Welcome to The Big Niang Theory! On episode five, Georges Niang and Lauren Rosen go in-depth with Shake Milton, following Shake’s journey from Oklahoma to the NBA. From sharing sneakers with Tobias Harris, to yoga and meditation, to his bonds with Furkan Korkmaz and Matisse Thybulle, get to know Shake on a deeper level.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Big Niang Theory. Let me ask questions
my podcast. Joel is a card shark, Danny gets swindled fashion.
I just like stuff that looks greatness, just breads greatness,
and we all fit right in. Welcome back, everybody to
the Big Niang Theory. Today, our guest Shake Milton. I
(00:23):
was actually super excited to get Shake, you know, on
this podcast because he's actually a super cool dude, and
you know, we've had a special bond this year, and
he actually was one of the first teammates that I
even met when I, you know, first came to the Sixers.
And I feel like this episode I learned more about
(00:44):
him than I actually thought that I knew. There's so
much diversity you know, to Shake and the things that
he likes to do and how he handles his life.
And I'm super excited to to share this episode because
I feel like everybody's gonna learn more about Shake and
he's such a fascinating person and such a good person.
I feel like that that's the best part. Shake is
(01:05):
a little bit of an international man of mystery, and
it was really cool to unlock some of that today.
And he's also sort of universally beloved, and I think
that that's something that upon listening to this conversation, I
think people are gonna understand why. That's all I'll say,
so without further ado, Here's shake Milton. Yeah, I know.
(01:31):
Welcome back everybody to the Big Kneeg Theory. Today we
have a special guest who I'm hoping you guys get
to know a lot more about the one the only
Shake Milton, shake and bake the microwave. Yes, sir, my guy. Gee,
what's up? Welcome, Welcome on. Lauren is also here. She's present.
(01:53):
Thank you for making my presence. Know. Hey, I just
want to let the people know, but shake before we
you know, dive and getting to know you. How, how
have you enjoyed this season? I know it's kind of
been a roller coaster for you with you know, injuries,
you know, new roles, roster turnover. How has it been
(02:13):
for you personally and what do you look forward to,
you know, with the end of the season coming up? Yeah? Bro,
overall I say it's been smooth like. It's definitely had
some rough patches like being up and down, being like
hurt and then you catching COVID and being away from
the team that was tough too, But no, man, just
I've been kind of just learning to roll with the
(02:35):
punches and just have a little like giving into life
a little bit, you know, just kind of come, you know,
taking what comes and rolling with him in. So it's
been great. And just my attitude towards everything coming up
is in a good light too, So I'm smooth. Yeah. No,
It's funny that you say, like your attitude stays the same,
because when I first met you, when we were in Vegas,
(02:58):
you know, they're all like, oh, yeah, come to Vegas,
you know, meet the Summer League guys, Like we'll have
a couple of our guys there. Shake was the only
one there, and uh we ended up going through a
workout and uh I remember asking Shack. I'm like, yo, like,
are the fans like really that crazy? He's like, bro,
I'm gonna give it to you like this. Just keep
(03:18):
looking forward, he was like, don't get He's like, don't
get too high, don't get too low. It just keep
looking forward. And like when you say that, like obviously,
when someone says that, you're almost to the point where
you're like, all right, give me the real But as
I watched like how our season, your season plans out,
Like you literally that injury you had and or you
(03:39):
had COVID first, right covid. Yeah, you had COVID first,
and then you had the injury with you a training
camp issue too, injury wise, Yeah, it was the ankle,
Like Lauren just Shake's healthy, trying to say that you've
overcome a lot. It wasn't just COVID and then the back.
(04:01):
It was it started in training camp, which we've seen
in years past, Matisse last year, You're always going to
be at a disadvantage if you can't participate in training camp.
That's really hard. Yeah, and then you know you just
like like you told me, you just kept your head down.
I mean, I don't think people understand like how serious
the whole back issue. Like when I was watching Shake
like work out, it was like almost like he was
(04:23):
like aching, going like so I'm slow, but when I
see someone doing moves slower than me, yeah, I'm like
something really must be wrong. Man. It was just like
it was just slow motion. Like that whole period was
really slow motion. For me. I had to like really
just sit down and be like man, you know what,
like it's out of my hands, Like I gotta just
(04:43):
he'll get healthy and then you know what I mean,
make plays because you know, us as like athletes, we
just want to like go go go, like just continue
to be on the court, crazy and getting better whatnot.
But like I have the same problem at the dinner team.
But yeah, you know what I mean. But sometimes like
just to you to sit down for a second. Yeah,
that's what it was, you know, speaking of life moving slow.
(05:05):
Hopefully you don't get too offended. Better, but you're from Oklahoma, right, yes, sir,
I can't imagine life being too fast in Oklahoma. How
was talk about like your journey that transitioned from Oklahoma
to SMU then to Philadelphia, what adjustments? What did you
think your future was going to be and then what
(05:28):
has it ended up being? Yeah, man, I mean shoot,
in Oklahoma, like high school, I was just trying to
get in like a good college and pick a good
college to where like I knew I would be able
to come in contribute do my thing a little bit.
Like I wanted to be an NBA player and that
was on my mind, but like that wasn't like it
wasn't like the end all be all, Like I wasn't
(05:49):
gonna like, you know what I mean. So for me,
that's what it was. And I knew going to SMU
would give me a little bit of a shot because
we had Larry Brown there as the coach, and you know,
I was seeing what he was able to do in Dallas.
So I went there, and you know, my first couple
of years, I you know, I mean, it did pretty decent.
Second year, we won like a conference championship, and I saw,
you know, a couple of my teammates went pro, and
(06:10):
I was like, oh, like, I'm actually that could be me. Yeah,
you know what I mean, Like I'm closer than what
I really think I am. So and then after that
I just really locked into it and ended up making
a chump man and and luckily, you know, it kind
of panned out. Yeah, And you know what you are,
You're blessed because you know you are in the same
place that you know you started. You know, not too
(06:31):
many people in their NBA career get to stick around
for their whole you know, or most of their NBA
career in one place. Not saying that you're going to
be here forever, but wink wink, And I know I'm
just kidding. Yeah, but you know there's a chance that
there's there's a chance that you are, and there's a
chance that you are. But the fact that you know
you've developed and grown here and you know, like I've
(06:54):
told you before, you've had big games and big moments
and like really established yourself as you know, an NBA
player here, I think that you know there's a there's
an important piece of that because you know, I've had
to jump ship in different places and you know how
emotional I am. Like any team that I've left, I've
been like you forget them, like I hope you do.
