June 5, 2024 • 56 mins
C.J. and John talk with Kentucky legend and 3-time All-Star for the Miami Heat Bam Adebayo. Bam gets into the possible starting lineup for the Olympic team this summer, the secrets behind Heat Culture, some of his favorite Kentucky memories and who would win a 2-on-2 game featuring Bam and De'Aaron Fox vs John and Boogie Cousins. Bam talks about his rivalry with Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, he makes his Finals prediction, gives his best Jimmy Butler story and reminisces about his North Carolina AAU days. In Bucket or Brick John picks his NBA Finals MVP, and address the Caitlin Clark controversy.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome to Point Game with John Wall and CJ Toldonnald
presented by Draft Kings. Don't forget. DraftKings is your home
for all the action across the NBA gets you closer
to the game we all love. The crown is yours, guys.
We got a special episode today and we're not gonna
make him wait in the waiting room. We're gonna bring
him right on here. We got the three time NBA
All Star, five time NBA All Defense. Fellow Kentucky legend,
(00:29):
ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to Point Game. Bam out
of bio, Bam. How you doing, man, I'm chilling. I'm
still an upset. I had to wait all this time
to get on this podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay, we've been, We're gonna we've been. You've been trying
to get Bam on for a long time.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
But you was in. He just seen me the other day.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
This man we already had his words though.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Man, hell no, we did.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
You got it, bro, We did. But you know, schedule
busy during the season. You know how that go.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I can all right, I can give you that. But
we lost in the first round, so we had all
of them.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
May yeah, we did, but they had breaks. We had breaks,
we took breaks, we had breaks. What we want to
do a podcast? So can't just blame me, man, you
can't just blame me on this.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Listen, John, BAM's got a busy summer here Team US
say thank you Bam for joining us.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Yeah, second time team USA.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
That's big time, two time, two time.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
A lot of people can't say that. But how do
you feel to be nominated again to be on the
roster again? I know that specially, I mean always. You know,
you represent your your name on your back and your family,
but you get to play for your country that you
was born and raise in.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I mean, you know, obviously getting the chance to be
one of the twelve. Uh, and you like, you know, John,
it's not we got four hundred and fifty players in
all league, so be being able to be selected as
the top twelve to go represent your country. It's just
you know, you it's a standard. Uh. It's one of
(02:03):
those things you just embraced and you just, uh, he's
really buying it that role. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Let me ask you this, Bam. I mean you said,
yeah at a four hundred, you got twelve on there.
So how do you what do you think is going
to be the starting five, And how do you think
that's gonna get picked? You guys scrimmage and then.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Uh work, I don't even know how you picked that five. Honestly,
who would you be?
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Who would be your starting five? Feelings here?
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Oh nah, for sure it'd be I mean they're calling
this the Avenger team. It would be probably be braun
kd Steph. You gotta put Joel in there, and then
the fifth one is kind of like the wild card.
(02:54):
So it really depends on how those four fit with
the last per So I can't give you that left.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I mean, I've seen you play four before.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, like you know, but let's be honest here, Like,
I'm not on the Olympic team to go shoot twenty
times mm hmm. Yeah. We in there. I'm in there
to be versatile, switch, defend, make plays. That's what I'm
there for. So if that's starting, Roles calls that and
that's for me, that's for me.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
No, I can't. That's interesting. A lot of people don't
understand that.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Like, I think that's one thing a lot of people
get upset about you about just even in the NBA game,
Like you're not a guy that's come out there trying
to go get twenty five thirty shots. You can and
you've got the capability to do it. But you fit
into any role with any team. And that's why kind
of like a jew Holiday, Derek White guy that like
the Glue guys that's special in what they do, but
they can be stars that they need to and you
(03:52):
having that mindset going into it, you're not like that's
the biggest thing, like you said, trying to pick a
USA team, It's like everybody's being that man and probably
still in them managing thirty twenty eight, Like how can
you put that to a side, Like that last spot
gonna be interesting because most people think Jason Tatum will
get it or deep book to get it, But then
you go look at the run that man just was on.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
He feels like he should have that spot.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Yeah, that's one of those different things. Like you know,
people don't like got I said, man, you don't you
don't know what you don't know as fans you just
watching it and man like ooh, like he goes get
thirty every night. The people that get thirty every night
shall start But it's like they don't understand that other
people around them, not saying I'm not gonna say help
them get thirty, but yeah, you know a lot of
(04:37):
dude sacrifice shots to get people that are genetically gifted
to go get thirty like we are. For sure, Kevin
Durant is what he is. He's one of the best scores,
if not the that's walked through this lead understandable. So
as a as a person, you can't be selfish and
(04:58):
be like, nah, bro, I'm gonna go get my fifteen
shots and it's like, that's not how it works in
the Olympics, big guy like that was That was really
the eye opener for me in the the first one,
like being able to sit sit in that room and
actually like be honest, like listen, well all we all
(05:21):
can't get our clips that we get in our regular teams.
Somebody's gonna have to sacrifice you. You might have to
you might have to be like, this ain't my job
to score. I got to defend the rebound. Like I
wasn't the top score, but I led the team in rebound.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
M hm.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So I mean you at that point, that's when you
find your niche.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Do you feel like, because I feel like you call
it the Avengers team. You know, we got stuff coming
out there. We got you know, some of the older
Vets who would normally you know, maybe like bypass you
know Timyo say, but it's like international game has gotten crazy.
These guys are like, we gotta go out. It might
be Bron's last one. I mean it's gonna be Bronze
probably last one. So do you think there's gonna be
a dynamic in that locker room where you know, you
(06:08):
might feel not like a rookie again. I mean you've
done this before. But you think there's gonna be like
a divide or like a classification with you guys being
the young guys and then the older guys kind of
how we saw in like Dream Team one.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I mean in practice, we're gonna go at it. Yeah,
Like that's that's that's what God is here being competitive
at the end of the day, when we get those practices,
we're gonna go at it. Now. As far as like
the mix, I feel like we have a great mix
of young guys who are up and coming, but we
(06:39):
also we got the guys who we've seen be there before.
Like yeah, you know, for me, I'm excited to see
how Steph does because this is like his first Olympics.
MM So to say this is Stephen Curry's first Olympics
sounds crazy because it's like, bro, he was never a
part of a team. Like, but you know, I feel
(07:03):
like we got a great group of guys where we
mesh well, Like it's easy to have a conversation like, listen,
how do you want to get open? You know me
and I go if I get ten, ten and ten,
I'm not complaining because that's my job. I'm the versatile guy.
I'm not out here just to go shoot the ball
(07:24):
twenty five times. I'm out here to get ten rebounds.
Tennis is ten points off of you know, mistakes that
the defense made and then you know, you get to
fill out of there. But you know, I think we
have a good mix of guys where we can all
be put in different spots on the court, Like bron
(07:45):
doesn't have to be the three, and some lineups he
might be the point, and some lineups Stephen Curry might
beat it two. Like you got guys where you don't
necessarily have to put under a certain position.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, well, I want to talk about the finals because
you guys had a great season and I think a
lot of people say, you know, if not for injuries,
you guys could have been here. I mean, you were
there last year. So I want to talk to you
because I think John said this on a previous episode.
We'll gass you up a little bit here. John said
that reason why you're one of the best defensive players
in the NBAS because you can guard anyone. Now, I
(08:25):
think Luca and Kyrie Tatum and Jalen Brown. How how
would you approach, you know, playing against these guys in
this finals?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Oh man, you want to scout?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
That's what we had you on.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Uh. I mean considering you know, I've been in the
playoffs a lot, Like they put a lot of teams
just put me in a strong side corner, so I
can't do nothing. So whoever I'm going and they just
be like, all right, just go to the strong side corner,
so you're not involved in any of the act. But
(09:04):
I mean, you just gottafford and like, you can't technically
stop anybody in this league, you know, Like I said,
it's four hundred and fifty of us of the top players,
and only what thirty of them end up in the finals.
Fifteen on one side, fifty on the other. So you
(09:25):
just got to make dudes make difficult shots. That for
because you're talking about skill sets all over the world.
You're talking about Luca, you talking about Kyrie, You're talking
about JT, and then you talking about Jaylen Brown. Like
for me, it's you just gotta make them make tough shots,
like and you just gotta live with that. Yeah, you can't.
(09:47):
You can't stop anybody in this league. Like it's literally
make or miss. But I'm gonna make you make this
tough shot. It's the it's the little things behind it.
Like some people don't like to work for the basketball.
See how I do when you make him work for it.
See if they want like just get off of it.
Some dudes when they get the rock in their hand,
they don't want to pass it because they like, I'm
(10:09):
the option, like you know, send a double when he
go to his movee and see what he do. So
it's like those type of mind games you gotta play
to to like make the officer player think because, like
I said, if you just let dudes get in their rhythm,
anybody in the NBA could get thirty forty. And then
if you've seen like dudes get in a great rhythm.
(10:31):
It's fifty sixty seven for a long night. Yeah, you
went for a long night when a dude or like
you never know dude might have a bad day. You
just so happened to be playing him that night. And
he ain't got nothing against you. It's just it's just
how I'm feeling to night. And you know, for that,
(10:52):
like I said, you just gotta make dudes take tough shots.
They make tough shots. You just gotta tip your hat
off and keep it pushing.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
And that was me Caampaign. I was like, you're not
that you, my boy.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
And I was saying this before, like I've seen you
switch out on anybody in guard. I've seen you not
have to switch out and chase off Penn Downs and
Guard and Tatum in the first round. And I was like,
that's the reason why you use my case for defensive
play year. But for you to get your first team
All ABA for the first time the last for you
a second team All second, second team All NBA, how
do you feel about that, finally getting over the hump
and coming first team All Defense?
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Uh Man?
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Because you probe yourself.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Yeah, for me, it's one of those things where you
can't you can't. You can't pick yourself. Like at the
end of the day, we're gonna know it's media pushed.
But for me to be first time all defense is
just you know, it's a blessing to do it in
a row, not even just you know, spontaneous, but be
(11:50):
able to say, like I've been in a defensive team
five years in a row, like a lot of dudes
can't say that, Like to be able to say I
was top five and dp O Wild voting five straight years.
You know. For me, obviously you're striving to get the war,
but I feel like I will get the ward at
some point, especially if you just keep stacking up uh
(12:13):
selections like that, you know, and then also like the
credit like players know, like it's not like they don't.
They don't, they don't know. So for me, it's a
blessing grateful. You know, it's not only me, but you know,
I always give thanks to my teammates because without them
(12:33):
there is no defensive team. This scheme that works. They
got don't want to listen to me, you know, they
got don't want to be able to trust that I'm
gonna help them. I gotta trust that they're gonna help me.
It ain't like dudes don't get beat. Uh, But you know,
like I said, to be able to be recognized and
you know, have that jersey on, and we pride ourselves
(12:55):
on that. You know, it's one of those things where
it's a it's an accolade to be proud of.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
Yeah, And that goes into my next question.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I want to ask, like, what do the what do
the Miami We'll like talk about the Miami Heat coaching
because like you just said, it's a bride thing. It's
something that y'all believe in and we've been hearing about
it for so many years. But I don't think a
lot of people understand and respect what it is until
you step inside there locker room and put on one
of y'all jerseys. Like what makes it so special to
you into the other fourteen guys you compete with and
your coaching staff.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
To me, man, it's just a it's a standard like
it like people try to like make up these these
myths and ship like that. The biggest thing I can
say about it is just it's a standard. Like you know,
every two every year, Spoke comes in. It's like this
is what we this is what we're trying to get.
(13:47):
We're trying to you're trying to get the trophy, sixteen wins,
whatever that may be. But it's a standard because every
day our walks in and challenges us. Every day walks in,
it's like you're gonna be prepared for what's about to
(14:08):
happen in this season. And that doesn't necessarily mean like
you're gonna execute, but it's the standard of always having
to be that way, having to come in there and
really locking every day to the point where, like you
get in the playoffs, it's it's second nature, like you
don't got to go over scout as much because you've
(14:29):
already prepared, you know what, you know what's going to happen,
like you you know what, you know what's happening when
you walk in. And then obviously the standard of being prepared,
but the work, like like we not for everybody, Like
some some people just mentally can't can't do that every day.
