody else. There's no old people walking through. And it's not to say is a bad thing, but I'm saying like, I fought so hard to like bring the WBA long that I've never had a practice facility where I can just go get shots up at night. We've always shared a practice.

Yes, and so my thing is, is I deserve that, right? Absolutely. I deserve that. I've worked my ass off and have been a part of growing the WMBA. And so for, I don't want to, I don't want my last couple years, my last year, this is it. I want this to be something that I look back on and I'm like, man, like, I had that, you know?

Like, I've seen progress. This is where we started and this is where we're at right now. Looking to get more out of the NBA season? Well, now's the perfect time to download Fandul, America's number one sportsbook. Right now, new customers get a no-swet first bet up to $1,000. That's free bets back if your first bet doesn't win. The promo code is always Colin. Fandul has tons of betting options.

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Fanduels offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 gambler or visit fandul.com slash RG, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia. 1-800-next-step or text next step to 533442, Arizona. 1-88-78-9-777 or visit ccpg.org. slash chat, Connecticut, 1-800-9 with it, Indiana.

1-800-5-2-4-700 to visit KSgamblinghelp.com, Kansas, 1877-7-7-0-Stop, Louisiana. Call 1-800-3-2-7-50-50 or visit www-W-W-Hoplin.org-W-W-W-W-G slash problem gambling. Visit www.md-W-D, Gamblinghelp.org, Maryland. 1877-8-8-Hope, New York, or text, Hope, New York, 467-369, New York. 1-800-2-2-4-7-700, Wyoming, or visit www.1-800 gambler.net, West Virginia. Your now teammate, Kelsey Plum, recently went on a podcast, and everyone's been outspoken about the flying private, which I want to ask you about.

But also, she recently went on a podcast, and she was discussing revenue sharing or the revenue. And she said, I'm not asking for equal pay in the NBA. And I can appreciate this, Kelsey, because I actually said some things. very similar to some things that I'm starting here these days a couple years ago. And I caught a lot of flat for saying what I was saying. And I was just like, wow, that's interesting. But I'm starting to hear more of those things so I can appreciate what Kelsey said,

which was, I'm not asking for equal pay as the NBA players. I'm asking for equal revenue sharing as the NBA players. what is what is your feeling on that as far as like getting the equal revenue sharing you and your business acumen and what you know about business and numbers what's your take on the revenue sharing situation yeah i'm on that draymond green podcast so i can't hold back here uh so here's the thing and i'm in agreement and i heard what you said and i'm in agreement with the fact that in a lot of areas that WMBA tries to do things like the NBA, right, in their business plan, except, let's just be honest, right? So I guess to me, I was big on if I'm being 100%, I feel as though we should not have a cat. I don't think we should have a cap. And I also think maybe to get to that point, maybe we have to deunionize. Maybe we can't have the same setup as the NBA.

And I say that in, the NBA is made of stars, right? And this is no knock because I think if I'm an employee or if I'm a coach or if I'm a trainer, I'm trying to go and do what's best for me and my family. And if somebody wants to pay me all this money to come do something,

I'm going to do it. I'm going to try to work out ways to carve out things where I can be successful. Right? But what's happening now is as a league, a lot of times we're setting ourselves up to look like a charity. And I say that in a sense of we're paying our coaches more than our star players. We're paying our GM more than our star players. And so then what does that say about the product? Right?

Like they're not coming to see Steve Kerr. call plays, they come in to see y'all. You know, Steve has an amazing blueprint, but you can't have him make more than your star player. And so I think from,

and there's no league, no successful league that is, in the United States, even abroad, that pays their coaches more than they play their, they pay their star players. So I think we're already set up, not in the best light.

I also say, this. You know, I think that the way you have the product on display says a lot about the product, right? So even the pricing of the app is like, you're telling me it's like 1499 or 29, what is that saying? Like a product? So I just think that all in all, even the jerseys, right? I went to Chicago and it's like, get to Chicago, everybody's excited about it. Can't find my jersey. Can't get my jersey. Can't buy my jersey.