So you know the fact that you've been able to
(07:16):
grow here, I got a question for you, bro, what
do you think is like the biggest thing for you,
like with daling with all those different like variabilities, you
know what I mean, Like you never really know what's
being thrown at you and what's coming your way, So
how do you you know what I mean, stay locked in? Yeah? No,
I think the biggest thing for me though, is you
is easy. As it's said, you know, you want to
take the emotion out of it, but obviously I'm an
(07:38):
emotional person. But you really just have to go into
it and keep it or take it as like surface level,
like you know, I'm here to do my job. You know,
obviously you're allowed to to fall in love with the city,
fall in love with the people that you're around, but
also realizing that it's a part of heartbreak is also
like a part of the job of it. And just
because you have your heart broken one time, you know,
(08:00):
it doesn't mean that you're not You shouldn't get up
and try to love the you know, experience that you've
you've been in. How do you feel about that? And
you're giving me this look like Georgia's just given the
people a bunch of bs. No, you're not. I was
actually gonna make another connection. You guys were drafted in
around the same range, right, and then we were in
(08:20):
the same draft. No, no, not twenty sixteen, you're twenty seventeen,
twenty eighteen. That's yoh my god. You're trying to add
my add years to me late second round and you've
both had to fight your way into NBA rotations. What
number were you fifty four? I was fifty. Those fifties
(08:42):
they get there. There's some gems like Paul redfty P,
But you guys know that a lot of people that
get drafted in the fifties are no longer in the league, right,
So you guys share in common figuring out a way
different breed, different breed. Me and Shake are just different.
It's just different, you know, Like Shake said, you just
I'm gonna keep my head, head down, looking straight, keep
(09:04):
doing it. Now. I'll definitely give you, give you credit.
There is like not a day that whether it's an
off day or you know, a blackout day that you know,
I may sneak in that Shakes not in there, you know,
working on that you know, lefty drive or step back
mid range that we saw against the Miami heat time
(09:25):
after time after time. Um. Yeah, no, So I just
think for me seeing how you work, you know, obviously
you're just a diligent worker. And I think from how
I look at it, as like you never take no
for an answer. You know, you're just never gonna quit.
At the end of the day, you were kicking down
someone's doing be like, I'm I'm here to stay. I mean, shoot,
(09:48):
that's part of it, right, That's that's probably why we
stuck around, you know, I mean, as long as we
have Um, I'll pull up to the gym at nighttime,
you know what I mean, thinking, I'm you know, getting
getting one over on on some folks, you know what
I mean, getting some work in, and I'll seeg in
there working with his man. I'm like, yo, dang, I
gotta show up earlier, you know what I mean, Like, yeah,
I gotta get there earlier. So no, yeah, I guess
(10:10):
is you just part of the process. Man. One of
your friends on this team who also puts in a
lot of work is Tyrese. And I've really enjoyed watching
you and Tyrese bond. And I think that there's a
misconception a little bit that last season, when you think
about playoffs, you guys were sort of like in competition
for minutes you weren't sort of in competition minutes you were.
And I think externally that sort of looks like you
(10:32):
guys might be pitted against each other, But then behind
the curtain, you guys are good friends. You're challenging each other.
That's continued this season, but you're also sort of his vet.
So can you give us a little bit more insight
into what your relationship is like with Tyrese and what
it's been like to watch him this year? Man, that's
that's that's my bro, that's my dog man. That's like
I've just seen him grow. He was supposed to come
(10:55):
mess with me with SMU. I'm still you know, I
still get at him about the snake. Yeah he did,
he did, he did on the level, but it's all good, yo.
But just seeing him blossom into what he is, like
he's a star. Like just the work that he puts
in and the way he comes out and performs each
and every night. Um has been crazy. And we always
(11:15):
like bouncing ideas off each other, you know what I mean,
always speaking to each other just because we see the
game kind of similarly and we kind of go through
the same things, especially dealing with you know what i mean,
coaches and you know, like just the whole experience of
being an NBA player. And for those who don't know,
his dad coached you briefly correct, but yeah, his dad
was a part of the coaching staff at SMU for
(11:36):
a year. So that was that was fun too. I
thought we were gonna get him, dang, and he still
didn't gonna. Yeah, where's that kid's? Little kid is different?
Yea kid is different. But you know, like speaking on
to like competing, you know, four minutes. I think, you know,
on this team for you know, the time that I've
been here, even though we're like competing for minutes with
each other, Like I feel like we all have a
(11:59):
genuine happiness for the other person. Like if we're not
playing and they're playing, well, like there's a genuine happen
and that I can promise you is not happening everywhere,
that's for sure where you know. I mean at the
beginning of the year, you know, Tyrese was starting, then
you were starting, then you know, you had your ankle injury.
And it's just like, no matter what has happened, everybody
(12:21):
seems to be genuinely happy for another person. And I
think that's important. And you know, I feel like someone
like to Bias, even though you know we joke around
with him, he gets the good vibration that kind of
like keeps everybody on the same way. And then now
Tyrese is just like his like you know, you play
(12:41):
like telephone. Now Tyrese is I don't know, like yeah,
you know what I mean. It just it kind of
goes all around the team, man, and um, you know,
nobody wants to be like the person where the team wins,
and then you know you're sitting there salty, and I'll say, like,
we don't have that type of person on this team
at all. So um, it's always fun just being around
the guys and seeing do succeed at what they do. Now, Shake,
(13:07):
we're hearing a lot about the basketball Shake. What does
Shake like to do in his free time? What are
some hobbies? You know what I mean? Just to put
a little bit more color behind this question, George and
I were talking about what we're going to talk to
you about. What God, George and I were talking about
what we were going to talk to you about. And
(13:28):
I said to him, and this is maybe an indictment
on me and the work that I've done with you,
but We've been together for almost four years, and I
don't know a ton about you. I know, I enjoy
you a lot, and I think we have like a
good dynamic for sure, But you are a quieter guy.
You're a little bit more reserved, and I think people
don't know a ton about you. So it's a really
good question because people want to know, is that like
(13:48):
my demeanor is that like? Is that is that what
it comes from? I could see that I'll be chilling,
because I mean every everybody just has that vibe, like
a different vibe, some like my vibe when I come
into a room, like you're gonna on my presence I'm here,
I mean like it was sad. Yeah, but there's other
people that you know, walk in and kind of like
scout the room and see where the energy is a
(14:09):
before they decided to like dive into the diving for
whatever reason. But you are like, how do I put
this in the right Like the coolest kid out like
your chill, you have your confidence about you, but you're
not gonna outwardly like put it out there. But if
someone were to come up to you and have a conversation,
they could chop it up for you and be like,
oh man, like that dude, super cool. But for the
people that I've never had a conversation with you, they're like, oh, well,
(14:31):
I don't really know. Because you know, Lauren's afraid to
get out of her comfort zone and probably ask you
like vulnerable questions. That's probably why she doesn't have That's
why people are going to love this episode. So give
us the details, man. Well know, people came up to
me and be like, oh man, Shake, You're so cool.
