The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Draymond Green Show - Mahomes Magic, Russ Trade Rumors + a Zach LaVine Interview

Episode Date: January 27, 2022

In the tenth episode of The Draymond Green Show, Draymond discusses the incredible divisional round of the playoffs, Russell Westbrook trade rumors, and James Harden free agency rumors before welcoming on Zach LaVine to discuss him and DeMar Derozan leading the Chicago Bulls to a hot start, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, his dunk contest experience, and much more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardweight with your favorite therapist and host Kear Games. This speech is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having him with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor.

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Now choose from the largest selection of free 5G phones and prepaid, like the Samsung Galaxy 5G. Just switch and trade in your old device. Plus, enjoy 5G access on every plan at no extra cost. All powered by the T-Mobile 5G network. Only at Metro. Requires port in, ID, and eligible plan plus tax 5G coverage not available everywhere. See store for details. Welcome back to the Draymond Green Show. This is our 10th episode, milestone episode, number 10, which I am excited about. We got a another great guest, one who's about to be named to his second All-Star game, and is also helping lead the Bulls to the top seat in the Eastern Conference.

You know, they've gone from non-playoff team last year to right up there at the top of the Eastern Conference, a lot like us in the Western Conference. And so it's been beautiful to watch. And I also want to shout out JJ, shout out JJ Reddick and the old man in the three, podcast. Obviously, we had JJ on. I think it was our second episode that we had JJ on. If you haven't heard that episode, it was an incredible episode. Definitely go back and check that out if you have not heard that one. But I highly recommend everyone checks out JJ's show this week because you know, when you're doing these things, you can kind of feel like, all right, that was a good

episode, you know, and you can feel like, yo, we crushed that one. And I think, you know, I get that feeling at times, you know, when we're doing our show. But I also got that feeling when I was recording JJ's show, old man in a three with JJ and Tommy. I thought, like, number one, the conversation went on 60 minutes longer than it was supposed to go. And not Not one time was guys checking their phone to see what time it is, worried about the time. And that's how you know when you're in a great moment. You don't have anyone worried about the time or checking or, you know, JJ, they had a flight out. They came to San Francisco.

They had a flight out. They weren't worried about their flight and checking the flight schedule. Because when you're in that moment, you have to really just embrace it and dive all the way into it. And that's how you create greatness. in anything, not just in podcasting and anything. And I thought that was what was going on the other day when we were recording old man and the three. I thought it was a great segment.

I thought it was fun. I enjoyed it. JJ and those guys, they had some great wine for us to drink. So it was an amazing time. So go check that out. Also check out episode number two of the Draymond Green Show if you haven't out already. That was a great episode. So, JJ is, as we spoke about on that episode, he's kind of a pioneer in this podcast space for current players.

And although he's not a current player anymore, I think he's been doing in the podcast space now for six years, which would take him to year nine, eight or nine of his career. And so he kind of helped make this lane available to a lot of us. And it's been beautiful. when he's done an incredible job. And so check that out, check both of those out. But before we get to Zat, as you know, we're going to go around the association, but we're also going to step out outside of the association

and talk a little NFL. And I think that's where we will start at. Man, that divisional round was the craziest, not only divisional round in NFL history, but that was the craziest playoff weekend in NFL. NFL history, you're talking four walk-off scores. Like that, that doesn't happen. Like, it just doesn't happen.

And I think led by the absolute last game with a weekend, which were the chiefs and bills, I mean, Patrick Mahomes is insane. 13 seconds and you get down the field and get a field goal. That's unheard of. And, you know, when you have things that happen like that in the game, all night, and I actually read the bills coach Sean McDermott. He said I've watched those last 13 seconds a million times. And you either handle that one or two ways.

Some people, for instance, myself, I have not watched the entire game seven of the NBA finals to this day. Still haven't been able to watch the entire thing. So I think you go one or two ways. You either don't watch it at all, which may not be the right thing to do, because it still lives in my head because I don't think I've really laid it to rest.

Or you're Sean McDermott and you're watching it over and over and over again, which I also don't think is the right thing to do because you're reliving that moment over and over and over again. And obviously you have to watch film to improve. I personally just didn't think I needed to watch that one game to improve. Maybe I need to go back and watch it and just embrace it, I guess. But until that day, I will continue to stand on the side and not watching it, unlike Sean McDermott.

But back to Patrick Mahomes and how, I mean, like, you kind of knew the bills were in trouble when he got that first 18-yard pass, and when he got that, picked up those 18 yards in the first down, and they had a timeout to stop the clock. Like, you kind of knew, like, all right, they are one pass away with Cheetah, with Travis Kelsey and with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback,

they're coming up with these 15 or 20 yards that they need in order to give Bucker a chance at the field goal. And then the Chiefs wins the coin flip. And when they win the coin flip, at that point, you know, whoever wins this coin flip, that's who's winning the game. Like, neither one of these defenses are stopping these quarterbacks right now. We always talk about offense and defense and how great offense is going to ultimately beat great defense in most cases, unless Draymond Green is on defense and then it doesn't quite go that way. But, you know, those quarterbacks both had it going and no defense was stopping them at that point.

And so that then brings us to the rule. And, you know, there's a lot of people discussing how the NFL needs to be. needs to change the rule. And my question to everyone out there is, and obviously you can't answer here, but, you know, if you want to tweet me some answers or tweet some answers to the volume and, you know, maybe we talk about them next week, maybe they're irrelevant, who knows? But is college football way of doing overtime better than the NFL? And should the NFL adopt what college football does?

Or should they just go about it the way they go about it? and then, but also just allow the bills in this instance to have an opportunity to score. But then it kind of gets super long and you got to think about the TV slots and like, there are so many things that come into play when you're discussing this. And so, you know, a team goes down to score, i.e. Kansas City Chiefs. And then you give, and then you give Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bill. is an opportunity, and they go down to score. Like, do you start back with a kickoff and then you go again?

