May 1, 2025 • 10 mins
Pistons champion Lindsey Hunter joins the show to discuss his impact on a young cancer survivor and give a perspective on the Pistons vs. Knicks as Detroit prepares for Game 6.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I've known Lindsay Hunter for a while. I've known he's special,
and not because he's a flip and basketball player, all right,
he won two World championships. It's one of the best players.
But because of the person that he is, that's what
I care most about and how he's affected the Gullickson
and he joins us here on exis inmbros. How are
you my friend?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Well that my buddy, Jeff.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
How you doing, man, I'm doing great, pal. We just
got done talking with Griffin and Jeff Gullickson. The impact
that you've had on them and your son Caleb have
had on them is immense. What's the impact that a
kid like Griffin Gullickson has had on you?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Oh? Man? It was you know, our first time talking
to him. You know, I instantly just saw the strength
in his eyes. And his father was overwhelmed just for me.
You know, we did we did a FaceTime call and
I was like, let me call his kid and let's
(01:02):
do a faith time calling. Let's talk to him. Let's
let's you know, lift his spirits because he was going
through treatments and you know, he was weak and you know,
just trying to live a normal life. And man, we
talked and it just impacted me in such a way.
I was like, man, let's let's do more, because you know,
Griffiths loves basketball and Jeff wants to support him, and
(01:24):
you know his struggles would for just to have a
normal life. We're not even talking about basketball. I'm just
talking about for him to walk around and be normal
was a fight, you know, and it was just heavy
on my heart. Man. And we've become really close with
Jeff and Griffin and the family and everybody up there,
(01:46):
and it's just been you know, it brings you back
to reality about what life is really about. You know,
we we go through, we go through our daily process
of worrying about, you know, the minute things in life,
when there are people like Griffin that are fighting for
their lives and he's a kid, you know, he hasn't
lived a full life yet, and you know, just to
(02:07):
be a part of helping him, man, it inspires me.
It helps me keep my life in perspective. And you know,
I don't do all these things for the notoriety. I
don't do all the things for the popularity. I'm doing
because you know, that's just my heart. And when you
find somebody that you have a connection with you want
(02:27):
to help them, You want to you want to help
them get through their trying time. Then that's what it's
about for us, me and Caleb, And it's been a
joy to be a part of their family.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah, I know you don't do it that way. Look,
I'm a little emotional right now. You and I both fathers.
Obviously Caleb is a big part of this too. How
quickly did your son rush into this? And how important
we all need reminders, lindsay, we all need reminders once
in a while. How important impactful has this been for him?
(02:59):
And let's face it, the Gallics and family is impacted
by you two. And I know that's not why you
do it, because you're just a good man, not just
a good great basketball player, but you're a good man.
How does it affected Caleb? Do you think in the
relationship perhaps that you might have with Caleb?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Well, fortunately, man, Caleb and I have been you know,
we've been close since he was born. He's always been
a daddy's boy and a guy told me a story
once he said, the true the true definition of being
a successful parent is when you can raise your kids
and when you get older, they come back and want
(03:38):
to be friends with you. And that's the situation that
we have. Man, we are the best of friends. You know,
we're business partners and helping. Being in a situation where
we're helping and aiding a kid like Griffin and his family,
(03:58):
it puts our lives in perspective. It gives us a
better appreciation of, you know, the things that we have now.
And Caleb is no different. He it impacted him and
he really was like that we gotta you know, we
gotta do more. We got to help him. He wants
to play basketball. You know what can we do? Man?
(04:19):
I said, Man, let's let's help them put together a team,
and let's let's let's a system, and let's you know,
let's do some different events and just be supportive and
do all we can do. Man. And that's what we
were pret here for and that's what we try to
fulfill and Caleb is a big, big part of that.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Well, you and your stretched thin because you're coaching a
lot of kids, you're making a difference in a lot
of kids' lives on the basketball floor. But this right
here made it different in Griffin Gullickson's life overall, not
just basketball. We're talking about life in general and Jeff
as well. So kudos to you, my friend. What a
great It doesn't surprise me that this is your tact all.
