August 2, 2024 • 17 mins
Washington Huskies basketball legend Isaiah Thomas joins Dave Softy Mahler and Dick Fain to talk about his shot to win the Pac-10 Championship, the current UW basketball program moving into the Big 10 and his Zeke End Tournament in Tacoma this weekend.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Shot talk, turn dumps day talk today, he's gonna doing himself.
Thomas says, ye, say God.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Suck get day.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
How about that man? I was at that game behind
the bucket. I think you were at the ram watching
the game. I was thirteen years ago with maybe the
biggest shot in Husky basketball history, and that guy right there.
Isaiah Thomas joins us before his big tournament coming up
in Tacoba on the station, Zeke, how are.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Your power's going on? It's softy and Dick. How are you?
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I'm doing great. I appreciate you guys having me. It's
always it's always a good time when I'm able to
talk to you guys, so.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Well, we love having you on. I'm gonna tell you
right now. We want to have you on as much
as we can. I would love to have you on
more offense. We can talk about that off the air
when this whole thing is done. But dude, thirteen years ago,
that highlight, that game against Arizona.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
How often do you think about that? How often do
you watch that thing?
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think about it a lot, because you know, like
I'm back home a lot. But when I when I
when I come across people that don't always see me.
The first thing they say is man, that that shot
in college. They're either a UDUB fan or an Arizona fan.
So it's like I get both sides of it. But
anytime somebody brings that up, says cold blooded, or anytime
I can see that or hear it like you guys
(01:33):
played it, it just puts a smile on my face.
Like that's that's all I can do. Every time I
even think about it, is just smile. That was like
a really cool moment, not only for me, but like
for my teammates as well. So it was it was
I always cherish those moments, and you know, cold Bloody
was was was something that really cool to happen in
my life.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Well, you know, abut a swim mile on my face.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
Seek is when I see articles online from April saying
suns Time signed two time All Star Isaiah Thomas over
the end of the year, and I just love the
fact that you are still grinding, you are still there,
So you know, tell us what your status is.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
For the twenty twenty four to twenty twenty five NBA season.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
So look, I'm a free agent now, but I've been
talking to a few teams lately, we're just trying to
see what the best situation is for me. I'm just
trying to play at least one or two more years
before my kids get into high school. So I'm just
you know, staying ready, staying on the slow grind, and
just you know, waiting for an opportunity.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, well you deserve it, Pale, And I'll tell you
what I think if I'm not mistaken, and you'd be
able to fill me in. I think that was the
last was it the last Pac ten championship or the
first pack that was?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
That was? That was the last Pack ten, So I don't,
I don't. I wasn't able to play in the Pac twelve,
So that was the last Pack tens tournament there was.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
So the basketball team wins the last Pac ten and
the football team wins the last Pac twelve?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Should how about that? At you?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It only makes sense question.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
You know.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
One of my favorite moments from that game is just
watching Lorenzo romar and just stand there and just let
you guys celebrate. And I look, we all feel the
same way about Lorenzo, one of the class guys I've
ever been around. But how often do you talk to
Lorenzo and when you think about him and the influence
he had on your life, what comes to mind?
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Man?
Speaker 4 (03:24):
First off, like, anytime I talk to Coach Row is
like I always give him the flowers, his flowers and
the praise for not only putting me in a position
to be successful on the court, but like putting me
in position to be a successful man off the court.
So he's like, as you know and everybody else knows,
he's like a father figure to all his players. And
(03:44):
I talked to Coach Row probably maybe once a month,
once every other month. We always send each other text
or he'll give me a call and we stay locked in.
That's one of my favorite, one of my favorite coaches,
but overall favorite people in life. Anytime I talk to
Coach Row, it's a smile on my face. I'm super
thankful for coach Role.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Well, I know you've been out there Roman heck ed
shooting some jumpers. What do you think of this new
leader we got to the basketball team now, Danny Sprinkle.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I like him. I mean I've only heard great things
about him. I've had a few conversations with him. Obviously,
I work out at you Dub in the morning, so
I see the coaching staff every now and then, and
then I'm I'm around those players, So I think he's gonna,
you know, change it around, and I think he's what
we need. Like he's new energy. He's someone that you know,
bleeds purple and goal obviously, but I'm I'm super excited
(04:34):
about this season. Obviously it's a whole new group of guys,
but the culture that they're trying to instill in these
guys is is everything. So you know, any way I
can help, Like I told Sprinkle, any way I can help,
I'm always here, always ready to work out or be
another body in practice, and he's super thankful for that.
