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July 15, 2021 46 mins

2x-NBA All-Star & Grizzlies legend, Zach Randolph is in the house for episode 95 of ALL THE SMOKE. Z-Bo talks with the guys about his NBA career, the current state of the game and his beef with Blake Griffin. Plus, he talks Kobe, Shaq and playing some of the greatest power forwards ever.

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to All the Smoke, a production of The Black
Effect and our Heart Radio and partnership with Showtime. Welcome

(00:20):
back to another edition to All the Smoke. Jack. We
went out and got it made. A lot of people
have been asking for this, dude. Man, we tracked them
down real one. You already know real One don't get
no real bullies get bully where he comes from. And
I'm talking about Welcome to show man Z. But what's up, bro? Man?
What's up? What's up to see? Man? We finally tracked
you down. Many be on the move busy after basketball? Man,

(00:43):
been a blessing. Man. You know what. I'm thankful man,
you know, but we come from man. You know when
I made it out of there, I made it. So
you know, thankful every day and I count my blessing.
So what's life being like after basketball for you? You
were talking before you very busy father business. Talk to
us about what's going on with you after basketball had
been up and down? Bro? You know what I mean.
But you know, overall, you know what, I'm thankful. You

(01:04):
know I has some losses closet, you know what I'm
double law rest in peace, you know, right after I
retire so you know mom before that couple of years before,
so I think he was with me then. But sides
that everything kids, everybody safe and healthy and you know,
just being strong and you know, being a leader for
the family. You know, it's really it's important. Obviously was

(01:27):
a disaster for the world. Um, halfway through one. What
are you encouraged about? Moving forward? Man? Just everything? Man?
You know how everything going just where we hadn't you
know going and where we you know, forward to as
a black culture. You know what stack Jack doing, what
you're doing, you know, being the community. You know, we

(01:48):
always be in the community, you know what I mean,
it's it's ain't nothing for us and just helping it. Um,
sure everything has been going good. Whoever you been paying
attention to an NBA this season and all of them,
you know, I've been. I love the game, so you know,
I love the league and what's where it's at. So
you know I watched you know, specially Grizzy, a little
joh you know, the Spartan dogs on their jar and

(02:08):
X so you know, watching them in Portland. You know,
I just I like the league and you know I
got still a lot of youngsters, you know, I talked
to and um so I watched them. So I'm a
fan of the game. With twenty and tens Ebo doing
this at NBA, man, probably thirty and twenty. You can
keep up the knees out there. I don't know that. Yes,

(02:32):
all the stuff they got now, you know what I mean,
they probably me real slim, you know, so you know
where the game is that? Man, it's sly good. You know.
I like the game. You know, it spread out, you
show a lot of guys skills and you've been stepping
off jump. Yeah, so you know what I mean that
jumper being wet so and these guys showing their skills
set you know, like the game To me, it's like
a revolving clock. I think everybody everything's gonna come back

(02:55):
around full. So you know you're gonna get a class
with four shocks and you know on me, you know,
so you know, I like where the game is that.
Um Thoughts on the game being so guard oriented as
you mentioned skilled, Um it skills at all time high.
Uh and it's very guards dominated. Thoughts on that because

(03:18):
I mean when we came to the league, we used
to play and you were wonting someone inside out the
ball had to touch the paint before we shot, but
before we did anything. Now it's balls running the guards
and it's like, like I just say it, like you said,
the game when he's coming in, the big man had
to touch the ball. The ball to go to the post.
That's how you start to play. You had to so,
you know, but the game is different now, and it

(03:39):
started to change, like I think for me towards, like
in Memphis towards you know, when they put me on
the bench and they wanted the fids want us play
smaller and the line up so Golden State was doing anything.
A lot of teams seeing how he was playing, and
you don't wanted to adapt to that. But I like it, man,
And I think if I was out there, you know,
i'd be helling a bid. It's they've got some teams

(04:01):
that played the old way because you know, Golden State
they played through their big Yeah. You still got the
same comedy, big normal big yeah. Yeah. So what what
what bigs impress you the most? I like um and
be you know, he's be so and you know a
lot of bigs. Man a young boy from u um Zion.

(04:26):
He's special you yeah, some similar he's more athletic. I mean,
if he can, you imagine what he would have been
like with Zion's athleticism. Been over crazy boys special, you
know what I mean. Uh, you know LaMelo. So you know,
I just like the game and these young players they're
different and you know, they got their own style, and
you know the league is different. We come in. You know,

(04:48):
these kids are like a lot of players, like all ivers.
He changed with the corn Rows. It's like debt now
for all the kids coming in different generations. So you know,
it's it's a good thing. You know what, I grew
up in a Maria, Indiana town. Man, tell us about
your upbringing and when did you find basketball? I found
basketball probably third fourth grade, me and my brother and

(05:09):
my sister at the Power Club. You know, he came,
coach Bill Alter came, put the ball in our hands.
The first man put the ball in my hands. So,
you know, a small town. You know, we breede Hoopers,
you know what I mean. Do the research. You know,
we got the second most state championships in the state.
You know, marrying my school, so we breede Hooper. So

