The Ringer NBA Show - Kemba Walker on the Celtics’ Title Hopes, New York Basketball, and MJ Stories | R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco

Episode Date: August 8, 2020

CC and Ryan are joined by All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker to discuss how he’s adjusted to the Orlando bubble (11:58), New York basketball (25:13), his relationship with Michael Jordan, and the Celtics’ playoff hopes (48:53). This episode originally ran on the R2C2 feed. Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco Guest: Kemba Walker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, what's up? It's Kevin O'Connor. You're about to hear a bonus episode for the Ringer NBA show that was originally aired on the R2-C-2 feed with C-C-Sabathia with C-Sabathia and Ryan Rucco. They talked to Kemba Walker from the Boston Celtics about Boston's playoff hopes, his experience so far at the NBA bubble at Disney World, Michael Jordan's stories, and whether Kemba actually considered signing with the New York Knicks this past off season. If you like what you hear, go follow the R2-C-2 podcast with Zee. C.C. Sabathia and Ryan Rucco on Spotify. I really enjoyed this podcast, and I hope you do too. I feel really good about the guests that we've rolled out here. Came out with Max Scherzer and now Kemba Walker from the bubble in Orlando. I mean, these are heavy hitters. Kemba, thanks for being one of our, like, early big guests here, man. Thanks for having you.

I think the first thing we got to just find out is, like, you know, what's the bubble like, man? Give us the description. What's life like inside the bubble? I guess it's whatever you kind of make it. We're just in the hotel for the most part. You know, you're in your room, you know, doing your thing or, you know, you're just out there doing the activities that they have for you.

It's a lot of activities they got for us. They got golfing, fishing, bike riding, bowling. They have shuttles where you could take to go to different hotels, meet up with some of your friends that you have run of lead. It's a few things you can do. For me, I've been spending a lot of time with my teammates or I just kind of just been in my room, just resting, taking naps, playing video games.

It's a lot of things going on, but it's not too bad. Not too bad. Is the park open, though? Can you get on rides and shit like that? Or is it like... Not yet. I'm thinking they're going to open it at one point. I'm not really sure.

Not sure. See, if the park is open, and then we lit. Like, we're good. You know what I'm saying? I would definitely be over there if the park is over. You know, it's funny. See, that would be like a dream come true for you and me, man. We go on the new rise of the resistance ride over and over again with no lines. Come on, man. That's perfect. That's what I'm saying. Like, if I do that every day. Like, I would go to the parks every day if I was in the bubble for sure. Kemba, have they told you guys at all, like if you might have access to the parks at some point? I think I heard that. I think that I heard that. I think that I heard that

some parts of the park is going to be over there at one point, but that's just what I think. I'm not really sure. So, I don't know. Can't trust me on that one. So here's what I got to know about the rooming situation, right? Because a lot of you guys, I mean, the hotels you're all staying at are very nice hotels.

Like, I mean, they're very ritzie hotels. But a lot of you guys are used to, like, upgrading your rooms, right? And, like, and getting your sweets. And so how does that, work because there's not necessarily enough. I don't know how many different teams do you have at your hotel, Kemba? It's eight. Okay.

Damn. Well, there's not enough suites then necessarily to accommodate all the guys who would normally get them, right? So how does that process work? I have no idea. I think that's kind of up to the organization. And I guess maybe your years in the NBA or your status, I'm not really sure. But, yeah, I got a suite.

Hey, that's embarrassing, though. Like, I've seen CJ McCullum taking a picture in front of Dame Lillard. They forgot to take the presidential suite thing off of his door. And he's taking a picture right in front of it. So, like, that could be a little embarrassing when you show up to practice. Like, yo, you got the presidential, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, it's cool, though. You got some good guys right here.

It wasn't even brought up at all. Nobody on the team's getting on you about having a suite. No, no, none of the little. I think I deserve to have one, you know? Yes, yes. I got my years in. I'm one of the guys in this team. Who else on the Celtics gets a sweet, Kamba?

I can't tell you that. Can't stir no problem. Yeah, because besides you, to be honest, everybody else is kind of around the same amount of years. in the league. Yeah. So like, yeah, that'd stir up some shit. Yeah, we'll stay away from that.

You know what's funny? That'd be like if Judge gets a sweep but Glaber doesn't or something like that, right? It would almost be like if Judge gets a sweet and Aaron Hicks don't. You know what I'm saying? Because they got a ball once about the same amount of years and Hixie maybe even have more years than Judge.

