The Herd with Colin Cowherd - The Draymond Green Show w/ Baron Davis: Fred VanVleet on Drake & DeMar DeRozan Beef, Joel Embiid, Houston Rockets Young Energy & 2019 Raptors Championship run & More

Episode Date: November 6, 2024

Houston Rockets guard and NBA champion Fred VanVleet joins the Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis to discuss various topics, including his thoughts on Drake and DeMar DeRozan's beef, Joel Embiid's altercation with a reporter, and the Houston Rockets' season so far (5:00). He explains why he chose the Rockets over the Raptors and expresses his desire to stay in Houston long-term (40:00). Fred also shares stories about the scuffle between Ime Udoka and LeBron James, Dillon Brooks' wild on-court moments, and having Steven Adams as a teammate (01:00:00). Draymond reflects on being bullied by the Wizards and what it means to be a veteran in the NBA. Finally, Fred shares his top five undrafted players of all time.  (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Draymond Green Show with Bay. Darren Davis doesn't happen without you. So please subscribe. What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green Show with BD. BD is not here right now currently because VD is out doing something with some politicians for voting. So he's going to tune in whenever he get here. Anyway, we got NBA champion, NBA All-Star, and the starting guard of the Houston Rockets.

Fred Van Vleek, who was once a guest on the Draymond Green Show. This is his first time on the Draymond Green show with Baron Davis. Give a warm welcome to my brother, Freddie V. What up, my dog? Man, what's up, bro? Thanks for having me back again. Absolutely. I appreciate you, brother.

Thank you for coming on, man. Listen, we got to break this ice because everybody want to know, and I want to know. And as you know, it's a little near and dear to my heart because any time you play someone in the NBA finals, there's a natural beef created because it's what we all want. And it just naturally happens. And so I am happy to see Toronto in dismay.

And I just want to know, like, what are you making this whole Demar Drake thing? Drake saying he ain't getting his jersey, retired. I'll pull it down. DeMarre saying, good luck with that, pretty much saying, like, of course my jersey getting retired. You as an NBA champion, Toronto, right? And what's your take on this whole day?

Man, I hate to see it, man. I hate to see it. Obviously, Demar is someone that I've grown close to, someone like a big brother to me. Drake, you know, I consider a friend and someone that, you know, I got a lot of love and respect for. So, you know, I hate to see it between those two.

obviously they got their own personal relationship and that went, however, it wins and won a lot of different ways. So I hope they figure it out. I hope it ain't, you know what I'm saying, nothing crazy, nothing serious. You know what I'm saying? I just hope everybody can figure it out.

But, yeah, I don't like to see that. Do you think ultimately DeMar Jersey gets retired with the Rockers? Yeah, I think it should. I think it should. I think that, you know, when you look at what he did, you know, especially when you want to give the history of the franchise

and what Vince and all of those guys meant at the beginning and what that meant for Canadian basketball because that's what a lot of people don't understand is how much impact the team and the franchise has on the country. So we saw the impact that with Vince had and then we saw it again with Damar. You know, he didn't lead the team to the title, but ultimately he built that foundation. and laid that foundation.

Those were 59-win teams. Those were first overall siege. That was the Eastern Conference Finals. And, you know, I witnessed some of the best basketball played with his two years there. So, yeah, I would love to see that for him and for the city and for the team. But only time will tell.

Do you think when looking at that situation, do you think that's something that ultimately a drake with all the power that he has in Canada, let alone Toronto. Do you think, but this is the NBA, you know, so it's a little different, but I don't know. Like, do you think that's also? And being someone that spent time in Toronto, the majority of your career in Toronto, do you think that's something that he has the power to alter? it's hard to say

I would say that I don't think it helps I don't think it helps I don't think them you know being at odds or whatever the case may be helps the case of him getting his jersey retired but also you got to think

and just for me being there and knowing a little bit about the behind the scenes of the event situation which was directly like with ownership and people, you know, within the organization who had a bad taste in their mouth after he left for them to be able to overcome that over time and still pay homage to the work in the testament of the person that he was and the things that he did while he was there.

I think he still was able to overcome some of those behind the scenes things. So, yeah, I hope that this situation isn't, you know what I'm saying, that deep towards like we kind of changed the legacy or the history, you know, of the basketball that was played. And I believe all things can be reconciled, you know what I mean, long as ain't nobody being hurt. Nothing physical has happened, you know, it's, you know, men being men, and, you know, I think they'll figure it out.

Do you see the first? Who's ultimately, if you look at the next, say 15 years from now, what jerseys will be hanging alongside VCs in Toronto, in your opinion? Man, it just, I don't know. It depends on, you know, who's calling those shots. But if you just want to go down the list, I think that it would make sense for Vince's to be up there. Chris Bosch was another major cornerstone piece

and just a standout talent that was drafted there early. Obviously, Kyle will go down as, you know, the fan favorite, greatest rapper of all time, people's champion. And then Damar, I think that's a good four. I think Kauai was the best player that we ever had, that the team ever had. That was the highest level that was reached.

But I don't know how much you can give to someone who only played a year, you know what I'm saying, under the team. But I think any of those combination of those four, I think Kyle is definitely going up there. And then, you know, we'll see what happens with tomorrow. I think Demar definitely deserves it. you up there. All-star, I think ultimately the key to the championship, because we can figure you out. You don't think you ultimately go up there? Yeah, it's hard for me to think about myself right now,

just, you know, being in the midst of my own career, but I think, again, you still have to see how time, you know, time will kind of judge us all and will look back. And I know for myself, it being almost, what, five years now since the championship. Like we get farther and farther away from it and it becomes like more and more important and more and more relevant and like harder to get back to. So it's like, you know, you start to realize how great that moment was. I wish that I would have got a little bit longer, you know, time as like a starter and a guy to, you know, to make more of an impact.

But I'm very happy with, you know, the career I had there, the impact I love. left and relationships that I build. I think that run is, you know, one of those legendary runs. So, yeah, I would love to go up there. Speaking of, and switching gears a little bit, or just us as NBA players, obviously something when you're at the level that we're speaking of that we all deal with and is important. You know, Steve Kerr always mentions it like, it's the thing that we all get frustrated

than with that we hate, but yet it should, it's the thing that we have to love the most because the media attention that is on our sport is the reason, you know, you can sign a $100 plus million dollar deal

and I can sign a $100 million deal and, you know, guys are now starting to sign $300 million deals. And the reason being is because there's so much interest in our sport in the media attention and the media rights deal

and all those things. Yeah, we're constantly under scrutiny, 24-hour scrutiny, and sometimes things are written that may not be as fair. This week, not a few days ago, it was reported by Shams that Joelle had got into a physical authentication with a reporter. to my understanding, I didn't read the article, but I read what came on an article where he kind of looped in his brother and his son and mentioning his legacy and what he hasn't done. And, you know, it led to a physical education. What are your thoughts before any other questions? What are your thoughts on the initial situation? Yeah, I think, man, I think that in this space, I think that the way that we have grown so fast

and with the money that's involved and just the everyday 24-hour news cycling, everything seems so important. And you can just be a guy on Twitter with a voice and Draymond Green might see my tweet and he might respond to me. And then like now people know my name. And I think that with all of that being said, I think we've lost like some of the professionalism. that goes with what this is still considered a billion dollar business. So first and foremost, whatever the article was, the excerpt that he wrote about his brother, his late brother, was super out of pocket.

Like, super out of pocket, crazy, no context, no reason to even loop that in under any circumstances. And you can't, like, take a dig at somebody in the same paragraph that you mentioned, you know, someone that lost a love when I'm so close to them. So I would say that first and foremost. Now, what I have did that, I don't know. So I'm not going to knock Joel for that

because I don't know how I would have responded. I probably, you know, I think he understands the consequences that come with that. So I'm sure he knew that before he made his move. But I feel like me personally, if I'm going to do that, I'm going to just go all the way. You know what I'm saying? Yeah.

It's like it ain't going to be. going to be a push or grab. You know what I'm saying? Somebody getting slapped up. Like once it's time to go all the way there, it's just time. And, you know, we take our, we take our punishment and we keep it moving.

But, yeah, I'm not, like, condoning violence or pushing for that, but it's like certain things, you know, as a man, you still have to stand on some type of principles. And that comment was super out of pocket. And I think that maybe there was other ways you could have been put out,

probably shouldn't have been allowed in the locker room at that point or, you know, kept away or whatever the case will be. So we'll see how it shakes out. But I think we all got to be careful how we carry this thing, you know, as it continues to grow because we can't, like, lose sight of, you know, some of the things that helped it be what it was as well. You know, we can, we can still mess it up, you know what I mean? So it's like everybody got to be on their piece and cues, not just players. Players always get the flag. You get the money and the flag, which is how it goes. But it's like the media plays a part as well.

