The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Draymond green Show - Jayson Tatum

Episode Date: April 1, 2022

Jayson Tatum joins ‘The Draymond Green Show’ to discuss growing up with Bradley Beal in St. Louis (7:00), learning from Kevin Durant at the Olympics (14:00), the Celtics turnaround (25:00), Robert Williams’ leap as a player (30:00), the dynamic between himself and Jaylen Brown (36:30), memories of Coach K (45:00), and how he measures success for the Celtics this year (51:00).Produced by: Jackson Safon Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The volume. The Draymond Green Show is presented by Fandual Sportsbook. There's no better place to bet the action than on Fandual Sportsbook during the football season. It's easy to use. It's safe and secure. You get payouts in as fast as two hours. There's so many bet types. My favorite same game parlay bets.

There's live betting, player props, futures. If you're new, just download the Fandul Sportsbook app. To get started now, sign up. Please use the promo code, Colin, C-O-L-I-N. Fandul, Sportsbook makes it easy. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite.

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

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

I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the 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, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, my basketball and college football journey,

or my career in sports media. Well, now I'm bringing all of that excitement. to my brand new podcast, The Clifford Show. This is a place for raw, unfilts of conversations with athletes, creators, and voices that not only deserve to be heard, but celebrated. So let's get to it. Listen to The Clifford Show on the IHeard 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.

On the Look Back at a podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84's big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it, with our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Oh, hey kiddo. How is the hell? Educational. Oh, learn a new trick. Yeah, the trick to a hat. Happy, fulfilling life, maybe. I learned that mountain air unleashes my inner peace. And rip and pow, will the whole crew's all,

yoo! Induses spontaneous joy. Okay. That's nice. The Icon Pass lets you do you at 50 destinations worldwide from 2.49 adult. Drop in for next winner now and save at iconpass.com. Man, I'm honored to welcome this next guest to the show. A guy who, number one, I've had the chance to win a goal.

metal with, but also someone who I've had the opportunity to build a relationship with, to call a little brother to try to share knowledge that I've learned over my teen years and give it back to the younger guys that's taking this league by the storm and taking over the league. And so I'm honored to welcome this next guest, All-Star, another All-Star on the Draymond Green show, none other than Jason Tatum. J.T., what's up, my brother? My dog, appreciate you having. Absolutely. I appreciate you coming on, man.

I've been, you know, we're trying to keep this thing going, man. I'm having all-stars on here. Like, you can't show up unless your resume right, man. So, you know, I appreciate you coming on, lying us to keep that streak going. No, no problem, no problem. Absolutely. But, you know, first off, I want to, obviously,

this will be a lot about you, about your career. I want to know, number one is starting off, man, one of the things that I admire most about you. And this is even before I really got to know you. It's just how you are as a father. And, you know, we all see the pictures of you and Deuce. You know, we see him with you all the time. But as you and I both know, in this life, a lot of things can be staged. You know, but getting an opportunity to know you and seeing how hands-on are you all,

with him. It's one of the things that I admire about you. So first off, I just want to know, like, how is it for you being a father to your son? Man, I mean, as you know, it is by far the best thing in life, you know, bigger than any accomplishment, any award, any amount of money.

That genuine, you know, relationship, especially like, I got a son. So as he's gotten older and I've gotten older, just our relationship. And it's almost like that's my mini meet, right? So like, and I've had the privilege and honor of like, you know, I had him when I was 19. I didn't, I ain't planning it.

It was an accident. So be it. But us, you know, him growing up, you know, as a kid and me growing in my career. And basically, you know, we share. sharing his journey together. And that was a big thing for me that, you know, first year in the league and, you know, he was born December 6th, 2017, you know, I wasn't going to sacrifice either. I wasn't going to let one take me from the other.

I was going to, you know, in a way, take on both challenges. It's like, I'm going to be the best father I can be and I'm going to be the best basketball player I can be and we know we're going to make it both work at the same time. And it's not really like work. You know, now it's become second nature. Like, you know, that's just part of my routine. That's part of my day. It's just like, you know what I'm saying?

Me and Deuce, you know, we rocking out. That's incredible, man. I think I love it, man, because I know for me personally, you know, I have two daughters as well. And, you know, that relationship, I look forward to you one day having a daughter because that relationship with them girls is just a little different. Like, obviously.

But like you see, said with your little man, it's like your mini-meet. You know, and that's kind of how I, you know, that's how I am with DJ. It's like, you know, people see him on the sideline at the games, but like he had all the practice. Like, this dude feels like he's a part of the team. Like, he'd be saying stuff to me. Like, hey, you went to the gym without me.

Like, everybody wanted to see me. They didn't want to see you. Right. And, you know, but that's, it's so important to be able to share the journey. with them, you know, because the reality is our kids are growing up totally different than we grew up. You know what I'm saying? Like, they're growing up with a silver spoon, you know, they're growing up with access to all of these different things to a totally different life than we ever grew up with. And my everyday thing or my everyday thought is like, how do I give to my kids and especially my son?

How do I give to them what Saginaw gave to me that I know Saginaw isn't given to them? How can I still instill some of that in them? And so I think for me, that's the big thing. And that's why I love how hands-on you are with him, how much you have him around. Because, man, that's, like, you can't pay for that experience. And so it's such a beautiful thing, man.

