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Goran Dragić Interview! | Heat legend Goran Dragić joins the show! The Dragon breaks down opening night, Giannis wearing No. 7, playing for Coach Spo, being a craftsman, and South Florida iguanas!
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00:00Goran Drogic joining us here on the program. Jay, what's going on, man?
00:04Hey, guys. How are you?
00:06I'm good, buddy. Thanks for making time for us today. How are you, man?
00:09I'm great. I'm great. Enjoying the weather, floor of the weather, you know?
00:14Finally, man. It's finally not brutal out, and we can enjoy it a little bit.
00:20But yes, it's great to have you here, man.
00:23First off, thank you, because I do feel like you had a part in the crooting of Giannis
00:28and letting him know that this place would be good for his knees.
00:32What did you make of it when we got the news this summer
00:35that Giannis was finally becoming a member of the Heat?
00:40Were you like, oh, finally a splash move from Miami?
00:43What did you think of it?
00:45Yeah, I was super excited.
00:47You know, when I played the last three months of my career in Milwaukee,
00:52you know, Giannis was asking me some questions about Miami.
00:55So when we had our podcast, you know, I had to throw that question in, you know,
01:00and yeah, I'm super happy that he's here.
01:03I think he's fitting perfectly in the Heat culture.
01:07You know, that's how he's working.
01:11His determination, his work ethic.
01:13So I think he's going to fit perfectly.
01:18Goran, I want to ask you this.
01:20So how on earth, and I'm usually not a big believer in what people say beforehand,
01:29but how can, you know, in all other sports, or especially in basketball,
01:35you have the best player in your conference.
01:37You're immediately thought as a person that's going to challenge for that conference.
01:43How can people say or suggest that the Heat don't have a potential chance of winning the East?
01:49Like, there's like, oh, it's going to take time.
01:51It's going to be, you have the best player in the conference.
01:54You know, automatically be, you should automatically say, look,
01:58I don't know where they're going to finish,
02:00but they're going to compete for the Eastern Conference.
02:03You know, every year you're going to have some doubters, you know.
02:07And, you know, how I know the locker room, the spa, Pat, and even Giannis,
02:11I know that you're putting fuel on their, you know, in their tank,
02:16because they're going to hold the grudge.
02:19They're going to, you know, try to demonstrate people they're wrong.
02:22And I'm super excited for this season.
02:24I think we have the best coach in the league.
02:27Now we have the top five players, player in the league.
02:31And I think it's going to be an unbelievable season, as long as we stay healthy.
02:36And then I like the rest of the signing, you know, Clay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr.
02:41I think we have a good supporting cast.
02:43And I think we're going to do good this season.
02:46How do you think he looks with the number seven?
02:48He did the okey-doke on us with...
02:50I love it.
02:51I love it.
02:52Actually, I talked to him about that.
02:54And I told him, hey, Brate, go ahead.
02:57You know, you deserve that.
02:58You're the MVP of this league.
03:00And I was happy, you know.
03:03I think he's going to do great things in that number.
03:06And I can't wait to see tonight's game.
03:09What do you think this does for Bam?
03:11I'm kind of curious, because I feel like when you got Giannis, who's just such a terror going at the
03:16rim.
03:17Bam, I know you used to, like, say, hey, Bam, you also are terror in transition going at the rim.
03:22Like, do you feel like there could almost be, like, hey, watching some of that can unlock even more from
03:27Bam, maybe from an aggression standpoint?
03:29Yeah, definitely.
03:30I mean, you know, the last...
03:32You can see the progress in Bam's game.
03:35You know, the last year, he was shooting more threes.
03:37So, I think, you know, when Giannis got the defensive rebound and he's getting on the upper court, I think
03:42Bam going to be that trail guy or, you know, spacing the floor.
03:46But then, you know, when Giannis is going to go to the bench, probably Bam going to be, you know,
03:50the main guy.
03:52And he needs to be aggressive.
03:53He needs to put pressure on that paint.
03:56He needs to be physical.
03:57And, you know, I'm happy for Bam because you can see every year he's working on his game.
04:03He's spending his game.
04:04And now he has a three ball.
04:06He can play inside.
04:07He has mid-range.
04:08We all know what kind of defender he is.
04:10And I think even now with Giannis, Giannis is going to put pressure off Bam's shoulder a little bit, especially
04:18defensively, too.
04:20I kind of like the fact that Bam, like, we put so much on Bam as he was developing his
04:28game, whereas all the other guys that we put pressure on that have come to the heat already had their
04:35game, right?
04:36We've watched him grow and go through the stress of having to put the weight of the team on his
04:42shoulders.
04:42Now, I think he's just going to be freed up.
04:46Like, he's going to be able to do whatever he wants to do.
04:49He's going to be – he's not going to have to think, I have to carry the team.
04:54And I think he's going to be even better than he was because their pressure won't be on him.
04:59And I agree.
05:00I totally agree, Leroy, with you.