So I'm excited about his new you know, his new
(04:55):
role coming.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Up well is Saarah Thomas is with us.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
He's got his ninth now and will Zeken tournament coming
up at Tacoma CEC. We'll get some thoughts on what's
happening down there in just a second. But tomorrow Isaiah
is actually technically, believe it or not, the first official
day for you dub in the Big ten. So Danny
Sprinkle's gonna join us on the year tomorrow, Pat Chun,
Heather Tar, a bunch of Huskies tomorrow. But what's your
(05:19):
what's your thought on this team moving to the Big
Ten and what it will take for them to survive
in that conference.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Man, I think it's gonna be tough. I mean, any
anytime you move conferences like you done, it's just a
West Coast school. We do things like a West Coast way.
You know, there's a certain way to those Packed teen
or Pack twelve schools go about their business. So you're
just gonna have to change up a little bit going
into the Big Ten. And I you know, I think
it's gonna be I don't think it's gonna be a
(05:45):
tough transition, but it's gonna be. It's gonna be hard,
but you know, I got faith in my dogs. I
think they're just gonna make adjustments figure it out. Obviously,
the travel and things like that is a lot different
than you know, playing Pac twelve schools or Pack ten schools.
So I think once we get that adjustment going, we
can be good. Obviously, the football team got a lot
of hype. Basketball team is a new up and coming team,
(06:08):
and then all the other sports, and you does obviously
they carry the torch as well. So hopefully we got
a smooth transition into the big team.
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Husky great Isaiah Thomas joining us here in Isaiah, what's
going to be a tougher transition the schedule that you
just mentioned, the travel or the physicality of Big ten basketball,
which we're just not used to down here in the
West Coast.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
I think a little bit of bone like, it's gonna
be different because it's a different style of play, It's
different recruits, like especially in football, like those guys are
just probably a little bigger, little a little run, a
little faster, a little stronger. So I think once we
get far and figure it out and see what adjustments
we have to make, obviously we adjust, but that's gonna
be tough, Like that's gonna be tough with any team
(06:49):
coming into a new conference. There's just a different style
of play all the way around. So hopefully the guys
are ready and you know, it could be something special.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Well, Isaiah Thomas again as well.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
He has his annual Zeken Tournament happening this weekend at
Tacoma CC and Tacoma.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
We'll get some more thoughts from you on that in
just a second.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
But I want to say a name, Isaiah, and I
want you to give me your thoughts when you hear
the name zoom Diallo.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Special Special kid is a hell of a player. Obviously
we went to the to the same high school, so
I've I've been able to mentor him a little bit.
Someone is very hungry and like overall great kid, which
is most important, and someone is coachable, like I think
he's going to have a hell of a year. Obviously,
coming in as a freshman and trying to be one
(07:37):
of the leaders is a difficult thing to do for
any freshman. But he's up for the task and he's ready.
Like he's ready, and I'm hopefully at any point you know,
he calls on me for any type of advice or
any help. I mean, his corner, and I'm pulling for him.
I'm a big fan of zoom Diallo.
Speaker 6 (07:53):
How about the rest of this UB team. Have you
played with any of these guys? You know, you say
you're working there out there at heck ed. Have you
gotten a chance to see the team at all, because
you know they're really for the most part, they're very
unfamiliar to most Husky fans.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, I mean now unfamiliar to me as well, Like
even when I go up there and play like I
play with those guys about two or three times this
summer within the last few weeks. Definitely a counted group.
Like I'm just I'm just unfamiliar with those guys right now.