For sure. And now, you, that's the million-dollar question, like you said. we worked so hard to give our kids, you know, a better life than we had growing up. And, like, that's what you're supposed to do as a parent. But you, you spot on, like, you know, especially like raising young men, you know, how do I instill that toughness or that work ethic that, you know, just living in St. Louis every day that, you know, was just a part of my everyday life, whereas, you know, Deuce, he come to NBA games, he's sitting courtside, he in a locker room,

He on private jets. We go on the island. It's like, all he knows is paradise and new sneakers and all that. So it is like, especially as you get older, there's something that I definitely got to work on of like that balance of, like, you know, enjoying this life, but understanding that like, you know, you got to at some point you got to work for a life of your own. But no, that's definitely the million-dollar question.

I think, you know, You know, one of the interesting things that I did when you think about really setting your kids up for the future, which I think is a very important thing. And you start talking about a will and a trust. Like for me, my girls get money at 18. My son don't get money until 21. Because the reality is, it's like, for my girls, I don't want them to ever feel like, or a guy to ever feel like he can control them. because of something that he have

or for them to feel like, man, I need to turn to this guy to rely on him. But for my son, at 18-hour, bro, like, what you're doing? Like, you're going to school? You're going to work? Like, what's up? What's you doing? And the maturity level of guys and girls are a little different as well.

Guys mature a little slower. So that's kind of something that I am doing with my kids. And I thought that was the right way to go up. At least I think it is. We'll see. I think parenting is all trial and error. That is all it is. Trial and error.

I tell people all the time, it ain't no perfect way to be a parent. You know what I'm saying? You got to figure it out as you go. Absolutely, man. But take me on your journey, man. You went to Shaminar Prep, home of David Lee,

home of Brad Bill, and then you come through there at, you know, a school that had already put out two all-stars. and you're coming through that. What was it like just going to Shamana? Like, I know you could have went to a public school in St. Louis, but you decided to go to Shaminae, which seems to be working for the guys from St. Louis.

What was behind that decision for you? I didn't have no choice. That was my mom from elementary school. My mom was like, you go into a whole boy Catholic school. Like, you don't need no distractions from 8 to 5 every day. Like, it's all about books and basketball. So, yeah, I wanted to go to public school with all, you know, people in the neighborhood and all my friends from AAU. But I, like, I just knew that wasn't a thing.

I knew I was going to one of the, we got, like, it's like five private schools in St. Louis that are all boy, we all in the same conference. But it was just perfect timing because, you know, Brad's mom was my mom's volleyball coach in high school. And Brad grew up, we grew up in the same neighborhood. He was like four minutes from my crib. So I went to Shamanaut in middle school. and my first year was his last year. So when I was in seventh grade, Brad was in 12th grade. So that was really the, you know, the stamp.

Just I had a perfect role model, a perfect, like, visualization every day of who I wanted, like, where I wanted to go, where I wanted to be. And, like, he was living proof. You know, so getting to see him every day in the classroom, working out after practice. him dropping me off from school every day and going to the games and, you know, seeing him put on the show, it was like, it was the perfect scenario for me because this was like, I want to get to where he's getting to and I get to see, you know, his everyday routine up close. So, you know, I'm forever thankful for that, for being in that position. That's incredible.

And as you went through high school, so, well, you go from seventh grade to eighth grade, Brad goes on to Florida, spent one year at Florida, then he goes to the league. once he left shamanah, did your relationship continue to grow? Or was there like a gap where y'all kind of fell out of contact or has that always been a constant to someone that's always been directing you?

Oh, no, that's... That's like Brad is the big brother, you know, that I didn't have, right? Even when he got to the league, I remember on... It was either my freshman or sophomore year. Like one of my spring breaks, Brad was like, he just texted.

And he's like, yo, like, ask your mom, can you come up here and just, like, come chill with me and come to a couple games? I'm like, all right, bet, I'm out. Like, I went up to D.C. I spent like a week with him, him and his brothers, went to a couple games. But like, even in the summertime, Brad would come home. And it would be times where he would pull up in front of my crib, 9 o'clock in the morning. He called me. I'm asleep. He called me like, yo, come on, bro. I'm outside. I'm like, damn, all right, let me get in the shower.

And I would just like, I would get in the call with him. We go get something to eat. We go work out. And then we go to his crib, play the game, chill. And then we go work out again. And he'd take me home. Like, there's plenty of time summers where I like would spend the whole day with him. And like, we'd just be out.

But it was always just like, he always was telling me that, you know, he wanted to do for me what, you know, nobody did for him. And, you know, from that point on, I've always had, you know, none but love and the most respect. Because, you know, he didn't have to do that, right? From day one, he always told me he wanted me to be better to him. You know, he wanted me, he wanted to show me, you know, the ends and out, the things that he wish he knew. And, you know, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Brad. So, yeah, as I got older, we got much closer.

Brad was the first person to take me to the club when I was like when I was like 16 and he took me to the club a couple of times my mama found out

she cussed him out but it was all love after that like that's the kind of relationship that we had like my mom cussed Brad out in front of my house one day like you got my son at the club

he still got stuff to lose blah blah but it was just the principal like she wasn't really mad but she couldn't act like she was cool with it But, yeah, Brown's first person to take me to the club. Like, yeah, we did it at all.