You're nice. Like I thought you were gonna be like
a jerk. I thought you were gonna be this. I
was like, Yo, that's crazy. Quick story. So, my mom
(14:54):
when I first got here, was staying at my place
and she was like going over the roster and she
was like, um, who is uh Malik? And I was like, Mom,
we don't have someone named Malik on a team. She
was like, oh, oh, it says his name is Malik here,
but do you guys call him like Shake? And and
then my mom was like or I was like, yeah,
(15:15):
you know, we we call him Shake. And I was like,
I would never want to call him Malik. I'd be
concerned on what he says. So until I heard someone
call you that, Like, in my head, I was always like,
has someone ever been like Malik? And Shake just turns
and snaps. But weirdly enough, the Malik to Shake story
about your dad, which you can tell if you want,
but that's like the only thing people do know about you. Yeah,
(15:37):
It's like you watch, especially if you watch a national
TV broadcast, you can guarantee that you're going to get
the story about get the story right. Yeah, And so
maybe maybe we should just skip it. Yeah, don't tell
that story. Tell us other things. Okay, it's cool though
that you have a cool nickname. Just gonna like open
that out there, just like tell us other things. We
already know the story, you know what I mean, Like,
(15:58):
what do you want to know? I mean, I don't know.
I'd be chilling. I like, I'll do yoga. Um, I'm
always interested in learning, like I like on YouTube, like
self betterment stuff. I collect shoes. That's probably like my
guilty habit. Like yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't spend a
lot of money doing crazy stuff or doing like buying
like material things, but shoes. I I gotta have the shoes.
(16:21):
True or false. You and Tobias have the same shoe size.
Oh yeah, thankfully sometimes Tobias Halla, I mean boy for yeah,
you're fifteen fourteen, fifteen, Yeah, and Tobias has been known
to sometimes Yeah, I know, he'll he'll bless the kid.
He'll bless the kid with some Kobes man. But nah, yeah,
(16:42):
Tobias will definitely drop some some Kobe some unreleased like
different color ways that never even seen on the market.
So it's also interesting that you mentioned yoga because you're
not the only guy on this team that enjoys it.
So how did you find yoga? Do you guys ever
talk about your yoga bonds? I mean, shoot, probably with matiues.
I feel like Matis, he's out there, you know what
I mean. That's the cool thing with Matisse too, Like
(17:04):
I can always come to him about some like outside
idea that I have and like just bounce it off
him and see how. You know what I mean, what
other people would be like, Yo, what are you talking about?
What are you talking about? I was thinking about that too.
Yeah yeah, yeah, so that's cool. But um yeah, that's
just something to keep the mind body right, you know
(17:25):
what I mean. Helt his wealth? How do I find it?
I feel like it was off and on, like college
and stuff like that, and then even PRO used to
like I mean at the six Ers, I used to
have somebody come in and teach yoga a little bit,
and eventually you just learning more about it and and
then once you start to experience the benefits for yourself,
(17:45):
it's just like, well, you know what I mean, I'm
gonna pick it up and start doing it. So but
um yeah, you've told me about meditation too, which is
something that multiple guys on this team share So can
you tell me more about how you found meditation and
who you share that with? Meditation? Can I ask you
this about meditation? So, like how when you meditate, like
(18:07):
do you do it for a certain period of time
and set your time or because I've tried, like meditation,
you know, you turn on like the music that like
you hear and like you know when you're getting a
massage at like professional places, and I cannot seem to
stay awake, Like I'll put it on and then I'll
be asleep for two hours. I used to. I used
to do it like that like crazy, but now it's
(18:27):
it's I'm I try to just make it like the
way I live, you know, Like if I really feel
like I need to sit down and take my time,
like in a dark room and close my eyes, and
I'll do it. But like otherwise, man, I just try
to make it the way I live. And it's not
even about controlling your thoughts or whatever. It's just I
mean kind of letting them see them and not holding
any attachment to them, you know what I mean, Just
(18:48):
letting them come and then let them go, and then
being present, yeah, being present for real. But I would say,
like things that I'm into, I would I'm just I'm
trying to just be more creative, tapping them more of
my creative side, whether that be like, um, drawing or
designing or coming up with with ideas that I could
tangibly see myself, you know, I mean putting into existence. So,
(19:10):
so do you like freelance like draw or like design
stuff on like computer at home? Yeah, at home, like
I'll try to like mess with some sneakers or clothes
or you know, I mean something like that. Oh, so
you have like a super like creative mind then, because
if someone put like a piece of paper in front
of me and was like draw something that comes to mind,
I would just like start drawing like triangles and you
(19:32):
know what I mean, my name and like bubble letters,
bubble letters. So like when you when you're at home,
like you do you have like your own artwork, like
hanging up wars. It just like more like shoes that
you're trying to design or putting designs on like objects. Uh,
it's just more like like sketchwork and um, like shoes.
I haven't hung anything myself. I am a big fan
(19:53):
of art though, Like I'm constantly searching for like pieces.
And it's not even like crazy expensive pieces or or
pieces by known people. It's just like if it catches
my eye and like I kind of can get inspired
from it or like see it like connect with myself
and you know, I mean, I'll grab it and try
to hang it in my house. But um, you should
(20:14):
try to get the mona Lisa and Lisa Yeah, get
in there. Sale Yeah looking at me like that. I
thought that was a funny joke. I'll rock it with it.
Shifting gears shake. Something that we've done a few times
on this show is we've talked about what y'all's impressions
(20:35):
of George were before George got here. You played against
George a few times, yeah, before he became your teammate. Yea,
So how did your expectations of George, because he already
did this for you, How did your expectations of George
meet up meet up to your reality of George. I
don't know. I didn't really have like too many expectations,
Like I just remember no George, like just from the outside,
like I knew he was coming shoot threes and he
(20:57):
would start chirping a little bit. You know what I mean,
let letting dudes have it, And honestly, he came here
and he was much of the same, letting threes go
and then you know, chirping at dudes and getting after guys,
and then just his energy overall with the team too,
is just it's crazy. He's definitely the type of person
you want to play with on it, like, you know
what I mean, you want him on your side because
(21:18):
he's gonna he's gonna ride for you, and then he's
also gonna, you know what i mean, knock down threes
and make an impact. For Con and Matisse when they
came on the show, they both said that George brought
his attitude what you're talking about with whether it's the
chirping or just the vibes that he brings, the way
that he comes into a room and you know he's there,
brought something new to this team because a lot of
you guys are a little bit more demir a little
(21:39):
bit quieter. So how do you feel about the way
that this year's team has rounded out? What's George's role
in all that? Shoot? I mean, I think it's just
that I think he's like he's like the glue. Like
if George is not coming in being loud, like giving
off energy, then you know we're gonna come to him
and be like, yo, gee, what's up, Like we need
(22:00):
you to get your stuff going, get get right and
you know, help us out. And I mean he's cool
about it because if we were slacking, he would do
the same to us. And that's what kind of makes
the whole team um work and and move in the
right direction. I appreciate you giving me that title. I'm
like the the straw that stirs the drink, the glue.
The glue you also have. We talked about your friendship
(22:22):
with Tyrese, but I know you have a special bond
with Furkan and Matise as well. You guys have a
little tree out. Yeah, they're like the Three Musketeers. You
guys are like you look at you three, and you
guys are like two totally different people. Like even fur Concept,
like Matisse dresses like a yoga teacher. You know, Furkon
has his like Euro style like like tight jeans and
(22:44):
you know those boots that he wears where he likes to,
you know, represent the state police. And then you know
you have Swaggy Shake that probably has every pair of
Nike dunks or nice you know, clothing, and they all
just seem to be connected with what similarities I don't know,
but they are. You guys are the Three Musketeers for sure.
