June 19, 2026 • 18 mins
Moeller's own Deuce McBride just won an NBA title with the New York Knicks.
He joined us on ESPN1530.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Last Saturday night for me one of the happiest nights
of my life as a New York Knicks fan since
I was a kid. To see them win a world title.
It still doesn't feel real. And we've said often on
our show in recent years that what has made being
a Knicks fan so much more fun is they have
a Cincinnati guy and so much fun to see Moler's
(00:20):
own Miles Deuce McBride win an NBA championship, and in
the middle of what I'm sure has been just an
insane last six seven days, he's been kind enough to
give us a few minutes. Deuce, I can't thank you
enough for doing this. Congratulations. I want to know this.
Since last Saturday night to today, how many hours of
sleep have you gotten?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Man?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Probably a combined twelve hours?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Still very good, all right, I thought it would be
a little bit higher, but that makes sense. Let's work backwards,
so let's go yesterday. The parade looked it looked awesome,
and it felt like everybody behaved. How would you describe
the experience being a part of that yesterday?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I mean, besides the birth of my daughter, I would
have to say that was one of the best days
of my life. I mean to see the love and
support from how many people just knowing that what we
did for the city will, you know, ring throughout history forever.
It was such a cool thing to see.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Truthfully, you know, you enter the NBA and you're just
trying to make it right. You're trying to establish yourself
on an NBA roster, and you get to New York
and you're just trying to stick with the Knicks, and
you know, meanwhile they're building a team that ultimately, you know,
has become a perennial postseason team and now obviously an
NBA champion. But at what point did you realize, like,
(01:48):
if we're actually able to pull this off, this is
what New York is going to do.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
I mean, I think.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
When those I'm not sure if you saw those videos
that started coming out when when we first made the playoffs, Yeah,
and people were just outside going crazy because you know,
I missed the playoffs my first year.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
And then you know, we signed JB.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
And we make it that second year, and man, those
those first playoff wins, I had never seen anything like it.
And then beating Boston last year, I mean, they just
continued to continue to take it up another level.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
And uh, you know, as long as nobody gets hurt,
it's it's.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Uh, well, it did feel like everybody yesterday was was
well behaved. So from from last Saturday before the parade,
what's the coolest thing that's happened to you, what's the
coolest thing that you've had a chance to experience as
an NBA champion.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
I mean, wow, I think I think yesterday is just
something that can't be topped. I mean, I'm still out
of loss for words, like looking at videos and pictures.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I don't know if it doesn't justice just because you.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Know, people were there at literally two days ago just
to get a spot for the parade. People are getting
up at two, three, four in the morning, and then
by six am people got turned away, you know, like
to having an atmosphere like that, it's just such a blessing.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Truthfully, What do because I know you were signing jerseys
right so, like you you see fans face to face,
and I'm sure like long time hardcore fans who have
been suffering with this team forever, what is it like
when they tell you what this title has meant to them?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah, I think it's such a beautiful thing, you know,
what sports can do. And being here in the Mecca,
you know, of art culture, you know, sport, it's I mean,
and for people to say you know this is you know,
people have done so many great things.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
You know, I've been able to meet so many cool people,
and you.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Know when they say, hey, I've stayed with the team
through all the struggles, through all the ups and downs.