(05:00):
If people know Lindsey Hunter, they know the kind of
person you are, and that's a big reason why I
respect you and I love you so much. Let's let's
get to basketball a little bit. What's as an analyst,
because you've been analyst, done a great job on the radio,
and you always have on television as well. What's what's
your take on the fight? Speaking of Griffin Golixen, the
fight that the Pistons have shown in the first five
(05:23):
six games, five games of this series against the Knicks.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Man, it's been a joy to see, you know, you
kind of see him growing up right before our eyes
and knowing what the playoff intensity is all about. I
think these guys are learning that they're get a crash
course in it. You know, Case struggled at the beginning
of the first game, but you kind of see him
settling in and being the Ky that we know and love.
You know, the playoffs are all about, you know, the
(05:49):
role players. How well are your role players going to
step up and play? And our guys on the road
really stepped up and played well. Tobias stepped up and
that was big for us, and we're gonna need efforts
like that at home. I think we haven't played really
well at home in the playoffs yet. I'm waiting for
that game to happen, and hopefully it happens tonight and
(06:13):
we can extend this series. I really like the fight
the Pittons are put forward. I'm bummed out that Stu
hasn't been able to play much in this series because
I think he brings a mental toughness and an age
to our team that you know, I don't think Chat
would be as explosive as he's been if Stu was
playing more so. But it's been exciting watching him in
(06:36):
and I just hope that we can have a breakout
game at home tonight and extend this series.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
You know what it's like to win a championship. We've
won two world championships. Well, if somebody asked you, what
was the common denominator in those two teams when you
want it all Lakers and Pistons, what was the common
denominator that got them to get you a ring? What
would you say to that? And how far away would
(07:04):
the Pistons be from that DNA.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Well, the biggest thing, and I'm not even I'm excluding
the personnel. The biggest thing was the approach of both
of both of those teams. Our approach was so different
because everybody's mindset was geared toward a championship. Nobody talked
about the playoffs. We used the regular season as a
barometer of how how we were moving along in pursuit
(07:31):
of a championship. You know, we weren't peaking too early
where we you know, where we fundamentally sound defensively? You
know what could we take away from teams on every
given night? Those were the common denominated with both teams
and for the Pistons, I think we're we're we're kind
of finding ourselves and understanding who we are on this level.
(07:55):
We know who we are. In the regular season, we
had the biggest turnaround ever. But now when you start
leveling up, it's about, you know, what can we be
effective doing in a high in sense situation? And they're
learning that.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
One of the greatest stories I've heard You and I
were at Callahan Hall getting ready for the high school
state championships, watching a regional championship and you and I
had a conversation about the best high school players that
you've ever played. You were unbelievable in high school and
you played on an unbelievable team. Share with the audience
the best high school player you've played against, and just
put in our perspective just how challenging it was to
(08:34):
get out of your state with a championship. And some
of the players that you played with and against.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Well, for one, there were two pros on my high
school team, he and James Robbie. So that's to tell
you the level of guard play that was in Mississippi
at the time. Yeah, and now this was a hand
spinner right here. We had two pros, a point a
guard in a shooting guard and we lost the state championship.
(09:04):
To make move up? Do I formerly known as Chris Jackson,
who was the best high school player I've ever seen
in my life bar none.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Did you say something like he scored fifty? Like it
was right?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I watched him. I remember going to my first time
seeing him. My father was telling me, you need to
go see this kid play, and I was like, well,
how old is he was like he's your great I
was like, I'm not going to see anybody played at
my age.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Why would you right? Where are you headed now? Sounds
like you're in a car. You're on your way to
help more kids practice.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I just left the gym. I had my kid. Ernie
Becker is in the gym this morning at five, But
now I'm headed to my dentist appointment at eight.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Well, you got to keep those pearly whites. You got
to keep that beautiful smile going. Thanks for all that
you do, man, and thanks for doing this.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Thank you to.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
All right, thank you man, all right, all the best
to you. And Caleb, by the way, thanks to him
for for helping us with this story as well. Okay, buddy,
be good.
