Norman Powell reacts to Draymond’s NIGHT NIGHT celly vs. Rudy Gobert + funny Kawhi Raptors stories

What's up everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green Show with my dog BD.

What's up?

Before we get into this episode, make sure you subscribe to the Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis so you don't miss any episodes.

Follow the show on Twitter, Draymond Show, so you don't miss none of these major announcements. And I'm happy to introduce a Bruin legend, NBA champion, Mr. I'm not a shot— a tough shot taker, I'm a tough shot maker, see a bucket, be a bucket, certified bucket getter, my dog, Los Angeles Clipper guard, and NBA All-Star candidate, Norman Powell.

What's going on, man? Appreciate the interview and the intro, man. Excited to be here.

It's great to see you having the year you having because I feel like every time we would play y'all, you would bust our ass anyway. So it's good to see you doing it to everyone else now and everyone get a taste of what you've been doing to the Warriors for years, brother. But the year you having, man, it's great to see.

I appreciate that, man. Especially coming from you, man. It means a lot.

Norm, I remember your pre-draft workout with the Warriors and sitting in the locker room chopping it up with you. After the workout.

Yeah, that was a minute ago, man. Damn, 10 years.

I thought there was a chance. I thought there was a chance you would end up with us.

That would've been— See, the problem was back then I couldn't shoot.

That is true. That is true. And we needed shooting at that time.

Yeah, 'cause I remember you at school at UCLA and like you was a slasher, defensive player. Just talk about really your evolution. You know what I mean? UCLA coming in as a dunker, highlight dude, to like your senior year being the scorer, one of the top scorers on the team, and then your NBA progress.

Yeah, I think just the development piece, you know, I mean, especially going to UCLA, like all of us coming outta high school, we was the guy, you know what I'm saying? We're scoring, we're doing everything, team's playing through us, you know, going to UCLA, you know, I still thought I was gonna be that guy. But being under Coach Howland, you know, Howland was in the half court, you know, it was all defense, slow it down, grind it out, out, run sets, you know, and it really didn't tailor my game. But I thought those 2 years under him helped me defensively. And then when we got Coach Alford, it really opened up my game offensively, you know. But I think still by that time, like, I wasn't shooting the 3-ball that well, you know, still slashing transition, getting to the basket, you know, getting on the rim. And then going to pre-draft and working out, we did a high emphasis on just making sure my shooting was consistent. And we knew that, you know, for me to get drafted and me to make it on the NBA floor is gonna be the defensive side of things. So I was just focused on that, you know, and then once I got my foot in the door, it was all about showing them a little bit more. You know, I always felt like I was a scorer. I always was able to put the ball in the basket. I just wasn't able to do that and show that consistently in my college career. And once I got a chance to do that, and you know, the floor in the NBA opens up, there's nobody sitting in the paint. There's no, you know, they got a lot of rotations and things.

Right.

So I think just going in the summer league It really opened up my game fully, you know, and being able to show that I can score. And I think I averaged 20 right off the bat in summer league. And that really kind of put the eyes in that I can, you know, I have the ability to put the ball in the basket on the NBA level. And then it was just continuing to work, you know, and learn and grow the game.

Yep, absolutely. Hey, before you say something, Draymond Green, you know, you talked about the league, You talked about isos. Like, you know, I like to throw in these icebreakers, you know, Norm, you know, before we move to the next, you know, this is about you, but I gotta talk about defensive players and my boy Draymond Green's play against Rudy Gobert. Mm-hmm. Walked him down Norman Powell style. You feel what I'm saying? Cuff dunk. Then the Monday night, night-night celebration.

I was telling him before that, man, where that come from? Went back to the founding youth.

Ain't seen that in a minute.

You know, I don't dunk anymore, man. If I have the opportunity, I just lay the ball up, go and get the 2 points and run back, man. But I knew, I don't know, man. I turned that corner. I knew I had to turn that over.

The funny part is it was the perfect setup because it was against Rudy too.

Like all the stuff going on.

It was against him. He backing up too. I knew what time it was. I was like, oh, he about to go at him.

Hey man, he start throwing elbow. He kept throwing elbows at me, bro. I was chilling. I wasn't trying to cause no issues. And he kept throwing elbows at me, bro. Even the one where he flopped with like the, ah, like, ah. But man, flop. Like before he took off, bro, he threw this crazy elbow at me. I'm like, man, y'all keep letting bruh throw elbows at me. This is crazy.

They don't know, man. Rudy sneak dirty, man. Rudy sneak dirty.

It's crazy. It's crazy, bro. Dude just be throwing elbows.

But that was fun. Hey, hey, hey, Dre, hold on. That was fun. I wanna know, I know you gotta walk, you gotta walk us through the setup. What made you, you know what I mean? Like what, you saw Rudy go bare, you know what I mean? So I know Norm know as an ISO dude, oh my God, this the dude I have problems with on the island. 'Cause you went between the legs. You had a bop about yourself.

No, so I'm gonna take you through the whole thing. So we go to timeout and Seth Cooper tells me like, "Yo, you should get it and go." And like, "You gonna have Rudy on you." And so I'm like, "All right." I was like, "All right." But I ain't about to say that to Steve. Like, "Yo, Steve, give me the ball." So I'm like, "All right." Sure enough, he come from behind the bench and he tells Steve like, "Yo, you should give Draymond, like get the ball to Draymond. He gonna have Rudy on him. He can just set the offense. Everybody else, Jaden McDaniels, all them, they gonna be pressuring everybody." He's like, "So get the ball to Draymond. He can set the offense." And so I go into, I start going to twin, twin. Now what I'm initially thinking is, He dropping, I'm gonna hand this ball back to Steph. But once he started dropping and Steph started coming up, I just took the rub, rub screen. Steph set a great screen. And I turned that mug over. And then I hit him with the night-night. And it's crazy because I really started doing the night-night because I thought they called the foul 'cause Jaden McDaniels pushed the shit outta me. Right. So I thought they called it and-one, but I couldn't hear it. So I started doing the night-night and then I realized we needed to run back. And it's crazy. KD texted me last night. The first text I saw was K saying, yo, you a fool for running down the court full speed doing night-night. I didn't know till I watched it, bro. I had blacked out. I didn't know till I watched the video.

All the way down court. Yeah, bro, that was hilarious, man. They got this man going crazy.

I did not all the way down the court, bro.

Somebody sleepwalking.

It was a big step down the court too, man. That shit was hilarious, dog.

It was like a night-night mixed with a Shaq come back down the court. I appreciate, I appreciate the big fella and Steph for letting me do a rendition of what they do, man. I appreciate it. Hey Norm, speaking of going back to college, you just spoke about, Coach Howland. And I have an issue, you know, oftentimes teams have shootarounds, practices when they're in LA at UCLA. And every time I walk in that gym, I get offended. And I wanna know how you feel about this. I get offended because everybody's on the wall is a first round pick. And it's just like, it's no, like, respect for second round picks. And I look up there and I'm like, damn, if I'm a second round, like if I went here, y'all wouldn't even have me on y'all wall. I think that's quite dumb. And so then I immediately think about you, Norman. I'm like, y'all not gonna have Norman Powell on y'all wall. Now you become an all-star this year, possibly. And if that happened, and then it really looks stupid, like wow. Yeah. Y'all don't have Norman Powell on y'all. I get offended every time I walk in there. So I just want to know how you feel about that because BD was just talking about, man, I come in the UCLA football game and Norm, Norm go to that seat, I go to the bowl, but they don't got you on a wall. And I personally feel some type of way about that. So I need to know how you feel about it.

Yeah, I mean, you know, I do feel some type of way about it, but at the same, like at the same time, like I respect the tradition of UCLA, you know what I'm saying? Like, You got like all-time greats there. Like it's, it's so hard to crack that, that, uh, uh, that door open, man. You know what I'm saying? Like even like BD, like BD is like, you know what I'm saying? They like top 3, top 5 point guards that ever come out of there. You know what I mean? Like, you know, and—

But I ain't crack nothing, Norm. I ain't crack nothing. I ain't got no Final Four. I ain't got no All-American.