Like, because then that starts to run into other shows that the network may have, other games if there's other games on. You know, then you run into that issue. I mean, what if these quarterbacks go back and forth for, you know, seven possessions in a row? That's severely going to outweigh the time that is allotted for an overtime. So do you scrap the overtime? Like there's a ton of things that we can discuss

or that the NFL can discuss the changes that can be made. But the reality is, I personally don't think they're going to change. I think that's kind of their way of going about it. They already made one change, which was if you get a field goal right there, then the other team has an opportunity to score. They already made that change. I can't really foresee them totally overhauled. in the rule. I just, I personally don't see it. But I don't know. I don't know. I thought the Cincinnati

Bengals game was also an incredible game. And it is, it's incredible to see Joe Borough, the way he's taken over that team. And Jamar Chase is insane. Like, Jamar Chase is so good. He's probably the best receiver in NFL right now today as a rookie. And it's interesting because he sat out his last year at LSU. And I was wondering, like, is he sitting out because he's not going to have a great quarterback? Is he sitting out because he don't want to get hurt? And, you know, most guys, when they do stuff like that, they usually fall in the draft.

Jamar Chase didn't fall and rightfully so. Because if you're judging that, if you're judging him off sitting out that last year, and you miss Jamar Chase, you have an even bigger issue on your hand. And I was recently listening to someone speak on guys sitting out of bowl games, and Shannon Sharp actually went in on a little bit. Kirk Herb Street was discussing some guys sitting out of the bowl games, and he was, I think it was the Ohio Statewide receivers.

And he was kind of destroying them. And Shannon Sharp went at him and I applaud Shannon for going at him that way. And one of the things Shannon said was, well, coaches change programs all the time. And you have all of these people leave on these kids or young student athletes. And then once the student athlete does it, it's a problem. And Shannon went in about that and I thought it was great. incredible because players aren't treated with the same respect that organization and coaches and general managers are, they're not given the same grace that those people are given.

Like I said, whether there's general managers, organizations as a whole, coaches. We're just not giving that same grace as players. And I don't know if it's because of a clickbait. I don't know what it is, but I think it's ridiculous. And I was appreciative of the way Shannon went in on that topic. So, yeah, man, I hope everyone enjoyed that weekend of football the way I enjoyed it. And now moving on to the association, obviously there are huge, huge, a lot of Russell Westbrook trade talks, trade trade trade trade trade. I know I saw yesterday the Houston Rockets were saying they would trade John Wall for Russell Westbrook and picks.

and the reality is I'm not sure Russell Westbrook gets traded. I don't, if I'm guessing, just as an NBA fan, I don't really foresee it happening, nor do I think it really should happen. You haven't really had the opportunity to see that team healthy and how they could grow together healthy. And I also don't like how Russell Westbrook gets all of the blame for everything going wrong. Like there's just, it's just not possible that one guy is the blame for everything going wrong. So just been kind of keeping up with those trade rumors.

As we know, it's that time in the NBA where trade deadline is approaching over the course of the next few weeks. So you're going to hear more and more talks ramp up. You're going to start to see deals made. And then obviously Russell Westbrook is the biggest name in any of these. these talks. And he's on the Los Angeles Lakers. So that's always going to take the cake. And that's kind of who we've been hearing about the most in the trade rumor. So like I said, as a basketball fan, I am excited to see what happens at this trade deadline. And that's just not Russell Westbrook. That's just as a whole. I think that's always an exciting time.

You have some guys find new beginnings that the new beginnings that they need and want. And then you have some guys that don't quite find the new beginning that they're looking for and it doesn't go right. And that is the uncertainty of the trade market. Number one, you don't, most guys, probably 99% of guys has no say in where they're traded to. It just kind of happens. And a lot of guys find out there traded on like Instagram and Twitter, which I think is ridiculous and needs to be changed. But it happens.

DeMarcus cousins found out in the interview after the All-Star game in New Orleans that he had been traded to New Orleans. You know, and so you would think then because we are human beings that that rule would have been changed then. And yet it still hasn't. And so maybe one day it will get changed and we will be. treated like the human beings that we are, when being told that you have to uproot your family, your children, if you have children, your wife or girlfriend or fiancé or whatever it is, that life totally changes for you. And it'd be great as a human being that plays basketball and not just as a basketball player that were viewed as. That if you could find that out the way

you should find it out. And that's my hope for not only the NBA, but for all leagues, for anyone who goes through things like this. That's definitely my hope. We'll see if it happens. And lastly, around the association, there's also been these rumors about James Harden,

testing free agency, which what a weird time for it to come out. Like, if he is going to test free agency, like free agency, like, free agency doesn't start to July 1st, it's January. Everybody's trying to do it all they can to compete for a championship.

And so I thought it's a very weird time for it to come out. But maybe it came out 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 game. 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 which I'm saying. Yep, that's me, Clipper 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.

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So I'm not going to go all the way into this because we discussed this on JJ's podcast. But I'll just sum it up quickly. When LeBron left Cleveland and went to Miami, you no longer really see teams weighted out for free agents. They kind of move on if they know a guy isn't going to resign. So maybe that's why it came out. But they are competing for a championship.

So I don't know. I just thought it was a little weird that that came out at that time. But James Harden will be a free agent, and he has the right to test free agency if that's what he wants to do. And no one can stop that. He will be an unrestricted free agent. So stuff is getting interested around the association, and as I said before, it is that time of year where you start to hear all these things. So buckle up your seatbelt, because it sounds like it's about to be a wild ride on this trade deadline. So we shall see.