They mentally can't lock in every day. And you know,
(14:49):
it is what it is, and we understand that, you know,
and that's why a lot of guys don't come here
because they you know, they always be like man, y'all
y'all do too much just that a third, but you
know a lot of y'all be sitting home while we
being yeah, like it's dope. I'm not saying it's a
(15:12):
mind game, but it's just it's just a standard, like
what standard do you want for yourself? What STANMD do
you want for your team? At the end of the day,
we all want to win. So what you're willing to do,
Like you ain't willing to play defense, you might as
well go and sit over there on the sideline because
you ain't. You ain't willing to really put yourself out
there and withhold that standard.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Well, so you also went to Kentucky with John So
I guess what what's the difference in similarities with you know,
Kentucky as a program in Miami as a program. Uh.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I would say the similarity is just one competing in practice,
like like it's a real game. Like when we practice,
we're going at it, like are you in cursing each
other around like trying to win? Like that was us
in college. So that was just like a normal feel
(16:10):
for me. And then obviously, like I said, like getting
the work in like everybody and on our on our
staff and the players were all in the gym, you know.
Like it's funny because sometimes some days I'll be in
the weight room, you know, lifing with Spoke, Like it's
(16:34):
just like it's that standard up. We all want to
be better. So like in order to do that, we
all got to represent that. So Spoke Spoke get his
workouts in, you know, the assistant coaches get their work out,
and we get our work out in. We get our
work done. But you know and officly behind the scenes
like watching film, uh, you know, discussing schemes like being
(16:58):
able to do all that. That's what that like. That
was the the similarities to me because it was just
at the end of the day, it's about one thing
is working like work, that's it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
I think if you, like you said, you seen your
coach work out, you've got to work out like you
ain't really in second fight and you really ain't turned
nothing here. But I think like the league has changed
so much from twenty ten when I came into where
we used to practice three hours or we used to
have to come in and get our work and then
go play games. It's like now a lot of teams
that go the other way, like they're trying to reserve energy,
reserved bodies, like go thirty minutes, forty five minutes. I'm like,
(17:35):
you'a ultimate goal now the championship at the end, you're
not locked in, you're not focused. So to understand what
y'all coach is and that's I heard. That's been like
that since training camp, like from day one, you got
no choice but the body. And that's why you see
certain guys that you like, Well, he don't belong in
the lead or how is he how is his role
so good over here, but wasn't good on this team
because he's willing to fit in and do the little
things that people don't go un notice on the stat sheet.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
And the thing about it it is like you know,
and this is why I give coaches credit, Like coach
has done a lot of work with undrafted guys, like
you know, fitting them into a to a scheme, fitting
them into personnel where they can be comfortable. Because at
the end of the day, you need everybody on the
roster to win the championship. We don't go on those
(18:20):
runs to the finals, you know, just by two players,
Like you know, our undrafted guys had big moments in
the playoffs, for us. You know, some guys everybody be like,
who the fuck is this A.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
Lot of time for sure, where.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
They'd be like where he come from, who's this? Who's that? Like? Well,
like how he was over here and he was at
the end of the bench. But y'all got even. You know,
Spoke does a great job of, you know, when guys
get out there playing towards their strengths. If you're a defender,
all right, if you play the winger, you are defender.
(18:57):
We probably gonna pick up ninety four feet. That's his outlet.
That's how that's how he that's how he gonna earn
his money in this league. He had defender, We're gonna
make it. We're gonna let him defend. Go do you.
But it's one of those things where you know, he's
done a great job of putting guys in situations to
(19:17):
be successful. And also, like I said, the work that
goes on behind the scenes that people don't see, Like,
you know, guys guys being there practices at eleven, guys
being there at nine thirty getting treatment on the court
front hour, and then after practice get done there on
the court for another hour. Like those are the habits
and the routine that you build throughout the season and
(19:38):
where when you get to the playoffs, your body's been
through enough stress where it's comfortable being uncomfortable, right. And
that's the thing that I think a lot of people
and players don't understand. Like, you know, you try to,
you know, you want go as hard as your workouts,
or you don't go hard, and you practice because you
(20:01):
know you're trying to. You know, I don't want to
do too much. And then we get in the playoffs
and it's and it's all hell on unleashed and you
gotta go there. It's like some dudes like not mentally,
but like they body just physically. You ain't never been there,
so your body just it shocks itself. So you know,
(20:22):
for us man being able to put your body through that,
and then you get to the playoffs, you know some
people might be like damn, like, you know, my body
feel kind of tired. But once you getting once you
get in the game, you forget about all that, all right.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
So go talking a little bit about Kentucky here and
I don't want to start anything, but we were thinking
if there was two on two, you and de Aaron
Fox versus John and boogie. I would say best of
five series, first one of three, who's winning.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Yeah, I'm gonna say uh, I'm gonna say uh yeah.
I'm not gonna say that it's supposed to. It's supposed to.
That's a that's a that's a competitor, bro. Like I
would not expecting them to say us. I'd be like, what,
that's not a bit John though. Whenever we whenever we
getting in between them lines and it's five on the wild,
don't matter if it's pick up, it's shooting. It could be.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Man, we talking trash all the time.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
We walk back and forth, but that's the only way
you can play, Like, I don't know, and that's why
I'll be saying.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
That's all I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Be like the league now, it's like everybody getting they
want to be buddy buddy man like you might got before.
But when I put them in the jersey and jump
ball go, I talk to you after the game like
you might talk a little trash in the game, but
I'm trying to win.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
And that's the thing that's funny because like the difference
between to me, between the old NBA and this NBA
is the old NBA. They didn't have a U camps,
they didn't have all this you know, these events where
they you know, seeing each other. You didn't have social
media at the time, so like you didn't really like
(21:58):
develop a bond with anybody. For the newer generation like
us like me JT. Donner like and Dearren Fox like, well,
my whole draft class honestly the top my whole the
lottery in my draft class. We've known each other since twelve. Yeah,
(22:22):
Like that's the type of like, that's the type of
connection we have. But it's funny because like you know,
the fans will see you after the game, that of them,
they be like, oh, fuck him, you know, do this,
don't talk there. It's like they don't understand. It's like
when you get on the court against your homeboy or
one of your homies, best friend, whatever the case may be,
(22:43):
I'm trying to rip the life out of your head off.
Like we going on this court and we step in
between those lines and you got on that different jersey. No,
I want to beat you by fifty because then after
the game, when I beat you by I'm gonna talk
shit about it. I'm gonna sit it in the group chat,
(23:05):
like I'm gonna let you know like shit like like
I just beat your ass, Like that's the type of
that's the type of generation for me, Like that's just me,
Like I don't know I was. What for for me
was when I yeah, like.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
When I see Dn, I used to coldn't wait to
see him, bro.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
I like, listen, every time we go to Sacramento and
Darren Fox is on that court, I'm trying to beat
you by thirty.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Because and because Malik on that team. Two of y'all
allways together, So I know you're definitely gonna ask.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
You in because because I get to talk my ship.
When I beat you all, ass, I was a third
option that can took you. Now now it's different. I
don't beat you'all ass. Let's keep it pushing. Y'all can't
guard me down there.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Well, So so bam, it's been You've played with Jason
Tatum on every level, so you guys are friends. What
was it like during the finals, Like was it heated?
And then how long did it take to like for
you guys to make contact after the finals and be
like yo, we're good.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Or you know the first round?
Speaker 1 (24:10):
No, well, I would say I would say last year
after last year's finals.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Oh damn.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Yeah, Oh, I'm talking my shit.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
As soon as the buzzer go yeah, yeah, I'm not playing.
But like we've competed so much, you know, like you said,
throughout the years, so you know, being in the same conference,
at some point, we always end up seeing each other. Yeah,
at the end of the year. I don't know why.
I don't know why it's written like that, but a
lot of times we end up seeing each other at
(24:40):
the end of the year. And it's one of those
ones where I'm not talking to you during that whole series.
Soon as that buzzer get off and it's win or lose,
you know, then it's high family, you know, how everybody doing.
But like when we're playing Boston and little Deuce be
over there waving and shit like that, I don't not
edge that little man. Soon as that series over, you know,
(25:04):
you see it go over there. How the kids go
talk to his mom, you know, because that's family. But
at the end of the day, like we are here
to compete, I'm not here to be friends with you
right now, Like in the summer, we can be boys. Cool,
that's my man's one hundred grand you know, but when
we get between them lines, nah, I'm trying to rip
(25:24):
your head off. I'm trying to rip your head off.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yeah, so what you think the next chapter looked like
for Kentucky and we're coach Kyle going to Arkansas. Uh case,
I know everybody be asked you like, are you gonna
still support them?
Speaker 4 (25:40):
You know you're gonna support them? Why you're gonna support.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
I'm gonna be honest. I didn't go to Kentucky for Kentucky.
That just wasn't that. I didn't go because I was like, dang,
they you know this is a great this is a
great school. Like I can really, I can really get
used to being here. That man told me, listen, you
do what you supposed to doing a much, you ain't
(26:03):
gonna be here. Like that's the one thing I really
respected about him, Like Kyle and you know kph Uncle,
like they was always honest with me. Kyle told me like,
you're not coming here and you're not if you don't perform,
you're not gonna play like I'm not giving you no spot.
(26:24):
You're gonna have to earn it in practice. And from
that point on, like I respected that so much because
you you didn't come to me like some college coaches
be like, man, you're gonna start. We're gonna do this
around you. We're gonna form this around you. And it's
like yeah, nah, because everybody, you know, when you go
from hot high school to college, that's a different brand
of black basketball. You know, you're playing against dudes that's
(26:46):
been living for four years like that they've got they've
gotten used to the college game, so they know the
ends and outs. And for him to look at me
in my face as a top recruit and be like look, man, like, listen,
you're not I'm not guaranteeing you anything. You're gonna have
to earn all of this. I respected that because I
(27:09):
wanted to earn it anyway. You know. You know, if
you if you're giving something, it's not as it doesn't
feel as cherished like the fact that you earned something
in life. You cherish it more because it's like, nah,
I went through hell to get that, Like like it
was sleepless night in college where I'd be like, man like, listen, bro,
like do I really want to do this shit?
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Like question yourself, like did I pick the right school?
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Did I pick the right situation for me? Like I
remember like, and I can tell y'all a little story
like I isn't coach Kenny Payne. That's that's that's big.
Unc uh. Yeah. We were practiced for like, you know,
like two hours, two three hours, and then I'll be
about to go to bed and he'll text me and
(27:58):
be like meet me and gym at ten fifty. And
it'd be like ten thirty and I'd be like, are
you like and then you walk in, you walk in
and the treadmill running. No, it was like the mental
games like that they would play like it was like bro,
like do I really want to do this shit? Like
(28:19):
is the NBA really like this? Like the dudes really
go through this. But it was more so like prepping
you for whatever might happen, Like you don't know what
can happen when you get out of college. You might
go overseas, you might go to the NBA, you might
start overseas and go to the NBA. You might start
in the NBA and go overseas. Like it was being
(28:40):
ready for whatever moment was presented to you. And you know,
to have that type of coaching staffs where it was
like I'm not only preparing you to be a basketball player.
I'm preparing you to be a man when you walk
out of here, like like you're gonna walk in as
a boy and then leave as a man, because at
(29:00):
the end of the day, you go to the NBA,
you gotta learn how to how to maneuver. You got
to learn how to put yourself on the schedule. Like
you know, when you in college, they make your schedule
for you. In the NBA, they're not making your schedule.
They telling you practice is that team? So what that
means you gotta figure out how how long it take
(29:21):
to get there. You gotta prep for the drive, You
gotta prep for the walk, however you think about it.
And then like you gotta prep yourself to understand schedule,
like you you gotta understand like you're not dealing with
you know, the college advisors no more that make your schedule,
that check on you in class to see if you
there ain't none of that happening it if you don't
show up to practice and they be like, why you
(29:43):
ain't show up and you ain't got no reason, pink
slip on your locker, that's a fine, my boy.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
There or might or they might just say it. You
might get your check and like why I got this
this money mission like.