There's no production of my jersey. Right. Win the championship. People still can't find my jersey in an entire season. So I just think sometimes we set ourselves up not to be successful. And, you know, there's a lot of things that have grown in the WMBA, right? But there's also a lot of things that need to change from a business standpoint. And I think that, you know, we ourselves have to hold ourselves to a higher standard.

And ownership does as well, you know, like you talk about in the NBA, you can't have millionaires. You got to have billionaires, right? Absolutely. Got to properly invest in stuff to see where it's going to really end up. And I think we're at a fork in the world right now. And I think people that choose the right way, like women's sports is going to be here, whether it's people filling a quota,

whether it's television, whether it's streaming, but I guarantee, like, the visibility element, like, why did it take so long for the women's national championship game to be on ABCC? Why are two of the hottest teams competing against each other on Super Bowl Sunday?

Yes, that was crazy. I can believe that. But, Drummond, if we would have went game five in our series in the WMBA playoffs, we would have went up against baseball. the playoffs for baseball. Do you know what I mean?

So there's certain things strategically that I understand you kind of have to take what you're given, but also there has to be a line in the sand at some point where, you know, we start having a better blueprint for what we're trying to accomplish, you know, and I could go on and on about marketing as well. Because for so long when I came into the league, we were marketing to knuckleheads that were in their mom's basement talking about how women can't play basketball, why are we talking to them? like let's love it and let's love and embrace our supporters and our crowd and the people that really like women's basketball.

So, I mean, last thing, because I'm going to go on this rant forever. But, you know, I always suggest, I'm like everybody, similar to how you all go overseas and play, right? Everybody should go play. We could go sell out TBA if I'm playing a home game at Thompson Bowling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. Let's go play in Orlando, Florida, when they have their big A-A. you event. You know, I just feel like, let's go to Portland when they have their event and we're able to take a WMBA team who are future stars in the grassroots program.

Let's play there. And then guess what? All those girls will go home with their parents and maybe buy season tickets where they're from. I just think that there's been so many ups and downs and we're still here and we're still here for a reason. So, yeah. Absolutely.

I agree. And I think like the marketing, because I'm a strong believer in that when I went on my little rent. That's really one of the things I was talking about. It's like, how is it that? Because, and I want to get into this, which I said in that right, let's focus our argument to who we should be talking to. Who can tell these stories?

Because the fact that, like, people immediately say, Candace Parker from Chicago. and if you ask Candace Parker, where's she from? Number one, you're going to say Naperville. Now, that story should be told. Like, that would be the equivalent of saying, now, a little different, but it'll be the equivalent of saying,

LeBron's from Cleveland and not telling the story of him being from Akron. Let you tell, like, I'm from Naperville. Now, that's Chicago, right? Like, you still, Chicago through and through God, the pride grew up in it, all of that. But you're still going to put on Naperville, because that's going to get, it's going to do way more for Naperville than if you

just say Chicago, because of Chicago is a May City, right? Okay, so now, who's telling these stories? Who's telling that Diana Tarassey's from the IE, right? Like, why, why does no one know these things? Because there are people out here that are in positions to tell these stories that can help grow these games. I actually went as ironically as women as empowerment month. I went on this rent during women's empowerment month. But I feel like there needs to be more of that. And if we can do that, now you start to grow the pot,

which is now you start to grow, if you grow on the revenue, you start to grow the dollars that goes to the athletes. I feel like we, like, what needs to happen is need to go at those people. And that's just, that's just my opinion. And I don't know how you feel about that, but... Okay, I really feel like why the NBA's great is one, because you guys are the most talented in the entire world at your craft, right? So you have to be good, okay?

Two, what you just said in terms of telling stories and people being able to own who they are and tell their version of things, and you're encouraged to be you. Now, there was an era in an NBA where it wasn't, where they were like, okay, You can't be this. Can't be that.

We've had that in the domain day. Then you move into this era where they're like social media, wow, people fall in love with these players for different reasons. And you're not wearing a mask. You're not wearing a hat. And they're able to see you and you're able to have the tunnel fits and be who you are and walk in with your son. And people fall in love with that, right?

