- 2 days ago
LJ Cryer, who's on the Warriors summer league roster after spending time with the Warriors last season, joins Willard and Dibs live from Las Vegas to discuss his journey.
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00:00Live to Vegas is a fun phrase.
00:02Yes, it is.
00:04And I think this conversation will be fun.
00:07About to go live to Vegas.
00:09The best we can do without actually being there
00:12and throwing some coin around and watching some ball.
00:15But we get to talk to somebody else who's in the midst of all of it.
00:19Hopefully he's indoor because I'm looking now
00:21and I believe it's 109.
00:24Oh my God.
00:25Buck 9.
00:26Oh gosh.
00:27Well, let's find out.
00:28Swillard and Dibs, 95.7 The Game.
00:30And joining us here on the River Islands guest line
00:33is none other than Warriors guard LJ Cryer, live from Vegas.
00:38LJ, thanks for coming on, man.
00:39How you doing?
00:40I'm doing well.
00:41How about you guys?
00:42We're doing great.
00:43And we want to talk hoop, but seeing as that just came up,
00:46like what do you guys do to pass the time
00:48when you're not on the court in Vegas in the middle of the summer?
00:52Oh man, I just try to hang with my family and stay off my legs.
00:58You know, playing a lot of games out here.
01:00So just try to be well rested for the games.
01:03You know, it's a lot of distractions.
01:06A lot of people around here, but I just try to chill with my family
01:10and just watch the games in the room just to prepare myself for the game.
01:15Yeah, get that air conditioning and let it work for you.
01:18Who is out there from your family?
01:20Because I was doing some of the research before this interview
01:23and everything I saw is tight-knit family, those criers.
01:26So who's out there for you?
01:28My parents are out here.
01:30They just left.
01:31And then my girlfriend and my kid is out here.
01:35So we're just out here surviving this heat.
01:38I mean, you're 24 years old, LJ.
01:42So like you're allowed to go play craps or something if you wanted to.
01:47Yes, I am.
01:48But I try to save all that for when we're done playing.
01:52That's fair enough.
01:53Fair enough.
01:54All right, so let's talk about the plan.
01:56Like this group so far, sure, it's early,
01:59but we'd love to know about you and Yaxel and Leones
02:04and the rest of the guys,
02:06some of whom we've gotten to know a little bit over the last year plus.
02:09How are you feeling about your standing within the organization right now?
02:16I mean, I feel pretty good.
02:19You know, I know what they have planned for me
02:21and the things that I need to be working on and stuff.
02:25Clear communication.
02:26I feel pretty good.
02:28So you said you know what they've got planned for you.
02:31Could you share that?
02:32What do they have planned for you?
02:36I mean, I mean, I talked to the coaches and Mike and stuff.
02:40So, I mean, I don't want to share, like, too much of what we talk about,
02:46but there is a plan for me as long as I continue to keep doing what I'm doing,
02:52stay healthy, and just keep improving day by day.
02:54So as long as I do my part,
02:57I feel like I could be on the court and help this team win a lot of games.
03:01And you've done your part, and I want to go back to last year
03:05where I was reading the story about the 24-hour period you had
03:09where you get called up, you get big minutes, you get your Final Four ring,
03:13and you got a chance to spend time with your newborn daughter.
03:17Can you flash back to that day and just give us some context
03:20about what a whirlwind and what an emotional day that must have been?
03:25Yeah, no, it was crazy because that was, like, my first game back
03:29from having a back injury.
03:33And then, like you said, I had a lot of other stuff going on.
03:36So I was kind of nervous headed into that game
03:39because I hadn't played in a little while.
03:41And I thought I was going to be able to play a game or two in, like, Santa Cruz
03:45to get me prepared for when I got called back up.
03:48But they were kind of just like, you know, just come out here
03:50and just give us what you got.
03:51And I ended up playing pretty well in front of my family.
03:54So it was definitely a special day and a good way to get my feet wet.
04:01LJ Cryer is with us here at Witherton-Dibbs, 95.7 The Game,
04:04live from Vegas, obviously part of the Summer League team.
04:06But we got to know your play a little bit last year as well.
04:09What were your impressions?