But Judge is getting a fucking sweet if we're in a bubble though. I promise you that. Kemba's cool with Judge getting a sweet. Sweet. So, Kemba, we, you know, I think like, you know, for you guys, the first question on everybody's mind is your health. For just the Celtics picture, it's about how's Kenba's knee? I mean, you looked fantastic in your game against Portland, as well as the opener against Milwaukee. Limited minutes. I know you wanted to be in down the stretch against Portland. But how does the

knee feel right now. And as you project forward to the playoffs, do you see it being any kind of, you know, inhibition to your ability? Well, it feels good, man. That's, that's me being completely honest. You know, the whole reason I'm on a restriction is to see how my knee reacts after every game and after my minutes increase. And it's been, it's been doing well. And it's been feeling better and better, you know, after every game. So I'm definitely training it upwards. I think, I think I'm going to be fine, man. I think I'm going to be fine. I'm working. working hard, you know, to maintain my strength in my legs to, you know, I'm maintaining, you know, my knee, you know, overall. Yeah, I feel good. And then to come out, to come out those first two

games and come out of it feeling pretty good, like, that's got to feel good mentally too, right? That's, like, the biggest thing. No question, man. It was definitely all, all mental. But yeah, to come out of those games, feeling good, man, it's just, it just a great feeling because I haven't felt like this, in a while. I haven't felt this way in a while. I haven't been bothered me a little bit for a little minute now. So me to feel like myself again, it definitely feels good. It just gives me a lot of confidence. I'm headed into those games.

The layoff in some sense, right, ends up, meaning you could end up being a bigger factor in the playoffs than you would have, how we not had a pause in the season, correct? Yeah, yeah. That was huge for me. fusion me. Very unfortunate times, but, you know, it was definitely a blessing in disguise just because I got a chance to, you know, really rest, kind of figure some things out. You know, things just kind of slow down for me as well.

It was a long summer, you know, coming into Boston. So, you know, life, you know, just kind of slow down for me. So, yeah, it was definitely a blessing in disguise. Where'd you spend that time at during the lockdown? Like the COVID happening, everything, the season shut down. Where'd you go? Yeah, I stayed in Boston for a little bit, just for a few weeks. And then I flew to Charlotte.

So I spent most of my time in Charlotte. And are you able, like, I mean, because one of the things I was saying, Kamba, because people were asking me, because I'd broadcast some Nets games in addition to the ESPN stuff. And they were like, well, you know, Kyrie and KD, will they be back? because now they have this added time. And I was like, well, they have the added time, but it also could be disruptive to your rehab, right?

If all of a sudden you don't have access to your facilities or your trainers or whoever might be working with you, like how were you able to navigate, you know, your rehab process, if you will, you know, while having different resources than what you're used to? Yeah. It was actually tough. It was actually super tough. I mean, I had to do everything myself for the most part.

I didn't have the opportunity to, you know, have, you know, my trainers come down and see me and be with me and, you know, help me with my rehab and stuff. So, yeah, they were just kind of sending this stuff online and, you know, we're kind of just going through it like that, you know, doing like Zoom workouts and everything was over Zoom. I know Zook made a lot of money this year. Yeah, everything was over Zoom. Yeah, that's what it was, yeah. Man, that's a tough thing to like try to rehab in the middle of that and not really have like the PTs to be able to be in there with you. I mean, that's kudos to you to be able to get back though.

I mean, that just shows your drive and, you know, you want to get back for your teammates. Yeah, I had no choice. It was tough, but I had to do something. I couldn't just sit there. So, yeah, we had to do something. My teammates too, man, they did a great job. You know, just just keeping themselves in shape, staying locked in. You know, it's just staying basketball minded, you know, throughout the whole time, which was pretty dope.

Because everybody came back in pretty decent shape. So that was pretty cool to see. I feel like the teams that have a chance to win, like y'all or whoever else, you know, the Lakers, the Clippers, I feel like Milwaukee. I feel like those teams stayed locked in. Like knowing that the season was going to pick back up, knowing you guys actually have a chance to make a run, like that kind of makes it a little easier to stay locked in. too, right? Yeah, I think so, knowing that you have a really high chance of doing well, being successful in the playoffs, I think that definitely means a lot,

and meant a lot for a lot of the teams who kind of stay locked in and stay ready. Yeah, you know, a lot of us just have high hopes, and we want to do well. We want to make a run. You know, we want to go as far as we can. So I think that definitely has, you know, that's definitely a big reason why, you know, guys stay in shape. Kemba, are you like, I mean, in addition to the games you're playing, are you like watching all the other teams too, whether in the arena or on TV right now?

Yeah, I'm actually watching the game right now. I got the Nuggets and Thunder game on. Yeah, I mean, I love basketball, man. So I'm always, I'm always watching the games. I also got a lot of my friends on different teams. So I'm constantly watching those guys. So, yeah, yeah, I'm always, I always got the game on TV. It looks good, doesn't it?

