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Ryan Seacrest
You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Acquired card has no cash access and expires in six months. Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn more@discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's Stock up savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for storewide deals and earn four times the point. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible snacks like Lays chips, Garden Veggie straws and Planters Nuts or Sweet treats from M&MS. And Oreo plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.
Paul Millsap
Where'd you get those shoes?
Kyle Korver
Easy. They're from dsw. Because DSW has the exact right shoes for whatever you're into right now. You know, like the sneakers that make office hours feel like happy hour, the.
Paul Millsap
Boots that turn grocery aisles into runways.
Kyle Korver
And all the styles that show off the many sides of you, from daydreamer to multitasker and everything in between.
Paul Millsap
Because you do it all in really great shoes. Find a shoe for every you at.
Kyle Korver
Your DSW store or dsw.com the volume all right.
DJ Wells
ATL bought out the nice chairs for us.
Kyle Korver
Shout out to the Hawks, man.
DJ Wells
Let's make some noise for the Hawks. One time show two times for y'all. We appreciate y'all pulling up one time for the one time. It's Club 520 live in the ATL, man. Young Nacho back home, man.
Kyle Korver
Yo, I'm glad I don't see no Double zero jerseys. I appreciate that. It's a rough time of my life.
DJ Wells
The PTSD jersey for sure, man. Well, listen, this is club 520. I'm the host. My name is dj wells. We got some special special guests with us, man, honoring the legendary team in the NBA, especially for the Hawks history, man. To my immediate left, we're going to introduce my man's last. But to my far left, my dog, Bishop B. Hitting out the pearlies how you would. Nasty.
Bishop
What's happening, man? Atl. Thank you.
DJ Wells
He don't even sound the same. Atl. You know what the. Shout out to my. He got the zero jersey.
Young Nacho
Turn me up.
Kyle Korver
Ye. I like that one. There we go. Ain't that was your. All right, all right, cool.
DJ Wells
Here we go. For sure, for sure. To my right, y'all know what it is, man. ATL's finest, young Nacho, young T. How it feel to be back in the A, man?
Kyle Korver
Feel great, man. It's always home. My favorite place to ever play. So I'm glad I can have my guys show up with us today. I'm actually really, really happy about this. We've been trying to get Paul on the show. I wanted to get Kyle. Kyle's my guy, so to be able to do this live with y'all, this.
DJ Wells
Is great, for sure, man. Shout out to the Hawks one more time for making this wonderful situation happen, man. Most definitely shout out to y'all as well for pulling up. But last, but most certainly not least, man, to my left, man, we got two Hawks legends in the building, man. Both in their own right, had amazing NBA careers, man. With no further ado, man, we got Kyle Corbin, Paul Mills up in the building. Appreciate y'all sliding on us, man. For sure, for sure. Like we said, we gonna highlight that wonderful year, man. Obviously, I had many good years here, but that was a really, really, really special one. But before we get into that year, we got to talk about how y'all all came together, because obviously, Nacho, you was already a Hawk, Kyle. Y'all came from different situations. Let's talk about how y'all got to being Atlanta Hawk.
Young Nacho
Well, I. I guess I'll start. Yeah, I was. I was in. In Utah. You know, I spent seven years in Utah, had some great years in Utah, and then, you know, it was time to go and, you know, I was looking for a place to be closer to home in Louisiana. I mean, my wife actually were looking at homes, you know, in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas area. So we wanted to move back somewhere, and the Hawks offered me a two year deal, and the rest was history, most definitely.
DJ Wells
Kyle, man, how'd you become out?
Paul Millsap
I played with Paul in Utah for a Couple years. And then was in Chicago, and then was with Derrick Rose when he was mvp.
Kyle Korver
Chill, chill, chill, chill.
Paul Millsap
Yeah, but then, you know, things happen. Had to get traded. I knew that I was gonna be on the move. It's funny, we actually. I was driving with my wife. We drove from New Jersey. I don't know why we did this. We drove all the way to Santa Barbara, and on the way, we knew we were gonna get traded somewhere. And we were, like, looking around what teams it was gonna be. And we got all the way to Santa Barbara, and I got a call from Danny Ferry saying I had to fly way back. We, like, drove across the country, got there, went to the airport, and flew all the way back to Atlanta. And it was funny, thinking back about it now. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton downtown, and Danny Ferry came down that morning and asked me to come to the table and talk to him. And I thought it was going to be like a welcome to the Hawks moment. And he was sitting there debating with the doctor if he was going to accept my physical or not. In front of me, he's like, I don't know. This guy's been. I had a foot injury the year before, and he's, like, debating if he was going to accept this thing. And I'm like, man, should I be sitting here? Should I, like, walk away? And he just decided the last second, he's like, all right, we're going to do it. Welcome to the Hawks. And I was like, okay. So how did I get to the Hawks? That's how I got to the Hawks.
DJ Wells
Them physicals, Rodney Bay, real tricky right now, for sure.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
DJ Wells
Now for you. He was already here with a different regime, obviously. New culture, new situation. How was that, welcoming them to zine?
Kyle Korver
I probably wasn't the best at welcoming people to the team. I didn't talk much. So when I met Paul, he just came in. What's up? You know, he don't talk a lot either. So he like, it's gonna be a great podcast. Yeah. What's up, bro? That's all he gave you, was a head nod? What's up, bro? And Kyle, he was. Y'all see Kyle, he. He lights up a room, he comes in, what's up, brother? I thought he was, like, a surfer kind of guy. So I'm like, what's up, cool dude? Like, but he was super cool, super chill, and it was easy. It was easy to work with.
DJ Wells
That's crazy. I mean, before we get past this point, we gotta talk about Kyle, man. You got one of the legendary picks in the NBA. Man, you with the Jordan zone. Has that ever like came across your timeline recently?
Paul Millsap
What's that again?
DJ Wells
You got the rookie pick, you got the J zone. And everybody was like, dang. We thought he was a surfer, but you had the heat on your feet. Please revisit that picture.
Paul Millsap
I swear, it's like there's a date on the calendar where that picture has to come back on the Internet every single year.
DJ Wells
It's like two pictures.
Paul Millsap
That's one of them. But yeah, man, you know, that was all star weekend. You had to come with something, right?
DJ Wells
For sure. A little bit different all star weekend now. For sure.
Paul Millsap
That's the truth.
DJ Wells
My fault. I'm petty, y'all. But listen, man, legendary season start off, man. First of all, who was coaching that team at the time?
