Kenny Anderson | Championing Through Life an Inspiring Journey - Mick Unplugged [Ep 4]

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the next and latest greatest episode of Mick Unplugged. And today, this is personal. We're talking to one of my goats. As a matter of fact, when I talk to this person, when I text and communicate, I always say, my goat. How are you doing, ladies and gentlemen? And I have to read this off, so if you're watching the video, you're going to see me reading because I can't. I can't miss this four time parade. All American, McDonald's All American High school player of the year in College, consensus first team all American, all ACC, number two pick of the 1991 NBA draft, La Frac City's finest. My goat. Mr. Kenny Anderson. Kenny, welcome to the show. My brother.

Thanks for having me on. And it's a blessing being on here and letting everybody know my history, where I come from, what I'm doing now, my life is. It's going well and I appreciate it.

I appreciate you back, man. And you know, we've had a lot of talks off, offline, and you know what you mean to me and to my story in my life, so I truly appreciate you in that. But hearing those accolades, man, like sometimes do you go back and say, is that really me?

No, not really. I started playing basketball at a young age, at about six years old. But it came to me my freshman year in high school when we won the city championship. I was 15 years old. That's when it took off for me. You know, I was at Archbishop Malloy High School, right? Jack Carroll was my coach. And what was very unique about that whole situation, I never played the first quarter. I only played three quarters. It happened fast for me, but it happened the right way for me at the right school. I had mentors. I just had a. I had a great team that I listened to. And thank God I was able to overcome all my differences in my life, man.

And let's dive into that, right? Because at McPlugged and you know this about me, Kenny, I'm all about diving deeper than your why, right? Like, I think your why is superficial. But there's a reason that makes us who we are. There's a reason that propels us forward. And I call that our. Because in your illustrious career, you've seen a lot, you've been through a lot, and now you're coaching and you're transforming and inspiring other people to do that. But if we were to look back at your career, it was fueled by more than just talent.

Yeah, it was fueled for more than talent. I was possessed to take care of my mother. I come from nothing. I remember one day I asked my mentor, Vincent Smith, I said, I want to take care of my mother. How can I do that? He said, listen, you go to school, you're going to Archbishop High School, do well in school, crack the books, play basketball, and I tell you, you'll make it. You'll. You'll be able to take care of your mother. So I zeroed in on it, and that's all I did. Play ball. Went to school and worked out on my game at the Lost Battalion hall in Queens, New York. Now it's turning into a shelter now for the homeless. So that's a great thing. That's a great thing for the homeless, so they have somewhere to put their head and lay down and live it. I've been blessed to play the game that I love. I did my documentary, and my slogan is, basketball is easy, life is hard. So that's just. That's just how I came up. I remember growing up, my junior year in high school, one of my best years ever played basketball. But I got evicted. Me and my mother out apartment, got evicted that year, moved in with my cousin, and my mother used to come see me every morning before I went to school. My life has been, you know, upside down, crazy at times. At times. But it was. It was always put together, you know, for my. My beliefs. My belief is I'm gonna make it out of the ghetto. And by that, playing ball, going to school, being a humble person, my mother taught me that, you know.

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You're tuning in to Candy Crush Music season with me, DJ Divine Sweet We've had a request from Tiffy to drop the new Thundercat track Upside Down Delicious. But you can do more than just listen. Go to candycrushupsidedown.com to swipe and pop the music video from November 3rd to December 7th. Selected players level 36 + terms apply. See in game optional in game purchases. Okay, how big I got the game of basketball, but I was always humble.

Yes, sir.

Even bragging, joking around. I don't even know how to do that. I get a little, you know, bothered by doing, you know, just dragging and saying this and I don't even get into that. I just, you know, I was blessed to play the game I love. And that's the game of basketball.

I get it. I get it. And one of the things that I love about you and why, you know, again, you told me not to talk about Carolina, but even though I went to Carolina Tech, one of the things I loved about Kenny Anderson was this. You worked, right? Like, a lot of folks have talent. Like, there's people in business that are better than me, right? Like, I don't. I don't have the sharpest of business minds. Like, I feel like I'm up there, but I'm not the best. But no one's ever going to outwork me or outthink me or they're not going to be fueled the way that I'm fueled internally. And that's what made me connect with you at a very young age was I saw that in your face on the basketball court. I was like, there's something that's making Kenny Anderson different. Like, what do you think that. I know it's your mom in the story, the connection.

