Vince Carter hosts Mike Conley to discuss the NBA Finals, Nikola Jokic’s place in the best centers of all time conversation, Jokic & Jamal Murray as the top duos in the league, and Mike’s role as a mentor on the T-Wolves. Plus, Mike Conley reveals what makes Anthony Edwards so special, his thoughts on Victor Wembanyama entering the league, and the evolution of pacing and matchups in today’s NBA.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The VC Show is presented for the people by Caesar
Sports Book, the greatest sports betting app of all times. Downloaded,
but you must be twenty one or older. The v
sped show Let's go doing the part with Rod. We
got the Sports Zone Dick for all the youngs, whether
it is big news, hot topics, updates, straight facts, storytelling, breakdown,
(00:24):
a special guest BC show Let's go What's time to
Turn it Down? Show? Yo Yo, Welcome to the VC Show,
presented by Caesar Sports Book on Omaha Audio on VC.
Roz is out doing what Roz does. But I have
a special guest today for you guys. Man, where do
I start? An All Star? He made the All Defensive Team,
(00:45):
A fellow Twyman Stokes Award winner. He's a teammate guy.
You know, He's a team guy. That's why I like him.
He's also the point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves and
also my former teammate Memphis Grizzlies. I call him money Mike,
but you guys know is Mike Conley. Mike Man. What's
going on? Man? Thanks for taking the time out and
join us. I know you're a busy guy either. What
(01:06):
you're probably online call of duty or you know, on
your simulator or something. But man, appreciate the time. Man,
how you doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I'm good, brother. I appreciate you inviting me out. And
you know, I take a break anytime for you. Bro.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, Hey, what's what's the off season looking like for
you right now?
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh? Man, chilling, chilling with the family right now.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Bro, Like it's like real recovery this year, because like
you're the old guy if you would, you know, you
used to tell me and make fun of me about
being an old guy in the locker room and you
know now that you're you're in that position, like how
are you handling that? I know we talked along the year,
but like, how are you really handling that?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You know? It's low key kind of scary, bro. Like
it's like, you know, you, I don't know if I'm
having some kind of midlife crisis or something, but I'm
like paranoid. I'm anxious. Like it's just like, man, you
can kind of see the end coming near and players,
oh yeah, you're on the other side, and you know,
are referring to you as like uncle and og and
all these different names. I'm just like, man, I'm not ready,
(02:05):
Like I'm I'm used to, you know, looking up to
my vets and I don't have no vets no more. Man,
It's just me.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
And I looked at I looked at the you know,
I mean, I look at that like, you know, I
take a trip back when I started hearing it constantly
about being the old g and the oldest guy. You know, well,
I became the oldest guy in the league. But you
know you're not there yet. I know you don't know
your faced it too, but it's like I remember, I
was the youngest guy. Then I was like in the
middle and I was close to one of the oldest,
(02:32):
and I became the oldest in the locker room. Then
I became the oldest in the league. And it was
just like I said, it's a scary roller coaster ride.
But it's also a testament, you know, for you being
able to last that long standing, the test of times,
all that you've done, a lot of games that you've played,
like you're here.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Now though, yeah yeah, man, you know, thanks to you
and all the advice you gave me. Guys like take
Sean Prince, I'm my vets man took care of me
as a youngster, and the number one thing. Y'all told
me to take care of that body, and uh, you
know it's.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Gonna come fast. Like you Yeah, it gets here, it
gets you get to be a young guy, man, but
being the old guy, it happens quickly man.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And like you said, it is a testament man. You know,
I got a lot of respect for guys who can
play a long time and show that they can still
compete with these young fellas.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
What has been the hardest adjustment for you as far
as like, is it back I'm sure back to backs?
But is it back okay? Is it back to backs
or is it like the four and five nights?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Probably the both? Can I choose both? Probably the four
and five nights though, Yeah, to be real, you know
this year was probably my first season the last few
where I played you know, pretty much all the back
to backs. And you know, that third and fourth game
is completely different than what it was five, six, seven,
(03:53):
eight years ago. And like we talked about that third
and fourth game, you're going against twenty one twenty two
year olds who can run laps, you know, in their sleep.
So and you at the point guard that, yeah, at
the point guard position ain't no joke. So Uh, you know,
trying to get that rest and sleep and in recovery
is the biggest thing obviously in those four and five Well.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
I'll tell I'll tell you, Like uh, I tell a
lot of guys like it's it was a secret that
not really a secret. Like a lot of track athletes
are using take a bag of ice and kind of
stick it on your pelvits with your legs up. That
helps you drain your legs, you know, for you to
keep going. So that's something you should try, uh, in
between back to backs, and it helps it for faster recovery.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I feel like I'm giving you the secret. But if
whoever's listening to this and the other guys, they're gonna
kind of get it too. But you're you know, O
G and you know, we teammates. I'm trying to help.
But and it's gonna it's gonna work. It's gonna feel
uncomfortable at first, like, bro, what is he doing? But
the recovery time, because you're getting rid of all that
lactic acid, I think you'll you'll like it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Man, Bro, I needed that like a month ago. What's up, man,
You're just going away, You're just saving them secret man,
I need that against yo.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Yeah, my bad as always next year, hey, but not
now for the whole season. Yeah right right, But speaking
of Jokis, Man, what were your thoughts you know on
the finals? I mean, it was just crazy to see that.
Obviously you guys played them in early in the playoffs
and to sit back and watch I did you watch
(05:22):
all of the playoffs, because I know sometimes it's players,
you know, you you lose it in you know, in
early round or whatever, and you don't want to watch
the next round, right, But did you actually did you
actually watch?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Man? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't watch. I didn't
watch a game for you know, at least up until
the conference finals, midway through the conference finals, and caught
half of the finals, like caught a little bit of
last night's game. But it is, you know, it's real
tough to watch, uh, absolutely, especially at this stage of
my career. It's like, man, like, yeah, I wish that
(05:57):
was me, Like I wish that was me. I wish
I was able to be out there, and so I
just try to, you know, uh, subtract myself from the
situation as much as I can, to stay far away
from it. But at the same time, it draws you
to it. You know, this this series was an exciting
one because absolutely because you're you know, for me being
able to have played against Denver and to see a
(06:19):
team that ultimately put us out to go all the
way and play against a talented team like Miami, it was.
It was a fun situation to have to be a
part of.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Did did you think when you played them at that point,
did you think that the outcome for them could be this?
They could end up champions? I mean, they looked very
good all all, you know, all playoffs, I mean all
season they were good. We just when I say we,
on the other side, we didn't give them their props.