That's incredible, man, to have someone like that that you've known from that age to continue to show you the way, you make sure you get that back to somebody, bro, because that's important. That's how we continue to grow our game. That's how we continue to grow as young men, most importantly. You know what I'm saying? That's professionals.

So you make sure you get that game. to the next guy, because that's how this cycle go, man. And I think that's such a beautiful thing. And him saying, like, I want you to be better than me. As good as Brad is, you are him at 610, which already kind of puts you in a different, like, not a different category because y'all both all-stars, you're both elite, like y'all both score with the best of them.

But being 16 and being able to do that, that automatically just puts you in a different place because there's only KD at 610 who can do that. Maybe KD. And I actually got, I actually got, and I had a great opportunity to see that this summer. And what I told everybody, and I'm jumping all over the place a little bit,

but this just feels so natural. So we'll rewind a little bit. But what I told everybody was on our team, it was KD team, like USA team, it was KD team, as it should have been. He was one of the most experienced in KD. But it felt like to me, and I want to hear your thoughts, it felt like to me you were being primed for it to be your team this next go-around. And maybe KD come back, maybe KD don't.

But I felt like he was priming. you like, hey, J.T., go give me a bucket, man. Hey, it's your turn. Come on now. Go get me some buckets. And hearing the conversation, but also seeing how everyone else on our team, when it wasn't KD, everybody was turning to you. And you had games where you took over. So, like, how, are you, did you feel that?

Are you seeing that? Is that the goal? Like, what is your goals moving forward with USA? Yeah. No, I think, I think you spot on. I think that played a huge part in my decision. I remember you calling me in the summertime and telling me like, bro, I remember I'd never forget.

You said, bro, forget all this stuff about rest. Like, we can rest when we retire. And I'm done it like, yeah, if I'm only 23, 24, like, I got the rest of my life after basketball to rest and do whatever I won't. And like, this is, you know, nothing is promised. Like, this is a special opportunity. So after talking to you, and then the next thing was like, well, shit, Kay on the team. And I think for me, like, I remember being 15 years old and going to Kay Camp and D.C.

And, like, how excited I was to be there. And fast forward, you know, playing against him in the playoffs last year. And then now being on the same team as him and, like, getting to see how somebody that, like, I looked up to at one point, like, how. He'd go about his routine, how he worked, how he, you know, just think and see the game, you know, on a personal level. Like, we're going to be on the same team. That was, for me, it was like, all right, yeah, I'm going. And I remember being out there in Vegas and, like, I remember the first day we scrimmaged. And I remember we played the select team and they kicked our ass the first day.

We was out of shape. We was out of shape. We wasn't used to playing with each other. But I remember specifically coming down on the wing, somebody kicked me. a ball and on the Celtics, I would have shot it. And it was like a halfway. Like, I could have shot it. And I just remember Kay was to the next.

It was to the right of me. And I passed it to him. And I remember he got mad at me. He was like, he was like, yo, don't look for me. Like, he was like, be yourself. I need you to kill. And I was like, damn. Like, that was the first time I was like, like, no,

and like he wanted me to hoop too. Like, don't look at it like, that's Katie. Like, no, we're on the same thing. Like, he need me to do me on this team. team. And not like, I mean, you, you, you, you're right. Like, I, it definitely started to feel like that. Like, obviously, we all knew it with his team, but just somebody like that in the middle of a game, you know, he coming down to court, he telling me to post up to give me the ball to go score was like, all right, like, yeah, I'm, I'm getting, I'm, I'm, I'm working towards

getting to that level. Like, I'm earning a respect of somebody like that. And ultimately, like, that was, obviously us winning it, but, like, that was one of my. favorite parts of, you know, being on the team. Just kind of like that moment, if I, you know, that makes sense. No, absolutely. And I actually remember the exact moment that you're talking about when he, when you swung the ball to him. He was like, hey, man, come on now.

I remember that exact moment. But I thought it was great because, like I said, the reality is, is, like, you should, it's on you to carry USA for at least the next two cycles. You know, like that's your thing moving forward. And like I said, even if Katie come back on the next cycle for Paris, that's almost him just like coming to pass the baton. Like, yeah, I'll still got it and I'm still cold and I love the hoop. Like, I'm really coming to pass the baton.

And so I think like that should be your mindset. And what also should be your mindset is, regardless of whatever happens this summer, I mean, or this season, this playoffs, you should be dedicated to having the absolute best summer of your life. And you already work, but there's more to be done because your only goal next year going into next year should be, like, I'm 100% going to be the MVP of the NBA next year next year.

You should be the MVP of the NBA next year with your skill level, with, like, you've been doing this now. See, a lot of people don't realize how young you are. I didn't either until we got to Olympics, and I'm just sitting there and we all kicking it. And then some of the questions you were asked, I'm like, man, like, oh, he's a baby. But, like, you've been doing it at this level since you came into the league your rookie year, which is now, what, five years. And so people tend to think like, oh, no, like you're just one of us. You know what I'm saying? Like, oh, yeah, like, no, he's just one of us.