But without further ado, I am going to turn this over, or not turn it over, but I am going to welcome in my brother, NBA All-Star, One-Time All-Star, Soon-to-Be two-time All-Star, Chicago Bullslam dunk champion, all-NBA performer, Zach Levine. Imagine fighting climate change every time you buy groceries or pizza. Now you can. With the Aspiration Zero credit card, you can reduce your carbon footprint by making the same purchases you always make. Aspiration Zero plants one tree every time you make a purchase. Or plant two trees when you choose to round all your purchases up to the nearest dollar. Track your progress in the app and earn 1% cash back each month you reach Carbon Zero. For a limited time, earn a $300 bonus when you open an account at Aspiration.com

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Man, this interview is an exciting one for me. You know, obviously in doing this, you had an opportunity to not only ramble on about my thoughts as I like to do, but also had an opportunity to sit down with, we've sat down with Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers, and today I am honored to have another future Hall of Famer,

a one-time All-Star Soon to be two, two-time dunk champion, which produced some incredible dunks. But more importantly, went on after that dunk contest to show what an incredible player. he is and became an all-star. And what we share in common

and what started this relationship, which is growing, and it's a lifelong one, is an Olympic gold medalist. I am honored today to have my brother, Zach Levine. Zach, what up, my dog? What's up, boy? I appreciate it, man.

Come on this. Absolutely. I appreciate you coming on. It obviously means the world to me. I have an opportunity to have these conversations we had T-MAC on last week. But just to talk not only basketball, but talk life and just kind of get it all out there. It's always fun for me.

But, you know, from Wren, Washington, Seattle, for those of y'all that can't put two and two together. Oh, 15. I thought of it, yeah. Zach, if I understand correctly, your parents are athletes, right? Yeah, my dad played professional football. The Portland Breakers is a USFL team back in the day. It was like the other NFL and then went to play for the Seahawks as well for a couple years. My mom, extremely athletic, played softball growing up.

So it was in my blood from the get-go. Extremely athletic. We've seen that, that's for sure. And so your dad, he played for the Seahawks. Is that how he ended up in Seattle or is your dad from Seattle? No, my dad's from San Bernardino, California. I grew up in SoCal and ended up meeting my mom there after he retired. So he just ended up staying in the cold, rainy city.

Okay, okay. And I also read that you became a fan of Michael Jordan through the movie Space Jam. You didn't watch basketball before Space Jam's out? I was a baseball player growing up because my dad, my dad, I ranked. He actually had basketball too, before he went to college. And then while I was younger, just watching Buggie Bunny and Michael Jordan together, I think as a kid, that's the best combination you can get. By the way, I've heard your dad is out of his mind, especially when it comes to your

workhouse. I've seen some of the videos in the backyard. That was crazy. Yeah. It was great. But it got me to where I had to go, man. And me and my dad are best friends. And that's what I wanted to, you know, I wanted to be like him growing up.

So I think it's something that just molded me who I am. That's interesting. And the question that I have as a father, and always trying to find that balance of how much do you push your kid and what's too much. And I've seen growing up some dads that probably pushed their kids way too much. And it altered the relationship. It altered the father's son. relationship. And for me personally, my relationship with, obviously my two girls,

Olive and Cash, but my son, my relationship is way more important than him ever becoming a basketball star or my two girls becoming stars. My relationship with them is way more important. And so when I see that or hear that, it's kind of heartbreaking because to see a father lose the relationship with their son. And to hear you say, my dad is my best friend and how hard he pushed you, what was the thing that kept your relationship so tight and not him pushing you away

because he was pushing you so hard in basketball? Yeah, I mean, I think that's a big thing. And like you said, it's sad because being a dad and a father is number one. And I want to be there one day after you have kids, but it's something that I had to realize growing up was, you know, how bad he's. He wanted it and wanted it for me.

I had to want it that bad as well. And he was pushing me to, you know, he was helping me do all the things that he didn't have. He didn't have a dad growing up. He used to tell me I wish I had somebody like me that would love and care for you and tell you all the mistakes I made and try to guide you in the right way. So as a youngster, I really realized, like, you know, he's not here to hurt me. He's just trying to help and guide me to be the best person I can be, not just as a basketball, baseball player, whatever it was, but as a man, too.

So I always respect and appreciate that. That's what's up. And so you go on from high school and then as the Mr. Basketball in the state of Washington in 2013. How are you getting on these days, right? I know a little bit. You know, I know a little bit. And Jackson is great at what he does as well. But I know a little bit about you, man.

No, so you're Mr. Basketball. You go on to UCLA. and walked me through your transition and going to UCLA. Because I know for me, and going to Michigan State, I struggled a little bit that first year. I didn't get much time. The eyes were kind of against me. And I played as the year went on, I started to play more.

But early on, it was a struggle for me. So walk me through, you arriving on campus and how your freshman year went. Man, I mean, coming from Seattle, I mean, obviously you're not the most highly touted or like really hot play to basketball where a little bit slept on in Northwest. So, you know, obviously I did my thing in high school,

but I wasn't a McDonald's All-American. I think I was in the top, like, 75 for players. So I wasn't going in thinking I'm going to be a one-and-done guy, but always been a worker. And, you know, always when I stepped on the court was the most competent person just because the work I put in. So going out there, I had a chip on my shoulder, and then being able to play against pros immediately on campus,

you know, the runs up at UC. at the SAC. So playing against guys like Westbrook, Drew Holliday, former guys like Josh Ship, and like testing my game out, like right, coming straight at a high school

and seeing where I was, it was really good for me. And just finding my way, I didn't start at UCLA either, but I came off the bench, had a good role and really just started picking up momentum from there. That's funny because I remember

watching you at UCLA. I'm like, how are they not starting this kid? Like, this is insane that is not starting. Yeah, we had a really good team. And I wasn't upset about not starting because we were really good. I think we were like top five in the country with me, Jordan Adams, Kyle Anderson, Norman Powell, the Ware Twins.

