← The Ringer NBA Show
The Ringer NBA Show
Anthony Edwards's Technical Difficulties. Plus, Paul George Puts the Pod Down.
01:04:45
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- [00:01]
Austin Rivers
What's up, everybody? It's Austin Rivers here and we are back for another season of Off Guard. Me and my guy, Pasha Hagigi are hitting your podcast feeds every Monday and Thursday, talking everything hoops. Austin is bringing that 11 year NBA.
- [00:13]
Raja Bell
Veteran perspective and of course, keeping you.
- [00:15]
Austin Rivers
Guys entertained throughout the season. Make sure you tap into Off Guard.
- [00:18]
Raja Bell
With Austin Rivers on Spotify or wherever.
- [00:19]
Austin Rivers
You get your podcasts. And don't forget to follow everything we've got going on social media, the off guard podcast, Ringer NBA, and of course, check us out on Ringer NBA's YouTube channel. We're getting better.
- [00:48]
Logan Murdoch
What's poppin Real ones. Logan Murdoch here. Roger Beldaire, Cliff on the motherfucking boards. Austin Rivers is here. And it was really hilarious pre pod just now that like, we had two basketball players just say, it's Friday, we need to get the hell up out of here. That was just hilarious. It was just perfect symmetry between you guys. How's this pod gonna go? How are we gonna. First of all, welcome Austin. Listen, how are we doing? What's going on here?
- [01:11]
Raja Bell
Austin, welcome. Like, while the shade is being thrown, let me just clarify what we're used to doing.
- [01:15]
Logan Murdoch
What are y'all used to doing?
- [01:16]
Raja Bell
We used. We're used to coming in the gym and getting our work done. We get it done, we come in, we get to it, we get that good sweat, we make sure we get the reps we need and then we get out.
- [01:25]
Austin Rivers
Oh, yeah.
- [01:25]
Raja Bell
Trim, trim the fat.
- [01:27]
Logan Murdoch
Phenomenal recovery, Raja. Phenomenal recovery.
- [01:30]
Austin Rivers
Thank you.
- [01:30]
Logan Murdoch
Great job, buddy.
- [01:33]
Austin Rivers
Hell yeah. No, Fridays, Fridays, Fridays. I like to get stuff done early, and then that way you can, you know, enjoy the. The festivities of a Friday. Where are you guys at? Where are you located?
- [01:44]
Logan Murdoch
I'm in. I'm in Oakland right now, Raja. Somewhere. Somewhere. Where are you at, bro? You. Do you even want to say your location?
- [01:51]
Raja Bell
I'm in Florida.
- [01:53]
Logan Murdoch
Okay, so the weather is so.
- [01:56]
Raja Bell
That's right, Austin. I'm in South Florida. There's shit to do.
- [01:59]
Austin Rivers
Oh, yeah, A lot of shit to do down there. And the weather, the weather. The weather's probably, you know, beautiful, gorgeous.
- [02:07]
Raja Bell
I may or may not be on south beach tonight. I don't know, Logan.
- [02:10]
Austin Rivers
Whoa, whoa.
- [02:11]
Logan Murdoch
I don't bel.
- [02:12]
Austin Rivers
Whoa.
- [02:13]
Logan Murdoch
You get out the house.
- [02:14]
Raja Bell
The reason. The reason why is because Zen has a tournament down there. Otherwise.
- [02:18]
Austin Rivers
I was about to say something. Something. I was about to say something.
- [02:20]
Logan Murdoch
Something, bro, you turning back the clock? You turning back the clock right now. What the hell you doing on South Beach?
- [02:25]
Raja Bell
Nah, I ain't got none of that in my life.
- [02:26]
Logan Murdoch
Full, full transparency, Austin. Roger never goes out of the house for nothing. Absolutely nothing. Unless to, like, go on a recruiting trip or something. So that would be like him going to south beach would be like, it's 2005 or something. Like, it doesn't even make any sense.
- [02:39]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, yeah. Nah, I'm the same way. I don't really. Nah, I'm lying. I do be awesome.
- [02:46]
Logan Murdoch
What are you talking about, bro? Yeah, you don't got a lot of kicking, bro. You around the same. You ain't gotta be like, you guys are mid-30s.
- [02:54]
Raja Bell
Are we mid-30s? Oh, shit.
- [02:58]
Austin Rivers
30?
- [02:58]
Raja Bell
10, bro. Come on, man. Y'all come back. How about. How about this? Hopefully, Lord willing, I'm still around. I'm gonna check back with y'all motherfuckers in 15 years, and then y'all tell me how often you outside.
- [03:09]
Austin Rivers
Okay?
- [03:09]
Logan Murdoch
Okay, that's fine. But if Roger goes outside, like, me and Austin aren't. Aren't old dude at the club yet. Like, Raja is peak old dude at the club. We can't have you. We can't have you in a South beach club out here.
- [03:19]
Austin Rivers
Yeah. No, no, no.
- [03:20]
Raja Bell
Miami.
- [03:21]
Austin Rivers
He won't be old. And Miami will fit right in.
- [03:23]
Logan Murdoch
I'm this dude.
- [03:24]
Raja Bell
I need I'm readers dude.
- [03:27]
Logan Murdoch
Friday vibes. Anyways, it's Friday before we get all fired. You got the Timberworld shirt on also. Let's get to the shits. I want to talk personal talk Edwards and get to. We'll just. We'll let the. Let the conversation flow where it flows. But first thing I want to talk about, we're speaking on a few hours after the Lakers beat the Timberwolves. And Edwards got yet another ejection yet his 16th of the season. If he gets another technical, he risks yet another suspension because he's going to get suspended on this pending 16th tech of the season. Excuse me. Yes. 16th tech. It's Friday vibes for everybody. 16th tech of the season, and he's risking suspension. He's going to get suspended right now, but if he gets a Tech anytime for the rest of the way, he's gonna. It's. It's gonna trigger an automatic suspension. The Rasheed Wallace rule. I guess I'll start with this with Austin and I. Me and Cliff were talking about this last night, and I think me and Raja have talked about this in the pod before, but it feels like. I mean, we're in the beginning of a tide turning on the perception of Anthony Edwards, right? Like, I think he was a darling last year and years before, you know, for his interviews, for just the way he played. And that was when the Timberwolves were winning. And now it's, it's, it's a bit of a difference where he's getting the technicals, they're losing. We all know how this game, the perception of this game ebbs and flows. Do you think that we're on the verge of somehow of a backlash towards Anthony Edwards or are we not quite there yet or is it coming?
- [05:08]
Austin Rivers
Austin, man, that's a good question. Because he was so adored coming out, people kind of fell in love with his infectious personality, how honest he was. I think the biggest turn on for people and fans with Ant was his unapologetic way about himself. There was like a non political athlete flourishing in a sport that's kind of surrounded by. When you look at the best players, they're all so calculated and they have to be. They have these, you know, multimillion dollar brands and LeBron and Steph's case, billion dollar brands, but they got a team around them, pr. Every move is so calculated. It's. You know what I'm saying? Ant comes in and he has the complete opposite. This. He's so unwavering. He says what he wants, but people fell in love with it. It comes at a cost because as we all know, we all like to build up a star to break one down. And it seems like ants at that point now, now they're not as winning as much games. Their season's going good, but not as good as last year. He's obviously having a problem in our issue with these techs. It's so interesting how we as a community, as fans pick and choose who we choose to grail. Because if Jason Tatum had these, these many texts, it would be a huge issue. People would just be killing them for. They already killed Jason. Jason came out the other day talking about, like, I don't understand why I'm not regarded as this, this or that. Like, I don't get enough credit. That's the facts. You know, he's like the same age as Shay and everyone's like, Shay's the best player. Shay's resume is not even half of what Jason's is, respectfully. So we pick and choose who we, we grail and like, that's ants cloth. We put them up there. But he, he has to, there are some maturing he has to do. And that's just the fact of the matter. That's my boy. I love Ant, but with great responsibility or with great power comes great responsibility. And he's at that point now, we're like, man, listen, you got the max contracts, you, you got this team, you got the sneaker, you got everything going. Like, we gotta kind of hold, we gotta, we gotta tighten, we gotta tighten it up a little bit. We gotta start tightening up a bit because his brand could be even bigger with how his smile, he's a good looking dude and he's well spoken. Win in the right light. He needs some tighten up in that regard. Like, bro, ain't no way you should be getting suspended with technical fouls. That's, that's an emotional issue.