Because of the level you've been doing it at. But the reality is you still can't replace that experience. You still can't replace those years of gain and wisdom. And so it was super refreshing to me when you start asking some of the questions you was asking. I'm like, oh, shit, like this is fun for me. Like being able to share something. Like, it's one thing to share a game, get gain to a young dude. Like, that's all great.

It's fun. I love to do it. It's a totally different thing to give some gain to a star, like, to a young star. That's a totally different thing. And so for me, I'm like, oh, man, like, this is going to be fun. Like, I enjoy that. And so I think that should be your number one goal going into next year, bro. Like, you should be thinking nothing else.

No, I mean, you're definitely right. And I think this is going to be my first kind of full summer since I've been in the lead. I played on the FIBA team in 2019. I got injured. 2020 come around and COVID hit. And that was the shortest offseason, you know, NBA history. And then last year, you know, we was in training camp with USA while the season was still going on. So it was just, it's always been something.

So I'm definitely, you know, after this season, you know, handle this season first, but this offseason coming up is something I'm really, really looking forward to because you're right. And I think the Olympics had a lot to do with that, you know, coming off the Olympics and winning a gold medal and being with you guys, like the best players in the world, like as competitive as the games were, but just going through practice. We're splitting the teams of scrimmaging each other five on five.

Like, there's nothing better than that in the summertime at that point. So just coming into the NBA, like, I've been competing against and with the best players in the league all summer. And then carrying that into the season is like, honestly, it's the best way to prepare, you know, for a season. 100%. You know, it was crazy. It's one of the main reasons I wanted to do Olympics last year was so I could stay in great shape. leaving out of last season to come into this season because imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal but encouraged it's the enhanced games some call it grotesque others say it's unleashing human potential either way the podcast's superhuman documented it all embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year within probably 10 days i'd put on 10 pounds i was having trouble stopping the muscle growth listen to superhuman on the ihard radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

A win is a win. A win is a win. I don't care what I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clifford Taylor the 4th. You might have seen the skits, the reactions, my journey from basketball to college football, or my career in sports media. Well, somewhere along the way,

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

The Clifford Show isn't just a podcast, it's a space for honest conversations, stories that don't always get told, and for people who are chasing something bigger. So, if you've ever supported me, or you're just chasing down a dream, this is right where you need to be. Listen to the Clifford Show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, you get your podcast. And for more behind the scenes, follow at Clifford and at TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode, with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s. To be clear, 84 is big to me not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack all day, but just so you all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line.

We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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 tauntons and wampas on the ice planet hot, or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith rule of. too. Listen to Stuff to Bole Your Mind on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In my mind, I'm like, yo, I want to get back to an all-star level. And I know the key to me playing at an all-star level is simply being in shape. And so I'm like,

the Olympics will help me roll right into September in shape and I can hit the ground running into the season. And so I definitely feel where you're coming from. And like, even for me, going back to the select team days when I played on the select team, like, I'm like, y'all, I got better this week. Like, I'm playing these guys. I got better. You know what I'm saying? And so I think that's a really big deal.

Sure, we have 30 seconds to tell you the drivers who switched to Progressive could save Big. But then what? Well, radio has been called theater of the mind. So let's tell a story with sound effects. Wow. It's like I was in the story. Almost makes me forget this was supposed to be about saving Big with Progressive. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates.

And speaking of our USA team. your now head coach, E.M.A. Udoka, who he was one of our assistant coaches with the USA team. Got to spend a lot of time around him, see what type of duty is, kind of see his coach style. And I thought it was great. And one observation that I've had in watching your game is in y'all play. But in your game and I feel like you've taken the next step in that is like, it's less sidestep three. You know what I'm saying? It's less, like, you're a tough shot taker and a tough shot maker.

You know, but I think there's a time in a place to take tough shots. Like, there's a time when you got to take tough shots. And then there's a time when you're that good that you go get the shot that you want. You know what I'm saying? And I feel like you're finding that balance. And I was wondering, like, is that something that E-May and A-Miles? I know you talk a lot to A-Miles is somebody who helped me a lot over the last. couple of years just understanding the game.

What impact has those guys had in coming in on your game individually? Yeah, I think it's a combination of a couple of things. Obviously, you know, the new staff and, you know, E-Made being a new coach. Just like a different sort of philosophy, right? You know, people always ask me, you know, what's the difference between Brad and E-Make? I mean, they just different people. Like, they both great basketball minds, but, you know, they just kind of, approach things differently and that doesn't make one better than the other. But, you know, I appreciate

them both. I had Brad my first four years and, you know, I'm thankful for him a lot and now, you know, being with E-May. And also, I think I'm just, I'm still young, but I'm getting older at the same time. So the game is slowing down and I'm learning to like read the game a lot differently than I did two years ago, right? It's slowing down for me, um, knowing when the, like, you know, know, exert more energy and when to save energy and things like that. I just didn't think about, you know, my second and third or even my fourth year, right? So I think having a new staff sometimes just having a new voice can be helpful. But, you know, I love having you made.

Obviously, we started off. It was rocky, you know, up and down. And, I mean, I think that's just part of it. Obviously, with expectations, people just want you adjust like that. And the reality is this is, you know, things take time, right? But, you know, one thing I've appreciated is that he's definitely coached me, you know, coach me hard and held me accountable and held everyone accountable. And I think that's something that we definitely need it.

