The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Draymond Green Show - Dray's First Game Back + Joel Embiid Joins the Show

Episode Date: March 17, 2022

To start this episode of ‘The Draymond Green Show’, Dray explains why his first game back for the Warriors after his back injury was “a blur” but why it’s so special to him to be able to share the court again with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson after over 1,000 days. Then he hypes up Michigan State’s chances to make a run in the NCAA Tournament as they’re scheduled to face Steph’s Davidson and potentially Duke in the second round. Then Dray welcomes in Joel Embiid to discuss his big contract extension after three injury-plagued seasons, when the NBA became “easy” for him, why he embraced The Process, his social media trolling, the Ben Simmons situation, the MVP race, and much more. Produced by: Jackson Safon Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's Superhuman documented it. all embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts,

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relationships. So listen to Exactly Amara every Thursday on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Brought to you by Metro, by T-Mobile. Rule your day with 5G. Anyone can get long COVID, even Caitlin, age 20. I got COVID in November 2020. In January, I started having long,

problems. I was a varsity soccer player in high school, and now I get winded just from walking. I can't remember things. It's just unbearable. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent long COVID. Visit my turn.ca.gov to find a vaccine or booster near you. Hey, singles, do you feel like a tourist in your own town? Too busy to enjoy all your city has to offer? Events and adventures organizes up to 30 unique gettogethers around town each and every month. We do all the work, so you have all the fun. On your schedule, visit places you didn't even know were places, and get to know the fellow singles you didn't know you needed in your life. Fall in love with your hometown all over again by joining events and adventures. Get started by visiting events and adventures.com today. That's events and adventures.com. What's up everybody? Welcome to the Draymond Green Show. This is episode 17, and boy, is it a big one. We've been processing this for a while. I hope you caught that.

wordplay processing it. Trying to make it happen. Schedules collide. It happens all the time. East Coast travel, West Coast travel, sometimes can be hectic to put it together. But we got it done this week. And I am excited to welcome MVP candidate

five-time All-Star, The Process, Joe L.B., to the show. Today, he would be our guest. In this interview, man, was it a good one? And, I mean, what would you expect? though, it's Joelle who talks a bunch of shit to everybody and anybody, and then it's me who like to talk from time to time. And it's us having a conversation.

So I thought it was great. I hope you all enjoy it and take away from it. Some of the things that I took away from it, I thought it was an incredible interview. But before we get to that, let's cruise around the association a little bit, starting off with my return. It was incredible, but it was a blur. I mean, I was, like, if you watch when I checked into the game, I actually didn't process that welcome, bat, and ovation.

I didn't process it at all. I was nervous as shit. Like, if you see me, like, go back and watch the clip and look how, like, watch how fast I'm, like, ripping my pants off and taking my shirt off. I got turned and then I just had straight for the free throw line. And Rui said something to me next to me. He said, man, I thought they were cheering me. And I was so out of it, I started laughing like, yeah, they were.

And I'm like, wait a minute. Ha, that was funny. Like, I mean, the nerves that I was feeling and getting back out there, you know, when coming off an injury, you're just. never, you can just never be too sure how it's going to go. So it's that on top of not playing for a couple of months. So on top of playing with Stefan Clay for the first time in 1,0005 days. You know, it's all of that in one.

And it was a blur. Like it just was moving way too fast for me. Like, I mean, even with the ovation, like, most people would like stop and like wave or like acknowledge. I didn't even realize it like it took me to get home. last night, check my phone. I went to Twitter and like my first, my first response to the ovation, if you go look at my Twitter page, I think I said like, wow, that's the first I had really even heard of it. Like I had no idea. And by the way, it was 2, 3 a.m. by the time I saw it.

Like, I had no idea that was the case. And so I, most importantly, I want to say thank you to Dub Nation. I mean, that was incredible. It was something that I would remember for the rest of my life of what I do remember of it. But, I mean, just to be welcome back like that, I can't thank our fans enough. It was incredible. It was such an amazing night, Steph birthday, to come back on Steph birthday. It's obviously incredible. I said the other day in one of my interviews, like, no, this should be a very memorable birthday for him.

Like, he scored 47. It's our first time playing in 1,000 to 5 days. because 34 sucks. Like, you turn 34. Like, that's no fun. It's like I turned 32 last week. Like, 32. Like, it's just one of those birthday.

And so, and 34 is even worse. Like, 34, you're, like, right on the cusp of having the big 35th, but not quite there. And so it's, like, in reach, but not quite there. So it's boring as hell. But I think the birthday turned out great. Like, it was an incredible night. Steph dropped them boys off of 47,

which was beautiful to see. I wish he could have gotten 50, but we came out of the game the last minute and a half, and I have no doubt in my mind that he would have gotten 50 if we were still in the game. But, man, it was just,

it was such an amazing night. I felt great for the most part. I think once I got to the end of my last, like the end of my six-minute stretch, I got, you know, my win and get a little challenging there, but for the most part, I felt pretty good. A couple times I'm dribbling down the court and I like just lose, handle a ball.

Like, it's kind of a field thing. And so I'm still getting my feel back. I feel like I'm at about 70, 70, 75% or something like that. And I have a month to get ready for the playoffs. And I have no doubt in my mind that I'll be back where I left off for the playoffs. But overall, I thought it was pretty good. I thought, you know, we did some really good things on the offensive end.

I thought we did some really good things on the defensive end. And like I said, some of the moments that felt great to me. Number one, Steph putting me in the position as soon as I checked into the game to catch the ball in a post and hit him was incredible. Because as soon as that happened, which was the very first play I was in, as soon as that happened, I was like, oh, like, I felt normal after that. Like, I felt like, oh, I'm fine. Like, once that first thing happens, then from that point,

It's just kind of like, all right, like now it's just basketball. And so him putting me in that position was extremely important because you start to run up and down a court a few times, three, four, five times and nothing happened with you. And then that nervousness just starts to build and build and build and it gets a little hectic. So I was extremely appreciative of that. And then I think it was just such a moment.

And so that moment really stood out to me. And then also another moment that really stood out to me was, the backdoor cup dime for Clay in transition. That moment was beautiful to me because it was Steph and Clay right on top of each other, and then it was myself. And so that play kind of involved, that play kind of involved all of us.

And so I thought that was like, those were the two moments, like two plays in the game that really stuck out to me. That moving forward, I'll remember those plays in that game. It was such a beautiful thing. So riding the four-game win streak, which I think is great, especially off of that stretch of games that we had that I think we lost nine out of 11.