Kyle Korver
Mike Budenhoser. Coach Bud.
DJ Wells
Coach Bud your man.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, that was my guy. Oh yeah, you can clap it up for Bud.
DJ Wells
You can clap it for coach Bud.
Kyle Korver
Shout out to coach Bud.
DJ Wells
That's the homie for sure.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, Coach Bud was cool when he first got here. I didn't like him not to say it like that, but we ended up becoming really good friends. But we played the ISO style, you know, before they got here, we had Joe. Everybody played one on one basketball. I don't know if it was the best brand of basketball, but it was fun. And he came in and changed all that. And for me, it was my time to shine. I thought I just had got the team, like it was my first year really about to start. And he was like, nah, we don't play that way no more. I was like, he hating. So after that, we didn't start off on the best foot, right?
Young Nacho
Yeah, no, me and Bud, you know, we kicked it off pretty, pretty good. You know, our first time meeting each other. For me, I was just evolving into, you know, a more high volume player. And Bud kind of brought that out of me, you know, I actually reached out. He actually reached out to me a couple weeks ago, you know, when I officially decided to retire. And he said congratulations. And I was like, you know, I appreciate everything that you've done because he helped bring that, you know, whatever it was that I had out of me. And definitely appreciative for that.
DJ Wells
Most definitely, man. And congratulations as well, man, on retirement for sure, man. There we go. Show some love.
Kyle Korver
Congratulations, man.
DJ Wells
Now before we get into of the season, me and B here got to talk because, you know, this our mans. This our mans from the day one. So naturally we gotta hate and y'all was our favorite team to hate on, man.
Bishop
Yeah, y'all. Y'all was, man. I ain't fooled with y'all like that. I'm gonna keep it real. I was supporting my guy, but I was like, how do they keep winning, man?
Young Nacho
Who did you root for?
Bishop
At that time, I was really just a player. Like, Carmelo Anthony was my favorite player. But me and him, it was deeper than y'all. Like, he made. He made me not like him. Like, he used to come back to the crib. Cal Korver shoot better than everybody in the league. Cal Korver shoe better than Rayleigh. Like, man, I can't say it on here, but y'all know what Corver. But nah, I just used to be like, dang, bro, really leading the Hawks, like. And I honestly thought that y'all could have made a for real run. But I had to hate. Cause that was just RB for real. But I didn't see y'all would not.
Kyle Korver
Have been true fans. I like that.
Paul Millsap
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Bishop
It was always real beef, though.
Kyle Korver
They call us the little Giants. You ever seen that movie? That's what they call me every day. Y'all was a little Giants, man. Y'all had y'all one shot, Then y'all.
Bishop
Went on that crazy run. But you know, shout out to y'all, y'all did y'all thing for sure.
DJ Wells
For sure, man. We ain't gonna get too far ahead of ourselves. But starting that season off, y'all started off 505 and five initial thoughts on that. Like, are y'all trying to figure it out or just get used to new players, new tool leaders with bud everyday new systems? Or did y'all know we had something special? We just gotta get there.
Paul Millsap
I don't know that we, like, knew that we were going to end up with the season that we had. I think that our group was really had been in the works for a couple years. And that's really how these really good teams happen. It never just like all comes together. There's very few instances in the NBA where like a bunch of moves are made. Now we have a super team and they're going to take off. Like that's happened, but it's not very often. And I think what we had all been doing, it was just really trusting a process. And you know, you know, Paul been there for a couple years now. I've been there a couple years. Jeff, you'd been there. But, like, we didn't really add anything new that was gonna like, put Us over the top. And so as it really is, we started off, you know, like you said, we started off 500, but, like, our style of play, our chemistry kept on building, and then we end up in, you know, later on in the spring, going a whole month without losing, and we're like, wow. Like, I think we're good.
Kyle Korver
I thought I was gonna get traded. When we started off, I'm like, yeah, I probably got to move me. I'm not mixing in pretty well, but, nah, we just got in a groove. And, like, when we got in that groove, it was over with. Our defense was connected, our offense was connected, and it was times out there during that year, we didn't even get to play the fourth quarter, and it messed up my stats.
Paul Millsap
You still made an all star team.
Kyle Korver
Barely.
Bishop
Who was the vocal leader on that team, though? Who had the biggest?
Kyle Korver
It wasn't me. It wasn't me because I just though.
Bishop
All three of y'all is quiet.
Young Nacho
So, you know, I mean, that's funny, because, you know, Bud always tried to get somebody to be super vocal. One of those guys, right?
Bishop
Yeah.
Young Nacho
And neither one of us, you know, really had it in us. So each one of us would say something every now and then, and, you know, we'll put our input in. But Bud was the vocal leader.
DJ Wells
Okay.
Kyle Korver
You know, at that time, I didn't say a word. Kyle. Kyle talked. He talked a lot. You and Al. You and Al.
Bishop
See, I used to just kill people and not say nothing to nobody. Nobody talk crazy to the opponent or nothing. Not even nobody on the bench used to talk crazy.
Kyle Korver
Dennis.
Young Nacho
Dennis, yeah, most definitely.
Paul Millsap
Dennis talk crazy to us. Forget about those UNO games yet.
Kyle Korver
Oh, no, I took that. Oh, this is just a sidebar. I took that UNO game, and we have them at our house all the time.
Bishop
That come from you? Ultimate Uno.
Young Nacho
Us?
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Bishop
Oh, okay. I didn't know where you got that from.
Young Nacho
It was more intense in the UNO games than on the court, to be honest with you.
Bishop
That's how it is.
Kyle Korver
Now.
DJ Wells
I was gonna say y'all responsible for a lot of random disagreements. Maybe baby fist fights. Shout out to Club 520 due to ultimate uno. So thank y'all for that. We appreciate that footage, for sure. That's crazy. The fact that y'all were really that, like, kind of just monotone, which is killing. But you. You talked about the makeup of that team and stuff, but also, shout out to Al. Al's still hooping. Ain't that crazy?
Kyle Korver
Super crazy.
Paul Millsap
Still hooping, still winning championships.
Kyle Korver
He's super Good still.
Bishop
So it's just Alan Dennis from that team still playing?
Paul Millsap
Yeah, man.
Bishop
Damn.
Kyle Korver
Dang. We filled it out pretty fast.
Bishop
That would be real quiet.
DJ Wells
Hey, you know, it's bad with a pretty quick. The crowd got like, a deathly quiet, like R B.
Kyle Korver
That's crazy.