I mean, it's tough on you on the East coast
(06:49):
to watch West Coast games, you know, late, and it's
typically you know, the Denver I mean, obviously you gonna
stay up to see what you want to see, but
everybody wouldn't say, oh, let me go watch Denver. But
at the same time, they stayed true to who they
were and for you getting the up close person like,
did you say after that series or feel after that
series like this team could possibly get it done?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
For sure? You know, for sure, you know that that team,
I mean all year there was just so overlooked and underrated,
and yet they were the number one seed. It didn't
make sense. And you know what I mean. And we
played against them and the way that they handled themselves,
the way that they played together as a team, they
were the best you know, quote unquote team like chemistry
wise in the league and clicking on all cylinders. And
(07:33):
it was, you know, a fun competition to be able
to compete against those guys. But man, they were really
they were really special. Excuse me mm hm.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
As as you know, we talk about duos and that
won two punch. You know, you know you've played a
long time. We've played a long time, and you know
you see duos that do it individually and not like
you like I mean, yeah, sometimes you have guys that
play the same position, but you can still be a
(08:07):
monster with with you know, like a Tatum Brown pick
and roll. Like you got to decide how you want
to guard that. I think, do you what you think
one of the best duos in the league? Do you
put them up there?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yo?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Kitchen Jamal Murray And I asked that question because I
feel I'll go first. I just feel like not only
are they great individually, but they're hard to stop as
a duo working together because not only do they utilize
each other and create for each other, they create for
the other guy when you make a mistake.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right. What was interesting is they reminded me a little
bit of how, you know, Marcasol and yes, myself and
yes the Grizzlies played for a little bit, how we
kind of used are big as, like, you know, the
focal points and let it, you know, guys kind of
runt around and cut and space and but they just
you know, so much better at it. It seemed like
(09:00):
you yok being m v P Jamal, you know, being
one of the best players in the playoffs in the
league this year and continually getting better and their their
supporting cast was awesome as well. So it was it
was unbelievable to see their growth and to see them
over the last few years and few playoffs. Now that
Jamal is back healthy, uh, finally kind of get the
(09:21):
recognition they deserve as being one of the better duos
in the league.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
How do you feel about well, is it too soon
to to really and I know how I feel about this,
is it too soon to kind of you know, if
you look at what's talked about today, you know, leading
up into throwing Jokic in the conversation of the great
best centers or greatest centers? Is it too soon? You know,
(09:47):
I'm a guy that feels like it's too soon. Yes,
we we got to enjoy what we're seeing. But give
him time. Let's give him time to create. You know,
this this wonderful story which is doing already, but like,
you know, give them time. I think it's you know,
I don't think we're putting pressure on him because he's
a guy that kind of like, you know, he's not
really into that. Like it's like, I mean, the one
(10:08):
thing I admired about about Yo Kich last night is
that the two things and I'm gonna go backwards. When
they were trying to take the peen picture, they were
trying to get him to sit down, and he's like, yeah,
y'all go ahead. You know, y'all sit down to y'all
go ahead. For one, he wins the award, he holds
it up, he wins the MVP, holds the trophy up,
puts it down, and he goes walking the back like
(10:29):
you don't see that. You know what I'm saying. I
was just like, you know, if that's me, man, I'm
clutching this thing, like this is my baby. Now wherever
I go, we going, you know what I'm saying. And
he was just kind of like, yeah, you know he
had the interview with Malika, Like yeah, I don't know,
I don't know where it is. I put it down
on the table and like he says, it'll get it'll
get you know, return to me or delivered to my
(10:50):
house at some point. Like I just feel like he
doesn't care about that. So I'm just like this, let
him create his story. I think it's it's it's fun
to talk about now, you know, about what he is
and what he's done. But let's kind of just see
what this looks like later on and then kind of
just throw. I think we try to throw all the
time where guys fall early in their career, in the
(11:15):
middle of their career. But let's just see what the
chapters are looking like into, you know, until finished. You
know what are you right now?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
We we discussed this as a family. My cousins, all
basketball people around we all talk about this. And I've
got an older uncle cousin who's in the same boat
as you was like, man, just you know, let them
play it out, like, you know, we're ready to crown
people like right away as a rookie year, as a
second year player, as a fifth year, sixth year player,
(11:45):
and say he's better than this person or that person,
and you just got to let their careers play out.
And then once it once, you you know, have both
sets of information. You can kind of have.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Exactly the key word you have, you know, you have
like real information.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Right, So you let that happen and then you go
from there. But in the on the trajectory that he's
currently at, he's he's you know, he deserves to be,
you know, mentioned in those in those names.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Absolute yeah, And I think now like I think, you know,
you can say like he has flashes, he's I mean,
he's what he's doing is definitely on pace to be
one of the best ever in his position, like bar None,
I mean, what he's doing, he like Rich Jefferson Broke
had a breakdown the day of you know, his numbers
(12:32):
and what he did and his comparisons to I think
it was d Rent Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Tim Duncan
and I can't remember the other one, but his numbers,
like compared the first time, all first time MVPs were
as good, if not better than all these guys. So yes, rightfully,
so we talk about Yokies like that. But I'm interested
(12:54):
to see where he goes from here because you know,
he's just I mean, he's such a humble guy and
I think he you know, he wants to continue to win,
but like you could see, like Mike Malone, that guy
wants to win like you you think in the fire
and him, which I think will ignite everyone else. But
it's just he's an interesting superstar. And do you you
(13:15):
would agree, and you don't have to answer it if
you don't want to, But yes, I think Joel and
b was the best at played unbelievable and he deserved
his MVP. But the cool Jokics not the best player
in the league right now.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, I you know, pre playoffs, I had chosen Joel
as as my guy I thought would the MVP, just
from how he had played throughout the season. And Yoki
was right there too. Gianni's right there all those guys.
But right now, obviously Jokic uh is something else. He's
(13:51):
uh super special obviously.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
So so good to where people are questioning, did we
make the right picking in the regular season? You know so,
and you know, I think too. For me, I would
like to see you know, and obviously NBA will listen
to me. But I think with these awards it kind
of gets cluttered because we look at the body of
work the season, and I think they announced the awards
(14:16):
so late to where we as fans, they carry it
over into the playoffs because of what we're seeing in
the playoffs now, and you know, we have to understand
it's for regular season award, and I feel like that
award should happen shortly thereafter to kind of kill the
noise of how people think about the awards that are given,
because we're starting to look at you know, you look
(14:38):
at embiid and everybody's like, oh man, Yolkus is way
better because look at how far they've gone it. But
it's like it's it's a regular season award. It's not
an entirety, you know, the award. It's just you know,
so I think we got it. That's one thing I
would like to see the NBA fixed.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Yeah, I could, I could agree with that. I think
that would give a good buffer in between Yeah, and
it'll gives them, Yeah, that separation for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And as a point guard, I want to give I
got to give Jamal Murray. You know, I tweeted last
night after the game. I was like, I put out
throughout Kitchener, like you know where he's from, Jamal Murray,
what he's gone through, and he could have easily just
been a shell of himself of for frustration, all the
tough times, tough outs he's had over his career, and
(15:25):
yet he came back a monster and he was playing
like lights out. I'm not saying he was he would
be m VP because I thought, but like he wasn't
far behind now.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
He he might have been just as important as Jokis.
And yes, you know we played against him in the
playoffs and you saw things he was doing. I was,
it was so reminiscent of the bubble. H Yeah, with
him and don were you know, exchange and blows blows
and going back and forth and have an incredible game
(16:03):
after an incredible game, and he was doing the same
thing I hit, the shot making that he was he
was doing and the things that he was creating. Because
I mean, we had guys on our team that were
defending and playing really well and it just didn't matter
at certain times. And you know, it was a it
was a pretty remarkable run to see him to get
back to where he's at now after having a major
(16:27):
injury like that. Like you said, it's a testament to
him because that's you know, as you know, that's that
that that road to recovery and the injury and what
you used to be and all these things that pop
in your mind when you have an injury coming back
from it, all all are real and he he dealt
with it, and you know, look at him now.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, look at him now. Man shout out to to
why should you bet with Caesar Sports book Two words,
Caesar's rewards. Every bet brings you closer to the types
of benefits only Caesars can offer. Hotel stays, VP experiences,
sports and concert tickets and more. It's not just an app,
it's an empire.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Twenty one and over. Must be physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming,
or Washington, d C. Sports betting is void in Georgia, Hawaii,
Utah and other states were prohibited. No one to stop
(17:25):
before you start. Gambling problem Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia,
West Virginia, Pennsylvania affiliated with Harris Philadelphia. If you were
someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and
referral services can be accessed by calling one eight hundred
gambler that's one eight hundred four to two six two
five three seven or Maryland visit MD Gamblinghelp dot org.
Or West Virginia visit one eight hundred gambler dot net.
(17:47):
Arizona call one eight hundred next step, Colorado, DC, Nevada, Wyoming,
Kansas affiliated with the Kansas Crossing Casino. Call one eight
hundred five to two two four seven zero zero. Indiana
call one eight hundred nine with it. Iowa call one
eight hundred bets off. Louisiana call one eight seven seven
seven seven zero stop licensed to the Horseshoe, Bossier City
and Harris New Orleans, Massachusetts. If you were a loved
(18:08):
one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call one eight
hundred three two seven five zero five zero, or visit
gambling helpline MA dot org for twenty four seven support.
Michigan called one eight hundred two seven zero seven one
one seven New York call eight seven seven eight Hope
and Why, or text hope and Why to four six
seven three sixty nine.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Kick your feed up. You can find this on all
platforms and that form so beat the hottest on them platforms.
Your family now got to listen to what we're talking about.