And I just feel like to some extent that we're in, we're back in the 70s and 80s. when Dr. Buss took a chance on investing in a product that nobody wanted. And the players were pretty talented, right? Players could ball and it was cool, but it was bigger than the game. It was the experience. It was the Laker Girls. It was the club.

It was feeling like you're a part of something. It was getting stars to come and sit courtside and make it cool and beef. you know, fashionable and all these things. And I think the WMBA needs to capitalize on that. But the WMBA needs to capitalize on that blueprint of being able to make it more than just the game of basketball. Because, listen, y'all play, I watch, y'all play a hell of a lot of basketball.

And guess what? There are some games where it's not the best. Absolutely. But it's still the experience of it all. And I think having Adam, silver, love him, hate him, whatever. I feel like he listens to Bolsa. In the way that you all do the All-Star game now,

in the amount of time you have off after the All-Star, and not having a dress code, doing things like that, and that has grown the game. It doesn't have anything to do with rules. I mean, stupid take-file rule, I guess it was an adjustment this year. But it doesn't have anything to do with the game. It has to do with the stuff outside of the game. I would like the WBA to do that, like capitalize on that.

No, and I think your example of Dr. Buss is incredible because if you look at it back during those times, when he made that investment and took that chance, they were losing money at that time. And so I think everyone's argument is always going to be, but you're losing money. But if you get an owner, and I've been outspoken about Mark Davis before with the Raiders,

and I'll give credit where credit is due, I'm always just give my opinion and tell the truth is, not really biased. It is what it is. I think what Mark Davis has done and is doing with the ACEs, like I have the utmost respect for it because he's investing. He's investing into the product. And so, I mean, let's face it, in any business that you start,

you lose money to start it. That's any business. It doesn't matter. Any business. Yes. You're going to lose. money at the inception. It's no way around it.

If you are someone out there that can start a business and not lose money at the start, contact me. I got some money for you to start a business. But you're going to lose money. And so everyone's argument is always, but you're losing money. So how can you ask for this? And what you're saying is be willing to invest the money and know that it will be a loss ultimately to grow the product where it can go.

And so you may need new owners. Yeah, exactly. Like, that may be an issue. And that's a seamless transition into the elephant in the room, the hot topic of the latest offseason has been chartering. And you know what? My question, my answer to that, yes, do I want a charter? Yeah.

But similar to the person that has $5 in his pocket but has a Lamborghini that he got to fill up and do all this stuff, I don't want the I don't want the Lamborghini. I want more money. And so I think before that happens, players have to make more money. Absolutely. Because the product is going to be seen as better and more and exclusive, the more money the players make.

I mean, just be honest. Like somebody walks in, you can be nobody. If a billionaire walks in a party, he going to get in. A billionaire goes to get in to the party. So I just feel like, I think that that is, yes. I do want a charter I think would make the grand, great, whatever. Let's talk about dollars and cents first, you know? Absolutely.

And one thing that you just spoke of, and I want to get your take on this, I feel you spoke on how the WNBA is aligned. Do you think, and I want to specifically ask this question because it will take me somewhere else and you'll get where I'm going in a second. But do you think aligning the WNBA right next to the NBA is, is it ultimately beneficial? Because, for instance, you know, one guys to come to the games and support, right? Like, I understand the support thing, but is that actually what's going to help drive the product, which is a great product, but gets overshadowed?

Do you know, can I ask you? Because we talk about verbiage a lot. in usage of races, right? Like we always talk about the way people use to describe, even somebody that's like black and as a shooter, the verbiage people use to describe that person is way different. Or when you're comparing players, right? I was trying to find a comparison to like Grady Dick, right?

And I was like immediately going race. And it's like, no, what he, let's compare him to who he plays like, not race. Like, you know? Absolutely. The verbiage that we use for women, a lot is support. Like, when I go to your games, I'm not, I don't type in my caption, I'm supporting the Warriors, right?

I don't say that. I say, oh, I just pulled up to the Warriors game. It's dope. Like, I bought my daughter. We're saying courtside, whatever. And it's like constantly, the WMBA uses support in their caption. So I don't think aligning the WMBA with a lead. One, that is the NBA.