So as I, you know, get a little closer and
get to know those guys as as as people first
and foremost, I think I can give you a better
(08:26):
little a better you know, sense of what what what
we're gonna do this season. But it's definitely a good
group of guys and hungry guys coming into a new
program trying to make a name for themselves.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
What do you make Because I mean you you you
strike me now Isaiah and Isaiah Thomas is with us,
and you're what thirty five?
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Now thirty five? That's crazy, man, crazy? Absolutely no.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I was thirty seven at that game and I'll be
fifty one next week.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
So I'm right there with you. I mean everyone's gone
old mine and we're getting old fast, but you are.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I will put you in the same category of like
a Brandon Roy and that I think that your opinion
of basketball topics, any other college really anything is important.
I think you've been through the ringer, You've put the
hard work in, You're established in this town. I think
people appreciate what you have to say. What is your
honest take on the current state of college athletics all
(09:26):
this conference movement, player transfers after one year, after another year,
they're taking off playing for three or four teams, the
nil guys going to schools based on money. What's your
take on the current state of the sport that you
love so much.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
It's tough because it's just so different, Like I can
only compare it to like NBA free agency now that
you can leave any school any time you want. Obviously
you can chase the money and get you more money
each year from a bigger school. I like that the
kids can get paid, But I just I think it's
just it's a lot of room for error in the game.
(10:04):
The game of basketball on the court and off the
court that I think needs to be it needs to
be brought in a little bit. I don't know which
way or how it's going to be, since like this
has been new to everybody, and I think it's a
lot for everybody, and it's kind of hurt college basketball
a little bit. Like I said, I'm all for players
(10:24):
getting paid. I feel like they should, but the transfer
portal is becoming like a free agency where you're not
even recruiting high school kids no more. You're just going
straight into the portal, And I think that's taken away
from the opportunity from younger kids, Like if you're not
the top of the line recruit, they're just going to
go into the portal and not recruit the high school
kids that are like maybe mid major or second level,
(10:45):
third level type guys. So I think it hurts a
little bit for the younger kids coming up and trying
to make a name for themselves. But you know, now
it's really a business, and these kids are taking it
as a business. I just hope they're getting like financial
litters see on this type of money that they're getting
to help them in the future and not just right now.
So I think there's good things about it, and there's
(11:07):
also some bad things about it that hopefully they can
eliminate and it can get back to you know how
it used to be a little bit, but it's probably
gonna be a lot. It's probably going to be difficult
to get there.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Well, do you have a solution for some of the
negative things?
Speaker 6 (11:20):
Like, I mean, do we need you know, contracts where
they have to guarantee a certain amount of years of
the school or how would you how would.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
You fix some of the problems we're seeing.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
I'm not sure. I think the portal is the bad
things where you can just if something doesn't go right,
you can just put your name in a portal and
play right away. Obviously the old rules was maybe a
little harsh, but if you gotta sit a year or
you got to lose a year, it makes you think
a little harder about that decision. I think some of
them rules, those type of rules should come back into
(11:52):
where okay, maybe you could transfer one time for free
like with no but the second time you're gonna lose
a year or you got to sit out of here,
like it should be something like that, to where if
you hit a little bit of adversity, everybody's just getting
up and leaving. Are their tasting the money? And which is?
Which is tough because college basketball has never been about that,
so it's it's hard. It's a fine line. I don't
(12:14):
I don't, I don't know the answers, but hopefully one
day I can help make it, you know, as best
as possibly can. Well.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Isaiah Thomas again is with us and uh, the Zeken
Tournament you're doing is now nine years. We've seen some
huge names that have come through this thing over the years.
It's happening this weekend in Tacoma at TCC And Uh,
I hope you know how big these things are for
the communities. Man, I mean with you and Jamal Crawford
and guys like that do by bringing these events to
the Seattle area Tacoma area when there's been no NBA,
(12:44):
this has really been for a lot of kids the
only exposure they get right to athletes like that. So
tell us why after nine years you're still doing this
and why it's important to you.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Men.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
The biggest thing is you're giving back to the community.
And like you said, these kids coming up in this
generation and they don't even have an NBA team. They
don't even know what it feels like to have something
to where they can go to a game unless they
got to go down to Portland or things like that.