That's what I'm saying. It's so hard. Like the requirements, like even like they have a setup. I don't know if you've been in like the, like the Paulie hallway going to the basketball, the men's side, like they have a whole wall of like the All-Americans and it's like 4-time NCAA, whatever, like first selection. It's 3-time this. And I'm like, dudes ain't even like in school long enough to get that.

Hey bro.

So y'all, neither one of y'all did, neither one of y'all did anything.

Nothing. Like, like the standard is so crazy. The standard is crazy at UCLA.

I was— I didn't go to UCLA. I was a Spartan dog, BD, but I did all that. Yeah, I know. I was Spartan dog.

I know it's tough, bro. Like, you know what I mean? At UCLA it's tough. It's just tough to crack that code. Then you gotta win a national championship. Then, you know, it's like— Is Kevin Love's jersey retired?

No, he wasn't. No, like Russ, K-Love, like we can go down the line. Like nobody, like Drew, none of those guys' jersey will ever be retired.

Who's the last jersey to be retired?

Ed O'Bannon.

Jesus, y'all some bums. 1995.

Hey, BD.

All-American.

BD.

Hey, bro. I just want all y'all to know, you, Norm, Russ, K-Love, Drew.

Zach.

I just want all y'all to know, Zach, you too, Loon. I just want all y'all to know, bro, y'all some dogs.

You just know the Spurs wasn't in the finals, so it's all right.

Y'all gotta get them chips up, you know what I mean? Y'all gotta get them chips up. Then you would've had it.

Yeah, man, literally. Like, if you're not winning the championship, like, they not even hanging up like anything less. Like, Sweet Sixteens don't get hung up. Like, Elite Eights don't get— Final Fours, none of that. If it's not a championship, it's not going. And if it's NIA championship, whatever it is, like, it's going to the student recreation center. Like, we not putting that up in Paulie. Like, it's crazy.

Come on, man. We lead the universities in the most champions. You know what I mean? We are a championship unit. Draymond, you don't wanna do this.

You don't wanna do this right now. I actually love UCLA. Tell him, Norm.

Tell him, Norm.

You know what's ironic about UCLA is we don't live too far away from LA. My kid, like DJ, loves UCLA. And so it's, you know, I'm steering that to Michigan State.

Yeah, man, go ahead and make him a Bruin, man. Just come on, man. He gonna be a clown because you said that. Don't worry about it.

Yeah, all that. Michigan State, you know, but he ride past there every day and it's like, oh, that's UCLA, Daddy. That's UCLA. I go work out there. That's UCLA. Like, Daddy, we going to UCLA and stuff.

It's standard.

It's just familiarity with it for him. Yeah. But y'all, but I will say, as much as I love UCLA, I love the campus, I'm appreciative, like, I, it's, it's, it's gonna be very hard for UCLA to reach that level of success again. Like, it's just too competitive.

It's so competitive. Absolutely not.

Why? Like, what's happening? I just think— Like, because y'all ain't—

Absolutely.

The biggest thing is, I think—

I think it's tough, man.

We, and it's no knock on you, like, we, we, we are tough with adapting to change. Like, the standard that John Wooden, like, the Pyramid of Success, like, the core found— like, foundation of, like, the fans,— and like the donors and boosters and stuff are like so stuck on the old days, you know? And like the times have changed in how you recruit and how you get players, what's gonna attract you. Like, yes, like being a champion and the history of UCLA is still appealing and it's at an all-time high. But a lot of players still don't have that mindset. Like, I'm gonna stay 4 years. I wanna win an NCAA championship.

Right.

You know what I mean?

I wanna be Player of the Year. You know, they're trying to get to the next level. And like, how can they do that the most efficient and fastest way possible? Like, they're not really focused on the tradition as much as it was back in the day. You know what I'm saying? What it means to be a Bruin, what it means to be a Spartan, like, and carrying that with you. You know, they looking at what is the best avenue to get me to that next level. So what it, the standards of what UCLA has doesn't really fit with where the game is today.

Yeah.

But a modern-day athlete. Yeah, I always say we gotta remix the tradition, you know what I mean? And I think to Draymond's point, it's like we gotta show that Norman Powell, Zach LaVine, Jrue Holiday, all of these people, right? Even though they didn't win national championships at UCLA, but Final Fours, Sweet Sixteens, like whatever, however you've been decorated, should be, you know, over-marketed, especially for these new kids coming in.

Exactly.

'Cause they still looking at you and coming up to you, especially you playing for the Clippers and being like, yo, I'm in LA, I can have the same career Norman Powell had, right? And so I think UCLA, you know, one, the school should kind of remix the tradition and we gotta make sure that people like you are coming back, you know what I mean? Zo, K-Love, all these people are coming back. And really, so these young kids can be like, yo, I wanna go to UCLA and I wanna win. And then we get that influx of talent because people wanna be, you know, closer to the stars.

We missing that. We missing that.

Exactly. These kids today don't know who Ed O'Bannon is. So you walk me in that gym and I look up, No disrespect to Ed O'Bannon, by the way, but the young kids today—

Every, every, every NIL kid should know who Ed O'Bannon is.

Every NIL kid should know who Ed O'Bannon is. But let's face it, these kids don't educate themselves on things like that. So we can say what they should know, but the reality is, is they don't. And, and today's kids sadly don't care. And so my, to, to the point, They don't know who Ed O'Bannon is. But even if they know who Ed O'Bannon is, they know who Ed O'Bannon is from the trial.

Yeah. They don't know about the Hooper.

Took NCA to court and won. They wouldn't know about Ed O'Bannon, the basketball player that won in 1995. And so there's a huge gap in between Ed O'Bannon and 2024. And like the guys you just named. And if you don't showcase any of those guys, because of your tradition when John Wooden was there. Like, the tradition is rich, but there's a big gap, and you just not gonna attract the top kids. Like, because the, the kid today is just— the kid today is impressed by something totally different than I was and Norm was. Like, BD, you're, you're what, 10 years before us? But the kid today is even not impressed by what we were impressed by. That's for sure. So it's a totally different ballgame. And you gotta go all the way back to Ed O'Bannon and like, that's how you gonna sell to the kid? I just think that's gonna be tough to do and compete at the level that y'all gonna wanna compete at. So you gonna look up, it's gonna be 40 years and y'all ain't gonna have nobody. And that's tough, I think.

Every kid in NIL,— It should have been 3% went to the Ed O'Bannon Foundation or something because that is—

Who got everybody paid.

He is responsible. That got everybody paid.

Now they walking around with Maybachs and— So— It is crazy.

Come on, man.

It's insane. The NCAA, all that, you know, Ed O'Bannon said, you know, and you just think about Bruins, Bruin legacy, shout out to Ed O'Bannon. You know, it, you know, it's, he just, he just changed the game. You know what I mean? And to your point, Draymond Green, there is a huge gap. And I think that the NCAA and everybody should, you know, really think about, you know, what he did and the impact he has because it basically changed the whole way that we look at, you know, NIL norm. Can you imagine, you know what I mean? Going to school now with NIL. No. Crazy.

Like— Like, It was funny 'cause, you know, I talked to the, I say young dudes now 'cause I'm on year 10. It's crazy. But like talking to Kobe and Jordan and Trenton and Cam, the young guys we got on the team, you know, they already got designer on and everything. I'm like, man, y'all don't even understand the struggle that I went through, man. Like my first, my first—

Right.

For me, like when I got to the league, I thought I was gonna be living, you know what I mean? And like, My first check was less than what I got in college. And what I got in college was $5,000, you know what I'm saying, for Pell Grant. And I'm like, man, y'all just sitting around here with a Hellcat, man. Y'all got Prada shoes on and LV bag, Goyard this, that, and the other. I'm like, man, I can't even imagine what it was like if I could do that. 'Cause when we was like, when we was in the league, in college, NCAA had the dumbest rules. Like you get, you can get bagels, but you can't get cream cheese. You know what I mean?