The VC shows. Let's go, It's time to turn it
down show. Let's go, let's go the VC show. Lets go. Uh,
let's talk about bout your team, because I'll tell you
what man is, what what you've done and when you
(18:52):
when you got there, I knew, just like I knew
once you got to Utah what you would bring Donovan Mitchell,
and I told people, and I had a couple of
games obviously in Utah, and I knew, you know what
you would bring. And you could see the difference and
don and how he began to see the game. He
(19:15):
got to see it as a superstar scorer. But he
kind of took on your mentality as far as understanding
the game facilitator blah blah blah. And you can see
immediately the calm that you brought to the Timberwolves once
you got there was the adjustment period. I mean, you've
been around, I get it. But at the same time,
this question is still a valid question because you're still
(19:36):
dealing with young guys. Was it a tough transition for
you getting their mid season trying to get guys to
understand the type of guy that you are, Because for
me or veterans who've been there understand it. But it's like,
all right, bet coming in cool, and then all of
a sudden, eventually they buy in. But it seems like
they bought in immediately. Like how were you able to
(19:58):
kind of get guys to kind of listen, buy in,
or you know, just allow you to be a vet man?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
You know it was It's a great question because this
was a whole new situation for me getting traded at
you know, the deadline midseason and uh, and those guys
really give the credit to the team and the coaches.
They just accepted me right away, like they jumped on board.
They gave me even more confidence to say, hey, Mike,
be more aggressive, be more assertive, don't be afraid.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Yeah, ye at you all the time, Bro, just nothing's changed.
I yell at you all the time. I know what
kind of guy you are, and I love it. But
sometimes I'm like, Bro, you can go get you a bucket.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I know, I know, I tell uh, you know, I
tell my teammates that, you know, when they need me,
I'll go after. But for the most part, I'm trying to,
you know, set the table and get guys involved in
but you know, just just coming in as a vet, trying,
you know, for this young team and quite frankly, Man,
you know, we have so many dynamic players and we
just had to run through some bad luck with with
(21:00):
some injuries there at the end of the season. But
we felt like we, you know, we were hitting our
stride at the right time and we've got something to
build forward on. And it was it was an exciting
opportunity for me to work with Aunt, to work with
Jaden's Kat and be back with Rudy. There's so many
great guys on the team and they're all willing to
(21:21):
learn and listen, so it's it's a really cool environment.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
I love it. Man, tell me about ant Man, what
is it like about him? He's fearless, It seems like
he loves to play. He just wants to compete. One
thing I really enjoyed about him is he kind of
has that old school thought and mentality about wanting to play,
Like you know, when you're young, you utilize. I mean,
I know you don't want to wear your guys out.
(21:45):
But at the same time, he's like, I want to play.
I'm trying to play, you know, as many games as possible,
you know what I'm saying, to keep that rhythm. I mean,
but like, what is it about him that you really
liked and or what did you learn about him when
you got there that you didn't know? Like it's one
thing we see like we I see him on the
outside looking in it, but it's another thing when you
get there. You like bro even better than what I thought.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Right, I think uh one was first off, his mentality,
Like he has a mentality like you know some of
the guys the greats have where they're like, man, you know,
I want to guard him, like I know he is
the best player. I want him tonight, Like I know
I'm the best offensive player on our team, but I
want to take that matchup. I want to do this,
(22:29):
Like he takes every single challenge, like every single minute
of every game is like important to him. And that's
like it's not normal to me, uh for to see
that from from from a lot of guys, and especially
that young and to grasp that aspect of it at
a young age is important. His defense and his you know,
(22:51):
his his ability to score, shot making, his his his physicality.
He plays with aggrestion and he plays with an edge
and all those things you really can't teach, and that's
what makes him, you know, special, And in the fact
that he's only twenty one, hopefully he's gonna continue to
get better.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Which is crazy, like he's been well, this is like
he has two three years in now he's twenty one.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
He's doing I think I think he's twenty one. He
could be nineteen twenty. I don't know how it is now, but.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Yeah, regardless, he's somewhere between twenty and twenty two, not
even twenty two. It's just and you can just see
his growth and his confidence. And I like to see
young guys kind of take control that they're willing, they're
directing traffic with you, and I think that's a testament
to you as well, because they kind of they have
someone to learn from, because it's easy as a coach
to go tell a player you know or whatever. I've
(23:41):
walked in locker rooms and say, you know, you know,
I remember, I mean, I'm a name drop a little bit.
I remember I told Dearreon Fox as a rookie the
first time I'm in him. I went to some league
game and watching them, and in a timeout, I'm like,
go talk to your team, Go use your voice. Go,
you know, same thing I did with Trade And you're
starting to see that with with Aunt a little bit.
You know, even if you don't know what to say,
(24:02):
just say something, say something you know kind of you know,
And that's how you get your guys to trust you
and follow you and believe you because I know, I know,
and I've heard his work ethic, and I know he
loves the game. Now use your voice, use your voice
as well, and and and be a leader that way.
So sometimes, yes, I gotta get guys lead by example,
but sometimes your voice needs to be heard. And I think,
(24:25):
you know, seeing throughout the course of the year, more
so in the end of the year, you could you
started to see that more He's going to guys, he's
saying something to guys and and and when he makes
a bad play, he's allowing you and others to talk
to him. That is growth. That is growth, and that
says a lot about him. And that's that's dangerous to
me for the league because when you got a young
guy who will buy in and allowing constructive criticism in
(24:46):
the heat of battle. Its different when you're watching film
and practice as you know, and in the off night.
But when you're doing a game when you had a
having a bad night and you have still allowed constructive's criticism,
that says a lot us.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
You know, he's he's accountable man, he's accountable. He he's
the first one to say that he's the guy that
that missed the rotation and messed up. But he on
pointed fingers, like he comes in the locker room and
say I'm I'm gonna be better, like I'm gonna start
with that, and then he'll say something to the rest
of the guys like that's that's the true leader. And
to be a young one, not not only as as
(25:21):
a leader on the court, as far as an example
and the way he works, but his voice and his
understanding of the game. I think the better he understands
the game, which I think he's gonna continually get better at. Uh,
the easier it is to talk to people easier, easier
it is to to correct somebody. Once you when you
know literally every part of the offense, every part of
a defensive scheme or uh the playbook.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Or watch film? How wat yeah all that?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Like once you know all that, like you can you
can stop something and say, yo, we got to be
here like instead of there. You know, like that stuff
is it is huge?
Speaker 1 (25:57):
Does it make you proud? Because like I I know
you and I know you don't want to admit it.
But at the same time, when you hear you see
who he he who he was as a player, and
see who he become since and I'm just judging off
of I mean time there, but since you've been there,
that's when the growth has happened. In my opinion, Does
that make you feel good? Like, because as a vet
you want like your a vet, like you a vet,
(26:18):
that it makes you feel good. It's what you want
to do as a player because that's you're naturally like that.
You want to help people grow. So does it that's
a great feeling? For it was a great feeling for
me when young guys would allow me to have constructive criticism,
have conversations about whatever whatever, and they grow from it.
And how does that make you? I mean, I mean
(26:39):
obviously it makes you feel good, but like you sit
back like a proud n't like he finally gets it right.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
No, you know, man, it's it's uh, I call him.
It's like having kids. Man. It's like, you know a
bunch of these kids running around and and you tell
them over and over again to do something, and they
finally do it, and you just like, you know, yes,
so you know there's hope we're getting going in the
right direction. But now they're you know, it's it's it's
great to know that, you know, you're helping people along
(27:08):
the way because that's honestly, that's all I really care
about it.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
I don't and Mike, your voice matters. Yeah, so you're
allowed to say something. They're listening, they're retaining it as
opposed to it going in one ear out the other.
That's in trouble as a vet, you know, when you
when you kind of lose your voice in the locker room.
And I've told a lot of guys, mostly point guards,
but I've told her, don't. You don't young guys in general,
Wover's listening. Whoever knows somebody. You don't want to lose
(27:33):
your locker room as a point guard or a superstar
or or the best player or whatever. You don't want
to be able to step at one point when you
have something to say, you say it and nobody listens.
Your voice doesn't matter anymore, you know. So you know
that says a lot about what you've done.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
So yeah, thank you. You don't also don't want to
be that guy that your voice gets drowned out because
you talk too much. You know, You've been around some
teammates and just every single thing we're doing is just
you know, they say something, say something. It's like, man,
you gotta know when to step back.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
And it's mostly negative, right, It's gonna be.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Mostly negative, So step back, be quiet, or let somebody
else handle it. If somebody else brings up the point,
let it and work that way.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Let's talk about the draft requick. You know, it's it's
it's approaching us and it's literally around the corner. What
are your thoughts on Victor web and Yama.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Mm hmm, I'm impressed right now. I don't know what
else to say. I gotta, I gotta. I love to
hear that. I love to hear that. I am. I
am just just from from what you Yeah, pure talent.