I mean, on TV, right, the NBA looks great. How does it feel right now playing in the arena? It feels good as well. You're going to call that an arena? It's crazy. It's crazy. It's different. It's different, but, you know, I got to commend the NBA on the job that they did.

They did an unbelievable job at, you know, just making us feel at home. as much as possible. I know it was tough for those guys with the resource and stuff like that, but they did what they can. The arena is the best they could have done. You know, we got the virtual fans, which I think is just ridiculous,

like super, super dope, man. Like, you know, I got, I see my mom on there the other day. She'd been on there for two games. It's crazy. I see my teammates, no girlfriends and wives and sons and, you know, just the people we normally see,

you know, it's super, it's super dope. I enjoy it. I enjoy, no, playing out there. That's dope that they do the, that's dope that they do everything to try to, you know, make y'all feel at home and doing the virtual fans. I actually want to do that. I want to, like, be like one of the fans on the side,

like the virtual fan and watch a game. I think that's cool, man. Sure, we get you on there. Let me know. You know what's funny, man. I saw the other day, too, there's like, and maybe your mom has used, this, right? There's like a, some kind of

click screen where they can do booze or cheers, right, to actually make noise through it? Oh, I don't know. I'm sure she used the booze. I know. Is she using it for Celtics players when they're struggling or for the opponent?

Both. That's an honest answer right there, because that's my mom too. Sure. I mean, it's actually pretty cool that they're able to pull this off, man, because fans like us, like, it's dope. I mean, even when it was like the warm-up games

or the practice games, whatever, like, as soon as the NBA came back, I was, like, super hyped just to watch it. You know what I'm saying? Like, we've been starving for sports, so to have you all back, man, it's amazing as a fan. I'm super excited, man.

Appreciate it. It felt good to be back. Real good. What's a memorable reaction from your mom after one of your performances where she's getting on you? When she's getting on me, she don't get on me much. I think for the most part, she's usually just, like, super, super hype.

I mean, the best reaction I could probably think of is when I hit the shot in the garden against Pitt, my junior year. And, like, she was, like, jumping around, spinning around, like, super hype. That was a long time ago, though. So, yeah, that was probably one of the best reactions I seen her have. Man, that room was wild, too, bro. I remember that, like, the junior year. year? Yeah. That was an amazing, right. Yeah, to this day, I can't believe that. To the truth.

Crazy. That game, it was, what round was the six-over time game in the Big East tournament? It was... That was actually my freshman year. Yeah. Four round was that. We had a buy, so I think that was, that was the quarterfinals, I believe. Quarterfinals. Quarterfinals. So I just, I'm going to give you this opportunity to apologize. to me, Kempa, because I was sitting there and I was doing an update shift. You know, I'm early on in my professional career in New York. And I made the mistake of making dinner plans for when the update shift was done.

But I couldn't go until your game was over. So the dinner never happened. So you know what? You owe me a dinner someday, all right? Yeah, it was so long, man. Even for us on the court, it was like, oh my goodness. Like, I couldn't even believe it. Like, overtime, overtime, overtime, overtime.

man, I was so tired. At one point, I'm just like, man, like somebody to win this game, please. I don't care who win this shit, but I'm ready to go home now. Freshman, I'm like, I'm chasing Johnny Flynn around. Like, oh, my goodness. This is a long night right here. It was fun to be a part of history, though. I couldn't believe in one to six old time.

That's crazy. When you're in a game like that at the Garden, what is the atmosphere like? Like how would you describe? Because you know, like, our podcast listening audience, there's going to be some diehard, like old school Big East fans who, like, you know, they love that. What is that like when you're playing and you're performing like you did in that Big East tournament?

It's nothing like it. There's nothing like it, man. It's a very special. It was more special for me because I'm from there, you know? So I'm like, I got all my people who's in the stands. Like, I got to hold it down. Like, when I go to New York, I got to hold it down. Like, I have to play well.

for my people. Like, so, um, so yeah, man, like, it was like a huge moment and the garden was just going just crazy. Like, and Pitt was, they were, they were great that year, my junior year. Um, so yeah, man, it's like the rush and the electricity in the garden is, man, it's second and none during the bees. Yeah.

And then y'all had to win the tournament to get into the tournament that year, right? Um, I, I don't think so. I don't think so. I think we would have been fine even if we maybe if we were to beat Pitt and not have won another game, we would have been fine.

But that just made it that much better. We moved up after we won the Big East runner, we got a number three seed in the NCAA tournament, which puts us in a great spot. So it just helped us for the most part. In the freshman year,

you go to the final four after kind of burst out of the same. In junior year, you win it. Yeah. And just like watching it too, I know as a New Yorker, there was this feeling of like, even if you weren't a Yukon fan, like, oh, Kamba's kind of your guy, you know, like, because we all knew, all right, you're a New York guy. Did you feel that, that kind of you had the city behind you on those runs?