Like you know, I wasn't alive when the last time
the Knicks were in the finals. And you know, I'm
a huge fan of a lot of things, so I
know what it is, what it's like to live and die,
(04:32):
you know, with with wins and losses, and just to
hear people and see the videos of them crying and
just I mean, it's such a cool feeling.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
So you guys win the title in San Antonio on
Saturday night and obviously there were you know, a million
Knicks fans there. There's what we get to watch on television,
right you guys embrace hug. You're running around looking for
people to hug. Right after the game, you guys go
in the locker room, you're pouring beer and champagne on
each other. But like, walk me through what those hours
were like in the immediate aftermath of you guys winning
(05:04):
the title that maybe you know, we didn't get a
chance to see.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, I mean, it was a it was a long
night of celebrated for sure. We did end up flying
back to New York around three in the morning, but
we honestly had a good.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Amount of media.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
But we I mean, if you've seen some of the
pictures of you know, we were smoking cigars on the court.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I mean it was it was like what our fans do.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
What we do is we come in and we take
over arenas and that was that encapsulated to a.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
T game four. You guys are down twenty seven and
a half now, not be honest with me, whether it's
in the locker room, on the bench, I mean, are
you really telling each other that you guys can come
back and win that game? What are you guys saying
to each other?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, yeah, we're We've done a lot of done a
lot of comebacks. And you know, when you have you know,
leaders that you know they don't break, you know, they
might bend, you know, we get down. But we were
just thinking, we were just giving them, you know, a
lot of easy things.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So I think we.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Never panicked because we knew we just needed to get
a break, get an adjustment, and then just you know,
fire on all the cylinders, and you know, that's what
we did. So truthfully, I think that's what made us
a championship team is just going through those trials and tribulations,
not just this regular season, but playoffs, past seasons past.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
And understanding that is really not over until it's over.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
The the comebacks are awesome. I enjoyed it more when
you would curb stomp teams and close out games. Yeah,
Atlanta was awesome, but like the Sunday afternoon, you guys
are in Philadelphia, it sounds like MSG and you close
out the Sixers and you go off, I think, what
six of seven in the first half from behind the arc,
seven of nine for the game. And look, you've had
(07:09):
awesome shooting games, You've had big games, but in a
close out game in that environment. Have you ever experienced
anything remotely close to that?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I can't. I can't say I have.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
You know, it was a It was a great opportunity,
you know for me, I started started that game, and
you know, my mindset really.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
For this postseason was just to make an impact I had.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
I had that Uh surgery, you know, the middle of
the year, and got back right before the playoffs, so
I was playing through a good amount of pain and
you know, to have a game like that was such
a you know, relief and just made me feel so
good that I knew I could just help the team.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
In so many ways.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
And you know, I'm just I'm glad. I was thankful
to God that he helped me through it.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. And by by the way, not just shooting it great,
but like you were guarding Tyrese Maxie, I can't even
imagine what it's like to try to pick him up.
I mean, he's he's absurd. But you mentioned the injuries
because I think there's folks who maybe don't realize you
missed time early in the season with an ankle, then
you had the hernia, and I remember the night you
came back, you had to leave the game against Oka
See and I remember the going like, I don't know
(08:20):
if Duce is going to get to the postseason. Were
you ever worried that you would have to sit out
once the playoffs got here?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. I mean, hernie is a nice way
to put it. You know, the service that I had
it was it was a tough process, but you know,
our training staff did great because you know I didn't.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
There was some games where I was really really struggling.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
But you know, that's the great thing about this organization
or coaching staff, training staff is they're just like, you know,
even if you're not scoring a lot of points, I
can impact the game in a lot of ways. And
you know, obviously the name of the game to score
the ball, but to have, you know, a belief that
we just want you out.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
There is such a tremendous feeling.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
And that's that's what really pushed me because some games
I just man, I didn't have it. I mean, it
was it was painful, but you know, I'm just thankful
for my teammates and everybody just helping me get through it.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
If I'm not mistaken, you are the second longest tenured Nick.
It's Mitchell Robinson then yourself. And so you know, when
you got to New York, obviously you were you were
just trying to establish yourself. But as as you've done that,
they've built this team and they've brought in guys and
I guess most notably Jalen Brunson. But but what has
it been like watching from your perspective how they've assembled
(09:44):
the team and in doing so in a way that
like you guys took steps. I mean, you know, I
remember when you lost to Miami in twenty three, it
was like all right, fine, and then you know, the
next year all the injuries against Indiana, lost in seven,
and then last year and you you were kind enough
to join a short after that series. It just to
me it felt like these are the steps you have
to take, and meanwhile they're just adding pieces. From your
(10:06):
perspective team building, watching it, what's it been like?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Oh man, it's uh, it's been It's been great. I mean,
you people don't see all the the highs and lows
of it, you know, from a team perspective, from like
you said, in my perspective, and the conversations, you know,
the meetings, you know, if you lose three in a
row or you win eight in a row. I think
(10:30):
the special thing was the people that came into our team.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
They were about the same things.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
As guys that left, you know, and we give a
lot of cretitude the guys, you know r J. Bart
Manuel quickly ever for Julius, you know, all those guys
that really helped build a winning culture. You know, Obi
Top and Like's they're still doing great things. And I
mean Leon Rose just man the killer killing you know.