(05:30):
you know that's just all Heaven was always in it.
So growing up watching Reggie and you know I was poor,
so I come from nothing. So growing up with you know,
you get the free you get the Channel four. You
know it's the free channel. So you know watching Rick
Smith's come through, Duncan Dutchman and you know Dale Davis
and Tony also, you know, just growing up wanting to
be a patient and you know watching Jordan's. Who are

(05:53):
your basketball influences growing up besides I don't know, you say,
Reggie and boom Man, Jordan's, Scotty Scotty, Chris Webber. Uh
you know um coming up like Karl Malone and mail Man,
you know what I mean? So just man, everybody, man,

(06:14):
you know, I just love the game. You know, that's
all we have games, you know what I mean. You
know we're playing in the alley on the goal, you
know a little bit of gold. But you know we
to us that was you know, we what we couldn't
wait to get to the goal. So your sophomore year,

(06:35):
you win a state championship. Your senior year you win
another state championship, but lose the Player of the Year
to Jerry Jeffreys. Come on, man, you know I asked
my award. That's my brothers my award, man, that's my award, Man,
my award. But nah, um man, we have some battles,

(06:57):
you know, I want to beat them, beat the championship, right, Yeah.
And then he won Player of the Year though, yeah,
you know, and you know Jared was down here in
Bloomington and he was going to eye you, Bobby Night.
You know, I was down and Mary. You know, I'm
a little rough around the edge, and you know, you
know how that go. Little But you know, Jerry, that's

(07:17):
my brother though. But it's all love. But man, it
was good in high school. Man. I enjoyed it. Man.
And then onto the McDonald's game where Jack was robbed
at the m v P. But you actually took home
the m v P three and fifteen dominated. My numbers
weren't looking like that. I had one. I only missed
two shots, but I ain't half fifteen boards. Who was

(07:42):
in that game? Remind us who was in that game?
Oldmark Cook? Okay, Eddie Griffin, My boy, he was cold,
he was he had a wetter to me. Eddie Griffin
was like more like that today's today's how the people

(08:02):
knew who he was, you know, like you know, people
in basketball worry stuff. He remind me the kid in Houston.
Now they placed just the life. They got the similar game,
and he been doing that face up. I see him
doing that in high school, you know what I mean,
Like he was working on that. So he was, you know,
but we had some dogs, though, Man, we have some dogs.

(08:22):
Talk to us about the recruiting process. You ended up
chosing Michigan State, But wor else did you consider? Stay?
I was coach was every game I look up in
the stands, He'd be in every game, you know what
I mean? For me, that was big because you know,
showing that you wanted me. I'm like, you know who
he was recruiting me the most. You know, they was
at all the games. Every every time you look, I

(08:44):
see him, you know. And then literal Leonard Hamilton's you
know what I mean that he was in Miami, Florida
at the time. So I was gonna go to Miami
Florida if I didn't go to Michigan State, you know,
because coach, you know Leonard, you know, he wanted to
be real bad. I liked it his program, and you
know he was gonna let me rock out. You know
what thing. Do you have any crazy stories about coaches.
El Draymond told the story how they got like a
shouting match on the phone during the recruiting process, like

(09:06):
do you have any crazy years old stories? Man? Years O.
It was hard when me and Dre was in college
because you know, I was one of the first his
first ever, the youngest player to leave school. Like he
never had no one and done, one and done, or
no sophomore leave or nothing like that. I don't think
he had no under graduate players leave, so I was

(09:26):
the first one. So he wasn't really kind of used
to that, but he supported me, you know what I mean.
My mother we were struggling. She was struggling. You know,
I was taking care of her, so you know he
understood that. You know, coach no I come from and
the struggles I came from, so he knew what I
was doing and I want to take care of my mother.
So you know, I was like, coach, I'm ready, you
know what I mean, because I was gonna go out.

(09:47):
I got a story. I was after the McDonald's game.
I was gonna go out to high school because the
mouse told me like, man, I'm about to go to
the league. I'm like, you're going to the league. Like ye.
So after McDonald's and I got All American, I went
to the Kentucky Derby All Star Game. Got the m
v P there. So I was killing all all the
summer circuits, all the All Star games. I was getting

(10:10):
m vps, and me and Eddie was ranked number one,
number two player in the country. So the Posting Twins,
I was gonna sign in with them. I was at
in the hood at the house, my mom and the
Posting Twins and the letter was on the table. Bro
and I looked at Mom. I said, Mom was sending down,
sitting down, said Mom, what you want me to do?