And we got like an open, open door policy. Everybody can voice their opinion. You know, regardless, you know, top man or the 15th man, you come in and work at a day, day you got something to say you can say it and i think that's definitely made us better um you know these last two and a half months no that's incredible i mean to see where y'all team has gone from even like when we played jah in uh in boston i think it was in december and then when we just played jr a week a week and a half ago totally different team and i think it all starts on the defensive end which like you know you know when when the coach is good when the coach you you

can judge a coach off their team defense. Like, if a team can't defend, look no further to the coach and staff. Like, like, coaches teach defense. And it's a sign of accountability and all, it just everything that it's about is a sign of your team's toughness to your mental focus. Like, that's a coach's thing. And I think where your defense is and, but more importantly, not even so much of how good it's been,

but the philosophy of it. Like, that took some figuring out. Like, to figure out, we're going to start rob and out next to each other. This is how we're going to guard. We're going to switch one through five or switch one through four. Y'all switching one through five most of the time. And then we're forcing everything to rob at the rim. And, like, guys are overextending, guys are pressing up

and literally forcing you right into him and he cleaning up all mistakes at the rim. Like, to get to that philosophy, it takes some twisting and turning. Like, y'all switched lineups a couple of times. Like, you know, it takes some stuff to get there. And I think that's a, like I said, I think that's a big coaching thing and a move that they made that has changed your season. No, you're absolutely right. And it did.

Like, we wasn't used to that at first. Like, you know, I'd be the first one to say I was a little. hesitant because I had only known one way for four years. And I would, you know, not my, not last year, but my first three years, you know, we was always a top five defense. We wasn't this good, but I just was so accustomed to doing things a certain way. And I think part of growing is being open to change. And that's something I've definitely learned this season.

And, you know, it was not perfect at first. But I think once we really bought in and once we got held, and obviously it's been working. I think a part of it is like it definitely is coaching. But I think, you know, when you look at the teams that got the best defenses, like they got guys on their team that like they give, what are you? Absolutely.

Like guys, like give a fuck on defense. And like, you know, like the teams that got the best even, like that's something that we, you know, hold everybody accountable From the first man to the last man, like, all right, we might not be like the best officer team, but like, we're going to hang our head on this defense event and everybody got to pull their weight. And because if Al and year 15 is going to be switching on the guards and pressure and things like that, then there's no excuse for, you know, somebody in a second or third year.

And, you know, that's something that we just relate to everybody. No, it's incredible. And I think, including me, I think when y'all brought Al back, everybody's like, what the hell? Like, like, what? Like, that, it made no sense. And, and then until you realize, like, J.T. still super young. J.B. still super young. Marcus Smart. He got a little more experience, but he's still young. Rob's still young. And when you put it in those terms, especially for me, who's now in year 10, and understand, like, smart right now is in a position I was in a position I was in a couple years ago

where we sucked but he's kind of right in that space of like not quite like vet vet but almost there and so bringing our back I now when I think about it I'm like yeah it makes total sense

because y'all needed that vet to look to you know what I'm saying and so I see that now but and then also the effect that he's and things that he teach Robert Williams as well And so I think that's huge. But then speaking of Robert Williams, having an incredible year,

having a defensive player at a year caliber type of season, no one talks about his offense. He is one of the best passing big men in the league right now. And I take that with a grain of salt because Yoke is passed better than all the point guards. So we're not putting nobody in Joker category. or he's a little different than everybody. So we're going to just count Joker as a point guard. We're not talking about Joker,

but just like big man, big man who are like legit big man, don't have a ball all the time. Robert Williams is one of the best passing big man that I've seen and no one talks about. And I think, I think that's a huge loss for y'all. What can y'all do to fill that role? Because there's not one guy that can do what he do to bring to that team. man, man, listen.

First of all, I feel terrible for Rob, just seeing him the first day he came in and how hard he's worked in the strides he's made to be where he's at. And it's like, he's just barely, like, scratching the surface of, like, where he could get to. Like, this is, like, his first full year, like, plan starting, like, being a core part of our team

and seeing where it's taken us. So I feel terrible for him because I just know that, his confidence was at an all-time high. He was, like, really feeling good about himself. And, I mean, guys like him is not, like you said, it's not many guys like him that pass as well as he do, extreme lob threat on offense.

Oh, my goodness. Don't need, like, he don't need the ball and, you know, the best defender in our team. So, like, you don't, you can't replace a guy like that when, you know, when he go down with injury. But I think, you know, it's cliche of this sound. It's just like next man. up mentality. We got to figure it out.

Just five games left. We're going into the playoffs, you know, you know, speedy recovery for him. You know, and I told him to take his time, don't, you know, when you feel 100%, you know, then come back. But, you know, we just got to try to hold it down until he does. Because we ain't, no, it's not, we don't have a guy on our team. Like, so everybody else's got to do more and step up. But, you know, he was having an unbelievable season. Absolutely. I mean, speaking to him as a live after, so check this

When we play y'all in Boston, we played y'all in Boston, we're going to shoot-around. I had been watching a couple of y'all games before, and I see this dude catch some crazy-ass lives. Speaking of which, this is the Drayvon Green show, bro. You say whatever the hell you want to say on here. That's how we're like that. We always roll. But I see this dude catching these crazy-ass lives. I'm like, yo, this is wow.