DJ Wells
For sure, man. Listen, y'all caught your stride. January, historic month. Like, basically, y'all entire team was player of the month. How was that feeling? Y'all all killing. Y'all all getting a recognition from that. I know that has to feel good in the locker room for sure.
Young Nacho
I don't think any one of us cared, you know, at that time. I don't think we cared that much. Right. We. We were so in the zone in the process of. Of winning that none of the stats and accolade actually matter. You know, it's after the fact. You know, when the career is over with, I look back and say, this probably will never be done again. You know, it's an. It's an amazing accomplishment, especially when you got four. You got four teammates. You know, it's All Stars. Probably will never be done again.
DJ Wells
Yeah, let's talk about that All Star bid, man. Listen, four teammates into the All Star situation. How do y'all find out about that? Cause I know some made a little bit earlier than us. Like, what's that? Like, when y'all find out that all y'all gonna be representing the squad.
Kyle Korver
I didn't know that all of us was gonna make it. I was just worried about me.
Young Nacho
I was over there praying.
Kyle Korver
Nah. But I knew Paul had a. I knew Paul would make it. He was having a great year, most definitely. And I knew Al was gonna make it. He had already been making them anyway, so I knew them two were gonna make it. So I. I didn't know if I would make it, and I didn't know if Kyle was gonna make it, but I was excited for us.
DJ Wells
Kyle, what's that feeling like, when you find out you're gonna be representing the squad?
Paul Millsap
That was pretty wild for me. Like, I never saw myself as an All Star player. Like, I always wanted to be the piece that, like, made a team go and someone that you really wanted to be, you know, you could count on, depend on. Like, I wanted to be that. That perfect teammate. So I never really, like, looked at myself as being like that. So I think with the beauty of that team, man, is, like, we all made each other better for sure. Like, and that's really the hallmark of, like, the good teams to me, is, like, when everyone is looking at each other. And it's not about me. It's how can I make the guy next to me better? And the beauty of that squad was, like, we didn't need. We were talking about words. Like, we didn't. Like, we. We talked on the court. We talked in, like, nods and winks and looks. And like, that's what made us special, is like, we didn't have to, like, communicate, like, yelling at each other. Like, we was like. I looked at you and looked at Al, and I knew we were gonna run wide.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
You know, like, it was just. We had this kind of sixth sense to us. And that's really what made that team special and what made it so fun to play on.
Kyle Korver
Definitely that's the problem now with me coaching basketball. I think I got Kyle. I think they could do that. And they look at me like, you all right?
DJ Wells
That's it.
Kyle Korver
You about to pass out, Coach?
DJ Wells
I'm like, yeah, Kyle Korver is not.
Kyle Korver
Walking through that door.
DJ Wells
Pike. Shout out to pike for sure.
Kyle Korver
Nah, not at all.
Young Nacho
Yeah. I mean, for me, I was, you know, I was happy, you know, I had teammates going to the All Star Game with me. You know, I was. I don't mess with the other guys, man. I didn't care about all that, you know, but to have my teammates with me, you know, going to the All Star Games, it definitely meant something. And on top of that. But I was angry because Damari didn't make it.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Young Nacho
You know, and demar was my guy, you know, Damari, everybody knows, was like the engine guy, you know, he. He was the glue guy, you know, he did a lot to help us win. And it just sucks, you know, to see that he didn't. He didn't be a part of that. That moment. You know what I mean? So, you know, for me, it was a bittersweet moment. But definitely was glad I had my other guys with me.
DJ Wells
I was going to ask that question since the topic would be in if everybody on the start five make that All Star team and you don't.
Paul Millsap
He got paid, though, that next summer.
DJ Wells
Be a legend at the bank.
Bishop
Nah, that's what it's about. Did y'all used to ever run a. Like a special play that y'all knew? Could nobody stop the entire system?
Paul Millsap
I know we had some go to plays. I don't know.
Bishop
I would just ask. Cause Jeff be trying to get his players to run. Some of those players, most of them.
Young Nacho
Were working out, you know, when Kyle Korver came off a screen, he had the Whole building looking at him.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Young Nacho
You know, and when he made that, he either he was had an open shot or he made the pass down. I mean, we got that every single time.
Bishop
Every single time.
Kyle Korver
Yeah. That was easy. Like, I remember it's a video going around. Well, I think you scored what, 11 points in like a minute or something like that. You're like this crazy heat check. And I just remember, like we used to just throw you the ball anywhere. You'd be running around like he gonna shoot it. It's good every time. I. I never really thought you were ever gonna miss. Like when you missed, I was more like surprised. Like, yeah, you missed him.
Paul Millsap
But I think, you know, and I. We're sharing the love here, which I think is great. Yeah. But you know, like I was a product of. Of how we played.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, right.
Paul Millsap
Like, I remember you and Kenny Atkinson watching so many clips of that. Like, why like when exactly does Kyle want to have the ball and where does he want to have it? You remember that? Yeah, that back over there, like, and you would watch it and then we come talk about it. And we watch it, we come talk about it. And like the screens and all the movement, like it was just perfectly set up for me. So it was wonderful. Man, I love coming off all those screens. It was fun.
Bishop
What's the most threes you hit in the game that season?
Kyle Korver
You remember?
Paul Millsap
8. So it's a whole new world out there now, man. Yeah, he's not that many.
Kyle Korver
You would have had to shoot 15.
Bishop
You think you'd have been able to rock out in this league today.
DJ Wells
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Ryan Seacrest
You can count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to 4 lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device, credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption. Required card has no cash access and expires in six months hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. It's stock up savings time now through March 25th. Spring in for store wide deals and earn four times the point. Look for in store tags to earn on eligible snacks like lay's chips, garden veggie straws and planters nuts or sweet treats from M and Ms. And Oreo plus many more. Then clip the offer in our app for automatic event long savings. Stack up those rewards to save even more restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.
DJ Wells
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Young Nacho
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DJ Wells
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Young Nacho
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Paul Millsap
Lenovo for sure.
Bishop
Yeah.
Kyle Korver
Okay.
Bishop
I was just, I had to ask.
DJ Wells
Before we go further in the season for y'all being his teammates, how's it like to see him now?
Young Nacho
Like.
DJ Wells
Cause obviously, you know, he didn't really talk too much to see him on this platform. Is that like a big man that.
Paul Millsap
Doesn'T talk has a podcast now? Is that what you're saying? Last time I saw Jeff, he was a scout for us and then the next day he had a podcast and, and it was like nationally ranked. Like, I'm like, okay, Jeff, tell all them stories.