Speaker 3 (29:56):
You look you look at you start talking to your
money man, Gene, like man, like my check was supposed
to be this, and he was like, well, like you
this got deducted, This got deducted. This got And you
go to the coach and he's gonna be like, well,
you misshoot around this time, you misspracticed this time, you
showed up late for this event. You showed up late
for this, and it's like that's what they was trying
(30:17):
to teach you. Like even though through all the ship
that she was like, man, they crazy, bro, I ain't
this ain't nothing like that. It taught you how to
be a man, taught you. It taught you how to
like develop thick skin. Because you don't know what coach
you getting in the NBA, right, You just know you're
gonna get drafted wherever that might be. You don't know
I got drafted to Miami Heat. First thing people think
(30:39):
about is Pat Rightley. You don't know what about that? Yeah?
You don't like everybody talking about Godfather pat Riley. So like,
first thing I'm thinking about, like damn, like what's gonna happen?
Like I walk in my my treat pre draft, I'm
finna talk to him. It's the it's the you know,
the Godfather. Shit, the one lamb and all the other
(31:01):
lights is off. This man, this man probably got like
eight windows in his office, all the blinds is closed.
Damn like one lamp and we're gonna sit here and
have a conversation like this, and you know, you walk in,
You're like, damn, like he really on this ship?
Speaker 1 (31:19):
So how did that go? Were you nervous? Were you
like talking a different way?
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Yeah? Yeah, I was nervous.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Do you think he saw anything in your answers? Or
was it just like this dude's a hooper?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
For me? I think it was. It wasn't because I
was the most skilled. It was just more so like
I had the dog in me because during my pre
draft workout, they was they was trying to see how
versatile I am, so like, can you guard one through five?
So in my pre draft workout, it was a big me.
(31:54):
It's a point guard in the shooting guard. So we'll
play two on two and then they'll just drop the
ball and be like, all right, six seconds on the clock,
bam guard en. So I realized what they're doing, and
I think this really got picked. First of all, it's
crazy because I feel like anybody else would be like
nah here in that case. So I'm getting I'm getting stops.
(32:16):
So about after like the fourth stop, you know, the
ball go over there and roll over there by the
by the table, the little table, they say that, and
you know me, y'all got me fucked up, like y'all
testing me, Like this is really not me. Y'all got
me fucked up. So and then and from that point on,
(32:37):
h like it was like Pat was like that's our guy. Yeah,
they got you got me drafted right there. And that's
the thing I tell people, like you don't know what's
gonna get you drafted. Like, but I knew in my
draft workouts. I never wanted to do one of old
draft workouts because I was like, that's not how people
are gonna pick me, because I'm not that's not me.
(33:00):
You know. At that time, I was like, man, I
can't make ten out of twelve jumpers. No, let's let's
get out here and who I'm gonna show you why
we get out here in between these lines and we
get to compete. That's why I am because that's when
it brings out who I am. I'm versatile.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Man, Hey, did y'all do twenty suicides in twenty minutes?
Speaker 3 (33:24):
I mean technically, yes.
Speaker 4 (33:29):
Bro, I promise you. I'm'll take you.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
My first day there, I went to score it like
one sixty five. Anyway, soaking with I was skinny of
the two things, so I'm not missing those lifts all summer.
So we got to be on the line at six ams,
so we get at like five forty five. So y'all
twenty minion guards gotta finish. You probably have been in
the guard though, because you was versal. You probably finished
like twenty eight thirty seconds. The last thirty second. You
(33:53):
get the rest, Bro, we get the team. I'm all right, dude,
we get a break. Like now y'all got ten more
the last team that you gotta go baseline, the baseline,
the long way, shit, Bro.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
I got back to my dumb call, MA said, mon,
I think I picked the on scool man.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Listen, Nah, listen. So this is the mental hurd that
we used to deal with. So we would walk in
and you know, they split pigs and guards as individuals,
so save for example, we could all be walking in.
You know how we all were all flowing to practice
a different time, you know, different mobility. So KP used
(34:26):
to look at us and be like, before we even start,
he'd be like, y'all got a seventeen and we'd be like, wow.
He was like, because he walked in last. We'd be like,
huh he walked in last. We got a seventeen. And
we'd be seeing the guards over there shooting bullshit and
we be like, d you're making us run because this
(34:47):
man walked in last. Come on, bro, Like what were
we doing? Like like, we'll walk in. We'll be in
the middle of working out an individual and safe for example,
like somebody airball, get on the line, got a suicide.
We be like and this would be like a walk on.
This would be like a walk on. He'd be like, yeah,
(35:08):
they just chill, like bro, like he was the mental
hurdle of going through that every day. Well, I would
be like, come on, man, like you just you just
making stuff up just for us to run, Like you
just want to see us run. And he used to
always be like, Nope, we need everybody on the team.
If he airball, what if you got to get put
in the game and he airballed in what you're gonna say,
You're gonna blame me, And I was like, yeah, because
(35:31):
he probably tried to take the shot.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
But that's a fact or if he airballed the fuck
in the game. We can't run those suicide to do it.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Get back, listen, listen, you just be like, man, just
let me hit the rim, Like like, just let me
hit the rim. And then you missed three four in
a row. You got a suicide Like it was crazy
stuff we would have to run for bam.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
I want to use my last question here about your
teammate Jimmy Butler, one of the most interesting dudes in
the NBA. We've seen the hair, we seen the coffee stuff,
we've seen the music videos. Is there a hilarious Jimmy
Butler story that we haven't seen that you can tell
us as his teammate.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
Big face coffee started as a joke.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
Well, okay, so how did that start then?
Speaker 3 (36:19):
In the bubble? Uh, I don't know what made him
get fascinated with coffee at that time. That was like
our first year getting to know each other, so it
was fresh, so I didn't know he really loved coffee
like that. But you know, in the bubble, you had
you had your your little sweep. So he thought as
(36:43):
a joke, like I'm musa sell coffee because at the time, like,
won't nobody doing nothing in the bubble but working out,
playing game and then you would have all day because
it wasn't like you was thirty forty minutes away from
the reason. It was a ten minute drive to go
to gym to play games and then you went downstairs
(37:06):
to the ballroom to get up shots. So it wasn't
like you had a lot of time to do anything else.
And we ain't have family, so it was literally just us.
So I think that's funny because it just started as
a joke, like he put on a hanger outside his
door coffee coffee ten dollars as smallest ten dollars, the
(37:29):
medium is like twenty dollars and the big coffee is
thirty to the point, like you know, we all laughing
about it, but to the point we got out the bubble.
And then like he started, like it started with big
Face coffee, then it started finding his logo, then he
got the clothing line, and it was like I was like, bro,
you really turned a joke in a sense to an
(37:52):
actual business. So that was one of my stories. Big
Face Coffee started as a joke in Bubble because he
was competing against one of our trainers that called himself
little face cough.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
That's great, all right, Well, both of you guys give
your predictions on the finals before we close out. Who
you guys got something from mass?
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I think this my Boston. I'm gonna say Dallas. Wow.
Only reason i say Dallas is because I feel like
that man Kyrie Irvan has a bonus pick for sure.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
Like I said, when you get in certain atmospheres where
you feel like people didn't understand you, or situations happened
and you couldn't really explain like behind the scenes, and
you got all the fans like playing into that. Like
you saw like how he got treated when he left.
(38:51):
You saw how he got treated when he would come
back and play against Boston. So like for me, like
you know that man untapped in you know he he's
a peaceful man at this point when he walking that arena,
I feel like we're gonna see a different Kyrie Irvan
like hated for whoever got to take. And that's my
(39:13):
point because like I said, when when when talented dudes
and skilled dudes like that tap in today their ability
or they just really got a point to prove it.
It's like no other because I think on both teams,
he's the only one that's won it.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Him and Drew the only one that won it. But
he had a bigger rule.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
Yeah, so he going.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
He's hit He's hit big shots in that situation. He's
had forty point games back to back when they needed
it down three to one.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Like yeah, so that's the thing that scared me.
Speaker 2 (39:49):
That's the matter that scared me out all of them.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
Like I said, you can't do nothing with Like I said, man,
when when when dudes tap in. I feel like he was.
He was disrespected, you know, the fans. You know, I
felt like he was slighted by the organization in a sense.
Like I feel like that's what he's about to tap into.
Like he's about it's like he might sage the court again.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
I already said that.
Speaker 3 (40:19):
About to save the court again. You know, people jumped
on on for like you know what he did with
to the to the to the Leprechaun or whatever that is.
Have court. But you know, I feel like he's gonna
tap into a different mode and it's gonna be a
mode like we've seen him, you know, be Kyrie through
these playoffs. But I think y'all about to be like, no,
that's Kyrie irving, Like that's that's that urving guy we
(40:42):
we be talking about.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Yeah, I think this series.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
I think this series, he ain't gonna be like you know,
like he might have a good first halving crew the
second and have okay first and crew to having second.
I think the whole game is gonna be like that Kyrie.
Like I'm not easing into nothing as.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Whole for the unt least the whole bag.
Speaker 4 (41:01):
Yeah, I don't want to You got too much because you.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
Got to think about it, doll, Like, nobody wants to
get that far and I've been a part of it twice.
Nobody wants to get that far to lose, Like so,
but is man to it took him seven years to
get back there, and he know what it takes to win.
I don't know, man, And then he played.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Against Boston, you know that, And on top of that
that burden with like everybody like he can't win without Bron,
he can't get back there without Bron, Like it's so
much he got fewered us right now.
Speaker 3 (41:35):
It's like this release that he could just go back
and read and it's gonuse gonna make his blood bully.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
Yeah, And there's no bigger shot that you got to
hit than that one that he hit in Game seven already,
so everything is no.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
You know that that might be the biggest shot in history,
Bro Bron, Bron, don't leave Cleveland, Ma Bron said, I
don't leave unless I want to championed himself. If you
don't make that shot, he don't leave.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
Cleveland, right Listen, people don't understand. I was doing a
little event today and they asked me about my North
Carolina chain. I was like, people don't understand. We call
it the Hoo State. We I feel like we got
some of the top hoopers that ever come out of
(42:20):
North Carolina and being yeah, so so for me, like
anybody who really came out of North Carolina. I mean
John was like the first that was the Who mixtape,
like the ball is life so fall us in North
Carolina growing up, we knew who John Wall. We was like, nah, bro,
(42:42):
John Wall is like the front tier for North Carolina
right now, Like when he went to Kentucky, I tuned
in every game I ain't care who else was playing.
Is John wall on the John wall On the like
it was kind of like an all moment for me
when I got in the NBA and I got the
against the Wizards, because like everybody was talking about like
(43:03):
his patent and move where he looked this way for
about an hour and then it was a reject and
it was two dribbles and a dunk like like like
those were the and then obviously, you know, you go what.
I still say he got one of the great the
greatest him and Austin Rivers. I feel like he John
number one is Austin Rivers right there with with the
(43:25):
top two who mixed and then you got seven Woods.
But seven Woods is great, but they don't really know
about him. B They don't really know too much about him.
He was like in seventh grade. He was the fakest
seventh grade Listen, bro That was my teammate dog Listen, listen, listen.
My AAU team. I probably had one of the greatest
AA teams that come out of North Carolina. It was
(43:45):
me seven Woods, Quay Parker, Like, well, you played.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
With some of the most athletic motherfucker because you got
Dinnis here.
Speaker 3 (43:54):
And then you add Dennis to that. Listen.
Speaker 4 (43:57):
I wouldn't go see them play together, all right, they
was on that fucking rim listen.
Speaker 3 (44:04):
Listen. It didn't matter who we played because the other thing,
like we was all two way players, so like we'll
lock your ass up, talk shit, and then go beat
you by fifty and it didn't matter. Like if we
had a mismatch, it'd be like, nah, five out, just
getting the ball. Everybody get off the way. Now that's
how we brought It was no play call. It was literally, no,
(44:27):
we're about to use our talent because you you like
we was. We was thirteen fourteen, like playing seventeen you
beating the shit out of people.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Seventh the Woods was hitting shots from behind the hoop.
I remember watching that and being like that's the most
unbelievable shit you ever seen, Like, bro, like overseas now.