And so to see how the squad has bounced back from that and, you know, pulled out some very tough wins, by the way, I thought that was a beautiful. I thought that was a great show of character and resilience because the reality is this team, this team has not really gone. gone through much. And, you know, I know most people all say, oh, they got championship experience. We got four guys with championship experience. And then 11 or 12 guys with not much playoff experience at all. And so trying to get them to understand what it takes to win at this time

in the season and moving forward is something that you have to really teach. And I think that's something that we needed to go to in order to figure it out. And I think, you know, we definitely showed that we're capable of figuring it out and putting it back together. So that's been beautiful to see. But yeah, man, I mean, and just wrapping up about the comeback, I mean, it was incredible. As I said in my press conference last night, I'm very thankful for Rick Celebrini and all the work that we put in to get back here. Man, it was not an easy road. Like, four weeks ago, I could barely run. Like, two and a half weeks ago, I was, like, super excited to dunk up basketball, like literally to dunk the basketball. And so, like, what I had to go through to get

back to that court, especially in the time that I did, it was, it was hard. It was, I mean, super challenging, but very rewarding to know the work that I put in that Rick and I dedicated ourselves to know that it brought me back here to do what I love with the guys that I love to take to court with every single night. And like I said, for the first time in a thousand and five days, like that's insane. And I could have never imagined that that would be our reality. But that is our reality. And, you know, the band is back together. And like I said last night, two C, three C, seven C, I don't give a damn. We went in the championship, and that's that.

Also, not quite around the association, but in the basketball world, I know you may see I have on my Michigan State Sparring sweatshirt. This is not a coincidence. As you know, we have one show a week, and so this show has to live for the Michigan State

Davidson Wildcat game. 7-10 match up. My Spartans kind of let go at a rope a little bit down the stretch and ended up as a seventh seed. When three weeks ago we were number one in the Big Ten, we ended up as a seven-seat in a tournament. And so that's the story for another day.

But my Spartan dogs is going into Greenville, South Carolina, which is essentially a home game for Davidson. and we are going to destroy Steph Curry's Davidson Wildcats and there will be some good bets there will be a monetary bet

there will be a bet of Steph Curry walking into the game in the Sparty costume no no no not just my jersey not just a Michigan State T-shirt he will come to a game as the Michigan State Spartan

mascot Sparty that's what is going to be So I'm looking forward to that game, and so I had to wear his shirt. Just to let it be known, my Spartan dogs is March. You know, what they call Tom Izzo, Mr. March, you know, how he gets it done at this time of year. And I don't think it's any different. Now, this year, now, the second round matchup that we have is Duke.

And you know what Coach Iszo say? You give me the first game of the weekend. I'll get you the second one. and I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to get me the second one. I've actually never lost in the second game of a weekend. That is his thing. You give me the first one.

I'll get you the second one. And he delivers. So goodbye, Davis. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged. It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way,

the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the I-Hard radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A win is a win. A win is a win.

I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clever Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way, this platform became bigger than I ever imagined. And now I'm bringing all of that excitement

to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfiltered conversations with some of your favorite athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. One week, I'll take you behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports and entertainment, and the next we'll talk about life, mental health,

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

or wherever you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok Podcast Network on TikTok. Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fan, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics

from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of taun tons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of two. Listen to stuff to blow your mind on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do a little kill? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J.

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

where we've discussed correct. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah.

For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Coach Kay, I got nothing but love for you, man. We want a gold medal together. incredible great, great run. Congratulations to the legendary, the great Coach Kay,

such an honor I had to play for him in the 2016 Olympics. But Coach Kay, you must enjoy retirement after round two, my friend, because my Spartans, we're getting it done, baby. That's what we do, coach. But it's been a great run for you, coach. And I am upset and sad that it has to end at the hands of my Spartans, Coach, but it has to. And to all the Duky Blue Devils out there, J.T., Seth, I can go down the list.

Kyrie, I can go down on this list for days. Bet the money, my Spartan's taking y'all down. So let me know what it is. All you Duky Blue Devils. All you guys who Zion, all you guys who showed up for. The Coach K. Retirement game, Quinn Cook, by the way, I absolutely thought that was incredible of how everyone showed up. That was amazing. Kudos to the Duke program.

Now it was spectacular. But all you guys, I'm taking all the bets. Michigan State, round two after we crushed Steph Curry, Davis, and Wildcats. Hollat me me, I need those bets. You know I'm always rolling with my Spartans. This episode is brought to you by Square. What if your business could sell anywhere at any time and open to more customers all by making one simple choice? Running your business with Square means being able to sell just as easily, whether it's in person, online, or on social media.

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You can love someone and not necessarily like their characteristics or like what they're about, but still love them. I've always been this way since I can remember. Even with my mom, there were certain things that she would do that I wouldn't agree with. And I'd be like, Mom, I'm sorry. Like, I don't think that's right. And we would kind of argue about it. And she would say, well, I'm your mother and you have to kind of agree with me.

And I'm like, well, this is why individuality exists because I am my own person and you are your own person and I have the right to my opinion. That doesn't mean I love you, any less. Listen to new episodes of Cheekies and Chill every Monday on the My Cultura podcast network available on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Man, as I told you all, this next guest is one of the guys I'm most excited to speak with. I think when we're done playing basketball, we'll probably have a show together. And it's going to be the number one rated basketball show in the world. I'm just throwing that out there.

Hopefully the Big fella take debate. But, man, I'm extremely excited to welcome five-time All-Star MVP front-runner candidate this year and was an MVP candidate last year. I arguably could have been MVP last year as well. But really excited to welcome this guy, man, a guy who I be locking up that outweighs me by 80 pounds. He got me about 6 to 7 inches. Joel N.B., welcome to the Draymond Green Show, my brother. I appreciate you coming.

on how you doing? I'm good, I'm good, how you doing? I can't complain, man. First game back, I'm feeling great, bro. I'm so excited to be back out there on the floor, man. I've never, you know, I've never been through, and I know you is someone that definitely understands it even more than I do.

I've never really been through an injury that kept me out that long. Like, I was out for 11 weeks. Like, I've had some injuries that I needed to rehab, but they were all over the summer. And so I've never been through an injury that kept me out that long in the season, man, it's brutal. Yeah, it sucks.

I mean, when you think about it, I miss my first, really, my first three years because of injury. Obviously, you know, they also kept me out longer than, you know, he was supposed to, just because they want to make sure that I was right. But it sucks.

Can you? I mean, for you, you said it was 11 weeks for me, really three years. So, yeah, especially coming out of college. So you lose, you know, those first three years of experience that you can get in that time. And it does suck. Yeah, no, for sure, man. It gave me a totally different appreciation for what guys like yourself went through. What Zion Williamson is going through.

what Clay Thompson went through. Like, it gave me such a deeper appreciation week, too. I'm like, all right, man. Like, this is crazy. Like, we ain't here six hours just in a way room doing, like, course strength. Like, what are we doing, man? It's crazy.

So. At some point, at some point, it doesn't make sense because you go in every single day. Obviously, you do a bunch of exercises every single day. But sometimes the same thing. and like it just, like, it gets annoying. Like, I remember my first, my first year. So I was doing rehab all the time. And then, you know, they had me, you know,

they wanted me to sit on the bench and travel with the team and all that and all that stuff. And we were, that was at a time where, you know, we were losing a lot every single game. So, like, I had to go through that, then, you know, having to go through, you know, rehab every single day mentally is already tough. And then you got to sit on the bench and watch the losing going into the game and knowing that you don't have, like, your team doesn't have a chance to win the game.

So you probably going to watch losses after losses. Like he was like mentally, you got to be extremely strong. Absolutely. I think for me, I hadn't sat on the bench most of the games I was out. maybe I sat on the bench one game and two games the entire time that I missed. Obviously, you know, we have a much better team. But I think what people don't realize

when you're going through rehab, you're on a totally different schedule than the team. To, to, you're their way earlier than now because you need to get your rehab in before they come in prepping for the game or prepping for practice or whatever it is. You're then their way. later than them.