Young Nacho
Oh no, man, I'm definitely not surprised. I mean Jeff talked when in the right situations, you know, with the right topics, you'd have in that, you know, he'll spill whatever. So you know, I'm not surprised. But definitely, you know, congratulations to all of them, man.
Kyle Korver
Appreciate that.
DJ Wells
Appreciate it, appreciate it.
Bishop
Love.
Paul Millsap
Love.
DJ Wells
For sure. Like you said, y'all go into the All Star break. You know what I'm saying? Now it's time to. All right, real thoughts.
Kyle Korver
I want to say something about the All Star Game, though. Y'all remember how cold it was in New York? It was so cold.
Paul Millsap
I was talking to my wife about that this morning.
Kyle Korver
It was awful.
Paul Millsap
It was like negative 30 degrees.
Kyle Korver
It was so bad. It was cold. I just remember my room service. We had. I told this story about my nephew. I had this room service bill that was like eight grand, right? Yeah. I was like. I was saying the same thing. And he was. I guess he thought he was on home alone, so he was just ordering everything. And I remember going to the. About to check out, and I seen Bud. And we. Remember we was running kind of late, and Bud was like, I got it all. I got everything. And I looked at him, I said, woo. Good luck. I walked to that bus so fast.
DJ Wells
Funny thing about that. His nephew is now working off his debt at 5:20, so he's still covering that bill for sure.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
DJ Wells
Shout out to Malcolm. But like you said, man, I have a crazy All Star breaking down. It's back to the season at this point. Y'all locked in?
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
DJ Wells
I feel like it's time to contend. What's that process like? All right, we got a chance to really make some noise now.
Paul Millsap
Say it again. I couldn't hear it.
DJ Wells
Oh, my fault. I said, okay. So now after All Star break, everything's copacetic. Y'all playing good. It's not a surprise anymore. It's like, all right, do y'all have championship aspirations? Like, what's that? Lock in like? Or, like, all right, we here. We can do it now.
Paul Millsap
Yeah, absolutely. That was the goal. You know, I think we had a moment. I think. I think I remember looking at the standings a couple weeks after All Star break, and we were, like, 13 games ahead of whoever was in second place. We were so far ahead. And I think there was this whole mindset of, okay, how do we prepare ourselves to really get into a playoff run? And a lot was based on, like, let's be fresh and let's be healthy and let's have our minds, right? And so that's kind of where we were going, right? Like, trying to prepare ourselves to, like, to. To be fresh. I thought that in that stretch, I thought, you know, a lot of how what made us great was just, like, our edge and how connected we were. And I thought a Little bit of, like, in that next month and a half or so, we lost a little bit of that, if I'm being honest, where it's just like, we were so far ahead of everybody and, you know, I don't know. We lost a little bit of that. Whatever was making us really, really tick going into the playoffs.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, we started, like, subbing five in and five out. It was kind of weird. I remember Paul got mad one day. He was like, man, we can't play like this. Like, I can't catch a rhythm. I just remember that. Cause Bud was subbing five in, five out, and that's when my stats started hurting. No, but I was just like you said, we took our foot off the gas a little bit. But I just remember LeBron at the all Star game saying to me, like, I'm gonna figure y'all out. And I was like, we don't even know.
Paul Millsap
Studying what we were doing.
Kyle Korver
I was like, we don't even know what we're doing. Like, we're just playing. And he was like, nah, y'all got something going on. I'm gonna figure it out. When I figure it out, I'm gonna get you. And I was like, we don't know, bro. I was like, we just be playing. And he was like, nah, he sure figured it out.
Paul Millsap
He did do that.
Young Nacho
Yeah. I think that whole stretch, you know, I think, you know, I don't want to speak for Bud, but was for us to try to. We knew who we were going to face at some point, right? We knew exactly who we were going to play. And, you know, what was going to be our best lineups, what was going to be our best plays, our best strategy, you know, going up into that moment. So that whole time was pretty much like a figuring out process. And like Jeff said, it didn't work. But I think that we had moments, you know, I don't want to get too far ahead.
Kyle Korver
No, no.
DJ Wells
Do you think.
Young Nacho
But, you know, even during the course of the season where we knew that whether it's one play or two plays, that we took our foot off the gas that, you know, could have elevated us to the next level, Right? And sometimes it be like that, you know, especially in this league is, you know, one or two plays can kind of throw your rhythm off within a game, within a season, within a playoff series. And, you know, we had a couple of those. We were able to shake back a few times, but, you know, some of them we had. We just had too many going into the dead back season.
DJ Wells
As soon as you say that? Cause I'll take it to a February game I had against Golden State. And I remember, you know, that kind of a little bit of foreshadowing, but the way y'all played against them was just like, oh, they can do this against anybody.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
DJ Wells
And like that adaptive style, not saying this direct correlation, but how y'all played the free moving basketball, like kind of similar to them was like, oh, they can do this against anybody. Now it's up. So to hear you say that, then what transpires after that's very interesting. For sure.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Young Nacho
I mean, you know, we looked at Golden State and how they, how they played and, you know, we wanted to be the Eastern Conference type of, you know, Golden State warriors team at that time. We had Kyle Korver, who we considered the best shooter in the league. And we ran a lot of stuff, you know, through Kyle. Kyle was a big part of our offense because, you know, he's dangerous behind the three point line, you know, and that opened up a lot of windows for myself, Jeff and everybody else. And. But, you know, when that shut down, you know, what were our next options? And I think those are time, kind of the things we struggled with at that time. You know, what else are we going to do? You know, do we have a counter for the counter for the counter? And, you know, and LeBron figured it out and shut it down and those type of things took us out of our rhythm for sure, man.
DJ Wells
But I want to talk about. Wait, you know what I'm saying, before we get to that part where y'all was still killing, the city was really behind y'all, obviously, you know, saying Atlanta has a great fan base. You know, the Hawks had some up and down years. Y'all had some good years before with Joe, Josh and obviously. But the city was really behind y'all. Like the way you even see, like you just go to Hawks game. The opposing team might have had more in the crowd that time period. Nah, it was up in the city. What's that like feeling that love, you know what I'm saying? On and off the court. Y'all in the city. Y'all still killing on the court too.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, I was in the city, so I used to, you know, they didn't go out.
Bishop
That boy was outside.