Yeah, no question. I mean, you know, just because, you know, growing up, I knew the kind of players that NYU produced. And, you know, I just always wanted to be in that. I always wanted my name to be in that conversation one day, you know. So, yeah, I knew I was playing for my city. I still, to this day, play for my city. And, you know, that's just where I'm from. That's who I am, you know, that New York is the reason why I am, you know,

where I'm at today. You know, I'm not the biggest guy, you know, but, you know, I'm one of the toughest, you know, and that's because that's because of where I'm from, you know, so, yeah, no question. And no doubt the city was behind you Because I remember that when you went on your junior year Like we was all watching We was all watching the whole time You know what I'm saying?

Like down in spring training At the beginning of the season Like everybody was pulling for Yukon Because everybody knew Kimball was from New York You know what I'm saying That's how it is though That's how it is When somebody from New York

You always rule for them You always even from afar Like for me Like even to this day People from New York If I find out you from New York It's automatically I automatically root for you

Like, that's, it just says what it is. That's how we rock. I'm starting to adopt that now. Obviously, I grew up in the Bay, but, like, now being here the last 12 years, like I kind of feel like a New Yorker. So kids, I see from here and stuff, I'm always rooting for everybody. You know what I'm saying, from this area for sure. So, Kemba, you know right now, like, there are Knicks fans listening who are like,

if you feel that way about New York, man, why'd you sign with the Celtics? So. Oh, I already know. So did you, were the Knicks a serious consideration for you when you were a free agent this past year? Be honest, yes. Yes. Very serious. Very. No, at one point, yes. Yes. Before Boston actually came along, the Nix was one of my top priorities actually because I was thinking that they were going to get another player. but it didn't work out. You made the right choice, though. I'm saying it for you.

You made the right choice, bro. Yeah, that's really all I can say, though. The next one, they were definitely a priority for me at one point, yeah. Yeah. Did that other player's name rhyme with Slevin Laurent? No. You know what's crazy, though, Rucco? I think the.

Knicks are like a serious consideration for everybody who becomes a free agent. People want to play in New York. Like, why you think Katie and Kyrie went to Brooklyn? You know what I'm saying? Like, they want people. Guys want to play in New York. It's just hard to play for that organization. You know what I'm saying?

And put yourself under that kind of scrutiny. Like, this is a basketball town. The media is going to go crazy. Like, so you sign a big deal and come in. You're supposed to win no matter who else is on the roster. You know what I'm saying? So that makes it tough, man. Yeah.

if Kemba Walker's like, you know, standing next to Kevin Knox and they're like, how come Kemba's not leading him to 50 wins? No offense, Kevin Knox. You might turn into a nice player, but you're not ready for that yet, you know? So I get wanting a running mate. Did, let me ask you something else about the Knicks,

Kamba, because one of the narratives around them now is like, hey, Leon Rose now running the front office, like, you know, he has ties, relationships throughout the league. do you think that the changes to the Knicks front office will help them in closing the deal with players like yourself and free agents to come? Yeah, I think so, man. No, Leon is a very, very, very good guy. I got the opportunity to me and talking him over the years. He represented one of my teammates.

So, yeah, man, I got a chance to meet him. And yeah, he's a great guy. I think he's going to help change that place around. So, yeah, that's a big time pick-up for them for sure. Here's what I want to see. I want you weigh in on this too, man. If you see, like, agents, guys who you know Stars trust, like get into those positions where they're running organizations,

does that change the appeal of the organization? Like, is that something you're thinking about as a player? Um, me personally, not really. For me, it's just all about best fit, you know, for myself. You know, it's not even about who's there or whatever. It's just about me. So, um, but yeah, I mean, I do think, you know, that him having those relationships with a lot of players in the past would definitely help him, but definitely, especially with

the situation and going to the Knicks. You know, we know, the Knicks is a great organization. And like you said earlier, Cici, you know, a lot of people, you know, want to play for the next, you know. So I think I think he can definitely, you know, change things over there. No, I think so. I mean, I think it, you know, like Kimba said, when you're in free agency, though, it's about like the best fit for you and your family and what's going to look better for you the next 10 years. You know what I'm saying?