Yeah, no, for sure. I think, like you said, man, it was foul for that due to, like there's no need for you to mention his son. There's no need for you to mention his brother. It's a terrible, like the way you looped it in, it looked like you were just thirsty to actually loop it in. Because it didn't make the statement greater. like it actually only made what you were saying about that thing like it didn't make anything

I actually you did that and because of that no one knows any other part of your article that you wrote and quite honestly I don't think anyone gives the shit to even know now because they know the most important part is you kind of you did that

and took that shot for no reason and you got beat up on a little bit and like you said I'm not one, I don't want to condone violence. I've had a little. Yeah, you can't. You can't condone it. I'm total opposite way.

But I wasn't in this situation, so I'm going to talk about it. Yeah, sure. And I agree with you. A, if you're going to go there, you might as well just go there because the consequence is the same. But I, and I always say. Yes, there is a responsibility on us as players to uphold a certain level of integrity and a level of professionalism and to continue to give to this game. You know what I'm saying? Because you still got to continue to give to this game for the next young guys that come through.

You know, it's not, it's our responsibility to deliver to them in great standing, not delivered to them in Shittie standing. And so we have an obligation and a responsibility to do that. I think there's also an obligation and a responsibility, though, on some of these PR stats. If you know that's happened, you know Joel fill away about it. Maybe you don't have that guy in the locker room or around at that time. You know, maybe you have Joel's security on high alert that, hey, he need to be between him and this guy at all times.

because he's spilling away. You know what I'm saying? As opposed to sometimes the stuff with the PR, it can be so transactional because they're just trying to get these interviews done. And you can miss out on the piece of, let me see how this guy is feeling, because that can happen.

Like, these are real human beings, man. These ain't robots. These ain't robots that Elon Musk created. These are real human beings. You know what I'm saying? These are people with real emotions. and real feelings, making real split-second decisions,

spur-in-moment decisions. And can you do a better job as a PR style of protecting guys? Because, you know, it's, for instance, it was what it was, but like, could you have protected me from that guy that asked me the very first question of media day?

People are worried about you how, you know, like, you know, could you have protected me from that? because I could have responded differently and that's been the whole thing of media day. And could you have protected me from that? You know what I'm saying? Like, is it your job? Yeah.

To a certain extent. Yeah. Like, so, you know, I look at it. Go ahead. I've been in some situation, not to the extent of what Zuel did, but some other locker rooms that I've been a part of where they're, you know,

you know how I go. Players get irritated with certain reporters or, you know, through the course of the season or they say things and Twitter get a lot of people in trouble. You know, people just like to tweet during the games, things like that. So I've asked PR staff to have removed people, you know, certain times or maybe you just take the, you know, you move them around when you've got to move them around just to like let everything die down.

Because like you said, it is not just people. It's talking about like high functioning, like super. talented, super egotistical, super emotional, like, people. And we put, you know, our lives on the line. Yes, we're paid very well

and all of those things, but it's like we still are giving a lot on a daily basis and expect to take the high roll all the time. Like, you might not pass that, you might not pass that test every single time. If you got to do it a thousand times, you might slip up one time. And, you know,

like I said, maybe, maybe, maybe, you know, could have handled it better, but I think everybody have to look and see what they couldn't do better, not just Joel, I'm not going to see him. He shouldn't have did that or the reporter shouldn't. Yeah, the other people involved, you know,

they got a part to play too. 100%. Definitely. And I think you know, even like, you know, the one question that it does raise, and I'm actually a little happy this happened. Because we've been talking about this for years. Why are reporters in the locker room?

Why are reporters in our sacred space where we have to get undressed, where I have to dry my wet body all, and they just stand there? Why do I have to be subject to that at my job? No one else that works in the NBA is subject to someone watching them get dressed in and out of the shower. why am I subject to that? What is it doing? What better interview are they getting

of me getting dressed, possibly in the back of somebody video? What better interview are they getting and being in that locker room than me going to the podium and sitting there with a microphone? Why must I get dressed and undress

in front of media members? Yeah, no, that's a fact. I prefer the podium by far. And they took it off for COVID. and they brought it back. And brought it back. Why? Yeah.

Like, so now you got somebody in there getting beat up. Maybe they'll change the rule because there's no reason that there is not a single place in a basketball arena that I can go and be away from everybody. Why is that? A single place in my job. See, guess what? Most people at their job, they can go in their office. They can close the door.

We don't have a single. single place where we can go except for in the shower stall and have a moment to myself or just my teammates? Why is that? Yeah, that's crazy. I'm with you. So it poses that question

and buddy didn't got beat up on a little bit. I hope they stopped these people from being in the line. It's a testy in there, man. Yeah. Yeah, get crazy in there. Get crazy in there. I'm telling you. You've got to think about, like, shout out to the season reporters that got a little

finesse, you know, they know how to move around. It's good reporters, but it's also some weird ones, you know what I'm saying? It's also some weird ones, and, you know, that was, for me, I always been able to speak, I always been able to talk, and, you know, I kind of found my way

around, but, like, someone, you know, these kids, I got a team full of 19, 20, 21, 22, year olds, man, they don't always know, like, the best way to deal with these people, you know what I'm saying? They don't always know, like, the right thing to say, or they don't really understand that the mic is never off or, oh, yeah, I'm off the record, but I'm not really off the record.

Or, like you said, your whole ass might be out in somebody's video while you're trying to get dressed. I'm saying? It's like, I don't necessarily want to see that, you know what I mean, on the internet. But, yeah, we might need to reevaluate that one. That's the fact, bro. The Emirates NBA Cup is here. You can win big getting in on the action at Draft King Sportsbook. It's cool.

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I want to talk a little bit about your journey. Just through the NBA, before we move into Houston Rockets, which I'm excited as hell to talk about. I think there's a lot of stuff there that a lot of people don't know that I believe about your squad and I want to get into it a little bit. But just first want to talk about, you know, in one year you went from planning the G-lead to being a six-man-of-the-year candidate. As NBA players, there's a moment when the game starts to slow down. I was just doing a podcast with Fred Warner, and I was telling Fred, like, he said,

what's the number one thing that you've learned that helps you today? And I was just telling the game moves like this for me now. And it's just so slow. And, you know, with that game slowing down, when did you actually fill it starts slowing down for you? Like, I know you went one year of G-League and then six men of your candidate,

but when was it that it really, really slowed down for you and you're like in total control over everything? Yeah, I would say probably like midway through my second year and then definitely my third year. Because like that first year as a rookie, you're just trying to figure it out, you know what I'm saying? Like I said, I played maybe 20 G-Leod games and then I play maybe like 40 regular games,

you know, five minutes here and there, blowouts in the quarters, things like that. So I was watching and learning, you know what I mean? And like I've always been a little bit more cerebral just because I haven't never had, I never been the fastest or like the most athletic on any team in my whole entire life since I was a little kid. So I always had to think.

But once I started to get the terminology, the coverages, and really what helped me was like playing defense. I'm like, okay, if I could figure out the defense, then I could understand how other teams defend and then on offense I'd be cool. And so I didn't have a skill set coming in. Like I couldn't shoot the three right away. I didn't, you know what I'm saying,

had the craziest offensive game. But like, I was just learning the cover. Okay, 18 out of 20 teams going to push on the side. They're going to send it down. Other teams going on, you know, whatever. Everybody got their different coverages. And once I started to figure that out, offense became really easy. I was lucky to play with Kyle Lowry and DeMarie and DeMar de Rosen,

so I didn't really have to do nothing. My jumper came along, so I was spotting up. I was spotting up. My job was to come in, pick up full court, you know, push the pace, make some open threes. Cool. Got to finish a couple games. Once I started finishing the games in the fourth, I'm like, oh, I'm cool. I'm here.

You play some high-pressure moments, you make some big shots. And, yeah. And then it just continues to grow. So, like, you go from that to, you know, a bigger role. And then, you know, after that, okay, now you're the number one option on the Scott Report. So now that's a whole other layer of, you know, how teams guard you and you're getting blitzed, then you're getting the best defender. And, you know, so you continue to learn that way.

But I would say probably, like, my second year where I started putting everything together, like, so I can just go out there and play. I never really had trouble with, like, reading the game. Yeah. Was there ever anybody, you know, an NBA player that you would say that you were trying to powder your game after? Yeah, so I think CP was a big guy for me

from the standpoint of, like, I felt like he could do everything on the court. Like, he could do anything up until the point to where I think one year he was, like Guard, KD, you know what I'm saying, and the playoffs. Like, I remember that series, like, vividly, you know what I'm saying? What I'm saying? Okay, the NBA is different, you know what I mean?