It's like, I'm not even sure how it works in
the league, just because I've never seen it like that,
(28:48):
you know what I mean. Like it's I'm like, I
don't even know, like who guards them to a traditional
five man guard him? Is it like your three men
guarding them right something? I don't know how, I don't
know what it looks like yet. So I'm I'm I'm
really interested in, you know, getting to see him suit
up and compete against them and see what he brings
(29:09):
the game.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Well, it's so interesting to me because you will for
sure remember this. You're gonna probably laugh at us it,
but it's like you can see the changing of the time.
You think about the how basketball used to be when
I came in. You remember how the Britton grind was,
(29:32):
and then you kind of see the changing of the
guard on how you play the game. Meaning it wasn't
just a stretch four, it became a stretch fly. So
we think about shout out to coach Fizdale. He comes
into our locker room and he changes the kind of
gritten grind too, because you know, we have to shoot
more threes. I remember, he's like he had the core guys.
(29:53):
He's like, guys, you gotta shoot more threes.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Right.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Some guys bought into it. Some guys didn't or didn't
want to because it just wasn't what it was and
because that's where the game was going, and it was like,
all right, cool, but you know cool, you know, And
I remember, I'll say it, Mark, Mark wasn't really up
for it at first because it's like the way the
game used to be and the way the game was becoming,
and that was almost ten years ago now, and look
(30:19):
at it now, like that's the norm, Like that is
understood you coming in. There's a very few guys that
that at the five position that don't shoot the three, right,
you know, who isn't a stretch five anymore. So it's
just it's just funny how to see that. And then
you're getting these I mean these unicorns like you like webbing,
(30:40):
you like a bowl bowl, like a chet hungern. These
guys are seven plus with a handle with a fade
away jump shot, now a jump shot, a fade away like,
you know, these guys are shooting off balance, you know.
So it's just it's just amazing to see where the
game is going. And you know, I come, I come
into the league, for sure, those three guys that I
(31:01):
named will be a center for sure. However, you look
at it, shoot at three, no way that much less
shoot a jump shot outside of the paint. So it's
just the evolution of the game. And man, I think
when he gets to this league, whether he's successful or not,
his skill set that we see is gonna do a
(31:21):
lot for the next generation of guys because there's gonna
be this seven foot kid who's like, all right, let
me start working on my handle because I can be
like those three guys that we name. Because you know,
Bobo had had a very good year this year, you
know from what we're starting to see his ability, his
ship a busy shoot. We're gonna see that from check.
(31:44):
You're gonna now see that from this. So you're gonna
have three guys who are built like that, you know,
who are you know, who are gonna do something like
you would think this is what small forwards.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Do right right, And this is I'm glad I'll be
retiring in the next five years, hopefully that I don't
got to deal with these guys.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Man, you have to deal with it for five years.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Listen, man, I won't even put a number. I'll play
for another ten. It don't matter. But uh, these guys
are changing the way we viewed basketball and uh, you know,
just changing the game as we go forward. So it's
it's it's gonna be interesting to see it continually changing it.
Like you said before, it's tough coming from a different
style and different eras of basketball and they have to
(32:26):
shift on you mid career, close to the end of
the career. So you know, it's it's you know, what's
the next evolution, what's the next change? Like what's it
going to be? And we are all point guard is
going to now be six seven and six eight or
are we gonna you know, who knows. So it's just like, ah,
constantly evolving, and it's it's a you know, a trendy
game and you know, we all kind of it's gotten faster, right,
(32:50):
It's fast. That's another thing.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
Averaging one hundred and four hundred five points a game,
Like you're struggling, Like that's like you're not getting done offensively.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
I saw it was fine. I saw like a twenty
twelve thirteen maybe uoff playoff like stat sheet from like
one of our games, and it was like we had
like three guys with like eight shot attempts and that
was like Zach mark me and it was, you know
what I mean, Like today that's like probably like eighteen
sixteen sixty, you know what I mean, Like it's it's
(33:23):
completely different and uh and it was just crazy to
see that there's that bit of evolution there within like
what like eight nine years so.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
And what did that score look like? You know what
I'm saying, Like it just when I came in. Yeah,
that's what that's that's what it looked like for us,
Like you know, especially the Eastern Conference, it was we're
in the eighties nineties. If you if you were hitting
ninety five, you were doing it. You're doing it because
it was more of a half court game. And obviously
the game has gotten faster. They've done a great job
(33:52):
of just making the game fun to watch. It's up
and down, it's a lot of possessions. As a defender. Boy,
like you mentioned it, it's it's it's a little tougher,
like you know, you have playing the point guard position.
There's so many guys like a Stuff who doesn't slow down,
like Trey or Dame who pulls up from deep. Trey
pulls up from deep an he's fast stuff, the same thing,
a lot of movement, Like it's you point guards, like
(34:14):
you said point guards. Now your traditional point guard magic
was that outlier for like six ' nine. But like
you're starting to see more guys like a Luca playing,
So now you're like, all right, well who's the.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Two right right? Let me guard that guy because I
don't want to have to be you know, posted up
by Luca and him pass over the top. Like it's
just it's it's just a completely different outlook on the game,
like it's you know, it's the matchups aren't the same
how they used to be. You can't just match up
straight across the board like everybody wants to on paper
(34:44):
and wants you to.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
Guard this those days.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
It's over, bro, Like it's just you guard whatever the
best matchup is for that night. And uh, it's just
a unique situation.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
Right. Speaking of unique, I think this summer free agency
will be very interesting to me, you know, because of
teams who are right there teams who are looking for
another piece. And you know, we talked about point guards.
There's a lot of point guards out there. CP. Kyrie, Harden,
(35:19):
Fred Van Bleek. Now like it is, it is. It
is very interesting to see what what comes of it
because it's like, obviously, these guys, I mean, you know,
you put the right fit and it changes the the
outlook of a conference more so than the league. I
(35:40):
mean the conference and then later on. But it's just like,
you know, you look at what the Lakers did earlier
in the year and it's like, Okay, it didn't work,
but they were able to change. And we you know,
we've heard CP Kyrie and Fred you know, put to
that tea. So it's just like, what's the right fit?
Because I tell you what you say, what you want,
I mean the league in general I enjoyed as a fan.
(36:04):
You know, you're the player, so you don't have to
answer this more so than me as a fan in
calling games and talking about the game. I enjoyed the parody.
I enjoyed the parody because it was like, you know,
it's easy to sit here in years past. You know,
it's like, oh, ye go to Satan, who else for
a while it was like go to Satan Cleveland, like
you know, that's just what it was. You know what
(36:24):
I'm saying. It was already understood. And this year, you know,
being the TV, we have to we have to kind
of give our opinions at the point it's like, oh,
who do you think canna win? And there's a lot
of us that sometimes we really don't know because it's
of the parody, Like we're really you know, of the parody.
And I want some of the players to understand, like
you know, some people are you get mad at us
(36:44):
because we choose, like we have to choose, but like
we don't know, like the parody because it's just like
you know, you look at Sacramento and you know a
lot of people like we pick given Sacramentos, like oh man,
sacrament is gonna take this at least five to maybe seven,
and people no way. But it's like the parody. It's
like they are a good team and they took it
to seven. You know, So it was I think this
(37:07):
is great for the league right now because it's not
like it's not like front loaded for eight teams. It's
like literally fifteen twenty teams that are going to be competitive,
and you know, obviously it's gonna get come down to
eight teams that probably have a legitimate shot, maybe more,
but like that's a great number. You know. I've enjoyed it.
(37:30):
I've enjoyed it.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Yeah, no, it's great, I guarantee you, bro. Like I said,
half the league is going into the offseason all looking
at HL like, man, it's wide open.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Literally feel like they have a chance. Like it's not
just talk this year.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Everybody like like playoffs this year even everybody's like, man,
you just never know, you never know. You know, you
get the right matchup. All the teams are that talented,
you know that kind of the rosters are built well,
you know, and think.
Speaker 1 (37:57):
About what a different team win it what and just
think about what the CBA has done. And you won't
see like the big threes as much now unless you
know you're willing to pay the money. But you know
it's which is gonna it's increase the parody a little more. Yeah,
you'll see duos which you won't see the trios as much.
So it's now it's on gms to really piece the
(38:20):
puzzles together, and you know, and then for it's then
it becomes on coaches to really make it work with
what you have, you know what I'm saying. So I'm
I'm interested to see it man. So all right, guys,
thanks for watching. More from Mike Condley coming soon Part two.