- [07:31]
Logan Murdoch
Throwing the ball in the stands.
- [07:33]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, that's, that's an emotional thing. That's, that has nothing to do with anything a part of the game. You know what I mean? Like, that, that's something you can control. And he looks up to guys like Kevin Durant, right? All these guys. Kevin Durant never had a suspension problem with technical fouls, you know what I mean? LeBron James don't have these issues. They can get a tech win in Rome, but like that, that's never been an issue. We talk about guys who have techs, we talk about like DeMarcus cousins and, and I think Russ one year was up there or something like that. Like Draymond. Draymond. Like, these aren't guys that you. Come on, man. You know, I mean, so like, and has to tighten these up because like you said, people do adore him and you don't want that to switch. And I, it's, it's tough to comment on it. Do I see it switching right now? A little bit?
- [08:16]
Raja Bell
Yeah.
- [08:17]
Austin Rivers
If there's a little bit in the air where people aren't as in love with him as before, which I don't like to see because he's such a good guy and he's such a talent. But you do feel it. You start to see it. Even in like where I, where I gauge man, is when you go on social media, you go on like Instagram and comment surfing sometimes can really be a good indicator of just like where the people are at with somebody. And historically an amp post all below, you just see love jokes, fun, all fun. Now it's starting to. You go down there, people are like, I'm tired of this guy, or this guy talks too much or this guy needs to just. That's starting to creep in a little bit. You're seeing it more. So, yeah, I do think it's changing a little bit, unfortunately.
- [09:00]
Logan Murdoch
What do you think Ron, look, just.
- [09:02]
Raja Bell
Generally speaking, like, as a society, we have less patience. That means we're going to have less patience with our stars, right? So, like, we're gonna have less patience with. With people's personalities, things that are. Are endearing to us for a while, run their course quicker than they probably did a generation ago. And if you're not producing and you're not winning to the level that we expect as.
- [09:24]
Logan Murdoch
As a.
- [09:24]
Raja Bell
As a fan base, like, then. Then it's what we always do, right? Build them up. Build them up. Build them up to a level that's, you know, pretty much, you know, a level they. That's unattainable at this point for. For reasons other than his greatness at times. But if he doesn't achieve that, we'll.
- [09:45]
Logan Murdoch
We'll.
- [09:45]
Raja Bell
We'll tear him down. I will say this, and I've been on record as saying this, this goes way back to the press conferences with the hot Cheetos and things like that, and people kind of got at me a little bit. But I was saying back then, he needed to mature. This had nothing to do with the player. Right? The player is fantastic. Like, you know, we can get into, you know, how he's grown as a player and how he continues to evolve and mature, but just when you're talking about being that level of star, there is a level of maturity that has to come with that. If you don't come in with it because you did one year at college and you're relatively young, everyone understands that. But they want to see the progression of maturity. And don't get me wrong, I wasn't the most mature mofo in the world. I wasn't the face of a franchise or the heir apparent to being the face of the league, potentially. So there's a different level of expectation that comes with that. Um, and I would like to see him or his camp. And I. I've talked about this at length, even within the job conversation. A couple years ago, like, you referenced teams. Austin, the teams that are around Steph, the teams that are around LeBron, those become really important. Having people in those teams that'll say to you, hey, look, man, I know everybody else on this damn team thinks you're the mill ticket and probably going to tell you what you want to hear, but I'm. I'm good people. Like, I'm. You know, I got your best interest at heart. Like, we got to tighten X, Y, and Z up, whatever that looks like to you, right? Like, I'm not sitting here telling you how to Comport yourself necessarily. But whatever camp and people close to you that know you think you need to do, like, you have to have trusted people around you that can keep it real with you. And someone in his camp should be saying, hey, it's cool to be fun, it's cool to be likable, it's cool to be genuine, it's cool to be all of that. And then there comes a point where we have to comport ourselves like a professional. And. And that's just what it is.
- [11:28]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, I agree.
- [11:30]
Logan Murdoch
Austin, how did, like, we talked about the maturity aspect of it. Like, I think he's matured more since the hot Cheetos incident and like the. The Ubers and doordashes. Right. But like, how. How much have you seen since you were a teammate of his? What was. How was his trajectory been to this point? Like, what was the. What's the difference between now and. And when you were a teammate?
- [11:53]
Austin Rivers
He's something else. You know, that was part of my main role, to be completely honest, was just trying to help him out with things. That was like my last year in anyway. And at that point, you know, I kind of used a lot of my time trying to help him. We couldn't get him to ice after games. He wouldn't do it. He said it's too cold. He said it was too cold. I'm just like, bro, we got to get over some of these. Like, you. The way you jump and fall to the ground, brother, if you want to keep this shit up for 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 years, LeBron has nine ice packs after every game. That's why 40 years old, this guy's still moving like a machine. He spends a million dollars on his body. Like, this isn't an opinion thing or not. This is a fact. This is how stuff works. And this is what it equates to. If you want to do this, you have to do these things. You can't right now you're 20 some years old, so, like, you can go home and play video games. I promise you, like a three, four years. I've seen it, man. I've seen it with guys, like playing with. I'm not going to steer off too long, but like playing with Blake Griffin, you see guys who's a heavy part of their game is explosion, right? And you know, Raj, like, you'll see it fade. Like year to year, you'll start to. You'll start to see it happen, right? And when it happens, you're like, well, what's gonna. Are they. What's gonna happen now because a big part of their game is their athleticism. Blake really started to work on his MIDI and all these different things. That's why when he went to Detroit, he was still. He was fantastic as a player because he still had all these things he added. And he had a lot of surgeries, so that's why his body went that way. Ant is one of those guys where a part of his confidence, his unwavering confidence, it's great because that's what makes him who he is. It also comes at a cost where he's unwilling to try new things or learn. Sometimes not all things, but a lot of things. Just because you're like, I don't need that, man. I ain't doing all that. And you're just like. You laugh, but you're just like, yeah, nah, bro, we got to get you in the ice. We got to get you in the ice tub, man. Just for like 10 minutes after the game. It'll like, just save. It'll save your body. You'll feel better after, I promise. You can get over the cold. I know you're from Atlanta and like, you a Southern dude, and he don't really, you know, mess with all that, but I'm like, bro, you already live in Minneapolis, so you. You've already. You. You had to change, right? So you can do it this way. You know, the eating habits, what time you eat, you know, that's a big thing. Guys stay up till 2am and street, it's different now, man. Like, when I came in the league, and I know I didn't play that long ago, but that's how long. Twelve years ago, that's how long. How much has changed in this time? When I came in 13 years ago in the league, everybody hung out, everybody left the room to go do stuff. Hey, yo, we meet in the lobby at 1 or 12 or whatever the case. These dudes don't hang out. You speak.
- [14:27]
Logan Murdoch
You speak in Roger's language. You speak in Roger's language.
- [14:29]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, yeah.
- [14:30]
Logan Murdoch
Friday activities.
- [14:32]
Austin Rivers
Friday.
- [14:33]
Raja Bell
That's right. That's right.
- [14:34]
Austin Rivers
They don't hang out anymore. They play video games in a room. Most of these guys, usually, to be completely honest, Most, I'd say 80% of the league just smoke. Smoke trees and just. And play video games in a room that's kind of just like the.
- [14:46]
Logan Murdoch
The.
- [14:46]
Austin Rivers
The way of the. And that's fine. They stay in the room. They stay out of trouble, you know, whatever. Whatever. But that comes with eating habits. This, this and that. Luckily for aunt. Aunt don't drink, aunt doesn't smoke it. It's not in any of these things. What is Ann into? He likes playing video games. He eats whatever he wants. The recovery of his body. So those are my challenges. I couldn't tackle everything, you know, I mean, I let the personal stuff be with his family or his other people like that. I try to just help him as a professional. From what I've heard, he's made a lot of huge leaps with his diet.