So I'm like, rewinding back through it. like trying to figure out like where did where was the coverage messed up at and for for those that don't understand if Robert Williams is in a drop or I mean if a big is in a drop on the pick and roll and Robert Williams is rolling that big is taught so the big when I say a drop that means he's his guy is setting the screen and he's a little beneath him so the guard can't turn the corner that's a drop and most big's five men playing a drop on a um him in the pick and roll. And you're taught as the big man

to never let the roller, which would be Robert Williams, get behind you. Once you let the roller get behind you, you're dead. So, but we're in shoot-around before the game earlier that day. It was an eight o'clock game in Boston,

so we had a shoot-around. And I stopped to walk through, and I'm like, fellas, listen, y'all have to understand, if you are even with Robert Williams, he's going to dunk on you. he will catch the lob on your head. I just watched him catch three of him on AD in one game.

If you're even with, and that's AD, if you're even even with him, he's going to catch it on your head, so you got to stay below him. And I'm like animated, I'm telling them and everybody, like, all right, got it. And I get in the pick and roll, and I'm dropped. And I thought I was beneath him.

And he still caught the line. on my head. And I'm like, to have that threat where you literally just put it up anywhere and he'd go get it, throw it. People don't understand,

and I love to hear your thoughts on it, to me, having a live threat, Robert Williams, Javelle McGee, for what they do for DeAndre Aden's a good one as well. What they do for your floor spacing is equal to what a shooter does for your floor space

because you can't lead the body. What are your thoughts on? You had the opportunity to play with someone like that on the daily. I've had that before in the past. What are your thoughts on having that live thread in the dunker? Because I think it's just as important as having a shooter that's space the floor. It makes your offense so much more dynamic, right?

You got somebody like me coming off the pick and roll nobody ever is going under, right? I wish, I wouldn't mind it, but they're not going under. So you got to chase me over the top because if you go under, I'm stopping behind, I'm shooting in three. So if you got somebody chasing me over the top,

and like you said, most traditional bigs are in drop, you know, a lot more recently they caroling or up the touch, I got to get out of my hands. But you got somebody chasing me over the top. So now I got the defender in jail, he behind me, So now you got to make a decision. And, you know, somebody's athletic is robbed. Even when I get in trouble and I don't got nobody,

you just throw it in the area. So now you wonder if you want to try to stop me from scoring or you don't want to get it. Because most big don't want to give up the lot. They hate going in the film and giving up a lot. No big wants state man to score. That is a fact, and we all know it. Absolutely.

So it just, like you said, just like having a shoot, it just makes it so much more dynamic, especially as athletic as a Rob or like Javelle may be somebody that long. You just throw it up and they go get it. Absolutely, man. I think I think it's incredible. I wish him a speedy recovery as well. I have an appreciation for the growth of y'all as a team.

And, you know, we've been dealing with a lot of injuries. You hate to see teams lose anything because of injuries. So definitely wish him a speedy recovery. And still speaking to your team for years, there's been this whole notion of you and J.L. Brown can't play together. Again, y'all are so young in your career. The fact that people want to write it off already is kind of tough, but in the same token, it is, in the same token,

it's also respect to y'all and what y'all have done. Because, like I said, since y'all came into you, y'all been doing it at this level, And so for everybody in their mind, it's been more than four years, you know, because your rookie year, y'all went to the Eastern Conference Finals. You dunk on LeBron James, you know, like, this is your rookie year. So for everybody, they've now been seeing it for so long in their mind. It's like, that can't work. They need to move on.

The reality is it hasn't had any time, any time to manifest itself. to what it could possibly be. I am extremely happy to see it working because I have a huge amount of respect for Jalen Brown, the player he is. I mean, the way he handled and shoot the ball now, like he work on his game. Like there's no other way to slice it.

That guy, who he was five years ago at Cal, that guy worked on his game. Like, there's no other way to slice it, so I'm happy to see it working. But what was the key for you and him blocking out all the noise and understanding that ultimately, bro, we got each other and people are going to talk and they're saying this. But at such a young age, y'all having to go through that

and work y'all way through that. What was the key for y'all to stick together and say, like, no, we're going to figure it out together? Yeah, I think it's a lot to digest there. I think, so my first year was his second year. J.B. been in the conference finals three times. He went the year before when I got there and then the bubble year. And I've been twice.

So we've had way more success than we haven't. You know, last year, you know, was the weirdest season in NBA history. With COVID protocols, no fans, guys dealing with COVID, no vaccine. Like, it was the weirdest season. get hurt. It was a 7th seed. We made the playoffs, you know, wasn't great. Started off Rocky this year. So it was like a, it was like a rough year and a half. And, you know, we didn't play great that time, but it is what it is. But we've had way more success together than we haven't. You know, we've made the playoffs every year. And I think in this league, what I've realized

is everybody, you can't, everybody will say you can't win until you do. Nobody can win a championship. nobody can be the best player on the championship team until they do it. Until you do it. Until you do it. Facts. Like, and the narrative is like,

that's just what it is. Like, book, like he wasn't a winner until his, you know, he had some pieces around him and he went to the championship. Now he is. Like,

no, we all know, like how good he was and what he could do. He just, no knock to the guys on his team. They just weren't that good. So, like,

think we can't figure it out until we win a championship. And then it's like, all right, they can win. And I think that's just like the world that we live in. And once you understand, like, that's just the business of what we do. And, you know, yeah, it seems like we've been together forever. It's been five years. But I just turned 24 and J.B. is only 25. Like, well, they say you don't reach your prom till 28, 27, 28, 29.