Kyle Korver
I was outside, so I got a chance to see the, you know, the people talk to you like, man, we love what you guys are doing. They was excited about our team. And then the fans, like the arena used to be lit like every time Kyle hit a three you hear three and all that stuff, it was lit. Even Dennis, when they used to say, got him and all that stuff, it was just. The time was just amazing. That year was unbelievable. And I had been here already for, I think, six or five or six years. By then, the crowd, I was like, man, it's just. I haven't played in front of the crowd like this yet. And it was lit every game he represented.
Bishop
Well, for y'all outside Cal.
Paul Millsap
Oh, man. My man. Oh, man. No, I think, you know, I think when I first got here, there was some criticism of, like, you know, what's the atmosphere like at the games? And in the middle of that season when everything turned like. Like what they said, this place, it was a. It was so fun to be at these games, man. And everything that you guys have built now has just added onto that as far as the experience. But, like, there was a real appreciation, I think, what I felt for, like, how we played the game and, like, the intention of, like, you know, the players trying to make each other better, playing a certain style, even overachieving to a certain. Like, we all knew, like, yo, this is a group that needs each other. And there was, like, the purists in Atlanta, like, came out, and everybody loved it and enjoyed it, and it's just. It's just. It was a team that I love to play on. It was a team that was fun to root for just because of the posture everyone had towards the actual style of play that was happening out there.
DJ Wells
Most definitely. So, obviously, keep killing. You get to the playoffs. You talk about that environment. What's that first home playoff game. Like, a breeze.
Kyle Korver
We knew we was going to win the first round. Like, that was easy. I don't remember who we played.
Paul Millsap
Watch.
Kyle Korver
Game 2 wasn't watched.
DJ Wells
It was.
Kyle Korver
No.
DJ Wells
It was Brooklyn. Was it?
Kyle Korver
I don't know who we played. Who do you play?
Paul Millsap
People had played Brooklyn.
DJ Wells
It was Brooklyn.
Kyle Korver
Okay.
Paul Millsap
That's one of those games.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, but I knew, like, we knew we had.
Paul Millsap
We knew.
Kyle Korver
I wasn't worried about them at all. Team I was worried about was, like, Washington. I think that's what we played next, right? I was like, yeah, this might get a little tricky. My defense was never the best. And I was like, that's prime. John Wallace. Yeah. I was like, we might dabar. You might. Too fast, Demar. You might have to switch.
Bishop
Washington was good that year.
DJ Wells
Yeah, they were really good.
Kyle Korver
They were really good that year. Yeah.
Young Nacho
Yeah. I think we. We were good against teams that didn't execute well. You know, we. We Were good against teams who didn't communicate on defense. And we. We just knew teams that we were going to beat because we were going to execute. Right. And that first round was definitely one.
DJ Wells
Of those teams, for sure. I had a business, for sure, like you said. Yeah, get into Washington, you know what I'm saying? Different series. We have still prevail. And let's talk about that final matchup, you know what I'm saying? All chips on the table. What's that environment like, preparing to go into that. Cause you playing against LeBron.
Kyle Korver
I was excited. I was like, yeah, I think we can beat him. Because in the regular season, we beat him pretty good every time. And I was like, yeah. And I seen the first play, he ran a pick and roll with me. I was like, oh, that's what we gonna do the whole game. You gonna bring me in the pick and roll, like, it's over.
Bishop
So you knew. Then he figured it out.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, I was like, why you keep calling me up in the pick and roll? Trying to get that switch? It was over. I was. I can't guard LeBron. I couldn't guard Deli.
Bishop
What you think went wrong, Cal?
Kyle Korver
Nah, it was not, though.
Paul Millsap
It was not. It was not just funny.
Kyle Korver
I was.
Bishop
I was thinking cows go like, well.
Paul Millsap
Yeah, I ain't throwing my guy. Like, that would not.
Young Nacho
Jeff.
Paul Millsap
You know what I mean? We got. We had some injuries, too, right?
DJ Wells
Yeah, right. Definitely.
Paul Millsap
I mean, I feel like I didn't get to compete in that whole series. Right. I got the second game, but, I mean, they're, you know, the. The playoff play is as you play and you play in the regular season, and you play in the first couple rounds and you play in the last couple rounds. They're all different. Right. There's levels. And I. I think that was a group for them that they had. Like, LeBron had been through more of those third and fourth rounds. Like, third and fourth rounds are different, and that was our first time as a group going through that, and there's not. I don't know of any groups that go through it together the first time and get it right. Right. So I. I think there's a whole lot of grace in my mind for the. For that group. Like, I thought that. I thought that we showed, like, who we are, and I thought that we showed throughout the regular season, especially, like. Like, we. Like Paul said, like. And we. We actually beat them, I think, three of the four times. Right?
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
But those late rounds are different, and it's something you have to just keep on Experiencing and building on and adding to. And like, this is. This is sport. That's what it is.
DJ Wells
Most definitely. For the fans in here, obviously, who don't have that feeling, obviously, playing at home, different environment. What's it like playing on a road in the high, like, intensity situation?
Paul Millsap
It's the best.
DJ Wells
It's the best.
Paul Millsap
It's the best. There's nothing in sport like silencing a home crowd. There is nothing like it. It is the best. And then. And then, you know, it's a bunch of. It's a bunch of teams in this league that have great home crowds, but when you can sign a team in the playoffs, like, it is the best.
Kyle Korver
It is. I thought we were going to win game three. I remember that plays in my head a lot. I thought we won game three and LeBron was. LeBron.
Paul Millsap
He's good.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, he's pretty good.
Paul Millsap
He's good.
Bishop
Y'all was up. What happened?
Kyle Korver
We went overtime that game. He hit a three in a corner.
Bishop
Oh, okay.
Kyle Korver
And tied it up. I thought he caught a cramp. Magically he came back. I'm like. I'm like. He caught a cramp.
Ryan Seacrest
He done.
Kyle Korver
No, he's back. We lost in overtime. I think Shovel might have got a shot to win the game or to tie the game or something. Yeah.
Young Nacho
And granted, I mean, we. We felt like we played okay, but they played exceptionally well. They hit, exchange, they shot the ball.
DJ Wells
Historically.
Young Nacho
Historically. You know, first. I remember the first quarter. I don't think they. They went on a run where they didn't miss a shot that they went on.
Kyle Korver
Like, our defense was kind of. Well, who we said we was going to let shoot.
Young Nacho
I mean, J.R. smith was not the downsize. I mean, it was.
Kyle Korver
But it was tough.
Young Nacho
They got in a rhythm that, you know, in basketball, you get in a rhythm like that, you know, you have to stop it. You have to stop the rhythm.