(10:31):
I want you to go to college for one year? Baby.
So I looked at the Twins. I was like, man,
I can't do it. Mom would have said go for
a bag out of right there, you know what I mean.
But that was the best thing that I did, you know,
because God, you know what's playing for you? You know
what I mean, God, God, what's playing for you? Gonna happen?
So that was the best move for me, going to

(10:52):
Michigan State, because literally I learned so much how to
be a man. And you know, of course I was
still young, but you know, learn a lot you know,
with coaches though and discipline. That year I was there
in Michigan State, I learned a lot. I love coach
they like, that's my family, so you know what I mean.
So but it was good, man. So you guys play
with Julio. Shout out Jay Rich John Julio, Charlie. Hey,

(11:16):
Jay Bones, you guys make a final four run. Talk
to us about that one year in college and make
a run of the final four the bill too, Man,
good dude, CB, my boy, mo, please more people flit Stone. Man.
It was, man, it was great, you know, coming off winning,

(11:36):
winning the state, going to Michigan State, going to the
final four. Just that experience, you know, I mean, going
down I think it's Final four UNS in Atlanta, just
playing that dome with all them fans, I mean, then
play against Gilbert, play against Gilbert. Man, it was just
it was man. It's unbelievable. You know, one of the
best times really all my college careers that you know,
the final four. You know we didn't make it, but

(11:58):
you know, still the experience there. We gotta final before
we have to be so it's all good. You take
that one year of college in time, decide it's time
to go. What would your draft flood experience like Man
in the hood with with the cases, the whole hoods
in the garage. Man, we had the whole street blocked off.
The old hood came and supporting me. Man in a

(12:21):
little shock house that was one of nothing, biggerness room, Man,
the whole who was out there. Everybody came and supporting me. Man,
and people could stand outside. You can even fit it. Man,
It was crazy reporters, so they called the drafted me. Man.
We went up all you got to the bottles, popping everything.
So you know, I started crying, you know what I mean.

(12:42):
I hugged my brother, my mom, sister, start crying. You
know the struggle we come through, you know what I mean,
we come from. And you know my mom and she
rest in peace, you know what I mean. She did
everything she could do could do for me. So you
know that's the first thing I did by my mama house.
You know what I'm saying. Team, You know what I mean.
He took care of her like stood on it and

(13:03):
and every you know, every every day, you know what
I mean, until she left herself. So that's what thing,
that's what I did it for, is my mom and
my brothers and my sister's, my kids, you know what
I mean. How many teams did you work out for? Man?
Demn are eighteen teams? Yeah yeah, I should have been

(13:26):
a lottery pick. But see they was I was a
little rough around the edges, so you know, you know
there's a lot of politics we don't but you know
I was better than all them guys. Really, you know
what I mean. I killed everybody in my workouts, but
you know, I look at you, you know, a little
rough fright edges. You know, I've been through some things,
you know, in high school. You know what I mean too.
So he's like, uh, sure guys are playing sup Portland's

(13:51):
where's your first stop? When Portland drafted you, man, I
ain't never left the hood like Portland. Man. I was
just excited, you know what I mean, and just just hungry,
you know what I mean. When you come from nothing,
you got a hunger. Like I'm still harder, you know,
I'm hungry every day. So that's why I work hard
and everything I do and every opportunity is But going
to Portland, I just was like, man, I'm going here

(14:12):
and go hard every day. Who was some of your
old gs on that team, man, Damon she bozi man
the best old geez the al right, it was he there, Yeah,
he was gone Jr. That's the homie though. But man,
it was shout out else m Town, Indiana seven five.

(14:34):
Talk about your rookie years, so, I mean high school,
one year in college. Man, now you're eighteen on the
other side of the country. Said you ain't never been
out the hood. You're in Portland. Talk to us about
that first year in the league and on that team. Man,
it was it was rough, homesick, man. Just I remember

(14:55):
being away, I asked Steve. Kurt. We're sitting on the plane,
I asked Steve. I said he Steve here reading this book.
Guy's glasses. I say, Steve, man can go When when
do we get going? He started laughing at be like,
go on. He ain't no going on. I think I
had hit the this when I hit the wall, you know, man,

(15:16):
whoa And I'm sitting This is when you back then
you can sit on the floor. So that floor was hard.
And sit on that floor, man, you know it was
great though, man, you know, just learning experience and even
though I went playing my rookie years, our practices though,
and then we have a squad, I mean camp. Dat

(15:39):
ship is Steve curl Man. So practice was like game.
So we was looking to practices every day. You know,
It's crazy. Every time we talked to someone that came
in around our time, all we talk about how we
used the battle and practice. Practice used to be like
real that first time, that first timing. Everybody, Yeah, board,

(16:02):
you know it is better than the real game. Sc
you know, you know it was yall, Hell no, we
gotta go back. Hell no, we are doing that. You
don't blow the whistle, coach, let us run one more,
two more. So you know that's how competitive. You know
we was in practice. Who was kind of that took

(16:23):
you over, you know, took you under their arm as
far as teaching you to kome of the NBA game. Man,
I came in all of them, man, really, they all
showed me love, like from Damon to Scotty, like you
know what I mean. I'm talking. I was coming to
the gym. I'm the first one at the gym. Scotty
was one of the oldest players on the team when
I came in, but he was still was one of

(16:44):
the first ones at the gym. He like Zebo you
coming in, you meet me at this time, so we're
there every day. He want the first wim, the first
one there he lifting weights, He won the first one
they lifting weights working out, so you know he was
a champion. So coming on his wig and just learned
from you know, Steve and just everybody was all like
big brothers to me because I was so young coming
to the league and and I ain't know nothing, you

(17:09):
know what I mean, So coming in think I did
but one thing about me. They all respecting me because
I always respected them, and I was soaked up everything.
So I'm listening like, yeah, you know what I mean.
Like now you tell a rookie go do something, They're
gonna look at you like it was different. You know
it was different. Then you know what I'm saying. You

(17:29):
know the yam they give me five go to the story,
get dice and all kinds of ship, zoos, whales. I'm like,
se come on with it. I want what else you want?
Going back? Dealeen hunted the tooth down man ship it is.