(23:08):
It's crazy too. We'll be on the plane and Tissa
look back there and he'll just come out with one
of his wild, like super wild ideas and talk to
Firk and I'm just chirping in like and then all
of a sudden we're just we're talking about like the
most outlandish things and like, I don't know those those
guys are. They're funny. They keep me on my toes,
and it's definitely like a good energy because we're all
(23:29):
like kind of the same age, same, just the same,
like you know what I mean when it comes to
the team aspect. So it's definitely cool. Can we get
an example, Oh shoot, I don't even know. Firk always
has something funny to say, and he's always like sneaked,
just and like he Uh. The other day we were
in the training room and he was like he was talking.
(23:50):
We're talking about like bodies or whatever, and he was like, George,
you you must be Turkish, and I'm like, wow, He's like,
because you have belly like Turkish like, and I'm like,
did you just call me fat? He's like, no, I
have Billy too. But you know, I'm like, oh my god,
this dude is hilarious. But Ferk picking up all these
like little American like American like one liners are like
(24:11):
you know what I mean that he gets from like
kJ or Loper or Bob or any of them. You
can speak to that though, because four or five years
ago he didn't have this. Like you guys talk about
having your bag on the court. It's like Firk has
gathered a bag of English sayings and he really struggled
at the beginning. And he's been open about that with
us when he came on the show. But what's it
been like for you to watch his progression into this
like very funny English speaker. Yeah, he says, like he
(24:34):
didn't really speak too much English when he first got
over here, but to see him grow now, Furks just
a first just a cool dude. Like he's never too high,
never too low, always joking, always you know what I mean,
in a good mood, smiling, happy, so um. Firks easy
to be around, like a cool dude for real. The
last team and I wanted to ask you about is
Joel because he's also shared your entire career with Joel. Yeah,
(24:55):
and he's changed a lot and you've changed a lot.
So can you take us through the progression of of
getting to where you guys are now. It's definitely been crazy,
and it's been crazy to see Joe grow, like just
from when I first got here and you know his game,
how he was, and now he's just he's just he's
just involved into like this leader, like to a real
(25:18):
leader of the team where he's bringing guys in and
his game is just elevated and it's elevating the game
of others too, And he's just been essential to the
growth of I guess this whole like organization. Honestly, he's
the process, right like he is the process him speaking
of the process. Towards the end of the show, we
look inward, um and I'm curious. George usually teased this off,
(25:42):
but I guess I can do it, um, George. George
looks upset. George usually teasing this off. Can you believe
that shake? It's called the Big Niang theory, It's not
called she calling for ice? All right, right, this isn't
this isn't your time doing that swing? D Yeah, exactly,
(26:03):
pass it and go to the corner. So anyway, Shake.
In a final segment, we ask you, know, our guests,
you know, if you had advice for a younger you,
a younger Shake, Milton, what would what advice would you
give your younger you? Man? I would just tell myself
(26:24):
to like, stay the course, man, Like if you have
something like a goal or a dream or something you're
working towards, like, just stay the course. It's gonna be
ups and downs. There's gonna be you know, times where
it feels like it's not attainable, or you know times
where um, you know, you're there's highs and you feel like,
oh yeah, I'm closer than what I thought I was.
(26:45):
But just stay the course, man, because you never know
what can change. You never know what can happen, um,
and you know, just just be locked in and and
stay true to what you who you are and what
you do. Hey, I hear you, because you know, I
never thought a chubby kid from a thin one would
get to the NBA. And who knows if you thought
(27:05):
a kid from Oklahoma would be, you know, putting up
points in the NBA. So are there any when you
look back on your journey from Oklahoma to today formative
hurdles that you got over and do you remember how
you got over them? Shoot? Well, yeah, like in high
school and like my dad passed away, and you know,
(27:27):
that was just it was tough. And um, I was
obviously surrounded by like great people family wise, and I
just kind of blessed, was blessed into being in the
position to go to a situation like SMU, you know
what I mean, the people that were around there. I
was close to home, my mom could come see me whenever,
and I got to play and you know, and then
(27:49):
got to college and things went well. I kind of
ended up, you know, breaking my hand and then had
to decide, like yo, am I coming back for another
year and make the jump? And I was like, yo,
it's time. So it's just been kind of been a process,
and that's kind of what it always goes back to.
It's just, um, trusting, trusting what you're doing, and trusting
who you are and you know what I mean, just
put being two toes and two feet in and and
(28:12):
living with the rest you I had the pleasure a
couple of years ago of interviewing your mom. It seems
like you guys are really close. Can you tell us
a little bit more about your relationship with her and
what she means to you given what you just share. No, yeah,
she's she's in my rock like she she's just everything
like I would inspire to be, like, you know what
(28:32):
I mean, just an incredible person, incredible woman, um who
shows a lot of love. Her first game was actually
her first game in Philly was the game game two
in Atlanta. Whenever I was able to you know what
I mean, doing my thing, So that was that when
you were getting off. Yeah, was my mom's first game too.
And I remember I played one minute, literally one minute
(28:55):
the game before in game one, and I was like, oh,
down about it, and my mom shows up and I
was like, I don't know. Luckily I was able to
get things clicking. And the other one you me like
five three. Yeah, yeah, I remember watching that before our
game and you telling them like this dude is going crazy,
right No, no, yeah, it was just all in the air.
(29:15):
I guess. When I talked to her, she told the
story of watching your thirty nine point performance and we're
going to turn this around quickly, so I have no
problem sharing that we're in LA right now. And a
couple years ago when you were in LA, dropped thirty
nine on then Docs Clippers and your mom talked about
watching it at home with your sister and calling you afterwards.
What do you remember about a having a performance like
(29:36):
that but be sharing it with them sort of from afar, Oh, Yeah,
it was. I mean they're always always there for me,
and that was just kind of like our thing as
a family is just being there, like of your little
brother as a game. Everybody's going, little sister as a game,
everybody's going. So they were blowing up my phone afterwards,
you know what I mean, And it was it was
(29:56):
just amazing to have her performance like that. You know
how it is. You get in there and the room
gets a little big all of a sudden, you forget
like you're even playing basketball, You forget where you are.
You're just like there, You're in the zone. You're in
the zone for real. It's something that you can't describe.
People just have to you can't describe it. It's like, yeah,
when you're there, you know you've been in that zone
(30:17):
a lot more than me. I don't find the bottom
of the net as much as you do. Yeah, but
that's dope, Shank, I know a lot more about you. No,
I appreciate this. This is this is dope. Yeah. I
like podcasting. But the crazy part is we're doing this
for you know, obviously content and stuff like that. But
(30:37):
we actually had a real conversation, Like I actually got
like I would have never thought like you were into
like designing or how to creative side you or even
like meditation. But now I understand why you're a cool
common collective because you're just You're in the in the present,
in the now. I think that's so cool. So No,
I appreciate having me. We appreciate you coming. This is
a good episode. I'm excited to share this one. Come
(31:00):
on now, and then no one can say that they
don't know who shake it anymore exactly. Yo, come say
what's up? How about your boy's hilarious shake Milton? Thank
you so much for coming on the big Niang theory.