- [15:12]
Logan Murdoch
He's made a lot of strides.
- [15:14]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, he's made a lot of strides with his diet and like the way.
- [15:17]
Logan Murdoch
He, you know, workout routine as well. Right. Like, I think.
- [15:20]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, yeah. He's tightening up his body.
- [15:22]
Logan Murdoch
Summer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He. I remember I did a story over. Over the summer, and he was one of the big. He was. Chris Hines is the assistant coach with Coach Hines.
- [15:32]
Austin Rivers
Yeah.
- [15:32]
Logan Murdoch
With the Timberwolves. Really got him on a schedule of workouts, like two or three days during the off season. Got his body right. Right. Because, like, one thing about Anne and what I've known about him is he wants. When he says he wants to be the greatest of all time, he wants to be that. The thing is, I don't think he know he knew how to do that, and I think he's in the process of learning it and he still wants that.
- [15:56]
Raja Bell
No, what I was going to say, like, look there. It's very hard to have one without the other. Right. It's hard. It's hard to have. It's hard to be the greatest of all time and, and. And not accept the responsibility of the maturity that's necessary to be the face of the league, which ultimately will come with you being the greatest of all time, if that makes sense. Right.
- [16:19]
Austin Rivers
Yeah.
- [16:19]
Raja Bell
And so I'm not. Look, I don't know him personally. I don't know his work habits. I don't know his diet and all of that. Clearly, you know, he works on his game and develops. Like, there are a lot of guys that come into the league to Austin's point, if they're young enough and haven't been exposed to it for any extended period of time in college that don't love what it takes to get a body ready to play night after night for 82 games. Like, you just. You've never been exposed to the level of ice, the level of rest, the level of, you know, massage, like the hydration. Like, dudes don't know. And not for nothing, that's why cats like Austin and other people who had pros as, as. As parents to Some degree, like, have a little bit of a head start. Not just the genetics, but the understanding of what, what. What life looks like as a pro from a. From an early age in terms of prep and work and stuff like that. But as it relates to Ant, I would just say, like, it's hard to draw a line between the two greatest of all time on the court. Baddest mofo to walk the planet and play basketball and not be willing to step into the realm of CEO and face of league. They kind of come hand in hand. Like, it's a hard thing to avoid to some degree. KD's been able to do it, but it's because LeBron's been there. Like, when KD was. There were a couple years where KD was saying he was the best. Right. Like, and people are having the debate, but you always had LeBron.
- [17:42]
Austin Rivers
Yeah. So.
- [17:43]
Raja Bell
So, like, you didn't have to carry that torch in terms of you're the face, and maybe Ant won't have to either. But if you want to be the goat, a lot of times, that's what comes with it. And so that requires, like, a level of maturity. Not on the court. Not, not, not. Not in terms of your work ethic and stuff, but just in terms of, like, you know, the way you handle your business. I was a fiery player. You get texts and stuff like that. But again, I didn't mean to a team what Ant means to a team. Like, you know, there's a level of responsibility that you have.
- [18:18]
Logan Murdoch
It's going to be interesting to see. I just. I wonder. And Austin could probably speak to this. I want. Because I do think the backlash is coming. I do think we're a few months away from it, especially if they flame out early in the playoffs after all that's happened last season. I do wonder, though, like, how he handles that. Because when you talk about trying to pause this point, when you do talk about being a goat, it's not just a basketball conversation, because everything else, all the bullshit that comes with it, comes with it, and he's going to have to deal with that on his quest to become whatever he wants to become. So, like, how do you think he will deal with that when it does come?
- [18:51]
Austin Rivers
That's interesting. You know, a part of me who knows aunt would say he'd just be like, fuck him and turn his cheek and just kind of go the other way. You know, it reminds me of when, you know, when Russell Westbrook kind of lost it with the media at one point. Right. And people who know Russ know He's, like, the nicest guy in the world. Like, he's like, a really good dude. But if you don't know Russ, you know, you kind of only get this narrative in this. This portrayal from his interviews. And there was a time there in okc, remember, like, he would be. He was at it, like, to the point where, like, people didn't even want to talk to him after the game because they didn't know if he would say something to him that has portrayed him. Again, there's cause and effect. He felt away, whatever the case may be. But because of that, like, even till this day, a lot of times he doesn't get his, like, proper flowers. Like, people play with Russell's name way too much, and a lot of that comes from, like, the disdain of, you know, whether he's liked or not. They confuse. They confuse whether they like Russ with how good of a player he was. You know, that. That.
- [19:51]
Logan Murdoch
That language clip, that socials clip.
- [19:55]
Raja Bell
That's real talk, though.
- [19:57]
Austin Rivers
No, that's facts, bro. People like, oh, Russell was no bro. Russell's actually one of the greatest point guards ever played a game. The problem is you don't like him because you've seen whatever you've seen or you think what you. You know, that's. It's crazy how social media works. So it has it harder than Michael and all those guys because we have all this around now as well. We have all this access. You know, Michael was gambling, smoking cigars on a game day. If someone did that today, they'd get crucified for it. You understand? I'm saying, like, it's just a lot different. Everybody has this portrayal. Like, guys were perfect back then. They weren't. It was on the same shenanigans. Guys are on now. Guys are guys. Promise.
- [20:24]
Logan Murdoch
It was out on Fridays and all.
- [20:25]
Austin Rivers
These things in her face. For sure. They're out on Tuesdays. So we have. We. We have to. We have to clean. We have to. With like. Like Raj says they being a superstar comes with a whole different. It comes with all. All this stuff. And by the way, saying you got to mature is not a slight, bro. He's 20 something years old. You better be maturing. I'm still maturing. I'm 32 and I'm still learning things. I got to do better. So it's like, I know ant has to and, like, it does have an opportunity to be the face of the league, you know, be the best player ever. I don't like when guys say all this because it's just Being a goat. Like I want to hear all that shit. We got too many guys talking about. They want to be the greatest of all time, man, cut it out. Let's just. How about this? Why don't you be the best you. And then we'll. We'll mark you or we'll rank you where you need to be ranked, or the world will. Consensus will put you where they need to put. We don't. We still don't have a consensus. Now half the world thinks LeBron. Other people think Mike. Who cares if you're up there in that conversation, you're a goat nonetheless, right? So just focus on being that. He needs to just tighten up some stuff on the court. The tech thing is simple. Like he could knock that out. Like, this could be a one off thing. Like, I guarantee you next year we'll have seven techs total. Like you could cut that out. That's an emotional thing where him and his coach, I. To be honest, those are one of those things that I prefer to be called out in front of a team because it's detrimental to the team. So it shouldn't be a private conversation. That's where the whole team's in there watching film. He cuts the tape like Ayo and enough of this shit, all right? Because you now causing problems for the team. We're getting texts, we're losing you for games. We're already trying to fight for good position like this. It's. It's enough. And that's got to be with the president in the room, all that. Ant's a good enough guy and a smart enough guy. And like you said, he's a willing worker and wants to do well. All these things, he'll cut that out. As far as the other stuff, maturity wise, you know, on the court, off the court. He's got to continue to make his strides. He has. He's made big strides since I was there. I could tell you that much. From when I was there to where he's at now is two different pros. Whether his body like you said with Chris Hines, what he's eating the icing. These are all things he's doing now. Now we talk about the part where the Raj is talking about, you want to be a star, you want to be a face of the league, that comes with a price. You got to learn how to start handling yourself and you got to start looking at who your competition is. All right, so who are faces at the league and how they handle themselves? Shay is early to everything he dresses up for, everything he's well educated. The way he talks, the way he moves. He has a brand, a big brand. He's in the season, the fashion world. He's doing that. Who's another one? Jason Tatum. Clean cut, good father, no problems off the court. No issues. Obviously a big Jordan player, champion. All these different things. That's, that's, that's, that's your competition. So like Ant has to. And again, you've made a great point about Kevin Raj. Kevin is also Ant's favorite. That's his, that's his favorite player. Who is he around all summer? He's around KD in the Olympics. That's why you see a shit. You see how Ant dressed to the games now? He wears some damn sweats all star weekend. He got a hat sideways, wrinkly sweat. And again, if that's your brand, that's fine, that's fine if you want to do that. But like the best players, with the exception of Kevin and I give Kevin a pass just because Kevin's, it's a one off experience. He's been doing this for too long. He can wherever the he wants. I think there's just a way to like brand yourself. I, I, I, I said the same thing about Melo. Everybody thinks Mellow's interviews after the game are hilarious. They are funny. But like, I would rather him kind of speak a different way and talk the way that I know he's capable of because I know he's a smart young man and like, I don't, I don't think these guys understand how many brands would be interested in working with them. There's money on the table that you are not that you walking away from. I think Ant has the ability to do these things if he cleans some things up. I love the way he is though too. I'm not saying mute him or be unapologet. Stop being unapologetic.