Two, that has been in existence for 76 years. It's just not a good comparison to begin with. And so while we do lean on other ballers, it's other basketball players. I don't think we need to, like, have that. Because I think comparison, can I say the comparison? Comparison is the thief of all joy. Absolutely. Like you're not going to get joy on this.

If we're constantly comparing our All-Star games, our signature shoes, our brand of basketball, our brand of basketball and points. Everybody wants to talk about your low scoring. Well, we play 40 minutes. Y'all play 48. No? Like, let's, okay, so let's get into this, you know? And so then all of a sudden we're sitting there comparing like, okay, well, how many points you think you scored if you played 48 minutes or how. It's just, it's not a good, it's not going to end up.

well for us. And so I think it would be better to just differentiate ourselves from the NBA. Yes, for a while we needed all of this. But I think it would be better. We have to some extent, like there's not many teams that are affiliated with the NBA, but those teams usually are doing better. So you know what I mean? So it's just, I don't know. It's a chicken of the egg, man. You know, it's like it's beneficial that it's not harmful. 100%. So I'll be 100% honest with you

because why not? Like I'm always going to be honest. And I am a big fan of women's basketball because I feel like I, who being someone that appreciates fundamentals, if you want to see some fundamentals, you go watch women basketball. And I don't say that in a negative way,

because you not want to see some fundamentals. Go watch the NBA. Ain't no fundamentals involved. Like, I mean, the great teams you got fundamentals, but a lot of these teams suck, and they don't have fundamentals. And I always say, I like to, when I want to watch good basketball,

I'm going to go watch me some women's basketball because you're going to see good basketball. And for me, that's what I appreciate. That's how I play the game. I like to play the game the right way. I actually stopped. watching the WNBA over this whole support thing because I felt like it took away from me

the reason that I was watching it. I was watching it because I enjoyed the game. I was watching it because, like, there are certain players that I enjoy watching yourself, Chelsea, DT, Asia. Like, there are certain players that I want to see play as a fan of basketball suit. Like,

and there's a list, Brianna, like, I, there's some players, but once it became all about like, oh, man,

like, you need to go support a WNBA game. I'm like, and when I went, I'm just like, but this ain't really why I wanted to be here. Like, I want to be here because I want to watch this game,

and it's a good game. And then also I have some friends in the WNBA, and I will go support, a friend because guess what, I'll go support a friend in the play. So if I'm coming, like, and I'm specifically coming to, like, I'm coming to the game to support CP. I may not be interested in that basketball game, but I'm going to come support a friend. That's a totally different thing than me sitting at the game on the NBA's Instagram,

Draymond Green here to support the Las Vegas Aces or Draymond Green here to support the WNBA game. I started pulling away because with the support, then I felt. also came backlash, and what I meant by backlash is this. I feel like when things happen, a lot of times WMBA players, we have been like the ones being attacked about it. Okay. And I'm going to fill in, sorry to interrupt, but I'm going to fill in your play. Because I immediately, I have a lot of NBA friends.

I do. And I immediately heard when aerial powers went out, went at Andre when he signed on and here's the thing I think to some extent people are so quick to

react and be defensive so I have two takes on that one I know the deal 12 right I know the deal 23 like I know the deal you call zero man that's zero

like y'all say that you all call each other all the time. I don't call Steph, Steph. I call 8.30. What up? Exactly. Okay.

Right? So I get that part where people feel attacked because they don't know the lingo of what's being said. I also get the other side where you are so tired of having to defend yourself against dudes that can't carry half of what you do every day. and say they have all this game and come in and they shot is broken than have these people and you feel you go through TSA

and you got to you got to do this five foot five come up to you talking crazy so I see the defensive element that was directed in the wrong direction but I also get tired as a WBA player of appreciating whatever we get right there's a number of times where I'm sure you jumped on somebody where there's been a different perspective, right? Where you feel attacked and so you kind of lash out and like, you know, go at them. So I see in women's basketball all the time that occurring where you feel like,

oh, what was that supposed to? You know? But also, guys that are trying to do the right thing or are being steered in this support part of the game. and I couldn't agree more that I think for a long time we wasted time and dollars and marketing on trying to get the support from people

that really didn't understand the game of basketball or didn't understand the value at all. And so I mean, I value criticism in our game because I think there's, with more money, there's going to be more people that put time to get better.