05:02And I think even now that he's going to be more free, like more relaxed, he's going to unlock his
05:09game even more.
05:10Right.
05:10And I think he's going to thrive in that offense.
05:15You know, especially with Giannis, with Klay Thompson, with, you know, all the shooters that we have.
05:21So, I think it's going to be an exciting season.
05:24So, can you, like, let us know, like, what's the experience like?
05:27Because when you – you guys would have great playoff series against Giannis, and it was like – it was
05:32always heat.
05:33You guys had to go take out the Bucs.
05:34And then the 23 season, when you went and had a chance to play with him, like, what do you
05:40learn from Giannis when you go against him?
05:42And then what is it like when – like, what opens up in your eyes when you actually get the
05:46chance to play with him as one of his guards?
05:48I mean, you know, when I play against him, we all know, you know, he's physical, he's dominating the paint.
05:56With his length, he can challenge every shot.
05:59And then when he gets on the open court, you cannot stop him.
06:02You know, he actually does a two-step from the three-point line and he dumps over people.
06:09You know, he's just a Greek freak.
06:11You know, I think his nickname is perfect.
06:13But then when I was in Milwaukee playing with him, you know, you can see all this behind-the-scenes
06:19stuff.
06:20You know, how hard he's working.
06:22He's always first at the practice.
06:24He's a leader.
06:26You know, he's going to call you out if you're not doing your job.
06:29So, I think he's a perfect fit with how Spoh and Pat, you know, they're running this organization.
06:36And with Bam, I think they're going to do amazing things.
06:41And, you know, he's going to take care of his body.
06:45And probably what is the most underrated about him, he's hungry now.
06:50You know, he's hungry.
06:52He wishes that pressure on him.
06:54He wants to win another championship.
06:55And I think he's going to look amazing this season.
07:00What about for a guy like Davion?
07:02Like, as when you have a guy like him, he seems, Giannis seems like he likes the chemistry.
07:07But when you're with him, like, is it just don't overthink it, just get the big fella the ball?
07:10Like, what do you think about, like, as when you're just setting him up in his right spots?
07:15Like, what does Giannis like from his guards?
07:18Yeah, you know, he's going to have to read the game.
07:21You know, especially, you know, if probably if Giannis or Bam gets the defensive rebounds,
07:28they're going to probably push the ball.
07:29So he has to space the floor, be ready for, you know, open corner shot or give him spacing.
07:35But then, you know, when he sets offense, probably he's going to have to get everybody involved,
07:41everybody at the right place and call the plays.
07:44And, you know, I would love to play with those two guys.
07:48You know, you can throw lobs left and right.
07:51They're setting good screens.
07:54And, yeah, I think he's going to do good.
07:57A lot of open shots.
07:58Wide open shots.
08:00But, you know, Leroy, sometimes it's tougher to make open shots than over the contested shots.
08:06So, you know, it's going to be interesting to see.
08:10Do you think I really scared him with the iguanas?
08:14I think, you know, in Greece, they don't have iguanas.
08:18So, you know, probably he thought it was a dinosaur or something.
08:23You know, when I see him, I'm going to mess around.
08:27Yeah, that's the little dragons, you know, be careful.
08:30But I love the content he put out.
08:33And it's so perfect for him, man.
08:35He's, you know, he's a family guy, a really likable guy.
08:39He's good for the locker room, for the teammates.
08:41So, it's awesome to see that.
08:43Do you have an iguana problem?
08:45Do you ever have to deal with them in your yard?
08:48Actually, yes.
08:49Yes.
08:49But, you know, I'm not scared of them.
08:51I just grab them.
08:53Toss them aside, dude.
08:55I've been in Florida now for nine years.
08:57So, you know, I adapt.
09:00I adapt.
09:01No, no, no.
09:03Yeah, Leroy's still not messing with him.
09:04He called me about a snake one time.
09:06He's like, is this poisonous?
09:08I'm like, I don't know, man.
09:10I'm like, better safe than sorry.
09:13Yeah, I don't like critters.
09:15Yeah, I'm not afraid of snakes and iguanas and this.
09:18So, I'm cool with animals.
09:21I heard this thing.
09:22So, are you, is the podcast, are you coming back with another season, man?
09:25I really enjoyed that.
09:26I enjoyed that.
09:27And I had heard from sources, you built that studio, like, by yourself?
09:32Yeah, yeah.
09:32I like to build stuff, you know.
09:35Not a lot of people know me, you know, when I'm, when I, what I'm like to do in my
09:40free
09:40time.
09:40But yeah, we're going to come back.
09:42You know, we, we have a little break right now.
09:44But yeah, actually, we went to Home Depot and build a whole set by myself.
09:49That's crazy.
09:50How, when did you get into, when did you get in craftsmanship?
09:52Is that like a, is that, is that like during off season you got into that?
09:56No, you know what?
09:57When I was a kid, my grandpa, he was a electricianist and he built his whole house by himself.
10:03So, when I was a kid, you know, I was running around with the shovel and tried to help him.