Like, we had a really, Tony Park. We had a really good team. So I was always accepting of a role as long as I was able to, you know, go out there and contribute. And were you the highest draft bit of that group? Yeah, I think, yeah, I was, I went 13th. I went 13. So it was, you know, it's the way it worked out.

That's interesting because I think a lot of young guys can learn from that. You know, we all want to be starters. I think that's just the nature of what we do. But I think there's even more so than starting, there's more power in owning your role. And so if you sit back and you mope about it and I think I'm better than this guy, I think I'm better than that guy, then you start to look at the draft boards,

you're climbing up the draft boards. It's very easy for that to start to crumble. But I always try to tell guys, it don't matter if you're starting a game. Are you in the lineup that finishes the game? Yeah, exactly. And that's what's important. And I remember you being in those lineups closing out games. Yeah, no, it was big time.

And, you know, like you said, except for your role and talent always shows regardless of when you're playing or your role on the team, you know, can you shine in those moments? And I feel like when the opportunity knocked, I opened the door. Absolutely. And so you're drafted 13 to the Minnesota Timberwolves

with a young Andrew Wiggins, with a young Carl Anthony Towns. Yeah. And it didn't quite go the way everyone wanted to go. I personally think you guys were very young. And so being that out, people don't understand. understand how important experience is in this league.

And I felt like they never gave y'all enough time to grow together and kind of, and they kind of moved on fast. What did you think or feel about that? I mean, like you said, experience in us being extremely young. I mean, we're 18, 19 years old all together, you know, sharing the court. It's nothing is going to be perfect because you have to go through those bumps and bruises. And, you know, realistically, we only had two to three years. years to really like everybody wanted the process to happen so fast and that's to be good so fast.

It just doesn't work like that sometimes. So, um, but growing up, having those experiences, you know, those are my guys. And it was, uh, it was really fun. But like you, like you said, I don't, I don't think they let it marinate enough for us to really see what could have happened. Do you think that group could have been successful if they did let you all play or do, or do, or would you have just preferred for it to go the way it went? I mean, I think everything happens for a really.

reason, but, you know, it's, it would have been tough, you realistically, you know, on this, it would have been tough for everybody to stay on the team from a financial standpoint, because we're all, you know, really top-level guys. But we never got to the point to find out if it would work or not. I mean, I think financially it could have worked, though. I mean, you look at our team, for instance. We have Clay making the max, obviously step, making the super, super, super. Max, but you have Clay making the max.

You have Wigs making his max at what the max was at that time. And I'm also making my max for what I could have signed for. And so I think it could have worked financially. It could have, but you guys also won, you know, a handful of championships and we were in Minnesota in the smaller market. So you just, you never know, you never know, I don't know. It would have been tough. But, you know, like you said, you never know.

And so you were traded to Chicago, and Chicago hadn't really rebounded. I mean, obviously, you had those few years in there with Tibbs and D. Rose, and Jimmy had a solid run there. But Chicago never truly rebounded since Michael Jordan left. And obviously, we all saw the documentary and how Jerry Krause broke the team up. He told them that was it for Phil. It don't matter. And they never rebounded from that. And now I think everyone's finally starting to see that rebound.

But walk me through those years of Chicago, I found out an interesting stat when we were at the Olympics, which was Zach hadn't won three games in a row since college, I think it was. Yeah, four games a row since college. That's my first four-game winning streak. That's interesting. Yeah. That's interesting.

You got to play the car. Hill. Going to another rebuilding team, I was coming off ACL injury when I got traded as well. So I only got to play about, I think it was less than 20 games, my first year there.

And for anybody knows, coming off ACL, that first year isn't really, you're just getting your feedback. And then that next year is really when you become back to, you know, who you are and all that training comes in.

So it was a great opportunity for me to go out there and showcase all the work I put in the offseason. And, you know, because I work out and I train, you know, like I said, not to, not to be a number two, number three guy. Like, you know, I work out, I want to be a superstar. And that's what I work for. And I think when that opportunity came, you know, I wanted to be ready for it.

Absolutely. And I know for me, when I play in Chicago, every time I hear the music in the start line up, it feels like Michael Jordan is about to run out. Yeah. Because that's just, like, that's where we are. all learned that sound. Like, that's where we learn, you know, I can't really, I'm not, I'm not very good musically, so I can't really make the sound on my own. But we all know, uh, the intro song or the Chicago Bulls. And like I said, for me personally, when we're playing there, every time I hear it, I look at the tunnel. Like Michael Jordan's about to run out.

Like those are going to walk out. Absolutely. And then it's only Zach Levine run out and I'm a little disappointed, but it's all good. But so you then you go to Chicago Bulls. Initially, knowing that the team was so bad, did you feel pressure and going in there to live up to what the Bulls were or because the team was already bad, there was no pressure? I mean, me coming from a rebuilding team, I didn't know any different. And that's where, like I said, you have to play the card you're dealt.

And that's where experience and learn how to win all comes into play. because, you know, I had to learn for myself what it took and to go into that. So it was a process. Obviously, you go out there and try to do everything you can, but, you know, I was just looking forward to the opportunity to, you know, play my game and then hopefully, you know, have the bulls build around me as I show progression. Now, the year is 2021. You become an all-star for the first time.

you won an Olympic gold medal. Sound like a damn good year to me, my man. Yeah, hey, man, look. A lot of work goes into that, and it just, you know, it started manifesting. And then obviously going into this year with the year that we're having, the additions that we brought in,

it's been incredible. And talk me through those additions. And I want to hear about one in particular. Lonzo has been a great addition. Alex Caruso has been a great addition. But, DeMar, and, you know, coming into the, well, just going into those talks, there's a lot of talk about you and DeMar,

y'all play the same position, how is that going to work together once? And then DeMar does, did you, well, before we get to DeMar signing, did you have any conversations with DeMar about coming to Chicago, or was that all done with DeMar and Arturo's? But they went through their own process of going to get him, and then obviously I called DeMar myself when we were in Tokyo. conversation with him

and I was all on board because I wanted a guy like that for all the narratives that got put out about I think it was stupid. You know, for people that don't know basketball or don't know him as a person or basketball but like Martin Rose was all-in-game, you know, players. Like you say, a future hall of fame player.