Speaker 3 (44:48):
Right he yeah, I think he's overseas.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Still following, Hey you go, do you go? Hey, do
you go to AU tournament? M B, No, it's not
to These motherfuckers got real plays, bro, Like they really
got real plays. This was an indie right for the
E Y B l B. They really got real schemes.
Officially offense. I'm like, bro, what the fuck is aun?
Then like we just see each other on the weekends.
Speaker 4 (45:10):
We might go do some stuff. Man, see you on Friday.
Speaker 3 (45:12):
We're going to listen. Listen. When we used to get
ready for like Nationals, our coach, we were practiced for
a week and then it was Nationals, like like there
was no trying to get schemes on the team, Like
our coaches will go like watch other the other teams
play if they want, but like nah, it was like
(45:36):
it's just jo five against ours who got the best team?
And I'm talking about like and that's before like I
ain't gonna lie. I felt like I sucked at that time.
I was just I was just a big man. That
was just after that it could run and done.
Speaker 4 (45:53):
And that's all you needed to do.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Listen. And then when my offensive game caught up, it's
a rap. Could you imagine that we reassembled like our
AU teams?
Speaker 4 (46:04):
Yeah, y'all be my age. My eight team is cool.
Speaker 3 (46:06):
It was just me, JT. Terrell and Ryan Kelly Forrell.
This is all we had. Listen. J. T. Terrell was
so cold when we were.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Younger, Shoot that bitch from hell.
Speaker 4 (46:17):
It would and shoot high as hell.
Speaker 3 (46:20):
Yeah. At this point any of the podcast, we just
have a normal conversation. He's trying to kick us. She's
trying to kick me off, bro. So I'm gonna go
and get out of here. She she wanted to All right,
b I s tomorrow. Hi right, buddy.
Speaker 1 (46:38):
Welcome back to point Game of John Wallings c J Toldonna,
presented by DraftKings. It is now time for Bucket Brick.
As a reminder, Bucketer Brick is brought to you by
Draft Kings Sportsbook. Draftking Sportsbook is your home for all
things NBA action, from player props, the same game parlays,
check out everything DraftKings sports Book has to offer to
make your NBA experience even sweeter. The crown is yours. John,
(46:58):
You're ready for bucket brick?
Speaker 4 (47:00):
Yeah, certastly, all right, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (47:02):
So we talked about this in our band interview. But
the Celtics are the favorites to win the title at
minus two ten, meaning you need a bet to ten
to win one hundred. So John and I know you're
gonna say that, bucket, but bucket or break, the Celtics
will win the NBA title and what so give us
a little bit more context on why you think that.
Speaker 2 (47:20):
Oh, I say Bucket, and I just feel like it's
the year. Like I feel like they have to win
this year. I mean where Brazilians come back, hell that
they have to. I think if they don't win it,
they probably try to break that team up. I mean,
like they've been so close by East Commage Finals, East Final,
the East Finals and they finally got out the hump
and I think twenty twenty two and loss to the Warriors,
(47:41):
and then I think last year they could have got back,
but I mean tending by her first player games, having
the Miami that win it and going to the finals.
Speaker 4 (47:48):
So I feel like it's they time.
Speaker 2 (47:49):
But it's gonna be a tough battle though, you know,
I mean because like we were saying before, like Luca's
been on the hell of a run and we know
what Kyri Ervan and how much history is behind this,
about what went on in Boston when he was not
any of the way he wanted and I feel like
he was welcome or respected the way he thought.
Speaker 4 (48:04):
So I think it'll be a tough one. But I
take the Celtics.
Speaker 1 (48:07):
Who do you think is gonna get finals? MVP of that.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
From that they said him, I feel like I'm out
like for me, like last years, I said, Jacon Tatum
could have got it in you know, I mean, because
he's still average like thirty something, ten and eight. But
I was happy that Jlen Brown got it because he's
had a hell of a season two also, and like
you said, he kind of flying on the radar. Nobody
really they give him his credit but not enough credit.
And because they have so much of a complete team,
and I feel like he could have been on RMBA also,
So I feel like it was good for him to
(48:30):
get that, and it kind of boots this compents even
more to feel like, you know who I am.
Speaker 4 (48:33):
Recognizing this league.
Speaker 2 (48:34):
I'm not always the one getting up behind because sometimes
it goes like them you have another superstar star in
front of you, like Tatum is.
Speaker 1 (48:40):
Yeah. Well, I mean, if anyone's been watching since the
start of this show, you were called. You were saying
Celtics had this since February, So we're about to see
all right, second one here, the over under for Luka
Doncic game one points is now thirty one point five,
So bucket or brick, Luka Doncic will score over thirty
one points in game one over.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
I don't think he going under if he don't want
even if he tried to go under is not.
Speaker 4 (49:06):
I feel like the only way he goes under. It
was like a blowout early on.
Speaker 2 (49:09):
But the way he's been playing man, the rhythm he's in,
the flow he's in Man, and the way he got
his guys playing, uh, he's no. You really can do
with him. Like dam said before, you just got to
be able to play great deepen and make him make
touch shots all night, trying to put him on the
free throw line as much as possible. But those guys
are so talented gift, there's no way of stopping him.
You just try to make it tough.
Speaker 1 (49:27):
Yeah, I'm just I'm so it's gonna be an offensive
masterclass Luca and Kyrie in the final.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
You might get the best going you ever seen the
finals because you got four guys that can create at
the highest level. I mean usually have like one or
two guys that can score like that. You got four
guys and two on each shot that can score that
type of clip.
Speaker 3 (49:43):
It's crazy, all right.
Speaker 1 (49:45):
Moving on, So, actually, there was a Jabbari Parker clip
that came out he was interviewed overseas super emotional. It
was sort of taken out of context at first, later
came out you know that it was just an amount
of gratitude that he felt in that moment and for
his experience. So I want to ask you, because we
also saw boogie just when you know, the Overseas Championship,
the league he was playing in, bucket or brick. Playing
(50:06):
overseas is harder than people think just based on the story.
Speaker 2 (50:11):
But I say bucket because I've always heard like you
know what I mean, like you really don't get to
go over there and just play the way you want
to all they really it's just different.
Speaker 4 (50:19):
It's way different than the NBA, you know.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
I mean you see a lot of overseas guys that
come in lead and that's ben Stars even say it's
tough over there than this here.
Speaker 4 (50:25):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (50:26):
I haven't played out, but I always talk to some guys.
But uh, I was happy for Jabriyan Parker. He had
opportunity to be on my team a couple like for
like a year or two with the Wizards, and just
know how talent he wasn't gift he was coming from
high school being there one player going to do and
getting drafted high, to having injuries and just not giving
up on his dreams. I mean, like you said, he
finally found a love of basketball again. And that's something
that I enjoyed and loved for him. And it was
(50:46):
great to see because a lot of people dont understand,
like we really sacrifice our whole lives to be this,
Like we work hard every day to get to be
at his highest level of play in the NBA or
just be a professional with anything. You know, when it's
taken away, sometimes it's taking away the way you don't
want it to.
Speaker 4 (51:00):
But it's all part of God's playing. That's how I
look at it.
Speaker 2 (51:02):
And for him to find the love and the joy
for it again, I didn't let you know, as a guy,
don't care about how much money he was making, how
much money it is. He really loved the game. He's
willing to go over he's willing to go to sacrifice
and do that. And for book, I was happy to
see him, you know, I mean, like being through all
the adversity he's been through, deal with injuries and then
going over there, winning championship, win the MVP. Whenever you're winning,
whenever you're playing something that you love, no matter what
(51:22):
league is in is always great and special enough to
feel the love and respect.
Speaker 4 (51:26):
Yeah, got it. It was special to see for me.
Speaker 1 (51:29):
Yeah, well said Okay, moving on, this has been a
big debate all over the media and the internet. So
Caitlin Clark and the idea that you know, players are
setting out being physical, you know, even some dirty shots there.
So I wanted to ask you because we talked about
the similarities of you've been a number one pick and
all the hype for you to come in the league.
So Bucket or Brick, number one picks will always have
(51:50):
a target on their back that can sort of result
in some physical altercations or you know, maybe even some
dirty shots.
Speaker 2 (51:58):
I can't I can say buck Brid it's kind of
because I don't think people come out and try to
be dirty, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (52:03):
I think it's just a nature being there.
Speaker 2 (52:04):
One picked, Like you come in you a special what
you was in college, or you came from overseas or wherever,
and then in the league. Guy's gonna let you know,
like this is a man's leader, this is a woman's league,
Like it's grown up here. It's kind of like going
from the college. I mean, you got to learn how
to play in that league.
Speaker 3 (52:18):
It's different.
Speaker 2 (52:19):
I really think a lot of people more upset and
like she got the shoot deal she got or now
that the whole wn BA is flying privately now and
those things, And for me, it's like you can't blame her,
Like she didn't ask for this. She just goes out
and play the game and she loves She's not so
really big on social media. And I think what she
had helped involve to the game because it started way
before her. Bro It goes to Lisa Lesi, go to
down at Rossi, Sheryl Swoops, Civiia Cooper, like it goes
(52:42):
to all those that paved the way to help these
women get to where they get to. She can't control
as nil. She can't help that. It's a platform with
social media that give her that type of buzz. But
she went to Ayel and nobody thought you would hear
about her going to AIEO. I mean she built that
for her self, herd team, her family, her reputation. He
had guys like women like paid Beckers, you know what
I mean, you got Angelie. She have all those women
(53:02):
that making the game involved it's not just one person,
but she has made a lot of stuff happen that
wasn't happening before, And I think a lot of people
more upset that it's happening because that way. But basketball wise,
she's just going out there and competing, and like it
hasn't been easy for It's been tough. She had tough games,
she had a lot of turnovers like this, but she's
figuring the game out. She's not complaining. She's going out
there and compete at high level. So I think more
(53:23):
people are more upset about the other accolades she got
and benefit she got off the court than it is
mainly her own the court.
Speaker 1 (53:30):
Yeah, do you remember your rookie year where was anyone
coming at you? Do you remember a specific story or
altercation where guys are getting physical with you, maybe trash
talking because you were the number one?
Speaker 2 (53:41):
No, not really, like I was just I just hooped,
Like I'm just didn't give a fuck who I was playing.
I'm just gonna be me regardless, and I knew in
due time I was gonna figure my way out in
the league. You, I mean, like it was difficult back then,
it was real too big, There was really coverages and stuff.
It wasn't like how it is now when you could
switch one through five or get the mids matches like
you really had to go through schemes up. I went
through it everywhere. I had to guard the best fucking
(54:02):
point guards in the world, like it was no duck
in them and going out guard somebody else. I had
to guard the Rondo's. I had to guard to Dan Williams.
I had to guard to the Rolls, the Russell Westbrook,
to Chris Pauls. I had to guard those. I couldn't
go like now I'm gonna guard a small four to
go guard the shoot right now. I had to guard
those guys, and I had to go compete on other
land and go and go back at them. So it
was it wasn't easy, but I was built for anything,
(54:23):
Like I'm a dog, I'm not scarning no matchups, and
I'm willing to go to anybody.
Speaker 4 (54:27):
So I think you build your reputation and build your
respect from that.
Speaker 1 (54:30):
Yeah, I mean, I think this is gonna be how
Caitlin and some of these rookies become superstars because they're
gonna build that thick skin that kind of band was
even talking about and this will be a learning experience
and you overcome that and you become these superstar players.
So shout out to them and and I gonna keep
watching that. So this has been another episode of Point Game. John.
We got the final starting this week. What's your viewing
(54:51):
set up going to be the same all that you've
been doing the season?
Speaker 2 (54:54):
Now there's only one game going on there, man, so
I'm locked in having him took a big meal for
me back simberglass on one man and watching good basketball.
I'm frustrated because we ain't been watching no basketball for
a week.
Speaker 3 (55:05):
Man.
Speaker 2 (55:06):
It's been been watching a lot of TV shows and
stuff like that and the shit getting booth porn. I
need some basketball, all right.
Speaker 1 (55:13):
Well, this coming hopefully is a good series. We'll be
back here talking all the games and everything going on.