(17:52):
It's lovely though, man, I ain't mean experience was great, man,
you know what I mean. I told my brother, my
other brother stared, but I said, man, I'm gonna go
to the league. I was telling I was going to
league my sophomore in junior year. I'm like, now going
to the league. Bro looking at me like yeah, yeah,
for real? Happened? Yeah, how talented was with she? Wallace
Man crazy? That's crazy because like you said, him and

(18:15):
Eddie from Philly to the Gang, like Hi, just everything
he did, he was like a more like you said,
the type of hybrid fours and fives. Now, she was
one of them too. You know, she was one of
the first, like the getting mash. She shoot more threes
in the guards, but she was hitting them joints, he
know what I mean. So yeah, man, it was loved.

(18:36):
Portland was a great experience, you know what I mean.
So you know he was the only show in town.
You know what I mean? You know what it was.
It was that the team that was labeled the jail
Blazers talked to us to just kind of about some
of the fun. You ain't gonna get you obviously, but
some of the fun with that team, because are we
believed team was well documented. We was on some ship,
but y'all was on some ship, on some ship ship
man talking. I heard the story. I told me every

(18:58):
day I'm talking about bro. We was the only people
with sounds. So yeah, yeah, you know what I mean.
And a few week rough round the edges too, a
little bit like you know, so you know what I mean,
you know, like the flower, you know what I mean.

(19:19):
You know what I mean. So you started smoking your
your first year in the league. Uh huh, and it
just just helps you with everything he was going through everything.
You know, I'm I'm in the business to like you know,
like I said, I got you know, grows and stores
in Portland, I got you know, business, so it helps you. Man,
How important wasn't for you because I mean, I know
you're not really a real big drinker. Most of us

(19:40):
can't handle pill so I mean for we, we was
our only real options. So how important wasn't for you
throughout your career because you were able to play seventeen years?
Help me, you know, honestly help me, you know what
I mean. And you know back then, you know how
it was. You get your one test preseason, Man, I
got a road in the car. Man, like you said,

(20:03):
it's good for your bones. Man's medicine, you know what
I mean, medicine. So like you said, you gotta take
all them pills and you know, messr stomach up and
be funked up later on in life. So you know,
and I'd rather you know, drinking, I mean, rather smoked
than drink. Anyway, any day, any day m two thousand
to the battle against the Lakers. You guys get on

(20:23):
their way to the three peopley end up sweeping you guys.
But the question is how dominant were Shock and Kobe
at that time? Rest in peace, beam man when the
greatest to do it? Man? Everything just watching them man,
you know Shaq Kobe like you know my magic and
you know what I mean, Jordan's you know, pipping was
so you know, that's everybody else the show to watch

(20:45):
and it was one of the best ever definitely to
duos of all time. Right, that's easy call the show
show two thousand to two thousand three. You play eighty
games and start to give more minutes. What was it
like waiting for an opportunity? I was like a pit
ready to come out, like you know how the greyhounds

(21:05):
at them and run around the track like they like
I was chase out the little rabbit. Where I was
like that because I was working so hard, and I
believe in myself. And you asked Bunsy all the I'm
talking ship at eight team, but I'm really out there
handling my business as a youngster. But I was putting
my time into so like Coach Cheeks always telling me
Scotty all the guys that stay ready. So I'm I'm

(21:26):
going against what she wireless. I'm gonna get these boys
every day, damn stout of mind, Vita Sabonis. I'm going
to gainst all star players every day, and I'm going hard, bro.
So I saw I built my game staying after working out,
so when they let me go, it was on. I
was ready and I had believed in myself and I
had that confidence. That year, you guys run into Dallas

(21:49):
in the playoffs in the first round, end up losing.
How tough was Dirk that year? Man, I got his shoes.
I got his shoes from that playoffs where my pair
of shoes sign Man, it was now I studied that
play I watched film like I watched that series and
now I was young like coach gaming that he's John Lawyer.
We used to work out like watch that film because

(22:11):
that was what Dirt was doing. Like you know he's
shooting right over your hand. You think you're touching at
John going straight in and dirt and dirt. Want the best,
you know, you know, the Hall of Famer, but one
of the best to ever do it too, absolutely, you
know what I mean, When the best to ever do
thirty three thousand points scored, I can't beat that. So