He's proven this before and the narratives that got put out because he was in San Antonio. Like, he's been playing great basketballs for a long time. I don't know where it came from. So it was, it was great. to have a guy like that. And the way we've been able to work our chemistry on the court

has been like a hand in the glove. I think it's definitely been beautiful. And speaking of those narratives, obviously, as you know, I'm very close to Demar as well. And we would always talk through all of that stuff going on. Demar is, you know, he's washed up. He's kind of at the end. Mid-range jump shots.

He doesn't shoot threes. And you hear all of that talk. really for the last two, better part of the last two years since he went to the Spurs. And, you know, obviously he continued to push and one thing that you and I both know

is how he works. Yeah. And like works nonstop. But what was it for, if you've had these conversations, I'm not even sure if you've had the conversation, but what was it for A.K. And the Bulls franchise that saw DeMars,

said, no, he can fit here and this will work. What was it that pushed them towards his direction? Because I don't think his market was that hot, especially when the Lakers went away, which goes to show. I always talk about talent evaluators and how they evaluate talent. But what was it that pushed y'all to get over

what everyone was saying about DeMar? I have you personally talked with AK and Mark about what made them like him, but when they came to me and said how it was all for it. you know, we needed somebody that, obviously I knew I could go to battle with every single day that's been in those positions. I haven't been to those playoffs like we were talking about before and someone who's had big time success in the playoffs.

Somebody who has a calming presence in the fourth quarter and go down and make big shots and be, you know, me and him can be a, you know, a one-two punch, you know, throughout the whole game. It's, uh, it really has been like a match made in heaven. Him playing in the mid-range, me being able to get to the cup and shoot three, you You know, we've been able to do pretty much everything. And just that presence he has, man. You know, he has just such a confidence, that's common presence that's been able to help us this year.

Absolutely. And it seems like everyone has taken on that demeanor. But I think when I'm watching the Bulls, whether it's following along on Instagram, whether it's watching the game, you know, we're sitting here talking about tomorrow. But what I see when I'm watching the Bulls or like I said on Instagram, I see a totally different Zach Levine. I see a Zach Levine that is so certain of himself that has kind of dialed everything up.

I know one of the conversations that we had this summer was, hey man, you are Zach Levine. Like you are that good and embody that. And to me, I think as great as DeMarre has been, you and I both know how it is to be have one great player on the team playing great and no one else. So as great as Demar has been, you have been equally as great. And although you've always played at the level that you're playing at, you've always put up the numbers and all those things, I think it's something to say for a guy that is certain to himself and carries himself that way.

and it looks to me that there has been a change in you. Am I accurate? Am I off? No, 100% because I remember me and you having that conversation after practice. And, you know, it was big for me to go out there and play on the level of guys of my talent and better than me. And me to accept a role on a team where, you know, I'm not going to be the number one option, the scoring option, you know. And we all had to find our roles. And I've given you credit, like, the reason we won that gold medal, Dre, you know, is by far the best player on the team.

But, you know, without you, he wouldn't have won that. You were the overall leader, but you accepted your role and played it for what it was. I think coming into the season, I never had that type of mindset. So by any means necessary, just try and find out a way to win how I can, you know, improve my game to play both sides of the floor and then also share the floor with another dynamic, you know, guy as Demar has been and still be myself. I've been extremely confident, like you said, DeMar has been off the charts.

I know I've been right there with him. So it's, you know, it's been really fun. And to play winning basketball and have this type of season for both of us. It's been so fun. Absolutely. And staying in Tokyo, because I do want to discuss that, that was such an incredible trip. Obviously for us winning gold, but I may always tell people what we did over there was special. And it wasn't that we won a gold medal that was special.

we built a bond amongst that team that I don't think most people truly understands. And the reality is, when we're over there, and you can speak to this too, when we were over there, it felt like including America that the whole world was against us

and wanted us to lose. Yeah, it was crazy. Like, I mean, you're looking on like, like obviously on the phone because you don't get ESPN over there, but you're looking on the phone and you have Americans dogging us.

And doubting you. Doubting us, dogging us. The world has caught up. These guys can win. Blah, blah, blah. And I felt like we had to come together the way we did in order to win. It was really us versus the world,

especially with us being able, because of the pandemic, to not go anywhere and having to be so close-knit each and every day. Like you said, it definitely bonded us And for me being my first experience, you know, over there, it was, it was incredible. No, it was.

And I think for me personally, obviously that was my second one. But, you know, and I appreciate what you just said about me on that team, by the way. One thing that I learned my first time around in 2016 where, man, I'm not sure how many minutes per game, my average down Olympics, it was probably somewhere around six to eight minutes a game. Yeah. But the one thing that was that stood out to me was, since winning that 2016 gold medal, not one person asks me how many points I averaged per game,

not one person asks me how many rebounds I average per game, not one person asks me how many minutes I play per game. The only thing anyone ever says was you want a gold medal, didn't you? Absolutely, I want a gold medal. And so for me to then bring that mind, to this team in trying to help guys understand, hey, man, and obviously on this time around, I had a bigger impact in playing.

Now, everyone has an impact. You know, we can speak of Kelden Johnson. You know, everyone may put up so much fuss about Kelden making the team. And I always tell people, Kelden was one of the reasons we won that. The energy that he brought every single, day practice. We don't want to go to practice. Caled in there loud, bringing energy. Happy, yeah.