You would never, like, think of, like, a matchup where, like, the best option is just for somebody to get under him and make it tough. And, you know, all that. I remember that, though. Yeah. But I watched, man, I was, I had the damn ankle breaker DVDs. You know, we watched, like, I watched everybody. Chonzie, J. Kid, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, C.P., Darren Williams. Like I watched all of those great 2000s point guards.

And then once I got to Toronto, I just was in Kyle's hit pocket every day. Because I'm like, all right, I need to learn how he puts it together for the game. You know what I'm saying? And once I saw like his approach and the way that, you know, he worked every day and how he, you know, attack every single game on a night to night basis, I'm like, all right, that's why I'm going to just try to take what I came from him and, you know, add my own twist to it. want to follow up on that, you know, you're talking about CP. I had the opportunity to play with CP last year, man.

One of my favorite teammates all the time, bro. Like, one of the best professionals. He had, you know, some disdain being here last year and not playing the minutes that he's always played and, like, not being able to play the role he's always played. And there was never a day that you can see he had disdain. But, like, we lived in the same. ain't building. We built a relationship. So I knew his displeasures.

But there was never a day that you could see that he wasn't happy. And coming into the facility and leading and speaking to people. Like, helping younger guys. Like, there was never a day that he

didn't come in, like, professional and locked in. And, you know, CP is now 19 years in at six feet. which is crazy. What is it for you and being similar height

and similar size and stature? What is it for you that you think you have to do along the lines of what CP is doing to extend it this long for one is crazy. But at that size. Yeah.

I think one thing I always took from him was like all of the other intangible. So if anybody know him or played with him or played against him, like he never stopped talking. Like, he never stopped talking. He talked the whole game. You know what I'm saying?

He's talking to the ref. He's talking to the coach. He talking to his players. He's talking to the offense. He's talking on the defense. He over here. He whispering here. He whispering there.

Like, he talked the whole game. And that was always something that I took. I'm like, okay, he always manipulated in the game, like 24-7. So I always took that. Obviously, he was a, you know, best point guard in the league, NBA, all-star type of caliber player, you know what I mean? So he had to model his game a little bit later, like to condense the role.

For me, myself, I feel like that window was a little bit smaller. So, like, I'm more designed to play a role to kind of get myself more longevity. I'm on year nine. I don't know if I can even see your 19 right now. I don't know if I can see that for it. hard to be honest with you. But, like, they're taking care of his body. You know what I mean?

I remember I went to C.P.'s camp and I was just telling somebody that's maybe, yeah, 10 years ago, 2014, I was in college. And he was giving us a, you know, a little seminar about how him and Blake Griffin did some blood test to where they can see what food they reacted. Oh, yeah. You know what I mean? And I'm like, I'm in college and I'm still eating like McDonald's and Popeyes and shit. So I'm like, I'm in my head.

I'm like, damn, that's what it takes though. Now that I'm in this position, I'm like, okay, there's all of those small little margins, you know what I mean, that like, yeah, I might not be able to eat a donut. My knee might be hurt tomorrow, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, slow down on the alcohol here and there. You know what I'm saying? It's like different things that might buy you, you know, time.

So I always pay attention to all of that. And then, like I said, basketball-wise, it's like just continue to always grow and get better. And for him to go from, like, the pick and roll, you know, master, you never lose that. But it's like finding ways to make your team better, you know, in the meantime. And speaking to, like, the guys that you look up to, and coming to this league, sometimes, depending on the type of guys they are, CP is definitely this type. Have you had any run-ins with CP?

You know, what's crazy? I never had a problem with CP ever. And I don't know because I met him while I was in college. You know what I'm saying? I always have, like, held him in a high regard, but I definitely know a few people that, you know what I mean, has to run-ins with him. So I've heard stories and I've heard different things,

but, you know, I can't never speak on nothing that I ain't experienced myself, but I ain't never had no problem with him. But he is, like, a feisty, little dirty, motherfucker man, when he come down to, like, willing to do anything to win the game. And I respect that, you know what I'm saying? Because Kyle is a little bit like that. Like, Kyle might jump and break your fucking ankle.

or something if you need to go get the loose ball. Like you got some of that too, you know what I mean? Absolutely. It's certain guys that's like, you know when the ball is tipped, it's like anything goes, you know what I mean? We can shake hands and be friends after, but, you know, during the end, I mean, you might knock a tooth out if you got to. And that is why we hated each other.

Yeah. That is absolutely why we hated each other. But, no, CP is definitely, no, I think that makes, complete sense because he knew you in college. One thing CP is, is he takes pride in like being a veteran leader for people and giving them back to the younger guys. And so the fact that he knew you in college,

he's probably always just looked at you like, dang, he was at the camp, I'd help. You know, I'm willing to help him alone. Because he takes that side of thing serious. No, for sure. And one thing I respect, because I know who don't do this, he at me and I'm at him. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. It's guys that I come across that want to play buddy, buddy during the game and all that. They might duck smoke. They don't want to guard me. You know what I mean? Like, it's guys that do that. It's a lot of soft guys in the league that duck smoke. But CP is, he always been at me from day once.

I always respect to like, yeah, okay. He looked at me like a little brother, but he's still going at me like anybody else. And I'm going at him like anybody else every time. Yeah. And that's the best competition. and that's also the best time of respect. For sure. When we can go at each other,

and that's just what it is. Yeah. Man, switching gears, the all current Houston team, like I told you, I got a lot I want to talk to you about with the team, and it's an interesting team, for sure, and I like some guys in your team,

so I want to get into that. But before we get into that, y'all coming off a great win versus the Knicks. What did you say, like, That's your best win of the season. It's something y'all can build on. How are y'all viewing this win?

Yes, early. I would say for us, Dallas probably felt a little bit better because we had a good Dallas game last year on the road and we gave it away in like the last minute of the game. We didn't file up three. They hit a shot to go to overtime. We lost. So Dallas probably felt a little more like rewarding.

But the Nick game was probably our most complete game. That was just good hoops. you know what I'm saying you play a full game of hoops, team effort, everybody contribute, played good, I think we have in the 97.

So, you know what I mean, we were locked in. That was a good game. And, you know, for us, the word all year for us is going to be consistency,

you know what I mean? Because you can bring that energy, you can bring that effort and spurts here and there night to night, but can you put it together, you know what I'm saying, consistently.

And hopefully we can build on that going forward. Absolutely. And you ultimately, going to the Rockets, this being your second year there, when you first made that decision to leave Toronto and go to Houston Rockets now, what was it for you that ultimately gained you the comfort to make the move?

And could you have gone back to Toronto, like, once you opted out? Yeah, I think that I just wanted to get to a free agency. I think that I felt the tangent of the guard. You know, as players, you kind of get hit to what direction, the organization wants to go in here and there and everywhere. There was different contracts. And it was just so much going on behind the scenes. So I just wanted to get the free agency

so I can make them make a decision, you know what I mean, versus me doing it. So, yeah, I could have went back to the talk. didn't go, you know, maybe exactly how I wanted them to go. And then Houston comes along. I have a conversation with E-May. I have a conversation with Stone. And that was really it.

Like, that's all I needed, you know what I mean, was to have a coach tell me exactly what he need for me, how he see, you know, what he thinks. And I just think I was the perfect guy for the job, become like quarterback, all these young crazy dudes that they got and give them some, you know, structure. and some leadership and direction. But I also remember playing them the years that they weren't trying to win.

After every game, we always were just like, man, they were really fast, really athletic. Like you couldn't catch up to them, you know what I mean? So I remember that it was in my mind. And then having those talks in free agency, obviously the contract. I mean, it's hard to beat that in Texas. Like, that's just, you know, I could have never imagined. making $40 million a year at any point in my life.

So that was hard to turn down. But really, it was a conversation with E-May that was like letting me know how he viewed it, how he saw me, and what he wanted out of me. And I just wanted to get back to having fun playing basketball. And post-tampionship Toronto, towards the end, we weren't really having fun. You know what I mean? It got to that point. and I was looking for just a new fresh start and I found it.

What has what Ame has maybe shocked you or stood out that you didn't know you'd get from him? Man, so you know how much NBA coaches beat around the bush and protect guys' egos and don't address things and like he's the complete opposite. it's weird because it's only the two and a half hours during the game. Everything else is super light, it's fun, it's a great workplace environment. Everybody enjoys coming in every day. Shooterounds are light, practices are light. Everything is about the team and camaraderie and just the morale and the group and growing as a unit. I wasn't prepared for that.