So my job was like when I thought about doing this,
was like, let me have a tournament where I can
bring NBA guys who to the city I was born
(13:16):
and raised in and these kids can touch and fill
these guys just like how Jamal does it with his
pro am. Like I remember when I was a kid
going to a science game and touching Gary Payne's hand
in the tunnel, like that made me feel like my
dream could come back, my dream can come true. It
made it feel that much more realistic. So my job
with this tournament is just to try to bring as
(13:36):
many NBA guests for these kids to be able to
interact with, get autographs, watch basketball and have a good vibe.
And in the summer in the Pacific Northwest, obviously, we know,
you know, being out here in the summertime is the
best place to be in the country. So why not
have a basketball tournament where everybody can come out and
show love and show supporting to have a good and
(13:57):
have a good time. So this will be the ninth
end Well. Games will start at nine pm on Saturday,
August third to August fourth. There will be some NBA
guests in the building and hopefully, you know, like every
year happens, guys come out support and show a lot
of love.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
So can you give us a few of those names
the NBA guys are gonna be there.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Don't tease us, man.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I don't want to ruin the surprise. I would say
all most of the local NBA guys from here will
be here, will be there, and I got I got
about five or six other guests that will be in
the building. So it would be special for the for
the fans to come out and support and see you know,
maybe one of your favorite NBA players.
Speaker 6 (14:37):
I love it well, Zeke, you're the same vintage as
the leaders of this US Olympic team right now.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
I mean, they are right in.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
Your wheelhouse as far as as far as age goes,
and they are balling. I mean, why do you think
this particular team has taken to these Olympics so seriously?
Because KD, Lebron Steph they look like they really care
about being there, and I can't say that about a
lot of the men's US national teams the last twenty years.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, I mean, it seems like a great group. It
seems like a group that really chases gold and really
doing it for the country. Like they it seem like
they like each other, they like playing not just with
each other before each other, and it's just an overall
good group of guys. Then you got superstars like you know,
Lebron James and KD, who are the leaders and Steph
Curry that you know, some of them younger guys on
(15:27):
that team still look up to so it's probably a
super cool experience for them to be around, not just
playing them as an opponent, but being on there the
same team and representing your country. There's nothing bigger than that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Hey, you want to hear the Gus Johnson call one
more time before we go?
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Yeah, Lily, Lily, I'm always down to hear that.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, Jackson, you got it one more time today, He's
got to do it himself.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Russell, it is I will never get old my friend ever, ever, ever.
Well that our boss still has that call as the
(16:17):
ring tone on a cell phone, and that was thirteen
years ago. Dude, Hey, great to hear your voice. Great
to hear your voice. Let's talk very soon. All right,
we want to have you on the air as much
as we can talk in basketball. Best of luck. Fans,
just show up and tickets at the door.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Is that right?
Speaker 4 (16:33):
This weekend? Tickets at the door, show up, have some fun.
It's good vibes all weekend. I appreciate you guys having me.
I wanted to break some little not no news to
you guys, but like, just know, and when I'm done
playing basketball and my five year plan is to be
a coach at the University of Washington.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Done.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
I just want you guys to know that, whether it's
on staff with Sprinkle and we were going to the
lead a final four, or maybe I could be the
hand coach one day. So that's that's the playing down
the road.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
So my dog then be lucky to have you for sure.
All right.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Zeken Tournament, Tacoma, CEC this weekend, nine pm August third,
Get there and get your tickets to the door.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Hey, have fun this weekend, man, enjoy it. Bid man,
we'll talk.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Soon already, know, I appreciate you guys so much.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
You bet buddy Isaiah Thomas with us on the air,
I mean you were talking earlier, and you know, you
kind of hope and maybe there's is there anything bigger
in the NC double a Quincy against Marquette in that
first round game and uh in San Jose was pretty big.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I'm trying to think of a bigger tournament.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Game where there was no particular shot.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah no, no, I mean not like that.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
I mean it's certainly not a buzzer beater, right, and
it's time to create some new memories, no doubt for
this program. But Zeken Tournament Tacoma CEC this weekend August
third and fourth games nine pm, starting on Saturday,
Shot talk, turn dumps day talk today, he's gonna doing himself.