- [24:00]
Logan Murdoch
Maybe more of a refinement. Right?
- [24:02]
Austin Rivers
That's a refinement. And I think we could get the best version of him because I still don't think we have that yet. I'm not even talking about the court stuff. The X's and O's are a whole different thing because there are things that he does in his game that drive me crazy. Crazy as a friend. He's so talented, but that's a different conversation. The other things, he's doing great job. He is moving in the right direction. Just got to continue to refine some of these things and I think we can get that face of the league. Best version of ant. I think we're like two years away from that.
- [24:28]
Logan Murdoch
Yeah, yeah.
- [24:30]
Raja Bell
Well, look, I mean, because this is a big conversation, right? Like, because we get into, like, staying true to who you are. You get a little bit into, like, the code switching conversation. Like, this is a. A really big conversation.
- [24:41]
Austin Rivers
It is. So. Yeah, exactly.
- [24:44]
Raja Bell
And so, like, what I would. What I personally would say is that, like, look, you be. You don't. Like, I try to tell my sons this. Like, you. You be. You. Like, people have to love you for who you are.
- [24:56]
Austin Rivers
Have.
- [24:57]
Raja Bell
Having said that, like, you have to understand what you're auditioning for at times and what. What is required of you. So, my. So. So, Austin. Like, my, this is a weird conversation. I don't know if it's got anything to do with basketball. My older son is a quarterback. He's one of the more highly ranked quarterbacks in the country. He's going to University of Texas next year. He loves a lot of shit, right? And he wanted to get a tattoo, like, on his arm because all of his buddies got it. And I'm like, look, Dia, I fucking love you, man. You like tattoos? I got tattoos. Your mama got tattoos. Like, everybody got tattoos. Don't put that shit on your forearm.
- [25:35]
Austin Rivers
Yeah.
- [25:36]
Raja Bell
And so he's like, oh, dad, what the fuck? I'm like, bro, don't put it on your fucking forearm, dude. Like, you're trying to be the CEO of a brand like the University of Texas Football. I'm not telling you it can't happen. I'm telling you the path to it is a lot easier if that tattoo that you like is not on your fucking forearm. Now your little brother is a basketball player. Guess what? They don't really give a fuck where his tattoos are. Not a big deal. He can have it. You put that shit on your chest somewhere, dog. Don't have that all the way down your form because you're following the narrative at that point.
- [26:04]
Austin Rivers
Yeah. Whether it's fair or not, it is what it is. What you're saying is correct. And again, even in basketball, there are cause and effect. Listen, who's the most clean cut star we have in the NBA? It's. It's Steph Curry. It's not even up for debate. You know what I'm saying? So it's just like. And that's a guy. He don't have any of that stuff. You know what I mean? And that's why people have a likeness to him. And he. He seems a little bit more normal to the average human being. And so all these different things. Again, I don't want Ant not to be him. I want Ant to be himself because that's why we fell in love with him. But if he cuts out the technicals, right, cleans up some of the way he talks in his interviews, whether it's about his teammates, the locker room, handles himself. Listen, would I like him to dress differently and portray himself a certain way?
- [26:46]
Raja Bell
Sure.
- [26:46]
Austin Rivers
But like that's who he is. So who gives a damn if he comes to hoop every night? That's all that really matters. It's just the other things. It's how you prepare as a pro. You want him to continue to develop. He's already made huge strides. Shout out to Ant for doing that because he has had, he's had a huge growth in those things. So you want him to keep doing that and just clean up some of these other things, the text, the way he presents himself to the media, because that stuff really matters. That's why I brought up Russ, man, because I guarantee you, if you had a real honest conversation with Russ and asked if he could go back and change some of those years where like it was like him versus the media, it's caused this false portrayal of him for years now. People like just talk crazy about him as if he ain't one of the greatest point guards to ever play.
- [27:26]
Cliff
Yeah.
- [27:26]
Logan Murdoch
I mean, it's a people people. It is a people business just in general. Like so a lot of those media members are the same ones that is voting on awards and stuff. Right.
- [27:34]
Austin Rivers
That's what I'm saying. All that stuff matters.
- [27:36]
Logan Murdoch
And, and if you. Because he was legitimately and I, you know, I, I do love Russ. He's been very nice to me. But he was an. For a good five year stretch and.
- [27:45]
Austin Rivers
He felt, and he felt, he felt that way because of certain things being written about him. And when Katie left, that's when it started.
- [27:53]
Logan Murdoch
And he said, I watched this documentary and it had nothing to do with like the day to day beat writer media. It was like Skip Bayless. I don't have no control over that as a law schooler. You know what I'm saying?
- [28:06]
Raja Bell
That's hard. That's a hard thing to draw a line between when you're in a locker room. I mean, you know this Austin, like, yeah, while we know you all, it's very hard to, it's very hard to differentiate between the big national voice sometimes and just the general media.
- [28:22]
Logan Murdoch
It's all the same.
- [28:23]
Raja Bell
Because it is all the same.
- [28:24]
Logan Murdoch
It's all the same voice.
- [28:26]
Raja Bell
Yeah. But now if you have great relationships with the beat writers, I think it becomes easier. I want to, I just want to get back to Ant real quick because he. Look, be unapologetically you and, and don't hurt your team and put them in situations where people can, can point to that. And a lot of this is moot. A lot of this is moot right now. We can still have the conversation about like, what, what the league traditionally has had in terms of the, the face of it and, and the level of CEO them they, they give off. We can have that conversation and you could tell me, well, I'm that nice and I'm that good, where I'm going to break the mold and I'm going to say to you, cool. I would just go right back to what I said with, was you can't do that if, if, if you're not mature enough on the court to stop costing your team in that way. So it all goes back to like, look, just, we need a little bit more maturity. Don't give a damn like a be you dog. Go out there and represent in the way you think represents you, your family, the community. But, but when, when the games and get to the point in your career where you can say, hey, I did it my way to do that. You have to mature in a way where you're not costing your team wins and losses.
- [29:40]
Austin Rivers
Exactly. And that's all I'm saying. That's all I'm saying. I don't need you to dress a certain way. I don't need you to move a certain way. But when you walk into the arena, you are now at work, okay? Everywhere else in the world, when people walk into work, it's not about being yourself. It's about being the best you can for work. You know what I mean? Like, all that other stuff goes out the window. So I don't mind aunt being at 23 hours in a day, you could be at 22 hours, 21 hours a day you could be at. And even when you come to the. To work, you could be at. I just want the best refined, professional version of himself. When he walks through that door, it'll alleviate the text, it'll alleviate the way he talks to the media. That, that goes into how he, how early he gets to the games. You know, when I was there, that was kind of an issue. He would get there like an hour before. Sometimes he'd get to like 75 minutes before a game. He'd come with 75, 80 minutes on the clock. People were just like, oh, bro, bro, you gotta, like.
- [30:29]
Raja Bell
I remember again.