Like, they like, what we talking about? Yeah.

It's an extra benefit to get cream cheese on a bagel?

It's crazy. Right, right, right. That's a fact.

That's a fact. They don't understand the struggle, man. I always say when I first came into the league, man, I was one day, I was one day away from taking a loan from one of my homeboys, Jerrell Worthing. He was about to look out for me. He had just got drafted in, the second round to the Green Bay Packers. And you know, they get a signing bonus. They get money right away. I ain't got no money from college and I don't get paid till November 15th. And I ain't know when I was gonna like, you know, second round pick like yourself. So they ain't sign me till later in the summer. Then waiting on the advance. I ain't have no money. And man, I had a, I had, I ain't have enough money to get a car. So I had to rent a car from Enterprise. Yo, that's crazy. But because they would let me, because Enterprise would let me rent and like the Warriors at the time was able to take care of it because like just some rules with rookie, I end up with like a $20-some thousand bill on Enterprise rental. I could have put that towards a car, but I couldn't afford to get a car. And so I had the bill and then Jerry Jack end up, Jerry Jack had a lease, a leased Range Rover, 2010 Range Rover. And he had like 9,000 miles on it. So he was about to turn his lease back in. Jack let me take over the lease. It was only like $37,000 left to pay on the truck or $47,000 left on a incredible supercharged 2010 Range Rover. I'm like, man, Jack, I'll take that over. And I didn't have enough money to put on a down payment to get a car. So that's how I got my first car in the NBA. Like, it was rough, man. I ain't, like, for a while I ain't had no furniture. Then I got the advance, I was able to get some furniture. It was rough.

Bro, that sounds just like me, man. I had from pre-draft to draft to when I had to go to Toronto, I had to get a rental car just like yourself. And it was, I remember it was a Chevy Impala. From Enterprise, and I had that for the whole summer, man. And I had to take out a line of credit just to be able to pay the rental fee off, and then just to have some money for— I could be able to move and get my stuff to Toronto and everything like that, man. It was crazy. I'm like, bro, this cannot be what the league is like. There's no way. I got drafted and I still have no money in my pocket. And then the first check, like, like, man, that first check, man, was less than what I got in college, man. You know, second round pick. I'm like, there's no way, but I'm getting taxed in Canada and Cali. So like, I got nothing, nothing. It was crazy. The only bonus I had was that in Canada, the conversion rate. So like we getting paid in American. And so, you know, you got money coming into a Canadian account and that money is double at the time, you know what I'm saying? So like I opened up my Canadian account and I'm like, oh man, I got money now. I can, I got breathing room. Yeah. But it was crazy.

That's funny.

Y'all never understand.

Oh, y'all ain't gotta complain now, 'cause y'all both paid.

We doing well.

Y'all doing quite well. We doing well though.

The struggles are over.

Speaking of the NBA, oh, by the way, before we move all the way on from UCLA, I love my Bruins. Shout out to my man Bob Myers. Mattel Children's Hospital, they are the best in there. Shout out to them. Right? Shout out. Eric Esrelian, incredible man.

Dr. Esrelian.

Shout out to him.

Shout out to you.

I got a lot of deep love for the UCLA Bruins, my brother. He tapped in, he tapped in with us.

He definitely tapped in. He tapped in. That's why DJ going to UCLA.

I'm a Spartan through and through, but I got love for the Bruins. Welcome to the Big Ten, fellas. You know, but you know, speaking of now we in the NBA, um, earlier this year you had an interview where you said it's addition by subtraction. Um, did you think it would become this big of a deal that you say that you play how you play, Philly look how they look, like, and everybody blowing that up? Like, what did you think of that when you said that? Did you know It was headed here.

Nah, I didn't, I didn't think it was gonna be as blown up as it was, you know what I'm saying? Like, I honestly was just looking like as, as just motivation, you know what I'm saying? I'm gonna get, I'm gonna finally get the opportunity, you know? Like, I always felt like I was the guy that like the teams relied on, you know what I'm saying? As that X factor to help, you know, get us wins or push us over the top, you know? But I always had the feeling that, you know, I could be in that position, you know? And when I, you know, the, the moves that were made, and that opening was there, it was just like addition by subtraction, because I can fill that void, you know what I'm saying? I can be the one to step in and have that same production or impact, you know? And it was just like a mentality approach to it. It wasn't like a sto' shot at PG and do all that, you know? It was just like, I'm here now, you know what I'm saying? I get an opportunity, you know, to be one of the guys that I've always wanted to be. Yeah. But then, you know, media takes it in and runs with it. You know, you got people talking about it and then Philly starts the way they start. Got people mad at PG for leaving and then like it just turns into this like Norm versus PG. Norm's playing better than PG right now. The Clippers are better than the, the Sixers are like, it just turned into this whole crazy thing and it was just like, nah, like we got like, not only myself, but we got other guys who were scratching and clawing as well. We had 4 Hall of Famers on our team. You know what I mean? For, for 2 seasons and we had to figure out how to, how to make it work. And you know, you gotta take a lesser role, you know, and play to help the team win. But now that that's not here anymore, like you got the addition of these other guys and the addition of me to be able to step into a larger role.

Nah, I like it, man, because you know, I've been, I was calling Baller Vision for a couple, I think 2 seasons, and just to watch your evolution just coming off the bench, you know, candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. You know, coming in and being focal in the offense, right? Being a focal point in the offense over the last 2 years and now becoming, you know, that guy. I remember, you know, I would say my 3rd year when I kind of stepped into the role like, "Hey, it's up for grabs. There's 5, 6, 7 more points for me. There's more responsibility." You know, talk about this for you.— you know what I mean? Uh, this being your year, you know, to be able to show what you can do. And not that it was something that, you know, you've been waiting for this moment, you know, you can pretty much say 9 years of your career, you know what I mean? Yeah, man.

Yeah. I think, um, you know, it's just being ready, staying prepared, and continuing to have faith and belief, you know, like, in yourself throughout this, this grind, you know. Like, like I said, like, I've always been the guy that, um, teams value in terms of, like, a winning player, you know, that can come in and help, a guy that you can plug and play in situations, you know, and, like, I've had sparks and moments and stints in my 10-year career where, like, guys get hurt and now I'm playing for 15 straight games, starting, averaging 20-plus, shooting efficiency good, everything, but then guys come back and now I'm at the end of the bench and I gotta fill that role again. Mm-hmm. Um, just being up and down with that, but Like I said, I always believed that I could do this, you know? And I always wanted the opportunity. Like, talking to AJ, my trainer that y'all know, you know, just like, man, like, we used to have conversations in the summer, like, I really want to see what it's like when I got the reins, you know what I mean? Like, because I feel that I can produce. I can do this. Like, I've seen it up close. I've had it in stints and spurts. I've learned. I've watched the guys in front of me— DeMar, Kyle, Kawhi operate, Dame, CJ. I've seen how these franchise players and organizations that hold these guys to a high standard operate and approach the game. And I have the same mentality. I have the same approach. I have the same work ethic, if not more, in some cases. Like, I want to see what it looks like. But it was just about staying ready and staying prepared and believing in myself through all the ups and downs and just waiting, you know, and having talks with El and Mark. Mm-hmm. When they traded for me, you know, about my value, you know, oh, like, I just came from starting from Portland. I don't really want to come off the bench again. Like, I'm trying to keep elevating my career, you know what I'm saying? To hopefully become one of those guys. And, you know, and they said it like, we see you as a starter, you know, but like, in terms of how our team is configured right now, like, we think it's the best for you to come off the bench, you know, and be that spark plug and help us in that way because we need firepower off the bench. And me being, I want to win at the end of the day, no matter what it is. Like, I want to win. I want to win championships. I want to win games. I want to be known as a winning player. So I'm going to do whatever it takes for the team to win, whether that's me taking a lesser role, me stepping up into a bigger role. Like, I'm all about winning. And that's what it is. And with this opportunity here, I told L in the summer, like, I'm ready for it, the ups and downs. Like, you can lean on me. You know what I'm saying? I'm going to be ready for it. I'm not going to shy away from everything. Like, it's going to be a learning experience because This is my first time, you know, in the league actually having this leadership role for a full season, you know, and being looked upon. So it's not going to be pretty every single game, every single night. But like, you know, you got somebody that you can lean on is going to continue to put the work in and go out there and try to help this team win.