Thomas says, ye, say God.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Suck get day.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
How about that man? I was at that game behind
the bucket. I think you were at the ram watching
the game. I was thirteen years ago with maybe the
biggest shot in Husky basketball history, and that guy right there.
Isaiah Thomas joins us before his big tournament coming up
in Tacoba on the station, Zeke, how are.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Your power's going on? It's softy and Dick. How are you?
Speaker 4 (00:44):
I'm doing great. I appreciate you guys having me. It's
always it's always a good time when I'm able to
talk to you guys, so.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Well, we love having you on. I'm gonna tell you
right now. We want to have you on as much
as we can. I would love to have you on
more offense. We can talk about that off the air
when this whole thing is done. But dude, thirteen years ago,
that highlight, that game against Arizona.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
How often do you think about that? How often do
you watch that thing?
Speaker 4 (01:12):
I think about it a lot, because you know, like
I'm back home a lot. But when I when I
when I come across people that don't always see me.
The first thing they say is man, that that shot
in college. They're either a UDUB fan or an Arizona fan.
So it's like I get both sides of it. But
anytime somebody brings that up, says cold blooded, or anytime
I can see that or hear it like you guys
(01:33):
played it, it just puts a smile on my face.
Like that's that's all I can do. Every time I
even think about it, is just smile. That was like
a really cool moment, not only for me, but like
for my teammates as well. So it was it was
I always cherish those moments, and you know, cold Bloody
was was was something that really cool to happen in
my life.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Well, you know, abut a swim mile on my face.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
Seek is when I see articles online from April saying
suns Time signed two time All Star Isaiah Thomas over
the end of the year, and I just love the
fact that you are still grinding, you are still there,
So you know, tell us what your status is.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
For the twenty twenty four to twenty twenty five NBA season.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
So look, I'm a free agent now, but I've been
talking to a few teams lately, we're just trying to
see what the best situation is for me. I'm just
trying to play at least one or two more years
before my kids get into high school. So I'm just
you know, staying ready, staying on the slow grind, and
just you know, waiting for an opportunity.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, well you deserve it, Pale, And I'll tell you
what I think if I'm not mistaken, and you'd be
able to fill me in. I think that was the
last was it the last Pac ten championship or the
first pack that was?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
That was? That was the last Pack ten, So I don't,
I don't. I wasn't able to play in the Pac twelve,
So that was the last Pack tens tournament there was.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
So the basketball team wins the last Pac ten and
the football team wins the last Pac twelve?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Should how about that? At you?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It only makes sense question.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
You know.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
One of my favorite moments from that game is just
watching Lorenzo romar and just stand there and just let
you guys celebrate. And I look, we all feel the
same way about Lorenzo, one of the class guys I've
ever been around. But how often do you talk to
Lorenzo and when you think about him and the influence
he had on your life, what comes to mind?
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Man?
Speaker 4 (03:24):
First off, like, anytime I talk to Coach Row is
like I always give him the flowers, his flowers and
the praise for not only putting me in a position
to be successful on the court, but like putting me
in position to be a successful man off the court.
So he's like, as you know and everybody else knows,
he's like a father figure to all his players. And
(03:44):
I talked to Coach Row probably maybe once a month,
once every other month. We always send each other text
or he'll give me a call and we stay locked in.
That's one of my favorite, one of my favorite coaches,
but overall favorite people in life. Anytime I talk to
Coach Row, it's a smile on my face. I'm super
thankful for coach Role.
Speaker 6 (04:04):
Well, I know you've been out there Roman heck ed
shooting some jumpers. What do you think of this new
leader we got to the basketball team now, Danny Sprinkle.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I like him. I mean I've only heard great things
about him. I've had a few conversations with him. Obviously,
I work out at you Dub in the morning, so
I see the coaching staff every now and then, and
then I'm I'm around those players, So I think he's gonna,
you know, change it around, and I think he's what
we need. Like he's new energy. He's someone that you know,
bleeds purple and goal obviously, but I'm I'm super excited
(04:34):
about this season. Obviously it's a whole new group of guys,
but the culture that they're trying to instill in these
guys is is everything. So you know, any way I
can help, Like I told Sprinkle, any way I can help,
I'm always here, always ready to work out or be
another body in practice, and he's super thankful for that.