For sure. I appreciate y'all. We're out, We're out. Yeah,
(31:24):
we know
Welcome to the Big Niang Theory. Let me ask questions
my podcast. Joel is a card shark, Danny gets swindled fashion.
I just like stuff that looks greatness, just breads greatness,
and we all fit right in. Welcome back, everybody to
the Big Niang Theory. Today, our guest Shake Milton. I
(00:23):
was actually super excited to get Shake, you know, on
this podcast because he's actually a super cool dude, and
you know, we've had a special bond this year, and
he actually was one of the first teammates that I
even met when I, you know, first came to the Sixers.
And I feel like this episode I learned more about
(00:44):
him than I actually thought that I knew. There's so
much diversity you know, to Shake and the things that
he likes to do and how he handles his life.
And I'm super excited to to share this episode because
I feel like everybody's gonna learn more about Shake and
he's such a fascinating person and such a good person.
I feel like that that's the best part. Shake is
(01:05):
a little bit of an international man of mystery, and
it was really cool to unlock some of that today.
And he's also sort of universally beloved, and I think
that that's something that upon listening to this conversation, I
think people are gonna understand why. That's all I'll say,
so without further ado, Here's shake Milton. Yeah, I know.
(01:31):
Welcome back everybody to the Big Kneeg Theory. Today we
have a special guest who I'm hoping you guys get
to know a lot more about the one the only
Shake Milton, shake and bake the microwave. Yes, sir, my guy. Gee,
what's up? Welcome, Welcome on. Lauren is also here. She's present.
(01:53):
Thank you for making my presence. Know. Hey, I just
want to let the people know, but shake before we
you know, dive and getting to know you. How, how
have you enjoyed this season? I know it's kind of
been a roller coaster for you with you know, injuries,
you know, new roles, roster turnover. How has it been
(02:13):
for you personally and what do you look forward to,
you know, with the end of the season coming up? Yeah? Bro,
overall I say it's been smooth like. It's definitely had
some rough patches like being up and down, being like
hurt and then you catching COVID and being away from
the team that was tough too, But no, man, just
I've been kind of just learning to roll with the
(02:35):
punches and just have a little like giving into life
a little bit, you know, just kind of come, you know,
taking what comes and rolling with him in. So it's
been great. And just my attitude towards everything coming up
is in a good light too, So I'm smooth. Yeah. No,
It's funny that you say, like your attitude stays the same,
because when I first met you, when we were in Vegas,
(02:58):
you know, they're all like, oh, yeah, come to Vegas,
you know, meet the Summer League guys, Like we'll have
a couple of our guys there. Shake was the only
one there, and uh we ended up going through a
workout and uh I remember asking Shack. I'm like, yo, like,
are the fans like really that crazy? He's like, bro,
I'm gonna give it to you like this. Just keep
(03:18):
looking forward, he was like, don't get He's like, don't
get too high, don't get too low. It just keep
looking forward. And like when you say that, like obviously,
when someone says that, you're almost to the point where
you're like, all right, give me the real But as
I watched like how our season, your season plans out,
Like you literally that injury you had and or you
(03:39):
had COVID first, right covid. Yeah, you had COVID first,
and then you had the injury with you a training
camp issue too, injury wise, Yeah, it was the ankle,
Like Lauren just Shake's healthy, trying to say that you've
overcome a lot. It wasn't just COVID and then the back.
(04:01):
It was it started in training camp, which we've seen
in years past, Matisse last year, You're always going to
be at a disadvantage if you can't participate in training camp.
That's really hard. Yeah, and then you know you just
like like you told me, you just kept your head down.
I mean, I don't think people understand like how serious
the whole back issue. Like when I was watching Shake
like work out, it was like almost like he was
(04:23):
like aching, going like so I'm slow, but when I
see someone doing moves slower than me, yeah, I'm like
something really must be wrong. Man. It was just like
it was just slow motion. Like that whole period was
really slow motion. For me. I had to like really
just sit down and be like man, you know what,
like it's out of my hands, Like I gotta just
(04:43):
he'll get healthy and then you know what I mean,
make plays because you know, us as like athletes, we
just want to like go go go, like just continue
to be on the court, crazy and getting better whatnot.
But like I have the same problem at the dinner team.
But yeah, you know what I mean. But sometimes like
just to you to sit down for a second. Yeah,
that's what it was, you know, speaking of life moving slow.
(05:05):
Hopefully you don't get too offended. Better, but you're from Oklahoma, right, yes, sir,
I can't imagine life being too fast in Oklahoma. How
was talk about like your journey that transitioned from Oklahoma
to SMU then to Philadelphia, what adjustments? What did you
think your future was going to be and then what
(05:28):
has it ended up being? Yeah, man, I mean shoot,
in Oklahoma, like high school, I was just trying to
get in like a good college and pick a good
college to where like I knew I would be able
to come in contribute do my thing a little bit.
Like I wanted to be an NBA player and that
was on my mind, but like that wasn't like it
wasn't like the end all be all, Like I wasn't
(05:49):
gonna like, you know what I mean. So for me,
that's what it was. And I knew going to SMU
would give me a little bit of a shot because
we had Larry Brown there as the coach, and you know,
I was seeing what he was able to do in Dallas.
So I went there, and you know, my first couple
of years, I you know, I mean, it did pretty decent.
Second year, we won like a conference championship, and I saw,
you know, a couple of my teammates went pro, and
(06:10):
I was like, oh, like, I'm actually that could be me. Yeah,
you know what I mean, Like I'm closer than what
I really think I am. So and then after that
I just really locked into it and ended up making
a chump man and and luckily, you know, it kind
of panned out. Yeah, And you know what you are,
You're blessed because you know you are in the same
place that you know you started. You know, not too
(06:31):
many people in their NBA career get to stick around
for their whole you know, or most of their NBA
career in one place. Not saying that you're going to
be here forever, but wink wink, And I know I'm
just kidding. Yeah, but you know there's a chance that
there's there's a chance that you are, and there's a
chance that you are. But the fact that you know
you've developed and grown here and you know, like I've
(06:54):
told you before, you've had big games and big moments
and like really established yourself as you know, an NBA
player here, I think that you know there's a there's
an important piece of that because you know, I've had
to jump ship in different places and you know how
emotional I am. Like any team that I've left, I've
been like you forget them, like I hope you do.