This's been Point Game presented by DraftKings. Please rate, review
and subscribe to the pod and leave us a five
star review. I've been CJ toldono peace gambling problem called
(55:35):
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(55:55):
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gaming resources. Odds and lines subject to change
Welcome to Point Game with John Wall and CJ Toldonnald
presented by Draft Kings. Don't forget. DraftKings is your home
for all the action across the NBA gets you closer
to the game we all love. The crown is yours, guys.
We got a special episode today and we're not gonna
make him wait in the waiting room. We're gonna bring
him right on here. We got the three time NBA
All Star, five time NBA All Defense. Fellow Kentucky legend,
(00:29):
ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to Point Game. Bam out
of bio, Bam. How you doing, man, I'm chilling. I'm
still an upset. I had to wait all this time
to get on this podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Okay, we've been, We're gonna we've been. You've been trying
to get Bam on for a long time.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
But you was in. He just seen me the other day.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
This man we already had his words though.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Man, hell no, we did.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
You got it, bro, We did. But you know, schedule
busy during the season. You know how that go.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I can all right, I can give you that. But
we lost in the first round, so we had all
of them.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
May yeah, we did, but they had breaks. We had breaks,
we took breaks, we had breaks. What we want to
do a podcast? So can't just blame me, man, you
can't just blame me on this.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Listen, John, BAM's got a busy summer here Team US
say thank you Bam for joining us.
Speaker 4 (01:24):
Yeah, second time team USA.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
That's big time, two time, two time.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
A lot of people can't say that. But how do
you feel to be nominated again to be on the
roster again? I know that specially, I mean always. You know,
you represent your your name on your back and your family,
but you get to play for your country that you
was born and raise in.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I mean, you know, obviously getting the chance to be
one of the twelve. Uh, and you like, you know, John,
it's not we got four hundred and fifty players in
all league, so be being able to be selected as
the top twelve to go represent your country. It's just
you know, you it's a standard. Uh. It's one of
(02:03):
those things you just embraced and you just, uh, he's
really buying it that role. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Let me ask you this, Bam. I mean you said,
yeah at a four hundred, you got twelve on there.
So how do you what do you think is going
to be the starting five, And how do you think
that's gonna get picked? You guys scrimmage and then.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Uh work, I don't even know how you picked that five. Honestly,
who would you be?
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Who would be your starting five? Feelings here?
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Oh nah, for sure it'd be I mean they're calling
this the Avenger team. It would be probably be braun
kd Steph. You gotta put Joel in there, and then
the fifth one is kind of like the wild card.
(02:54):
So it really depends on how those four fit with
the last per So I can't give you that left.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
I mean, I've seen you play four before.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, like you know, but let's be honest here, Like,
I'm not on the Olympic team to go shoot twenty
times mm hmm. Yeah. We in there. I'm in there
to be versatile, switch, defend, make plays. That's what I'm
there for. So if that's starting, Roles calls that and
that's for me, that's for me.
Speaker 4 (03:29):
No, I can't. That's interesting. A lot of people don't
understand that.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Like, I think that's one thing a lot of people
get upset about you about just even in the NBA game,
Like you're not a guy that's come out there trying
to go get twenty five thirty shots. You can and
you've got the capability to do it. But you fit
into any role with any team. And that's why kind
of like a jew Holiday, Derek White guy that like
the Glue guys that's special in what they do, but
they can be stars that they need to and you
(03:52):
having that mindset going into it, you're not like that's
the biggest thing, like you said, trying to pick a
USA team, It's like everybody's being that man and probably
still in them managing thirty twenty eight, Like how can
you put that to a side, Like that last spot
gonna be interesting because most people think Jason Tatum will
get it or deep book to get it, But then
you go look at the run that man just was on.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
He feels like he should have that spot.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Yeah, that's one of those different things. Like you know,
people don't like got I said, man, you don't you
don't know what you don't know as fans you just
watching it and man like ooh, like he goes get
thirty every night. The people that get thirty every night
shall start But it's like they don't understand that other
people around them, not saying I'm not gonna say help
them get thirty, but yeah, you know a lot of
(04:37):
dude sacrifice shots to get people that are genetically gifted
to go get thirty like we are. For sure, Kevin
Durant is what he is. He's one of the best scores,
if not the that's walked through this lead understandable. So
as a as a person, you can't be selfish and
(04:58):
be like, nah, bro, I'm gonna go get my fifteen
shots and it's like, that's not how it works in
the Olympics, big guy like that was That was really
the eye opener for me in the the first one,
like being able to sit sit in that room and
actually like be honest, like listen, well all we all
(05:21):
can't get our clips that we get in our regular teams.
Somebody's gonna have to sacrifice you. You might have to
you might have to be like, this ain't my job
to score. I got to defend the rebound. Like I
wasn't the top score, but I led the team in rebound.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
M hm.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So I mean you at that point, that's when you
find your niche.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Do you feel like, because I feel like you call
it the Avengers team. You know, we got stuff coming
out there. We got you know, some of the older
Vets who would normally you know, maybe like bypass you
know Timyo say, but it's like international game has gotten crazy.
These guys are like, we gotta go out. It might
be Bron's last one. I mean it's gonna be Bronze
probably last one. So do you think there's gonna be
a dynamic in that locker room where you know, you
(06:08):
might feel not like a rookie again. I mean you've
done this before. But you think there's gonna be like
a divide or like a classification with you guys being
the young guys and then the older guys kind of
how we saw in like Dream Team one.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I mean in practice, we're gonna go at it. Yeah,
Like that's that's that's what God is here being competitive
at the end of the day, when we get those practices,
we're gonna go at it. Now. As far as like
the mix, I feel like we have a great mix
of young guys who are up and coming, but we
(06:39):
also we got the guys who we've seen be there before.
Like yeah, you know, for me, I'm excited to see
how Steph does because this is like his first Olympics.
MM So to say this is Stephen Curry's first Olympics
sounds crazy because it's like, bro, he was never a
part of a team. Like, but you know, I feel
(07:03):
like we got a great group of guys where we
mesh well, Like it's easy to have a conversation like, listen,
how do you want to get open? You know me
and I go if I get ten, ten and ten,
I'm not complaining because that's my job. I'm the versatile guy.
I'm not out here just to go shoot the ball
(07:24):
twenty five times. I'm out here to get ten rebounds.
Tennis is ten points off of you know, mistakes that
the defense made and then you know, you get to
fill out of there. But you know, I think we
have a good mix of guys where we can all
be put in different spots on the court, Like bron
(07:45):
doesn't have to be the three, and some lineups he
might be the point, and some lineups Stephen Curry might
beat it two. Like you got guys where you don't
necessarily have to put under a certain position.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, well, I want to talk about the finals because
you guys had a great season and I think a
lot of people say, you know, if not for injuries,
you guys could have been here. I mean, you were
there last year. So I want to talk to you
because I think John said this on a previous episode.
We'll gass you up a little bit here. John said
that reason why you're one of the best defensive players
in the NBAS because you can guard anyone. Now, I
(08:25):
think Luca and Kyrie Tatum and Jalen Brown. How how
would you approach, you know, playing against these guys in
this finals?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Oh man, you want to scout?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
That's what we had you on.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Uh. I mean considering you know, I've been in the
playoffs a lot, Like they put a lot of teams
just put me in a strong side corner, so I
can't do nothing. So whoever I'm going and they just
be like, all right, just go to the strong side corner,
so you're not involved in any of the act. But
(09:04):
I mean, you just gottafford and like, you can't technically
stop anybody in this league, you know, Like I said,
it's four hundred and fifty of us of the top players,
and only what thirty of them end up in the finals.
Fifteen on one side, fifty on the other. So you
(09:25):
just got to make dudes make difficult shots. That for
because you're talking about skill sets all over the world.
You're talking about Luca, you talking about Kyrie, You're talking
about JT, and then you talking about Jaylen Brown. Like
for me, it's you just gotta make them make tough shots,
like and you just gotta live with that. Yeah, you can't.
(09:47):
You can't stop anybody in this league. Like it's literally
make or miss. But I'm gonna make you make this
tough shot. It's the it's the little things behind it.
Like some people don't like to work for the basketball.
See how I do when you make him work for it.
See if they want like just get off of it.
Some dudes when they get the rock in their hand,
they don't want to pass it because they like, I'm
(10:09):
the option, like you know, send a double when he
go to his movee and see what he do. So
it's like those type of mind games you gotta play
to to like make the officer player think because, like
I said, if you just let dudes get in their rhythm,
anybody in the NBA could get thirty forty. And then
if you've seen like dudes get in a great rhythm.
(10:31):
It's fifty sixty seven for a long night. Yeah, you
went for a long night when a dude or like
you never know dude might have a bad day. You
just so happened to be playing him that night. And
he ain't got nothing against you. It's just it's just
how I'm feeling to night. And you know, for that,
(10:52):
like I said, you just gotta make dudes take tough shots.
They make tough shots. You just gotta tip your hat
off and keep it pushing.
Speaker 4 (10:59):
And that was me Caampaign. I was like, you're not
that you, my boy.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
And I was saying this before, like I've seen you
switch out on anybody in guard. I've seen you not
have to switch out and chase off Penn Downs and
Guard and Tatum in the first round. And I was like,
that's the reason why you use my case for defensive
play year. But for you to get your first team
All ABA for the first time the last for you
a second team All second, second team All NBA, how
do you feel about that, finally getting over the hump
and coming first team All Defense?
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Uh Man?
Speaker 4 (11:26):
Because you probe yourself.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Yeah, for me, it's one of those things where you
can't you can't. You can't pick yourself. Like at the
end of the day, we're gonna know it's media pushed.
But for me to be first time all defense is
just you know, it's a blessing to do it in
a row, not even just you know, spontaneous, but be
(11:50):
able to say, like I've been in a defensive team
five years in a row, like a lot of dudes
can't say that, Like to be able to say I
was top five and dp O Wild voting five straight years.
You know. For me, obviously you're striving to get the war,
but I feel like I will get the ward at
some point, especially if you just keep stacking up uh
(12:13):
selections like that, you know, and then also like the
credit like players know, like it's not like they don't.
They don't, they don't know. So for me, it's a
blessing grateful. You know, it's not only me, but you know,
I always give thanks to my teammates because without them
(12:33):
there is no defensive team. This scheme that works. They
got don't want to listen to me, you know, they
got don't want to be able to trust that I'm
gonna help them. I gotta trust that they're gonna help me.
It ain't like dudes don't get beat. Uh, But you know,
like I said, to be able to be recognized and
you know, have that jersey on, and we pride ourselves
(12:55):
on that. You know, it's one of those things where
it's a it's an accolade to be proud of.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
Yeah, And that goes into my next question.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
I want to ask, like, what do the what do
the Miami We'll like talk about the Miami Heat coaching
because like you just said, it's a bride thing. It's
something that y'all believe in and we've been hearing about
it for so many years. But I don't think a
lot of people understand and respect what it is until
you step inside there locker room and put on one
of y'all jerseys. Like what makes it so special to
you into the other fourteen guys you compete with and
your coaching staff.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
To me, man, it's just a it's a standard like
it like people try to like make up these these
myths and ship like that. The biggest thing I can
say about it is just it's a standard. Like you know,
every two every year, Spoke comes in. It's like this
is what we this is what we're trying to get.
(13:47):
We're trying to you're trying to get the trophy, sixteen wins,
whatever that may be. But it's a standard because every
day our walks in and challenges us. Every day walks in,
it's like you're gonna be prepared for what's about to
(14:08):
happen in this season. And that doesn't necessarily mean like
you're gonna execute, but it's the standard of always having
to be that way, having to come in there and
really locking every day to the point where, like you
get in the playoffs, it's it's second nature, like you
don't got to go over scout as much because you've
(14:29):
already prepared, you know what, you know what's going to happen,
like you you know what, you know what's happening when
you walk in. And then obviously the standard of being prepared,
but the work, like like we not for everybody, Like
some some people just mentally can't can't do that every day.
They mentally can't lock in every day. And you know,
(14:49):
it is what it is, and we understand that, you know,
and that's why a lot of guys don't come here
because they you know, they always be like man, y'all
y'all do too much just that a third, but you
know a lot of y'all be sitting home while we
being yeah, like it's dope. I'm not saying it's a
(15:12):
mind game, but it's just it's just a standard, like
what standard do you want for yourself? What STANMD do
you want for your team? At the end of the day,
we all want to win. So what you're willing to do,
Like you ain't willing to play defense, you might as
well go and sit over there on the sideline because
you ain't. You ain't willing to really put yourself out
there and withhold that standard.