So like. Now it's like 31. 32. Yeah, 30. So we just say 30. So if you look at that point, like, damn, we still, like, not as good as we going to be. And for us, we are two of, like, the most competitive guys.

I think one of the best things for my career and his is that we've been on the same team and that we worked with each other, worked out, played one-on-one a million time. Like, I push him and he pushes me. and it's a healthy competitiveness and environment between us. And like you said, the strides that he's made from his first year and to who he is now, he's made the All-Star game last year, I was extremely happy for him, just knowing how far he's come and who the player he is now. Like you said, seeing what he does now, that only means that he worked on his game.

Like, that's all that that means. And I know that at the bottom, and I know, like, how bad J.B. wants to win. aside from everything else. And like, we trust each other enough. And, like, I've been in enough close games. I've been in enough playoff series where I know, like, if I got number seven on my team, I know, like, I believe he's going to do whatever it takes for us to help to win this game.

Like, we didn't want enough close games together, enough playoff series where, like, I know push come to shove, he got my back, and I got his. And that's fine if the whole world doesn't see that or know that or like we're not posting on Instagram with each other hanging out every day or this and that. And like, that's fine. But we, like, if long as we know

and the people in that locked room know that, like, you know, we and it's together, then I think it just makes for a better story, you know, whenever we do hang that banner. It's like, no, we can, you know, we can't do this together. Absolutely. I think for a while I always hoped that y'all can figure out who's the one and who's the two.

And in my mind, no disrespect to J.B. He's an incredible talent, a great player. I think you are a generational talent. And so when you have a generational talent that automatically makes you the number one. Duane Way was a number two in Miami when LeBron went there. You told LeBron, I'm going to be number two.

You go be number one. Probably one of the greatest twos. Kobe was a number two with Shat. being the number two is not a bad thing. You know, we live in this world that try to make it like, this is a bad thing. Being number two is not a bad thing. And one thing you should understand, as a number one,

don't take your number two for granted because there's not many twos that can go for 40 and just go get you 40 in the night. Like, there ain't many tools that do that. Only the great teams got that. And so I think it's very important for you to understand, show him his love, give him his flowers, give that appreciation.

So he know he got that from you because when you feel that, my fuckers will go to war for you. You know what I'm saying? That's ultimately, when he know you will go to war for him, he'll go to war for you. And that's ultimately how you win championships. Like, you know Marcus Smart will go to war for you. That's how you win championships. And I think it's very important for you. you as the number one to get them guys love and support.

Even though they're older than you and you're younger, you just kind of get thrusted into that, you know what I'm saying? And I think that's important for you to fill out as your climb. I think I'm probably more excited about your clown to this MVP than you are. But that shit, it gives me chills, man. I get excited about it just to see young guys doing well, man, especially, like I said, young guys that I have a relationship. relationship. But, man, I don't want to hold you too long, but I got a couple more questions.

And as you know, I can sit here and talk to you all day. But, you know, we've been speaking about your career and I'd be remiss. Also a guy who I had an opportunity to play with as well, want to go a medal with legendary coach K, who you had the opportunity to play with for at Duke. Obviously, we know this is his last year. What was it that Coach K gave you. I think I saw something where he called you a punk-ass St. Louis kid or something like that. Like, what was it that coach gay gay to you and your year there? And beyond, because I know the relationship don't just stop once you lead at campus.

Man, that is my guy. And like you said, I've still talked to coach at least once, if not twice a month, ever since I left school. So that's something I really, you know, am proud about my decision of going to Duke that like that's something that I cherish his relationship and that like that it didn't just stop once I walked out that door and left um you know Durham but man now he was coach that was he was great for me because I think initially when I first got to Duke you know I knew I was only going for one year right but we had we had like a mix of like it was six

income and freshman we had some older guys on our team and part of me was like, people tell me all the time, they were like, I don't know if you know how good you are. Like, people tell me that all the time. So my mentality walking in was like,

man, I'm happy to be here. Like, I'm from St. Louis. I never, I never thought I would go to Duke University. Like that, it never crossed my mind. Like, that Coach K was going to come St. Louis and sit in mind living wrong. And like, we want you to come. So I was so happy to be there.

And initially, like, there were times where I was just trying to, like, I was just trying to be a part of the team. I was just trying to fit in. And there were a handful of times, and that was the last time we was playing at Virginia. And, uh, ACC game, you know, Virginia is always probably one of the better defensive teams in the country. Absolutely.

But I'm, I think, I think I'm making the right place. Like, I'm catching it. I'm making the extra pass. I'm not really being. aggressive. I may have had like four points. But I was like two for three. I wasn't really shooting. I think we might have been up to where it's tied at halftime. I come

in and I'm like, I'm feeling good about it. And I remember Coach Kay came in. He took, I'd have told this story a minute time. He took his jacket off. And he threw it right at me. Like it hit like hit my leg in my feet. And he was like, he just starts snapping. He's like, you

soft-ass St. Louis kid. I should have left you where I found you. He said, I didn't, he used to tell me all the time, I didn't bring you here to be good. He said, I need you to be special. And like, any time in the game, like the next day in film, if there was a shot, I could have shot it, he would always pause it in film.