And so, again, that goes to quality of life, quality of living as well when you enjoy coming to work every day. You're excited to build, you know, with the team. And that was something that caught me off guard. I wasn't ready. Because he's just so serious all the time, you know what I'm saying? Like, you just see his face and he yelling this shit during the game, and he cussing the rest out and trying to fight LeBron and all this shit. You just, you're thinking like it's like military all the time, but he pretty cool. Speaking about fighting LeBron, I've never heard much about that moment with him and Ema.

What was it like in that moment being right there? Like, how did that all go down? Well, the funniest thing is for us, if you know, Ema, you know, like, he don't never raise his voice. So, like, if he yelling at you, it's always a mumble, like, and he don't move his face, he doesn't get animated. So, like, half the time you don't really even hear what you're saying. So the play was going back and forth. You know, Brian, the monster to getting the refs all scared and riled up and yelling at the refs and changing calls and this, this and that.

And, you know, you may or may not have said some words, Brian ain't like. You know what I'm saying? They had a quick little debate about it, you know what I'm saying? And the ref ejected them. So it just went like that. But like we watched, you know, you get the full story after the game. you see how it played out. But, like, in the game, I didn't really know what happened.

I just looked over. They said a couple words to each other, and he got ejected. So, yeah, everybody ain't, you know, everybody ain't friendly all the time, man. Everybody ain't trying to be friends in the NBA all the time. So that's all that was. That's a fact. Do you think a part of that happening also is because E. He may also played against Bronn as opposed to, like, say if it was a Steve Kirk person.

Yeah, for sure. He played against him, you know what I'm saying, in the era. And he was a scrappy, undrafted, defender, tough guy, rough guy. You know what I'm saying? I know how he's looking at the star player that's like, you know what I mean? Like, I know that mindset that you get into. So for sure, that definitely played a part of it. Just as a veteran on this young team, this young Rockets team that you're on,

when you're coming into, and what I would say is very early, like when I first say I stepped into being a vet, some super young guys was like 19-20, and I struggled with it miserably. Like I didn't know what it meant. I didn't know how to do it. I didn't know what it took.

I just didn't understand it. And it got sprung on me faster than I knew it would, because it was just like abruptly. And coming in every single day, what are you trying to teach to the younger teammates and ultimately what is the conversation? As you know, some places you go into the conversation every day it's like, yo, winning a championship.

I can't foresee that being the conversation everywhere. But like, what's that like for you and with your young team? Yeah, I'll say first that I got lucky because I had a year, two years with Scotty. Right? So that was my first impression. of a top pick coming in. They're giving him everything.

He don't really know how it goes. We try to teach it to him. You know what I'm saying? And I can't say that I handled that the best. Or maybe that wasn't the outcome that I wanted for that to go. So I took some of the things I learned from that, brought it here. And the two biggest things is, number one,

first of all, I have to show you every day. Right? I'm just going to show you by me being me. on a daily basis. Watch me, you'll be all right. Number two, I'm going to tell you the truth, and I don't really give a fuck if you like it or not. You know what I'm saying?

I'm not here to be your friend. I'm not here to like, we shouldn't always get along. But if you want to win and you want to be great and you want to get paid, you know what I'm saying, I could show you like some things that might help you in that regard. And then the other third thing, which I didn't have was like, you know, taking them off the court and just breaking breath. Me and the chap been chopping it up

and look who the wind then blew in. D.D. is here. Welcome, my brother. What's up, man? I apologize, man. To the legends, to the champ, friend. Apologized to my big dog, my host.

I was out, you know, trying to be amongst the people, get my vote on, be in line, you know. But I do got to say, being on this damn podcast, man, everybody coming up to me want to take a, pitcher, one of the time, oh, it's Jemann. Who are you voting for?

I'm like, man, there's too many questions. You know what I mean? There's too many questions in the vote line. But I apologize, fellas.

Hey, and damn, you know, I'm sorry because, Fred, you know, you're my guy, man,

you're one of my, my all-time favorite point guards. Man, I used to, from the time you got in the league, I was like,

yo, who is this dude out here wiggling on people like that? Stought a man with the wiggle, the game, you know,

you got, you got all the stuff in the Rockets, you know, they might pick to have a big year. And I think you guys already have, you know, you off to a solid start versus Dallas versus Memphis.

You know, how did y'all make it, how did y'all make things difficult more so for great players like Jai or when you're playing against Luca? Like, what's your energy around that? Yeah.

I mean, we got a lot of young, young, hungry guys. Like, and I would say that I've been around some guys in the league. I think we all have that. don't really love it, that just, you know, love will come with it.

But I would say, we got a lot of guys that really love the game that they get up for the big names, you know what I'm saying? They want to prove they stuff well. We got good defenders. We got our man, Thompson, Atari Easton. You know what I'm saying? Y'all know how Dylan bring it every night. So it's like we got bodies that really take pride in that end of the floor.

So when they see a big name come in, you know, no matter who it is, they get up for the game for sure. To piggyback off that, man, I absolutely love Tar Easton game. It's like every time I play against him, I come out of the game just raving about his energy. And, you know, like the motor that he has, we were playing y'all last week.

We were up 30 points. And his energy changed the entire game. What is it that, what, what is, is it that's keeping him off the floor? Like, oh, no, I wouldn't even ask it that way. What does he have to do more of to get more minutes on the floor? Because I feel like, for me, I don't understand why he's not on the floor more for that team. I think the team, y'all team is much tougher to play against when Tyre Easton's on the floor, in my opinion.

And I felt that way since he's a rookie. For sure. No, I think to answer your question first would be, last year he did. have a serious injury, you know what I'm saying, that he missed a ton of time for, they were trying to figure out, you know, the best way to manage it and things like that. So there has been, you know, I'm saying the same thing because we play in pickup in the fall before the season and they keep putting him on my team and he can only play two minutes at a time and five minutes at a time.

And when he's on my team, we go up 10. As soon as you take him out, we go down to, I'm cussing the coaches out saying, why can't he be on the floor? So I'm with you. You know what I mean? Right. But there has been a ramp up process for him. You know what I'm saying?

Just managing the situation that he had last year, had a major situation on his leg last year. So I think they've been managing that. But I think that he'll continue to grow on that. And then for me, I'm always just trying to develop his mind to go with the defyering the passion. I think that's one thing that makes you great, Dre, is like, you still got the IQ to go with the crazy shit.

So it's like, you got all the crazy shit. But, like, you still really got the IQ too. So, like, for him, I just wanted to keep developing that part because I never seen nobody bring a team back from 30 down by itself just off the hustle. Like, just really just taking the ball, one hand, taking the ball, blocking shot, dunk it, shoot a three, rip him again, come down like it looked like A&U.

Like, I've never really seen that, you know what I mean? And he's just really doing all that off the muscle. So, like, the more he continued to develop the IQ, and learning a game. He got a real special future for sure. Yeah, another player, everybody got their eyes on this season, is Reed Shepard. I mean, obviously he's a top pick,

but, you know, he's getting comparisons to, you know, NBA point guards and, you know, more so Steph Curry, which I don't compare nobody. We don't compare one-on-one. Stop! EMO! That's blasphabom! Stop it.

That's what I said, bro. That's what I said. It's blasphemous right now, BD. Stop that. It's blasphemous. We don't want to go that route. But, like, talk about his game. Like, what's, what impresses you?

I wouldn't compare him with Steph Curry. I would just kind of compare him to, you know, a mold. You know what I mean? Not so much. Like, you know, people's, come on, man. I didn't say it. The people said it. Nah.

The people said it, bro. I'm having a good day. Read, re-tuff, man. Read tough, man. I don't know if I would have looked at him and never said Steph either, you know what I'm saying? But I will say, like, he tough. Like, to come in with that skill set at that age,

to shoot a ball like that, he's sharp, he's smart, he's tough, sneaky athletic. You know, he'll continue to grow and get comfortable out there. He had a great preseason. And then the first couple games, you could tell, you know, he was trying to get his legs under him. So he's got a real bright few. I'm glad that I get him, you know, as a rookie for me, as a point in the firefighter.

Yeah, I was going to ask that. You know what I mean? Because I remember when I hoop, you know, you always gravitate to the young energy. You know what I mean? Is it, are y'all trade? You know what I mean? He came first day, like, yo, teach me everything you know, you know what I'm saying? And like the biggest thing, the biggest thing for me is like, I'll tell you whatever you want to know,

but I ain't going to chase you down. You know what I'm saying? Like having him just open mind, his sponge, he want to learn. And he's way farther ahead, you know what I'm saying, at 20 than I was. So like I'm just excited to give him

the gems and things that I picked up along the way to give it to him so, you know, he can run with it. I like him a lot, too. I think one of the interesting things is, and what I like about him is you see him and you like, oh, I'm going out. him. And he checked.