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Well, so you also went to Kentucky with John So
I guess what what's the difference in similarities with you know,
Kentucky as a program in Miami as a program. Uh.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I would say the similarity is just one competing in practice,
like like it's a real game. Like when we practice,
we're going at it, like are you in cursing each
other around like trying to win? Like that was us
in college. So that was just like a normal feel
(16:10):
for me. And then obviously, like I said, like getting
the work in like everybody and on our on our
staff and the players were all in the gym, you know.
Like it's funny because sometimes some days I'll be in
the weight room, you know, lifing with Spoke, Like it's
(16:34):
just like it's that standard up. We all want to
be better. So like in order to do that, we
all got to represent that. So Spoke Spoke get his
workouts in, you know, the assistant coaches get their work out,
and we get our work out in. We get our
work done. But you know and officly behind the scenes
like watching film, uh, you know, discussing schemes like being
(16:58):
able to do all that. That's what that like. That
was the the similarities to me because it was just
at the end of the day, it's about one thing
is working like work, that's it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
I think if you, like you said, you seen your
coach work out, you've got to work out like you
ain't really in second fight and you really ain't turned
nothing here. But I think like the league has changed
so much from twenty ten when I came into where
we used to practice three hours or we used to
have to come in and get our work and then
go play games. It's like now a lot of teams
that go the other way, like they're trying to reserve energy,
reserved bodies, like go thirty minutes, forty five minutes. I'm like,
(17:35):
you'a ultimate goal now the championship at the end, you're
not locked in, you're not focused. So to understand what
y'all coach is and that's I heard. That's been like
that since training camp, like from day one, you got
no choice but the body. And that's why you see
certain guys that you like, Well, he don't belong in
the lead or how is he how is his role
so good over here, but wasn't good on this team
because he's willing to fit in and do the little
things that people don't go un notice on the stat sheet.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
And the thing about it it is like you know,
and this is why I give coaches credit, Like coach
has done a lot of work with undrafted guys, like
you know, fitting them into a to a scheme, fitting
them into personnel where they can be comfortable. Because at
the end of the day, you need everybody on the
roster to win the championship. We don't go on those
(18:20):
runs to the finals, you know, just by two players,
Like you know, our undrafted guys had big moments in
the playoffs, for us. You know, some guys everybody be like,
who the fuck is this A.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
Lot of time for sure, where.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
They'd be like where he come from, who's this? Who's that? Like? Well,
like how he was over here and he was at
the end of the bench. But y'all got even. You know,
Spoke does a great job of, you know, when guys
get out there playing towards their strengths. If you're a defender,
all right, if you play the winger, you are defender.
(18:57):
We probably gonna pick up ninety four feet. That's his outlet.
That's how that's how he that's how he gonna earn
his money in this league. He had defender, We're gonna
make it. We're gonna let him defend. Go do you.
But it's one of those things where you know, he's
done a great job of putting guys in situations to
(19:17):
be successful. And also, like I said, the work that
goes on behind the scenes that people don't see, Like,
you know, guys guys being there practices at eleven, guys
being there at nine thirty getting treatment on the court
front hour, and then after practice get done there on
the court for another hour. Like those are the habits
and the routine that you build throughout the season and
(19:38):
where when you get to the playoffs, your body's been
through enough stress where it's comfortable being uncomfortable, right. And
that's the thing that I think a lot of people
and players don't understand. Like, you know, you try to,
you know, you want go as hard as your workouts,
or you don't go hard, and you practice because you
(20:01):
know you're trying to. You know, I don't want to
do too much. And then we get in the playoffs
and it's and it's all hell on unleashed and you
gotta go there. It's like some dudes like not mentally,
but like they body just physically. You ain't never been there,
so your body just it shocks itself. So you know,
(20:22):
for us man being able to put your body through that,
and then you get to the playoffs, you know some
people might be like damn, like, you know, my body
feel kind of tired. But once you getting once you
get in the game, you forget about all that, all right.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
So go talking a little bit about Kentucky here and
I don't want to start anything, but we were thinking
if there was two on two, you and de Aaron
Fox versus John and boogie. I would say best of
five series, first one of three, who's winning.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
Yeah, I'm gonna say uh, I'm gonna say uh yeah.
I'm not gonna say that it's supposed to. It's supposed to.
That's a that's a that's a competitor, bro. Like I
would not expecting them to say us. I'd be like, what,
that's not a bit John though. Whenever we whenever we
getting in between them lines and it's five on the wild,
don't matter if it's pick up, it's shooting. It could be.
Speaker 4 (21:17):
Man, we talking trash all the time.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
We walk back and forth, but that's the only way
you can play, Like, I don't know, and that's why
I'll be saying.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
That's all I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Be like the league now, it's like everybody getting they
want to be buddy buddy man like you might got before.
But when I put them in the jersey and jump
ball go, I talk to you after the game like
you might talk a little trash in the game, but
I'm trying to win.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
And that's the thing that's funny because like the difference
between to me, between the old NBA and this NBA
is the old NBA. They didn't have a U camps,
they didn't have all this you know, these events where
they you know, seeing each other. You didn't have social
media at the time, so like you didn't really like
(21:58):
develop a bond with anybody. For the newer generation like
us like me JT. Donner like and Dearren Fox like, well,
my whole draft class honestly the top my whole the
lottery in my draft class. We've known each other since twelve. Yeah,
(22:22):
Like that's the type of like, that's the type of
connection we have. But it's funny because like you know,
the fans will see you after the game, that of them,
they be like, oh, fuck him, you know, do this,
don't talk there. It's like they don't understand. It's like
when you get on the court against your homeboy or
one of your homies, best friend, whatever the case may be,
(22:43):
I'm trying to rip the life out of your head off.
Like we going on this court and we step in
between those lines and you got on that different jersey. No,
I want to beat you by fifty because then after
the game, when I beat you by I'm gonna talk
shit about it. I'm gonna sit it in the group chat,
(23:05):
like I'm gonna let you know like shit like like
I just beat your ass, Like that's the type of
that's the type of generation for me, Like that's just me,
Like I don't know I was. What for for me
was when I yeah, like.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
When I see Dn, I used to coldn't wait to
see him, bro.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
I like, listen, every time we go to Sacramento and
Darren Fox is on that court, I'm trying to beat
you by thirty.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Because and because Malik on that team. Two of y'all
allways together, So I know you're definitely gonna ask.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
You in because because I get to talk my ship.
When I beat you all, ass, I was a third
option that can took you. Now now it's different. I
don't beat you'all ass. Let's keep it pushing. Y'all can't
guard me down there.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Well, So so bam, it's been You've played with Jason
Tatum on every level, so you guys are friends. What
was it like during the finals, Like was it heated?
And then how long did it take to like for
you guys to make contact after the finals and be
like yo, we're good.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Or you know the first round?
Speaker 1 (24:10):
No, well, I would say I would say last year
after last year's finals.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Oh damn.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Yeah, Oh, I'm talking my shit.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
As soon as the buzzer go yeah, yeah, I'm not playing.
But like we've competed so much, you know, like you said,
throughout the years, so you know, being in the same conference,
at some point, we always end up seeing each other. Yeah,
at the end of the year. I don't know why.
I don't know why it's written like that, but a
lot of times we end up seeing each other at
(24:40):
the end of the year. And it's one of those
ones where I'm not talking to you during that whole series.
Soon as that buzzer get off and it's win or lose,
you know, then it's high family, you know, how everybody doing.
But like when we're playing Boston and little Deuce be
over there waving and shit like that, I don't not
edge that little man. Soon as that series over, you know,
(25:04):
you see it go over there. How the kids go
talk to his mom, you know, because that's family. But
at the end of the day, like we are here
to compete, I'm not here to be friends with you
right now, Like in the summer, we can be boys. Cool,
that's my man's one hundred grand you know, but when
we get between them lines, nah, I'm trying to rip
(25:24):
your head off. I'm trying to rip your head off.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yeah, so what you think the next chapter looked like
for Kentucky and we're coach Kyle going to Arkansas. Uh case,
I know everybody be asked you like, are you gonna
still support them?
Speaker 4 (25:40):
You know you're gonna support them? Why you're gonna support.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
I'm gonna be honest. I didn't go to Kentucky for Kentucky.
That just wasn't that. I didn't go because I was like, dang,
they you know this is a great this is a
great school. Like I can really, I can really get
used to being here. That man told me, listen, you
do what you supposed to doing a much, you ain't
(26:03):
gonna be here. Like that's the one thing I really
respected about him, Like Kyle and you know kph Uncle,
like they was always honest with me. Kyle told me like,
you're not coming here and you're not if you don't perform,
you're not gonna play like I'm not giving you no spot.
(26:24):
You're gonna have to earn it in practice. And from
that point on, like I respected that so much because
you you didn't come to me like some college coaches
be like, man, you're gonna start. We're gonna do this
around you. We're gonna form this around you. And it's
like yeah, nah, because everybody, you know, when you go
from hot high school to college, that's a different brand
of black basketball. You know, you're playing against dudes that's
(26:46):
been living for four years like that they've got they've
gotten used to the college game, so they know the
ends and outs. And for him to look at me
in my face as a top recruit and be like look, man, like, listen,
you're not I'm not guaranteeing you anything. You're gonna have
to earn all of this. I respected that because I
(27:09):
wanted to earn it anyway. You know. You know, if
you if you're giving something, it's not as it doesn't
feel as cherished like the fact that you earned something
in life. You cherish it more because it's like, nah,
I went through hell to get that, Like like it
was sleepless night in college where I'd be like, man like, listen, bro,
like do I really want to do this shit?
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Like question yourself, like did I pick the right school?
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Did I pick the right situation for me? Like I
remember like, and I can tell y'all a little story
like I isn't coach Kenny Payne. That's that's that's big.
Unc uh. Yeah. We were practiced for like, you know,
like two hours, two three hours, and then I'll be
about to go to bed and he'll text me and
(27:58):
be like meet me and gym at ten fifty. And
it'd be like ten thirty and I'd be like, are
you like and then you walk in, you walk in
and the treadmill running. No, it was like the mental
games like that they would play like it was like bro,
like do I really want to do this shit? Like
(28:19):
is the NBA really like this? Like the dudes really
go through this. But it was more so like prepping
you for whatever might happen, Like you don't know what
can happen when you get out of college. You might
go overseas, you might go to the NBA, you might
start overseas and go to the NBA. You might start
in the NBA and go overseas. Like it was being
(28:40):
ready for whatever moment was presented to you. And you know,
to have that type of coaching staffs where it was
like I'm not only preparing you to be a basketball player.
I'm preparing you to be a man when you walk
out of here, like like you're gonna walk in as
a boy and then leave as a man, because at
(29:00):
the end of the day, you go to the NBA,
you gotta learn how to how to maneuver. You got
to learn how to put yourself on the schedule. Like
you know, when you in college, they make your schedule
for you. In the NBA, they're not making your schedule.
They telling you practice is that team? So what that
means you gotta figure out how how long it take
(29:21):
to get there. You gotta prep for the drive, You
gotta prep for the walk, however you think about it.
And then like you gotta prep yourself to understand schedule,
like you you gotta understand like you're not dealing with
you know, the college advisors no more that make your schedule,
that check on you in class to see if you
there ain't none of that happening it if you don't
show up to practice and they be like, why you
(29:43):
ain't show up and you ain't got no reason, pink
slip on your locker, that's a fine, my boy.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
There or might or they might just say it. You
might get your check and like why I got this
this money mission like.
Speaker 3 (29:56):
You look you look at you start talking to your
money man, Gene, like man, like my check was supposed
to be this, and he was like, well, like you
this got deducted, This got deducted. This got And you
go to the coach and he's gonna be like, well,
you misshoot around this time, you misspracticed this time, you
showed up late for this event. You showed up late
for this, and it's like that's what they was trying
(30:17):
to teach you. Like even though through all the ship
that she was like, man, they crazy, bro, I ain't
this ain't nothing like that. It taught you how to
be a man, taught you. It taught you how to
like develop thick skin. Because you don't know what coach
you getting in the NBA, right, You just know you're
gonna get drafted wherever that might be. You don't know
I got drafted to Miami Heat. First thing people think
(30:39):
about is Pat Rightley. You don't know what about that? Yeah?