(22:32):
you get a little taste of the playoffs. Next year,
you come back to the with the vengeance when most
improved player, uh average twenty and ten. What was it like,
really finally getting to cut your teeth, get off the
cage and really do your things, show the world how
hard all the work you put in was. It was
great man to get a chance to be able to play,
and then for my teammates to believe in me, you

(22:54):
know what I mean, to lead the team and and
understand me, let me develop as a player, and and
you know, allowing it. So it was great and it
worked out perfect because you know what I mean, I
was one of them that listening and ain't seeing my
growth and seeing when I went through, and they've seen
the work I put in, so you know, just staying
at it. And I always came in with that and

(23:16):
I'm gonna dominate every game type attitude every game. You know,
me and me and my agent, we had a list,
you know what I mean, shout out to ray Man,
Raymond Brothers Man. But you know, we got a list.
So every night he like, zebo, you got such a suing. Now, y'all,
I get this, w you go on him. He already
got the Scout report. So I'm like him, going eddie there.
He ain't turned nothing down. Given give a shot. We's

(23:39):
playing shack. I'm going then, I'm going front. I'm a
rush them. I'm you're gonna knock me down, but I'm
getting up. Man, you can't turn nothing down, you know so,
And that was my type attitude. I asked so and
it helped me man my career. Mm hmmm. What was
it like entering the high level, high level NBA power
for conversation? Man, A blessing, you know what I mean,

(24:02):
the blessings you know, to be able to, you know,
players I played against say that I was, you know,
one of the best power force to play the game,
and well yeah, she eating. Just to be able to
say that, massive blessing, you know what I mean. Come
where I come from and things I went through and

(24:23):
and you know, being me and also having them the respect.
You know, I treat everybody the same respects. So getting
that little respect back, you know what I mean. I'm
gonna treat the the richest man like I treat the
poorest man. I'm gonna feel comfortable in the in the hood.
You know I'm not because I got money. I'm not
gonna be I can't go to wats or I can't
go to Detroit or back to my hood. Like no,

(24:45):
I don't really believe in that, you know what I mean?
You know what I mean? So having that line of
respect and treating everybody the same. Who are some of
your your favorite matchups in that power for that real
heavy power for error man all of man, duncan you
know what I mean? Some hard matchups KG. You know
I'm six not he just does seven foot in six eleven,

(25:08):
six twelve, so you know ticket his hands big, grabby
you and he control lead. I'm like, man, rest laing,
do what he wanted, you know what I mean? So
just man all the battles man, see where you know
I was a youngster, but you know he's battling man.
But you always held your own always I wasn't jumping hard,
wasn't running fast. Was gonna get that work, get that work.

(25:31):
So Portland goes into rebuild Moe, trading rashid away and
giving you your first big deal, six year, eighty four
million dollar extensions. What was it like? Obviously making the
league get your money, but really getting that first deal?
What was that like? Man? I cried again, Man, I
ain't mad, humble guy, you know, but then it was
a blessing man, and that I wann't satisfied, you know

(25:53):
what I mean. So I wanted to continue to work
when I've seen them, you know, I'm continue going, you know,
continue to stay home like I got the same hunger.
So you know, we're just in life and getting better
as a person, father, business, just everything I'm doing. So
just staying angry, you know what I mean, keeping that
will thinking him every time I was on the court.
You know, I'm thinking I'm the best player, all right,

(26:16):
you fears to bring me off the bench. I still
think I'm the best player, you know what I mean.
So just having that confidence, you know what I mean.
Do you have a nice six year run in Portland,
you get traded to the Knicks. Was that out of nowhere.
You kind of knew it was coming. Man. You know what.
Kevin Pritchard, let me tell you a funny story. And
I was in at the belvy Will Shore and actually

(26:37):
sees the trade about to come up. I see Kevin.
I'm in l A. I'm at the World Shore. I
see Kevin Pritchard. He was a general manager at the
time Portland. So I see Kevin downstairs in the check.
You know, I got the two you know how the
wool show and we still got the two sides and
checking in side. So we in the check and something
like yas. He's like, man, how are you doing? Like, man, hey,
zach Man, I'm not trading you. You're good. You know

(26:59):
that because I wasn't expecting to see him. He was
just down a lot. I'm not trading you get my
first time getting traded, bro, I'm not trading your good man.
Don't worry about it. So I go upstairs. I tell
my brother, like ship man, I just see Kevin. I
ain't going nowhere. I'm you know, I'm still gonna be
here because obviously, you know, I didn't want to get traded.
It my first any player that day. First time you

(27:19):
know some players, you know, at the elite level can
say that, but a hen get traded their first time,
it's gonna bother you. So oh why so I go
back upstairs to im gig. I ain't getting traded, man,
it show come on the first thing they say, ain't
going to New York. Yeah, I just say, I said, damn.