He can check. Yeah, he ain't, he ain't no stiff, man. He ain't no stiff. Yeah, he can move his feet. You got good hands. You know, he's going to continue to learning the NBA game a little bit. But, yeah, I'm trying to give him a little bit. We just got to get him some more Houston life, you know what I'm saying?

Let him hang out with the guy a little bit. He'll pick up some of that. And, you know, he'll make his mark. But shoot the shit out the ball. He's going to be one of those super efficient. point guards. It's going to be a tough cover on a night to night basis. And, yeah, I love everything about him.

Professional, dead serious, every day. Just super professional, dead serious. He ain't got too much funnies with him. And Stephen Adams grabbed him up. They keep wearing the same mustache now. So hopefully, hopefully he pick up some of Stephen Adams' little crazy, crazy stuff, too. That'll be good for him.

Exactly. I like that because you get to, you know, you get to bring him along, right, as, you know, a young rookie point guard. But then you get to, you get to also show him the isn't. You know what I mean? It's like, that's how you get busy. Is that, like, extra motivation for you? You know what I mean? Coming into this year, like, I got a young dog.

If I'm giving him all this game, I got to go show him how to, you know what I mean? And I was just telling Dr. that, like, I, I, I. it's easy to tell you, but, like, I got to show you, too. You know what I'm saying? This 24-7 around the clock. Just pull up and, you know what I'm saying? It gets a notebook out. Like, this is, this is all day long.

This ain't just on the court. This ain't just practice. It's on a plane. It's on the bus. This is how I deal with the staff. This is how I deal with this. You know what I mean? We'll get to the personal life.

You know, he got to come from a great family. So it should be solid there. But, like, it's, it's all day long, you know what I'm saying? Class and session. So I'm just glad to have them right there with me. and, you know, I'm excited to see, like, how are you going to pan out? I would say, one of the guys, both of us are excited about seeing this year is Jalen Green. Like, I think, you know, BD and both, BD and myself both agree that we think he's going to have a big year.

And I think my question to you would be, how have you seen his, you know, in two years now, How have you seen his approach changed? I think he's just growing up, like, naturally, like life would do that to you, you know what I'm saying? You have a baby. It's time to sit down. It's time to tighten up. It's time to focus on what's important, you know what I mean? You got a child now, like contract coming up, you know, tighten up, bro.

But at the end of the day, I will give him ultimate credit. I didn't see the crazy jailing that I heard about, you know what I'm saying? From the moment I got there, he was on point. he's in the lab every day. He worked, we live, we work on this game. Everybody likes to,

you know what I'm saying, have a good time. I know I did. You know what I mean? Absolutely. Me too. You got to. You got to,

bro. What's the point? Yeah, what's the point? You know what I'm saying? I ain't, I ain't one of them that act like, I don't like to have a good time,

you know, but his approach was good. He tried to do everything the coach's ass, though, and you could just see, like, layers, like halfway through the season last shit.

I'm like, all right, look, they're going at you, bro. Like, you got to take that personal. You know what I'm saying? You don't want to be no pick-on guy, and you could guard.

Like, I'm playing you in practice. You can guard, bro. Boom, you start taking that personal. Now he got, like, one of the best ISO number, you know, defensive stats on the team, like things like that. And he started developing whatever, whatever work he did this summer

to come back with the pace and the balance and the three to be able to put it together, like you talked about the game slowing down for him. We're starting to see it translate. And I think that all just happen. You can't pinpoint when a guy is going to, when it's going to click for him. But I think it's starting to click for him.

I just try to give him the confidence and the space to, like, be itself. Man, that's amazing, bro. I think I got a question for both of y'all because it's like, you know, y'all are veterans now. You know what I mean? And, like, talk about, like, the beauty, You know, Dre, you don't have

Kaminga for what, three years, Moody for three years, right? How to, how to, like, it's almost like programming somebody. You know what I mean? It's like programming, like, you know, setting different challenges. How does that feel?

I'd say for both of y'all, like, you know, I would say when I was in that, I didn't embrace that. You know what I mean? Because I was worried about going out. And, Jay, you talked about, like, how you embracing that, Fred. You're talking about just giving all the wisdom.

and the isms to the players. I want both of y'all to just talk about, like, how fun it is to, like, be re-energized through, you know, kind of teaching and grooming that next generation. Yeah, no, it's something that I really enjoy, man. It always takes me back to my rookie year, assistant coach of ours, Pete Myers, who will be, you know. Pete Myers was our assistant coach, and he told me, he said, you know, I'm going to tell you two things that I want you to keep with you for the rest of your career. He said, number one, you owe it to the guys that come before you, I mean, that come after you

to lead a game in a better space than you found it. He said number two, he said number two was, you get paid for the next young guy to get paid. That's how this thing keep going. You get paid for the next young guy to get paid. And when he told me that, it was one of those OGisms where like it's a gym and that's some free game now figure out what you do with it. You know what I'm saying?

Like now it's on you to figure out what that means. And for me, I've always taken that person because that's what I was taught. You know what I'm saying? I went to Michigan State where Matine Cleese and Travis Watson taught me what O'Gs do for their young fellas.

You know what I'm saying? All the guys that came before me, they taught me like, no, this is what you're doing. You do X, Y, and Z. And this is how you take care of and bring the young fellas along. And that's how they brought me along. And so for me, I always try to get that back. And with Moses and JK, like, Moses and my relationship hit it off like that right away, immediately book it, step, quick.

J.K., it took over a year. You know what I'm saying? For me to gain his trust. because the one thing with JK is if he don't trust you, you ain't getting nothing from it. He's just going to be like, okay. And that's kind of it.

Like he ain't giving you much, either way, ain't giving you much good, ain't giving you, he's just like, okay. And what I learned is shout out to Anthony Vareen, one of our assistant coaches, he helped me figure out.

Yo, you have to like spend some time with him and build a relationship with him. then he'll listen to you. But if you just think you're going to say some stuff, he ain't going to listen. I'm just telling you. And I took it up on myself to then start building the relationship with JK.

And once I start building a relationship with JK, that guy can will run through this brick. I have no doubt in my mind. He will run through this wall for me. But he also knows that I'll run through that wall for him. And so just in guiding those guys, I love it, though. because you get like this blank canvas

and as an artist, the way I view it, it's usually just gave me an all white, blind canvas. And now I just get the paint on this canvas and watch it turn into a masterpiece and just sit back like this proud artist that's like, wow, I just watched him work to be, like, go from here to their Moses movie, he just got to pay $40 million.

Like, wow, I'm seeing the young fella get paid, J.K. about to make $140, $150 million. Wow. Like, watching them grow into that. Man, it's special. So I embrace that. And Moses was sitting in my room last night until 4 o'clock in the morning.

We sitting here talking, you know, me checking in on, he, making sure he good. Like, you know what I'm saying? You still ain't currently playing the minutes that you want to be playing. How are you feeling about that? You know what I'm saying? Talk to me.

Like, how you feeling about everything? Like, you got your contract. All right. That's cool. But what's next now? Like, we was talking about family offices and financial advisors and investments like until 4 o'clock in the morning, you know what I'm saying? So I really embrace that side of things.

And like I said, for me, it stems from Michigan State. Like all my young fellas, Jared Jackson, Xavier Tillman, all of them young guys, I still talk to them. I talked to X on the phone two days ago for 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 40 minutes. minutes. These same kind, I still talk to all of them young fellas, like, through the year, Miles Bridges hit me up telling me to stop, stop tweeting about Grand Williams. They stopped to leave him alone. Miles, no, he, he a clown. Miles, Miles, like, you're on the court fighting people,

and you're going to be the one to tweet about this and something like, Miles. Yeah, guess what, though? I ain't hit you, Miles. I said, I ain't hit you, Miles. You know, why I ain't hit you? Because you're my young fella. I, I, it's a, it's a purpose to it. It's a purpose. It's a purpose to it. It's a man out there taking out he he's like you to because he said you hard filed me before i said miles i hard filed you when you was about to dunk on me at the rim i didn't come up from behind you and take you out like that was great that was great that was wow you know so i still stay in touch with all of them young fellas man denzil valentine europe i'm on dms and all that with denzel once or twice a week Like, I stay in touch with all those guys because that means a lot to me.

And when you see them succeed, Moses Moody just got paid. I got paid. Like, that's how I feel. Like, oh, man, like, he playing well? I play well. Like, that's how I feel and seeing the young guys grow and elevate. Yeah. So I got the same game.

I got the same game from Kyle. I think maybe he got it from Chauncey or, you know, whoever T. Liu and them guys, like, you know, it's about passing it on to the next generation. And like one thing I always took from that is like it ain't, it ain't my game to give. It's ours, you know what I'm saying?