So I'm excited about his new you know, his new
(04:55):
role coming.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Up well is Saarah Thomas is with us.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
He's got his ninth now and will Zeken tournament coming
up at Tacoma CEC. We'll get some thoughts on what's
happening down there in just a second. But tomorrow Isaiah
is actually technically, believe it or not, the first official
day for you dub in the Big ten. So Danny
Sprinkle's gonna join us on the year tomorrow, Pat Chun,
Heather Tar, a bunch of Huskies tomorrow. But what's your
(05:19):
what's your thought on this team moving to the Big
Ten and what it will take for them to survive
in that conference.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Man, I think it's gonna be tough. I mean, any
anytime you move conferences like you done, it's just a
West Coast school. We do things like a West Coast way.
You know, there's a certain way to those Packed teen
or Pack twelve schools go about their business. So you're
just gonna have to change up a little bit going
into the Big Ten. And I you know, I think
it's gonna be I don't think it's gonna be a
(05:45):
tough transition, but it's gonna be. It's gonna be hard,
but you know, I got faith in my dogs. I
think they're just gonna make adjustments figure it out. Obviously,
the travel and things like that is a lot different
than you know, playing Pac twelve schools or Pack ten schools.
So I think once we get that adjustment going, we
can be good. Obviously, the football team got a lot
of hype. Basketball team is a new up and coming team,
(06:08):
and then all the other sports, and you does obviously
they carry the torch as well. So hopefully we got
a smooth transition into the big team.
Speaker 6 (06:15):
Husky great Isaiah Thomas joining us here in Isaiah, what's
going to be a tougher transition the schedule that you
just mentioned, the travel or the physicality of Big ten basketball,
which we're just not used to down here in the
West Coast.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
I think a little bit of bone like, it's gonna
be different because it's a different style of play, It's
different recruits, like especially in football, like those guys are
just probably a little bigger, little a little run, a
little faster, a little stronger. So I think once we
get far and figure it out and see what adjustments
we have to make, obviously we adjust, but that's gonna
be tough, Like that's gonna be tough with any team
(06:49):
coming into a new conference. There's just a different style
of play all the way around. So hopefully the guys
are ready and you know, it could be something special.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Well, Isaiah Thomas again as well.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
He has his annual Zeken Tournament happening this weekend at
Tacoma CC and Tacoma.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
We'll get some more thoughts from you on that in
just a second.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
But I want to say a name, Isaiah, and I
want you to give me your thoughts when you hear
the name zoom Diallo.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Special Special kid is a hell of a player. Obviously
we went to the to the same high school, so
I've I've been able to mentor him a little bit.
Someone is very hungry and like overall great kid, which
is most important, and someone is coachable, like I think
he's going to have a hell of a year. Obviously,
coming in as a freshman and trying to be one
(07:37):
of the leaders is a difficult thing to do for
any freshman. But he's up for the task and he's ready.
Like he's ready, and I'm hopefully at any point you know,
he calls on me for any type of advice or
any help. I mean, his corner, and I'm pulling for him.
I'm a big fan of zoom Diallo.
Speaker 6 (07:53):
How about the rest of this UB team. Have you
played with any of these guys? You know, you say
you're working there out there at heck ed. Have you
gotten a chance to see the team at all, because
you know they're really for the most part, they're very
unfamiliar to most Husky fans.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, I mean now unfamiliar to me as well, Like
even when I go up there and play like I
play with those guys about two or three times this
summer within the last few weeks. Definitely a counted group.
Like I'm just I'm just unfamiliar with those guys right now.
So as I, you know, get a little closer and
get to know those guys as as as people first
and foremost, I think I can give you a better
(08:26):
little a better you know, sense of what what what
we're gonna do this season. But it's definitely a good
group of guys and hungry guys coming into a new
program trying to make a name for themselves.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
What do you make Because I mean you you you
strike me now Isaiah and Isaiah Thomas is with us,
and you're what thirty five?