(27:42):
I called Raymon Kevin say at trade so Ray like, man,
just be raised to watching they see me in New York.
But it was a great experience, you know what I
mean New York. I was only there a short time,
but it was organization great and I had a good
time playing that big alpum man play. I mean, and
they got Yeah. One season with the Knicks and then

(28:02):
you come back out to l A. How about you
skill not back out you come out to l A.
What is the experience like? Playing with that young Clipper
team was great? Who was on the team there, Man
b d Marcus Canby, young DeAndre, Yeah, squad. Mike Taylor
was gone at d D. So man, it was good man,

(28:24):
just being out here and we're super you know what
I mean. The record when they're good, but man, we
that's what good players. Man. So l A Clippers to Memphis. Man,
were you really kind of you mean you make a home.
Talk to us about that experience down in town. Man,
that's my second home. Man. Shout out ma'am town not

(28:45):
on one. You know, yes, sir, it was great. Shout
out her passion. They still got your jersey up there. Man.
I can't wait till they reopen. We was just in
Memphis and wasn't then going on. I can't wait things
get back normal Memphis. Man, that's my city. And how
I was chicken? Man, what goods? It's goods to man,

(29:15):
I ain't gonna lie of man. Coming to Memphis, it
was really like a blessing man. It was like really
a blessing man. And you know, just because it's a
hard working city like I fit in. It was like
a puzzle. I ain't boom, you know what I mean.
With the team and it was your team. Yeah, it
was just like like I was a missing piece or whatever.

(29:35):
So you know what I mean. We had you know,
Rudy and you know be a great player who was
great players around. So coming in with Mark and Michael
was just all coming together. And I think we first year,
we want like fifteen or ten more games. You can
see the you can see you know what I mean,
you can see what was coming. And you know, we
kept together and I think the next year, we think

(29:55):
we made our third year playoffs and then but we
kept improving, so we need that playoffs. Man, we just
ready and got t A. You know, t A came
so with him just making it complete, with it on
the defensive end and just everything. It was just you know,
the right fit. So being that city, man, and the

(30:15):
fans and the way the city embraced me. Bro, that's
that's home, you know what I mean, Like it's always
gonna be home. And you know I ain't no FedEx
for him. You know, I ain't no team playing whoop
that trick in the gym every and everybody, you know
what I say, Black people, white people, mesking, everybody of

(30:37):
all races ending up having a good time dancing. And
you can tell the city was really behind you. So man,
that was probably you know, it's my best city I
played in, Man, and um, you know that's home man. Yeah. Yeah,
got a good team with the first you guys made
with the Western Finals. Right, I got a question, what

(31:01):
was your because I never even I mean, we even
cool but I never even asked you this. What was
your issue with Blake? Griffin boy? Why every time he
played you he was he was here man Blake, man strong?
Blake wasn't he m you know? And you know Blake
was a player who who had confidence too, and you

(31:23):
know he went they went back and down, you know,
you know what I mean, man Blake. We laugh about
it now we're cool now. But real battle, yeah, real battle,
like real, but I mean it, I ain't playing, ain't know,
ain't your friend on the court. So it's like, really,
we're gonna go at you, you know what I mean.
I remember back smacking ship out of me. I turned around.
I thought with Blake, like damn, he was just bullying bro.

(31:49):
He did he did out of Blake. I had to
fall him hard man, and we almost He came in
like kind of gave me like a low key hug.
I thought we even gonna have to throw like, but
he kept bullying Blake. So I kind of had a
show Blake, I'm about I had to ask my dog too.

(32:11):
I was like at all people I had because he
just had this he was he was just bullying Blake.
They got down on the ground one time, they was
in some rappling ship and one game you got kicked
out like that ship was the league. Ain't ain't gonna
let you play like that? An let you He's going
real hard. You know, what's your relationship with Describe I

(32:31):
know your relationship, but describe your relationship with Tony Adam
one of the best films to play the game. Man,
that's my brother love, you know what I mean. And
Blesses Joint and you know th and Memph is still
you know, he's doing business and you know, been a
family man. So man, none but love, you know, for
all them guys. Mike Mark, you know, and talked to
back a couple of weeks ago. You know, so it's

(32:52):
solid love. Man. You know we are we gonna We're
gonna talk everybody, you know what I mean. Went to
show so seventh teenor run When you decided to hang
it up? Was it? Was it tough? Come to turns?
Your body was talking to you. What was the deciding
factor and you decided to hang it up? Man? Kind
of like when I was sitting out, I think I
left Sacramento, I went to Dallas, got traded. I didn't

(33:13):
go but you know what I mean, but I have
gave it a little time, you know what, I mean
to see what was going on. And I wasn't going
like sit around for no two or three years like
a lot of players still ain't officially retired like r. Now.
You know, I got a lot of stuff going on
business and a lot of the other stuff I want
to do, and you know, with my kids and and

(33:33):
um everything. So I was like, you know what, man,
I'm good where him at, took care of my money,
you know what, I'm happy, you know, let's do it.
And I'm ready, you know, retired. Man. I feel good
about it. You know. I work out every day and
take care of myself. So it's been a blessing, bro,
so Jack said. Jack said, still like it looked like
in good ship like you could. You're looking good. I

(33:54):
still give your visits. Still I never doubted that. So
what comes to mind when when when I say one
of the most classic lines ever in my hood, bullies
get bullied. Talk to us about that, because man, you
little rug, you know, buggy baby beasting down there, man
telling y'all just to like, yeah, ain't telling buddy, he