I've known Lindsay Hunter for a while. I've known he's special,
and not because he's a flip and basketball player, all right,
he won two World championships. It's one of the best players.
But because of the person that he is, that's what
I care most about and how he's affected the Gullickson
and he joins us here on exis inmbros. How are
you my friend?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Well that my buddy, Jeff.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
How you doing, man, I'm doing great, pal. We just
got done talking with Griffin and Jeff Gullickson. The impact
that you've had on them and your son Caleb have
had on them is immense. What's the impact that a
kid like Griffin Gullickson has had on you?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Oh? Man? It was you know, our first time talking
to him. You know, I instantly just saw the strength
in his eyes. And his father was overwhelmed just for me.
You know, we did we did a FaceTime call and
I was like, let me call his kid and let's
(01:02):
do a faith time calling. Let's talk to him. Let's
let's you know, lift his spirits because he was going
through treatments and you know, he was weak and you know,
just trying to live a normal life. And man, we
talked and it just impacted me in such a way.
I was like, man, let's let's do more, because you know,
Griffiths loves basketball and Jeff wants to support him, and
(01:24):
you know his struggles would for just to have a
normal life. We're not even talking about basketball. I'm just
talking about for him to walk around and be normal
was a fight, you know, and it was just heavy
on my heart. Man. And we've become really close with
Jeff and Griffin and the family and everybody up there,
(01:46):
and it's just been you know, it brings you back
to reality about what life is really about. You know,
we we go through, we go through our daily process
of worrying about, you know, the minute things in life,
when there are people like Griffin that are fighting for
their lives and he's a kid, you know, he hasn't
lived a full life yet, and you know, just to
(02:07):
be a part of helping him, man, it inspires me.
It helps me keep my life in perspective. And you know,
I don't do all these things for the notoriety. I
don't do all the things for the popularity. I'm doing
because you know, that's just my heart. And when you
find somebody that you have a connection with you want
(02:27):
to help them, You want to you want to help
them get through their trying time. Then that's what it's
about for us, me and Caleb, And it's been a
joy to be a part of their family.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah, I know you don't do it that way. Look,
I'm a little emotional right now. You and I both fathers.
Obviously Caleb is a big part of this too. How
quickly did your son rush into this? And how important
we all need reminders, lindsay, we all need reminders once
in a while. How important impactful has this been for him?
(02:59):
And let's face it, the Gallics and family is impacted
by you two. And I know that's not why you
do it, because you're just a good man, not just
a good great basketball player, but you're a good man.
How does it affected Caleb? Do you think in the
relationship perhaps that you might have with Caleb?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Well, fortunately, man, Caleb and I have been you know,
we've been close since he was born. He's always been
a daddy's boy and a guy told me a story
once he said, the true the true definition of being
a successful parent is when you can raise your kids
and when you get older, they come back and want
(03:38):
to be friends with you. And that's the situation that
we have. Man, we are the best of friends. You know,
we're business partners and helping. Being in a situation where
we're helping and aiding a kid like Griffin and his family,
(03:58):
it puts our lives in perspective. It gives us a
better appreciation of, you know, the things that we have now.
And Caleb is no different. He it impacted him and
he really was like that we gotta you know, we
gotta do more. We got to help him. He wants
to play basketball. You know what can we do? Man?
(04:19):
I said, Man, let's let's help them put together a team,
and let's let's let's a system, and let's you know,
let's do some different events and just be supportive and
do all we can do. Man. And that's what we
were pret here for and that's what we try to
fulfill and Caleb is a big, big part of that.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
Well, you and your stretched thin because you're coaching a
lot of kids, you're making a difference in a lot
of kids' lives on the basketball floor. But this right
here made it different in Griffin Gullickson's life overall, not
just basketball. We're talking about life in general and Jeff
as well. So kudos to you, my friend. What a
great It doesn't surprise me that this is your tact all.