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Now thirty five? That's crazy, man, crazy? Absolutely no.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
I was thirty seven at that game and I'll be
fifty one next week.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
So I'm right there with you. I mean everyone's gone
old mine and we're getting old fast, but you are.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
I will put you in the same category of like
a Brandon Roy and that I think that your opinion
of basketball topics, any other college really anything is important.
I think you've been through the ringer, You've put the
hard work in, You're established in this town. I think
people appreciate what you have to say. What is your
honest take on the current state of college athletics all
(09:26):
this conference movement, player transfers after one year, after another year,
they're taking off playing for three or four teams, the
nil guys going to schools based on money. What's your
take on the current state of the sport that you
love so much.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
It's tough because it's just so different, Like I can
only compare it to like NBA free agency now that
you can leave any school any time you want. Obviously
you can chase the money and get you more money
each year from a bigger school. I like that the
kids can get paid, But I just I think it's
just it's a lot of room for error in the game.
(10:04):
The game of basketball on the court and off the
court that I think needs to be it needs to
be brought in a little bit. I don't know which
way or how it's going to be, since like this
has been new to everybody, and I think it's a
lot for everybody, and it's kind of hurt college basketball
a little bit. Like I said, I'm all for players
(10:24):
getting paid. I feel like they should, but the transfer
portal is becoming like a free agency where you're not
even recruiting high school kids no more. You're just going
straight into the portal, And I think that's taken away
from the opportunity from younger kids, Like if you're not
the top of the line recruit, they're just going to
go into the portal and not recruit the high school
kids that are like maybe mid major or second level,
(10:45):
third level type guys. So I think it hurts a
little bit for the younger kids coming up and trying
to make a name for themselves. But you know, now
it's really a business, and these kids are taking it
as a business. I just hope they're getting like financial
litters see on this type of money that they're getting
to help them in the future and not just right now.
So I think there's good things about it, and there's
(11:07):
also some bad things about it that hopefully they can
eliminate and it can get back to you know how
it used to be a little bit, but it's probably
gonna be a lot. It's probably going to be difficult
to get there.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
Well, do you have a solution for some of the
negative things?
Speaker 6 (11:20):
Like, I mean, do we need you know, contracts where
they have to guarantee a certain amount of years of
the school or how would you how would.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
You fix some of the problems we're seeing.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
I'm not sure. I think the portal is the bad
things where you can just if something doesn't go right,
you can just put your name in a portal and
play right away. Obviously the old rules was maybe a
little harsh, but if you gotta sit a year or
you got to lose a year, it makes you think
a little harder about that decision. I think some of
them rules, those type of rules should come back into
(11:52):
where okay, maybe you could transfer one time for free
like with no but the second time you're gonna lose
a year or you got to sit out of here,
like it should be something like that, to where if
you hit a little bit of adversity, everybody's just getting
up and leaving. Are their tasting the money? And which is?
Which is tough because college basketball has never been about that,
so it's it's hard. It's a fine line. I don't
(12:14):
I don't, I don't know the answers, but hopefully one
day I can help make it, you know, as best
as possibly can. Well.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Isaiah Thomas again is with us and uh, the Zeken
Tournament you're doing is now nine years. We've seen some
huge names that have come through this thing over the years.
It's happening this weekend in Tacoma at TCC And Uh,
I hope you know how big these things are for
the communities. Man, I mean with you and Jamal Crawford
and guys like that do by bringing these events to
the Seattle area Tacoma area when there's been no NBA,
(12:44):
this has really been for a lot of kids the
only exposure they get right to athletes like that. So
tell us why after nine years you're still doing this
and why it's important to you.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Men.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
The biggest thing is you're giving back to the community.
And like you said, these kids coming up in this
generation and they don't even have an NBA team. They
don't even know what it feels like to have something
to where they can go to a game unless they
got to go down to Portland or things like that.