Let's just be honest. You saw people in the 80s and 90s that were fat and out of shape coming to training camp that did nothing but rebound and run down the court. Could they have made their free goes more or hit jump shots? Yeah, probably if they'd have worked on it. But guess what? It ain't life-changing money. What am I going to go get in the gym for?

I think we're going to see better product with the women's game because more people are going to get in the gym. More people are going to try to get better at their craft. It drives me nuts, people that take this shit for granted. it drives me nuts people that don't put their effort and energy into it. It drives me absolutely nuts. And so I guess from two ways, like I see what needs to be done. I see the element of support, but I also am competitive as hell.

And, you know, so I know I digress again, but I just think women sometimes we feel like it's a lose-lose, you know? Absolutely. So in saying that, I think one thing you're saying, which I totally agree with, is your fan isn't going to be the fan who likes somebody high flying. Like, no, your fan is going to be the fan that understands and appreciates basketball. Now, what I will say is this. We are starting to see, you know, first girl dunking games and all of that, first woman dunking games, all of that. But, like, we are starting to see women be more and more athletic,

and I think that goes into, like, the training that we're all getting now and all of those different things. But I said all I have to say this. So when people say, and I know the answer to this, but these are for the listeners who don't know the answer, so when people say, lower the rim, because if y'all was dunking more, then it'll be more entertaining and more people will come to the game and they'll come support,

and it'll be more exciting. So Laura to real. We should just put on bikinis too then, huh? Some of us. I disagree. And I'm actually, you know, people call me on this too. I mean, it would be beneficial for me to play with the same size ball. Y'all have too.

My hands suck at fitting on the small ball. Like, I'm a big believer in let's all play with the same ball. Now, we can have a different color and make it ours, but I'm a big believer of playing with the same ball. I mean, listen, Jemont, like we got to, at some point, you've got to kind of fight the battles you can fight. And it was, I think the 90s was the last time that somebody finally outlawed the half court. Like for a long time, women weren't even allowed to run full court because they were, they thought it was just too exhausting. We weren't running in marathons.

We weren't allowed. I mean, we just got allowed to be athletes. And so I think it's just like one of those things where it's like, can we have time? Can we have time where we don't have to fight for stuff and we can do what we do and ball and gain skill and all this stuff? And it's like we're trying to change all these elements of stuff. There's different styles of basketball. Some people don't like overseas basketball. But guess what?

There's a whole crowd of people that do. Some people don't like the NBA and they like college. I personally cannot watch college until the tournament. But there's some people that absolutely. are fans of the NBA. That's me. There's some people that grow up and watch women's basketball and our fans of women's basketball. Like, let's let our crowd be what it is. We don't have to go around changing everything. I think that's been the issue. It's been we've tried to change so much. Like, you can't be gay. It can't be a mom. Can't be all these things.

Like, we've been told you can't be all these things for so long. And so I think we were so far away from our identity as who we are and the communities, like some of the strong, powerful people that come from the NBA are a result of them being able to be themselves. Absolutely. I mean, I am a product. I've been myself this whole time.

Exactly. And there were players in the NBA that haven't always been able to do that, be that, or have fought those battles to be able to help players in the future be who they are. And that's why your league is successful Like we keep talking about the rules of the game and it's like,

Draymond, I go and I watch the NBA all the time. I work at NBA TV, NBA on T&T all the time. There are games that are painful to watch. I agree. Right? One hundred percent. Nobody's out there.