(11:01):
I mean, you know, he took a.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Kid like me and you know I had to wait
my chance.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
But I think just having those open conversations of like
when I'm young, like we still believe in you, you know,
just keep working, keep trusting the process, and it'll all
work out.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And I think you know, fans they get a little antsy.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
You know, if we lost a few in the regular season,
they thought the world was going to end.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I'm guilty of that. I'm guilty of that. Yes to
one against Atlanta, I was, you know, the walls were
closing in. I'll admit that.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
And that's what I mean when your leadership and you
keep a lot of things in house, when when it's
you know, really solid, you know, you end up making
it through the fire.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You end up making it through.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
And each year was a was a great step and
it shows now we're champions.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I think a lot of people have made the observation
that you know, you guys have a lot of really
good players. That goes without saying, but it's I think
what draws people to your team is how you play,
and there's an obvious chemistry there ensure it. I guess
it helps when you have, you know, teammates who have
played in college with each other. But that that happened,
and it happened on the fly, and it happened organically.
So what was the key to you guys having the
(12:14):
sort of chemistry that I think really just it made
a lot of people who aren't typically Knicks fans. It
made people route.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
For you guys. Yeah. I think.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
You know, people would take our kindness for weakness, you know,
I think they see them on some of good good
guys and you know, some teams mund of thought we
were soft, but I think not that you turn it
on and off, you know, when you step on and
off the court. But I think we're a lot of
good guys and we just want to win. Like our
(12:46):
bench Landry Sham has said it best. You know, when
we were having all we had a revolving door of
X factors.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Yeah, you know, and you know.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Some places, especially in the NBA or some people, you know,
you you're not happy for that guy that's getting more minutes,
getting more shots when you think you deserve more and truthfully,
whether it was Jose Alvarado, Landry Mitch doing what he does,
or if we had to bring in a guy like
Ariel Huckporty or Tyler Kohleik, you know, Modo Ward, like
(13:18):
we had guys just ready, and a lot of teams,
you know, need winners, and we have a bunch of them.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
And the shows.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
You know, Aerel Huckporty being asked to play in Game
four against Victor Webbin Yama. I mean, I he held
his own and you know he didn't play a lot
of minutes during the season, but he held his own.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah, yeah, exactly what I'm saying. And you know, that's
how I feel with a lot.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Of these young guys.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You know, they're they're experienced something so great and I
know they want to step on the court and they're ready.
A lot of those those young guys are ready to
go make really big impacts on a lot of teams.
But like I said, when they put the team first
and people don't know about those practices, how how.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Well they did for us.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
You know, Dylan Jones are two ways, Kevin mccullor Junior, like,
they they did a heck of a job on scout
team preparedness for the for these playoffs. When we had
those stretches of of days of just practicing, I mean
they were on it. They were they were getting our
in our face and really prepared as well.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
So I mean it's a true, true team effort.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
In the last year, you've become a father, you've authored
a children's book which is gonna have a championship edition,
and now you've won an NBA title. I mean, at
some point you're gonna do two things. You're gonna you're
gonna get some sleep, and you're gonna you're gonna look
back on the last you know, year or so. And
I can't even imagine. This is more of a statement
of a question. I can't even imagine the sort of
(14:47):
things that are gonna come to mind.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
It's uh, it's it's been such a whirlwind of a
moment since throughout this year. Like I said, those tough
days when I'm in physical therapy and I'm able to
just come home to my daughter or I wake up
early in the morning and I get her and we're
playing and you know, all she could do was just
a little bit of tough belly tome and just pick
(15:18):
her head up. And you know, now she's able to
pick up a basketball and put in her little hoop.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I mean, I think it's.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Just such a it feels like it's just moving along
and it's it's small and steady steps.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
And that's how I described this year. You know, it's
the end.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Goal is just to start with you know, the crawling
and you know you can't walk.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Before you crawl. And man, it's just it's been a
great year.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Now the book and you joined us right before training
camp to talk about Deuce the Champion of Friendship. There's
going to be a championship edition. Tell me about it.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
I think it's just because it's one of those things
more of a collector's item, you know. I think we
have so many Knicks fans. I mean, even in the parade,
people are yelling, Man, I got your book.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
My kids love it. I'm reading it to them. Man,
you know, it's it's great to.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Be recognized for things on the court, but to know
you're making an impact in the community and I'm doing
something impactful for the youth is so so great to hear.