I know people get tired of me saying it was just my mom. I wanted to take care of my mother. So I had to work extremely hard. And this is where the story from 13 to 35. You know, that's what high school. Jack Kern, Album of law. High school is great. Georgia Tech, Bobby Crimmins, Kevin Cantwell, Sherman Dillard. Those are my assistant coaches at Georgia Tech. And then it started getting great. That's where the NBA came in. Came in and it was just all about the business aspect of it. And I never experienced that. So I was just, I just wanted to play ball and enjoy my life. When money gets involved in anything, it gets kind of sticky. But that's when it changed me a little bit. And I was able to take care of my mother. But you know, I just, I just didn't continue working extremely hard. You know, when I got to the NBA, kind of tilted it off. I say it, you know, I was able to, I was able to do, you know, if you had much talent as I had, I was able to just cut it on and off. But most people can't do that, right. You know what I mean? In my situation. But I know I, I would have had a crazy NBA career if I would have continued to work extremely hard on my craft, which I didn't. A little bit I didn't.

So here's why I'm going to give you some accolades. Because you know, I'm left handed. My, my first jersey number was seven. But I always tell people this. Kenny Anderson created the combo point guard. Like you were the first one. Like I remember watching Georgia Tech games, fast break. Most of the time people go in for a layup or jam. Kenny Anderson is pulling up and shooting a 12 footer on a fast break, right. Like the world hadn't seen that before. Now it's the norm. Do you feel like you were a trendsetter in that combo guard kind of aspect?

I don't know about it was I was trendsetter. But this is certain. I just did the drills me and my guy Vincent Smith worked on, right. So you know, we, we worked on at the Lost Battalion Hall a lot. The short pull up right under the foul. I used to do thousands of shots, thousands. With my left hand speed to pull it up my right hand through middle side. Oh, just constantly, constantly just working on my game, my craft. That's just what I did. And then when I got to college level high school, it just was like automatic because I worked on my game.

Yes, sir. Throughout your journey from the courts in New York, going to Georgia Tech and in the NBA and even your story, right. Like I've seen Mr. Chibbs no lie 100 times. Cause you're my guy.

You like it?

I love it. I'm giving it a shameless plug, like, right now. Mr. Chibbs, everybody go watch it at least five times, because it's that gravitating. You went through a lot of challenges, a lot of adversity. What do you think is the most significant challenge that you've overcome that's helped shape who you are today?

Wow, that's. That's a tough question.

And I know you don't have one.

You have.

You have a few that you've overheard.

Yeah, a few. But I. I just think the. The main thing is, through all. Everything I've been through and all that, I. I just remain to be a good person. It's really simple. But I really can't put my hands on. You know, I did this. Everything went through. I. I worked hard. I did. It's just so. So many things were thrown at me. I failed a bunch of times, and I was able to get back up, dust myself off, and work on it, you know, and. And I just thank God that I was able to do that. Even with my health, you know, I was able to rebound from that. The bottom line is, it's gone. I can't even speak highly of what's been going on in my life, but I see all the great things is going on. It's because of God. He's just helping me out. And it was one thing also. I just stop, you know, hanging out with certain people, sitting, Sitting out, thinking a lot and seeing how people move, and boom, it comes to you when you see that, when you're able to just sit back and not talk a lot, just listen, you get smarter. And I've gotten smarter over the course of years, able to see, you know, who's in it for Kenny Anderson and who's not.

You know, I talk all the time about making sure your circle is tight and then always looking at your circle, because here's what I've learned in my life. Everyone that' for you isn't always for.

You, they want the praise and all that for being a part of what you have. You just got to be careful that that's something I deal with early in my life. But now it's really changed. I'm a Little Older now, 53. I've been through it, so it's. It's really tough getting anything off of me now. I love it.

I'm the same way. Same way. A couple more questions. I'm gonna get you out of here because you've been gracious with your time. I. I hear you talk a lot about the difference in, in good and great. And now that you're a coach, right, like you have that conversation with the difference in good and great from the world of Kenny Anderson. What's the difference between good and great? To you?