And to then ask a guy, like, by the way, we want you to sit on the bench. That's your whole day gone. Yeah, for sure. And so I thought, like, for me, that was a big thing where they didn't make me sit on the bench. And it was good for me. But, and speaking of your injury

and essentially missing the bulk of your first three years, and then following those three years, you then go on and sign a five-year, $148 million rookie extension. What did that tell you that the team was willing to bet on you like that, and you probably had played all the 50 games leading up to that? Man, I remember when my agent at the time, I don't have an agent anymore, but my agent at the time was Leon Rose.

It came up to me. It's like, yeah, I didn't want to, you know, resign you. They didn't want to give you, you know, a five year, and then 50 mill or whatever that was. I was like, like, what are you talking about? I haven't played basketball. Like, I played 31 games in three years. And we're talking about, you know, a max deal.

Like, and I only paid 31 games. And then he started going over it. He's like, yeah, but they want to put, you know, all these protections and all that stuff. Like, this amount is guaranteed. I was like, I don't care. How much is guaranteed? I'm signing what.

whatever, because this is insane. Like, they're giving me $150 million after playing 31 games. I was like, yo, they got to be crazy. And that was still at the point where, like, really, that was my fourth year or fifth year playing basketball. Really, my, really, but when I started playing in the NBA, that was really my, you know, second year because I had missed, you know, those three years.

So, you know, at that point, I, I know. never really believe in myself at that point where, like, you know, people always saw something different in me than I did. Like, at that point, I was like, I'm not even that good. Like, I don't know what they're seeing in me, but like, if they're going to give me, if they're going to give me this amount of money, and I'm not from here, I'm from Cameroon, like, yeah, I'm glad it's still it, because I don't know what's going to happen in the future. Like, you know, I just missed two years and, you know, everybody's talking about he's never going to play in the NBA.

Like, he's already missed two years. They're talking about, you know, all the, you know, bus, you know, in past history and all that stuff. You know, all these bad stories coming out, you know, about me, whether it was the weight and all that stuff. And it was at the wrong time, too, because that was at the time where I had just lost my little brother when I had to go back to Camus.

So, you know, all that stuff was like, it was crazy. You know, when, you know, it came up to me. It's like, yeah, this is the deal. You know, they're going to get into this amount of money. I'm like, Leon, I don't care. Like, I'm taking it because I don't know what's about to happen. Like, I'm, like, reading into, like, what all these people are saying about me.

Like, I don't even believe in myself. I don't know how good I am and how good I'm going to be. So I was like, yo, like, I don't even want to fight it. Like, I was like, just do what I'm doing. whatever you have to do. That's incredible, man. I have a couple questions, follow-ups on a couple of things you just said. Number one, talk to me about not believing in yourself, because from what we've seen,

and it's funny that you say that, and I have interest in this because I, too, you know, I am, I am, I'm not bashful at all, just like yourself. Like, if I have something to say, I'm going to say it, like yourself. And I think one thing, you exude confidence. Like, when anyone see you, you exude, like, we know, like, Joel, not only is Joelle good, but Joel think he's going to bust your ass, like, no matter who you are. But to then go on to say, you didn't believe in yourself, like, walk me through that journey for someone as confident as yourself to then lose confidence.

confidence and say, like, give me anything. I don't believe in me. So give me whatever they're going to give me. I'll take it. So I'll take it to the downline. So think about your whole life, you know, I went to, you know, obviously school. I was really good in school. I never really thought I didn't start playing basketball until I was 16.

So before that, I was playing, you know, soccer. I was playing volleyball. So, and I was actually, I had a one, you know, 16 years old, I was about to actually go to France to try to become a professional volleyball player until Luke Bamaute, he came back to, Luke Bama, and then he had a camp, which, you know, a camp I didn't even want to go to because I had just started playing basketball like three months before. That's how I was like, yo, I'm not good enough.

Like, you know, these guys that have been playing basketball their whole lives, and there is no way I'm going to get paid for his camp. And then I went over there. Like I said, like people always saw, you know, something different. And I saw him myself. And he ended up giving me that obfurtureated. So I get to the U.S. I went to Movedo Academy.

That whole year, like I was practicing with the JV team and the senior team, but I was playing JV. I don't know if you seen the clip of me. I don't know if you look at it. That's a funny clip. So that thought you were a ball. And then I just run out of bounds. Like, I didn't even know where I was.

Like, that was on my first year in America. Like, that was like, you know, seven months, you know, playing basketball. And, you know, I was playing GV and all that stuff. And I didn't really get the chance to really show what, you know, like what I could do if I could even do anything my junior year so I had to transfer to another school

to basketball that was still in Florida and then I get there I got the opportunity and then people started recruiting me I get to Kansas the first practice it wasn't really a practice it was like a scrimmage that we had

we had you know I was a freshman we had a Tareg Black it was like a senior transfer from Memphis You know, people were watching the woman's team was watching. He dunked on me so hard. I was like, I'm not ready for this. Like, there's no way. So I go to coach self-off office.

I'm like, coach, I can't do this. Like, I need to rest your. Like, and that was at the time I thought I was going to be in college for like, you know, five years. And like, I really didn't think I had the potential to be in the NBA. Because my whole goal coming to America was to use. this basketball opportunity to try to get a degree and make something out of my life and go back home and, you know, make money

and help my family and all that stuff. So I never believed that, you know, I had any chance in basketball or whatever. So I told him, and then he's like, you're kidding me, you're going to be the number one pick in two years. And then I'm like, I've always, like, before I got to college,

I was always thought that, you know, coaches lie all the time. And I'm like, this dude, he's just lying to my face. No way. I've not been living, whatever he's saying. So we go on. Obviously, I went to school with wigs. And one thing that people don't know is that I'm always going to be so thankful for him.

Because when we went to college, he has so much hype and so much attention. Like, he was crazy. Like, he was crazy. Like, he was like, like, he's, pretty good at what he does, but at that time they were like, he's the next LeBron James, like, he's going to be better than him. So, like, he has so much hype

and everybody just wanted to come watching, like, scouts, like, we always had so many scouts, and I guess I was kind of also using that the portrait to show them, you know, what I could do. So when they would come in the gym, like, I would be randomly walking on,

you know, a keen dream shake and, like, show them that, yeah, I got it. And, you know, they started seeing that in me. And then obviously you get to the league and, you know, the foot injury, you got to miss a couple years. And like I mentioned, the stories are coming out and my brother died. So, like, I've really lost all the confidence because I'm like, I don't know what to do. Like, I even thought about, like, giving up a basketball because, you know, my brother died and all that stuff. And, you know, but going back to your question is like,

the first moment that I thought that I had a chance wasn't until I stepped on the basketball NBA floor for the first time. My third year against OKC, I stepped on the floor. You know, Stephen Adams was guarding me and all that stuff. You know, I scored a bucket, my first bucket, and then I was like, it's easy. We ended up losing it. the game, but, like, that's where, like, the culture completely change in Philly. Like, all is losing years before me. There was so much excitement.