Bishop
Yeah.
Young Nacho
And, you know, we just got ourselves. Dug ourselves too big of a hole by not getting them out of that rhythm in the first. First or second quarter. And, you know, when you're on the road and you're up against a good team, you're up against LeBron James. It's tough to come back from that.
Bishop
Yeah.
Young Nacho
You know, but I felt like we definitely fought and we had opportunities to change the rhythm and. And change the dynamic of the series. We just didn't capitalize on it.
Kyle Korver
You want to know something funny about that? You remember when JR Started hitting those threes? I came to the bench, was like, I got him and I got on him. He hit the next one. Kyle was like, I got him. I'll chase him. I got him. Kyle was like, okay. He came off a screen, hit another one. I was like, he go back over there. I don't know who I thought I was. I'm five two.
DJ Wells
Funny that you mentioned that. You talk about the LeBron Picker Rose. There's a clip going around. Like, LeBron demands that pick a row from you, like, four or five times in a row. At one point, you just like, all right, bro.
Kyle Korver
Yeah. He kept doing it. I knew. I was like, they figured it out, trying to get the switch. Then we had the double. They was going to kick it out, get a three. I was like, there's nothing we can do.
DJ Wells
Most definitely. Obviously, you know, season came up a little bit short of expectations, but you guys had a hell of a season, obviously, playing the different situations past that. How does it make, like, the memory of this team feel when you go back and be like, all right, I played different places after this, but the camaraderie we had, this magical season still lives on.
Paul Millsap
Good.
Young Nacho
I mean, for me, I went to Denver after that. A lot of young guys, you know, but a lot of young, hungry guys, they were hungry. You know, all they needed was a little bit of mentorship to get them over the edge. But as far as locker room presence, I mean, I don't think there'll ever be another, you know, situation like we had in Atlanta anywhere else. You know, everywhere else, you know, guys are cool and whatever, but the bond just goes from there. You know, for us, you know, we. We knew each other's families. We went out to dinner.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Young Nacho
You know, on the road, we had team bonding. You know, we went to the. To the. To the. What is it? The Braves, you know, stadium. And played baseball, man. You know, as a team, you know, we did things like that, that, you know, when it gets on the court, it makes it a lot easier to gel with a team, you know, so, you know, there's not a lot of teams out there doing that.
Bishop
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
Yeah, man. That team lives on. To me, I'll just say that, like, for me, it's almost like when there's someone that you admire in life and they pass away or something happens, and it's like, you. You take what was good, great in that, and you. You want that inside of you. Like, that's what that group is. For me, like, there was. It. It was so pure. Like, I always tell. Like I'm told whenever I talk to kids about basketball it's just always when they're younger, it's like, enjoy this, because the higher you go, it may be more rewarding, but it loses its purity.
Bishop
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
And. And it's not often that you get to be around and be in a group in the NBA where, like, we were all about the right stuff. And, like, a lot of, like, we're, for me now as we're working on building out the Hawks like that, it's. It's not necessarily the blueprint, but it is a North Star all the way. And you want to try to, you know, continue to add more talent and. And all those things. But, like, how that worked, like, going back, just thinking back about how this team came together, it wasn't necessarily about adding a bunch of superstars and figuring out, like, you got really good humans who love to work, who were. Love their craft, right? You got really, really good coaches. Like, the coaching staff that we had that year, like, Coach Brad, it was Coach Bud. But then think about all the coaches we had. Quinn Snyder was there the first year, then he left. We had. You had Kenny Atkinson, you had Nevin, who's been a coach in Europe forever. You had Charles Lee, you had Taylor Jenkins, you had. Those are just head. Head coaches who've been on the league. You got assistant coaches. Ben Sullivan's been a top assistant. You got Pants Pat Saint Andrews, you got Jordan Ott, who was in the video room. Like, these guys are all front of the bench coaches. Like, that's who was teaching us every day what it meant to play Hawks basketball. Right? So it's like, this is. This is the formula for me. Like, I'm pulling from that here, right? Like, that, to me is like, again, yes, you add more talent, you try to find, hopefully you get a number one pick and he becomes an amazing player. But, like. Like, this is the formula to me, and like, it lives deep in me. Like, I. I have a. Like, I have a real love of the game of basketball. Like, it's what drives me. It's why I want to keep on working in this business. And that, again, is like a North Star. Like, it. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience. Like, the bonds and the friendships that we have with these guys is real when we see each other. Like, it is love. But when you go through heartaches and playoff series and you bond and you work, like, there's things that happen in those moments that you can't get in any other way. And, yeah, it's just. It's a group and a team that, like I said, I will pull from the rest of my life.
Kyle Korver
Yeah. For me, as far as basketball on the court, I never went to a team that had that same synergy and energy together, you know what I mean? So I went to go play for the Pacers two years later, and like you said, I'm winking at guys and they like, nah, bro, what you got going on? I'm like, cut back door. You know what I mean? So I'm like, it just wasn't the same. Like, I went there and I thought, like, everybody else were dumb basketball players after playing on that team, you know what I mean? Like, we just read each other well. We knew everybody's movements. We knew where everybody was going to be on the court. And then going to these different teams, it wasn't the same. So I'm used to somebody setting a back screen so you can get a wide open jump shot, and they like, nah, beat him. Beat your man. I'm like, y'all don't, like, play together at all? Like, I gotta run to the corner every time. Like, nah. So it just was a beautiful way to play basketball. I enjoyed that so much that I even try to, like, I'm a coach now. I try to bring that same philosophy when we play move the ball, everybody get a chance to score. No, no, go to guy, but everybody can be the guy. And that was just a beautiful way to play.
Young Nacho
And just to piggyback off that, I mean, I don't know if everybody know that, you know, an NBA team, you spend more time with your teammates than you do your family. We see each other every single day, right? And you don't get that feeling, you know, once you get up to the door and say, damn, I gotta go to work again. I gotta go in here again. Right? You had people who you wanted to play with, people who understood you, and that's what made it so special, Right?
Paul Millsap
Yeah.
DJ Wells
Stephanie. Now, Kyle, we talked about this off camera. Did you know that she was gonna be the team's Dietrician? Because, you know, some of your teammates, you know what I'm saying, they lived a different saying in that kitchen.
Bishop
Hey, how many guys you say didn't drink water on the scene?
Paul Millsap
Oh, my gosh, man. We had guys. We had guys that didn't drink water on our team.
DJ Wells
One of those water, I'm like, you.