Stay tuned. All right, we're out
The VC Show is presented for the people by Caesar
Sports Book, the greatest sports betting app of all times. Downloaded,
but you must be twenty one or older. The v
sped show Let's go doing the part with Rod. We
got the Sports Zone Dick for all the youngs, whether
it is big news, hot topics, updates, straight facts, storytelling, breakdown,
(00:24):
a special guest BC show Let's go What's time to
Turn it Down? Show? Yo Yo, Welcome to the VC Show,
presented by Caesar Sports Book on Omaha Audio on VC.
Roz is out doing what Roz does. But I have
a special guest today for you guys. Man, where do
I start? An All Star? He made the All Defensive Team,
(00:45):
A fellow Twyman Stokes Award winner. He's a teammate guy.
You know, He's a team guy. That's why I like him.
He's also the point guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves and
also my former teammate Memphis Grizzlies. I call him money Mike,
but you guys know is Mike Conley. Mike Man. What's
going on? Man? Thanks for taking the time out and
join us. I know you're a busy guy either. What
(01:06):
you're probably online call of duty or you know, on
your simulator or something. But man, appreciate the time. Man,
how you doing.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I'm good, brother. I appreciate you inviting me out. And
you know, I take a break anytime for you. Bro.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
Yeah, Hey, what's what's the off season looking like for
you right now?
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh? Man, chilling, chilling with the family right now.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Bro, Like it's like real recovery this year, because like
you're the old guy if you would, you know, you
used to tell me and make fun of me about
being an old guy in the locker room and you
know now that you're you're in that position, like how
are you handling that? I know we talked along the year,
but like, how are you really handling that?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You know? It's low key kind of scary, bro. Like
it's like, you know, you, I don't know if I'm
having some kind of midlife crisis or something, but I'm
like paranoid. I'm anxious. Like it's just like, man, you
can kind of see the end coming near and players,
oh yeah, you're on the other side, and you know,
are referring to you as like uncle and og and
all these different names. I'm just like, man, I'm not ready,
(02:05):
Like I'm I'm used to, you know, looking up to
my vets and I don't have no vets no more. Man,
It's just me.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
And I looked at I looked at the you know,
I mean, I look at that like, you know, I
take a trip back when I started hearing it constantly
about being the old g and the oldest guy. You know, well,
I became the oldest guy in the league. But you
know you're not there yet. I know you don't know
your faced it too, but it's like I remember, I
was the youngest guy. Then I was like in the
middle and I was close to one of the oldest,
(02:32):
and I became the oldest in the locker room. Then
I became the oldest in the league. And it was
just like I said, it's a scary roller coaster ride.
But it's also a testament, you know, for you being
able to last that long standing, the test of times,
all that you've done, a lot of games that you've played,
like you're here.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Now though, yeah yeah, man, you know, thanks to you
and all the advice you gave me. Guys like take
Sean Prince, I'm my vets man took care of me
as a youngster, and the number one thing. Y'all told
me to take care of that body, and uh, you
know it's.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Gonna come fast. Like you Yeah, it gets here, it
gets you get to be a young guy, man, but
being the old guy, it happens quickly man.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
And like you said, it is a testament man. You know,
I got a lot of respect for guys who can
play a long time and show that they can still
compete with these young fellas.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
What has been the hardest adjustment for you as far
as like, is it back I'm sure back to backs?
But is it back okay? Is it back to backs
or is it like the four and five nights?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Probably the both? Can I choose both? Probably the four
and five nights though, Yeah, to be real, you know
this year was probably my first season the last few
where I played you know, pretty much all the back
to backs. And you know, that third and fourth game
is completely different than what it was five, six, seven,
(03:53):
eight years ago. And like we talked about that third
and fourth game, you're going against twenty one twenty two
year olds who can run laps, you know, in their sleep.
So and you at the point guard that, yeah, at
the point guard position ain't no joke. So Uh, you know,
trying to get that rest and sleep and in recovery
is the biggest thing obviously in those four and five Well.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
I'll tell I'll tell you, Like uh, I tell a
lot of guys like it's it was a secret that
not really a secret. Like a lot of track athletes
are using take a bag of ice and kind of
stick it on your pelvits with your legs up. That
helps you drain your legs, you know, for you to
keep going. So that's something you should try, uh, in
between back to backs, and it helps it for faster recovery.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
I feel like I'm giving you the secret. But if
whoever's listening to this and the other guys, they're gonna
kind of get it too. But you're you know, O
G and you know, we teammates. I'm trying to help.
But and it's gonna it's gonna work. It's gonna feel
uncomfortable at first, like, bro, what is he doing? But
the recovery time, because you're getting rid of all that
lactic acid, I think you'll you'll like it.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Man, Bro, I needed that like a month ago. What's up, man,
You're just going away, You're just saving them secret man,
I need that against yo.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Yeah, my bad as always next year, hey, but not
now for the whole season. Yeah right right, But speaking
of Jokis, Man, what were your thoughts you know on
the finals? I mean, it was just crazy to see that.
Obviously you guys played them in early in the playoffs
and to sit back and watch I did you watch
(05:22):
all of the playoffs, because I know sometimes it's players,
you know, you you lose it in you know, in
early round or whatever, and you don't want to watch
the next round, right, But did you actually did you
actually watch?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Man? I'm not gonna lie, I didn't watch. I didn't
watch a game for you know, at least up until
the conference finals, midway through the conference finals, and caught
half of the finals, like caught a little bit of
last night's game. But it is, you know, it's real
tough to watch, uh, absolutely, especially at this stage of
my career. It's like, man, like, yeah, I wish that
(05:57):
was me, Like I wish that was me. I wish
I was able to be out there, and so I
just try to, you know, uh, subtract myself from the
situation as much as I can, to stay far away
from it. But at the same time, it draws you
to it. You know, this this series was an exciting
one because absolutely because you're you know, for me being
able to have played against Denver and to see a
(06:19):
team that ultimately put us out to go all the
way and play against a talented team like Miami, it was.
It was a fun situation to have to be a
part of.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
Did did you think when you played them at that point,
did you think that the outcome for them could be this?
They could end up champions? I mean, they looked very
good all all, you know, all playoffs, I mean all
season they were good. We just when I say we,
on the other side, we didn't give them their props.
I mean, it's tough on you on the East coast
(06:49):
to watch West Coast games, you know, late, and it's
typically you know, the Denver I mean, obviously you gonna
stay up to see what you want to see, but
everybody wouldn't say, oh, let me go watch Denver. But
at the same time, they stayed true to who they
were and for you getting the up close person like,
did you say after that series or feel after that
series like this team could possibly get it done?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
For sure? You know, for sure, you know that that team,
I mean all year there was just so overlooked and underrated,
and yet they were the number one seed. It didn't
make sense. And you know what I mean. And we
played against them and the way that they handled themselves,
the way that they played together as a team, they
were the best you know, quote unquote team like chemistry
wise in the league and clicking on all cylinders. And
(07:33):
it was, you know, a fun competition to be able
to compete against those guys. But man, they were really
they were really special. Excuse me mm hm.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
As as you know, we talk about duos and that
won two punch. You know, you know you've played a
long time. We've played a long time, and you know
you see duos that do it individually and not like
you like I mean, yeah, sometimes you have guys that
play the same position, but you can still be a
(08:07):
monster with with you know, like a Tatum Brown pick
and roll. Like you got to decide how you want
to guard that. I think, do you what you think
one of the best duos in the league? Do you
put them up there?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yo?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
Kitchen Jamal Murray And I asked that question because I
feel I'll go first. I just feel like not only
are they great individually, but they're hard to stop as
a duo working together because not only do they utilize
each other and create for each other, they create for
the other guy when you make a mistake.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right. What was interesting is they reminded me a little
bit of how, you know, Marcasol and yes, myself and
yes the Grizzlies played for a little bit, how we
kind of used are big as, like, you know, the
focal points and let it, you know, guys kind of
runt around and cut and space and but they just
you know, so much better at it. It seemed like
(09:00):
you yok being m v P Jamal, you know, being
one of the best players in the playoffs in the
league this year and continually getting better and their their
supporting cast was awesome as well. So it was it
was unbelievable to see their growth and to see them
over the last few years and few playoffs. Now that
Jamal is back healthy, uh, finally kind of get the
(09:21):
recognition they deserve as being one of the better duos
in the league.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
How do you feel about well, is it too soon
to to really and I know how I feel about this,
is it too soon to kind of you know, if
you look at what's talked about today, you know, leading
up into throwing Jokic in the conversation of the great
best centers or greatest centers? Is it too soon? You know,
(09:47):
I'm a guy that feels like it's too soon. Yes,
we we got to enjoy what we're seeing. But give
him time. Let's give him time to create. You know,
this this wonderful story which is doing already, but like,
you know, give them time. I think it's you know,
I don't think we're putting pressure on him because he's
a guy that kind of like, you know, he's not
really into that. Like it's like, I mean, the one
(10:08):
thing I admired about about Yo Kich last night is
that the two things and I'm gonna go backwards. When
they were trying to take the peen picture, they were
trying to get him to sit down, and he's like, yeah,
y'all go ahead. You know, y'all sit down to y'all
go ahead. For one, he wins the award, he holds
it up, he wins the MVP, holds the trophy up,
puts it down, and he goes walking the back like
(10:29):
you don't see that. You know what I'm saying. I
was just like, you know, if that's me, man, I'm
clutching this thing, like this is my baby. Now wherever
I go, we going, you know what I'm saying. And
he was just kind of like, yeah, you know he
had the interview with Malika, Like yeah, I don't know,
I don't know where it is. I put it down
on the table and like he says, it'll get it'll
get you know, return to me or delivered to my
(10:50):
house at some point. Like I just feel like he
doesn't care about that. So I'm just like this, let
him create his story. I think it's it's it's fun
to talk about now, you know, about what he is
and what he's done. But let's kind of just see
what this looks like later on and then kind of
just throw. I think we try to throw all the
time where guys fall early in their career, in the
(11:15):
middle of their career. But let's just see what the
chapters are looking like into, you know, until finished. You
know what are you right now?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
We we discussed this as a family. My cousins, all
basketball people around we all talk about this. And I've
got an older uncle cousin who's in the same boat
as you was like, man, just you know, let them
play it out, like, you know, we're ready to crown
people like right away as a rookie year, as a
second year player, as a fifth year, sixth year player,
(11:45):
and say he's better than this person or that person,
and you just got to let their careers play out.