I mean, I'm just blessing honored that I'm able to
be a role model and be someone you know kids
look up to.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Yeah, well said, so what what now? I mean at
some point you're going to crash? Does the party continue? What?
What are the coming day is going to be like?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, no, I think the partying is going to slow
down for sure. That's that's the That's the thing about.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Being a champion is you have a you have a
shorter summer and I'll take me.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I'll take a shorter summer every year without a doubt.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
But yeah, take some time, be compressed, enjoy with the fam, and.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Then get back to work to do it all over again.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
When do you come back home?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (17:02):
I think it'll probably be next two ish weeks, and
I'm looking at putting some things together possibly for the community,
and you know, to celebrate with the city that raised me.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
You know, in hockey, the players get to bring the
Stanley Cup with them for a couple of days. Do
you get the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Do you get to
bring it to Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
I definitely do. Oh, Larry O'Brian, We'll be in Cincinnati
for sure.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Now what would I have to do to get in
studio visit from you and the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
That's I think we can definitely, we can definitely make
that work.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
We can definitely make that work.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You have no idea what I would do to make
that happen, so I'm gonna hold you to it. I
cannot thank you enough for doing this, because I mean,
is this as cool as being on the Tonight Show?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Yeah, without a doubt.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
I'm so happy for you, you and your teammates. And look,
there aren't a ton of us here, although we do
have a Knicks Fans of Greater Cincinnati Facebook group that
started during the postseason, so there aren't many of us here.
You and your teammates, though, brought me so much joy,
and I'm so happy for you. You're such a big
part of it. And you've always been kind enough to
(18:18):
come on whenever we've asked, and you gave me a
lot of time today. So enjoy, enjoy whatever parties remain,
and congratulations, Thanks so much, appreciate you having me
Last Saturday night for me one of the happiest nights
of my life as a New York Knicks fan since
I was a kid. To see them win a world title.
It still doesn't feel real. And we've said often on
our show in recent years that what has made being
a Knicks fan so much more fun is they have
a Cincinnati guy and so much fun to see Moler's
(00:20):
own Miles Deuce McBride win an NBA championship, and in
the middle of what I'm sure has been just an
insane last six seven days, he's been kind enough to
give us a few minutes. Deuce, I can't thank you
enough for doing this. Congratulations. I want to know this.
Since last Saturday night to today, how many hours of
sleep have you gotten?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Man?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Probably a combined twelve hours?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Still very good, all right, I thought it would be
a little bit higher, but that makes sense. Let's work backwards,
so let's go yesterday. The parade looked it looked awesome,
and it felt like everybody behaved. How would you describe
the experience being a part of that yesterday?
Speaker 3 (01:06):
I mean, besides the birth of my daughter, I would
have to say that was one of the best days
of my life. I mean to see the love and
support from how many people just knowing that what we
did for the city will, you know, ring throughout history forever.
It was such a cool thing to see.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
Truthfully, you know, you enter the NBA and you're just
trying to make it right. You're trying to establish yourself
on an NBA roster, and you get to New York
and you're just trying to stick with the Knicks, and
you know, meanwhile they're building a team that ultimately, you know,
has become a perennial postseason team and now obviously an
NBA champion. But at what point did you realize, like,
(01:48):
if we're actually able to pull this off, this is
what New York is going to do.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
I mean, I think.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
When those I'm not sure if you saw those videos
that started coming out when when we first made the playoffs, Yeah,
and people were just outside going crazy because you know,
I missed the playoffs my first year.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
And then you know, we signed JB.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
And we make it that second year, and man, those
those first playoff wins, I had never seen anything like it.
And then beating Boston last year, I mean, they just
continued to continue to take it up another level.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
And uh, you know, as long as nobody gets hurt,
it's it's.