Paul Millsap
Are an NBA basketball player. Your job is to run on a court. How do you not drink water? And, like, when did you start paying?
Kyle Korver
I don't like how it tastes.
Paul Millsap
I'm like, I don't like how it tastes? It tastes like water.
Kyle Korver
Listen, Gatorade, you guys.
Paul Millsap
One of them may or may not be on the stage, wouldn't drink water. They're getting, like, IVs before the game. They're in the training room with, like, hooked up to an IV so they can play. I'm like, man, just drink this cup of water. Yeah.
Bishop
That's crazy.
Kyle Korver
I couldn't believe you was living like that, Paul.
DJ Wells
Oh, man. Listen, man. Legendary team, man. The city remembers you. The city embraces you. Shout out to everybody here. All here because of this very reason, man. You might want to answer that. Text time. Tap in. Are we opening up to the crowd by chance? Okay, we'll open up to the crowd, have a couple questions, a couple light questions before we get out of here. Anybody brave enough? My man's. No. You?
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
DJ Wells
You got your hands up?
Bishop
Yeah, go ahead.
Young Nacho
All right.
Kyle Korver
Oh, wow.
Bishop
It's on the way.
Kyle Korver
It's on the way, man. We're going to play. We're going. We're going to get that game. We're going to get that game.
Young Nacho
Yeah.
DJ Wells
We started over under right now. Please place your best in DraftKings.
Kyle Korver
Gentlemen.
DJ Wells
In the hat. Yes, sir.
Kyle Korver
I could start it if you go look at our numbers, how many minutes we played. We didn't play high numbers of minutes. Like, I think we played, like, 26 a game. I did, like, around that time. So Dennis Schroeder points per minute was great then, huh? Yeah, I was killing. Dennis Schroeder was great. Even Shelvin Mack, Ken Bazemore came off that bench. It was a bunch of guys. Mike Scott, my guy, they had amazing seasons, like, that whole year. Everybody played well, and we all just wanted everybody to win. It was crazy. Like, he said we'd be on the plane playing uno and all that stuff, and those were my guys. I mean, me and Dennis, we used.
DJ Wells
To go at it a little bit.
Kyle Korver
But other than that, we love it. I love those guys.
Paul Millsap
Dennis was like. Because we were all. We were pretty steady group, right?
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
Like, Dennis was like the little brother that you needed that get under your skin, agitate you.
Kyle Korver
Yeah.
Paul Millsap
Get you going. And it was a. He was a super important part of. We needed it. Right. You needed guys like that. We needed guys like Elton Brand and Pero Antich and Mike Biscala. And I mean, there's so many guys who starred in their role for our. For that group. And we're about the team. It's a long list. It was a great group.
DJ Wells
Definitely. Gentleman in the back. Yes.
Kyle Korver
Sir, I seen Bud at a concert. Yeah, he used to take his kids to all the concerts here and I seen him and they were having a good time. He didn't know any of the songs, but he was vibing out.
DJ Wells
I'm scared to ask which artist it is, but I don't know.
Kyle Korver
We was rocking. We was messing up some comments that night.
Bishop
Went to go see Future.
DJ Wells
Yeah.
Bishop
Shout out to Bud.
Ryan Seacrest
My guy.
DJ Wells
Sure did, commander.
Kyle Korver
Report.
DJ Wells
Yes, sir.
Paul Millsap
Would have loved to have known. 100%. 100%. There's injuries are part of this whole. Of this whole equation. It is every year for every team. There's a lot of things that have to go right to still be playing at the very, very end. And, you know, wish we could have had a full squad, but for sure.
DJ Wells
And last one right here, my man front.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, I like that.
Bishop
That's hard.
Kyle Korver
Yeah, Yeah, I like that. Oh, you grew up in Brooklyn.
DJ Wells
The we split up.
Kyle Korver
We appreciate that for sure.
DJ Wells
Unfortunately, we are out of time. We want to say thank you all for pulling up. We appreciate y'all make some noise for yourselves.
Kyle Korver
Thank you for sure.
DJ Wells
Two times for our wonderful guests up here. We appreciate Paul and Kyle pulling up. The Hawks appreciate the hospitality as well. We'll see y'all another time. Club 520.
Paul Millsap
The volume.
Ryan Seacrest
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Kyle Korver
Get in the zone.
Young Nacho
Auto Zone.
DJ Wells
Welcome to the A to Z savings event at AutoZone. What are you working on today?
Young Nacho
Yeah, I need to change my oil.
DJ Wells
I want to get a full synthetic oil. How about Pennzoil Platinum?
Bishop
It's the only oil made from natural gas.
Paul Millsap
Sounds great.
DJ Wells
How much for an oil filter?
Bishop
Oh, that's free.
Paul Millsap
What?
Bishop
The filter is free with the oil.
Kyle Korver
Free.
DJ Wells
Really, really free. It's just part of our A to free.
Bishop
I mean A to Z savings event at AutoZone. Get in the zone.
DJ Wells
AutoZone restrictions apply.
Ryan Seacrest
The Unshakables podcast is kicking off season two with an episode you won't want to miss. Join host Ben Walter, CEO of Chase for Business, as he welcomes a very special guest, Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase, Jamie Dimon. Hear about the challenges facing small businesses and some of the oh moments Jamie has overcome. Listen wherever you get your podcast. Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025 JP Morgan Chase & Co. Are you still quoting 30 year old movies? Have you said cool beans in the past 90 days? Do you think Discover isn't widely accepted? If this sounds like you, you're stuck in the past. Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, and every time you make a purchase with your card, you automatically earn cash back. Welcome to the now it pays to Discover. Learn more@discover.com credit card based on the February 2024 Nielsen report.
Club Shay Shay: Club 520 - Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver & Paul Millsap on 60-win Atlanta Hawks, NBA Playoffs vs. LeBron James
Release Date: March 8, 2025
Introduction
In this electrifying episode of Club Shay Shay, host DJ Wells welcomes three Atlanta Hawks legends: Jeff Teague (Young Nacho), Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap. Together, they reminisce about the monumental 60-win season, their deep bond as teammates, and the intense playoff showdown against LeBron James and his team.
1. Team Formation and Joining the Hawks
The conversation begins with the trio recounting their journeys leading up to joining the Atlanta Hawks.
Young Nacho's Transition:
[04:02] Jeff Teague explains his move from Utah to Atlanta, driven by a desire to be closer to home in Louisiana.
“The Hawks offered me a two-year deal, and the rest was history, most definitely.”