Why are you thinking about your career? I think when you get guys like that in positions, it's easier to put little pieces around because they have the trust of guys. But when you get like superstars like Kimba and, you know, Katie or whoever else, it's always going to be about what's the best fit for them and how it's going to affect their family and their brand. You know what I'm saying? So more so than it will for like the, you know, smaller pieces that Leon and, you know,

what's kind of put around these big players? So Kemble, what sold you on Boston then? What made you say, yeah, this is where I have to be? The talent level, the young talent, that was around here, man. you know, J.T., J.B., those two guys, you know, smart, Gordon, of course. And, no, I just felt like, yeah, it was just perfect. It was just perfect. I never in the many years thought I would, you know, play for the Celtics.

Like, when the opportunity came around, it was kind of surreal, actually. You know, Celtics is a big top organization. And, you know, for them to want me to represent. the organization was just a really cool moment for me. So, yeah, and I also got the chance to talk to JT and be around him for a little minute before actually, you know, sign with him. So, yeah, I got the chance to spend some time with him. And, you know, I just really, you know, liked how he carried himself

and, you know, how hard he worked and just the kind of person he was. So that kind of intrigued me as well to, you know, sign with the team. Playing for the Celtics, like that type of organization, is it like a weight that comes with it? You know what I mean? Like, do you feel that, like, history of the organization or is it just go out in the hoop? I mean, me, I just go out and hoop, but I think it can be that way. You know, it's a very prestigious place, you know, a lot of championships and, you know, they expect to win, as they should. Because it's just a win organization.

They have a win in history. when you walk around in the facility, the practice facility or the arena, you see the banners, you know, they expect to win. And everyone who play for them expect to win as well. So that's really why I love it. I love to win and I want to win. So it was kind of an easy choice. You know, it was funny, man, you're New Yorker and you can feel your New York. You know, I mean, you could feel it.

I love that. but I feel like you are the kind of guy who Boston fans love. I would love. You know, you are, you are gritty man. You're a gamer. You're a grinder. You're a big time performer. You're a clutch.

I also feel like you're no excuses kind of guy, you know. And like, so it's weird because you're so New York. But you actually, I do feel like you fit the kind of player that they love and root for. Have you been able to feel that even in? your first year? Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, man. The Boston fans, they show a lot of love. They love the Celtics, man. And, yeah, they've shown me a lot of love from day one, a lot of love and support. So, yeah, yeah, I definitely felt it. I felt it immediately, man. That fan base is, that fan base is pretty special, very special, actually.

You look at the landscape right now, the league, man. I've been saying, saying all year, I think you guys are going to go to the finals. Okay, I just want one on the record. C.C. is big on you guys, too. Do you, when you look at the East right now, obviously we know what Milwaukee's done, and Toronto's look great since, you know, coming back from this restart and they've had a good year.

Do you feel like, I mean, how do you assess this group this year and your chances to represent the East and the finals and win a title? I mean, it's so hard to look that far. and especially because I've never really, you know, even been in that conversation, you know, in my NBA career as far as, you know, oh, no, they can represent the East and the finals and stuff like that. So it sounds like, it kind of sounds even crazy to me. But do I think we have the talent level to get there and do I think that we can compete with any team in seven games? Yes, no question.

I think we're a tough bunch. And we love playing with each other. We love playing basketball together. We love making each other better. So, yeah, yeah. I think we're a special group, and I think we have a chance to do some pretty special things in the playoffs. I mean, even though the team's young

and, you know, you haven't had that playoff experience. A lot of those guys have, though. They have, you know, they've went deep into the playoffs the last couple of years. So I think that's going to help. I mean, that experience in the playoffs, you know, is huge, man, like have it going on that run down the stretch.

Yeah, those guys, they definitely have a lot of experience. They've been in the playoffs since they've been in the league. You know, for myself, I only been twice. Both against Miami. Went to a game seven one time. The way crushed us, obviously. But those guys got, they got more experience than me.

But, you know, hopefully we can, you know, do something special. I think it's going to be fun. You know, Kemba, you are, you're a big basketball fan, as you were telling us, watching all the games, which we love. I've been, Cece and I have been so into this watching all the games. It's an off day for you in the bubble. If there are three players who you want to see most live at the arena there,

that you're like, all right, I'm off, I'm going to see them. Who would be your top three guys that you're like, I got to go see him, I got to go see them live? James. well, I got it's two players on every team right now. So I'm

I'm going to say James and Russ I love watching those guys play Bron and AD and Kawhi and PG as well as Lou Will too. I got to throw look. I love watching.

I love watching the Will play, man. But yeah, I'll pick those teams. It's a pretty good show if you watch those teams. It's funny though. I feel like Kembo, I feel like sometimes James' game doesn't get enough sort of, you know, national appreciation. The aesthetics can be a little difficult at times, you know, with, you know, winding the shot clock one-on-one, head-fake, head-fake, million jab steps, whatever.