People were, like, going crazy. They were like, oh, it's about to change. And then I was, like, well, like, the attention that I'm getting. And, you know, what I was there, I was like, I think I scored, like, 22 points in, like, 26 minutes, my first game. I'm like, I was on minimum restrictions the whole year. But I'm like, you know, this is easy. I can do this.

And then that's where, like, you know, back in the day when I used to be going crazy on Twitter and all that stuff and talking about the guys, that's where I felt it because I'm like, you know, like, it's easy. And like, like, my personality is also that I like to talk. I like to talk trash. Like I like to show that I'm better than, you know, everybody else. And, you know, that's why, you know, I was going crazy on Twitter, whether I was playing against, you know, whether it was stalking trash or, you know, kicking their ass on the floor. Like, it was fun.

But that's where I really found out that, yeah, like, it's easy. I got a chance. So for those of y'all out there, let me take you into the mind of these superstars. And it's filled with irrational confidence, which is what it ends up making these guys superstars, if y'all didn't hear him, he scored his first basket, and then in his mind from the first basket on, it's been easy ever since. And the reality is, it has been. But there's only a select few of guys in this league that can really reach that type of irrational confidence. And so when you go around the league, you see certain guys being called superstars, and they're not.

Like, the reality is there aren't a bunch. There aren't more than 10 superstars in the NBA. Joel being one of them. And that's 10 is probably a bit strong. And that term gets tossed around so loosely. But to take you guys into mind with a superstar, because I've had the opportunity to play with a few of them, it's like irrational confidence.

Like, I scored one time and then at that point, It was easy to me. And so I just want to make sure y'all understand the mindset of these dudes and how insane it is. And that's why it's only a few of those guys. But, and going back, so you go through that entire journey. You go to the 76ers. And I thought you did one of the most, you made one of the most genius moves when it came to Philadelphia. as a city.

And when it came to the 76ers as an organization. And all these teams has something that they go by, some slogan that they're kind of where their season is or where their team is that they're going to build on throughout the year. Ours has been strength in numbers and blah, blah, blah. And the 76ers was the process, embrace the process. You then took that name and made it your nickname.

name, say, I'm in the process. What made you do that? Because I thought that was genius. And to me, it felt like once you did that, everybody else in that city, everybody else in that fan base, everybody else in the organization was like, oh, there's our guy right there. I thought that was genius. What made you do that? There was a couple things.

The first thing was, obviously, I got drafted by Sam Hinky. and, you know, he's the reason why, you know, we were able to, whether it's draft me or have these many picks and all that stuff, you know. And then I got to the league, and my second year, it was basically forced out by, I don't want to say names, but you're not my spoken. So I say it by the NBA, I would say, I don't know, but I think that's what it was. And then, you know, that pissed me up because I felt like, yeah, sure, there was a lot of losing, which I wasn't part of because that was before I started playing. But I knew that eventually once I started playing, it was going to change, which it did. So they basically forced him out and I didn't like it. And then during the time, the process didn't actually stop with me.

But I was like, you know what? Around that time, the league did not like the process because he was a bunch losing. Like, they say it was like tanking, you know, they were losing on purpose, which in the NBA, like no one loses on purpose. You're not going to put NBA players out there and tell them that go lose a basketball game.

Like they're going to go out and they're going to do their best. And sometimes, most of the time, like, if you're not talented enough in the NBA, you're going to freaking lose. If you play the games, you know, more talented players. So you're not going to put guys out there and tell them that you're going to lose.

So to me, they weren't losing on purpose. So I got pissed up because, you know, there went San Minky out of town and I knew that they didn't like the process, all the losing stuff. And then I was like, you know what?

I'm going to pitch some people off. I keep on around the team. There was a bunch of people that didn't like that award. Like, I remember, like, I won't say names, but I used to get calls about, like, can you please tell your one, not to mention, you know, the past name, like, we're trying to move on for a minute.

I was like, all, watch, watch this. So that's why I started pushing the agenda about, like, you know what? I'm going to support my men because he drafted me. He had, you know, coming out of college, before I got drafted, like, he believed in me. I was hurt, but he still believed in this. like, you know what? I'm not a supporting too.

That's why I took on, you know, that whole process thing to try to, you know, try to keep what it was doing and really show them that, like, yeah, like, we got power. Like, it doesn't matter if they don't want to talk about the process or if they want to forget about it. Like, players, you know, have a lot of power when they speak. And I started understanding that. That's why I was like, you know what, I'm going to keep pushing that. That's why he stuck. Wow, that's incredible.

And not surprising that you picked that to piss people off because that's what you do. Not surprising at all. But, and speaking of the process, and speaking of you pissing people off because that's what you do. And you even mentioning yourself, you were going crazy on Twitter. Like, crazy. one of the things that you did to me that stood out the most and like you were one of my favorite followers when you were going ape shit on Twitter and Instagram

and one of the things that I absolutely love that you did was when you would do the location. And the location was whoever you had just dropped off that night. And one that really stood out to me because people look at the NBA today and they tend to forget like how stuff has turned over.

And at that time, Andre Drummond was a starting center in NBA. He was an all-star center in the NBA. Y'all were in the same conference. And you're just now starting to make your name. And you put Andre Drummond's head. And then your capture was like, I own real estate in your hair for free or something like that,

you said. And I'm like, yo, this dude is out of his mind. And then that kind of started this. this like this beef amongst you and Andre Drummond. But by the way, by the way, it wasn't a beef. I was always, you know, we won the same team and all that stuff, but I always kicked his ass. Like you never had any chance.

Like, never had any chance. So check this though. When he decided that he was going to come to your team, I was kind of like, huh? And then I saw the video. Then I saw the video of him arriving at the arena at the facility once he signed. And you kind of turned and shook him up and kind of went back to which. And I was just thinking to myself like, what is going through his head right now?

Is he really feeling like I own this man right now? Like, you just came to back me. What was going through? I have to know. I need to know what was going through your head when he decided he was going to sign with y'all. I mean, the reality is it helped his career because he's revitalized his career

and backing you up and now going to Brooklyn and he's playing incredible basketball in Brooklyn. So it worked. But what were you thinking? Well, I say this thing. So I think most of the time, like, you know, I talk trash or in the past when I used to, like, really go on it with, you know, anybody, whether it was white side or drum or whoever.

You know, to me, like, it has never been, you know, serious to the point where, like, I don't hate anybody. Like, I'm like, I'm doing this for fun. Like, if people get their feelings hurt, that is on them. Like, that has nothing to do with me. Anything that I say and anything that I do, I literally, I'm not, I'm not kidding. Or let's say whenever I'm about to send a tweet, before I even send a tweet, I'm in my kitchen or my live room just dying

because I know that people are going to go crazy, whether they're going to take it seriously or whether they're going to think that is funny. I'm already sold down. And then when I send a tweet, I'm like, you know, I'm like crime because I'm like, that's why people love or whatever. But at that time, like, I was like, when he signed with us, I was happy.

Because I'm like, you know, like when you look at, you know, the previous years, like, you know, every single time that I went off the floor, we always lost leads. You look at game seven against tomorrow when we lost that series. I played, you know, 40, what, 46 minutes. We were, what, plus three or whatever when I was on the floor. And then in the two minutes that I said, we were minus six. So like to me, my mind, I was like, when we signed in my, I was like, I just need like a competing, like someone who's not going to come off the, who's not going to come on the floor and just lose leads. So I was like, you know, it fits, you know, what we need.