Paul Millsap's Trade Story:
[04:30] Paul Millsap shares the unexpected nature of his trade to Atlanta, highlighting the uncertainty and last-minute decisions involved.
“Danny Ferry was debating if he was going to accept my physical... and he just decided the last second, he's like, alright, we're going to do it. Welcome to the Hawks.”
Kyle Korver's Integration:
[06:06] Kyle Korver reflects on his initial interactions with Paul Millsap, emphasizing the ease and camaraderie that defined their relationship.
“He was super cool, super chill, and it was easy. It was easy to work with.”
2. Building a Historic Season
The trio delves into the factors that led to their historic 60-win season.
Coaching Under Mike Budenholzer:
[07:18] Kyle Korver praises Coach Bud, detailing the shift from an ISO style to a more team-oriented approach.
“We played the ISO style before they got here... And he came in and changed all that. And for me, it was my time to shine.”
Chemistry and Trust:
[10:13] Paul Millsap underscores the importance of teamwork and trust, emphasizing that their greatness was a product of years of collaboration rather than sudden superstars.
“Our group had been in the works for a couple of years... Trusting the process was key.”
Vocal Leadership and Team Dynamics:
[11:30] Young Nacho highlights Coach Bud as the vocal leader, while the players contributed quietly but effectively.
“Bud was the vocal leader. We just put our input in every now and then.”
Notable Quote:
[15:48] Paul Millsap on team synergy:
“We had this kind of sixth sense to us. That's what made that team special and what made it so fun to play on.”
3. All-Star Selections and Team Recognition
The Hawks' impressive performance led to multiple All-Star selections, a testament to their collective prowess.
Unexpected Achievements:
[14:21] Kyle Korver admits surprise at multiple teammates making the All-Star team, highlighting their focus on team success over individual accolades.
“I didn't know that all of us was gonna make it. I was just worried about me.”
Paul Millsap's Reflection:
[14:48] Paul Millsap expresses humility, viewing his All-Star selection as a byproduct of the team's overall excellence.
“We all made each other better for sure. It's not about me. It's how can I make the guy next to me better?”
Young Nacho's Bittersweet Moment:
[16:14] Jeff Teague shares mixed emotions about missing out on an All-Star berth for his teammate Damari.
“I was angry because Damari didn't make it. It was a bittersweet moment.”
Notable Quote:
[15:48] Paul Millsap on team synergy:
“We had this kind of sixth sense to us. That's what made that team special and what made it so fun to play on.”
4. Playoff Run and the Battle Against LeBron James
As the Hawks advanced to the playoffs, they faced formidable challenges, culminating in a tense series against LeBron James.
Preparing for Playoffs:
[23:37] Paul Millsap discusses the mindset shift post-All-Star break, focusing on health and mental readiness for the playoff run.
“We were trying to prepare ourselves to really get into a playoff run... being fresh and healthy was crucial.”
Facing LeBron's Team:
[31:31] Kyle Korver recounts the tactical challenges of guarding LeBron James, noting how LeBron adapted their strategies.
“LeBron kept running pick and rolls on me. I couldn't guard him.”
Critical Moments and Overtime Loss:
[34:16] The team reflects on a pivotal game that extended into overtime, where LeBron's clutch performance sealed their fate.
“LeBron hit a three in the corner and tied it up. We lost in overtime.”
Notable Quote:
[25:27] Paul Millsap on LeBron's strategy:
“LeBron had figured out what we were doing and shut it down. It took us out of our rhythm for sure.”
5. Fan Support and City Connection
The Hawks' success was mirrored by an ardent fan base in Atlanta, creating an electric home atmosphere.
City's Embrace:
[28:25] Kyle Korver shares his experiences with Atlanta fans, who passionately supported the team every game.
“The arena was lit every time Kyle hit a three. It was just an amazing time.”
Enhancing the Fan Experience:
[29:08] Paul Millsap highlights how fan appreciation grew as the team's performance soared, transforming game nights into unforgettable events.
“It was so fun to be at these games and see the fans love what we were doing.”
Team Bonding Beyond the Court:
[37:08] Young Nacho emphasizes the deep personal bonds formed off the court, contributing to their on-court chemistry.
“We knew each other's families and bonded through activities like playing baseball together at Braves stadium.”
Notable Quote:
[29:06] Paul Millsap on fan appreciation:
“It was so fun to be at these games and see the fans love what we were doing.”
6. Legacy and Reflections
As the conversation winds down, the players reflect on their time with the Hawks and its lasting impact on their lives.
Enduring Bonds:
[37:08] Young Nacho speaks to the unbreakable bonds formed during the season, which continue to influence their lives beyond basketball.
“The bond from those moments can't be replicated elsewhere. It's something to pull from the rest of my life.”
Coaching Philosophy:
[40:15] Kyle Korver discusses how the team's philosophy influences his coaching today, striving to replicate the same synergy and ball movement.
“I try to bring that same philosophy when we play—move the ball, everybody gets a chance to score.”
Paul Millsap’s Continued Inspiration:
[38:01] Paul Millsap reflects on the purity and camaraderie of the team, setting a "North Star" for future Hawks aspirations.
“This is the formula to me. The bonds and friendships we have are real and something I strive to emulate in building the Hawks.”
Notable Quote:
[37:08] Young Nacho on team bonds:
“We knew each other's families and bonded through activities like playing baseball together at Braves stadium.”
Conclusion
This episode of Club Shay Shay offers an intimate look into the 60-win Atlanta Hawks' season through the eyes of Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap. Their shared experiences underscore the importance of teamwork, trust, and community support in achieving greatness. As they reflect on their triumphs and challenges, their stories serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and fans alike.
Notable Quotes Summary:
Jeff Teague:
“The Hawks offered me a two-year deal, and the rest was history, most definitely.”
“It was a bittersweet moment. But definitely was glad I had my other guys with me.”
Kyle Korver:
“We played the ISO style before they got here... And he came in and changed all that.”
“LeBron kept running pick and rolls on me. I couldn't guard him.”
Paul Millsap:
“Our group had been in the works for a couple of years... Trusting the process was key.”
“We all made each other better for sure. It's not about me.”
Timestamps for Notable Quotes:
Final Thoughts
For listeners who missed this episode, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap provide a candid and heartfelt account of what made the Atlanta Hawks' 60-win season a historic chapter in NBA history. Their insights into teamwork, resilience, and the unyielding support of Atlanta's fans paint a comprehensive picture of a team that transcended the game itself.