The Emirates NBA Cup is here so you can win big getting in on the action at DraftKings Sportsbook, which is the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Get behind your favorite players and the prop bets you can make on DraftKings, the home of NBA player props. If you're ready to place your first bet, make it simple. Pick a team to win. Go to the DraftKings Sportsbook app. 90 seconds, download it, make your pick. A team to win. First time? Here's something special. New DraftKings customers bet $5, that's it, and you can get $150 in bonus bets if your $5 bet wins. So score big with DraftKings Sportsbook. Every point counts. Download the app and use the code COLIN, C-O-L-I-N, C-O-L-I-N, for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets. Betting just $5.

Speaking of just y'all team and what you brought to that team, uh, what has Jeff Van Gundy coming back to the NBA as a coach on y'all staff, uh, what has he brought to the mix. It just seems like y'all have a different energy and a different way about y'all. And I know that I feel like he has, he's right in the mix of that.

Nah, definitely, man. JVG, man, I love that dude. Probably not before when he was done, you know, talking to the games and stuff like that. I don't know if it was him or his brother, you know what I'm saying? I think there was a little bit of some hate going on, but nah, I mean, he's been great for us. Like, honestly, He's a little bit annoying with the guys just because how much he loves the game and like his attention to detail. You know, some guys like, ah, that's the end of it. But I always tell him, man, like, we need it. You know what I'm saying? Like, we need that firepower, that intensity, that passion that he comes in with every single day. Like, we hear T-Lou talking about it. Like, man, sometimes I gotta pull himself like, yeah, man, go home. Like, stop watching the tape and everything. But he's so detailed. I mean, like, a walkthrough, that I've had before, him as a defensive coach would probably be like 15, 20 minutes. We go through here, this rotation's right here. We're gonna send this person left. Like he come through like, nah, he's pulling your jersey. Like, nah, we need you right here. The ball's gonna be right here. They're gonna turn around and do this. And when you come here, you gotta be a step higher, not a step back, but a step higher. Like he's like so detail-oriented. And then just his approach of like, we're gonna attack. Like we're not gonna sit back on our heels. Like, like we playing against y'all. Like we're not gonna let Steph come down and do what— like we're gonna pressure him. We're gonna blitz him. We're gonna pick him up. We're gonna, we're gonna do things different. Like, if they're butt dribbling, we're gonna attack the ball. If they're, if they're, um, doing a DHO, like, like, we're gonna, we're gonna jump it. Like, everything he's doing is talking about being aggressive and playing hard and being the one, uh, to, to attack the basketball, to attack the game. And I think we have a group of guys. One, we got younger. Two, we got guys that got something to prove, you know what I'm saying? That, uh, have bounced around the league, have their own, own story and their own journey, you know what I'm saying? And they're trying to make a name for themselves. They're trying to stay put. Um, and you got guys that are locked in and wanna play basketball the right way and everybody's feeding off his energy. Him being back, um, is definitely, uh, the energy and what we needed, you know, to, to jumpstart this, uh, this, the start of the season for us.

Now that Draymond is coming off the bench, do you have any advice for him?

Hey, keep them legs warm, man. They go on that bike. Get on that Aerodyne bike or that Kaiser bike, man.

No, but serious, you know, having that role, and then, you know, Dray and I, we talk about it, you know. I, I think it's, you know, Draymond can, you know, type of player can do anything similar. And, and Norm, you showing it coming from the sixth man to starting. But, you know, just the importance of like— and both of y'all talk about it, right? Because like Norm, here you are, you know, 6th man, 6th Man of the Year. Now you are in new terrain. Draymond Green, Hall of Fame career, Hall of Famer, Defensive Player of the Year candidate, you know what I mean? Injuries, you know, getting older. Now looking at the young dude, mentoring, coming off the bench and being more explosive. Just talk about the role. And how important it is, you know, to have that conversation, one with yourself, but also like, you know, what is, like, how do you reinvent yourself? You know what I mean? And stay hungry.

Me to go first or you, Draymond Green?

Norm, you go ahead. Yeah, you go ahead.

I think the biggest thing is, one, to make it in the NBA. You know what I'm saying? Like, I always tell the young kids, like, everybody, Um, it's not gonna be the number one option. Everybody's not gonna be the franchise player. So how do you stick? You know, how do you, how do you find success in the league and still work your way, you know, into the player that you believe in yourself or see yourself as being, you know? And it's all about, about finding that role that the team needs and maximizing that. Because once you maximize that role, you're gonna get more opportunity to showcase your game. Right? But a lot of kids today, You know, they do it backwards. You know, they think they should be the franchise player and get all this, that, and the other, and they're trying to figure out why they don't have success. You know, and it's like, okay, if the coach is asking me to be this, pick up 94 feet and be the scrappy defender guy, then like, and that's what I gotta do to get on the court. Like, I'm gonna do that. You know, but the mentality isn't, no, like, I wanna score. I wanna do all these things. Like, people don't want to get down and dirty, but it's really important in, in the league to, to find that niche. Like, I wasn't a scoring guy when I first came in the league. It was— Man, I was picking up Kyrie, prime John Wall, like prime Russ, like, like 94 feet. Like they was putting me on Porzingis, Melo. Like I'm 6'3", you know what I mean? I'm guarding, I'm guarding Porzingis in the post, you know what I mean? Like, but, but that's what got me on the floor, you know? And like, as I'm doing that, it's like, okay, like I'm an opportunity scorer. I'm a defender, energy guy, opportunity scorer. Okay, so now I'm gonna take this. Yeah. Defense, and I'm gonna create my opportunities for myself. So now it's like, oh dang, Norm— oh, he can shoot. Oh, he can get to the basket. Oh, he can put up 10, 15 points. You know what I mean? So it was all about, this is my role and I'm gonna execute this role, but I'm also gonna continue to strive for more. You know what I'm saying? And show that I can't— I can and will do more for the team. And that's how I've been able to find my success. But it was all about, you know, taking a step back, you know, and, and having that honest conversation with yourself. Like, What are you going to do and how are you going to get to where you want to be? You know, and a lot of people aren't really ready to have those conversations, right? To take that step back and be like, my path to where I envision myself long term might not be the exact path that I have set out for myself, but it's going to be a path that I'm willing to take, you know, to achieve that. And it might be a longer road, you know, but I'm ready to endure that journey and that grind to get to where I'm at. Yeah.. But it's, it's, for me, it, it was everything about filling that role and finding out how I was gonna be successful in this league. And I had the honest conversation with myself and I was ready for that, for that grind.

I, I think I had a very similar coming in as well with me. Whether it was to go in and guard Andre Miller, who was taking the last shot for Denver, or obviously you know, going in to stop Kobe, you know, we playing against the Lakers on the last-second shot. Like, sometimes that was my only way onto the floor. Um, guard LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Blake, guard Z-Bo, guard Marc Gasol, like, an older Tim Duncan. Like, that was my way. Pau Gasol.

Pau Gasol.

Like, that, that was my way onto the court. And so Then you start to do that. And like you said, you add more and you add more and you show more. But I always tell young, young people and people in general, when you add more, you can never not do what you started off doing. So—

Mm.

You can never just become a scorer and not check at all. And you came in the league checking, like, Nobody gonna respect you no more. They gonna be like, oh, but he lost it because he can't guard no more. You see what I'm saying? It ain't gonna be like, oh, nah, he's scoring like at this. And so that's why he— no, they're gonna be like, yo, he's slowing down because not— look, he can't even stay in front of that guy. And remember when he used to do this, right? So you can never not do what you came in doing. And so—

Mm-hmm.