Speaker 1 (02:30):
Uh, well, it did feel like everybody yesterday was was
well behaved. So from from last Saturday before the parade,
what's the coolest thing that's happened to you, what's the
coolest thing that you've had a chance to experience as
an NBA champion.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
I mean, wow, I think I think yesterday is just
something that can't be topped. I mean, I'm still out
of loss for words, like looking at videos and pictures.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I don't know if it doesn't justice just because you.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Know, people were there at literally two days ago just
to get a spot for the parade. People are getting
up at two, three, four in the morning, and then
by six am people got turned away, you know, like
to having an atmosphere like that, it's just such a blessing.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Truthfully, What do because I know you were signing jerseys
right so, like you you see fans face to face,
and I'm sure like long time hardcore fans who have
been suffering with this team forever, what is it like
when they tell you what this title has meant to them?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Yeah, I think it's such a beautiful thing, you know,
what sports can do. And being here in the Mecca,
you know, of art culture, you know, sport, it's I mean,
and for people to say you know this is you know,
people have done so many great things.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
You know, I've been able to meet so many cool people,
and you.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Know when they say, hey, I've stayed with the team
through all the struggles, through all the ups and downs.
Like you know, I wasn't alive when the last time
the Knicks were in the finals. And you know, I'm
a huge fan of a lot of things, so I
know what it is, what it's like to live and die,
(04:32):
you know, with with wins and losses, and just to
hear people and see the videos of them crying and
just I mean, it's such a cool feeling.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
So you guys win the title in San Antonio on
Saturday night and obviously there were you know, a million
Knicks fans there. There's what we get to watch on television,
right you guys embrace hug. You're running around looking for
people to hug. Right after the game, you guys go
in the locker room, you're pouring beer and champagne on
each other. But like, walk me through what those hours
were like in the immediate aftermath of you guys winning
(05:04):
the title that maybe you know, we didn't get a
chance to see.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Yeah, I mean, it was a it was a long
night of celebrated for sure. We did end up flying
back to New York around three in the morning, but
we honestly had a good.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Amount of media.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
But we I mean, if you've seen some of the
pictures of you know, we were smoking cigars on the court.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
I mean it was it was like what our fans do.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
What we do is we come in and we take
over arenas and that was that encapsulated to a.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
T game four. You guys are down twenty seven and
a half now, not be honest with me, whether it's
in the locker room, on the bench, I mean, are
you really telling each other that you guys can come
back and win that game? What are you guys saying
to each other?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Yeah, yeah, we're We've done a lot of done a
lot of comebacks. And you know, when you have you know,
leaders that you know they don't break, you know, they
might bend, you know, we get down. But we were
just thinking, we were just giving them, you know, a
lot of easy things.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So I think we.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Never panicked because we knew we just needed to get
a break, get an adjustment, and then just you know,
fire on all the cylinders, and you know, that's what
we did. So truthfully, I think that's what made us
a championship team is just going through those trials and tribulations,
not just this regular season, but playoffs, past seasons past.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
And understanding that is really not over until it's over.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
The the comebacks are awesome. I enjoyed it more when
you would curb stomp teams and close out games. Yeah,
Atlanta was awesome, but like the Sunday afternoon, you guys
are in Philadelphia, it sounds like MSG and you close
out the Sixers and you go off, I think, what
six of seven in the first half from behind the arc,
seven of nine for the game. And look, you've had
(07:09):
awesome shooting games, You've had big games, but in a
close out game in that environment. Have you ever experienced
anything remotely close to that?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I can't. I can't say I have.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
You know, it was a It was a great opportunity,
you know for me, I started started that game, and
you know, my mindset really.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
For this postseason was just to make an impact I had.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
I had that Uh surgery, you know, the middle of
the year, and got back right before the playoffs, so
I was playing through a good amount of pain and
you know, to have a game like that was such
a you know, relief and just made me feel so
good that I knew I could just help the team.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
In so many ways.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
And you know, I'm just I'm glad. I was thankful
to God that he helped me through it.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah. And by by the way, not just shooting it great,
but like you were guarding Tyrese Maxie, I can't even
imagine what it's like to try to pick him up.
I mean, he's he's absurd. But you mentioned the injuries
because I think there's folks who maybe don't realize you
missed time early in the season with an ankle, then
you had the hernia, and I remember the night you
came back, you had to leave the game against Oka
See and I remember the going like, I don't know
(08:20):
if Duce is going to get to the postseason. Were
you ever worried that you would have to sit out
once the playoffs got here?