So you know the fact that you've been able to
(07:16):
grow here, I got a question for you, bro, what
do you think is like the biggest thing for you,
like with daling with all those different like variabilities, you
know what I mean, Like you never really know what's
being thrown at you and what's coming your way, So
how do you you know what I mean, stay locked in? Yeah? No,
I think the biggest thing for me though, is you
is easy. As it's said, you know, you want to
take the emotion out of it, but obviously I'm an
(07:38):
emotional person. But you really just have to go into
it and keep it or take it as like surface level,
like you know, I'm here to do my job. You know,
obviously you're allowed to to fall in love with the city,
fall in love with the people that you're around, but
also realizing that it's a part of heartbreak is also
like a part of the job of it. And just
because you have your heart broken one time, you know,
(08:00):
it doesn't mean that you're not You shouldn't get up
and try to love the you know, experience that you've
you've been in. How do you feel about that? And
you're giving me this look like Georgia's just given the
people a bunch of bs. No, you're not. I was
actually gonna make another connection. You guys were drafted in
around the same range, right, and then we were in
(08:20):
the same draft. No, no, not twenty sixteen, you're twenty seventeen,
twenty eighteen. That's yoh my god. You're trying to add
my add years to me late second round and you've
both had to fight your way into NBA rotations. What
number were you fifty four? I was fifty. Those fifties
(08:42):
they get there. There's some gems like Paul redfty P,
But you guys know that a lot of people that
get drafted in the fifties are no longer in the league, right,
So you guys share in common figuring out a way
different breed, different breed. Me and Shake are just different.
It's just different, you know, Like Shake said, you just
I'm gonna keep my head, head down, looking straight, keep
(09:04):
doing it. Now. I'll definitely give you, give you credit.
There is like not a day that whether it's an
off day or you know, a blackout day that you know,
I may sneak in that Shakes not in there, you know,
working on that you know, lefty drive or step back
mid range that we saw against the Miami heat time
(09:25):
after time after time. Um. Yeah, no, So I just
think for me seeing how you work, you know, obviously
you're just a diligent worker. And I think from how
I look at it, as like you never take no
for an answer. You know, you're just never gonna quit.
At the end of the day, you were kicking down
someone's doing be like, I'm I'm here to stay. I mean, shoot,
(09:48):
that's part of it, right, That's that's probably why we
stuck around, you know, I mean, as long as we
have Um, I'll pull up to the gym at nighttime,
you know what I mean, thinking, I'm you know, getting
getting one over on on some folks, you know what
I mean, getting some work in, and I'll seeg in
there working with his man. I'm like, yo, dang, I
gotta show up earlier, you know what I mean, Like, yeah,
I gotta get there earlier. So no, yeah, I guess
(10:10):
is you just part of the process. Man. One of
your friends on this team who also puts in a
lot of work is Tyrese. And I've really enjoyed watching
you and Tyrese bond. And I think that there's a
misconception a little bit that last season, when you think
about playoffs, you guys were sort of like in competition
for minutes you weren't sort of in competition minutes you were.
And I think externally that sort of looks like you
(10:32):
guys might be pitted against each other, But then behind
the curtain, you guys are good friends. You're challenging each other.
That's continued this season, but you're also sort of his vet.
So can you give us a little bit more insight
into what your relationship is like with Tyrese and what
it's been like to watch him this year? Man, that's
that's that's my bro, that's my dog man. That's like
I've just seen him grow. He was supposed to come
(10:55):
mess with me with SMU. I'm still you know, I
still get at him about the snake. Yeah he did,
he did, he did on the level, but it's all good, yo.
But just seeing him blossom into what he is, like
he's a star. Like just the work that he puts
in and the way he comes out and performs each
and every night. Um has been crazy. And we always
(11:15):
like bouncing ideas off each other, you know what I mean,
always speaking to each other just because we see the
game kind of similarly and we kind of go through
the same things, especially dealing with you know what i mean,
coaches and you know, like just the whole experience of
being an NBA player. And for those who don't know,
his dad coached you briefly correct, but yeah, his dad
was a part of the coaching staff at SMU for
(11:36):
a year. So that was that was fun too. I
thought we were gonna get him, dang, and he still
didn't gonna. Yeah, where's that kid's? Little kid is different?
Yea kid is different. But you know, like speaking on
to like competing, you know, four minutes. I think, you know,
on this team for you know, the time that I've
been here, even though we're like competing for minutes with
each other, Like I feel like we all have a
(11:59):
genuine happiness for the other person. Like if we're not
playing and they're playing, well, like there's a genuine happen
and that I can promise you is not happening everywhere,
that's for sure where you know. I mean at the
beginning of the year, you know, Tyrese was starting, then
you were starting, then you know, you had your ankle injury.
And it's just like, no matter what has happened, everybody
(12:21):
seems to be genuinely happy for another person. And I
think that's important. And you know, I feel like someone
like to Bias, even though you know we joke around
with him, he gets the good vibration that kind of
like keeps everybody on the same way. And then now
Tyrese is just like his like you know, you play
(12:41):
like telephone. Now Tyrese is I don't know, like yeah,
you know what I mean. It just it kind of
goes all around the team, man, and um, you know,
nobody wants to be like the person where the team wins,
and then you know you're sitting there salty, and I'll say, like,
we don't have that type of person on this team
at all. So um, it's always fun just being around
the guys and seeing do succeed at what they do. Now, Shake,
(13:07):
we're hearing a lot about the basketball Shake. What does
Shake like to do in his free time? What are
some hobbies? You know what I mean? Just to put
a little bit more color behind this question, George and
I were talking about what we're going to talk to
you about. What God, George and I were talking about
what we were going to talk to you about. And
(13:28):
I said to him, and this is maybe an indictment
on me and the work that I've done with you,
but We've been together for almost four years, and I
don't know a ton about you. I know, I enjoy
you a lot, and I think we have like a
good dynamic for sure, But you are a quieter guy.
You're a little bit more reserved, and I think people
don't know a ton about you. So it's a really
good question because people want to know, is that like
(13:48):
my demeanor is that like? Is that is that what
it comes from? I could see that I'll be chilling,
because I mean every everybody just has that vibe, like
a different vibe, some like my vibe when I come
into a room, like you're gonna on my presence I'm here,
I mean like it was sad. Yeah, but there's other
people that you know, walk in and kind of like
scout the room and see where the energy is a
(14:09):
before they decided to like dive into the diving for
whatever reason. But you are like, how do I put
this in the right Like the coolest kid out like
your chill, you have your confidence about you, but you're
not gonna outwardly like put it out there. But if
someone were to come up to you and have a conversation,
they could chop it up for you and be like,
oh man, like that dude, super cool. But for the
people that I've never had a conversation with you, they're like, oh, well,
(14:31):
I don't really know. Because you know, Lauren's afraid to
get out of her comfort zone and probably ask you
like vulnerable questions. That's probably why she doesn't have That's
why people are going to love this episode. So give
us the details, man. Well know, people came up to
me and be like, oh man, Shake, You're so cool.
You're nice. Like I thought you were gonna be like
a jerk. I thought you were gonna be this. I
was like, Yo, that's crazy. Quick story. So, my mom
(14:54):
when I first got here, was staying at my place
and she was like going over the roster and she
was like, um, who is uh Malik? And I was like, Mom,
we don't have someone named Malik on a team. She
was like, oh, oh, it says his name is Malik here,
but do you guys call him like Shake? And and
then my mom was like or I was like, yeah,
(15:15):
you know, we we call him Shake. And I was like,
I would never want to call him Malik. I'd be
concerned on what he says. So until I heard someone
call you that, Like, in my head, I was always like,
has someone ever been like Malik? And Shake just turns
and snaps. But weirdly enough, the Malik to Shake story
about your dad, which you can tell if you want,
but that's like the only thing people do know about you. Yeah,
(15:37):
It's like you watch, especially if you watch a national
TV broadcast, you can guarantee that you're going to get
the story about get the story right. Yeah, And so
maybe maybe we should just skip it. Yeah, don't tell
that story. Tell us other things. Okay, it's cool though
that you have a cool nickname. Just gonna like open
that out there, just like tell us other things. We
already know the story, you know what I mean, Like,
(15:58):
what do you want to know? I mean, I don't know.