And then once it once, you you know, have both
sets of information. You can kind of have.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Exactly the key word you have, you know, you have
like real information.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Right, So you let that happen and then you go
from there. But in the on the trajectory that he's
currently at, he's he's you know, he deserves to be,
you know, mentioned in those in those names.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Absolute yeah, And I think now like I think, you know,
you can say like he has flashes, he's I mean,
he's what he's doing is definitely on pace to be
one of the best ever in his position, like bar None,
I mean, what he's doing, he like Rich Jefferson Broke
had a breakdown the day of you know, his numbers
(12:32):
and what he did and his comparisons to I think
it was d Rent Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Tim Duncan
and I can't remember the other one, but his numbers,
like compared the first time, all first time MVPs were
as good, if not better than all these guys. So yes, rightfully,
so we talk about Yokies like that. But I'm interested
(12:54):
to see where he goes from here because you know,
he's just I mean, he's such a humble guy and
I think he you know, he wants to continue to win,
but like you could see, like Mike Malone, that guy
wants to win like you you think in the fire
and him, which I think will ignite everyone else. But
it's just he's an interesting superstar. And do you you
(13:15):
would agree, and you don't have to answer it if
you don't want to, But yes, I think Joel and
b was the best at played unbelievable and he deserved
his MVP. But the cool Jokics not the best player
in the league right now.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, I you know, pre playoffs, I had chosen Joel
as as my guy I thought would the MVP, just
from how he had played throughout the season. And Yoki
was right there too. Gianni's right there all those guys.
But right now, obviously Jokic uh is something else. He's
(13:51):
uh super special obviously.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
So so good to where people are questioning, did we
make the right picking in the regular season? You know so,
and you know, I think too. For me, I would
like to see you know, and obviously NBA will listen
to me. But I think with these awards it kind
of gets cluttered because we look at the body of
work the season, and I think they announced the awards
(14:16):
so late to where we as fans, they carry it
over into the playoffs because of what we're seeing in
the playoffs now, and you know, we have to understand
it's for regular season award, and I feel like that
award should happen shortly thereafter to kind of kill the
noise of how people think about the awards that are given,
because we're starting to look at you know, you look
(14:38):
at embiid and everybody's like, oh man, Yolkus is way
better because look at how far they've gone it. But
it's like it's it's a regular season award. It's not
an entirety, you know, the award. It's just you know,
so I think we got it. That's one thing I
would like to see the NBA fixed.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Yeah, I could, I could agree with that. I think
that would give a good buffer in between Yeah, and
it'll gives them, Yeah, that separation for sure.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And as a point guard, I want to give I
got to give Jamal Murray. You know, I tweeted last
night after the game. I was like, I put out
throughout Kitchener, like you know where he's from, Jamal Murray,
what he's gone through, and he could have easily just
been a shell of himself of for frustration, all the
tough times, tough outs he's had over his career, and
(15:25):
yet he came back a monster and he was playing
like lights out. I'm not saying he was he would
be m VP because I thought, but like he wasn't
far behind now.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
He he might have been just as important as Jokis.
And yes, you know we played against him in the
playoffs and you saw things he was doing. I was,
it was so reminiscent of the bubble. H Yeah, with
him and don were you know, exchange and blows blows
and going back and forth and have an incredible game
(16:03):
after an incredible game, and he was doing the same
thing I hit, the shot making that he was he
was doing and the things that he was creating. Because
I mean, we had guys on our team that were
defending and playing really well and it just didn't matter
at certain times. And you know, it was a it
was a pretty remarkable run to see him to get
back to where he's at now after having a major
(16:27):
injury like that. Like you said, it's a testament to
him because that's you know, as you know, that's that
that that road to recovery and the injury and what
you used to be and all these things that pop
in your mind when you have an injury coming back
from it, all all are real and he he dealt
with it, and you know, look at him now.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, look at him now. Man shout out to to
why should you bet with Caesar Sports book Two words,
Caesar's rewards. Every bet brings you closer to the types
of benefits only Caesars can offer. Hotel stays, VP experiences,
sports and concert tickets and more. It's not just an app,
it's an empire.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
Twenty one and over. Must be physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming,
or Washington, d C. Sports betting is void in Georgia, Hawaii,
Utah and other states were prohibited. No one to stop
(17:25):
before you start. Gambling problem Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia,
West Virginia, Pennsylvania affiliated with Harris Philadelphia. If you were
someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and
referral services can be accessed by calling one eight hundred
gambler that's one eight hundred four to two six two
five three seven or Maryland visit MD Gamblinghelp dot org.
Or West Virginia visit one eight hundred gambler dot net.
(17:47):
Arizona call one eight hundred next step, Colorado, DC, Nevada, Wyoming,
Kansas affiliated with the Kansas Crossing Casino. Call one eight
hundred five to two two four seven zero zero. Indiana
call one eight hundred nine with it. Iowa call one
eight hundred bets off. Louisiana call one eight seven seven
seven seven zero stop licensed to the Horseshoe, Bossier City
and Harris New Orleans, Massachusetts. If you were a loved
(18:08):
one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call one eight
hundred three two seven five zero five zero, or visit
gambling helpline MA dot org for twenty four seven support.
Michigan called one eight hundred two seven zero seven one
one seven New York call eight seven seven eight Hope
and Why, or text hope and Why to four six
seven three sixty nine.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
Kick your feed up. You can find this on all
platforms and that form so beat the hottest on them platforms.
Your family now got to listen to what we're talking about.
The VC shows. Let's go, It's time to turn it
down show. Let's go, let's go the VC show. Lets go. Uh,
let's talk about bout your team, because I'll tell you
what man is, what what you've done and when you
(18:52):
when you got there, I knew, just like I knew
once you got to Utah what you would bring Donovan Mitchell,
and I told people, and I had a couple of
games obviously in Utah, and I knew, you know what
you would bring. And you could see the difference and
don and how he began to see the game. He
(19:15):
got to see it as a superstar scorer. But he
kind of took on your mentality as far as understanding
the game facilitator blah blah blah. And you can see
immediately the calm that you brought to the Timberwolves once
you got there was the adjustment period. I mean, you've
been around, I get it. But at the same time,
this question is still a valid question because you're still
(19:36):
dealing with young guys. Was it a tough transition for
you getting their mid season trying to get guys to
understand the type of guy that you are, Because for
me or veterans who've been there understand it. But it's like,
all right, bet coming in cool, and then all of
a sudden, eventually they buy in. But it seems like
they bought in immediately. Like how were you able to
(19:58):
kind of get guys to kind of listen, buy in,
or you know, just allow you to be a vet man?