But it's incredibly effective. What do you, when you see people, because you obviously, you named him first, when you see people kind of not appreciating maybe that, do you, do you see that? And what do you think they're missing that maybe you do see? Honestly, I could care less what they think. And, you know, I'm pretty sure that James Hardin can care less what they think is. But it don't matter. It don't matter. He is an unbelievable talent, man.

Like, the way he scores the basketball is second and none. Like, it's unreal, the shots he made. It's unreal. And you can tell he works on those shots. Like, he works on those shots. Like, you were looking at. literally see his hand go over to contest. And he, like, still makes it, man.

Like, he gets double-teamed. Soon as he steps across half-court, like, it's unreal. Like, James is unreal, man. He's unreal. It's like he's playing on 2K, like on easy. Like, he's on easy, man. Like, he's a bucket. He is a walking bucket.

Walking bucket. That's dope. Last night, too, he played some. good deal on Janus at the end down the stretch. I was watching that game. That was huge. Yeah, he played with him. You want to, I'm sure. I'm sure.

You know, the other, like, connection, besides us all being at C.C. softball game, which was great. Kevin, how great was that last year, being at the charity softball game? It was, though. I was mad. I couldn't actually get out there, but it was dope to be there, though.

I definitely appreciated that. No, special stadium. I appreciate you coming through. I want you to play next year. If we have it next year, you definitely got to play. Definitely playing. Because I got to get out there and play too. I'm tired so I can play.

No question. Well, Ken, but you got the contract now. So now you can play. I mean, you were in the free agent here that. You couldn't play last year. My agent was like, don't play. You get hit with a baseball, man. Or spraying an ankle.

I always think about Aaron Boone. Aaron Boone is always a great example to me. Like, he hit the home. runoff Wakefield, tourist ACL playing basketball in the offseason, and then got traded to Cleveland. That's how A-Rae got to New York. Oh, man. So I'm always, that's always in my mind, like, especially when I was playing. I was like, nah, I'm not going to do this shit. Like, I don't want to be boony. I remember asking you about it at the time, Kembo, because we did like a compilation R2C2. I was in the dugout, you know, talking to guys. But you and, you and C,

obviously have the MJ connection. You know, C's been a Jordan brand guy forever. You just spent many years in Charlotte with Michael Jordan as your owner. I mean, you're also a Jordan brand guy as well, so a combination of the two. But

what is like, what's your best MJ being around the team story? What's a great MJ being around story? You know what? He was pretty chill. He's pretty chill. He's pretty chill.

That's MJ. He know who he is. I think he can be pretty intimidating, you know, just his presence. His presence. So I think a lot of guys can be intimidated off the rip. So he was pretty cool. Might have had a few team meetings that he chimed in on. Yeah, we had a few team meetings that he chimed in on.

But he was really, really good into me, no. I can't really, you know, say what he said and things like that. But he was good, and he made his point, very, very clear. So, yeah, but not too much. I mean, individually, I would say the best story that I have is probably when I was a young in, like my second year in the league, he pulled me into the office. Like, I wasn't really, no, I was a young guy. Like, I came in.

I didn't want to like step on anybody toes. You know, I didn't want to like be aggressive. I wasn't being aggressive as, you know, I normally am. So yeah, he pulled me into the office and he was, he basically told me, he's like, yo, I brought you here to be yourself. I brought you here to be aggressive and, you know, lead this franchise. And yeah, from that day on, yeah, like a little Swiss just just hit me. Because that's, I mean, I'm like, damn, like this is,

This is the goat right here telling me he wants to lead his organization. And he expects a lot out of me. So, yeah, man, from that point on, I was just like a whole new player, a whole new person. Like, I was just grinding. And I just wanted to be the best I can be so I can, you know, show him that, you know, he didn't make a mistake in picking me because I had a lot of doubt, you know, coming into the NBA when I was coming out of college. I had a lot of doubt.

So, yeah, he took a chance on me, took a chance on me. So, yeah, I ain't want to let him down. That's an awesome story, man. That is a great story. What about, I mean, it's one thing when you're leaving, like, an employer who means something to you to have to tell them. Man, how hard was it? It's another thing when it's MJ. How hard was that telling him, what was that conversation like having to tell him you were leaving Charlotte?

You know what? We spoke. We spoke. We had a great convo, actually. And he spoke to me. He spoke to me. And, you know, I really don't want to say what he said. Yeah, no, you ain't got to get into none of that.

But, yeah, he has a lot of respect for me and the work that I put in. And yeah, he basically, he understood. He understood everything. You know, he's been to, he's played in this league, you know what I'm saying? So he understood everything and he was great. I left on great terms. It wasn't no bad blood or anything. To this day, we still text.