- [30:30]
Austin Rivers
Yeah. And to Raj's point, I was. I was very privileged, bro. Like, I got to grow up going to these games. I'd see Ray Allen in there three hours early, bro. Like, meditating and doing. People wonder why, like, these guys are a certain way. Like, LeBron, Kyrie gets to the gym before everybody. He's like, one of the first people to get to the gym. Like, these are things that you can take. And he has. He doesn't do that anymore. Now he gets to, like, two and a half hours early. So we're already making strides in the right direction. So you just want to keep doing what he's doing to your point low. I really do hope the world doesn't turn on him because he's such a natural. Good, light energy, and he's so talented and he's funny. I don't want him to change any of those things. He just got to clean up some of the little BS so people don't have anything to, like, try to turn against him. You know what I mean? Like, if he can get that and then if people do, then him, you know, you can't please everybody, man. You know what I mean? Like, you always gonna have a skip, Bayless, a guy who. Listen, ESPN got a whole bunch of guys who can't bounce a ball. Never touch the ball, never played, ever, never will play. Up there talking like they know what they talking about. That's just what it is. Add the flex bombs, Cliff.
- [31:32]
Logan Murdoch
Add the flex bombs.
- [31:35]
Austin Rivers
That's on everybody.
- [31:36]
Raja Bell
Every.
- [31:36]
Austin Rivers
That's on every. That's on every network, right? So it's just like, you can't worry about all that stuff. But the other things that, you know, you can control, I would advise to do it. It's only going to make your life bigger. It's going to make your brand bigger. It's gonna. It's gonna lead to your professional being easier. And then after basketball, how you look. That stuff matters, bro. You portraying your way a certain way. Just in terms of you want to run a team, you want to own a team, you want to be a president of the team, you want to be a coach one day. They don't hire guys like that. You know what I'm saying?
- [32:01]
Raja Bell
Like, I'm gonna say this again. You're absolutely right. And it is a really big conversation, and I can only take it back. I do it a lot, Austin, so forgive me. I'll take it back to my boys. I had them both in a car the other day. My Two older ones. My younger one's a little too young. My two older ones, they're in the. Everyone they know has a tattoo. Everyone has them. And I still stand by, like, Dia better not show up with no damn tattoo on his motherfucking forearm. I know that. But I said to them, look, man, if you dudes really want to be unique at this point, right? And I'm lumping myself in with the ones that aren't unique, I got tats. Their mama got a tat on the forearm. I said, if you want to be unique and you want to really be a brand of your own, don't tat at all, right? Don't. Like. Because then. Then it's like. Like, because. Because they are in a world that you don't love art. You don't love fucking art. You ain't telling me you want a tattoo because, like, you don't. You telling me you want attack because everybody got tattooed. You want to get attacked.
- [32:57]
Logan Murdoch
And what I'm saying, they're not in the Picasso. They're not in the Basquiat. They're not in the Keith Herring or anything. Like.
- [33:02]
Raja Bell
No, but this is.
- [33:03]
Austin Rivers
This is a.
- [33:03]
Raja Bell
This is a big conversation about your team, right? Like, forgive me, but this is, like, your team. I'm part of their team. I'm like, look, dog, whether this is right or wrong, you tat up in a way. There are going to be some people that might still want you to represent their brand, and you might still get a cool Nil deal. Because my, you know, my older boy's making money, like, he's making real money from Nil in high school. I'm like, there going to be some people that don't mind, but there are going to be some people that shut your water off. Because they don't. They don't. They don't necessarily want that. But if you. If there's nothing to really turn anyone off there, like, you're marketable to everyone. And then once you've made it to a level where you do whatever you want. Do what you want.
- [33:41]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, yeah. Like, if Steph Curry right now got a tattoo on his forearm, no one would care.
- [33:45]
Logan Murdoch
You know, actually, Austin. Austin, he does. It's his brand.
- [33:50]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, but it's little, though, what I'm saying.
- [33:53]
Logan Murdoch
The tattoo is of his brand.
- [33:55]
Austin Rivers
Yeah. Even if he got a sleeve, it would shock the world, but, like, it wouldn't. He's already established himself professionally, who he is, what he stands for, how he moves. Like, there's no question about any of that. I Know, that's not fair. It's just the reality of what the situation is. Like, just, like, build the blocks first so that you want to do what you want. Do what you want. You know what I mean? Like, because what Roger saying is correct. Listen, I tell my kids all the time. My oldest, he gets taught. He always puts, like, marker on. I'm covered. Sometimes I'm like, man, damn, if I could snap my fingers and all of them go away, these tattoos would be gone, brother. I'm already so far gone that at this point, I'm adding shit because I can't go back. I'm already. I already have. I already have. I'm over 100, you know? Like, I'm gone. So it's like that point. But I always tell my. My fiance, because people like, no, they look cool on you. I'm like, they look cool, but they don't do. For me, if anything, all it does is go against me. I'm trying to call games for NBC or this, this, and that. Like, I can't have tats on my neck and all this shit. Like, they don't do that. You know what I mean? It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong. I've seen Matt Barnes come. Like, it's not right. That. Listen, man, it is what it is, okay? It is what it is. So you got to play the game, you know? I mean, like. And then if you get to the level where you're at, then do what you want to do. For Ant, obviously, this isn't a tattoo issue. We're just using that as a metaphor. But correct what Raj is saying, like, establish a foundation first, and then slowly build up to the point where you're at a level where then if you want to do certain things, you can. You've earned the right. That's why KD, who wears sweats to the game every day. KD been doing this for damn, 20 years already, bro. He. You know, I mean, he got rings, mvp. He got everything in between. If he want to wear sweats to the game at this point in his last three, four years of the NBA, he can do whatever the hell he wants, straight up. That's all I'm saying. All I'm saying is, I look at everyone else, you know, I grew up when I was a 90s, baby. David Stern dudes had to wear suits to the game. And the reason why they did that is because they wanted NBA players to be perceived a certain way. It's more. It's not just basketball. It's Professional basketball. Professional basketball, right? And obviously I love Adam Silver. We've gotten away from that. Player empowerment, all these things, which is dope. But you know, I've never liked. I can't stand that these coaches wear fucking little slacks and polos on the side. They look, they look stupid. And I said this, I said this on Twitter a year or two ago. I can't stand this. It makes it look like a. You like, bro, we the best. We the baddest basketball players on the planet, bro. I miss when the coach used to have suits on it. It even, it even represented a power thing. Like coaches all had suits is a symbol of power. Like they were in charge. They had more power then. Like now these coaches walking around like, I don't know who's a head trainer, who's a coach, who's an assistant coach. They all dress the damn same. I don't like none of that. So is it a bag? Hey, I, I just, straight up, I'm just being honest. So it's like I, I like, I love Shay Tatum. These guys dress every game, bro. They come and they, it shows that they put time and effort and thought to get ready for their game. You know what I mean? Like, it's, it's a professional thing for me. So I always, I would wish he built some of these things out and then he could do whatever he wants. But we'll see, you know. But he is growing nonetheless. I just don't want people to turn on my boy. He a good dude.
- [36:57]
Logan Murdoch
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- [40:10]
Austin Rivers
To be honest, all you have to do is just not say anything that's going to get you or your teammates in hot water, which he hasn't done. It's not like he's, you know, he said a couple comments early on, he's like, you know, we can't play this well. Jerry McCain can't be our best player. We. Which I understand what he's saying, but it's like, damn, bro, he kind of threw Jared on the. You know, it's just like the dude.
- [40:27]
Logan Murdoch
That was helping you.
- [40:28]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's like that type of stuff you got to clean up. Like, when we. When I had my pod with the Timberwolves, I made sure I really didn't talk about us a lot. I talked about kind of everybody else, because I don't. I'm not going to give us. I'm not going to start dissecting my own team as a. You know, I mean, like, that's crazy. So he's not doing that. Why he's stepping away from it, I don't understand. I don't get. At the end of the day, he has his own life. He knows himself better than anybody else. If he feels like he needs to step away from the pod to somehow translate into them playing better basketball, go for it. It ain't going to do nothing. Him stepping away from the podcast got nothing to do with why Philly sucks. They. They don't. They're not good because. For a variety of reasons. One, health has been a huge issue. You know, the Joel Embiid saga continues. Paul hasn't played well. Let's just call it for what it is, for what his contract shows he's a max player. The Clippers did not give him that fourth year for a reason, because they felt like he was out of his prime, let alone to give him four more years. Daryl Morey came with the damn, you know, a flag and Paul George flag and stamped it. And it's like, you know, we're going to pay you four years. They gave him this contract. He has not played well. And in my opinion, if we're being 100% honest, I think Paul George is a very talented scorer. I think he's a really good player. He is a max level player still. He has not played like it, but I still think he is. If he can get his stuff together. Whether his pod is on or not has nothing to do with it. His pod probably takes an hour and a half to two hours once a week or once every other week when he Records. That ain't got nothing to do with him hitting a fade away mini. And it has nothing to do with someone getting back on defense or their team performing well. This is. I don't want to say it's a cop out, but he's just like, oh, I'm going to step away and focus so we can play better, brother. We. We got 30 games left. You doing it now.