And, you know, I was fine with it. But, you know, if you look at, if you look at the video that you were talking about, it was really nothing. I was just, you know, walking out. I was lifting doing my thing. And I greeted him. I said, you know, welcome to feel it. But then again, you know, in my mind, I could never forget, you know, the old days, you know, when I used to go out there. I remember posting that video of him dancing after I gave him.

That was after the game. So about that story. So we go before that game, we go to Detroit. I had like, we lost that game, but I had like 30 and 10. And then he ended up getting ejected or whatever. But after the game, he was talking crazy. He's like, that man is out of shape. He can't run.

I'm like, like, what are you talking about? No, you just won, but I just had dirty on you. And I'm out of shape. Watch one, watch what I'm about to do to you. So I'm like, the next meeting was a couple weeks later. I'm like, you don't know what's coming. So in that next meeting, I had like 32 in the first half. I was gone.

I mean, he was in fire trouble. I was gone. I was like, but I had 32 in the first half. I was like killing them. It was up by a lot and all that stuff. That's what I remember. You texted me after the video that I posted. You were like, yo, you're crazy.

You're crazy. That's what I do. I had a location like crazy. Like, you know, like I own a lot of real estate and all that stuff. But that's me. Like, for me, it's fun. Like, he's never like, He's never like serious word to the point where I'm like, I hate this man.

Like I don't want to be around this man. Like, I'm like, I'd never take it personal. Like, I'm like, oh, he stays on the court and that's it. After we get off the court, if you want to, you know, talk to me or whatever, unless you say something disrespectful to me, other than that, like, I would never be disrespectful to anybody, whether, you know, go on overboard and all that stuff. So I know where to draw the line.

But other than now, like, it's funny to be. Like, I just go with a vibe, man. I just love it. That's incredible, man. I appreciate that about you because I'm the same way. I talk a bunch of junk. It's never personal. You know, you were playing basketball.

It was personal when you were talking to Paul Piss. That was personal. No, that actually was like right off the top of the dome, man. Because I'm going to tell you what happened. I'm going to tell you what happened. that. So we're playing, and at that time, Doc is obviously with the Clippers. And we're playing, and, you know, for us coming up, like, you know, the NBA going waves. So the Clippers, when we were really young, the Clippers were supposed to be the next team out the West. You know, like,

they were the next young guys coming. And we're like, hold on. We don't really believe in them. We got something to say about this. And so it kind of, you know, this rivalry. start budding against two young teams, us against them, Steph, against CP. And like, at that time, Blake is the guy. You know, like, Blake is like, they, they try it. They hype and Blake. Yeah, it's the next face of the league. Exactly.

And I'm like, I'm clamping that. Like, I ain't feeling that. And so then, you know, me and Blake had our situations. We had one where we had half court. He grabbed my side, I elbowed him in the throat. I get kicked out the game. he go back in the game, bogey got him with second tech,

he got kicked out. And like, all of this stuff keep happening every time we played him, right? And so then Pierce come over to the team

towards the end of his career, last two years, I think, or whatever it was. And now, me and Blake Griffin already got a thing. Like,

it's a thing. Yeah. And Pierce yells from the bench. Go at him, B.G. He too little. Go out him, B.G. too little. He can't guard you.

And so I'm like, fuck out of here. Go back down to court, whatever. We come back down. They go at me again. Go at him, B.G. He can't guard you. Too small. So now I'm like, amp, right? And he, like, shot fake. I go flying, trying to beat the shit. And I filed him. Number one, why am I going for a Blake Griffin pump fake?

Like, Blake shoot the ball now, but at that time, Blake wasn't shooting him. ball like that. And so I'm like, why am I even going for a Blake? So now I'm fuming because I just picked up a foul and a pump fake I had no business going for. And I really went for this pump fake because you were over there talking. And like I'm trying to beat this shot so I can say something to you. And I filed it.

I got really pissed like, wow, you just made me file him. So I'm walking back to the bench. I mean, I'm walking to the free throw line. He's like, yeah, BG. I told you he can't guard you. And I'm like, all right, bro, I had enough. And that's why I'm like, hey, bro, you're chasing this farewell tour. Like, you're not Kobe.

Like, why are you doing this? If you retire and go home. Like, ain't nobody doing no farewell tour for you and, like, making this whole, like, Kobe different, bro. Like, that's Kobe. Like, D-Way, that's D-Way. Like, Pierce, you had a great career, Hall of Fame career, but stop, bro. Like, you ain't getting no tour.

And so it just came right off the top of the dome. Like, bro, you think you cold me? Like, you ain't got no farewell tour? Shut up. And I was really, I was really filming. But I tell you what, man, I never expected that when I said that to take on the life that it did. Yeah. Because there's a lot of young kids that remember Paul Pierce more for that moment than what, who Paul Pierce really was.

And the reality is, it's unfortunately. He was a great player. He was the truth. He didn't get that nickname by mistake. Like, he was the truth. But a lot of young kids, a lot of people remember him for that moment. And I think it was such a big moment. Number one, the microphone caught it, but it was involving Kobe.

And then, you know, like, God rest Kobe. So once Kobe passed away and like what happened to everybody, how it shook the world, that statement never rang more true. Like, when Kobe passed away, everybody started blowing my Instagram up, like, often, like, Kobe anniversary and stuff. Like, my Instagram blow up often from that moment. Like, it never rang true because, I mean, look at that. Like, we all know the reaction. We all know how it affected all of us.

And so the story never rang more true than. One thing I didn't mention, Kobe is the reason why I started playing basketball. well. Really? Yes. I was watching, you know, that was 114, and then I was watching the finals, Lakers against Boston, and I standing up winning that series.

That's the first time I watched NBA basketball and all that stuff. And then I was like, Kobe was killing. I'm like, I want to be like him. Like, this is crazy. And then, but at that time, my dad didn't want to let me play basketball. because he thought it was too physical, which nowadays it doesn't make sense because I travel, you know, being physical

and showing my physicality against whether I'm playing against. And then it was like, no, no, no. And then one of my uncles had to, you know, he had to start like trying to convince him to let me play basketball. And that's how I started, watching the Lakers and Kobe. That's why I was such a big, you know, Kobe fan. and it hit me hard, you know, when that happened. Absolutely, man.

It was tragic for sure. But I want to ask you this question, and I more so want to ask you this question. You know, in me doing this media thing, one thing I hate about media is how they try to stir controversy. I think it's unnecessary. I think it's pathetic.

But I want to ask you a question about this situation. for my own personal sake. And what I want to ask you is with the Ben situation, I feel like at times we get thrusted into this position of like where you're almost defending the team. And I feel like some of that happened to you in the Ben Simmons situation. Because the reality is this. I think some of it happened in the Russ KD situation.

Like, we see it often. It's not like it was just you and Ben. It happens all the time. And the reality is I think we lose sight and ultimately, like, with you and Ben, like, you express your dismay with the situation. You express, like, get him out of here then. Like, you expressed all of that.