Speaker 2 (20:04):
You know it was It's a great question because this
was a whole new situation for me getting traded at
you know, the deadline midseason and uh, and those guys
really give the credit to the team and the coaches.
They just accepted me right away, like they jumped on board.
They gave me even more confidence to say, hey, Mike,
be more aggressive, be more assertive, don't be afraid.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Yeah, ye at you all the time, Bro, just nothing's changed.
I yell at you all the time. I know what
kind of guy you are, and I love it. But
sometimes I'm like, Bro, you can go get you a bucket.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
I know, I know, I tell uh, you know, I
tell my teammates that, you know, when they need me,
I'll go after. But for the most part, I'm trying to,
you know, set the table and get guys involved in
but you know, just just coming in as a vet, trying,
you know, for this young team and quite frankly, Man,
you know, we have so many dynamic players and we
just had to run through some bad luck with with
(21:00):
some injuries there at the end of the season. But
we felt like we, you know, we were hitting our
stride at the right time and we've got something to
build forward on. And it was it was an exciting
opportunity for me to work with Aunt, to work with
Jaden's Kat and be back with Rudy. There's so many
great guys on the team and they're all willing to
(21:21):
learn and listen, so it's it's a really cool environment.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
I love it. Man, tell me about ant Man, what
is it like about him? He's fearless, It seems like
he loves to play. He just wants to compete. One
thing I really enjoyed about him is he kind of
has that old school thought and mentality about wanting to play,
Like you know, when you're young, you utilize. I mean,
I know you don't want to wear your guys out.
(21:45):
But at the same time, he's like, I want to play.
I'm trying to play, you know, as many games as possible,
you know what I'm saying, to keep that rhythm. I mean,
but like, what is it about him that you really
liked and or what did you learn about him when
you got there that you didn't know? Like it's one
thing we see like we I see him on the
outside looking in it, but it's another thing when you
get there. You like bro even better than what I thought.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Right, I think uh one was first off, his mentality,
Like he has a mentality like you know some of
the guys the greats have where they're like, man, you know,
I want to guard him, like I know he is
the best player. I want him tonight, Like I know
I'm the best offensive player on our team, but I
want to take that matchup. I want to do this,
(22:29):
Like he takes every single challenge, like every single minute
of every game is like important to him. And that's
like it's not normal to me, uh for to see
that from from from a lot of guys, and especially
that young and to grasp that aspect of it at
a young age is important. His defense and his you know,
(22:51):
his his ability to score, shot making, his his his physicality.
He plays with aggrestion and he plays with an edge
and all those things you really can't teach, and that's
what makes him, you know, special, And in the fact
that he's only twenty one, hopefully he's gonna continue to
get better.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Which is crazy, like he's been well, this is like
he has two three years in now he's twenty one.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
He's doing I think I think he's twenty one. He
could be nineteen twenty. I don't know how it is now, but.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Yeah, regardless, he's somewhere between twenty and twenty two, not
even twenty two. It's just and you can just see
his growth and his confidence. And I like to see
young guys kind of take control that they're willing, they're
directing traffic with you, and I think that's a testament
to you as well, because they kind of they have
someone to learn from, because it's easy as a coach
to go tell a player you know or whatever. I've
(23:41):
walked in locker rooms and say, you know, you know,
I remember, I mean, I'm a name drop a little bit.
I remember I told Dearreon Fox as a rookie the
first time I'm in him. I went to some league
game and watching them, and in a timeout, I'm like,
go talk to your team, Go use your voice. Go,
you know, same thing I did with Trade And you're
starting to see that with with Aunt a little bit.
You know, even if you don't know what to say,
(24:02):
just say something, say something you know kind of you know,
And that's how you get your guys to trust you
and follow you and believe you because I know, I know,
and I've heard his work ethic, and I know he
loves the game. Now use your voice, use your voice
as well, and and and be a leader that way.
So sometimes, yes, I gotta get guys lead by example,
but sometimes your voice needs to be heard. And I think,
(24:25):
you know, seeing throughout the course of the year, more
so in the end of the year, you could you
started to see that more He's going to guys, he's
saying something to guys and and and when he makes
a bad play, he's allowing you and others to talk
to him. That is growth. That is growth, and that
says a lot about him. And that's that's dangerous to
me for the league because when you got a young
guy who will buy in and allowing constructive criticism in
(24:46):
the heat of battle. Its different when you're watching film
and practice as you know, and in the off night.
But when you're doing a game when you had a
having a bad night and you have still allowed constructive's criticism,
that says a lot us.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
You know, he's he's accountable man, he's accountable. He he's
the first one to say that he's the guy that
that missed the rotation and messed up. But he on
pointed fingers, like he comes in the locker room and
say I'm I'm gonna be better, like I'm gonna start
with that, and then he'll say something to the rest
of the guys like that's that's the true leader. And
to be a young one, not not only as as
(25:21):
a leader on the court, as far as an example
and the way he works, but his voice and his
understanding of the game. I think the better he understands
the game, which I think he's gonna continually get better at. Uh,
the easier it is to talk to people easier, easier
it is to to correct somebody. Once you when you
know literally every part of the offense, every part of
a defensive scheme or uh the playbook.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Or watch film? How wat yeah all that?
Speaker 2 (25:49):
Like once you know all that, like you can you
can stop something and say, yo, we got to be
here like instead of there. You know, like that stuff
is it is huge?
Speaker 1 (25:57):
Does it make you proud? Because like I I know
you and I know you don't want to admit it.
But at the same time, when you hear you see
who he he who he was as a player, and
see who he become since and I'm just judging off
of I mean time there, but since you've been there,
that's when the growth has happened. In my opinion, Does
that make you feel good? Like, because as a vet
you want like your a vet, like you a vet,
(26:18):
that it makes you feel good. It's what you want
to do as a player because that's you're naturally like that.
You want to help people grow. So does it that's
a great feeling? For it was a great feeling for
me when young guys would allow me to have constructive criticism,
have conversations about whatever whatever, and they grow from it.
And how does that make you? I mean, I mean
(26:39):
obviously it makes you feel good, but like you sit
back like a proud n't like he finally gets it right.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
No, you know, man, it's it's uh, I call him.
It's like having kids. Man. It's like, you know a
bunch of these kids running around and and you tell
them over and over again to do something, and they
finally do it, and you just like, you know, yes,
so you know there's hope we're getting going in the
right direction. But now they're you know, it's it's it's
great to know that, you know, you're helping people along
(27:08):
the way because that's honestly, that's all I really care
about it.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
I don't and Mike, your voice matters. Yeah, so you're
allowed to say something. They're listening, they're retaining it as
opposed to it going in one ear out the other.
That's in trouble as a vet, you know, when you
when you kind of lose your voice in the locker room.
And I've told a lot of guys, mostly point guards,
but I've told her, don't. You don't young guys in general,
Wover's listening. Whoever knows somebody. You don't want to lose
(27:33):
your locker room as a point guard or a superstar
or or the best player or whatever. You don't want
to be able to step at one point when you
have something to say, you say it and nobody listens.
Your voice doesn't matter anymore, you know. So you know
that says a lot about what you've done.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
So yeah, thank you. You don't also don't want to
be that guy that your voice gets drowned out because
you talk too much. You know, You've been around some
teammates and just every single thing we're doing is just
you know, they say something, say something. It's like, man,
you gotta know when to step back.
Speaker 1 (28:04):
And it's mostly negative, right, It's gonna be.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Mostly negative, So step back, be quiet, or let somebody
else handle it. If somebody else brings up the point,
let it and work that way.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Let's talk about the draft requick. You know, it's it's
it's approaching us and it's literally around the corner. What
are your thoughts on Victor web and Yama.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Mm hmm, I'm impressed right now. I don't know what
else to say. I gotta, I gotta. I love to
hear that. I love to hear that. I am. I
am just just from from what you Yeah, pure talent.
It's like, I'm not even sure how it works in
the league, just because I've never seen it like that,
(28:48):
you know what I mean. Like it's I'm like, I
don't even know, like who guards them to a traditional
five man guard him? Is it like your three men
guarding them right something? I don't know how, I don't
know what it looks like yet. So I'm I'm I'm
really interested in, you know, getting to see him suit
up and compete against them and see what he brings
(29:09):
the game.