I'd be chilling. I like, I'll do yoga. Um, I'm
always interested in learning, like I like on YouTube, like
self betterment stuff. I collect shoes. That's probably like my
guilty habit. Like yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't spend a
lot of money doing crazy stuff or doing like buying
like material things, but shoes. I I gotta have the shoes.
(16:21):
True or false. You and Tobias have the same shoe size.
Oh yeah, thankfully sometimes Tobias Halla, I mean boy for yeah,
you're fifteen fourteen, fifteen, Yeah, and Tobias has been known
to sometimes Yeah, I know, he'll he'll bless the kid.
He'll bless the kid with some Kobes man. But nah, yeah,
(16:42):
Tobias will definitely drop some some Kobe some unreleased like
different color ways that never even seen on the market.
So it's also interesting that you mentioned yoga because you're
not the only guy on this team that enjoys it.
So how did you find yoga? Do you guys ever
talk about your yoga bonds? I mean, shoot, probably with matiues.
I feel like Matis, he's out there, you know what
I mean. That's the cool thing with Matisse too, Like
(17:04):
I can always come to him about some like outside
idea that I have and like just bounce it off
him and see how. You know what I mean, what
other people would be like, Yo, what are you talking about?
What are you talking about? I was thinking about that too.
Yeah yeah, yeah, so that's cool. But um yeah, that's
just something to keep the mind body right, you know
(17:25):
what I mean. Helt his wealth? How do I find it?
I feel like it was off and on, like college
and stuff like that, and then even PRO used to
like I mean at the six Ers, I used to
have somebody come in and teach yoga a little bit,
and eventually you just learning more about it and and
then once you start to experience the benefits for yourself,
(17:45):
it's just like, well, you know what I mean, I'm
gonna pick it up and start doing it. So but
um yeah, you've told me about meditation too, which is
something that multiple guys on this team share So can
you tell me more about how you found meditation and
who you share that with? Meditation? Can I ask you
this about meditation? So, like how when you meditate, like
(18:07):
do you do it for a certain period of time
and set your time or because I've tried, like meditation,
you know, you turn on like the music that like
you hear and like you know when you're getting a
massage at like professional places, and I cannot seem to
stay awake, Like I'll put it on and then I'll
be asleep for two hours. I used to. I used
to do it like that like crazy, but now it's
(18:27):
it's I'm I try to just make it like the
way I live, you know, Like if I really feel
like I need to sit down and take my time,
like in a dark room and close my eyes, and
I'll do it. But like otherwise, man, I just try
to make it the way I live. And it's not
even about controlling your thoughts or whatever. It's just I
mean kind of letting them see them and not holding
any attachment to them, you know what I mean, Just
(18:48):
letting them come and then let them go, and then
being present, yeah, being present for real. But I would say,
like things that I'm into, I would I'm just I'm
trying to just be more creative, tapping them more of
my creative side, whether that be like, um, drawing or
designing or coming up with with ideas that I could
tangibly see myself, you know, I mean putting into existence. So,
(19:10):
so do you like freelance like draw or like design
stuff on like computer at home? Yeah, at home, like
I'll try to like mess with some sneakers or clothes
or you know, I mean something like that. Oh, so
you have like a super like creative mind then, because
if someone put like a piece of paper in front
of me and was like draw something that comes to mind,
I would just like start drawing like triangles and you
(19:32):
know what I mean, my name and like bubble letters,
bubble letters. So like when you when you're at home,
like you do you have like your own artwork, like
hanging up wars. It just like more like shoes that
you're trying to design or putting designs on like objects. Uh,
it's just more like like sketchwork and um, like shoes.
I haven't hung anything myself. I am a big fan
(19:53):
of art though, Like I'm constantly searching for like pieces.
And it's not even like crazy expensive pieces or or
pieces by known people. It's just like if it catches
my eye and like I kind of can get inspired
from it or like see it like connect with myself
and you know, I mean, I'll grab it and try
to hang it in my house. But um, you should
(20:14):
try to get the mona Lisa and Lisa Yeah, get
in there. Sale Yeah looking at me like that. I
thought that was a funny joke. I'll rock it with it.
Shifting gears shake. Something that we've done a few times
on this show is we've talked about what y'all's impressions
(20:35):
of George were before George got here. You played against
George a few times, yeah, before he became your teammate. Yea,
So how did your expectations of George, because he already
did this for you, How did your expectations of George
meet up meet up to your reality of George. I
don't know. I didn't really have like too many expectations,
Like I just remember no George, like just from the outside,
like I knew he was coming shoot threes and he
(20:57):
would start chirping a little bit. You know what I mean,
let letting dudes have it, And honestly, he came here
and he was much of the same, letting threes go
and then you know, chirping at dudes and getting after guys,
and then just his energy overall with the team too,
is just it's crazy. He's definitely the type of person
you want to play with on it, like, you know
what I mean, you want him on your side because
(21:18):
he's gonna he's gonna ride for you, and then he's
also gonna, you know what i mean, knock down threes
and make an impact. For Con and Matisse when they
came on the show, they both said that George brought
his attitude what you're talking about with whether it's the
chirping or just the vibes that he brings, the way
that he comes into a room and you know he's there,
brought something new to this team because a lot of
you guys are a little bit more demir a little
(21:39):
bit quieter. So how do you feel about the way
that this year's team has rounded out? What's George's role
in all that? Shoot? I mean, I think it's just
that I think he's like he's like the glue. Like
if George is not coming in being loud, like giving
off energy, then you know we're gonna come to him
and be like, yo, gee, what's up, Like we need
(22:00):
you to get your stuff going, get get right and
you know, help us out. And I mean he's cool
about it because if we were slacking, he would do
the same to us. And that's what kind of makes
the whole team um work and and move in the
right direction. I appreciate you giving me that title. I'm
like the the straw that stirs the drink, the glue.
The glue you also have. We talked about your friendship
(22:22):
with Tyrese, but I know you have a special bond
with Furkan and Matise as well. You guys have a
little tree out. Yeah, they're like the Three Musketeers. You
guys are like you look at you three, and you
guys are like two totally different people. Like even fur Concept,
like Matisse dresses like a yoga teacher. You know, Furkon
has his like Euro style like like tight jeans and
(22:44):
you know those boots that he wears where he likes to,
you know, represent the state police. And then you know
you have Swaggy Shake that probably has every pair of
Nike dunks or nice you know, clothing, and they all
just seem to be connected with what similarities I don't know,
but they are. You guys are the Three Musketeers for sure.