Everybody's out there running around, whatever. Guess what? It's the swag. It's the tunnel walk. It's the rival. It's all these things. So like stop trying to change rules within the game. Like let's really focus on

what the product is and what it can be. I think it's coming. I think dunking is going to become more prevalent in the women's game, but it will never be the identity of the women's game, ever. Nor does it need to be. I don't think so. Nor does it need to be. By the way, Duncan is then the identity of the NBA today,

three-point shooting is. Three-point shooting is. Exactly. And earlier on, we spoke about setting up things for after basketball, And you are well until your next thing. Not only have you set it up, but you're well into it. You're thriving at it. Number one, congratulations.

It's crazy that we're saying this in 2023, but to be the first woman on the All-Star broadcast, absolutely amazing. You know as a basketball fan what All-Star Weekend means to us. So I just want to say congratulations to you on that, number one. Secondly, what's TV been for you? Like, I know for me, for me, if I'm being honest, doing TV and podcasts and stuff actually helped me recapture my love of basketball because it allowed me to get back to speaking about the game and its purity and to kind of get away from the business of it all

and just speak about and just appreciate the game. what is going on TV? What has that been for you? Well, first is a dream because I think it's the second best job. I think playing is the best job ever. And I think talking about basketball, I do that in the way.

I'm a basketball junkie. I go home, it's always on television. We can watch a whole game and I'm going to watch the roundup, a sports center of NBA game time, whatever comes next. I'm going to watch it even though I just watch the whole game and probably going to watch it again.

Like that's just I am a junkie for NBA basketball. I'm a junkie for just sports in general. Football, like you go down the line. So I think television for me was that ability to stay connected to the game. And I feel like I've had the upbringing of being around a table with brothers and us arguing without Google. Like we couldn't Google the stuff that we were arguing. We just argued that we had points. and things like that.

So I think once I got on television, especially for Turner, where it's encouraged for you to have your point of view, for you to share your point of view, for you to debate, for you to argue. And I'm doing it with people that I've looked up to and grown up watching.

And so I think it was just one of those surreal moments where I get to do this, you know? And I'm not telling myself that just to say it either. I'm not saying like, hey, I get to do this. and I'm telling myself to, you know, push through days. No, I get to be on television and have a platform and share my opinion and talk about a game that I love and get paid to do it.

So I just think it's a unique position because I'm able to play and still commentate on the game. And so I think it's made me a better basketball player, but it's also made me a better commentator because I know the commentators I don't care for. You know what I mean? Like I know the commentators that rubbed me wrong way when you make it like extremely personal or you attack me or you know degrade or demean

what I've tried to accomplish or what I'm doing or my intention or you don't know something and you try to act like you know the whole story and so I think it's made me a better person like as a basketball player but also as a commentator in the way that I'm able to critique individuals and stuff like that no I can appreciate that because I know in me doing this one of my biggest fears was like to not be the guys that I hate hear and talk. And you can very easily fall into that if you're not careful because it's accepted. Like, and like...

It's a hot take. Yeah. And it'll, in some cases, it'll get you a boost. But I never wanted to be that guy, so I can appreciate that. But, you know, we both have, we have the honor of being teammates, Turner Sports. someone who recently just left, but Tara August, who kind of gave me the opportunity to come in this and who I'm very appreciative of.

Can you speak to me about Tara August? And quite frankly, you've had the opportunity to work with or more than I have, but can you speak to me about Tara? Tara August is one of those people that is so talented, so personal. and we talk about how Ernie Johnson has set the culture at Turner from the talent standpoint of that

everybody's going to come in, be respectful, have fun, uplift and empower others. You talk about that, and that's Tara on the business side. In terms of relationships and just caring, like, there's nobody

that cares more than she does. And it's the little things, you know? Like, I think she has done so much in her career, but she still wants to empower and uplift others, you know? And even though she's not a part of Turner anymore, we still talk, obviously, and I know she's going to, like, take over the world. That's just how it is. And I always look at people because I think the way that you demand and command respect

is directly related to the way that you give it. And I think that Tara gives respect. I mean, and she has a way of like not, can I say this. She has a way of not, she's done so much. She has so many things that she's accomplished. She's so great at what she does, but she doesn't want people to, like, know that, you know, and she doesn't want her lead with that.

And I also see eye to eye with her as well because she's always in a room full of men. Yes. You know? Absolutely. And I think she carries herself the same way regardless. And I really admire people like that. So Tara's dope.