Good is you just want to be good at something. You just put the time in every now and then. But great. You discipline your time, you know, being disciplined with your time and going after it. If you want to be a basketball player, you got to work on your craft. And I tell all the guys, you got to, you're in college, so you work at school, get your good grades and basketball, that's, that's what you should be doing. That's what should be on your mind, just getting better. You shouldn't be doing all the partying and the drinking, the smoking and that's not going to get it. And I got to keep drilling that in these young men head that I'm coaching, mentoring and everything. You just got to keep working. If you're serious about playing anywhere in basketball, NBA, overseas, anything. Playing college basketball, playing at Fish University, playing helping a team win. You got to work on your craft, you got to work out. Watch what you eat, watch what you drink, watch what you smoke. If you anything, you got to be more committed. And I say the commitment is the, is the big thing. If you're willing to, to put the work in, it will work. It will work. Patience, Patience is a virtue. You know, my mother taught me that many years ago. Patience is a virtue. You just got to keep working. Keep working, keep working and it'll turn for you. If you're doing the right things in life. That's right. It's not gonna, it's not gonna be successful. You don't want that quick thought them and stuff like that. You want to sit down and just keep working.

Yes, sir. So now the head coach at Fisk.

Yeah, right.

Team's had a decent year. Yes, but, but you're doing more than coaching basketball, right? Because I know you, you're teaching young men about building a future and a legacy because you know everybody's not going to make it to the league, everybody's not going to make it overseas. There are some folks, there's actually a lot of folks that the day that they graduate college or leave, they got to go get a job. How are you helping shape that vision for, for the players that you interact with on the day?

That's mainly at first. I don't, I don't have, you know, you got to think that no One is going to go here and make it to the league. The NBA is 1% makes it, and then you go overseas. That the percentages is probably a little bit higher. But just commit yourself to life lessons. I give my team my life lessons of how I grew up and everything like that, and hopefully it's helping them grow as human beings. I'm here for a reason, you know, I'm here at Fist for a reason. These guys, they've been great. They've been great. Winning games is half the battle, you know, but they're graduating. Being a good teammate, being a good citizen to your mother, to your family, that's the best thing. That's. If I could teach them that, get across to them and get it in their mind, I did my job. I'm a, you know, real believer here at Fist, you know, gave me my first college job, something I always will remember, coaching these guys, coaching that fist, teaching these guys the right way. And we having a great year this year, you know, so it's a blessing for me to be a part of this and to give them a. A helping hand in life. In life. Not just athletic. That's. It's bigger than basketball. I always say that to my team. It's bigger than basketball. I'm here for you. I'm here for you for the rest of your life. Call on me if I can help you. You guarantee I'm gonna help my guys, that. That even the young ladies around here, the HBCufish universe, if you call on me, if I can help you, I will give you a helping hand. That's what I'm about, helping others form their. Their goals in life, whatever that is.

Absolutely. And I'm a testament of that because I know how generous you are with me. So again, I always tell you, I appreciate you more than you know. You don't know how much you inspire people that aren't necessarily in your circle, but you. Your reach is tremendous, and so I appreciate for that, man. I'm gonna get you out of here with a few personal questions, okay? First one, why Georgia Tech and not Carolina? The people want to know.

Oh, people want to know. It's a story I tell all the time. It was my mother. My mother wanted me to go to Georgia Tech because I believe Coach Crimmins. She really believed in Coach Crimmins and the Southern hospitality in Atlanta. When I first went down, it was awesome. UNC had a great program. I really wanted to go to Syracuse because of Pearl Washington.

Right.

And my mother was like, nope. I listened to My mother, man, that's one of the reasons I went to Georgia Tech. You know, I listened to my mother. She was like, you're going to Georgia Tech. And I was like, okay. That's what it was. That's what it was all about.

Yes, sir. Who was Kenny Anderson's favorite teammate, college or pro?