04:11Like, what can you tell us about being a part of, let's be real, LJ,
04:15kind of an iconic locker room, but it's getting late in their game
04:19and you're coming in just trying to start your NBA story.
04:22What was that experience like for you?
04:25It was a great experience.
04:28Obviously, we all wish that we could have won some more games,
04:32but just getting to be around those guys and learn as much as possible
04:36and, you know, just being around them, them giving me words of encouragement,
04:44and then just seeing how they go to work every day has, like,
04:47it motivated me to become a better player.
04:49So I felt like last year was a really good year for me just to see how to be a
04:56pro
04:56and just learn from the best of the best.
04:58Were you able to fight through some of the intimidation of being around Hall of Famers
05:03just based on what you did in college and the level of success you had?
05:08I mean, I wasn't really intimidated or starstruck or anything like that.
05:13But, you know, I'm obviously a fan of these guys,
05:16but I did come in with, like, a tip on my shoulder due to the success I had in college,
05:24but also not getting drafted.
05:28So I had to carry that with me because I felt like no team really wanted me coming out of
05:33college.
05:34So, yeah.
05:35LJ, what was that experience like?
05:36Take us through the lead-up to the draft night and the disappointment.
05:44I mean, obviously we lose in the championship, but after that I started doing the pre-draft,
05:52things like that.
05:54End up doing some workouts for some NBA teams.
05:58Did about six workouts, seven workouts,
06:00and then I had to strain my back and my hamstring in one of the workouts
06:06due to, like, all the flying and stuff and back-to-back.
06:09So I didn't get the workout for, like, half of the teams like I was planning to,
06:15but also didn't get a G League Combine invite or NBA Combine invite.
06:21So after my college season, it was kind of like just kind of sitting around waiting for something to happen.
06:29So when I watched the draft, I wasn't really expecting to be drafted
06:34because I felt like due to me not getting a Combine invite,
06:38I didn't get to showcase myself one more time in front of the scouts.
06:42So I kind of figured that I would go undrafted.
06:46But so draft night, after draft night, I got some calls for exhibit 10, things like that,
06:52and I kind of had to just choose which place that I felt like I could have a path to
06:58elevate,
06:59and I felt like going to stay was the best fit for me.
07:01Yeah, it's the best fit for many, including your former rival and your current teammate, Will Richard.
07:06Have you guys had any back and forth about that national championship game
07:10where you outscored Will, but unfortunately his team outscored yours?
07:16I mean, we talk about it here and there, but, you know, it's just a friendly banner at the end
07:21of the day.
07:22You know, they had a hell of a team.
07:25I felt like our team was a hell of a team.
07:26We led for 39 minutes of the game, something like that.
07:29So, I mean, it sucks that we didn't get it done, but, I mean, it's a hell of an accomplishment
07:36for him.
07:36LJ, what have your first impressions of Yaxo Lindenborg been?
07:41He's a great player.
07:42I mean, he comes from a winning program, really fun guy to be around, super talented,
07:49shoot the ball way better than what I thought.
07:52I mean, I'd never really seen him much in college, but, I mean, from the looks of it
07:58and how he's been playing, it looks like he can shoot the ball, and then he's very strong, rebounds.
08:03So, I mean, he does a little bit of everything.
08:05He's super talented.
08:06What's it like on a summer league team where, like, Yaxo, he's a lottery pick.
08:10He's going to be on the squad.
08:11I think you will be and will as well.
08:13But you've got other guys who are kind of fighting for their career.
08:16Is it hard to create a cohesive team when you've got some individuals who may be looking out for themselves?
08:25I mean, that's kind of out of our control a little bit.
08:28I mean, everyone's going to have people in their ears telling them to do more and do certain things.
08:34But I feel like you kind of got to listen to what the coaching staff is telling you
08:39because at the end of the day, they know they want something out of you,
08:45and they're looking for certain things.
08:47So, you can't kind of go off script because you can try to do more and think you're doing something
08:53right.
08:53But at the end of the day, if you're not doing what they're looking for, you're kind of hurting yourself.
08:57So, I mean, we have a good bond off the court with each other.
09:02So, I feel like that translates on the court.
09:06So, we play unselfish brand of basketball, and we have open communication with the staff and stuff.
09:12So, everyone knows what's expected out of them.