I don't think people truly understand that. And that was me. Like, I was Caled in for four years or, man, six years ago. Six years ago, I was Kelden. And so I understood that. And like I said, I played a bigger role now. But for instance, it came down to, like, who's going to start, me or bam. I'm telling Coach Pop, like, I don't care. Like, start, bam. Who cares? That don't matter to me. And I don't think people truly realize how important a guy settling into his role on that U.S. team is in order to win that gold. No, it was big time.

And what you said earlier, winning Trumps everything. Nobody asks you how many minutes you play, you want the gold medal. Winning Trump's everything. And everybody was happy with the role that they had and that we got to celebrate with the gold medal. It was, I think that's what the main thing that I brought back, like you said, even to the NBA this year, me having my role, rolled back with my team, winning trumps everything,

and that's what we have to go out there and do. No doubt. And as soon as we got back from Tokyo, which we all flew back together, news comes out maybe a week, a week, week and a half later that you had left your agent and signed with Rich Paul and Clutch Sports.

And I thought that was a very big deal because the reality is, you were with Bill Duffy and Nemer. Yeah. And it's not that they were doing a bad job or, you know, I know for me personally, and I can only speak on my own experience. When I signed with Clutch Sports,

it wasn't that my previous agent, B.J. Armstrong was doing a bad job. I thought he was doing a good job. And we had a close relationship. I just thought for me and where I was in my life and the things that I wanted to do that clutch moving forward was the best fit for me. It didn't necessarily make BJ bad.

It didn't make Wasserman bad. I just felt that that was the best decision for me. What was it for you that made you want to make that switch? Like you just said, Phil and Nima, I love those guys at depth. They helped me grow as a person and help me grow as a man into his league. You know, I loved him. I still talked to them all the time.

But, you know, sometimes you have to go off and do something that's right for you at the right time. And I think me at this stage of my career, Clutch lined up with everything that I was going, moving forward to, and even into the future. And, you know, I really appreciate what they did. But, you know, I really appreciate what Rich and Clutch is doing for me now and then moving forward because that's the path I'm on. Absolutely. And like I said, I saw that you made that move. I thought it was a great move. And like you said, and just who you are becoming.

And, you know, now this summer you're having a great season. You're about to be an all-star. Your team is right there tied for first place in the Eastern Conference. You know, so obviously looking, albeit that y'all get healthy because y'all have been bitten by the injury. You've been a little banged up lately, man. Been a little banged up lately. Yeah, y'all been bidden by the injury.

bug like we have. So albeit that y'all get healthy, now you're going into your first playoffs and you're able to compete for what hopes to be a championship. But, and speaking of y'all getting healthy, it looked like y'all have found a hidden

gym and being hurt. And Iyo. Yeah. What's your feeling on him? What does he bring to the table that you like or love? He's a dog. He has a chip

on the shoulder was the second round pick was, you know, one of the players of the year in college. Kid really knows how to play, does whatever's ass. We'll play defense. We'll go out there and score a game if he asked to play the point guard. I mean, he has a great feel for the game. And, you know, we appreciate him. And with us being out, gave him an opportunity to go out there and start getting more comfortable and doing everything he has.

And now with us being back, me and DeMarg and says, man, keep playing this way. Because we're going to need it. And, you know, I think that's how sometimes when an opportunity, happens, you go out there and start becoming who you're meant to be. Absolutely. And I went on JJ Redix podcast that'll drop this week. And one thing that we discussed was the importance of team and the importance of culture within a team. And the reason I am bringing that up is standing along the lines of IU.

if you and Damar aren't going about things the way y'all going about things being true professionals and Vouch as well because Vouch is an ultimate pro and Caruso and Lanzo obviously but you know whenever you're speaking of a team you're always going to talk about the two top dogs just is how it goes but do you feel that the importance of culture and winning has helped move him along because as a young player you also went to a Minnesota team that didn't have culture and it's kind of just guys out there doing what they do. Can you see the difference or the importance of culture and winning in him as opposed to what you were giving your rookie year?

100% because you're coming into a totally different environment with experience and I can include myself being a, you know, A year pro now, you know, seeing guys like me in the gym early, guys like DeMarc staying afterwards getting there, getting their working and they're going getting treatment. Guys like Alex Crusoe, who's won a championship, speaking during film sessions and walkthroughs, Lonzo Ball's sacrifice and self-in, pointing out defensive coverages.

Like, I didn't have that. You know, like you said, it was just rolling the ball out and guys just playing. So, Iowa, even coming from a winning program in Illinois, now coming into this, this is a totally different thing that I have, but it's helped him push along his game, at least I feel like, to where this is a normal thing and this how it's supposed to be ran.

Absolutely. And I want to backtrack a little bit and talk again about pre-star Zach Levine. And what I want to talk about is actually an event that I attended with a bright-ass yellow jacket on. Now is the Dunn Contest. I'm not sure I would ever wear that. Well, I actually, I didn't believe I would ever wear that jacket again.

I actually gave a jacket to Mr. Fad because I'm like, I'll never wear this again. I was thinking about that jacket a couple nights ago. Like, man, I should have kept that jacket. I'd throw that on with small black nowadays and rock out. But I personally thought that was, and I've watched a ton of dunk contests. I'm 31. I've probably been watching the dunk contest since I was four or five years old.

I personally thought that was one of the best dunk contests I've ever seen. And it was pretty much what it came down to was you and Aaron. Gordon. And if I'm not mistaken, DeMarre was in that dunk contest. No, Demar, what he was going to be. I remember talking to him. Because we played, we played Toronto like three days

before the All-Star break. And he said, man, I was going to be, because it was in Toronto. Yeah. I was about to be in the All-Star, the Dunk Contest, until you put your name in there. And I remember correctly, he was like, man, I'm not about to jump with them young ones. Yeah, exactly.