- [42:13]
Logan Murdoch
So, Austin, Austin, counterpoint to that real quick, though. What I do think is, and I think that the, the fact that he stepping away from the podcast is proof of this. It's not the, the time commitment. I don't think. It's the fact that we just referenced the comments section and all those.
- [42:34]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, I know, but.
- [42:35]
Logan Murdoch
Right.
- [42:36]
Austin Rivers
Like, it's.
- [42:36]
Logan Murdoch
It's become a distraction for him and not. Not if. Because if he was playing one that was winning, it wouldn't exit.
- [42:41]
Austin Rivers
You're right. It wouldn't matter. It wouldn't be a problem.
- [42:43]
Logan Murdoch
It is affecting him enough to the point to where it is affecting.
- [42:48]
Austin Rivers
That's.
- [42:48]
Logan Murdoch
That's right.
- [42:50]
Austin Rivers
That's my point, though. I don't like that he. This is affecting He. Bro, you are a max player. You having a pod should not be affecting. What? What? Because people on Instagram are now. But you, Paul George, they've been talking about you forever. Before play, before podcast P, they had playoff P. They've been talking about you. So, so let's, let's not do this thing now where like, suddenly, you know, he. He's got to step away because of whatever, you know I'm saying. You understand what I'm saying? Like, I, I think he should use this as only a purpose to boost his podcast. If anything, they talking about you now, brother. You might. You've already planted the flight. You had a good. He has a good show. By the way, Paul George does a good job with his podcast. Don't step away from it now just because y'all are having some troubles. Your team's not even fit to compete right now. You haven't played well. You got a lot of health issues going on. Just. Just. Just stay. The process now. You walking away makes it seem like it was a problem all along. So when do you come back in it? Now he can't. So, okay, this is what. I'm close up. If they play well. If they start playing well, how the hell are you ever supposed to go back to it? Because if he goes back to it again and they start playing to take it down again. So now does he have to wait till he retires? Till the podcast goes or you only go in the summer when basketball is not even relevant. Like, what are you talking about? That's what I'm saying. Like, it makes. What are we doing here? Draymond has a pot. Every night, he goes up there and says something. If you ask Draymond, would he give a damn whether they said something on Instagram? He would not care. He would not care.
- [44:15]
Logan Murdoch
No. In fact, he kind of. In fact, Draymond leans.
- [44:18]
Austin Rivers
He'll lean into it.
- [44:20]
Logan Murdoch
Wildest. So I can get this. So I get this.
- [44:23]
Austin Rivers
Paul's up that cloth, bro. You stupid. Paul's made over $300 million in the NBA. What the hell you care about anybody on Instagram? Respectfully, I'm just gonna keep it 100. If you gave me Paul George's finances, you couldn't tell me nothing on the Internet in terms of when and where I could put my pause and how it correlates to me averaging 20 points a game. That doesn't even correlate. He's only taking it down because he's taking some heat on social media, and he feels like this way he can get away from the hate and be more loved. Brother, they will never love you in the city of brotherly love unless you put up some damn buckets and some numbers. All whether you have a podcast or not don't mean nothing to nobody in Philly unless you perform it. Well, I'm just gonna keep it 100, so, like, who cares? I. I don't agree with him taking it down. I just don't. It doesn't. It's not gonna solve nothing for him, bro. He just wants a reason for. I'm. I'm stepping away from the pod, you know, I'm gonna be for focused on my team, bro. What? Do you hear that.
- [45:17]
Raja Bell
Man?
- [45:18]
Austin Rivers
I don't want to hear none of that. I don't want to hear none of that. Yeah, I. I ain't rolling with that. No.
- [45:22]
Logan Murdoch
Rob, what do you think about a. A, you're number one, stepping away or even having a podcast? I know. It's two totally different eras, right? And, like, I don't know if you could even fathom that in a locker room, but, like, what do you think of the decision?
- [45:35]
Raja Bell
I. Listen, man, I'm not all the way tapped into this story. I'm gonna keep it a buck. And I. And I do not know what potting would be like if I was in a locker room and I was trying to keep it a buck. Like, I don't even know what Paul George's pot is about. Or, or this is a basketball.
- [45:50]
Austin Rivers
He don't say nothing, though. He don't. You don't ever see Paul George come across saying stuff like, he's never disrespectful with nobody. You know, he's a fun, good, established podcast.
- [45:58]
Raja Bell
Well, that's what's up. Like, as long as you're not, like, if, if you're not, you're not having incendiary comments about teammates and other cats in the league and stuff like that. I don't see it have. I don't see it being an issue in today's, in today's culture. Like, I don't think it's a big deal. So as far as, as far as him taking it down goes, then I probably tend to agree with Austin on that. Like, like, you're taking it down now because it's, it's. You just.
- [46:19]
Austin Rivers
They came out, they came out with the stat on Instagram, like, three weeks ago that he's had more episodes than. What was it like? Do you remember that? He's put out more episodes than, like, point like the 20 point? And strategically, a week later, he decides he's not going to do it no more. I'm telling you, this is also, this is all just for the social media liking. And my thing is, Paul, you're above this. You've not. Paul George isn't Austin Rivers. You're not a role player. Like, if I was, if I had a pod and it was causing problems, I'd have to take it down, bro. You are a max player. You've always been a max player. You're an all star. You're a borderline, you know, hof. You know what I mean? He'd have to, you know, that's a different conversation. But he's been putting up 20 point. You know, some of these other guys got in. Paul George is probably inclined to get in too, to be completely honest. And, you know, I just. You having a podcast got nothing to do with anything. He's doing it. It was never a distraction for the team early in the year when they were struggling. It was never a distraction last year. It was never a distraction the year before. But now suddenly, some statistics come out on Instagram and now everyone's calling him Podcast P because he's not playing one. He's like, so, so, so.
- [47:29]
Logan Murdoch
The tweet was, Paul George has more YouTube podcast clips than Field Goal since joining the clip.
- [47:37]
Austin Rivers
And that right there went viral. And then a week later he says, I'm gonna take the pod down, bro. Don't listen to these dudes. Who cares? You damn right. You have had more clips, and I got more clips coming. That's how he should have responded. I got more clips coming.
- [47:49]
Logan Murdoch
But he's not. But, Austin, he's not. Draymond. Draymond would say you, and Draymond has said you to both the. The podcast listenership and other players on the team and other players on the other team. They're two different people. They're just two different people.
- [48:02]
Austin Rivers
No, I agree. That's why I don't agree with. And listen, I'm not saying he has to go say everybody, but he could just not even respond to it and just keep doing his podcast. And if he plays better, no one's going to talk about it anymore. If this dude had 40 tomorrow night, no one would care that he recorded a pod the next day. It just. No one would care.
- [48:20]
Logan Murdoch
Austin, you know, we have the luxury of right now a resident Philly fan. Cliff, come on, really quickly. We want to hear what you have to say. About what? About Podcast P. Right now, you guys care. You got the Eagles. He got the Temple.
- [48:33]
Austin Rivers
He got everything.
- [48:34]
Logan Murdoch
He's ready to go. Look, Cliff, how do you feel?
- [48:38]
Cliff
This is how I feel, bro. Like you said, the comments. He started reading the comments underneath his post. He started getting. Catching the heat a little bit. People was on his ass because, you know, it's Philly. Everybody just got an opinion out here. Sports fans is crazy. Austin, as you know, your pop obviously coach here for a couple years.