You don't like everybody talking about Godfather pat Riley. So like,
first thing I'm thinking about, like damn, like what's gonna happen?
Like I walk in my my treat pre draft, I'm
finna talk to him. It's the it's the you know,
the Godfather. Shit, the one lamb and all the other
(31:01):
lights is off. This man, this man probably got like
eight windows in his office, all the blinds is closed.
Damn like one lamp and we're gonna sit here and
have a conversation like this, and you know, you walk in,
You're like, damn, like he really on this ship?
Speaker 1 (31:19):
So how did that go? Were you nervous? Were you
like talking a different way?
Speaker 3 (31:24):
Yeah? Yeah, I was nervous.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Do you think he saw anything in your answers? Or
was it just like this dude's a hooper?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
For me? I think it was. It wasn't because I
was the most skilled. It was just more so like
I had the dog in me because during my pre
draft workout, they was they was trying to see how
versatile I am, so like, can you guard one through five?
So in my pre draft workout, it was a big me.
(31:54):
It's a point guard in the shooting guard. So we'll
play two on two and then they'll just drop the
ball and be like, all right, six seconds on the clock,
bam guard en. So I realized what they're doing, and
I think this really got picked. First of all, it's
crazy because I feel like anybody else would be like
nah here in that case. So I'm getting I'm getting stops.
(32:16):
So about after like the fourth stop, you know, the
ball go over there and roll over there by the
by the table, the little table, they say that, and
you know me, y'all got me fucked up, like y'all
testing me, Like this is really not me. Y'all got
me fucked up. So and then and from that point on,
(32:37):
h like it was like Pat was like that's our guy. Yeah,
they got you got me drafted right there. And that's
the thing I tell people, like you don't know what's
gonna get you drafted. Like, but I knew in my
draft workouts. I never wanted to do one of old
draft workouts because I was like, that's not how people
are gonna pick me, because I'm not that's not me.
(33:00):
You know. At that time, I was like, man, I
can't make ten out of twelve jumpers. No, let's let's
get out here and who I'm gonna show you why
we get out here in between these lines and we
get to compete. That's why I am because that's when
it brings out who I am. I'm versatile.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Man, Hey, did y'all do twenty suicides in twenty minutes?
Speaker 3 (33:24):
I mean technically, yes.
Speaker 4 (33:29):
Bro, I promise you. I'm'll take you.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
Bro.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
My first day there, I went to score it like
one sixty five. Anyway, soaking with I was skinny of
the two things, so I'm not missing those lifts all summer.
So we got to be on the line at six ams,
so we get at like five forty five. So y'all
twenty minion guards gotta finish. You probably have been in
the guard though, because you was versal. You probably finished
like twenty eight thirty seconds. The last thirty second. You
(33:53):
get the rest, Bro, we get the team. I'm all right, dude,
we get a break. Like now y'all got ten more
the last team that you gotta go baseline, the baseline,
the long way, shit, Bro.
Speaker 4 (34:01):
I got back to my dumb call, MA said, mon,
I think I picked the on scool man.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Listen, Nah, listen. So this is the mental hurd that
we used to deal with. So we would walk in
and you know, they split pigs and guards as individuals,
so save for example, we could all be walking in.
You know how we all were all flowing to practice
a different time, you know, different mobility. So KP used
(34:26):
to look at us and be like, before we even start,
he'd be like, y'all got a seventeen and we'd be like, wow.
He was like, because he walked in last. We'd be like,
huh he walked in last. We got a seventeen. And
we'd be seeing the guards over there shooting bullshit and
we be like, d you're making us run because this
(34:47):
man walked in last. Come on, bro, Like what were
we doing? Like like, we'll walk in. We'll be in
the middle of working out an individual and safe for example,
like somebody airball, get on the line, got a suicide.
We be like and this would be like a walk on.
This would be like a walk on. He'd be like, yeah,
(35:08):
they just chill, like bro, like he was the mental
hurdle of going through that every day. Well, I would
be like, come on, man, like you just you just
making stuff up just for us to run, Like you
just want to see us run. And he used to
always be like, Nope, we need everybody on the team.
If he airball, what if you got to get put
in the game and he airballed in what you're gonna say,
You're gonna blame me, And I was like, yeah, because
(35:31):
he probably tried to take the shot.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
But that's a fact or if he airballed the fuck
in the game. We can't run those suicide to do it.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
Get back, listen, listen, you just be like, man, just
let me hit the rim, Like like, just let me
hit the rim. And then you missed three four in
a row. You got a suicide Like it was crazy
stuff we would have to run for bam.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
I want to use my last question here about your
teammate Jimmy Butler, one of the most interesting dudes in
the NBA. We've seen the hair, we seen the coffee stuff,
we've seen the music videos. Is there a hilarious Jimmy
Butler story that we haven't seen that you can tell
us as his teammate.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
Big face coffee started as a joke.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
Well, okay, so how did that start then?
Speaker 3 (36:19):
In the bubble? Uh, I don't know what made him
get fascinated with coffee at that time. That was like
our first year getting to know each other, so it
was fresh, so I didn't know he really loved coffee
like that. But you know, in the bubble, you had
you had your your little sweep. So he thought as
(36:43):
a joke, like I'm musa sell coffee because at the time, like,
won't nobody doing nothing in the bubble but working out,
playing game and then you would have all day because
it wasn't like you was thirty forty minutes away from
the reason. It was a ten minute drive to go
to gym to play games and then you went downstairs
(37:06):
to the ballroom to get up shots. So it wasn't
like you had a lot of time to do anything else.
And we ain't have family, so it was literally just us.
So I think that's funny because it just started as
a joke, like he put on a hanger outside his
door coffee coffee ten dollars as smallest ten dollars, the
(37:29):
medium is like twenty dollars and the big coffee is
thirty to the point, like you know, we all laughing
about it, but to the point we got out the bubble.
And then like he started, like it started with big
Face coffee, then it started finding his logo, then he
got the clothing line, and it was like I was like, bro,
you really turned a joke in a sense to an
(37:52):
actual business. So that was one of my stories. Big
Face Coffee started as a joke in Bubble because he
was competing against one of our trainers that called himself
little face cough.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
That's great, all right, Well, both of you guys give
your predictions on the finals before we close out. Who
you guys got something from mass?
Speaker 3 (38:17):
I think this my Boston. I'm gonna say Dallas. Wow.
Only reason i say Dallas is because I feel like
that man Kyrie Irvan has a bonus pick for sure.
Speaker 2 (38:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
Like I said, when you get in certain atmospheres where
you feel like people didn't understand you, or situations happened
and you couldn't really explain like behind the scenes, and
you got all the fans like playing into that. Like
you saw like how he got treated when he left.
(38:51):
You saw how he got treated when he would come
back and play against Boston. So like for me, like
you know that man untapped in you know he he's
a peaceful man at this point when he walking that arena,
I feel like we're gonna see a different Kyrie Irvan
like hated for whoever got to take. And that's my
(39:13):
point because like I said, when when when talented dudes
and skilled dudes like that tap in today their ability
or they just really got a point to prove it.
It's like no other because I think on both teams,
he's the only one that's won it.
Speaker 4 (39:32):
Him and Drew the only one that won it. But
he had a bigger rule.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
Yeah, so he going.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
He's hit He's hit big shots in that situation. He's
had forty point games back to back when they needed
it down three to one.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Like yeah, so that's the thing that scared me.
Speaker 2 (39:49):
That's the matter that scared me out all of them.
Speaker 3 (39:52):
Like I said, you can't do nothing with Like I said, man,
when when when dudes tap in. I feel like he was.
He was disrespected, you know, the fans. You know, I
felt like he was slighted by the organization in a sense.
Like I feel like that's what he's about to tap into.
Like he's about it's like he might sage the court again.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
I already said that.
Speaker 3 (40:19):
About to save the court again. You know, people jumped
on on for like you know what he did with
to the to the to the Leprechaun or whatever that is.
Have court. But you know, I feel like he's gonna
tap into a different mode and it's gonna be a
mode like we've seen him, you know, be Kyrie through
these playoffs. But I think y'all about to be like, no,
that's Kyrie irving, Like that's that's that urving guy we
(40:42):
we be talking about.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Yeah, I think this series.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
I think this series, he ain't gonna be like you know,
like he might have a good first halving crew the
second and have okay first and crew to having second.
I think the whole game is gonna be like that Kyrie.
Like I'm not easing into nothing as.
Speaker 3 (40:58):
Whole for the unt least the whole bag.
Speaker 4 (41:01):
Yeah, I don't want to You got too much because you.
Speaker 3 (41:06):
Got to think about it, doll, Like, nobody wants to
get that far and I've been a part of it twice.
Nobody wants to get that far to lose, Like so,
but is man to it took him seven years to
get back there, and he know what it takes to win.
I don't know, man, And then he played.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Against Boston, you know that, And on top of that
that burden with like everybody like he can't win without Bron,
he can't get back there without Bron, Like it's so
much he got fewered us right now.
Speaker 3 (41:35):
It's like this release that he could just go back
and read and it's gonuse gonna make his blood bully.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
Yeah, And there's no bigger shot that you got to
hit than that one that he hit in Game seven already,
so everything is no.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
You know that that might be the biggest shot in history,
Bro Bron, Bron, don't leave Cleveland, Ma Bron said, I
don't leave unless I want to championed himself. If you
don't make that shot, he don't leave.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
Cleveland, right Listen, people don't understand. I was doing a
little event today and they asked me about my North
Carolina chain. I was like, people don't understand. We call
it the Hoo State. We I feel like we got
some of the top hoopers that ever come out of
(42:20):
North Carolina and being yeah, so so for me, like
anybody who really came out of North Carolina. I mean
John was like the first that was the Who mixtape,
like the ball is life so fall us in North
Carolina growing up, we knew who John Wall. We was like, nah, bro,
(42:42):
John Wall is like the front tier for North Carolina
right now, Like when he went to Kentucky, I tuned
in every game I ain't care who else was playing.
Is John wall on the John wall On the like
it was kind of like an all moment for me
when I got in the NBA and I got the
against the Wizards, because like everybody was talking about like
(43:03):
his patent and move where he looked this way for
about an hour and then it was a reject and
it was two dribbles and a dunk like like like
those were the and then obviously, you know, you go what.
I still say he got one of the great the
greatest him and Austin Rivers. I feel like he John
number one is Austin Rivers right there with with the
(43:25):
top two who mixed and then you got seven Woods.
But seven Woods is great, but they don't really know
about him. B They don't really know too much about him.
He was like in seventh grade. He was the fakest
seventh grade Listen, bro That was my teammate dog Listen, listen, listen.
My AAU team. I probably had one of the greatest
AA teams that come out of North Carolina. It was
(43:45):
me seven Woods, Quay Parker, Like, well, you played.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
With some of the most athletic motherfucker because you got
Dinnis here.
Speaker 3 (43:54):
And then you add Dennis to that. Listen.
Speaker 4 (43:57):
I wouldn't go see them play together, all right, they
was on that fucking rim listen.
Speaker 3 (44:04):
Listen. It didn't matter who we played because the other thing,
like we was all two way players, so like we'll
lock your ass up, talk shit, and then go beat
you by fifty and it didn't matter. Like if we
had a mismatch, it'd be like, nah, five out, just
getting the ball. Everybody get off the way. Now that's
how we brought It was no play call. It was literally, no,
(44:27):
we're about to use our talent because you you like
we was. We was thirteen fourteen, like playing seventeen you
beating the shit out of people.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Seventh the Woods was hitting shots from behind the hoop.
I remember watching that and being like that's the most
unbelievable shit you ever seen, Like, bro, like overseas now.
Speaker 3 (44:48):
Right he yeah, I think he's overseas.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Still following, Hey you go, do you go? Hey, do
you go to AU tournament? M B, No, it's not
to These motherfuckers got real plays, bro, Like they really
got real plays. This was an indie right for the
E Y B l B. They really got real schemes.