But there was a point. I never said that to get him out of that. I just didn't understand what was going on, honestly. Like I didn't understand like what happened and, you know, what led on to that whole situation. To this day, I don't understand. I mean, even, you know, when you look at it, and I don't have any pounds with them.

And, you know, like I said, like, obviously we didn't win the championship together, but, you know, in the regular season, we went down there. Every single season, 50 wins seasons. Like, I always believe. that we had a chance to win together. Like I always believe it. Even to this day, I believe that we had a chance to win. And what we were able to accomplish, obviously, winning matters the most.

But I feel like we had a chance. And that's why I don't get, I don't understand, you know, what was going on. Let's see what cause, you know, him to want to leave. I understand, you know, his explanation. But, you know, a lot of things don't make sense. Do you think your press conference after game seven was it? Do you think that had any effect on it? I don't think it did.

Because, but this is what we, you know, you are a member of the media and all that stuff. But this is what, you know, this is what you just mentioned, you know, that they're always going to try to pick up little. stuff just to make them, you know, look right or just to cause like controversy and all that stuff. If you look at the whole press conference, they ask me a question, you know, what happened? You know, what happened? Like, what caused this loss? And then I literally mentioned a bunch of events that happened.

I mentioned, you know, where it really started. And, you know, I was being noticed. Like, we all, like me and you, like, you know, I say what I have, what I want. And I'm not, I'm not going to, you know, just hold myself just because I got to, you know, make people feel better. And I feel like I didn't hurt anybody's feelings. You know, I mentioned, I was like, you know, obviously the past up, I didn't even mention that. I said, you know, we just, we miss an opportunity. And then, and then I actually called our Matisse for missing the Frito.

And then I was, I didn't call out by his name. I was like, we missed a free though. And then I called out a bunch of events that happened after we had a, you know, we filed a three-point shooter. And then I turned, I mentioned me turning the ball over when we were down for at that point. They ended up scoring the fast break, which, you know, pushed the lead up to six points. I mentioned a bunch of other events where we made a mistake. I mentioned myself.

But, you know, the media is going to be the media. They all, they all. that all picked, you know, that one part where I said we passed up, you know, a layup and we missed the Frito and all. I said, which doesn't make sense. I didn't call out anybody specifically. I just listed a bunch of events that happened that led to us. Because at that point, the score was tight. We were down by one at that point when, you know, we missed the Frito.

And then I called out a bunch of events that happened after, but that just had to pick. you know, that one part where it seemed like I was calling someone out when I wasn't willing to. And I was talking about like the sequence of, you know, events that happened. For sure. And I think as a leader, one of the things that I do respect is you calling out yourself and saying, oh, I had too many turnovers and especially that one down a stretch.

Like, as a leader, you have to be able to do that. And I have the utmost respect for that. because I think that's very important. And it's also very important that you can talk about your teammates as well. Like, we all, we all show, we all go through it. He's never personal. Like, even this year, like, you look at, you know, my press conference retirees. Like, when he's not taking shots or he's missing shots or he's not taking wide-open shots,

I'm like, yo, I'm calling him out. I'm like, like, you got to be better. But, like, as teammates and because we so close off the court, he understands that I want him to be better, not just for me, but for the whole team and for himself. Because I understand, I don't, you know what it takes to win. I have one, but I feel like I have an idea of what it takes to win. You know, I've lost, you know, on a buzzer-beater when we had a great team.

And, you know, who knows? We could have had a chance to win a championship or play you guys in the finals that year. So, like, I feel like I have an idea. of what it takes to win, but I haven't gotten there. So like, and as you know, you can't win alone. I can win one or five. Like, that's impossible. Like, I need my teammates' hubs.

So, like, when I'm calling out whether, you know, Matisse or Tavriz, like, they know that it's not personal. They just know that I just care about them. And I want to win so bad that, like, you know, I just want them to be better. And they understand that. And, you know, it's never personal. Now, 100% And I must say something to you

We've had this conversation on the podcast before Where I was speaking about winning and losing And you don't know what it takes to win a championship Because you haven't won a championship You know what it takes to win Because simply just because you It's hard to win a championship man Like people don't realize all of the things

That has to go right In order to win a championship Like it's not just about who got the most talent or who had the best year. It's so many things that have to go right. And so I would love to correct you here. And you know how to win. You've won since you've been healthy, you've won.

Like, you know how to win. Winning the championship is a different thing that takes a bunch of things to align in order for that thing that actually happen. And the guy who I was talking about was Chris Paul, because people say Chris Paul isn't a winner. Fuck out of here. Chris Paul is a winner.

Chris Paul is one of the best. better winners in our game. Chris Paul just has not won a championship. But Chris Paul has won over and over and over and over again. And you've done the same thing and you're still very young. So don't get caught up in that whole, I think I know where to take. You know where to take the win. You've done everything it does to take the win.

And the reality is this. Y'all lost on one of the most impossible buzzer beaters in NBA history to go to the NBA finals, if I'm not mistaken. No, second one, second one. So go to the conference finals. And then y'all would have face who? Milwaukee. That's a matchup that could go

either way. You know what I'm saying? And that's also not the Milwaukee with Drew Holiday. That's a totally different Milwaukee team. And so, it's the margin for error is this small. Like, it's not like

you really were, right there. And then say you do get through Milwaukee because that wasn't the same Milwaukee team. And now you're playing a beat down Golden State Warriors. Like, and so it's really that small and I hope you don't get caught up in

I have not won a championship. I'm not winning. That's bullshit. It's hard to win a championship in this league. And so don't get caught up in that. I understand. I understand because I've gone to the second mile, you know, so many times.

and you know like and you got to be so strong mentally because if you're not I've gone to the second one you get to like game four you're like you still like you still got like conference finals and finals you got another couple of games

like freaking 15 games that you got to play or whatever like I'm like you got to be mentally strong because the playoffs are draining even the second one that I've got it and I'm like man like if I don't you know keep doing or if I don't don't take care of my body, like you're not going to make it. Absolutely.

Absolutely. It's one of the most important things. And by the way, the whole taking care of your body thing, it takes time to learn that. Yeah. It took me a lot of it. The way you take care of your body, it may be differently than what I need to take care of my body, right? It takes time to figure that. And time.

And so, like, it's all coming together for you, bro. And I can sit here and talk to you for another. the hour and I would love to, but in respect for your time, I'm just asking a couple more questions and let you go. I know you got to prepare for a game. We got time. Okay. But okay. And speaking of

the Ben trade and with Brooklyn, y'all brought in James Hardin. A. James Hardin, who a lot of people has wrote off and said he's out of shape and he's declined and he's no longer to James Harden that we once knew, only to see him

reignite or come in with you guys and look just like the James Hart and we all knew before. How is that? And I've seen that you said, man, I get more open shots than I've ever got. Like, how has that partnership been working out for y'all? And where do you see y'all as far as duos in the NBA? Where do you all rank? Well, that's not, that's not all me to figure out, you know, where we went. and all that stuff.

Like at this point, like, really like, I'm really just focused on, you know, finding ways out to, you know, get better every single day. And then obviously since we had him, we added him, like he just provides, you know, something that we really never had since I got to feel it. So that's a welcome site. And he's been great. I think all of us, and especially him, they still trying to figure it out, you know, how to help everybody.

but, you know, it's James Harden. I told him, like, I don't care what anybody says. Just be yourself. I freaking go scald a ball, be a playmaker. He's been a lot. He's been, you know, trying to playmaker a lot. But at times, like, I also wanted to be aggressive and look for his own shot and all that stuff.