Like it ain't, this game don't belong to any of us that belong to all of us, you know what I mean? And you'd be good to it. It's going to be good to you. So it's like I could, I would be a clown if I didn't pass it on to someone else the same way it was passed on to me. And just specifically with this Houston team, my initial thing was like

we had two rookies my man Thompson and Cam Whitmore who hadn't played yet and then we had all the other guys who were there for the three years of 17 wins, 19 wins and 22 wins and then you realize like

oh y'all was just doing shit y'all wasn't y'all was just pooping like y'all really was playing A and you for three years y'all don't even know what the real NBA is so how do I give you this message and give you this game because you may not see, you probably not going to see the results right away.

So like, me and Jalen, it took a little minute because it's like everything I'm telling him, he's not, it's not working. He's not seeing the immediate, you know what I'm saying, response.

And then it took a little bit, you know, getting for them to get adjusted to email as well. But I think my whole thing was like, you might not like me all the time, but you're going to love me though. You know, you know, you know, like,

at the end of the day, when you all know what everybody got going on in their life. But when you go home and you lay down that night, you're going to know, like, all right, Fred telling me the real. Fred, the real one. Yeah, he's going to tell me the real regardless. And if we got a knuckle up, then we just got a knuckle up, man, ain't the worst thing in the world, you know what I'm saying?

I come from that. I come from, like, you know what I'm saying, having to stand on certain things at certain times. Like, that's just what it is. But if we're serious about, like, I really care about you, I love you. I got love for you, and I'm trying to help.

I got to give you the real. I got to. And hopefully you receive it that way. It don't always go that way. Everybody different, but for the most part, I think early on it took a little bit of like adjustment period. And then as the season went on,

fast forward to this season, and everything's starting to make sense. And like some things, you know, it gets greater later, you know what I mean? Some things may not get you right away, but down the line, you would be like, okay, now it's making sense.

Now, man, you do, did tell me that. That's all I'd be won. Like, it was right. He was right. And I, you know, I ain't trying to be right. I want us to be right. You know what I'm saying? I ain't trying to be right. It ain't about me. I want, I want us to be right. And Jaylor

signing the deal this year. Singul was signing the deal this year. You know what I mean? I know it's like to have that uncertainty, even more so than them, because I really had to earn mine, you know what I mean? I really could have been out of the league.

I really could have not had an NBA career. It was that close to me. So to see them secure that bag was a special moment for me because I know what they put into it. And, you know, I know that they trusted me a lot with whatever it is that I was telling them. And they was hungry and they listened. I'll warn you, be careful with thinking you can knock up

with the young fellas, man. It ain't the same like you used to be. I learned that's a hard way. I ain't trying to get in. trouble on with no static with nobody. All I'm saying is if it go there, it go there. You know what I'm not going to? You got to go there.

Nope. Nope, you don't want it to go there, brother. I'm telling you, I learned this the hard way. I thought things could go there, and I learned the hard way, and I spent last night's game getting bullied because of it. So I'm just telling you, we played the Wizards last night. And I spent the whole game You was, hey,

Hey, bro, you was getting bullied Hey, I was getting bullied. They was picking on my dog. I didn't like that. But you did trigger them. You did trigger them. No, no, first off, the two y'allosos, Kerry, Bub and Keishan, George,

they started talking to me. I'm literally sitting there asking them like, yo, y'all talk. They're like, yeah. That's what we own. I said, oh, cool, we can talk then. All right, let's go. I was excited at this hell, so we're talking.

No, you got hit with, I was getting bullied. You got hit with TMZ angle, though, Jerry. You know what I'm saying? It would have them behind closed doors. You might have been all right. Yeah, it's crazy. You got hit with the eye in the sky, dog. That's, that's crazy.

They got you red-handed, dog. That was all that. They crushed me. They crushed me. I spent last night, I spent last night getting bullied because of it, man. You know, I went into that game, just thinking I'm going to play a basketball game. Man, dude came out there wanting to bully me. Man, I don't want no problems.

Yeah, you got to. Come on, yeah. Hey, y'all, young dog, you got a chill on all. Geez, bro. I don't want no issues, man. I had a good time last night. It was fun. I mean, but you did, you did trigger.

You did set it. off with the point. You know what you did. Well, no. Well, all right. So. Well, yeah. Hey, bro.

Hey, come on, Fred. You in the game, somebody hit a three. And the dude just, why are you pointing at? Like, bro, why are you doing? So here's the issue. All right. So here's the problem. So the first time I catch the ball on the poor, the post,

and George smashed up on me, He overzealously is like, like, and they call a file. And I, you know, I could feel that it was like more to the pushers. He's like, oh, yeah, and I could feel. And so they called a file, and I just talked to him on the chest. Like, hey, it's cool, bro. Like, that was cool.

It's cool. Like, tap on the chest, bro. Like, we go on. So then as the gang keep going on, you know how you can see a look at somebody eye. When you, like, on, he's like, and so, and he's like, talking. talking to me. Like, he's saying little stuff to me.

And so I ain't paying in no mind. Yeah, we can't say. I ain't paying in no mind. You know what I'm saying? I'm just chilling. I'm like, oh, he on that type of time. That's crazy. Because last year, he ain't say a word.

So I'm thinking to myself, like, we ain't. I ain't coming in the game. Oh, yeah. He ain't going to say nothing. It's going to be cool. He didn't say nothing. Like, last year, he didn't say nothing. Moving on.

And, you know, he was talking. And so I was like, oh, that's interesting. So then fast forward to the play. They run the, that's Carl Horace Twist. They run the Gar-Gar ball screen. He go off to flare. Our man gets waxed with the flare. Me being the defensive guy that I am,

I'm going to make a last dish effort and try to get a contest. You know what I'm saying? I make the last dish effort to get a contest. He pointed at me. And I'm like, my manager just pointed at me like, I was guarding him, bro. I just tried to get a late contest. Like, oh, he pointed out.

pointed at you first. Yeah, he pointed at me after he hit the shot. As if, like, he broke me off and, like, hit the shot, bro. I'm getting a late contest. It ain't even my man. I'm doing more, by the way. On Stackhouse Graydon, defensive grades, I'm going to get an extra point for that late contest that wasn't even supposed to be my

contest. So, you know what I'm saying? I go for the late contest. He pointed at me like, like, he just dropped me off. So, you know, everybody on my Twitter, like, Draymond point stuff hits a three. Well, it's actually the same exact thing because then he went and got a contest that wasn't his contest.

And he got his eye bang and I pointed back at him. And so now I'm like, oh, that was interesting coming out of halftown. This is going to be fun. You know what I'm saying? And it went from there. He bullied me the rest of the night like he was bullying me the whole first half. But it was cool. I have fun.

Did you say anything when you pointed? You should have pointed and said, See, that could have been you. That of Dunnymo. He had four in the second half. Listen, man, I'll tell you what. I got nothing. I got nothing against that, brother.

I was not trying to talk trash to him. I was just pointing back because he pointed at me. And for all the dummies on Twitter and Instagram, that's like, well, that ain't the same thing because Draymond didn't make the shot. It's the same exact. thing because we both contested a shot on a man that wasn't our game, baby. Exactly. So take that you dummies that can't identify what's actually happening in the game. It can only see

what proves my point and what I always say. What can you see? You can see who made the shot and who missed the shot. That is about the level of your basketball intelligence. Don't write me on Instagram and Twitter trying to sign a basketball playing. You stupid. You look dumb. And you just lose respect. I'm sitting here. I'm sitting here last night with Moses Moody. And I start Traff starts talking about

to play. And Moses, right after Blue goes, well, the situations weren't the same. Of course they were Moses, but these dummies on my Instagram don't know this. So, yeah, I'm off to make sure. Y'all and got him started now, man. Look at it.

Hey, please drop a comment. And drop on great. Please drop accountant. But moving on from him, I got a question. I got a question for you, Freddie V. You're in the second year of a three-year deal, and you recently said,

I didn't come to the Rockets to be a rental. What about Houston made it for you? And, you know, going there, but then obviously being there, what is it that's made you view it as a long-term spot for you? for someone that already has a home. You know what I'm saying? A lot of people always say

a lot of people don't get a home in the NBA. Like you have a home. What is it for you that make you say, no, this can also be my second home? Yeah, I think, like I said, the talks that we had before me coming here, right, was, like, not one that was specifically targeting, like, all right, these first two years

or these first three years. It was more so, like, a big picture. This is how we see it. You know what I mean? This is the timeline for the young guys, blah, blah, blah. And then living here, you know, just being here in Houston, you know what I'm saying, which is already one of my favorite places to visit. You know, I've grown to love living here, a great place to raise a family, and my kids are in school.