09:14So, LJ, I'm sure, as you said, the organization's got a plan for you.
09:19At the same time, when you kind of lay a first impression on a coach,
09:23I would imagine you're hoping that that carries over to the next year.
09:28So, what was your experience when the whole team was kind of not knowing if Steve Kerr was going to
09:35be back?
09:35And what are your thoughts now that he is?
09:41I mean, I was hoping he comes back.
09:42I mean, since I've met Steve, Steve has been a fan of my game.
09:48I mean, I felt like Steve really liked the way I carried myself.
09:53And I really liked how Steve liked his approach to the game and how he coached the team.
09:58So, having a coach that believes in you, like last year I had a game where I was kind of
10:04in a funk, in a slump,
10:06and he told me to just keep shooting, like letting him fly.
10:09And I feel like as a rookie, not many coaches are going to tell you to do that.
10:12So, having a coach that just instilled confidence in you was big for me.
10:17So, I really wanted him to come back, and I'm glad he's back.
10:21Yeah, we're also glad that he's back.
10:23And just watching you play in the time you did last year, LJ, you are a walking bucket.
10:28So, you get to this offseason.
10:30What is it that you look at in your game that you need to get better at?
10:36Just keep expanding on the things that I'm good at.
10:39Obviously, just turn my strength into like a superpower.
10:45So, rather than shooting off the catch or shooting off the dribble,
10:48they want me to just keep elevating that to where it's even more deadly.
10:52And then the main thing this offseason is it's been trying to get my body as healthy as possible.
10:57So, I have to try to pick up my defensive intensity and just be out there,
11:02be more available for the team due to us having a lot of old guys
11:06and a lot of guys missing back-to-backs and stuff like that.
11:09So, the main thing this year has just been they kept it simple for me,
11:14just get my body right, expand on the things that I've been doing well,
11:17and then just try to pick up the defensive intensity.
11:20Now, I call him the other LJ.
11:25You hearing anything about LeBron James out there?
11:29Oh, man.
11:30I thought you were talking about LeJay Jones.
11:34That would be the other LJ.
11:36He's the third LJ, my bad.
11:38Like, you know, second round.
11:40Like, you know, you've got to wait a minute.
11:43I mean, I've been hearing as much as y'all have been hearing, man.
11:47You know, some people are like, yeah, he's coming,
11:50and then some people are like, nah, he's not coming.
11:53I haven't really heard anything from front office or the players or anything.
11:59We kind of just look on what's trending on social media just like y'all.
12:03So, yeah.
12:04I mean, what's your thought on just this idea, LJ?
12:09I mean, in a few months, I guess there's a scenario where your teammates
12:14with Steph Curry and LeBron James.
12:17That would be crazy.
12:19I mean, I've watched LeBron and Steph my whole childhood in the finals.
12:25I used to flip-flop back and forth being a bandwagon fan,
12:30choosing who I want to win.
12:32So, having those guys on my team would be crazy because, I mean,
12:37Steph is someone you dream about playing with as well as LeBron.
12:40So, having both of them in the locker room,
12:42I don't think anybody could ever imagine that.
12:45LJ Cryer with us here on Willard and Dibs 95-7, the game.
12:50I think as the guys told you, we'd love to play a little game we like to play
12:54called the Big Finish on the way out the door.
12:55Are you ready to go?
12:56Yes, sir.
12:57I'm ready.
12:58Okay.
13:00All right, LJ Cryer on the Big Finish.
13:02Here's how it works, LJ.
13:03We give you two categories.
13:04You pick one, and then we'll ask the questions.
13:07Your two categories are,
13:08He's a Cryer,
13:10or,
13:11Houston,
13:12We Have a Point Guard.
13:14Which one would you like to do?
13:16He's a Cryer.
13:17Okay,
13:18He's a Cryer.
13:19Question number one,
13:20what movie,
13:22book,
13:22or song
13:23has moved you to tears?
13:27Moved me to tears?
13:32Probably Missing You by P. Diddy,
13:35I think.
13:36Okay.
13:37That's a great choice.
13:38That's a really good choice.
13:39Yeah.
13:40Where's your mind going when you're listening to that?
13:44I remember one of my cousins,
13:46his dad passed away when I was in high school,
13:50and me and that cousin in particular grew up together.