But, I mean, from all the stories that you hear on there, it's completely different. I mean, fun guy to be a while. You know, positive energy always, you know, since he got here, you know, you feel like, you know, and like you say, it's all about timing. And, you know, some situations are different than others. I don't know what happened over there. Maybe it wasn't the best situation. And I would imagine that he put a lot of thoughts into, you know, really making that decision because you're living.

you know, a team with fucking Kevin DeWrette. Like, you know, Kevin DeWere, like, you play with him. You know how good he is. And, you know, I always say that, you know, like, I really believe in myself as far as, like, you know, talented and what I can do on the basketball floor, especially skills when it comes to, you know, massage and all that stuff.

Like, if there is one guy that I think, you know, for the size and, you know, what, you know, we're able to do on the floor, that's the one guy that I'm like, yeah, he's more talented than me because the guy is seven feet and he can do everything on the basketball court and even better than I can't.

But, you know, James has been great. I think we got a chance to, you know, maybe meet you guys in the finals, but we got a long way to go. We have, we're not where we're supposed to. We're still walking on a lot of things that we got to correct. whether it's defensively and then offensively trying to find,

you know, trying to make sure that we all succeed and all that stuff. But ultimately, I think, you know, we got a couple games to really get on the same page and we'll be fun. No doubt. I think it's been, I think it's been beautiful to watch as a, just for me, as a fan of basketball, like to watch y'all two out there together and young Tyrese Maxie, who has, Tyrese has been amazing. Mm-hmm.

And I feel like his growth, to me, he's kind of like a wildcar for y'all. Like, you know, still really young. So it's hard to get a consistent 20-25 from a guy in his second year in the NBA. Like, that's a very hard thing to do. That's why we should do that night to night. That's why she should be the most improved player this year. I respect that. that but I mean we'll see but I like how it's coming together for y'all and then obviously I think

you know doc is one of the better coaches in our league and so I'm interested to see and hopefully we will meet y'all in the finals because as you know like nobody else in this league I'm locking that shit up so yeah yeah whatever that's why you need a double team and without we play y'all that's crazy I never asked for a double team that's not even in my makeup I always find myself to be every single time I play against you. Hey, if you want to duck in like Shaq, you get two feet in the pain. The double team got to come, big fella.

I mean, at that point, you got to go for what you know. You know what I'm saying? Well, if you're saying that you're not that good of a defender, I mean, I don't know. I've never asked for a double team in my life. Me either. That ain't me. And I think I'm a pretty good defender,

especially when I'm on. I mean, when we put you in every pick and roll and they bring you up to Bliss because you can't get, you know, you're just like blitz it because you can't get up to Florida. That's kind of like asking for a double team essentially on the end.

Hey, you're going to double stuff? Hold on. So you want me to play drop against Steph Curry? No, you don't got to be dropped, but you ain't got to blitz it. I wasn't blitzing last time. I was just trying to make sure

we got the ball. out of it. You can make plays because you can't shoot the basketball. Hey, I make every other play. And I hope

and leave me open down the stretch. I'm a can your ass. But would I want to make Stefan Kurt or you beat us? I take you any single day. Hey man,

many has suck'em to that mindset, brother. Many has some that mindset. that. No, no, but check this out. I would be remissed if I didn't talk to you about the MVP conversation

with you and Joker right up there at the top. I don't think there's a wrong answer, but how are you feeling about that? Where do you feel like you're at right now? And what do you think has to happen for you to close it out this year? I mean, first of all, York issues are amazing. Yes, he is. He's a master.

You know, I only play against him twice a year, but you get to play against him, you know, four times a year or even more in the playoffs. That's a potential matchup for you guys. You know how good it is. And I know our good issue because, you know, I'm also happy that big guys are dominated in the league. When you look at whether it's me, him, Yardis,

you know, it's good to see. nothing against you guys you're Americans but it's also good to see foreign people you know, coming in America and just dominated you guys at your own sport. So that's

good to see. But he's a monster. But I did a lot of, you know, campaigning for myself for MVP last year, which, you know, I could have gone either way like if I would have stayed healthy

and it could have gone either way, but I was also happy that he won. You know, and you know, this year, you know, I feel like, you know, I took my game to even higher level than I did last year. And the knock on me last year was, you know, I didn't stay healthy for enough games, which, you know, they're probably going to use that against you too

when it comes to defensive players. Absolutely. But, you know, this year, one more can you ask? You know, production went high. you know, I stayed healthy and, you know, and we had a lot of drama. But you can say that about a lot of tea, but, you know, that whole situation was, it was extremely draining. He was, you know, it was tough to go through it, especially, you know, every single they

being asked by the same questions, at the same subject all the time. Like he was, it was very, he was very annoying. But like I said, like, you know, everything just speaks for itself. You know, like you said, there is no right or wrong answer. You know, he's a master, you know. But I feel like I've also put myself in a position to, you know, where I deserve it. And it is my time. But like I said, it's up to you guys.

you, the media. I don't got that kind of vote. I wish I did have that vote. I think I could possibly vote better than some other folks, but I ain't got that vote yet. Yeah, but I'm saying you're media friends. You know, what deserves it or who's going to win it. But, you know, winning a championship matters to me a lot.

So if I were to not win it, then win a championship, even better. But then again, you know, we all have eagles. Like, you want to win a bunch of defensive player in your career. Just like I want to win

a bunch of MVP's and defensive player in my career. Like, at some point, like, you know, yeah, like, like, it will be cool to, you know, do both to, especially at the same time. Hey, man, you ain't winning

no defensive. player your bliss and Steph. They own bliss with Rudy Gober. Hold on, hold on, hold on. That's why Steph always fucking kills him. You're not playing. Because you cannot play drop

against freaking Steve Curry. And by the way, and we had that conversation about, you know, you know, I figured out who was a great defender and who's not.

So like, To me, it's like, I don't know. I don't know. Who's the favorite to win defensive player at the year of this year? I'm not sure. I stopped keeping up with it once I got hurt. I agree.

Yeah. I agree. So what would be your criteria to figure out, you know, who wins the worst? Let's say defensive player the year. You got to have one, a top 10 defense, right? At least. I think you definitely have to have a top 10 defense for sure.

Yeah. You, you, it's like, you can't win MVP and you got a bottom five offense. Yeah, like, I think you got, you got to have a top ten defense. Or knowing that the four seats or whatever. Yeah, like, I think you, you got to have a, you got to have a top ten defense. But you also have to pass the eye test. Like, just because you have a top ten defense doesn't necessarily mean, like, hey, this guy is the defense player. Yeah, I think sometimes that gets skewed.

at time. But like I said in my press conference the other day, I think there's no debate through 34 games, which was what I had played before I got hurt. We were 28 and 6th. Through 34 games played, I don't think there was any secret that I had to solidify. Oh yeah, for sure. I agree with that. Okay. To follow that, I don't see who solidified themselves since then. And so my thing is, If nobody solidified themselves in these 34 games since I went out and I have had it solidified 34 games in, then how can I not still go on to be the defensive player of the year? Because I didn't play enough games.