10:07And so, you know, it, it, it brings good memories and I'm, I just enjoy, enjoying doing
10:15it, you know, so.
10:16I would like a, like a side TikTok of you just doing, making things.
10:19I think that that would be like a.
10:20You know what?
10:21We actually filmed the whole process.
10:23So, I have it.
10:25You know, how we were building the, the, the podcast set and everything from the beginning
10:30to the end.
10:31So.
10:31It reminds me of like, uh, Alexander Volkanovsky, the UFC champ, like his big thing.
10:35I was cooking with Volk.
10:36Like, I think it's just like, it's like woodshop with Goran Dragic.
10:39I feel like it's a, it's a good eye channel to do.
10:42Hey, my, you know what?
10:43My, my favorite story is Home Depot, man.
10:45So.
10:46I love this dude.
10:47Home Depot is the best.
10:50Don't move.
10:50We'll get you out of here, Goran.
10:52Uh, this, this, uh, have you noticed?
10:55Have you, have you seen the social media post?
10:56Do you feel like Spoh has more of a pep in his step?
10:59He looks like, I don't feel like I've seen him stop smiling when he has a guy.
11:04What do you feel like that unlocks with Eric Spolstra?
11:07Oh, I, I, I can.
11:08I mean, I, I'm not there, but I can already see him.
11:12He's probably the first in the, in the gym.
11:14He's getting, you know, preparation crazy for the team and he's exciting.
11:20You know, he's excited guy.
11:22And I think, you know, not only him, but the whole town, the whole, you know, the fans, the organization,
11:28everybody feels the same.
11:29And I can't wait for tonight.
11:31Um, of course, um, it's going to be a working process, you know, when you had a new group of
11:38guys, they need time.
11:39But, you know, in preseason, they look good.
11:41They look good to me.
11:42So what do you think he enjoys more?
11:46I think he enjoys the challenge.
11:48Well, he's got a lot of older guys.
11:51So that in itself, not having to rely on young players.
11:55Yeah.
11:55I think that he's just like, he's so excited about dealing with older players.
12:03Yeah.
12:03The last few years, the demise of Spol has been always centered around young players.
12:11Yeah, that, that, I agree.
12:12I agree.
12:13And now, you know, he got vets who, you know, a couple of those players, they already won a champion.
12:18So they know what they have to go through.
12:20You know, I think the, the, the one player that maybe are, is not getting recognized enough, but it's like
12:28UD in that locker room is Bobby Portis.
12:31Yeah.
12:33You know, he's going to be huge for the locker room and, you know, how to, um, lead the, the,
12:38the team, especially that second unit, you know?
12:40And I think he, he's going to, he's going to be huge for this thing.
12:44So like, just when you guys went in like the, the 20 season, when you guys made the finals, was
12:49there a time in the middle of the year where you felt like, was it quick when you guys felt
12:54like you guys could do something?
12:55Or is it something that like, was it in the middle of the year?
12:57Do you remember that season?
12:58And like, like how, cause I think Giannis mentioned like, Hey, game 40, we're going to be much better, different
13:03than we are game one.
13:04And do you, do you have a sense of like, when you're a good team, how, about how long that
13:09takes before you really feel something like that?
13:11I mean, probably already, you know, you already can feel that the first 30 games into the season.
13:17Um, but, um, you know, the, the crazy thing was, uh, you know, that year was a COVID.
13:24Yeah.
13:25So, you, you know, it was, it felt like we played two seasons in one season, you know, and, um,
13:31and we had to stop playing for a month and a half.
13:34Um, you know, you lose that touch with the players.
13:38We had to do a zoom workouts and then suddenly, you know, the league calls you back and yeah, we're
13:43going to go to Disney.
13:44And actually we, we had to start over, but, um, but, you know, it, it did help a lot that
13:51we like each other as a team.
13:53You know, we hang out a lot and I think that makes us better, especially in the bubble.
13:58Goran, appreciate you giving us some time on opening day, man.
14:01Everybody's fired up.
14:02Love, uh, love hearing from you and, uh, all the best, man.
14:07There you go.
14:07Good job.
14:08I'll be, I've been watching you guys.
14:10So appreciate you, buddy.
14:12Always appreciate you making time for us to go on dragons.
14:15Go check them out, man.
14:16Go check them out.
14:16Go follow him on social media.
14:17And, uh, major day.
14:19Oh, that, that, that, that major day.
14:22He's the man.
14:23There's only like two or three guys that no matter what happens, if we have them on Tobin's done for
14:31the day.
14:32I'm happy.
14:33Yeah, that's good.
14:34And he watches.
14:35Yep.
14:36Yep.
14:37And also go to hell, Hachman.
14:41What?
14:42He got trapped in them.
14:44What happened?
14:45Oh, because he's, he's always, he's with his little side jabs.
14:47I don't like it.
14:48I don't like it.
14:48You know, you know, and so, and so he knows, he knows what it is.