So, yeah, he was great. He was great about it. And I definitely appreciated that because obviously, like you said, it's like, damn, this is MJ, like, you know? It was cool, man. He was really good about it. Yeah, I definitely appreciate how he went about it. And it definitely meant a lot.

But I'm sure it meant a lot of you calling too. You know what I'm saying? like most guys wouldn't even do that. No, we were actually together, though. That's the thing. We were actually together, though. Oh, it was the trip. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. That sucks right. So you got to see this man for the next week, Doc. It was crazy. It was crazy. Like I said, he won the money. It was so easy.

It was easy. It was easy. So, like I said, I definitely appreciate that. That's my God. I was looking forward to that trip this year. I never get to go because it's in the summertime, but I definitely got to get on there next year. No, I can't wait for you to hit one more.

It's the best, man. It's the best. This is a Jordan Brand trip you guys do? Yeah, every year, every summer. They put together a trip for all the John Brand athletes, and we just, we have a great, great, great time. We have activities in the mornings, and then the rest of the day you have to yourself.

They got stuff just planned out for the whole day. Man, he goes above and beyond for the athletes. But it's everywhere, huh? Like, one year it was in Paris. It was in, like, Como one year. Like, and then... Went to Monaco. Yeah.

Yeah. See, I was excited for that, man. Yeah. Yeah, we got to get you out there one of these days. See, you know what's so funny about this, though, can? But even, like, see, I always love when you talk about your relation with Jordan and, like, you get texts and you're still like, you know, that's MJ texting me, man. Like, there's something, it's amazing. Like, ever he called me or text me, like, I literally just like stare at my phone.

Like, I can't believe it. Still, still, I don't care, like, to this day. I've known him for years now. I still to this day, can't believe it. I look at my phone, like, this is really MJ just texting me or calling. It's crazy. It's two people, MJ and Dave Stewart. Dave Stewart, I've been knowing Dave Stewart for a long time now and we have a great relationship.

But he was the reason I started playing baseball. So anytime I get like a text for him and something, like I go back to like being nine years old. You know, like where I'm a kid again. And I'm just excited that like my hero's texting me. So those two guys is MJ and Dave Stewart that I get like geeked up when I get a text from those dudes or a call. Oh, man.

I mean, amazing that you get to have those experiences with those guys. Kemba, how about like you were talking about MJ kind of teaching you how to be aggressive? One of the things I always love watching your game is like I feel like, of all the point guards in the league, I feel like when you get hot, you know exactly when to call your own number. And you just start like, like that pull up three,

like if you get just an inch of space, I feel like it's game over, you know, and I've seen it many, many times where it's like, oh, you can tell, Kemba's getting going. And you always seem to know that balance

of calling your own number versus not. And that's difficult for a scoring point guard, right? Like to how did you, and you can even, if you need to get technical, whatever. But like basketball-wise, how did you get comfortable with that? Of knowing, like, hey, it's time for me to call my own number, like, hey, I got to get guys involved in certain moments. Yes.

I think that started definitely with the combo with MJ, obviously, you know, with my aggression and my confidence. And then I really had to put in the work. I put in a lot, a lot, a lot of hours in order to get that shot. man, like at one point, I was shooting 30% you know, for a few years from three. So yeah, I'm putting a lot of time to work on my three ball. And when I was able to get that shot, man,

change my life, change my life. So, so yeah, now, you know, whenever, it just depends. It just depends on how the game is going. Especially now here in Boston, now that I have, you know, a lot of, you know, talent on the perimeter with me where I don't might not have to be you know, that aggressive all the time.

But yeah, it just depends on how the game is going. If, you know, one of my guys got it going, and we're going to keep going to him. Whoever's got it going for the most part. But, you know, it's just that time. I don't know. I can't even, I can't even explain it. It's just that time.

It just happens, you know, it's just a feeling you get a certain point in the game, you know, depending on how the game is going. yeah, I don't know. I just kind of, I just kind of feel it. Just kind of feel it. Like, just something in my head, like a little switch just go off. Like, it's time.

And that's, that's pretty much it. Do you, Campbell, how about, like, because it's funny, see, I'm hearing Cambusaisa. I'm, like, getting excited to, like, watch Cambo in the playoffs this year, you know? Like, it's going to be amazing. And you guys, I think, will have a very deep run. What do you think the playoffs will feel like in this atmosphere in the bubble? I think it's going to be super, super intense.

Yeah, I don't think it's going to be any letdown at all. I think guys are so focused right now. I think teens are so focused and everyone just has that goal. Everybody's trying to make a run. Everyone, I think everyone is pretty confident. Yeah, I think it's going to be super intense, man. It's not going to be no letdown. I don't think it matters.