Officially offense. I'm like, bro, what the fuck is aun?
Then like we just see each other on the weekends.
Speaker 4 (45:10):
We might go do some stuff. Man, see you on Friday.
Speaker 3 (45:12):
We're going to listen. Listen. When we used to get
ready for like Nationals, our coach, we were practiced for
a week and then it was Nationals, like like there
was no trying to get schemes on the team, Like
our coaches will go like watch other the other teams
play if they want, but like nah, it was like
(45:36):
it's just jo five against ours who got the best team?
And I'm talking about like and that's before like I
ain't gonna lie. I felt like I sucked at that time.
I was just I was just a big man. That
was just after that it could run and done.
Speaker 4 (45:53):
And that's all you needed to do.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Listen. And then when my offensive game caught up, it's
a rap. Could you imagine that we reassembled like our
AU teams?
Speaker 4 (46:04):
Yeah, y'all be my age. My eight team is cool.
Speaker 3 (46:06):
It was just me, JT. Terrell and Ryan Kelly Forrell.
This is all we had. Listen. J. T. Terrell was
so cold when we were.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Younger, Shoot that bitch from hell.
Speaker 4 (46:17):
It would and shoot high as hell.
Speaker 3 (46:20):
Yeah. At this point any of the podcast, we just
have a normal conversation. He's trying to kick us. She's
trying to kick me off, bro. So I'm gonna go
and get out of here. She she wanted to All right,
b I s tomorrow. Hi right, buddy.
Speaker 1 (46:38):
Welcome back to point Game of John Wallings c J Toldonna,
presented by DraftKings. It is now time for Bucket Brick.
As a reminder, Bucketer Brick is brought to you by
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(46:58):
You're ready for bucket brick?
Speaker 4 (47:00):
Yeah, certastly, all right, let's do it.
Speaker 1 (47:02):
So we talked about this in our band interview. But
the Celtics are the favorites to win the title at
minus two ten, meaning you need a bet to ten
to win one hundred. So John and I know you're
gonna say that, bucket, but bucket or break, the Celtics
will win the NBA title and what so give us
a little bit more context on why you think that.
Speaker 2 (47:20):
Oh, I say Bucket, and I just feel like it's
the year. Like I feel like they have to win
this year. I mean where Brazilians come back, hell that
they have to. I think if they don't win it,
they probably try to break that team up. I mean,
like they've been so close by East Commage Finals, East Final,
the East Finals and they finally got out the hump
and I think twenty twenty two and loss to the Warriors,
(47:41):
and then I think last year they could have got back,
but I mean tending by her first player games, having
the Miami that win it and going to the finals.
Speaker 4 (47:48):
So I feel like it's they time.
Speaker 2 (47:49):
But it's gonna be a tough battle though, you know,
I mean because like we were saying before, like Luca's
been on the hell of a run and we know
what Kyri Ervan and how much history is behind this,
about what went on in Boston when he was not
any of the way he wanted and I feel like
he was welcome or respected the way he thought.
Speaker 4 (48:04):
So I think it'll be a tough one. But I
take the Celtics.
Speaker 1 (48:07):
Who do you think is gonna get finals? MVP of that.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
From that they said him, I feel like I'm out
like for me, like last years, I said, Jacon Tatum
could have got it in you know, I mean, because
he's still average like thirty something, ten and eight. But
I was happy that Jlen Brown got it because he's
had a hell of a season two also, and like
you said, he kind of flying on the radar. Nobody
really they give him his credit but not enough credit.
And because they have so much of a complete team,
and I feel like he could have been on RMBA also,
So I feel like it was good for him to
(48:30):
get that, and it kind of boots this compents even
more to feel like, you know who I am.
Speaker 4 (48:33):
Recognizing this league.
Speaker 2 (48:34):
I'm not always the one getting up behind because sometimes
it goes like them you have another superstar star in
front of you, like Tatum is.
Speaker 1 (48:40):
Yeah. Well, I mean, if anyone's been watching since the
start of this show, you were called. You were saying
Celtics had this since February, So we're about to see
all right, second one here, the over under for Luka
Doncic game one points is now thirty one point five,
So bucket or brick, Luka Doncic will score over thirty
one points in game one over.
Speaker 2 (49:01):
I don't think he going under if he don't want
even if he tried to go under is not.
Speaker 4 (49:06):
I feel like the only way he goes under. It
was like a blowout early on.
Speaker 2 (49:09):
But the way he's been playing man, the rhythm he's in,
the flow he's in Man, and the way he got
his guys playing, uh, he's no. You really can do
with him. Like dam said before, you just got to
be able to play great deepen and make him make
touch shots all night, trying to put him on the
free throw line as much as possible. But those guys
are so talented gift, there's no way of stopping him.
You just try to make it tough.
Speaker 1 (49:27):
Yeah, I'm just I'm so it's gonna be an offensive
masterclass Luca and Kyrie in the final.
Speaker 2 (49:32):
You might get the best going you ever seen the
finals because you got four guys that can create at
the highest level. I mean usually have like one or
two guys that can score like that. You got four
guys and two on each shot that can score that
type of clip.
Speaker 3 (49:43):
It's crazy, all right.
Speaker 1 (49:45):
Moving on, So, actually, there was a Jabbari Parker clip
that came out he was interviewed overseas super emotional. It
was sort of taken out of context at first, later
came out you know that it was just an amount
of gratitude that he felt in that moment and for
his experience. So I want to ask you, because we
also saw boogie just when you know, the Overseas Championship,
the league he was playing in, bucket or brick. Playing
(50:06):
overseas is harder than people think just based on the story.
Speaker 2 (50:11):
But I say bucket because I've always heard like you
know what I mean, like you really don't get to
go over there and just play the way you want
to all they really it's just different.
Speaker 4 (50:19):
It's way different than the NBA, you know.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
I mean you see a lot of overseas guys that
come in lead and that's ben Stars even say it's
tough over there than this here.
Speaker 4 (50:25):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (50:26):
I haven't played out, but I always talk to some guys.
But uh, I was happy for Jabriyan Parker. He had
opportunity to be on my team a couple like for
like a year or two with the Wizards, and just
know how talent he wasn't gift he was coming from
high school being there one player going to do and
getting drafted high, to having injuries and just not giving
up on his dreams. I mean, like you said, he
finally found a love of basketball again. And that's something
that I enjoyed and loved for him. And it was
(50:46):
great to see because a lot of people dont understand,
like we really sacrifice our whole lives to be this,
Like we work hard every day to get to be
at his highest level of play in the NBA or
just be a professional with anything. You know, when it's
taken away, sometimes it's taking away the way you don't
want it to.
Speaker 4 (51:00):
But it's all part of God's playing. That's how I
look at it.
Speaker 2 (51:02):
And for him to find the love and the joy
for it again, I didn't let you know, as a guy,
don't care about how much money he was making, how
much money it is. He really loved the game. He's
willing to go over he's willing to go to sacrifice
and do that. And for book, I was happy to
see him, you know, I mean, like being through all
the adversity he's been through, deal with injuries and then
going over there, winning championship, win the MVP. Whenever you're winning,
whenever you're playing something that you love, no matter what
(51:22):
league is in is always great and special enough to
feel the love and respect.
Speaker 4 (51:26):
Yeah, got it. It was special to see for me.
Speaker 1 (51:29):
Yeah, well said Okay, moving on, this has been a
big debate all over the media and the internet. So
Caitlin Clark and the idea that you know, players are
setting out being physical, you know, even some dirty shots there.
So I wanted to ask you because we talked about
the similarities of you've been a number one pick and
all the hype for you to come in the league.
So Bucket or Brick, number one picks will always have
(51:50):
a target on their back that can sort of result
in some physical altercations or you know, maybe even some
dirty shots.
Speaker 2 (51:58):
I can't I can say buck Brid it's kind of
because I don't think people come out and try to
be dirty, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (52:03):
I think it's just a nature being there.
Speaker 2 (52:04):
One picked, Like you come in you a special what
you was in college, or you came from overseas or wherever,
and then in the league. Guy's gonna let you know,
like this is a man's leader, this is a woman's league,
Like it's grown up here. It's kind of like going
from the college. I mean, you got to learn how
to play in that league.
Speaker 3 (52:18):
It's different.
Speaker 2 (52:19):
I really think a lot of people more upset and
like she got the shoot deal she got or now
that the whole wn BA is flying privately now and
those things, And for me, it's like you can't blame her,
Like she didn't ask for this. She just goes out
and play the game and she loves She's not so
really big on social media. And I think what she
had helped involve to the game because it started way
before her. Bro It goes to Lisa Lesi, go to
down at Rossi, Sheryl Swoops, Civiia Cooper, like it goes
(52:42):
to all those that paved the way to help these
women get to where they get to. She can't control
as nil. She can't help that. It's a platform with
social media that give her that type of buzz. But
she went to Ayel and nobody thought you would hear
about her going to AIEO. I mean she built that
for her self, herd team, her family, her reputation. He
had guys like women like paid Beckers, you know what
I mean, you got Angelie. She have all those women
(53:02):
that making the game involved it's not just one person,
but she has made a lot of stuff happen that
wasn't happening before, And I think a lot of people
more upset that it's happening because that way. But basketball wise,
she's just going out there and competing, and like it
hasn't been easy for It's been tough. She had tough games,
she had a lot of turnovers like this, but she's
figuring the game out. She's not complaining. She's going out
there and compete at high level. So I think more
(53:23):
people are more upset about the other accolades she got
and benefit she got off the court than it is
mainly her own the court.
Speaker 1 (53:30):
Yeah, do you remember your rookie year where was anyone
coming at you? Do you remember a specific story or
altercation where guys are getting physical with you, maybe trash
talking because you were the number one?
Speaker 2 (53:41):
No, not really, like I was just I just hooped,
Like I'm just didn't give a fuck who I was playing.
I'm just gonna be me regardless, and I knew in
due time I was gonna figure my way out in
the league. You, I mean, like it was difficult back then,
it was real too big, There was really coverages and stuff.
It wasn't like how it is now when you could
switch one through five or get the mids matches like
you really had to go through schemes up. I went
through it everywhere. I had to guard the best fucking
(54:02):
point guards in the world, like it was no duck
in them and going out guard somebody else. I had
to guard the Rondo's. I had to guard to Dan Williams.
I had to guard to the Rolls, the Russell Westbrook,
to Chris Pauls. I had to guard those. I couldn't
go like now I'm gonna guard a small four to
go guard the shoot right now. I had to guard
those guys, and I had to go compete on other
land and go and go back at them. So it
was it wasn't easy, but I was built for anything,
(54:23):
Like I'm a dog, I'm not scarning no matchups, and
I'm willing to go to anybody.
Speaker 4 (54:27):
So I think you build your reputation and build your
respect from that.
Speaker 1 (54:30):
Yeah, I mean, I think this is gonna be how
Caitlin and some of these rookies become superstars because they're
gonna build that thick skin that kind of band was
even talking about and this will be a learning experience
and you overcome that and you become these superstar players.
So shout out to them and and I gonna keep
watching that. So this has been another episode of Point Game. John.
We got the final starting this week. What's your viewing
(54:51):
set up going to be the same all that you've
been doing the season?
Speaker 2 (54:54):
Now there's only one game going on there, man, so
I'm locked in having him took a big meal for
me back simberglass on one man and watching good basketball.
I'm frustrated because we ain't been watching no basketball for
a week.
Speaker 3 (55:05):
Man.
Speaker 2 (55:06):
It's been been watching a lot of TV shows and
stuff like that and the shit getting booth porn. I
need some basketball, all right.
Speaker 1 (55:13):
Well, this coming hopefully is a good series. We'll be
back here talking all the games and everything going on.
This's been Point Game presented by DraftKings. Please rate, review
and subscribe to the pod and leave us a five
star review. I've been CJ toldono peace gambling problem called
(55:35):
Winnie hundred gambler or in West Virginia visit www dot
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and why for six seven three sixty nine. Connecticut help
is available for problem gambling call eighty eight seven eight
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(55:55):
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