We have other family here that was already here. We've had family moved here. So it's definitely one of those places we feel like, you know what I mean, we could stay. Obviously, business is business. things can change. Everything is fluid. But I didn't come here thinking like I'm going to just come here for two years, get a bag and then jump to the next team.

You know what I mean? Like I'm pretty vested in like the timeline and the journey with these guys. And as long as they'll have me, I'll be here, you know what I'm saying, as long as it makes sense. But I think that all I'll focus on is trying to speed this learning curve for these guys because it could take a long time and we'll take a little time. It just depends on how long. fast it clicks for everybody, how fast we can put it together.

So I think the more that we just stay foot on the gas, you know what I mean, and we crack the playoffs and make some noise and, you know what I'm saying, start focusing on winning a playoff series. And then, like, it steps to everything. I think that that will kind of create the situation out of itself. But I definitely love being here for sure. With those young guys, you got a, you got a second half against us. us that's a prime example.

Hey man, the likelihood that we're going to go on the court and be the smartest team right now is probably slim to none because we're usually the youngest team when we go on the court. So if you think you're just going to go on the court and be smarter than a team full of best, we're probably wrong. But what we can

do is how we outplayed them in the second half with our energy and effort because we are young, we can always probably out energy teams. So let's make that a calling. car. And while we work on the cerebral part of it, let

our calling car be when somebody walked through that door, they know how hard we're going to play. They know how we coming at it and then build from there. Because when you got the UFO on, your side use it. Yeah, for sure.

And that's really all we've been doing. Like, you know, like, because I've been on the other side, you know what I mean, on the championship team or an older team that's like, you know coming into a game, like, all right, we got, you know what I mean? You got to be ready for that because they're running, you know what I'm saying? They might take you, you just hope you keep it close and you try to outsmart them in the fourth quarter, you know what I'm saying?

Yeah. So now I'm on the flip side of it where it's like I'm trying to make sure they know how hard we've got to go and then everybody calm down in the winning time, you know what I mean? You still got to execute down the stretch. So that's been a fun challenge for me. But like I said, I love what we got. I think we're in a great position, you know, for the future of kind of like, where the league is and where the West is going. I like our group a lot.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I like our team too, man. You know what I mean? I'll pick you y'all to be a big surprise. And you know, we got to talk about the championship Raptors run. Sorry about that, Jay.

I know you don't want to hear it. The show was great without. Quiet at the big shot against Philly. But, you know, that was a run. I want to really talk about the run, you know what I mean? Obviously, Kauai with the seven bounces on the rim, what was that

like, but then coming into the finals, you know what I mean? Like, shit, y'all was bawling. Yeah, that was, that was like, Kyleball. Man, bro, that was like the highest level of hoops that you can get,

you know what I mean? And I think that Kauai was obviously the superstar, but like it was such a well-balanced team that it was so many. these guys playing at a high level. And outside of, we lost game one against Orlando, but we knew we was going to beat them. And then Philly, the Philly series was a tough one because, like,

that really could have went either way just because of the team. It was like the perfect matchup for us. And then once we got to Milwaukee, we felt good. And then once KD was hurt, we felt good. You know what I'm saying? About the finals. So it was like, you got to see it in stage. I didn't realize, like, it's two and a half months.

You know what I think? Man, people don't understand that because you always lose and you're done. But like, when you keep going, it's April 15th to June 15. You know what I mean? And then after a while, once it picks up, it's every other day. Which is crazy because early on you get days off. Then second, third round, it's every other day, travel, whatever. You know what I mean?

People have injuries. Like, I remember Kyle was getting, like, injections in his hand before every game, like crazy stuff, you know what I'm saying? People was dealing with all the type of things. You're just survival of a finish, you know. I think that's where our depth came in to play at. And then just to, you know, like to be able to talk about something to shoot around and have it translate to the game, like being that locked in,

being able to put a fucking boxing one in at the game, one of the finals that we've never worked on before. You know what I'm saying? Like just the level of like, focus that we had with that veterans. That's what I always remember the most. You know what I mean? Outside of the big moments was like just how locked in that we were as a group,

every guy to a T. And we was only playing, you know, eight guys really for the most part. But it was a solid eight rotation. Yes, it was. And getting Mark and Saul at that buyout deadline. Yeah. It was down to y'all and us. Yeah.

Markinsaw, you fucked us. And that was, we got him. He's supposed to keep that championship in the bay. We got him. We got him the last minute of the deadline. I think they traded that one for like 259 or something crazy. Like I remember we had to play Atlanta with like seven guys because we traded like five guys in the last minute of the deadline.

It was crazy. That was a hell of a trade. Yes, it was. No pia for, no pia for you in the Bay Area, Marcossohn. at all. You get no love. Shout out to Mark, man. One of my favorites.

You went and linked up with Fred and Kauai. Hey, y'all came here. We won, we won cool. I was at that game, too. My favorite teammates, man. Great dude. And no love for you, Mark. I got a lot of love for Mark, Joe, man.

Mark was a great player. He was fun. Competitor to play against Mark and Saul was nice. Yeah. I like your team because everybody was, like you said everybody had basketball intelligence. You know what I mean? And everybody had little nuances and, you know,

implementing somebody like that is, you know, it's like it's like having a brainchild. You know what I mean? It's like in the middle of the court, you know, allowing y'all to operate. But, you know, that was one of my favorite squires. I like what y'all doing in Houston, man. You know, you're one of my favorites, just period,

just to see how you just rose to your own. You know what I mean? your own artistry. You feel what I'm saying? That's why I respect. Like, you created yo, this is my one-on-one painting.

This is, when you say my name, you know what you see. Right. You feel what I'm saying? I appreciate that, bro. I appreciate, I remember you put me to the side and UCLA, brother, in the summertime, like, gave me to love.

That shit go a long way. Like, I remember every single guy that I watched growing up that ever gave me love. boosted me, and that's something that I try to do, you know what I'm saying, to guys that I fuck with their game, too. Like, now, because you never know how somebody look at you. Like, I could kick you with you all day, you know what I'm saying, and not tell you,

like, I was in the airport when you, when you dunkling, ripped the jersey, I was watching that shit. You know what I'm saying? Like, I was watching, like, I remember exactly where I was when that happened, you know, what I'm saying? Fast forward. Like, I always, now that I'm getting older, you know, the full circle moments, that shit that been meaning the most to me too, dude.

stomach too big now, these fucking tacos. You had on a, you had on a girdle that day. Goddamn shapewear. I was trying to get an endorsement deal. Shit. Scimbs?

One of those skims back then. They just saw me and put shit, redo the commercial. What's up, skims? whatever makes it happen. And Jemont be going at him and Stephen Adams be doing all kinds of shenanigans. Me and Stephen Adams don't really get into it much, man.

I think there's a mutual respect. Then you kick my man in the nuts, man. Listen, number one, I was selling a car. I was selling the car. You kicked my dog in the nuts, man. Come on with that shit. I didn't really try to, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, they change the rule.

They change the rule. They change the rule. Hey, bro, that's sick. Yeah, and I get kicked all the time and that the rule never is acting on when I get kicked. I hear kicked all the time. And they be like, what, calm and file. I know, I know there's a rule. It's created for me.

I seen that when I was like, whoa. Yeah. Yeah, that was great. How is it having Stephen Adams as a, and Dylan Brooks as a teammate? You know, I've had my fair share of words with Dylan Brooks about Dylan Brooks. But the reality is I think, you know,

I'm not a fan of his, but I give credit what credit is doing. I'm a fan of Dylan Brooks. All right, so you got one fan. I'm not necessarily a fan of his. Hey, he'd be on bullshit from the time. the game start. Any team that he's on, he raises the level, and I respect that. Stephen, first, I would say, just the ultimate guy, just like the ultimate guy you want on

your team, just like, he just do it all, bro. Like, he just, he calms the locker room. He's just a presence. He's strong and self. He got, he's on this carnivore diet right now. He might eat two rib-eyes for breakfast and a 44-ounce porterhouse on. the plane, like no size. That's real aqua man. Hey, like no size, no nothing. Like just straight, state. You know what I'm saying?

Like he just, he's a real live caveman, bro. Like he's just different and super strong but super smart. Really just a selfless guy all about the team. Great screener. Great vet just to have, you know what I'm saying? Like you're going to. And to an alley fight, you want a Stephen Adams on your side. You know what I'm saying?

For whatever the situation brings. Like, I've loved having him around. Dylan, I was not a fan of before we were teammates. I always respected him because I would say that I play hard every night. I take a lot of pride in bringing it every night. And whatever I got is what you're going to get. Now, it might not always be a lot. It might not always be great.

