JA: Seeing gamers like Chauncey undergo their journey and discovering success, like KG and others, resonates with me deeply – generally an excessive amount of, to the purpose the place I lose sleep over it. However the rewarding half now’s watching gamers like Ziaire Williams, who I’ve recognized since he was 14, thrive regardless of challenges. He was a McDonald’s All-American and a Prime 10 draft decide, had early success in Memphis, however struggled with accidents and competitors. Now, in Brooklyn, he’s thriving.
The identical goes for others I’ve labored with, like Kyle Lowry. He transitioned from Memphis to Houston earlier than changing into the seven-time All-Star we all know in Toronto. Or Al Harrington, who joined the NBA at 18 and spent two years barely taking part in earlier than constructing a 17-year profession.
The cool factor now’s, with guys like Ziaire, Blake Wesley, and Josh Inexperienced, you see the development. There have been occasions when individuals requested, “What’s going to occur with this man?” However I’ve been by it so many occasions earlier than. Initially, you need to be adequate, proper? That’s a part of it. You possibly can’t simply do that with anyone. However for those who’re adequate, maintain working, do the best issues, put together, and reap the benefits of your alternative, issues will work out.
And I’ve these tales to share. Like, “Hey, Chauncey Billups was on six groups earlier than he discovered his dwelling in Detroit.” And this man’s within the Corridor of Fame. Not everybody has a profession like KG. Or have a look at a man like Tyrese Haliburton. He received drafted to Sacramento, had an okay first 12 months – they form of had too many guards, him and Fox. He’s at all times been good, however it wasn’t till he received to Indiana that he grew to become an All-Star. That’s early in his profession, however his first two years weren’t excellent.
I’ve these experiences to attract on to speak to the younger guys as we speak and say, “Hey, that is what occurs.” Sure, it tugs at me [his player’s success], however lower than it used to as a result of I see the way it works out. I’ve a bit of extra knowledge now than I did once I was 25 years previous, residing and dying on the whole lot these guys did – emotionally, not financially. That’s the place I’m at with that now.