(05:00):
If people know Lindsey Hunter, they know the kind of
person you are, and that's a big reason why I
respect you and I love you so much. Let's let's
get to basketball a little bit. What's as an analyst,
because you've been analyst, done a great job on the radio,
and you always have on television as well. What's what's
your take on the fight? Speaking of Griffin Golixen, the
fight that the Pistons have shown in the first five
(05:23):
six games, five games of this series against the Knicks.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Man, it's been a joy to see, you know, you
kind of see him growing up right before our eyes
and knowing what the playoff intensity is all about. I
think these guys are learning that they're get a crash
course in it. You know, Case struggled at the beginning
of the first game, but you kind of see him
settling in and being the Ky that we know and love.
You know, the playoffs are all about, you know, the
(05:49):
role players. How well are your role players going to
step up and play? And our guys on the road
really stepped up and played well. Tobias stepped up and
that was big for us, and we're gonna need efforts
like that at home. I think we haven't played really
well at home in the playoffs yet. I'm waiting for
that game to happen, and hopefully it happens tonight and
(06:13):
we can extend this series. I really like the fight
the Pittons are put forward. I'm bummed out that Stu
hasn't been able to play much in this series because
I think he brings a mental toughness and an age
to our team that you know, I don't think Chat
would be as explosive as he's been if Stu was
playing more so. But it's been exciting watching him in
(06:36):
and I just hope that we can have a breakout
game at home tonight and extend this series.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
You know what it's like to win a championship. We've
won two world championships. Well, if somebody asked you, what
was the common denominator in those two teams when you
want it all Lakers and Pistons, what was the common
denominator that got them to get you a ring? What
would you say to that? And how far away would
(07:04):
the Pistons be from that DNA.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Well, the biggest thing, and I'm not even I'm excluding
the personnel. The biggest thing was the approach of both
of both of those teams. Our approach was so different
because everybody's mindset was geared toward a championship. Nobody talked
about the playoffs. We used the regular season as a
barometer of how how we were moving along in pursuit
(07:31):
of a championship. You know, we weren't peaking too early
where we you know, where we fundamentally sound defensively? You
know what could we take away from teams on every
given night? Those were the common denominated with both teams
and for the Pistons, I think we're we're we're kind
of finding ourselves and understanding who we are on this level.
(07:55):
We know who we are. In the regular season, we
had the biggest turnaround ever. But now when you start
leveling up, it's about, you know, what can we be
effective doing in a high in sense situation? And they're
learning that.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
One of the greatest stories I've heard You and I
were at Callahan Hall getting ready for the high school
state championships, watching a regional championship and you and I
had a conversation about the best high school players that
you've ever played. You were unbelievable in high school and
you played on an unbelievable team. Share with the audience
the best high school player you've played against, and just
put in our perspective just how challenging it was to
(08:34):
get out of your state with a championship. And some
of the players that you played with and against.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
Well, for one, there were two pros on my high
school team, he and James Robbie. So that's to tell
you the level of guard play that was in Mississippi
at the time. Yeah, and now this was a hand
spinner right here. We had two pros, a point a
guard in a shooting guard and we lost the state championship.
(09:04):
To make move up? Do I formerly known as Chris Jackson,
who was the best high school player I've ever seen
in my life bar none.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Did you say something like he scored fifty? Like it
was right?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I watched him. I remember going to my first time
seeing him. My father was telling me, you need to
go see this kid play, and I was like, well,
how old is he was like he's your great I
was like, I'm not going to see anybody played at
my age.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Why would you right? Where are you headed now? Sounds
like you're in a car. You're on your way to
help more kids practice.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
I just left the gym. I had my kid. Ernie
Becker is in the gym this morning at five, But
now I'm headed to my dentist appointment at eight.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Well, you got to keep those pearly whites. You got
to keep that beautiful smile going. Thanks for all that
you do, man, and thanks for doing this.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Thank you to.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
All right, thank you man, all right, all the best
to you. And Caleb, by the way, thanks to him
for for helping us with this story as well. Okay, buddy,
be good.
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