Speaker 1 (29:10):
Well, it's so interesting to me because you will for
sure remember this. You're gonna probably laugh at us it,
but it's like you can see the changing of the time.
You think about the how basketball used to be when
I came in. You remember how the Britton grind was,
(29:32):
and then you kind of see the changing of the
guard on how you play the game. Meaning it wasn't
just a stretch four, it became a stretch fly. So
we think about shout out to coach Fizdale. He comes
into our locker room and he changes the kind of
gritten grind too, because you know, we have to shoot
more threes. I remember, he's like he had the core guys.
(29:53):
He's like, guys, you gotta shoot more threes.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Right.
Speaker 1 (29:55):
Some guys bought into it. Some guys didn't or didn't
want to because it just wasn't what it was and
because that's where the game was going, and it was like,
all right, cool, but you know cool, you know, And
I remember, I'll say it, Mark, Mark wasn't really up
for it at first because it's like the way the
game used to be and the way the game was becoming,
and that was almost ten years ago now, and look
(30:19):
at it now, like that's the norm, Like that is
understood you coming in. There's a very few guys that
that at the five position that don't shoot the three, right,
you know, who isn't a stretch five anymore. So it's
just it's just funny how to see that. And then
you're getting these I mean these unicorns like you like webbing,
(30:40):
you like a bowl bowl, like a chet hungern. These
guys are seven plus with a handle with a fade
away jump shot, now a jump shot, a fade away like,
you know, these guys are shooting off balance, you know.
So it's just it's just amazing to see where the
game is going. And you know, I come, I come
into the league, for sure, those three guys that I
(31:01):
named will be a center for sure. However, you look
at it, shoot at three, no way that much less
shoot a jump shot outside of the paint. So it's
just the evolution of the game. And man, I think
when he gets to this league, whether he's successful or not,
his skill set that we see is gonna do a
(31:21):
lot for the next generation of guys because there's gonna
be this seven foot kid who's like, all right, let
me start working on my handle because I can be
like those three guys that we name. Because you know,
Bobo had had a very good year this year, you
know from what we're starting to see his ability, his
ship a busy shoot. We're gonna see that from check.
(31:44):
You're gonna now see that from this. So you're gonna
have three guys who are built like that, you know,
who are you know, who are gonna do something like
you would think this is what small forwards.
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Do right right, And this is I'm glad I'll be
retiring in the next five years, hopefully that I don't
got to deal with these guys.
Speaker 1 (32:01):
Man, you have to deal with it for five years.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Listen, man, I won't even put a number. I'll play
for another ten. It don't matter. But uh, these guys
are changing the way we viewed basketball and uh, you know,
just changing the game as we go forward. So it's
it's it's gonna be interesting to see it continually changing it.
Like you said before, it's tough coming from a different
style and different eras of basketball and they have to
(32:26):
shift on you mid career, close to the end of
the career. So you know, it's it's you know, what's
the next evolution, what's the next change? Like what's it
going to be? And we are all point guard is
going to now be six seven and six eight or
are we gonna you know, who knows. So it's just like, ah,
constantly evolving, and it's it's a you know, a trendy
game and you know, we all kind of it's gotten faster, right,
(32:50):
It's fast. That's another thing.
Speaker 1 (32:53):
Averaging one hundred and four hundred five points a game,
Like you're struggling, Like that's like you're not getting done offensively.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
I saw it was fine. I saw like a twenty
twelve thirteen maybe uoff playoff like stat sheet from like
one of our games, and it was like we had
like three guys with like eight shot attempts and that
was like Zach mark me and it was, you know
what I mean, Like today that's like probably like eighteen
sixteen sixty, you know what I mean, Like it's it's
(33:23):
completely different and uh and it was just crazy to
see that there's that bit of evolution there within like
what like eight nine years so.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
And what did that score look like? You know what
I'm saying, Like it just when I came in. Yeah,
that's what that's that's what it looked like for us,
Like you know, especially the Eastern Conference, it was we're
in the eighties nineties. If you if you were hitting
ninety five, you were doing it. You're doing it because
it was more of a half court game. And obviously
the game has gotten faster. They've done a great job
(33:52):
of just making the game fun to watch. It's up
and down, it's a lot of possessions. As a defender. Boy,
like you mentioned it, it's it's it's a little tougher,
like you know, you have playing the point guard position.
There's so many guys like a Stuff who doesn't slow down,
like Trey or Dame who pulls up from deep. Trey
pulls up from deep an he's fast stuff, the same thing,
a lot of movement, Like it's you point guards, like
(34:14):
you said point guards. Now your traditional point guard magic
was that outlier for like six ' nine. But like
you're starting to see more guys like a Luca playing,
So now you're like, all right, well who's the.
Speaker 2 (34:24):
Two right right? Let me guard that guy because I
don't want to have to be you know, posted up
by Luca and him pass over the top. Like it's
just it's it's just a completely different outlook on the game,
like it's you know, it's the matchups aren't the same
how they used to be. You can't just match up
straight across the board like everybody wants to on paper
(34:44):
and wants you to.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
Guard this those days.
Speaker 2 (34:47):
It's over, bro, Like it's just you guard whatever the
best matchup is for that night. And uh, it's just
a unique situation.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
Right. Speaking of unique, I think this summer free agency
will be very interesting to me, you know, because of
teams who are right there teams who are looking for
another piece. And you know, we talked about point guards.
There's a lot of point guards out there. CP. Kyrie, Harden,
(35:19):
Fred Van Bleek. Now like it is, it is. It
is very interesting to see what what comes of it
because it's like, obviously, these guys, I mean, you know,
you put the right fit and it changes the the
outlook of a conference more so than the league. I
(35:40):
mean the conference and then later on. But it's just like,
you know, you look at what the Lakers did earlier
in the year and it's like, Okay, it didn't work,
but they were able to change. And we you know,
we've heard CP Kyrie and Fred you know, put to
that tea. So it's just like, what's the right fit?
Because I tell you what you say, what you want,
I mean the league in general I enjoyed as a fan.
(36:04):
You know, you're the player, so you don't have to
answer this more so than me as a fan in
calling games and talking about the game. I enjoyed the parody.
I enjoyed the parody because it was like, you know,
it's easy to sit here in years past. You know,
it's like, oh, ye go to Satan, who else for
a while it was like go to Satan Cleveland, like
you know, that's just what it was. You know what
(36:24):
I'm saying. It was already understood. And this year, you know,
being the TV, we have to we have to kind
of give our opinions at the point it's like, oh,
who do you think canna win? And there's a lot
of us that sometimes we really don't know because it's
of the parody, Like we're really you know, of the parody.
And I want some of the players to understand, like
you know, some people are you get mad at us
(36:44):
because we choose, like we have to choose, but like
we don't know, like the parody because it's just like
you know, you look at Sacramento and you know a
lot of people like we pick given Sacramentos, like oh man,
sacrament is gonna take this at least five to maybe seven,
and people no way. But it's like the parody. It's
like they are a good team and they took it
to seven. You know, So it was I think this
(37:07):
is great for the league right now because it's not
like it's not like front loaded for eight teams. It's
like literally fifteen twenty teams that are going to be competitive,
and you know, obviously it's gonna get come down to
eight teams that probably have a legitimate shot, maybe more,
but like that's a great number. You know. I've enjoyed it.
(37:30):
I've enjoyed it.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Yeah, no, it's great, I guarantee you, bro. Like I said,
half the league is going into the offseason all looking
at HL like, man, it's wide open.
Speaker 1 (37:39):
Literally feel like they have a chance. Like it's not
just talk this year.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Everybody like like playoffs this year even everybody's like, man,
you just never know, you never know. You know, you
get the right matchup. All the teams are that talented,
you know that kind of the rosters are built well,
you know, and think.
Speaker 1 (37:57):
About what a different team win it what and just
think about what the CBA has done. And you won't
see like the big threes as much now unless you
know you're willing to pay the money. But you know
it's which is gonna it's increase the parody a little more. Yeah,
you'll see duos which you won't see the trios as much.
So it's now it's on gms to really piece the
(38:20):
puzzles together, and you know, and then for it's then
it becomes on coaches to really make it work with
what you have, you know what I'm saying. So I'm
I'm interested to see it man. So all right, guys,
thanks for watching. More from Mike Condley coming soon Part two.
Stay tuned. All right, we're out
Popular Podcasts
1. Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
2. Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
3. Crime Junkie
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.