She's the best human. She is. She's super dope. I'm very appreciative of her. like I said, and just giving me the opportunity and kind of seeing like, yo, you should be doing this. And she's brutally honest, which I can always appreciate.

Because as you know, you get to a space of where you run into like the issue of like finding people that will be honest with you. And I can always appreciate her for one, the opportunity. And two, like, no matter what, she's going to be brutally honest. And obviously great at what she does. Like, you know, when you, every, everyone will always see Ernie, Kenny, Chuck, Shack, yourself, Jamal, Adam, myself, Adam, myself at times. They see that.

They don't see terror behind the scenes making all of that go. All of that work. The battles that she have to fight for that to be what it is. And look what it's been because of that. That's what I'm saying. like, because of that, for sure.

So I can definitely appreciate her and I've taken enough of your time, but before we get out of here, how much longer do I get to appreciate your game and what you're doing? See, I came in the league and I've been able to do what I do. And quite frankly,

you did way more and all of that. Everybody talk about like the point forward position. You've been doing it. that since I can remember watching you play basketball and like the brain, the smarts, rebound and blocking shots, like shooting the three, leading the break, setting up to office, like, you're someone that I watched. And like, how much longer do I get to enjoy you playing? Well, here's the thing. I always said it's going to be in the offseason that I know.

I think when I can't prepare and train the way that I know that I should, I'm not going to cheat the game. And I've said that from the get-go. I will not cheat the game. I will not be one of those players. We like, Candace?

Like, that's not going to happen. So I will say it is coming to that point. I'm also not a big, like, go to half court and get at every, I'm not going to do that. But I don't know. And I will say there's way more basketball behind me than in front of me. And it's coming.

But I'm learning to enjoy the process that much more. I mean, I'm enjoying the daily grind that much more. Is Layla ready for you to be done? That's a really good question. She was all for this Vegas move because baby girls followed me everywhere in the world, right? She starts high school next year. Pretty damn good volleyball player, to be honest. Don't tell her I said that.

But she decided to do volleyball. She could do it. And it's time for me to choose her. If I'm still playing, it's still got to be about her now. You know, she's followed me around long enough. And so, like I said, I think it would be great to be able to be at home and be 100% present for her and my son, you know? And so I'm not going to be the one that's for.

40-something plan. It's just not going to work. And to be honest, we'd try my, like, maybe I'll be 40-something plan making 30 or 40 million dollars, but I ain't going to be 40-something plan

in what we make. Oh. I can dig that. I'll tell you what. I only, I mean, obviously we are fortunate enough to make more, but I got four more left for me.

Yeah. I've all, 15 has always been my magic number. and it's like the closer I get to 15, I can agree with what you're saying. The more I inspired I get to get to 15. And I'm, and like, I want to get to 15 and God willing, I can get to 15 and after year 15, they're like, yo, so about this next deal and I can say thank you,

but no thank you. Like, because my kids, you know, like my kids, like, I want to go to Australia. I want to go to Dubai. I can't go to Australia and Dubai because when it's the season to go there, we're in season. And those are small examples,

but like there's just so many things that I want to do that a basketball schedule does not allow you to do. And so I feel you. Life. I feel you. CP, thank you so much. I appreciate you. I appreciate you.

I got to cut you in bones at some point, some wine and some bones. We can do that for sure. I'm always looking for somebody to beat up on the bones. And that's not going to happen. I'm just going to tell you. Oh, I cannot wait. Y'all heard it here first. If I don't happen.

I'm telling you, you, before we get out of here, you're a Michael Jordan fan. Yeah. I'm him at Domino's, just so you know. So there's your warning. Him, Michael, Jeffrey Jordan. Oh, Jeffrey Jordan. No, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, Chicago Bull is number 23. Okay.

Him at Domino's. Like him at basketball? I am him at Domino's. So that's your morning. Are you him in the 80s? Because you could be him in the 80s, you're not going to win. Two, three, Pete's. I am him.

There's your warning. Okay. Thank you so much, CPI. Thank you. Thank you.