(23:08):
It's crazy too. We'll be on the plane and Tissa
look back there and he'll just come out with one
of his wild, like super wild ideas and talk to
Firk and I'm just chirping in like and then all
of a sudden we're just we're talking about like the
most outlandish things and like, I don't know those those
guys are. They're funny. They keep me on my toes,
and it's definitely like a good energy because we're all
(23:29):
like kind of the same age, same, just the same,
like you know what I mean when it comes to
the team aspect. So it's definitely cool. Can we get
an example, Oh shoot, I don't even know. Firk always
has something funny to say, and he's always like sneaked,
just and like he Uh. The other day we were
in the training room and he was like he was talking.
(23:50):
We're talking about like bodies or whatever, and he was like, George,
you you must be Turkish, and I'm like, wow, He's like,
because you have belly like Turkish like, and I'm like,
did you just call me fat? He's like, no, I
have Billy too. But you know, I'm like, oh my god,
this dude is hilarious. But Ferk picking up all these
like little American like American like one liners are like
(24:11):
you know what I mean that he gets from like
kJ or Loper or Bob or any of them. You
can speak to that though, because four or five years
ago he didn't have this. Like you guys talk about
having your bag on the court. It's like Firk has
gathered a bag of English sayings and he really struggled
at the beginning. And he's been open about that with
us when he came on the show. But what's it
been like for you to watch his progression into this
like very funny English speaker. Yeah, he says, like he
(24:34):
didn't really speak too much English when he first got
over here, but to see him grow now, Furks just
a first just a cool dude. Like he's never too high,
never too low, always joking, always you know what I mean,
in a good mood, smiling, happy, so um. Firks easy
to be around, like a cool dude for real. The
last team and I wanted to ask you about is
Joel because he's also shared your entire career with Joel. Yeah,
(24:55):
and he's changed a lot and you've changed a lot.
So can you take us through the progression of of
getting to where you guys are now. It's definitely been crazy,
and it's been crazy to see Joe grow, like just
from when I first got here and you know his game,
how he was, and now he's just he's just he's
just involved into like this leader, like to a real
(25:18):
leader of the team where he's bringing guys in and
his game is just elevated and it's elevating the game
of others too, And he's just been essential to the
growth of I guess this whole like organization. Honestly, he's
the process, right like he is the process him speaking
of the process. Towards the end of the show, we
look inward, um and I'm curious. George usually teased this off,
(25:42):
but I guess I can do it, um, George. George
looks upset. George usually teasing this off. Can you believe
that shake? It's called the Big Niang theory, It's not
called she calling for ice? All right, right, this isn't
this isn't your time doing that swing? D Yeah, exactly,
(26:03):
pass it and go to the corner. So anyway, Shake.
In a final segment, we ask you, know, our guests,
you know, if you had advice for a younger you,
a younger Shake, Milton, what would what advice would you
give your younger you? Man? I would just tell myself
(26:24):
to like, stay the course, man, Like if you have
something like a goal or a dream or something you're
working towards, like, just stay the course. It's gonna be
ups and downs. There's gonna be you know, times where
it feels like it's not attainable, or you know times
where um, you know, you're there's highs and you feel like,
oh yeah, I'm closer than what I thought I was.
(26:45):
But just stay the course, man, because you never know
what can change. You never know what can happen, um,
and you know, just just be locked in and and
stay true to what you who you are and what
you do. Hey, I hear you, because you know, I
never thought a chubby kid from a thin one would
get to the NBA. And who knows if you thought
(27:05):
a kid from Oklahoma would be, you know, putting up
points in the NBA. So are there any when you
look back on your journey from Oklahoma to today formative
hurdles that you got over and do you remember how
you got over them? Shoot? Well, yeah, like in high
school and like my dad passed away, and you know,
(27:27):
that was just it was tough. And um, I was
obviously surrounded by like great people family wise, and I
just kind of blessed, was blessed into being in the
position to go to a situation like SMU, you know
what I mean, the people that were around there. I
was close to home, my mom could come see me whenever,
and I got to play and you know, and then
(27:49):
got to college and things went well. I kind of
ended up, you know, breaking my hand and then had
to decide, like yo, am I coming back for another
year and make the jump? And I was like, yo,
it's time. So it's just been kind of been a process,
and that's kind of what it always goes back to.
It's just, um, trusting, trusting what you're doing, and trusting
who you are and you know what I mean, just
put being two toes and two feet in and and
(28:12):
living with the rest you I had the pleasure a
couple of years ago of interviewing your mom. It seems
like you guys are really close. Can you tell us
a little bit more about your relationship with her and
what she means to you given what you just share. No, yeah,
she's she's in my rock like she she's just everything
like I would inspire to be, like, you know what
(28:32):
I mean, just an incredible person, incredible woman, um who
shows a lot of love. Her first game was actually
her first game in Philly was the game game two
in Atlanta. Whenever I was able to you know what
I mean, doing my thing, So that was that when
you were getting off. Yeah, was my mom's first game too.
And I remember I played one minute, literally one minute
(28:55):
the game before in game one, and I was like, oh,
down about it, and my mom shows up and I
was like, I don't know. Luckily I was able to
get things clicking. And the other one you me like
five three. Yeah, yeah, I remember watching that before our
game and you telling them like this dude is going crazy,
right No, no, yeah, it was just all in the air.
(29:15):
I guess. When I talked to her, she told the
story of watching your thirty nine point performance and we're
going to turn this around quickly, so I have no
problem sharing that we're in LA right now. And a
couple years ago when you were in LA, dropped thirty
nine on then Docs Clippers and your mom talked about
watching it at home with your sister and calling you afterwards.
What do you remember about a having a performance like
(29:36):
that but be sharing it with them sort of from afar, Oh, Yeah,
it was. I mean they're always always there for me,
and that was just kind of like our thing as
a family is just being there, like of your little
brother as a game. Everybody's going, little sister as a game,
everybody's going. So they were blowing up my phone afterwards,
you know what I mean, And it was it was
(29:56):
just amazing to have her performance like that. You know
how it is. You get in there and the room
gets a little big all of a sudden, you forget
like you're even playing basketball, You forget where you are.
You're just like there, You're in the zone. You're in
the zone for real. It's something that you can't describe.
People just have to you can't describe it. It's like, yeah,
when you're there, you know you've been in that zone
(30:17):
a lot more than me. I don't find the bottom
of the net as much as you do. Yeah, but
that's dope, Shank, I know a lot more about you. No,
I appreciate this. This is this is dope. Yeah. I
like podcasting. But the crazy part is we're doing this
for you know, obviously content and stuff like that. But
(30:37):
we actually had a real conversation, Like I actually got
like I would have never thought like you were into
like designing or how to creative side you or even
like meditation. But now I understand why you're a cool
common collective because you're just You're in the in the present,
in the now. I think that's so cool. So No,
I appreciate having me. We appreciate you coming. This is
a good episode. I'm excited to share this one. Come
(31:00):
on now, and then no one can say that they
don't know who shake it anymore exactly. Yo, come say
what's up? How about your boy's hilarious shake Milton? Thank
you so much for coming on the big Niang theory.
For sure. I appreciate y'all. We're out, We're out. Yeah,
(31:24):
we know
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