(34:16):
got buddy shook up. He's like, buddy, I'm like many buddy,
you know, I'm you know, I'm like mass my lone
lead buddy alone. You know, he laughed because he's bullying,
but I'm like, he stopped there. You know where he's from.
Bullies get bullied, you know what i mean, just laughing
at Ship. You know, I'm always funk a little bro.
But yeah, you know, he a beast though it was
a healthy boogie. Talk to us about how talented he

(34:38):
was stupid, just how big he is, how you can
move and you know, how he used his body and
he buy he was six lemons and foot handle with
handle can shoot the John. Then he he ain't saw
so he's gonna bang you. They they're gonna dunk you.
So it's like he had it, really had bully got
the old package. You know, I know he you know,
the injuries or whatever kind of but man, he was

(35:01):
on pace to go down as one of the greatest. Really,
no questions after retirement. Obviously, fatherhood comes first and foremost. Uh,
you and row your your daughter to play with Kobe.
Talk to us about those experiences, because when I talked
to Code, he was telling me, it's like, yeah, I
got these girls running the tryang. We're practicing five or
six days a week. I'm like, bro, these are little girls.

(35:22):
He's like, I don't care. Yeah, that was serious. Man.
He really like round him like rand him like a
real real protein. I'm like a real size as he
wanted to. I'm doing it talking about every day trainers
on the beach, eating everything that gets a little girl
like young girls. And you was coming from way out

(35:44):
where you coming from by me and going all the
way out there every day. Hey bro, I'm like, damn,
but it was a blessing. My daughter she loved and
you know Kobe man. I called Kobe, I got her
hold him, was moving iron. She's like, Daddy, I want
him play for cod. She came to me about it,
So you think I can play for his team? You
know I'm gonna do anything for my kids instantly, you know,

(36:08):
I ain't have cold number. I reached out to somebody
who did, and man, Kobe text me like the next day,
like what's up? Bo hit back? He like like, man,
my daughter, we're moving out there. She want to play?
Can she trial? You gotta spot for He's like, look,
you know that she can come and we can see
how I go. You know, I think one our big
one of the Biggs was hurt or somewhere. I just left,
move somewhere and can we came and it was like

(36:31):
the missing piece of Kobe loved her man the girls
and you know. And when he told me he loved
my baby, bro, I told him I love you, I
love mine, I love you and you know what I mean,
That's how I was. You know what I mean, numbeloved,
respect the rest of it. No, I want to ask,
though I already told when this ship started, um, you

(36:55):
would motherfucking killed the Big Three any chance the ice
Cube is gonna see you out there? Man on live Man,
I ain't ship before the Corona hit. When that I
was talking to you and you I was ready. I
was bron show out too. We broke down and that
when I posted that I broke down and that Zvo trilogy,
I was like, what Vo, it's going down? I just man,

(37:18):
at the point, I can't. You know, I'm probably play
some red ball, but I ain't. I can't then down
to the battle of Big Redgie and Big Baby. You
know the boys, real country, strong man. If I'm at tidy,
those shoes up real tight, man, get on their ass.
You know. Nah, but man, now I could just I
can't do it, man, I couldn't do it. Thoughts on

(37:38):
this young Grizzly squad. I was just down there a
couple of weeks ago watching The Man of Beasts, I mean,
John jarn Ax, and the upside of them is is
so crazy, man. And and you know John, he's special
and Jarry you know the Spartan Dogs. And they got
a good core of players, you know, dealing and you

(37:59):
got some a player. So I think where the Grizzlies
going right now is it's great? Man? Yeah, definitely the
right building stage, Yeah, definitely. I want to shout out something,
but tell some funny story. So back when I went
and play with them, Listen, Nigga always used to try
to take the radio over in the locker room. Bro,
but he was always bumping somebody always. You gotta check

(38:20):
out money artist man. His name is money Bag. He
from out here. He give me nice. So he used
to bump the ship into He be like, yo, turn
that ship, oh bro lo and behold, man, you got
just cracked the number one album in the world. Congrats, Bro,
congrat money Bag bag Man. Shout out english Man shout hey, bro,
he was bumping your ship in two thousand? Was that

(38:40):
four first kick off? Bro? Every motherfucking day, every time
we every time he's in locker room, he was pumping.
That's like a money artist. I'm like, that's what's up.
And it ended up being them and this man got
the number one album in the world now, man, So congratulations,
appreciate it, man, man, you know what I mean. And
you know money bag man, you know, he wanted the
best at it, you know what I mean. And just

(39:01):
saying that because my little brother. But he really talented
and man, um just a blessing man for everything. Just
been in the city, you know, been in the city
and just hooking up and being out there. You know,
I'm in the community, man. Everywhere I go, I'm in
the community l A to Indiana to Memphis to everywhere,
and um, you know, just giving back and just giving back.