But I'm going to give you everything. got no matter what. Like, I ain't taking no nights off. And Dillon was always one of those guys that I watched on a night-to-night basis. Like, he don't take nights off. Being his teammate, you get to see the switch turn on and off because it's just on the court. Off the court, it's nothing crazy, you know what I'm saying, outside of, like, just showing up

for the game. But to be the point, like, he really on bullshit every game. Like, it ain't every day. No picks. Like, he ain't got no picks, and, like, he's going to take you there. Like, he's going to take you there every time, every night, no matter who it is. Like, he came out. The first preseason game last year, because they had the Fibah joint, he came out.

The first two minutes of the game hit somebody in a nut. Boom. Come to find out, they had a beef from Fiba. The Fiba beats be real, right? He had a beat of Canada versus, who wasn't, Germany maybe, Tice. Wow, let's show. Yeah. Why are we hitting people in the nuts?

First couple minutes in the game, he hit him in a nuts. You know, I'm arguing with the rest. I'm like, no, no, he ain't do it. He ain't do it, you know? Man, they stood that sitting on that jump on trying. He, bow. We look at him. Oh, that's thing, dude.

What the fuck is wrong with you? He should be arrested. Like, yo. He used to go to jail for that. Dog, it was crazy. Bro, you should go to jail. You should go to jail, dude. Hey, hey, dude.

Come on, dude. You're going to hit me in my nuts in the game. Officer, take this man to jail. It was crazy, dog. And the intentional nut punch is diabolical. No, he on it, man. He's on it every night. Hey, I love that he on bullshit.

He ain't got no piss. I want him to keep going, though. I want him to like, I want him to, like, I want him to, sit at home and come up with scripts and all kind of shit that he's going to say. Like, I want him to go all the way there. No, no, no, no. I'm slowing him down, VD. I'm trying to, I'm trying to taper him off.

But I think it, I think it help his game too. No, it's true. I think he played. I think he played better and he free when, you know, he has that mentality. I watched him when they played the Lakers with Memphis. And I watched him have this persona. You know what I mean? going into the playoffs.

And then when the media and the Lakers and whatever he said, like he backed up. You don't back out. Yeah, but you know. You go crazy. A lot of that. He was young.

A lot of that come from the situation he was in, too. Like, what nobody's standing up behind him either? What nobody backing him up? When nobody standing up behind him either. Did nobody have a year? Right. They did not have his back. So my thing is because I get the flag, like,

Trust me. I get it. They come straight to me. Your man, tell your man. You know what I'm saying? And I, you know, I get both sides. I'm like, shit, y'all tell him. You know what I'm saying? Like, long as we're on this court, I ain't going to nothing happen to him, you know what I'm saying? And, you know, if he would me, he would me. You know what I mean? Yeah, that's how it's going to go. And at the same time, I'm telling him, like, all right, maybe play it like this.

Maybe do it like this. Like, all right, maybe don't go all the way there unless you really ready to go all the way there. Like, you know, certain things I'm trying to help. Yeah, he needs some grooming. He just, he needs some grooming. You know, personality, brand grooming. Yeah, that's all. I'm just trying to taper it down a little bit. Yep.

Bringing it on the court and then we're going to handle it a little bit differently because when I come out the game and the whole opposing team is waiting for me in the hallway telling me they're looking for my man. Now, I got to figure out how to, you know. I got it. Hey, Doug. I played in Cleveland for like the last half of the year, and I played with Ryan Hollins.

And you know, Ryan Hollis is a good dude. But he'd be hacking people, you know, he athletic. He just be hacking. And, bro, him and Charlieville and the waiver got into it, you got to pull this up on you, too. I remember. I've seen that. Boom, he popped.

He popped Charlie with one. They start, Charlie start chasing him on the court and shit. I'm like, Ryan. Yo, chill. Stop antagonizing. They sent Ryan to the locker room. You know, in Detroit, they sent Charlie to the locker room. They about to inbound the ball.

He take off. Be life around the locker room. Hey, bro. Ryan, Ryan Hollis filed Duane. Duane Way and Dee Way was going to fuck him up. I was like, Dway, man, why are you going to do that, bro? You know what? He's going to fuck you up every time you come in here, bro.

Tonight, mate the night for you to be. going to the hole tonight. Because, you know, my dog right there, he's going to fuck you up. That's hilarious, man. That's hilarious. Hey, friend, so tell me this, though. You was about to say, when you see the video, how do y'all ultimately find out that this is not for right now?

This is for something he did doing with he was in Canada. Because when I come to a locker, when I come to a locker at home, I say, yo, what the fuck is wrong with you, bro? Like, yo, what are you doing? Like, yo, you got to give us a rundown. Like, what's going on? You know, this is how we talk. Like, this is how we talk.

Yo, what's up? Oh, nah, some fever shit, dog. This is just like, huh? Fibba. I get it. What? Dylan Brooks. I get it.

You know what I'm saying? Like, we're not, mind you, we haven't played. Like, I'm so damn dumb. I'm thinking, like, we finally got our starting line up. We got to get our. rhythm. We got to figure out who's going to play. This fool is like, no, I got to get my, I got to get back.

I get it. I get it. You know why? He should be arrested for him. People in the nuts, though. There's, um, I love the French people as a whole. Yeah. But playing against France.

You're going to talk. You're going to talk to somebody else out. It, it created a disdain and playing them in the Olympics. It created a disdain for some guys. Like, so I, you know what? I may understand Dylan a little more than I thought. Hey, Dr. Ma, I'm going to tell you this right now.

If you choke Victor, your ass, they're going to get your ass out of here, boy. You bet. I ain't touching. Hey, he can't get up. He got to jump. I ain't touching Victor. I ain't blowing, Vic. I'm not blowing breath on Victor.

Yeah, no. I'm not putting a pinky finger on Victor. I'm not pushing Victor. I'm going to play defense on Victor and I may give up a dump. I don't want no smoke, man. I don't want nothing in that smoke, brother. Stay away from him.

They're going to have a secret service outside of your ass, baby. I don't want no smoke. And also, you know what? That may have been God why I ain't playing an Olympics this year. I ain't played with Victor in no Olympics. I got no disdain with Winby. I'm cool.

Yeah, you ain't got no beef. I'm zero. I ain't play him in Olympics. Nope. Zero. this day. We turned over the new leave. The Gray,

the Jamon Green show, no beef. We ain't got. Therapy works. No problems, man. Therapy. You know, you get older. You get older.

Hey, bro, you get older. And, you know, them young dudes, they've been watching. I had to tell my homeboy, I'm like, man, you can't keep just punking people in the gym.

It's a young dude that was like you, and you don't know them. So, you know, that's, that's going to be our pack. We're going to, we're going to, we're going to cultivate these young dudes. because we don't know how strong they are. You don't know where they come?

You know what I mean? Oh, you're going to file? I'll be in a pick-up. That's cool. It's cool. It's cool. Good job. I don't want to smoke, man.

I don't want to smoke. Come on. That's me and pickup, friend. Oh, you cool? Okay, cool. Yeah, you got it. No argument. Man, last one before we get out of here,

Fred, you being one of the best, undrafted players of all times, all-star champion. being you got a list of five undrafted guys to your top five undrafted guys before we get out here always love a good list damn i think uh i try to put the careers together you know you talk about careers like got to go ben wallace got to go body absolutely john stark got to go uh uh damn i just had the list on me it's another one Somebody that I always forget.

This will always forget UD. I always forget UD. and UD had a hell of a career. Hell of a career. Hell of a career. So if I'm just going off of like body of work, John starts, Ben Wallace, U.D., Bruce Bowen, and maybe Avery Johnson.

You over Avery Johnson. I ain't rolling. Yeah, but you know what I'm saying? I'll let you say. Avery Jocelyn, a legend. I said shout out to the OG. Yeah, shout out to the OG. Now, come on, Draymond.

I said shout out to the OG. I got mad love for the-old. Come on, J-Mond. I've been supporting you from all your warrior days. I got mad love for an OG. You know Fred, you know Fred, you want to my all-time favorite point guards. All-time favorites. I got a lot of love for the OG.

I meant no disrespect by that. But, you know, I think I will go with Fred. I'm still playing. We're going to go guys that are already that's how we'll think of up. And I like to add one more person, Calvin Cambridge.

Listen, man. Listen, no disrespect to the OG. We will revisit that because we ain't going nowhere, but we have kept Fred way over the time. I thank you so much for both of us. coming on the show again, bro. It's always love.

Appreciate you. Keep guiding them young boys. Doing your thing, my dogs. Oh, appreciate y'all. Yeah, sir, that's the right. Next week, AproTech, baby. He knows he's trying to go to Area 29. Stop acting like you're going to go to AfroTet.

What's that? What's that? You'll see. It's cracking? Enjoy. I'll see you next week. Apro Tech, here I come. Afro Tech.

That's what. The wrap. The volume.