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Yeah, definitely, definitely. I mean, hernie is a nice way
to put it. You know, the service that I had
it was it was a tough process, but you know,
our training staff did great because you know I didn't.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
There was some games where I was really really struggling.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
But you know, that's the great thing about this organization
or coaching staff, training staff is they're just like, you know,
even if you're not scoring a lot of points, I
can impact the game in a lot of ways. And
you know, obviously the name of the game to score
the ball, but to have, you know, a belief that
we just want you out.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
There is such a tremendous feeling.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
And that's that's what really pushed me because some games
I just man, I didn't have it. I mean, it
was it was painful, but you know, I'm just thankful
for my teammates and everybody just helping me get through it.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
If I'm not mistaken, you are the second longest tenured Nick.
It's Mitchell Robinson then yourself. And so you know, when
you got to New York, obviously you were you were
just trying to establish yourself. But as as you've done that,
they've built this team and they've brought in guys and
I guess most notably Jalen Brunson. But but what has
it been like watching from your perspective how they've assembled
(09:44):
the team and in doing so in a way that
like you guys took steps. I mean, you know, I
remember when you lost to Miami in twenty three, it
was like all right, fine, and then you know, the
next year all the injuries against Indiana, lost in seven,
and then last year and you you were kind enough
to join a short after that series. It just to
me it felt like these are the steps you have
to take, and meanwhile they're just adding pieces. From your
(10:06):
perspective team building, watching it, what's it been like?
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Oh man, it's uh, it's been It's been great. I mean,
you people don't see all the the highs and lows
of it, you know, from a team perspective, from like
you said, in my perspective, and the conversations, you know,
the meetings, you know, if you lose three in a
row or you win eight in a row. I think
(10:30):
the special thing was the people that came into our team.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
They were about the same things.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
As guys that left, you know, and we give a
lot of cretitude the guys, you know r J. Bart
Manuel quickly ever for Julius, you know, all those guys
that really helped build a winning culture. You know, Obi
Top and Like's they're still doing great things. And I
mean Leon Rose just man the killer killing you know.
(11:01):
I mean, you know, he took a.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Kid like me and you know I had to wait
my chance.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
But I think just having those open conversations of like
when I'm young, like we still believe in you, you know,
just keep working, keep trusting the process, and it'll all
work out.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
And I think you know, fans they get a little antsy.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
You know, if we lost a few in the regular season,
they thought the world was going to end.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I'm guilty of that. I'm guilty of that. Yes to
one against Atlanta, I was, you know, the walls were
closing in. I'll admit that.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
And that's what I mean when your leadership and you
keep a lot of things in house, when when it's
you know, really solid, you know, you end up making
it through the fire.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
You end up making it through.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
And each year was a was a great step and
it shows now we're champions.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I think a lot of people have made the observation
that you know, you guys have a lot of really
good players. That goes without saying, but it's I think
what draws people to your team is how you play,
and there's an obvious chemistry there ensure it. I guess
it helps when you have, you know, teammates who have
played in college with each other. But that that happened,
and it happened on the fly, and it happened organically.
So what was the key to you guys having the
(12:14):
sort of chemistry that I think really just it made
a lot of people who aren't typically Knicks fans. It
made people route.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
For you guys. Yeah. I think.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
You know, people would take our kindness for weakness, you know,
I think they see them on some of good good
guys and you know, some teams mund of thought we
were soft, but I think not that you turn it
on and off, you know, when you step on and
off the court. But I think we're a lot of
good guys and we just want to win. Like our
(12:46):
bench Landry Sham has said it best. You know, when
we were having all we had a revolving door of
X factors.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Yeah, you know, and you know.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Some places, especially in the NBA or some people, you know,
you you're not happy for that guy that's getting more minutes,
getting more shots when you think you deserve more and truthfully,
whether it was Jose Alvarado, Landry Mitch doing what he does,
or if we had to bring in a guy like
Ariel Huckporty or Tyler Kohleik, you know, Modo Ward, like
(13:18):
we had guys just ready, and a lot of teams,
you know, need winners, and we have a bunch of them.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
And the shows.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
You know, Aerel Huckporty being asked to play in Game
four against Victor Webbin Yama. I mean, I he held
his own and you know he didn't play a lot
of minutes during the season, but he held his own.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Yeah, yeah, exactly what I'm saying. And you know, that's
how I feel with a lot.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Of these young guys.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You know, they're they're experienced something so great and I
know they want to step on the court and they're ready.