(39:23):
And we hooked up, you know, and he was hot, man,
you know, and I see him like, yeah, the first
time it started, this label we did it together started.
How does it feel like? I know, I ain't the
first artist that you got involved. When I know I've
been amusing. We didn't had a lot of artists people
we tried to help. How good does it feel to
know that you finally got it right? It was my

(39:44):
first artist? Is your first artist? Yeah, it's the first artist.
Bag was my first artist, and it was it was
a blessing, like you know what I mean, because, like
you said, I came in and Dale day this. He
used to have a record label war Yeah, you know,
I'm so and up a game. So deal was always shitty,
like man should cost me money and I losing me

(40:06):
it's a dollar. I'm not what You're like man on
their vest and ship. I'm like, so I always everybody's
come to me about music all the time, like now
I ain't doing that. But when I semificent a little
later on hearing hearing money back like yeah he hard,
you know what I mean, Like, I'm gonna try to
do this and do it the right way. And when

(40:28):
I came and told you, I was like, who is this?
This it's hard my artist? I mean five years later,
dude got the number one album in the world, got
a lag with him. I got a meeting because you
know hell fellow brother too. Yeah. Yeah. Outside of music, uh,
you know, post career, what else you win? Business wise,
what are you're working? I gotta you know, on the something,
the marijuana industry, you know, real estate. I'm really entrepreneur. Man.

(40:50):
I try to do every do everything I can learn
about you know what I mean. I learned it every
day and I'm open to learning. So I just want
to get out there and get There's certain things that
I've never been in technology, you know, I'm trying to
besten some of that right now. So now I'm just
trying to just move and groove. Man. You know, he
pays time. He pays time to me. Twenty acres one time,

(41:13):
living good. Yeah, quick hitters, first team to come to mind.
Give us an answer. Top five artists right now, jay
Z Drake, baby Man. I listen to everybody, man, everybody
ain't it's listing going no man nahs. You know I
listened to everything. I just love music, man, I listen

(41:35):
to everything. Can you ever try to wrap yourself? I'm
better at being the CEO. I can't stack jack and
rap though I can't wrap Top five Forwards of all time,
power and Powerfuards of all time, Man, duncan ticket m.

(41:56):
I gotta put Dirk in there, and you know what
I mean, shot. Don't go shack pothing that put dirt
dirt ticket dunking. It's a lot of man, the list
can be go see where you know what I mean?

(42:19):
All right, Ship Carl Yeah, Man, you got around watching
Carl Yeah, man, Man, Barkley, Barkley. It's a really list
man good. Yeah, it's it's a long list. I mean

(42:39):
that West. You definitely that West, and he was in
that West so like mc dice, like wack I was
recently like every night it was a battle like West
had all the powerful. It was threes and fours back
there threason four or two threes and fours. I don't
mean interrupt, but you just remind miss something he said

(43:01):
to West. Do you remember when y'all play San Antonio?
But man, body talked about this all the time. I said, bonds,
pull up, bro, come smoke when y'all get there. The
whole team showed up at my house, every last one
of y'all. Dog. I'm like, he's like everybody wanted to come. Bro.
Your whole team was in my garage. Do you remember that? Man?

(43:22):
I remember let a lot of times, a lot of time,
remember a lot of times now. But it's it's a
lot of Man, it's a lot of like you said,
the greatest power for his conversations, a lot on man
that list up outside game. You're taking four people to

(43:44):
the black Top with you. You're taking black Top like
I'm taking Tony at show. You can get you the
whole ing n Let you get by m N stack Jack.
I'm there pulling up like Marcus Smart Yeah, dog yeah,

(44:04):
MARKU Smart t a t A. I was to quenttel
would I was thinking that the whole time. I was
waiting for you to say. I'm sitting there thinking that, Bro.
I'm like, if you don't say his boy right, you
know that's your rod. Yeah, he got to go. I
took my boy yeast yeah. Show yeah, so show something's

(44:29):
about on the post in your career. I was a youngster,
but he was like he was like really whooped me
up to the league, Like, man, this is really a
grown man. Lead was p J Brown, Man, I'm talking
about it couldn't move me, like damn. I was like
eighteen nineteen. So I'm like, you know, and still as
I still Carrie played Kobe, he still was the same way.

(44:52):
You know. P J was always one of them guys
who always took. You know, I was cut up and
you know what, strongly quiet, but hands is big. I
couldn't do nothing. We came in with some real rooms, bro,
we came in. It was a real five dinner guests
that are alive. Definitely Pop, Biggy, Dr Martin Luther, King Obama,

(45:23):
my great grandmother. Yeah, I never really got I never
got to me. I heard so much about her. That's
last question. Who do you want to see on All
the Smoke? But you gotta help us with your answer.
I already know who I want to see who I
know you can help us with. Man, I get my
boy que Woods on there. Yeah, and money Bag, Yes,

(45:46):
we need bag show. Yeah, Zo, I appreciate you, brome On,
thank you for stopping. Appreciate this man down for a minute. Man.
That's the wrap All the Smoke Special your edition Zebo.
You can catch us some Showtime Basketball, YouTube and the
I Heart Platform Black Effects. See you all next week.

(46:08):
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