13:55We're, like, really tight,
13:56and that's, like, my brother.
13:58So, whenever his dad passed,
14:00like, his dad came into his life late,
14:01so we met him late also,
14:04and shortly after he passed away.
14:06So, just seeing the pain that he had to deal through,
14:12I mean,
14:14I felt it as well,
14:15due to us being so close.
14:17So, I remember
14:19at the funeral and stuff like that,
14:21hearing the song.
14:22So, it brings me back to that kind of time.
14:24Thank you for sharing.
14:25I didn't intend for this to get so heavy,
14:27but, no, it's a great reveal.
14:29And, you know,
14:30it just makes me think about,
14:32you know, you,
14:33it turns out you are a crier like myself.
14:35For me,
14:36it's one shining moment every year.
14:39I cannot make it through that montage without crying,
14:42but that's just my own issue.
14:44Question number two, LJ,
14:46are you more likely to cry after a big win
14:48or a crushing loss?
14:51Uh,
14:54probably a crushing loss.
14:57Yeah.
14:57I mean, I hate losing,
14:58so, yeah,
14:59I'll definitely say a loss.
15:01How would you describe your emotions
15:03after, uh,
15:04for example,
15:05you guys lost in the national championship game?
15:08Oh, man, yeah,
15:09that hurt for,
15:10for a while.
15:11Um,
15:12due to,
15:13you know,
15:14not,
15:15not being able to ever get that opportunity again.
15:18So,
15:18um,
15:19that was kind of the main thing.
15:20Like,
15:20some of those other guys got to go back
15:22and try to redeem themselves,
15:24but that was it for me.
15:25So,
15:26uh,
15:26it was real upsetting,
15:27but,
15:28I mean,
15:29nothing we can do about it now.
15:30And you did win the Natty at Baylor as a freshman,
15:33not playing a ton.
15:34Does that,
15:35I mean,
15:35it obviously counts,
15:36but is that something that you look at
15:39and you think,
15:39well,
15:39I would have liked to have one
15:40when I was playing a bunch?
15:42Oh,
15:42yeah,
15:43for sure.
15:43I definitely wanted that,
15:44um,
15:45the second one,
15:46because,
15:46uh,
15:46it would have just meant so much more to me,
15:48but,
15:49you know,
15:49I'm appreciative of having one.
15:50So,
15:51uh,
15:51kind of got to look at the bright side.
15:52I was like,
15:53Hey,
15:53it can't be greedy.
15:54I got one anyway.
15:55All right.
15:55Last one,
15:56LJ.
15:56Have you ever used the crying Jordan meme in a text
16:00or on social media?
16:02Uh,
16:02no,
16:03sir.
16:03Um,
16:04I couldn't even tell you how that would look,
16:06to be honest.
16:07Are you a social media guy or no?
16:10Uh,
16:10sort of,
16:11uh,
16:12I'm like on and off of it.
16:13Sometimes I deactivate just to clear my mind
16:17and,
16:18uh,
16:18keep the distractions away.
16:20So,
16:20yeah.
16:21Yeah.
16:21And I saw from,
16:22uh,
16:22one of the stories I read about you in high school,
16:24your high school coach was mad because people would be coming for you.
16:28You put,
16:28you put up 40 points in the game and people would think you were shooting too
16:32much.
16:33Uh,
16:34yeah.
16:34I mean,
16:34it'll be a fish in 40 though.
16:36So,
16:37um,
16:38I mean,
16:38I've scored 50 points on like 18 shots,
16:4119 shots before.
16:42So it was like,
16:43um,
16:44man,
16:45I kind of just got to block out the noise.
16:46That's why I stay off social media because if somebody is going to have
16:49something to say,
16:50no matter if you're doing good or bad.
16:52So I just try to,
16:53uh,
16:54log off,
16:55uh,
16:56for a little while,
16:56just to keep my mind clear of,
16:58um,
16:59other people's opinions.
17:00Uh,
17:01LJ,
17:02stay away from those tables,
17:03man.
17:03Okay.
17:03Thank you for coming on.
17:05For sure.
17:06Thanks for having me.
17:07Okay,
17:07my man,
17:07LJ Cryer with us here on Willard and Dip.
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