College was Dennis Scott, Brian Oliver, Malcolm Mackey. We had a. We was all roommates, suite mates. It was great. But my whole team was my in college Georgia Tech. I love those guys. Coach Crimmins, Kevin Cantwell, Sherman Dillard is now that assistant coach at Iowa University. He coached me that whole program at Georgia Tech. When I was there was just a one. It was special.

Love it. What about NBA?

NBA? I would say Raphael Addison. He played with Syracuse, played with me with the Nets. He was just a good friend. We was awesome together. I really got into in tune with him. I love Derrick Coleman. Draza Petrovich was great. Sam Bowie, that, that team. The first year I went on with Mookie Blaylock, that whole team was pretty good, but we just couldn't beat Chicago because of Michael Jordan. But we had a good team. The NBA for me was another fantastic run. I played for New Jersey Nets for four years, Boston Celtics for five. Portland Trailblazers was awesome. Played with Rasheed Wallace, Portland and Portland. Jermaine o', Neal, his first year coming out from high school to pro was with Portland. I played with him. He was a great young man. NBA. I played with some great shooters. As you know, I always. My shoes. I played with Dennis Scott, played with Glen Rice, Dale Carey, Reggie Miller.

Yes, sir.

I played with all those guys. I understand the game. You know, basketball, easy. Life is hard.

Yes, sir.

You know, so NBA was awesome for me, man. I really enjoyed it. I made the all star team one year in 1994. Yeah, me and Derrick Coleman, we represented the New Jersey Nets. It was awesome. You know, we. We started. So that, that tells you something.

What was that? Like, what was your, your first All Star Game like? Like, what was your. Your thought process going in and then was it with the guys?

Yeah, it was. It was snowing. I know we had a blizzard in Minnesota and some people got in, some people didn't. It was. It was kind of crazy. I really didn't think nothing of it. You know, I just wanted to participate. When I made it, I was so happy. But I made the votes. I made it on votes. So I know, you know, I. I wasn't sure this is how I was with New Jersey. I don't know. I just wanted to make it for my fans. And I made. I started because of the fans, the coaches. I don't know about them. You know, some coaches is fake, man. You know, I'll be real with it. They don't like you. They won't put you on the team. So they was out of. They was out of the picture. So the fans is the love. So that. That was a blessing for me to make it. Fans was awesome, and they've been awesome with me through high school. College pros. My fans is awesome, man. I love.

I'm one of them.

Yeah.

Even though you went to the wrong school, I always like, you can ask anyone that knows me. They will tell you. You ask me who my favorite college basketball player of all times, Kenny Anderson. And I went to unc, so I'm.

Glad I'm doing this show for you. And thank you. Thank you for just believing in me and just cheering for me and being a fan. That's awesome.

Absolutely. Absolutely. So, ladies and gentlemen, my goat, Mr. Kenny Anderson. Kenny, again, appreciate you, man. You have no idea. We're gonna get up together because I'm in Nashville quite a bit now, but. But can't wait to do that. For those that aren't following Kenny Anderson, follow. He's always dropping words of wisdom even though he doesn't think he's funny. He's funny sometimes. You always see him with his daily Starbucks. What'd you have this morning? What was your Starbucks?

Starbucks. Got it with me, man. Yes. I'm Americano. That's the strongest coffee with two, three sugars and cream. That's what I do. That's what I get out with.

I'm a wimp. I don't like hot coffee. Mine is always ice, but I'm always a iced vanilla latte.

Yeah. Oh, okay. Maybe I'll get that for you my next time. But I'm always Americano in the morning. And I now this real thing with Starbucks, I gotta go every morning because I go, I meet people in there, we just talk. It's a great building block for me, and my wife knows that, like, I got wherever I'm at. I said, we gotta find a Starbucks, and I gotta go in there for at least 30 minutes. It's something that happened to me, and I just. It grew on me. Starbucks. And I like going in there, talking to people, meeting people and going over all my stats and all that with my team. I sit down and I get my head right. So I'm always at Starbucks for an hour and a half to maybe two, but cut it a half hour if I'm in another town.

Yeah, it's that Zen moment, right? Like, you have that moment. It's like, this is me. This is my world.

Yes.

Well, Kenny, I appreciate you. For the listeners, you know this your because is your superpower. And like my man Kenny Anderson says, go unleash it.

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