The fans not there. You know, at this point, guys, you know, whenever you step on the court, it's go time. So, yeah, like I think, and the NBA did a great job. Like I said, you know, they got fan noise and stuff like that in the background. So I think that's enough for us. So it would be cool. I think it's going to be super intense, too. I feel like it's going to be way more fights.

Like, I feel like because there's no crowd, it's just going to be a lot of jawing at each other. I feel like it's going to be, it's already been a lot more physical. Like this brand of basketball, y'all playing in the bubble. It's been a lot more physical. So I think, like, the playoffs is going to be, we might see a couple of fights, bro. A lot of people said that. A lot of people said that.

I agree, though. We got some trash talkers in the league, so you never know. It might be, it might go down one time. I think so. I think so. What kind of, how's the food situation in the bubble? Good?

It's all right. Yeah. What's the food you need that they don't have? The food I need that they don't. Yeah, what's the thing you miss most right now? My chef's cooking. I'm going crazy. But it's not bad.

I think when we first got here, I can't lie. When we first got here, it was rough. It was rough. I can't lie. It was rough. But I think the NBA got a lot of complaints. And they fixed it, though. It's a lot better now.

And we have more options. Like, we can order from outside restaurants. And we have restaurants as well in a few of the hotels. So, yeah, it's better. We got room service as well. That's another option. But, yeah, it's not too bad, man. It'll do.

It'll get us by. I feel like the league listens to you guys, though. Like, if we would have been bubbled and I say we, I'm not a fucking player no more, but if baseball would have been bubbled and they would have been complaining about the food, they'd still be eating the same fucking food right now. I promise you that. I promise you that. Like, the NBA listens to the players, man.

You know what I'm saying? So that's why it's fun for the fans to watch because you know it's driven by the players, you know? Yeah, true. They do. They do. Whenever we voice out, opinion, they try their best to fix it for us. So they do. Kemba,

did you have any doubts about wanting to come and experience this? Not really. Not really. I didn't have, I didn't have many doubts. I was more so like,

what is everybody else doing? Does everybody else going? And I'm going. If not, then I'm not. That's kind of, I was on, yeah.

Yeah. I, you know, this is our second podcast for the third iteration of R2C2. Yeah, we,

we're just, you know, we move a lot, Campbell, what can I say? Transient podcast. But we feel best about this chapter with The Ringer and Spotify. And I don't know if we want to call him

our new boss, Cece, but, you know, Bill Simmons, who runs the Ringer, you know, he is a diehard Celtics fan. Crazy. Oh, yeah? Loves huge Celtics fan. Diehard Celtics fan. And his voice on 2K, right?

His voice is on 2K. Yeah, he talks about Bill Russell, I think, right? Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, exactly. Exactly. And he loves him some Kemba Walker. So I feel like, see, I feel like just to be good employees, we got to have, like, Kemba just like give Bill a message about the Celtics or something here, man.

Just give him some confidence, Kemba, about how the rest of the season's going to go. All right. What's up, Bill? First, it's good to hear that you a big Celtics fan. I appreciate that. A big Kemba fan, they say, as well. So I appreciate that. The rest of the season is going to be great.

I'm going to be good. My knee is going to be good. I'm going to hold up. We're going to make a run. We're going to play as hard to be king each and every night while playing some inspiring basketball. So I hope you love it. That's it. Dude, Kenba, that was fantastic, man.

That was great. Let me just give you some context for how great that was. C and I have been friends for now a decade doing the podcast for over three years. If I tell C to do like a happy birthday video, it's going to be like, what's the name? Chris? All right. Chris, happy birthday. I don't know Chris, Cass.

I'm not doing no video for Chris for his birthday. I got to know the guy. Mike was a bait of him. That's why. That's why. Kemba. That was great, man. That was great.

Dude, this fantastic. Thank you for giving us so much time, man. We sincerely appreciate it. You're such an easy guy to root for. And, you know, yeah, I may be in New York, but count me as someone who wants to see you do well in Boston, man. I appreciate that. And you know what?

Maybe try and sneak your chef into the bubble. See how that goes, you know? There's nothing getting snuck in this bubble. The theory over here, it's no games over here. Oh, man. That's the only way you're going to be able to play, though, man. So it's all good. Well, Kamba, good luck the rest of the way, man.

Thank you for giving us so much time, and we can't wait to watch you in the playoffs and continue good health with that knee. Appreciate that. Thank you, man. Yes, sir. Good luck, bro. Thank you so much for listening to this bonus episode on the Ringer NBA show feed. If you like what you heard,

please don't forget to follow R2C2 over on Spotify. C-C-2 over on Spotify. C-C-C-N-Rae. Just like this every single week. Have a great weekend, everybody. Thank you.