But like I said, do you feel like that was one of the best dunk contests ever? Yeah, I mean, obviously you can't base anything on error and impact, like, what Dominique and Michael had or, like, basically, dump contest. But you have to put that up there to be one of the best dunk contests, just on the pure skill, athleticism, and the 50s that we were doing. And it was a toss-up, and it just came down to who had the best dunk at the end in the overtime.

And I tried to go between the legs and the free throw. I was the first time I tried that and I made it. That's the first time you ever tried that. That was the first time I ever tried. First time and only time happened. Wow. That's interesting. That's interesting.

And obviously that was up against Aaron Gordon, who went on to give himself the nickname Mr. 50. What do you think or make of that? I mean, A.G., look, he's had a bunch of times where he could have won a dunk contest. Absolutely. It's sometimes unfortunate. because not everybody can win.

And I mean, at the end of it, even said, like, man, look, we should both be sharing this because just for the culture and for what we did for this, you know, event, you know, it was big time. But, you know, AG definitely is going to be cemented in dunk contest history, even if he didn't win it. No, I agree 100%. I actually thought the same thing. Like, man, just stop this now, let them both win. Yeah. And we're going on about our night because Toronto was definitely a great time.

But what, do you, can you ever see yourself, um, participate? spending in the dunk contest again or are those days behind you? Oh, it's over. Yeah, it's over. It's done. I try. I can still get up, you know, that, but it's not a, it's not, it's not, it's not, it's not the forefront of my mind anymore.

And, you know, now with me logging more and more minutes, you know, I was playing, I was only playing like 28 minutes a game then. So I could go out there and jump all the time. So, no, I'm saving my dunks for the, you know, if you try to come over and set a charge or something like that. That's the thing, though. I'm never coming over and try to set to charge. I think you didn't try before I blocked it.

And then you try and I got out the way. I ain't no fool. But you're not dealing with here as a fool. I'm not crazy. Listen, I keep trying to tell Miles Bridges, who infamously went out and said publicly that the one guy he wants to dunk on his media. I try to tell Miles all the time.

You're not going to dunk on me. And the reason you're not going to dunk on me is because I am only going to jump. if I know I have the advantage. Yeah. And if there is even an inkling of not having the advantage. And when I say advantage, I don't mean advantage to block the shot.

Although you want to block the shot. I need to be in a position of where I can file you where you can't make that shot. And I try to tell Miles this all the time. Like Miles, I'm only going to block your shot, file you, or move out the way. Those won't equal out to you dunking on me.

It's just not going to happen. So you may want to take that word of advice too. But Prime MJ, Kobe, V.C. and you. What's happening in that dunk contest? See, a lot of people don't put Kobe in there. And Kobe was one-called dunker, man. I know. That's how I first learned about Kobe was in the dunk contest with the throw between the legs.

Like, back then between the legs wasn't common. Yeah, exactly. Isaiah Ryder had did it. But there was it wasn't a common, it wasn't a common dunk and Kobe was doing all that. But who, who you, what's happening in that dunk contest? Um, I mean, MJ is going to get the biggest fan reaction. You can argue.

Vince, Vince is going to come with like the most, I would say creative. Because he, yeah, it's going to be a toss-up, man. I don't never put myself against any way. I think it'll be me and Vince in the final, you know. But I think Vince might take me because Vince, I always go against the guys that, you know, came before me. And Vince came with some stuff.

It'll be me and Vince. It just depends on who makes their first duck. That's what I'll say. Ladies and gentlemen, Zach Levine just eliminated. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Let that marinate for a minute. No, that's a duck con. Let that marinate.

It's funny because last week, as I said, we had T-Mack on, and I asked T-MAT. I said T-Mack. Back in those Raptor days, you know how you jumping guys do after practice, y'all doing all the dunks while I go sit down and watch and talk my jump. But I was asking him, I said, you or Vince back in those days, Duncan. And with, like, he didn't even blink. Vince Carter by far, like, not even close.

And so it's interesting that that's who you went with as well, because I think, I don't think people realize, number one, how athletic Vince was, but number two, how good of a player Vince was. How good of a dunker almost trumped how good of a player he was. Like, dudes the straight-up Hall of Famer, 26,000 points average, you know, what, 28, 29, 30 points per game a couple of times. Like that's, you don't do that by dunking.

You know, you're off the chart. Absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. No, I think I always tell people, I think Vince had an incredible career. And I think he is one of the most talented players that has ever stepped foot in the NBA. So it's great to see you give him his flowers because that, that doesn't happen often. And like I said, when you're talking any category.

that includes Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and the two other guys are the ones that walk out of that conversation because I too believe that you would have been up there. You put on one of the greatest dunk contest performances that we've ever seen, and not once, but twice. And so two times, right?

You what's funny about you remember you just said, T-Mack and Venture Dunk Epicenter Dunk Africa. You want to know who beat me in a dunk contest that you wouldn't think of? Wigs? Exactly. Listen, man, I have this picture on my phone. I tell you.

I have this picture on my phone of Wigs jumping, and he literally jumped for a rebound. And his neck is above the square. Yeah. The top of the square. Like, I couldn't believe. He never wanted to do it.

He was just casually, like, after practice we would do, he would just casually do some stuff I'd never seen before. I'm like, wow. And that's going to, you know, No, I'm, you know, I did what I did in a dunk contest. It was crazy. Well, let's see.