For me, then I had to grow from there. At this point in my career, I'm 13 in. The chase for greatness is still there, right? Like, um, or I wouldn't do it. Um, the capability is still there. Um, I've continued to show that. But the attitude that was is not. Coming up young in this league, to a certain extent, you gotta be about me. Like, just to make it, like y'all both know, to a certain extent, you have to have some of that, it's about me and you, in order to do it. Mm-hmm. And so you go through and you learn and you experience, and with everything I've experienced, at a certain point, you gotta know when to let go of it just being about, like, and not just about me, 'cause I've always been a team guy, but you gotta know when to let go of the me.

Mm-hmm.

And me at this point in my career, I am very well accomplished. And I still got a lot left in the tank, but—

A lot.

It's also, I also know this business like the back of my hand. And so Jonathan Kuminga's in year 3, which means he's extension eligible this summer. Excuse me, he's in year 4. And you know, he can be, he'll be a restricted free agent this summer. And so, You look at it from the business side, he has to, he have to get the opportunity to show his worth. Like, just so you know, as, as an organization, like, he has to get that opportunity.

Mhm.

And he's earned the opportunity. He's more than earned the opportunity. So you take those two things into account. I know the business. Stand down, bro. Like, stand down. Check this out. I'm also a fan of Jonathan Kamiga, and I am Jonathan Kamiga's vet. I want to see Jonathan Kamiga do well.

Yeah.

So me and your 13 that— this isn't gonna happen, but could decide tomorrow I don't want to play anymore. Why would you stand in the way of his opportunity?

No, that's real.

Mm-hmm. Like, I'm, I'm not gonna sit and like, oh, this is— because at the end of the day, I'm gonna finish game. I'm gonna close games. I'm gonna be in when it, when it matters. Not that he's not gonna be in, but I'm gonna be in when it matters and I'm gonna do what I do. So whether I start or not, I, I've started so many games in the NBA. My ego isn't in it. And as a matter of fact, I'm all for it 'cause I wanna see young fellas get on. And guess what? I know starting to him means something. You know why I know starting to him means something? Because when I was in year 4, starting to me meant something.

Mm-hmm.

And so you, David Lee took the backseat for me. And not that he took the backseat, like he could have said, "Oh no." He still supported me. He still taught me. When I was coming up against certain matchups, "Hey, this guy," 'cause he's seen them so much. Like, it was never, "Yo, I can't do this," or it was never that. And so, like I said, being a product of that, Pete Myers would always tell me, You owe it to the game to get a young fella's back. You, you owe it to the game to leave it in a better place than it was when you found it. You gotta give back to the young fellas. You gotta pour into them. I'm at the point in my career now where I am 1000% a starter in the NBA. I know that. Not tripping on that at all. But if this is gonna help Jonathan Kaminga and this is gonna help this team, then let's check it out. And if it don't pan out, we always know we can go back to me starting at the 4 or 5. Like, we can always go back to that. But let's see what he got. He deserve that. And I've never respected guys who's like, if it comes down to that, and it's like, I don't know, I wouldn't say respect, but I've just always been like, if it's me in the position, and it comes down to, yo, now maybe 2 years ago I wouldn't feel like this. Like, but I mean, you're 13. Like, so if it comes down to you and this kid getting the opportunity to change his life, to change his family life, move on.

Mm-hmm.

Like, give it back to the game. And like I said, then you add in the personal relationship that I have with Jonathan Kaminga. I can't look him in his eye, tell him all the love I got for him, and be the person standing in the way of his opportunity. I can't do that. That, that don't work for me.

It's crazy that you say that because I was in a similar situation as Kaminga, uh, in Toronto. You know what I mean? Like, uh, with opportunity, like I worked my way, like I was grinding down to the D-League at the time, back up. Um, and they were trying to figure out what they wanted to do for the starting role with, uh, DeMar Carroll. He had a messed up knee, so he wasn't playing back-to-backs, you know, and I had Terrence Ross and James Johnson and Patrick Patterson in front of me, you know, and then I was a second-round pick. I had DeLon Wright, you know, he was the 20th pick, you know, like their first round. And the team went with me, you know, and mind you, at the time, like, James Johnson was my vet. And, you know, all the stuff that was going around the league about him, like, all that years ago. You know, so I felt some type of way. I was like, damn, this is my vet. Like, you know, he's showing me love. Like, he's taking me around, taking me under his wing, gave me so much advice, you know. And, you know, I got wind that, you know, whatever was going on, I don't know if it was true or not, but I went to him like, you know, like, I didn't want him to be mad at me, you know what I'm saying, for the opportunity, you know, they were starting me. And the one thing he told me was like, bro, I'll never be mad at you, you know what I'm saying, for getting your opportunity, you know what I'm saying? I want to see you do great. You know, there's enough out of here for all of us. You know what I'm saying? I want you to be successful. So like, don't trip. I'm rooting you on every step of the way. You know what I'm saying? I'm gonna be in your ear, you know, making sure that, you know, you stay focused and locked in. And he always got me ready. You know what I'm saying? After practice, he was playing one-on-one, you know, talking shit to me, you know, like getting that fire, that dog, making sure I was, you know, picking up and pressuring and not backing down. But like similar situation, you know what I'm saying? He a vet in the league. Like he should be, you know, getting his opportunity as well. But you know, they wanted to go with somebody younger and see what he had and see what I had and what I was working with and how I could help the team, you know? And then he was a full supporter of that, you know, and really like helped me along the way, along with Draymond Green and those other guys. But you know, I had that conversation with him, you know, and he removed himself, you know, like, yo, like this is about you. It's not about me. You know what I'm saying? I wanna see you be successful. And like, and you need that, you know, cuz then now, you know, from that experience with him and Draymond Green, I'm talking to those guys now, I'm the one, you know, passing down game and knowledge and giving the young guy some, some, uh, strategies on how to navigate being a professional and waiting for their opportunity and being ready for it and stepping into that role. You know, like I got Jordan Miller as, as my, as my youth, as my, uh, as my rookie. And you know, now he's getting the opportunity to play. You know, he had to go through the G League grind.

You know, he was an older guy. Mm-hmm.

Coming outta college, you know, and now I'm telling them in the game, like, bro, take this shot, take this 3, you know what I'm saying? Attack down here, right here, you know, be aggressive, you know, cuz, cuz that's what we need. I'd rather you make mistakes being aggressive than being passive and worried about, you know, making a mistake or if coach is gonna pull you out, you know? So like, to your point, DG, you know, just about leaving the game in a better place and passing down that knowledge and removing, removing the, the, the me, you know what I'm saying? The, the personal of I gotta get this, like, like this is about me. Like, how do I prove that? You know what I'm saying? I feel like I don't have all the accomplishments and things like that, but like, I've become a household name where people know what I can do every single night. This is what Norm's gonna bring to the table. So if it's not my night and my young fella got it going, man, I'mma feed, carry the team tonight, boy. I ain't backing out.

Mm-hmm.

Like, I want them to be successful 'cause I know, you know, when I was in that role, I had somebody else passing that knowledge and that confidence down to me, you know? So that's the biggest thing, you know, in terms of, you know, passing the knowledge down and leaving the game in a better place. And removing that me, you know what I'm saying? Like the same situation that you talking about, I experienced it now having to be that vet and do the same thing.

Oh, 1000%. I think that's dope. I've heard several guys now that's come under from under James Johnson wing talk about him as they vet and how he took them under they wing. That's dope.

I know, you know, this year you've been having a kickass year, you know, all-star year. I want you to tell everybody, you know, why you believe you're an All-Star this year?

Hey man, you know, BD, I don't like talking about myself, man.

I know you don't like talking. I mean, I could do it for you, but you know, just talk about, you know, the role, the role you stepped into, you know, where people didn't think, you know, let's say with PG leaving, right? And, you know, Russ not being there as well. And then, you know, the Clippers not being, you know, thought of as a contender. You know, James Harden saying, "I am the system." You know what I mean? Like, you know, talk through all that and then how you've emerged, you know, as their counterpart.