- [48:55]
Austin Rivers
Brutal.
- [48:55]
Cliff
Yeah, yeah. And you know, it falls on players, coaches. Roger. Yeah. Roger Bell, you play here. You already know how the fans are. The Eagles is popping right now. Now that the super bowl is over with, all the focus is on the Sixers, and the focus is on, oh, this dude is still potting while, you know, dropping 12, 13, 14.
- [49:13]
Logan Murdoch
But y'all would hate anything if it's not good, right? Like, if y'all would hate on anything. That's your whole thing, right?
- [49:19]
Austin Rivers
That's for sure.
- [49:21]
Cliff
People, yo, Philly's full of haters, yo. Like, I'm a rational person. No, I'm dead serious.
- [49:25]
Logan Murdoch
But, like, you're a real rational person.
- [49:27]
Cliff
Yeah, I'm an actual rational Philadelphia. Whereas most of these people are like. And again, I follow, like, all, like, the little Philly pages on Instagram, like, the school, Paul Felicia room, all that, right? And then, like, they'll always put up Paul Georgia stuff. And when he put up that video the other day of saying, yeah, I'm Taking a break. Da da da da. They're like, bro, are you serious now you want to do this? Just like, what is the time? Like, the timing of this is so horrible. Like, what's the point of it?
- [49:52]
Austin Rivers
Just keep buying games. Yeah, hello. Yeah, since he's. Since he's not doing the pod no more, Cliff, this better go off. I want him to be better. He gotta ask 35. That's my point. If anything, you're putting more pressure on yourself now. If you still play bad, they gonna be like, damn, it ain't got nothing to do with the pod. You just stop playing with. You know what I'm saying? Like, don't even. Don't even do. Okay, so that like don't even have a good podcast. It makes no sense.
- [50:18]
Logan Murdoch
The other thing is. The other thing is this, right? And I said this over to Summer and I don't know, it got some traction. But basically when Paul left la, I was like, well, he better get fucking ready. Because no one cares about what he does in as a clipper, off the court and anything. But like when he goes to Philly, people are going to care about his every move and it's going to be very interesting to see how he handles it. Do you think that he took into account the differences in fan bases when he did it or he just thought it was funny?
- [50:49]
Austin Rivers
Like, nobody's ready for Philly. I'll be honest with you, man. My pops coached there for a couple years in age 10 years. They had before. Before, before he, before he coached Philly. You never heard that three one stuff all the time for those. And I haven't even heard it a lot since my. My pops was one of the most hated coaches on social media for like two, three years. I'm telling you, it's facts, man. He was there.
- [51:13]
Logan Murdoch
Docs are really cool, dude, bro. Doc's cool as.
- [51:16]
Austin Rivers
And again, this is what I'm talking about with, with media and how things can be produced, portrayed, how Russ is portrayed, bro. My father is second all time and wins as an African American coach and he's gonna be number one pretty soon here. That's a hell of an accomplishment to be the all time winningest coach as a black man in the NBA. We don't ever hear that stat. You talk about Doc 3:1 lead, bro. He blew a 3:1 lead a couple times in his life versus teams that went to the finals. What are we talking about? He got fired from Philly for losing to a team that was favored to beat him. They lost to Boston in Game 7. And they fired him still. And that shit's been only worse since he's left. He built everything in the Clip, the Clipper. The Clippers won since he got fired. Hell no. They've gone backwards. Had Philly going backwards. I. And I'll be honest with you, Cliff, I hate saying this. I ain't got nothing against people in Philly, but that damn city, bro. The. The. The way. The way y'all fans, be careful.
- [52:04]
Cliff
Be careful.
- [52:07]
Raja Bell
There's gonna be a lot of beers.
- [52:08]
Austin Rivers
Coming in your comments.
- [52:09]
Logan Murdoch
A lot of beers.
- [52:10]
Cliff
Exactly.
- [52:10]
Logan Murdoch
A lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of. Very well, medic appear talking in your comments.
- [52:15]
Austin Rivers
All I'm saying is. All I'm. I'm not. I'm not sitting on Philly in any way. All I'm saying is if you go play there, just know it is brutal. It is brutal. If it's hard, they love Jaylen hurts right now. Jalen hurts. Can't do no wrong. You know what I'm saying? Like, I wonder how he keeps that up. Like, it's insane out there. I never seen a fame base like it, bro. Like, the way y'all are able to build someone up or bring someone down, especially y'all are talented clips.
- [52:38]
Logan Murdoch
Yeah.
- [52:41]
Cliff
Hey, look, people will turn on you immediately out here. Like, look at him be right now, right? Like, granted, you know, he started the season off injured. He's been injured for, you know, his entirety of his career. He's. He's. I think he's played, like, 430 games, and he's missed 402 games.
- [52:58]
Austin Rivers
It's like 50. 50.
- [52:59]
Cliff
It's crazy. It's crazy. The ratio that it is. But when he's playing and when he's hooping, it's all love, right? But, like, right now, bro, I went to the game on Saturday or last Saturday when they played the Nets. I mean, I'm hearing booze for Embiid. It's just.
- [53:14]
Austin Rivers
So that's the point. Yeah, that's my point. Low. That's. So this is all I'm trying to say. If you're Paul George, that's why you're pulling your pot for them. For them. They're going to judge you regardless, fam. And by the way, when you retire, they're not going to do nothing for you. He's already built out. It'd be one thing to get a bullshit podcast Paul George actually has. It's really good. It's really good. Good podcast. Even the nickname podcast P. Bro, run with it. Okay? You're not Playing well this year, Paul, you've had. You've been all Star ten times. Who cares? You're above this. That's what I'm saying. I just feel like he's too big of a player to even.
- [53:48]
Logan Murdoch
Yeah, don't let it get in. In the way of your money, bro. This is a good pod.
- [53:52]
Austin Rivers
You built a brand, you got a pod. By the way, Paul, all you gotta do is play well. They don't give a about nothing else. Philly fans don't care nothing about. They parlay. All you got to do is go out there and play well and win some games and these fans can get their money and cheer on their sports teams because Philly has an expectation that city is a championship city. Listen, basketball, football, they like to be good at everything. It's just like Boston, like, you got to really. In New York, those big major cities, they got sports teams. If you don't play well, they're going to crush you regardless. He knew that going there.
- [54:21]
Cliff
Austin, at the end of the day.
- [54:22]
Austin Rivers
Did the commercial level. Philly's a different level.
- [54:25]
Cliff
At the end of the day, was Paul just looking at his comments on his Instagram, like, yo, get back to hooping, yo, why don't you drop some points?
- [54:31]
Austin Rivers
It's cold in Philly.
- [54:32]
Logan Murdoch
There ain't else to do but be on Instagram.
- [54:34]
Cliff
So is he just. Look. Is he just looking at his IG comments? Just saying like, yo, I'm out. I can't do this.
- [54:40]
Austin Rivers
Right?
- [54:40]
Cliff
I can't take this.
- [54:41]
Austin Rivers
That's exactly. That's. That's. Cliff just nailed it right there. That's my. That's. That's the reason why I'm just like, I don't agree with it. I don't think it's going to help. It doesn't correlate. You're only doing it because it came on Instagram and it became a thing. But it's not really a thing. It's only a thing once you made it. Now it's a thing. We got to talk about it now. Because he came out, bro. If he would have never. If you would continue to the podcast, we wouldn't be talking about this right now. Yeah, but here we are.
- [55:04]
Logan Murdoch
Just be like, Roger. Just say him. Just say him. Every time I come to Roger with something like, man, they go read the him.
- [55:11]
Austin Rivers
If he came out and did that same video, Let me. And I'm asking y'all, if he came out, did that same video, goes, listen, you know, I've seen a lot of comments about, you know, My podcast. That does not correlate with my professionalism and my. My. You know, my willingness to. To my team. I put all into. To being a Philadelphia 76er. I've not had a good year, and I plan on turning it around and having a da, da, da, da. By the way, you don't owe nobody nothing. But if you really wanted to say this, you could say that I'm not taking away my podcast because some people on Instagram feel away and are making some comments. You kiss my ass. You talking about. That's just ridiculous. He got a good show. He got a good show, man. Run that. Philly ain't gonna help you in five years from now when basketball's over.