We got Whigs who are going to make the All-Star game this year, and we all need to be pushing for Wigs to also get into the dunk contests. I don't know if you're going to do that. No chance he's doing that. No chance. But before I let you get out of here, I don't want to take up much more of your time. I am very appreciative of you coming on. The last thing I want to discuss, you are a free agent.

agent coming up this summer. How are you approaching free agency? Are you excited about it? I know for me, I never wanted to hit free agency. Like I signed my extension. I hit free agency once, but I was a restrictive free agent, which was after my third year. And I had to hit it at that time because that second year I ain't played. So I needed that third year to earn my money. And then obviously my current contract, I signed the extension. So I never wanted to hit free agency. But how are you approaching this. Are you excited about it? Are you not worried about it at all right now and just playing? I think that's a little cliche because we all think about things, especially when talking about the type of money that you're going to be up for. Yeah. No, obviously I'm excited for it. Now,

we're focused on the year and everything like that and my whole focus is on winning. But, you know, I'm excited. I've never been a free agent. You know, last time I was, I was a restricted free agent. I had to sign an offer sheet. You know, so not a lot of people go through that. So I'm excited about it. And, you know, obviously I got, you know, a great support system with rich and clutch that's going to, you know, take care of me

and my business on that end. But, you know, I'm looking forward to it. And, you know, because it's a new experience. You know, not a lot of people get to go through and have a choice. So I'm excited. And Hunter as well. Yes, and my wife as well.

Zach, my brother. Go ahead, go ahead. Go ahead. But no, you know, we're extremely excited. Obviously, like, what we build in Chicago and what we're going through this year, you know, I'm extremely happy. And I know that, you know, for right now, this is my home. But, you know, I'm excited because it's a new experience.

I must say, I am excited that you're going through this with Rich. And the reason I am excited is because I know the way Rich goes about his contract negotiations. And I've now been, I've had two agents before Rich. So I've gone through contract negotiations with now three agents, Rich being one of them. And he goes about it in a way totally different than I had seen before. And I think one of the things that I was most impressed about was the way my contract was drawn up. Because I think so many guys get caught up in. How much money is it?

What's the dollar amount? And the reality is there are a lot of little nuances in contracts that if you don't understand, you can get screwed over. You know, and Rich is actually one, the one who taught me all of those things. I mean, I'm talking about going in, I mean, year seven or eight of my career and seven and didn't know those things that he taught me, whether it was the payment schedule, love of the game, you know, all of these different things that he included in my contract that really made my contract worth more than the actual dollar amount. which is correct that you didn't know about that until your eighth year.

So I think that's what I'm looking forward to, because like you said, he's really a savant about it, you know, and it's cool. No, absolutely. So I am excited to see you go through your process, brother, but even more importantly, I am as excited in watching you and DeMar tear apart the Eastern Conference. And I think it only goes up from here. Like this is year one day we're seeing it.

I think it only goes up here from here, for you guys and, you know, I was talking to tomorrow and, you know, and just looking at your roster. Like, that's going to continue to improve. And you guys are going to continue to improve as your two workers. So I'm extremely excited about it, brother. Good luck, the rest of the way. Good luck with getting y'all guys back healthy.

I'm looking forward to getting back healthy and getting out there too, but I can't thank you enough for coming on, my brother. I appreciate it, man. You know, I'll talk to you anytime in the off season. We don't enjoy a nice glass of wine to get the dog. We definitely going to do that. Oh, by the way, I see you got a new balance of your own.

What's that about? You know, I'm a little bit of a free agent right now, too. So I'm just, you know, I'm messing around with all these different brands and, you know, enjoying my time there too. I'm a free agent everywhere right now. It's crazy. I love to see it. Well, it goes hand to hand, my brother.

But good luck the rest of the way, bro. I appreciate you coming on. I appreciate you, dog. Stay safe. Get healthy, man. Yes, sir. Thank you. Man, that was incredible.

Thanks again to Zach for. coming on. As you know, Zach is one of the brightest young stars that we have in our game. And I know it doesn't quite seem like he's that young because he's eight years in now. But what you do have to remember is that he came into this league at 19.

So he is very young, still with a lot of runway to go in order to continue to build the Hall of Fame career that he's building. And I, as a brother of his, as a big brother of his, is excited to continue to watch his journey. There was so much talk about him not winning.

And as T-Mack said to us a week ago, winning has a lot to do with the players that are around you. And not just the one guy who is the guy on the team. And as you can see, Zach, they went out and got Zach some help there in Chicago. go. And you could kind of see that last year when they kind of did the overhaul and brought in Vucevich from Orlando. They traded some high picks that they have drafted, but also they gave up some picks as well, some draft picks. And so they put the talent around him and he is flourishing. They are flourishing. And it's a beautiful thing to see. So I'm excited to continue to watch Jack's career. I hope y'all are equally or even more excited to continue to watch his growth

because I think it will continue to grow at the rate or even faster rate than it's been growing. And Zach is embodying the star that he's become. And I love that. And I think everyone has to do that. I had a press conference before an NBA finals when we're playing Toronto Raptors, and the guy was asking me that I think I was the best. I don't think you can be the best if you don't believe that you are the best. And so I think that's important.

And I think that is a huge part of Zach's growth. that we've seen this year and the winning that they're doing because now you can follow that and it's a beautiful thing. So that's a wrap for episode 10 of the Draymond Green show. Wherever you get your podcast, make sure you check it out. Check all of the episodes out. They are there for you to enjoy. We love doing this. I love doing this. try to bring some knowledge and advice and great interviews to your headphones, to your radio if you're listening in the car, to your computer screen or your phone if you're watching on YouTube.

Make sure you subscribe for the volumes YouTube channel, and you can check me out, but also you can check others out as well, other great podcasts. And so with that said, that's a wrap for episode 10. Until next week, peace. Want to boost your immunity and protect your community? Booster. They help keep you and others safe from the virus and its variance this season and beyond. If it's been at least six months since your last dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or at least two months since your last dose of J&J, it's time for a booster. Visit myturn.ca.gov to find a booster near you. Let's keep our immunity strong. Get your booster and a flu shot while you're at it too.

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