Yeah.

You know, I think, you know, I want to hear from you, but also the fans want to hear from you, you know, just about your get down, you know what I mean? And your approach this year and you know.

Yeah, I mean, I think for me, you know, I think I'm an all-star just like you said, like where the team and where they saw us at, you know, like we was, I think second to last in the West. Like they had no belief that we were gonna be a good team 'cause we lost PG, we lost Russ, and then the whole Kawhi, you know, being out and being hurt. And then narrative around James, you know, he's not the same player that he was. He's not gonna be able to carry a team. That, you know, the, the, his best basketball days, you know, are behind him, you know, and, uh, for me and him to, you know, come together, you know, and, and be the two guys that, um, is leading this team, you know what I'm saying? Uh, on a nightly basis and making sure that we're, we're competitive. Um, you know, that, that's a testament to, to who we are as, as a players. Um, and then just, uh, my production as well, you know, um, from being able to being a role of 6th man behind 4 Hall of Fame guys, you know, still putting up production and points. Last year to stepping in and increasing my averages across the board, being super efficient from the field, from the 3-point line, and, and still being competitive. Like DG said at the beginning, like, if we can stay in that top 5 in the standings, you know, I have a good chance. But just me emerging as a guy that, you know, people didn't think would be able to do this in year 10, you know, that like I was just fit in this certain role.

Yeah.

Um, I think that's the, the strongest candidate that, uh, my strongest pitch that I have, you know, I'm, I'm producing every single night, you know, I'm doing my thing. Um, I'm holding it down against the top dogs, the top teams. Um, and, uh, my mentality and approach has always been the same, you know, my work ethic, hasn't changed. I think the biggest thing that I've done going into the season, knowing that I'm gonna have a bigger role and more pressure and stuff on me from myself, not much external, because, like, I don't really care what media and stuff talking about, because they don't really know, but just with myself was just a mental approach. You know, just like, what is my gonna be— what is gonna be my daily approach to the game? You know, good days, bad days. Days and games. Like, am I going to be somebody that rides the wave? Am I going to be even keel? You know what I'm saying? And going at it the same way. So I put a lot of emphasis in just like the mental part of the game, making sure that my mind is ready night in and night out because I know my body can do it. You know, I stress my body out all summer long, 3 workouts a day, 5 days a week. You know, going at it 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Traveling, still, still training, still getting it in. So I know my body's up for the grind, but where's my mental gonna be? You know, when, you know, you're— I go one night, you know, I got 30, 37, and then the next night I got 22 or 15 and I'm shooting 5 for, for 19, you know, like I'm gonna, oh man, like the team needed me tonight, man. Like I can't do this. Or it's gonna be like, you know, this happens. Like, how do I get better? How do I improve?

How do I— Yeah.

How do I still get the best from the team? So that's the biggest thing that I changed going into this season is just making sure that I'm mentally strong no matter what, no matter what it is, whether I'm playing great for a stretch of games or, you know, I have a few games where, you know, the ball's not going into the basket. How can I still be that leader? How can I still be impactful and keep this team, you know, as one of the top teams in the conference? And I think I've been able to do that so far, even with being out with injuries and things like that, still being in guys' ears, still bringing that competitive fire and grit it to the game. But when I'm on the floor, like, like, we're hanging in there, you know what I'm saying? We're gonna figure it out. We're gonna be competitive every single night. I think that's what makes me an All-Star this year.

I agree, bro. I definitely think you have an All-Star season, you know what I mean? To me, there's so many All-Stars, you know what I mean? And just putting your name on the board and putting your name in that category is just like that next leveling. And as I continue to watch you, I just see you keep leveling up. You know what I mean? And as a Bruin, I'm proud. You know what I'm saying? As your OG, I'm proud. And shit, you got my vote, bro. I'm campaigning 'cause you know what you guys are doing with the Clippers and the type of year that you having is, I call it, it's the show and prove year, right? Every game, you know,— he's showing up. Y'all showing up. I'm campaigning for Draymond Green for Defensive Player of the Year because he's showing up, you know what I mean? And I think that, you know, I, I love the young guys. I love the young guys, the young energy in this league. But it's also, you know, we got to recognize veterans that take that journey, that take that step, you know what I mean? And reinvent theyself, you know, multiple times, because that's, that's really the staple of the league. And you know, I fight for veterans, more vets, you know what I mean? But we definitely gotta, you know, make sure we shine a light on, you know, the vets that's in here because y'all showing up every night, y'all proving. And you know, that's really the cornerstone of the game. You feel what I'm saying? Mm-hmm. And these young guys are the energy. And so when I'm watching the game, I'm really watching, you know, basketball at its finest, at its purest, with a fine-tooth comb, with a fine eye. And I love what the young guys are doing, but you know, I just, from the respect level and how you've been getting down all year, I'm just, I'm just loving your get down all year. Appreciate that, dog.

No, most definitely. I've had a lot of battles with James Harden over the years, with James Harden playing like James Harden playing this year. And you can imagine 6 years younger. And playing how he played this year. Uh, crazy, crazy battles, fun battles. A lot of respect for James. What have you seen differently from him, from him this year as opposed to what you saw last year, uh, when he was with you guys?

Um, I just think his approach, man, like honestly, like a little different, you know, you know, like guy coming in, you know, we're, wasn't crazy long into the season. I think we were like 3 games in or whatever it was. And then when he finally gets on, we're probably like 11 games, but, you know, just trying to get acclimated, you know, and figuring it out. Like everybody gotta take an adjustment, uh, period, you know? So he's trying to figure out the guys and, you know, how he can insert himself, um, into the team. Um, so, you know, we went to that 6-game losing streak, uh, you know, when he started playing and, you know, it was just a full adjustment period. And then we got a little rhythm and stuff, but, um, I think this year his, his approach, um, Overall, you know, I said it in the media, like, during the summers, like, he was working out with the young guys, you know what I'm saying? Like, we're doing the beep test conditioning and running up and down the floor, you know, after their individual workouts, and, and he's right along with them. You know, he's going through the coverages and talking to them and, and being vocal, you know, on how we need to play, who, who we have to be this year. Um, and, you know, vets can do whatever they want. You know, nobody's checking in on, on James to see if he's getting his work in. You know, he's trusted. You know, that, that's for the young guys that have to come in and be seen every single day under with the coaches, you know, and he's there, you know, and I think that builds trust, that builds the chemistry, you know, you know, saying like, if James is in here doing this, then I have to as well. And then just his care with his body, you know, I see him getting his workouts in, I see him getting his treatments, you know, and being really vocal about what he needs, you know, after the games, lifting and doing all the things to make sure that, You know, he's able to be ready to, to lead and, and play every single night. I think that's been the biggest thing. Like even, um, just being in the locker room throughout the course of, uh, the games, start the games, halftime, in the games, like talking about what we need to do, the adjustments, keeping our heads up, you know, on, on tough nights when, uh, we let, let games slip away from us or we get blown out, you know, just, uh, refocusing everybody. Um, he's been amazing with that. And that's what we need, you know, seeing that side of things from him and being, like you said, an opposing player. You know, you don't really know what goes on behind the scenes and all the articles and things that were being put out about him leaving Philly and all that. Like, you know, you get a one-sided narrative, but then actually being in the locker room with him and talking to him, our locker room, lockers right next to each other. So there's a lot of dialogue on the game and the approach and what we have to do. I mean, he's a great dude, great teammate. You know, I'm honored just to be able to play with him on the floor, you know, with all the things he's been able to accomplish and looking up to him. But he's been great.