- [55:51]
Raja Bell
Don't.
- [55:51]
Austin Rivers
Don't stop your brand because of this. If you score 30, I promise you Philly people. But we love you, Paul. Paulie, however they talk up there like, you'll be fine.
- [56:03]
Logan Murdoch
All right?
- [56:04]
Cliff
You gotta chill. You get a little bit.
- [56:06]
Logan Murdoch
We don't talk like that.
- [56:08]
Austin Rivers
I got a little built up. Not me. I'mma let him do his.
- [56:22]
Cliff
No, we not talking. We not doing a Paulie. No.
- [56:26]
Logan Murdoch
I love how. I love how Cliff said we ain't going to do no poorly and did it. A perfect inflection of what he said. He did a perfect inflection.
- [56:33]
Austin Rivers
I did a little Boston. I put a little Boston on it. I felt a little Boston.
- [56:38]
Logan Murdoch
What's the Poly versus the Poly? Cliff, what's the Paulie versus the Poly? Or Raja? If you have a Poly versus a Poly.
- [56:43]
Cliff
We don't say Paulie, period. Nobody named Paulie in Philly. He called him Paul. His nickname. Yeah.
- [56:50]
Logan Murdoch
Can y'all. Can y'all do a ball or a joke? Like, how do you. Is that. Is that a thing? I don't know. Yeah.
- [56:55]
Cliff
Bull. So he's a. He's a Philly Bull or she's.
- [56:57]
Logan Murdoch
He hasn't earned Philly ball, though. He ain't heard that.
- [57:00]
Cliff
No, definitely not. Tyrese Maxey is. That's a Philly bull. But, like, you know what I'm saying?
- [57:04]
Logan Murdoch
That's.
- [57:05]
Cliff
That's who earned it. You know what I'm saying?
- [57:07]
Logan Murdoch
Raja, any notes? I feel like you just. All you did was nod, and it was just okay.
- [57:11]
Austin Rivers
This conversation got away from Raj. This conversation got away from Raj.
- [57:14]
Raja Bell
I'm looking at.
- [57:16]
Logan Murdoch
To do, bro. Ross was checked out, like, 15 minutes ago when he just started nodding to Ron.
- [57:23]
Austin Rivers
Got Friday activities. Man, he ready.
- [57:25]
Raja Bell
He said it.
- [57:26]
Austin Rivers
I forgot about mine. I'm in here talking about Austin.
- [57:31]
Logan Murdoch
He got it.
- [57:31]
Cliff
He got.
- [57:32]
Logan Murdoch
He Got a bottle service coming to him at south beach today. That's what he said he got with his arena.
- [57:37]
Austin Rivers
He did say you were, you were going late.
- [57:38]
Logan Murdoch
Didn't say he's going to south bed.
- [57:40]
Austin Rivers
You did say that.
- [57:40]
Raja Bell
I do got. And, and honestly, it's all love for.
- [57:42]
Austin Rivers
Philly for me, by the way. I don't need that.
- [57:44]
Raja Bell
I don't team though. Home team dog like I am. Hey, that he's representing home team dog.
- [57:50]
Austin Rivers
Like, yeah, that's how one of my.
- [57:51]
Raja Bell
Sons come to my defense like that. I did, I did. I did right by.
- [57:54]
Austin Rivers
Yeah, bro. That's the only thing, man. I see some Philly was brutal with my pops. I just don't. I feel way about that. I don't got nothing against Philly personally. I just don't like how they did that. I didn't like that. And by the way, it's been going great since he's left, so congrats on all that. I hope that y'all keep that up. Y'all are doing a great job since it was all Doc's fault. Cliff. It was, it was, it was.
- [58:20]
Logan Murdoch
It was hard as fault too. Doc's fault.
- [58:24]
Cliff
Hey, man, I mean, I'm not gonna say it out loud, but we already know whose fault it is, man. It wasn't all Doc. It wasn't all Doc.
- [58:30]
Logan Murdoch
Wait, say it.
- [58:31]
Austin Rivers
Cliff.
- [58:31]
Cliff
What the.
- [58:32]
Logan Murdoch
You should be there. Go say it.
- [58:33]
Cliff
I mean, if we gonna say what if we gonna keep it 100 like we always do on this podcast, like real ones do. I mean, we gotta blame the dude that missed half his games up throughout his career, right? You can't be a part time superstar in the NBA. You can't. What type of. Now also real quick, speak on this. Yo, continuity of a team. No, I did say it. I did say I'm standing on that. Continuity of a team, right?
- [58:53]
Raja Bell
S T I n Cliff.
- [58:56]
Cliff
Continuity of a team. You can't just. Your star player can't be a part time basketball player, bro. Like, it's as simple as that. You just can't. You can't be a part time basketball player. As simple as that.
- [59:07]
Logan Murdoch
That's the Philly fans of the comments right there.
- [59:09]
Austin Rivers
Austin, mind you, he talks about a guy who won an mvp. That's the point. It'll never be enough. He. He said there's only two envy. You know what I'm saying?
- [59:19]
Logan Murdoch
I got you.
- [59:20]
Raja Bell
Yeah, no, but listen, listen, listen. I. I just need the Philly fan to understand this, okay? I didn't weigh in at all on that. Whole combo. Because I'm about to be out there. So when you see me, I ain't had shit to do. Cliff August A U G U S T I N okay, bro.
- [59:37]
Cliff
They see me every day, bro.
- [59:42]
Raja Bell
I will say this about a Philly fan, but I really do stand by. Fuck that, bro.
- [59:46]
Austin Rivers
You.
- [59:46]
Raja Bell
You. You're standing up for Pops. I'm always with that. The Philly fan walks a very fine line between being, like, an incredible sports fan and passionate and being a holes and any. No, but, like, listen, I say this affectionately. Like, I walk that line as a player. Like, incredibly passionate. And then I turn into an asshole. Anytime you walk that final line, you go cross it sometimes. And they just do, quite frankly. They cross it.
- [60:13]
Logan Murdoch
Yeah, for sure. But, hey, today's real one of the week. Like, you want to go? You want. You guys, you got one last point before we get up out of here. I got.
- [60:22]
Austin Rivers
No, no, I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I'm out.
- [60:25]
Logan Murdoch
All right, I branded outro to do. Today's rule of the week was presented by State Farm. State Farm is there with the coverage you need for your car, your home, Even boats, motorcycles, RVs, and other things that matter to you with the State Farm agent, you know, someone is there to help you choose the coverage you need. With so many coverage options, it feels good knowing that you can find what fits you like a good neighbor. State Farm is there, and like a good neighbor. Austin Rivers was a great guest. Raza. Yeah, Fantastic guest, brother.
- [60:54]
Austin Rivers
He dropped Misty an amazing transition law. That was incredible.
- [60:58]
Logan Murdoch
Thank you, buddy.
- [60:58]
Raja Bell
I do so good.
- [61:00]
Austin Rivers
You're talented at this.
- [61:01]
Logan Murdoch
Thank you, brother. We'll have you know the vibes. You know the vibes. We'll see you very soon. We'll see you during the postseason. That's Austin River. Austin. Austin Rivers. He's earned the nickname, ladies and gentlemen.
- [61:13]
Austin Rivers
He's here on the real.
- [61:16]
Logan Murdoch
Austin Rivers is here. He will be here soon. See you in the playoffs, buddy. Thanks so much.
- [61:21]
Austin Rivers
Appreciate you guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Y'all be easy. Enjoy your Friday, Ron. Stay in the trouble.
- [61:25]
Raja Bell
Yeah. Appreciate that.
- [61:26]
Logan Murdoch
Yeah. Shout out to. Shout out to everybody. Ah, all this shout out. South beach. Bye.
- [61:40]
Raja Bell
Must be 21 plus and President select states for Kansas and affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 + and present in D.C. gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-887-897777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 800-327-5050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-87-7-8, HOPE NY or text HOPENY in New York.