So my job was like when I thought about doing this,
was like, let me have a tournament where I can
bring NBA guys who to the city I was born
(13:16):
and raised in and these kids can touch and fill
these guys just like how Jamal does it with his
pro am. Like I remember when I was a kid
going to a science game and touching Gary Payne's hand
in the tunnel, like that made me feel like my
dream could come back, my dream can come true. It
made it feel that much more realistic. So my job
with this tournament is just to try to bring as
(13:36):
many NBA guests for these kids to be able to
interact with, get autographs, watch basketball and have a good vibe.
And in the summer in the Pacific Northwest, obviously, we know,
you know, being out here in the summertime is the
best place to be in the country. So why not
have a basketball tournament where everybody can come out and
show love and show supporting to have a good and
(13:57):
have a good time. So this will be the ninth
end Well. Games will start at nine pm on Saturday,
August third to August fourth. There will be some NBA
guests in the building and hopefully, you know, like every
year happens, guys come out support and show a lot
of love.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
So can you give us a few of those names
the NBA guys are gonna be there.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
Don't tease us, man.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
I don't want to ruin the surprise. I would say
all most of the local NBA guys from here will
be here, will be there, and I got I got
about five or six other guests that will be in
the building. So it would be special for the for
the fans to come out and support and see you know,
maybe one of your favorite NBA players.
Speaker 6 (14:37):
I love it well, Zeke, you're the same vintage as
the leaders of this US Olympic team right now.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
I mean, they are right in.
Speaker 6 (14:46):
Your wheelhouse as far as as far as age goes,
and they are balling. I mean, why do you think
this particular team has taken to these Olympics so seriously?
Because KD, Lebron Steph they look like they really care
about being there, and I can't say that about a
lot of the men's US national teams the last twenty years.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, I mean, it seems like a great group. It
seems like a group that really chases gold and really
doing it for the country. Like they it seem like
they like each other, they like playing not just with
each other before each other, and it's just an overall
good group of guys. Then you got superstars like you know,
Lebron James and KD, who are the leaders and Steph
Curry that you know, some of them younger guys on
(15:27):
that team still look up to so it's probably a
super cool experience for them to be around, not just
playing them as an opponent, but being on there the
same team and representing your country. There's nothing bigger than that.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Hey, you want to hear the Gus Johnson call one
more time before we go?
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Yeah, Lily, Lily, I'm always down to hear that.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Okay, Jackson, you got it one more time today, He's
got to do it himself.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Russell, it is I will never get old my friend ever, ever, ever.
Well that our boss still has that call as the
(16:17):
ring tone on a cell phone, and that was thirteen
years ago. Dude, Hey, great to hear your voice. Great
to hear your voice. Let's talk very soon. All right,
we want to have you on the air as much
as we can talk in basketball. Best of luck. Fans,
just show up and tickets at the door.
Speaker 2 (16:33):
Is that right?
Speaker 4 (16:33):
This weekend? Tickets at the door, show up, have some fun.
It's good vibes all weekend. I appreciate you guys having me.
I wanted to break some little not no news to
you guys, but like, just know, and when I'm done
playing basketball and my five year plan is to be
a coach at the University of Washington.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Done.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
I just want you guys to know that, whether it's
on staff with Sprinkle and we were going to the
lead a final four, or maybe I could be the
hand coach one day. So that's that's the playing down
the road.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
So my dog then be lucky to have you for sure.
All right.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Zeken Tournament, Tacoma, CEC this weekend, nine pm August third,
Get there and get your tickets to the door.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
Hey, have fun this weekend, man, enjoy it. Bid man,
we'll talk.
Speaker 4 (17:13):
Soon already, know, I appreciate you guys so much.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
You bet buddy Isaiah Thomas with us on the air,
I mean you were talking earlier, and you know, you
kind of hope and maybe there's is there anything bigger
in the NC double a Quincy against Marquette in that
first round game and uh in San Jose was pretty big.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I'm trying to think of a bigger tournament.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Game where there was no particular shot.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah no, no, I mean not like that.
Speaker 3 (17:35):
I mean it's certainly not a buzzer beater, right, and
it's time to create some new memories, no doubt for
this program. But Zeken Tournament Tacoma CEC this weekend August
third and fourth games nine pm, starting on Saturday,
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