A quarter of the NBA season is done and you don't wanna miss the hype atmosphere of watching basketball games live. The sound from the court and the feel of the crowd. My first NBA game I ever attended at the Palace of Auburn Hills, checking out the Detroit Pistons, I'll never forget it. They were playing against the Orlando Magic. I went with the Civitan Recreation Center. It was like a field trip. And we sat way in the nosebleeds. But for me, that was an incredible experience, just seeing NBA guys live and on the court. It's like, you have that dream of making it, and then knowing that they were real people, it's like, oh man, like, wow, I could possibly be that. And GameTime has a new feature called GameTime Picks that makes getting tickets to see your favorite teams play live even easier. GameTime Picks filters out the fluff to show you only incredible deals on great seats so you don't have to waste your time searching through thousands of tickets.

Man, I'm looking at the app right now and looking at tickets for the Clippers-Warriors game later this month under Customize Your Spot. I really like the all-in pricing because it shows how much I'm going to have to pay and also the GameTime Ticket coverage that covers my purchase with the most flexible customer service policy in the ticketing industry. Because you know I'm a busy man, so I might not make it.

Take the guesswork outta buying tickets with GameTime Picks. Download the GameTime app, create an account, and use code GREEN, G-R-E-E-N, for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code G-R-E-E-N. For $20 off. Download GameTime today. What time is it?

GameTime.

GameTime.

Talk about also like your relationship with Kawhi. We know Kawhi is out, you know, definitely when he comes back, I think y'all gonna be one of the most dangerous teams in the league. You know, you played, you know, on the same team, won a championship. Relax. You know, hey man, he get mad every time I say that.

Relax, man.

We can't get one, bro? We can't get one?

Relax, bro, it's cool.

Relax, man.

You had to get one, dog.

My bad.

You know what I mean? I'm glad that it still bothers him, man.

It will never not bother me, bro. It will never not bother me.

But talk about y'all evolution as teammates, y'all relationship with teammates in Toronto and now how that's evolved. And then when his return come, how that's gonna help, you know, uh, kind of, uh, your game and, and the way you plan, how that takes pressure off of, you know, him coming back.

Kawhi's been great, man. I mean, I've known Kawhi, um, since I was in high school, you know. Um, I was in San Diego, I was at Lincoln, he was at San Diego State. San Diego State was, um, the first school to, um, offer me a full-ride scholarship. I took my official visit there, being from San Diego, respecting Coach Fisher, Jeremy, you know, Kawhi's right-hand man. He hosted me actually on my visit to San Diego State. So, you know, knowing Kawhi, being around Kawhi for a while, he's always supported me and showed me love. Even when he was in San Antonio playing, you know, he pulled me to the side, like, whatever I needed, you know, make sure I hit him up, you know, back down to San Diego, get workouts in and things like that. Mm-hmm. But just being able to show the floor to him, talk to him, you know, pick his brain and his approach. Cause you know, everybody thinks he's just like this, like, I don't know what, statue, robot that has no feelings, no emotions and things like that, man. Like, I always try to tell people, man, Kawhi is literally like one of us. You know what I mean? Like, he's just quiet in the media and everything like that. But behind closed doors in the locker room, like he's telling jokes, he's talking like, like, he's normal, you know what I mean? But just his approach to the game.

Yeah.

And his diligence, you know, and his focus is what I've appreciated as a teammate, you know. I've learned so much from just, no matter what's going on, you know, just the staying even, you know what I'm saying? Never too high, never too low. He always has this like demeanor of like effort, you know what I'm saying? Like, I miss a shot, like, I'm gonna miss another one. You know what I'm saying? I'm still gonna approach the— I'm still gonna go at it the same way. And so that's kind of like rubbed off on me, like, where it's like, no matter what's going on, like, I know who I am. Like, I know what player I am. Like, nothing's gonna change that. So that's what I've learned most about Kawhi. But I've known him for a while. So like, being teammates or not, like, we've always been cool. I see Charles says, what's the funniest thing you've seen? Draymond Green. Um, what's the funniest thing I've seen? Um, him working out with no socks is crazy. I think that's probably the funniest thing. He on the court with full setup and no socks is probably the funniest thing I've seen. Um, what?

Yeah, sick.

What?

Yeah, that's nasty.

I don't know if I'm gonna get in trouble saying that, man.

No, I was, I was gonna say Like, what is a Kawhi-ism? Like, I heard a Kawhi-ism was the coach was saying like, all right, you know, dude in the game, he can't shoot.

He said, well, why is he— Oh my gosh, man. Oh my gosh.

Why is he—

All right, so we in Toronto, right? We just got blown out by Milwaukee and we coming to film the next day and Nick Nurse, is talking about, you know, roles and how our offense can get better. You know, we just got blown out and, you know, and so he's telling everybody what they should do and he gets to Kawhi and he's like, he's talking about trying to move the ball. You know what I mean? And so he's like, you know, like even Kawhi, you come down, man.

You know what I'm saying?

Just, just moving the ball for the hell of it. And Kawhi's like, you know, do I got the D-voice? He's like, yeah, I don't think I should move the ball for the hell of it. I was like, man. And like, like, like, he's like, like, like, my job is to score the ball. And like, you know, you know, as a head coach, you know, usually got something to say back and you don't know what to say. 'Cause like nobody was expecting it. And he's just like, nah. And it is monotone as hell. Like, like, nah, I ain't gonna move the ball for the hell of it. And everybody just start busting up laughing in the, oh my gosh, in the locker room. I mean, in the theater room, man, watching that film, it was hilarious.

Hilarious.

But he got little one-liners all the time. He got one-liners all the time that people don't know, but he's hilarious. But him coming back, man, is gonna be huge for us. I mean, just the attention to detail that teams have to focus on. You know, it's gonna take the pressure off James being picked up, you know, full court. It's gonna take the pressure off me getting double teamed and face guarded and boxed and won when you're playing against certain teams. You know, having to guard Kawhi, you know, he draws double teams. Like, you can't guard him one-on-one for a full course of the game. So now I'm getting more catch and shoot threes and, uh, more stuff, um, out the floor of the offense from his double teams. Um, and stuff like that. I think it's just, uh, I mean, he's a generational talent when he's on the floor, man. And he's healthy. I mean, he, he's top 5 in the league, um, with his production and his play. And he's just gonna elevate the team. I mean, he's a two-way, two-way threat. Yeah. Um, offensively, defensively, you know, and it's gonna help other guys get into their more natural roles to help our bench as well. You know, some guys playing in the bench starting right now with the lineups and you know, when he's back, it's gonna have a full team to where we can, you know, do a lot of different things defensively and offensively.

No, for sure. New season, new arena. How does it feel to have your own arena and not be a visitor at home?

Man, Man, it feel great, dog. I can't even lie to you. Man, just having like, you know, like having your own setup, having your own locker room, you know, being comfortable, having your own routine, not having, oh, we gotta get out early, we gotta move this, we got a game at 12:30, we gotta go this way to exit. Like, you know, we know where everything's at, you know? So it's more relaxed, it's ease.

It is.

And you got your own fans, you know what I mean? Like we have the wall is a dedicated section for just us. So even when y'all travel down there and y'all like to bring all your fans and, and everything down to LA, you know, we got our section still rocking and competing, you know what I mean? Um, but, but it's great, man, to have your own identity. The rebrand, um, is amazing. Kind of gets away from the whole Sterling thing and all that, you know, having our own identity. Uh, you know, Bomber's been great, um, providing, uh, everything that the team needs as, as players and as, uh, organization. And the arena is top-notch. I mean, I haven't been over to the visitor side, but I'm sure y'all ain't complaining about the locker room, 'cause you know some of these arenas and visiting locker rooms, you be in a box, you know what I mean? But yeah, it's amazing. I mean, the Halo board is probably my favorite thing in that arena.

Yeah, it's incredible. I had walked all the way up to the top of the wall when we were, when we played y'all there. And just kind of got that vantage point of the top of the Halo board and then kind of come down a little bit and see inside. It was dope to see. Nah, but we, we appreciate you, Steve. I've heard, you know, there's a hot tub and cold tub and stuff in the Warriors guest locker room and Bomber got that over there. It's great. So we appreciate you, brother. Thank you. The weight room, training room's great. Another thing, the seats. The seats are high. Like, you know, they be— Oh man, they're massive. No, I'm talking about, well, number one.