Because I'm going to play, I'm going to end up playing 48, 48 games, I think. I've seen people win it and play 50, 51 and 52. So am I two games short of being able to win? it? Like, I think it's been proven, you know, what my defense does for a team. But if I win it this year, right, if not, whatever. If I don't win MVP last year, missing 20 games, you can't win defensive play on the year either. That's true. But the only thing is, where they going at you at, is they're really counting against you your prior history. Because missing 20 games is not. Like, I don't know, most guys

only going to play a max of 70 anyway. Yeah, for sure. And so missing 20 games is really not that much. I think what they was counting against you was your past history so they could say, oh, but he's always hurt, right? And the reality is you haven't been hurt like that in

five years. Yeah, I hardly hurt. I agree. But you know how it goes. These narratives, these narratives take on a life of their own, and then that's just kind of what it is. Yeah, but I do agree with but yeah, you definitely got to pass the eye test.

And, you know, obviously you guys' defense is the freaking best in the league. So I guess it's not up to us. It's up to the voters. That's a fact. I want to mention something like, to me is like, yo, like, I don't understand now you can be a defensive player in a year if you don't carry at least top five or top ten defense. in the league.

That doesn't, that will not, to me, that would not make sense. Like, even me, like, I feel like I've got it so good offensively that, you know, people forget about the defensive side. Like, I still, like, yeah, sure, like, it's hard to, like, play, you know, freaking 36 minutes every night and do everything offensively and defensively. Like, I'm going to have my moments where, yeah, like, we all are. We all have, like, our moments where, like, you're going to slip up here and there and all that stuff. But, like, even in those conversations, I hate, like, going, like, when I started into the league, my first goal, I was like, I want to win defensive player a year.

That's what I want. I never cared about MVP and all that stuff. And I was always, like, I got to win defensive player the year. But I just hate that because I've got my offensive game as, you know, got into another level. they just forget that, you know, I'm still right there. Like, you know, still carrying the top 10 defensive team, you know, averaging, you know, 1.1 or whatever, 1.5 blocks. It's just aneworthy me.

But then again, got to control what you can. Absolutely. If you win enough, then you're going to get your respect. So it's all about winning. Absolutely, man. Last question if I'll let you go. and also paying homage to one of the guys who come before you from your homeland. Hakeem I La Jouin, I know coming into the league, you would always say like you wanted to pattern your game after Hakeem Alajuan.

No disrespect to the great Hakeem to dream because he is incredible. But I think with the way you've expanded your game to just say it's Hakeem Al-Lajan, Lajawan, I think it's doing, it's not, to me, it's not quite accurate. Now, granted, you do have some dream in you. You got to shake, the footwork, all, you know, the MIDI, all of the stuff that the dream had. But like, the way you push the ball in transition, the way you shooting the three, the way you mixing the guy's step back three, that's different to me.

And so I just wanted to ask for you in your mind, is it still Hakeen? for you or has that expanded? Man, it's a spender to everybody. I just, I just, I'm a winner and I want to learn everything, you know, to give you an example, you know, my first two years in the playoffs, I really struggle because I was just a post-player. It was easy to double me. I couldn't shoot off the dribble and all that stuff.

So me and True handling my training. trainer. We were like, we got to figure that out. Like, I can't be easily guarded. So we had to find ways out to, like, add, you know, something new to my game. That's when we started watching, you know, whether it was Kobe, like, KD, you know, like dirt and all that stuff. Like, basically any legends that have, that has come to the game and that, you know, had whatever a particular move that they added to the game that everybody uses. So we were

like, that's why we walked on. We were like I got to be unpredictable. Like people can't know that I'm just going to post up. I got to be able to take the ball, push it in transition, do or has it put up like KD or Fared away like Kobe or MJ. So

we just decided that we needed to expand the game my game. But to answer your question, yeah, at this point, like, he's not a king, is a bunch of, you know, every, like a lot of superstars that have come in to the game and all that stuff. And we had this conversation at All-Star, obviously,

you know what I feel about, you know, old school players and, you know, how they're being rated and all that stuff. So I don't even want to, you don't even want to get me started. Because I mean, can you imagine, you know, the secure level that we have nowadays, or let's say me doing that back in the freaking 60s, that would have probably put me in jail. Absolutely. Or I would have been the greatest player ever.

Absolutely. That's what I'm saying. Like, it's crazy. And we had that conversation. And sometimes it just, like, it just pisses me out. No, hey, man, if anybody get it, I get it. The skill level today is like so far ahead of what it was back then, which is why I don't understand the whole NBA 75 list.

I don't understand it either. There were some names on it. I'm like, they put the highlight on it. I'm like, you know, I watch someone droopling like, one head. I'm like, this is crazy. I'm way better than this. I don't know. Watch you guys I say yet.

I don't have the resume yet. Like, I don't have that, but when you talk about the skill level and, like, if I'm actually better than a lot of those guys, then I don't know. And if you don't agree that we can't talk basketball because the skill level nowadays compared to, you know, back in the day, I don't know.

They would have probably shot them. expect that if we were doing all this stuff. Absolutely. It's crazy, man. It's just, it's impossible that you can say some of those guys on that list are part of the 75 best players to play. And it's like, come on, man. It's something off, something is off with that list.

No, no disrespect. You know, I respect all the accomplishments and stuff. But, you know, when. Absolutely. That's another conversation for another day, but there's a lot of names on that least where I'm like, I don't know what you guys talking about, but there's no way.

But stop it. Like, stop. Hey, man. Jojo, brother, I, in my heart, believe you going to be on the 100. I don't know how they're going to be able to deny you that. I don't know how they're going to be a deny you. I hope so, man. We'll see.

You're going to be too. Hey, you got to raise you made, man. Hey, I appreciate it, brother. But I will tell you this before we go. I'm also not sure how they're going to deny you MVP with, and like I said, that's no disrespect to Joker who is incredible. That's no disrespect to any other other guys that's in the running. You know, Demar has been incredible.

John Moran has been incredible. Like, I think there are guys who are definitely deserving of being that conversation. but with what your team dealt with this year for you to keep that team right up there the one seed most of the year, two seed, like, I mean,

for you to do that, missing an all-star. Like, it wasn't like the trade happened right away and there was another all-star there. You missed an all-star for 60 games and to still carry that team the way you did with guys in and out of the lineup.

I don't know what else you got to do, my brother, I don't know either, but, you know, like you say, there's a lot of guys, you know, that can be mentioned that, you know, I have a lot of respect for all of them, especially Yokish, because I'm so happy that, you know, bigs are taking over and all that stuff. European bids, not to be mixed up with you American bigs. You're a pin big. So whatever happens happens. If I win, it great, you know, if it does, I mean, it's whatever. All right, listen, listen, y'all, Jojo is going forward.

for the European bigs, for the African bigs, and for Janus, the African descent European big. That's who we rolling with. My brother, I appreciate you coming on, man. As I said, I could do this for another two hours. Thank you so much for taking the time, bro. Really appreciate it. This episode is brought to you by Square. What if your business could sell anywhere at any time and open to more customers, all by making one simple choice?

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