A lot of those those young guys are ready to
go make really big impacts on a lot of teams.
But like I said, when they put the team first
and people don't know about those practices, how how.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Well they did for us.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
You know, Dylan Jones are two ways, Kevin mccullor Junior, like,
they they did a heck of a job on scout
team preparedness for the for these playoffs. When we had
those stretches of of days of just practicing, I mean
they were on it. They were they were getting our
in our face and really prepared as well.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
So I mean it's a true, true team effort.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
In the last year, you've become a father, you've authored
a children's book which is gonna have a championship edition,
and now you've won an NBA title. I mean, at
some point you're gonna do two things. You're gonna you're
gonna get some sleep, and you're gonna you're gonna look
back on the last you know, year or so. And
I can't even imagine. This is more of a statement
of a question. I can't even imagine the sort of
(14:47):
things that are gonna come to mind.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Yeah, I mean.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
It's uh, it's it's been such a whirlwind of a
moment since throughout this year. Like I said, those tough
days when I'm in physical therapy and I'm able to
just come home to my daughter or I wake up
early in the morning and I get her and we're
playing and you know, all she could do was just
a little bit of tough belly tome and just pick
(15:18):
her head up. And you know, now she's able to
pick up a basketball and put in her little hoop.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
I mean, I think it's.
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Just such a it feels like it's just moving along
and it's it's small and steady steps.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
And that's how I described this year. You know, it's
the end.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Goal is just to start with you know, the crawling
and you know you can't walk.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Before you crawl. And man, it's just it's been a
great year.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
Now the book and you joined us right before training
camp to talk about Deuce the Champion of Friendship. There's
going to be a championship edition. Tell me about it.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
I think it's just because it's one of those things
more of a collector's item, you know. I think we
have so many Knicks fans. I mean, even in the parade,
people are yelling, Man, I got your book.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
My kids love it. I'm reading it to them. Man,
you know, it's it's great to.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Be recognized for things on the court, but to know
you're making an impact in the community and I'm doing
something impactful for the youth is so so great to hear.
I mean, I'm just blessing honored that I'm able to
be a role model and be someone you know kids
look up to.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Yeah, well said, so what what now? I mean at
some point you're going to crash? Does the party continue? What?
What are the coming day is going to be like?
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Yeah, no, I think the partying is going to slow
down for sure. That's that's the That's the thing about.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Being a champion is you have a you have a
shorter summer and I'll take me.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I'll take a shorter summer every year without a doubt.
Speaker 3 (16:51):
But yeah, take some time, be compressed, enjoy with the fam, and.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Then get back to work to do it all over again.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
When do you come back home?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (17:02):
I think it'll probably be next two ish weeks, and
I'm looking at putting some things together possibly for the community,
and you know, to celebrate with the city that raised me.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
You know, in hockey, the players get to bring the
Stanley Cup with them for a couple of days. Do
you get the Larry O'Brien Trophy? Do you get to
bring it to Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (17:22):
I definitely do. Oh, Larry O'Brian, We'll be in Cincinnati
for sure.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Now what would I have to do to get in
studio visit from you and the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
That's I think we can definitely, we can definitely make
that work.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
We can definitely make that work.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
You have no idea what I would do to make
that happen, so I'm gonna hold you to it. I
cannot thank you enough for doing this, because I mean,
is this as cool as being on the Tonight Show?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Yeah, without a doubt.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
I'm so happy for you, you and your teammates. And look,
there aren't a ton of us here, although we do
have a Knicks Fans of Greater Cincinnati Facebook group that
started during the postseason, so there aren't many of us here.
You and your teammates, though, brought me so much joy,
and I'm so happy for you. You're such a big
part of it. And you've always been kind enough to
(18:18):
come on whenever we've asked, and you gave me a
lot of time today. So enjoy, enjoy whatever parties remain,
and congratulations, Thanks so much, appreciate you having me
Mo Egger News
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