On the bench.

The bench seats are great. But even in the locker room, you know, you go to these arenas, man, they be having these chairs that's super low and it fuck your hips up. And so, you know, with, you know, they, the, and Intuit, they got the ones you can let up. They like, and they got a seat warmer on 'em and stuff. But I think the NBA should have a rule about the bench in NBA arenas, man. Like, again, you want the product on the floor. You want guys to be healthy. A part of that is the little things like when you're sitting down, your hips being level. And a lot of them benches put you, yeah, yeah, hips in the wrong position.

They just got regular folding chairs.

All that stuff plays a part in injury. Absolutely. So the NBA, you like, you go to Dallas, they got them old ass chairs, man.

Hey bro, y'all still sitting in concert seats. You know what I mean?

Y'all sitting in the same seats we sitting in.

Y'all ain't got no upgrade, no, y'all ain't got no gamer chairs.

Y'all should be on— None of that. You know how like in some, some road games you gotta bring like, your team brings like those, the pads and stuff so you can like—

Man, that shit look nasty. Y'all sitting over there with the cushions. Sit on, kid. I don't even look right, man. We gonna have to upgrade them seats, man. Let's find a seat partner or something like that. Come on, man. Hey, Draymond Green, hey, we putting the APB out. Anybody who make dope seats, we need bench seats. We need the bench right. Shit, come on, man.

Shit. Exactly.

They're your backup. That's a big part of it. Nah, that's a big part being on that bench.

You got everything.

You got the back thing and then you still got the hole in the back of the folding chair. So you can't really get a proper, you know what, man.

Yeah.

It's crazy, bro. Come on, man. You know, I know all about that, bro. That is not how we want it to do. But back to the Into It, you know, I think Into It is dope. I don't think it's a bad seat in the house. You know, being from San Diego, Draymond Green going to UCLA, being a Clipper, being a part of this new frontier. Just talk about, you know, what this mean really. 'Cause y'all pioneering a, you know, a whole new system. You know what I mean? Of fans and just what you talked about. But just talk about, you know, your career, where you at, the evolution and just, you know, just, I feel like you in a moment of, you know, being home. Yeah. And also being a part of this, you know, this new Clipper regime?

Yeah, honestly, it, it's full circle for me, you know what I mean? To be able to be back where the, the NBA journey started, you know what I'm saying? Going to UCLA, being able to be around my family. Like, you know, having to be away, you miss so much time, you know, you gotta sacrifice, you know, to be successful in this league. You know, a lot of that sacrifice means, you know, giving up family time, time, personal time, whether that's with workouts and things like that, but also being on the road, you know, and then, you know, if you play for a team that's not in your home market, you know, so I've been— I guess my third season with them now. So for 3 years out of the 10 years I've been in the league, I've been home. The other 7 I've been on the road. So I've missed so much time with family. And it's been amazing these last 3 years just to spend time with my niece. Spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and just being able to, we have an off day, I can shoot down to San Diego, you know what I'm saying, for a few hours to see my moms and my sister and go to my nephew's football game who actually plays for my high school now and support there.

Cool.

So it's been amazing, you know what I mean? And then, you know, just to kick off the season, you know, the Clippers started the G League down in— in Oceanside, you know? So to actually go down to San Diego County and where, you know, I had my hoop dreams growing up in San Diego, to play a game there.

Yeah.

You know what I'm saying? And give the intro, you know, to kick off the arena is amazing. You know, it's something that, you know, you can't really put down or dream about, you know, as a kid growing up. So just to be a part of this whole new redesign, you know, and be a focal point in it, knowing where the San Diego Clippers started, you know what I mean? And being from San Diego and that history there, it's definitely dope to be a part of it. Like you said, it's a moment that I'm in and I'm enjoying every second of it. I'm not taking it for granted. One, because I know the work that it's taken to get here, but also just being a part of where the organization is trying to go. Yeah., you know, and being a focal point in it has been truly amazing.

You faced the Warriors twice this year, you know, coming into a game, how do y'all team prepare for Draymond Green?

Pressure the dog shit outta him.

What do you do about his, y'all talk about him talking shit.

Oh man. Yeah. So we say, don't worry about, don't worry about the bullshit he gonna do. You know what I'm saying? He gonna come in flailing and throwing elbows, yelling and screaming. Draymond Green, we gonna pressure the hell out of his handle. You know what I mean? And then when he's driving to the basket, wall up and go vertical and make him a finisher. Literally the setup. Don't get drawn into the BS. You know what I'm saying? Pressure the shit out of him and then don't foul him when he's going to the basket. I just gave you the game plan right there.

It's been obvious for years. T. Luke, same game.

Oh yeah.

Every year.

Oh yeah.

Now Draymond Green gonna start talking to you.

The funny thing is, I remember, oh my gosh. What did he say? Bring that shit, I'm glad you brought that shit up. Thank you, bro.

Oh my gosh.

I know he said something.

So I was playing, it was when I was in Portland. I remember this shit so vividly, man, One of the assistant coaches was like, you hear this shit Draymond Green said to you? I said, what are you talking about? What'd he say? Because I'd be ignoring his ass because I know he's gonna do something. I know he's gonna say something. So I try to attack him on the right wing between the legs crossover. I try to body him, whatever. I try to get my little, my rake through foul and I don't get the call and ball go out of bounds, right? And I don't even know what the hell he said, but you know, Draymond Green, You know, he be getting hot, hype when he get stops. You know what I mean? And he be saying shit. And so, you know, I just ran back on defense 'cause I know he's about to say some shit. You know what I mean? He was already into the game. And so then I was mad as hell 'cause I would've said something if I knew it. But then there was a clip, you know what I'm saying, on Instagram and I'm running back on defense. He get the stop. He getting ready to take the ball out. He's like, "Yeah, you bitch-ass motherfucker." I was like, "That's what he said?" Oh man, I would've turned around and said something. Yeah.

I wouldn't have said that to your face, Norm. I got too much respect for you.

But I know, like, I don't take it personal. I know that's, you know, that's you. And I like that part of the game, you know? But I would've turned around and said, like, what you think this is, man? I'm right back too. I'm here too. You know what I mean? But yeah, man, I remember that, man. He always saying something. He don't back down from nobody.

Now you get a lot of guys that, You know you gotta. Norm ain't never backing down from nothing.

He ain't listening to you.

Why not? He not. A lot of guys in the league that you know—

Norm don't listen to him. It take a lot for me to try, you know what I mean?

I'm here to hoop.

Hey, Norm, Norm, don't listen to him. He'll say anything.

I know how it go.

Just gotta find angles, bro. Hey, Draymond Green. Hey, Norm, man. It's been a pleasure, brother. We appreciate you, my dog. You having an incredible year. Keep it up, stay healthy. And I hope the best for you, bro. Be an all-star. Keep chasing it, bro. It's incredible to see you leveling up. —like, only Kyle Lowry has leveled up, uh, this late. You keep going, my dog.

I'm gonna try to pass— I'm gonna try to pass him. So hopefully, you know, I'm saying, things go right, um, I'll be right, right there, All-Star, and get to experience that, man. But I appreciate, um, y'all having me on here, you know what I'm saying, taking the time, man. I looked up both of y'all's careers and, um, It's an honor, man, to be, you know, talking to y'all and being, uh, the same, uh, category as y'all in some aspects, you know. So, um, I appreciate it.

Yes, sir. I appreciate you, bro. Just invite me to the football game so I can sit in the lower bowl.

I got you, man. I'll make sure Doug takes care of you.

Hey, hey, I'm sitting up there.

Whatever you need, man. You know, I got you.

He's sitting back, you know, like sitting back like this watching the game and shit. I got a beer right here, popcorn. Come on, Norm.

I'll get you right, man. I'll get you them floor seats, man, and get right there, first row.

Take care of the old legend.

I got you.

Let's go, Bruin legend.

Love, appreciate it.

Clipper All-Star campaign.

Yes, sir, appreciate it, man.

Appreciate you, bro.