Panel:
Guest:
First Half
Vince Carter announces retirement:
Rachel Nichols’ one-on-one conversation with DeMarcus Cousins
Highlights:
Looking back on Game 2 and knowing he had to work to the level he had to work to get there:
“That’s what it’s about. I know the feeling that this might be it. I’m going to leave it on the floor” – Cousins
On his quad injury that he suffered in the 1st round vs the Clippers:
“I was just ready to quit. Like, throw the towel in” – Cousins
On how grueling it was to sit out 45 days from the Clippers series to the NBA Finals:
“The tedious work. You come in and you just do the same thing over and over again. And it’s days where you just like, ‘this s*** is not even working’ But you got to trust in yourself like this is everything I need to get back to where I want to be. The physical part wasn’t the hard part, it was everything mentally” – Cousins
On what made him fight back to get on the court:
“I don’t want to go out without a fight. That’s just how I’m wired” – Cousins
On proving to people with his comeback that he can still play at a high level, particularly in the NBA Finals, with his free agency coming up this summer:
“I care more about proving it to myself. I don’t think anybody’s expectations are higher than mine” – Cousins
Assessing his Game 1 performance where he played only 8 minutes:
“It was horrible. Rhythm was off, felt out of place the entire game. I used it for what it was worth” – Cousins
On carrying a heavy load for Game 3:
“Your body doesn’t take you wherever your minds goes. If I can do it in my mind, I think my body will follow” – Cousins
On why he doesn’t want to be called Boogie (first coined by Rod Strickland):
“I don’t mind be called Boogie, I don’t like the way it’s said. It was kind of dragged out, like childish. It’s just ‘Boogie’ or ‘Boog’. I’ve grown to like the name, but it’s just the way it’s said” – Cousins
On whether being with the Warriors has changed him:
“Absolutely. I came in different and I know I’m leaving out different. This has been a ride to say the least. I’m definitely a different person” – Cousins
How badly do Warriors need Boogie?
“They need him real bad with all the injuries they’ve been going through” – Jackson
“It’s supposed to happen. If I’m Golden State, I’m featuring him [in Game 3] from the jump. You want to get him comfortable because he’s important to their success until these guys come back and they’re at full strength” – Carter
“This is the time to show all the hard work” – Jackson
Nichols:
June 5, 1999 – Larry Johnson (Knicks) with the clutch three pointer, plus the foul against the Pacers in the ECF!
Better nickname: Ronald Threesley (Kevin Huerter) or Threegional Manager (Mike Scott)?
Carter: Threesley | Jackson: Threesley
Do you like Kawhi’s form of trash talk? (Via Jayson Jenks/The Athletic)
Should the NBA have a throwback ABA night? (Via Bardown/Twitter)
Shoutout Tyler Dimich (Social Media for ESPN) for the clutch 3 in the Media Hoops game!
Moving on…
Woj: Lakers hiring Lionel Hollins as assistant coach | Should Frank Vogel be looking over his shoulder?
“You should be worried. This is not an accident. They’re doing this for a reason. It’s good to have those guys on the staff with him” – Jackson
“It’s already tough to have the head coaching job of LeBron James and the pressure that comes with it already If they go 0-4, 0-5, then the whispers become prevalent” – Carter
Second Half
Klay on hamstring: “It will be a game-time decision”
“I don’t think he’s going to play. He can’t come out and say he’s not playing now. Why give Toronto any intel?” – Carter
“Right now, he don’t want to answer because he hopes to feel better the next day. He’s in pain. I really believe what he’s saying” – Jackson
Boogie: “I’m far from a finished product”
“He’s definitely far [from a finished product]. His dominance in short spurts still didn’t have lift. He’s only going to get better with time” – Carter
“We can see his best days ahead of him. You can tell he’s grown from this situation” – Jackson
Nichols:
Steph on 2016 Game 7: “I could have easily gone around Kevin Love” (Via Jackie MacMullan/ESPN)
Click here to read more about this topic
Love’s response:
Easily. https://t.co/xSoClgDjVo
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) June 4, 2019
Four big questions that will decide NBA Finals by Zach Lowe
Carter on knowing and playing with RJ Barrett’s dad:
What would a Raptors title mean for Canada?
“It definitely means a lot. I remember cheering for the Raptors ever since I could remember and to see them in the Finals, I watch the games, I’m screaming, I’m cheering” – Barrett
On playing in the ACC:
Lessons learned from Steve Nash?
Nash is Barrett’s godfather
“Just telling me to work harder than everybody else and just stay true to yourself” – Barrett
Expectations for NBA Draft night?
Advice for Barrett:
On possibly playing at MSG and being ready for the pressure that goes with it playing on a big stage:
“I don’t think that playing on a big stage is pressure. Pressure is like you don’t know what you’re going to eat. Definitely playing in the Garden would be exciting” – Barrett
June 5, 2014 – Ray Allen with the monster one-handed dunk on Danny Green vs the Spurs!
‘Merica
USA Basketball finalizing training camp roster for FIBA World Cup (Via Woj and New York Times)
Most notable players on the roster will include:
-Anthony Davis
-James Harden
-Damian Lillard
-Zion Williamson (Will have a shot to make the team)
Carter on playing for Team USA:
New York State of Mind?
Buy that Kyrie prefers Nets over Knicks? (Via First Take’s Stephen A. Smith)
But Celtics GM, Danny Ainge says he’s heard no word from Kyrie or his camp that Kyrie doesn’t want to return to Boston
“At the end of the day, it’s going to all play out at the draft to see who does what and what makes sense for him” – Carter
“I got to go with Stephen A. That’s my guy. He’s from that area and they’re building something good in Brooklyn. Jimmy [Butler] might be right behind him!” – Jackson
Nothing was the same
Which version of Kyle Lowry do you expect in Game 3?
Lowry told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that he expects to be more aggressive
“Aggressive Kyle. If I’m the Toronto Raptors coach [Nick Nurse], I’m featuring him in the first couple of minutes to get him going because he is very important to their success” – Carter
“On the road, he was their best player. He doesn’t shy away from playing on the road” – Jackson
Expect Raptors to play more box-and-1 in Game 3?
“It works, but it will not work in Golden State. Everybody shoots well here” – Jackson
“You will see it again and now they have that in their pocket for after timeout plays, low clock, late game or after free throws” – Carter
Nichols:
What the 8th grade basketball is going on lol
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) June 3, 2019
Trust Kawhi or Steph more in Game 3?
“Kawhi. He’s rolling” – Carter
“The chef is coming home!” – Jackson
“Here’s what I want to see from Kawhi: Points at the right time” – Nichols