You being soft. Wow. You being soft. We don't need you to be soft. We need you to be you. And somebody that I respect is so much and that had accomplished so much, thought this highly of me

and, like, never gave me the day off, never, like, took it easy on me. Every single moment where I wasn't being aggressive where I wasn't doing what was best for the team, it would let me know. And I really, like, I really appreciated that and I carried that with me, you know, coming into the lead.

That's incredible. Did you have the opportunity to make it back for that last game? No, I did not. I did not. I wish I did. But I remember, I remember watching it at the house. And part of me felt like I, like, I seen everything, like, you know, Grant Hill and Christian Layton or JJ Redick, Jay Williams. You know, all these guys that, like, went there for four or five years, Carlos Boozer. And I'm watching it. I'm like, all right, like, I went to Duke. But they, like, really, they like really went to Duke. Like, they spent four or five years that I spent one.

So, like, I don't, like, that might have been more for them. Like, I might have felt a little bit out of place. I, like, I'm thinking that, like, I might have felt a little out of place like, damn. Like, they really, like, they had four or five years, and I only had one. But I, I know, it was special seeing all those guys come for his last game. Obviously, you know, we lost, but we're going to redeem ourselves. know, this Saturday, Final Four. If you ain't, you got time, you should watch it.

You know, we're going to be on TV. Yeah, I'm going to watch it, man. Send me your cash out, too, man. I owe you some money for them terrible. That terrible guy has beating my spartners, man. But I'm still pissed about that because we should have won that game. Still pissed about that. But number one, as a four-year guy,

me being there four years and Miles being there too or Gary Harris being there too that don't make me more of a Spartan than them like I'm a Spartan there Spartan we all went through the grind at the end of the day you stepped it you had to go through there to get to where you was going whether it took you one year or whether it took you four it don't matter that's a part of your ground that's a part of your journey you are just as entitled to that as them now What I will tell you is, for me personally, guys that won a national championship, even if it's not Mateen Cleeves, you know what I'm saying? If it's not Magic Johnson, guys who won a national championship,

like, regardless of my jersey retired, regardless of any of that, you won a national championship, I didn't. You're ahead of me, bro. Like, that's just what it is. You know what I'm saying? And so I can't understand, like, the guys that want to. won a national championship. But that don't just mean because they were there for four years.

Nah, that's bullshit. You earned your keep just like they earned their keep. So understand that, man. Hey, but before we get out of here, man, and wrapping up, like, what's next? What's it for the Celtics? Where you see y'all going this year? What's, like, what is it success this year

for the Boston Celtics? Oh, man. I think I seen it on Twitter yesterday. We both lost last night, right? And I think I remember they may have asked some of the similar question, but I remember it, you know, they're saying like, what can you take, like, how do you feel? What can you gain from this loss?

And I remember I said, I was like, ain't no moral victories. Like you either win or you lose. And I've seen something, you said like the same thing last night. So obviously you've been to the mountaintop a couple of times. Like you know what it takes. to get there. And me playing for the Celtics, like,

you win a championship or you don't. Absolutely. So that's like, that's it. That's it for us, you know, hopefully, you know, we get robbed back,

you know, when we can and stay healthy. You know, I'm excited, man. It's, it's that time of the year. The playoffs is like, you know,

there's nothing like the playoffs. And now is, you know, everything back normal again. So I'm looking forward to it. Obviously, these last week and a half these next, you know, five games, just trying to figure out, you know, who we're going to play. But, yeah, you know, we've been playing as well as anybody.

And, you know, we love our chances. And as well as, you know, everybody's probably in the playoffs. So, you know, our goal is just the same as y'all go. I don't think everybody in the playoffs love their chances, champ. Most people. I say most people. Somebody, some of these dudes just happy to get to the playoffs. Don't get a twisted.

I'm so happy not to be in the playing game. That's what I'm grateful for. Hey. It's been two years since I played in the playoffs, man. We played in the playing game. Last year it was fun. It was cool. But I need, like, that's when I played my best basketball.

So I need that, bro. I appreciate you coming on, man. It's been an honor and a pleasure just coming on and sharing your journey, I enjoy these conversations and just listening and getting to, you know, hear others' journeys and, you know, how it may be similar to mine, how it may be different, you know, and everybody's journey, everybody got their own story, you know, so I appreciate you coming on and sharing yours with us. Year 5, already on your way to a Hall of Fame career.

Now, I remember I said that to you this summer when we were talking about USA, like, bro, This is all about trying to build Hall of Fame resumes, bro. And you doing that, man. Stay locked in, bro. You should... If you don't get MVP next year, you're weak as five. I appreciate you coming on the Draymond Green show, my dog. My man, appreciate you.

Yes, sir. Oh, hey, kiddo. How is the hell? Educational. Oh, learn a new trick. Yeah, the trick to a happy, fulfilling life, maybe. I learned that mountain air unleashes my inner piece. And rip and pow will the whole cruise all,

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