Quentin Richardson, Darius Miles on ‘Knuckleheads’ Season 13, NBA drama

When former Los Angeles Clippers teammates Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles determined to inform their tales by way of the ‘Knuckleheads’ podcast, that they had no clue how massive their platform was going to get. And once they began inviting company to come back inform their tales, they could not think about how necessary a easy open discussion board devoted to basketball between a few gamers could be.

“I did not actually know what a podcast was and stuff like that. So I did not know. I did not even know you would win awards and all that stuff for it”

Now of their thirteenth season of the Knuckleheads podcast with The Participant’s Tribune, Richardson and Miles have develop into a vacation spot for gamers to come back and inform their truths with out judgement.

Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter, Tyrese Haliburton, Dwyane Wade, the listing goes on for what’s now the thirteenth season of Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles.

Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles Knuckleheads Interview

Tomer Azarly: That is now the thirteenth season for you guys internet hosting the Knuckleheads podcast. Did you suppose it could go this lengthy if you guys began it?

Darius Miles: Properly, I positively thought we had one thing like lots of people obtained it very nicely. In order that put us in the proper path. Now, I could not put a time restrict on it and I could not suppose that we’ll be doing it the final 5 years or so forth on. However it’s a blessing. However I positively thought we had one thing that folks beloved and appreciated once we first began.

Quentin Richardson: Yeah, going into it, I had no clue. I believe, like, after we bought the reception, after we put stuff out, however, like, going into it, I did not actually know what a podcast was and stuff like that. So I did not know. I did not even know you would win awards and all that stuff. So I could not say that we knew that [it would do well]. As soon as we put stuff out and the reception we bought, we began listening to about it again within the neighborhood and in barbershops and stuff like that. Like, then we sort of knew. And even in figuring out that, we did not know precisely what we had. We knew we had one thing that folks was interested in.

What impressed you to place the Knuckleheads podcast collectively and simply speak about no matter you guys wished to?

Darius Miles: Q. did the Gamers’ Tribune article. And I used to be going by way of no matter I used to be going by way of, and I moved to Florida. And he was simply encouraging me and simply telling me, like, ‘bro, if you prepared to inform your story, I bought a pleasant platform so that you can inform the story. And we did the collab. We may sort of collab with me on telling my story. So we each bought, for each our tales, we each bought quite a lot of love from former gamers. Simply lots of people appreciated the story and so forth on. And Q. was speaking about, ‘man, we’d like a present.’ And he stored on telling Gamers Tribune we in all probability ought to do a present. They got here again with a podcast, which we by no means heard of podcasts again then.

Quentin Richardson: So me, I had simply stopped working with the Pistons within the entrance workplace and being a professional scout. And so I used to be attempting to maneuver into the media house doing no matter, being an analyst and all that stuff. So everyone would simply inform me that they wanted to see you simply get reps, do one thing, get stuff on tape. So I used to be like, ‘no matter, this looks as if that is reps or no matter.’ So like as soon as we determined we have been gonna do it, we sat down out and we all the time kick it and every thing no matter so we sat down and determined simply how we wished to do it and what we wished to be about and that is how this happened.

When you began seeing the expansion and the love, did you’ve any concepts of what to do subsequent to proceed constructing on it and find out how to enhance or was it like attempting to take a step at a time and no matter occurs, occurs.

Darius Miles: Yeah, once we first began off, we began off with the don’ts, actually. We began off with what we what we’re keen to do and what we weren’t keen to do. What we have been keen to ask what we weren’t keen to ask. We tried to steer clear of controversy and all the additional stuff that’d be occurring as a result of you’ve so many shops that contact on totally different topics so we did not need to have that. We would like our company to really feel prefer it was a secure place to come back, so we sort of began off with the do’s and the don’ts. After which um we simply structured it off telling like storytelling of gamers or company who telling their very own story out their very own mouth and tales that is by no means been heard earlier than and that is sort of how we sort of began up inside it.

Quentin Richardson: I believe like as soon as we began to get consideration and stuff like that, the largest factor that we tried to regulate that I believe is like we tried to enhance ourselves, listening to issues, listening to episodes, and understanding — Like I used to ask long-ass questions and be lengthy with it and the company forgot precisely what the query was by the point I get by way of. So like similar to sort of trying inward at ourselves and attempting to see how we are able to do higher interviewers. It is the social media period so we have been getting criticism and critiques and that too, so that you have a look at that and simply attempt to get higher man. However I imply we laid the inspiration that we actually, we’re strictly basketball. Outdoors of Fabolous, Jerry Ferrara, and Derek Jeter, every thing is basketball. Like these was earlier once we have been simply getting interviews after which it was like nah, we’re gonna keep proper right here on this lane, we need to be right here for for our neighborhood, the ring neighborhood. From that time, it is prefer it’s all sort of various stuff taking place so that you try to enhance in these areas however I believe the largest factor we tried to enhance with one another.

The phrase pioneer will get thrown round quite a bit however, together with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, I really feel such as you guys have been the primary sort of participant podcast that dedicated to it. Do you’re feeling such as you have been sort of the pioneers for that, serving to to start out the player-wave the place now you see guys like Paul George, JJ Redick, Jeff Teague, and all these different gamers have their podcasts?

Quentin Richardson: For me, I do not wish to try to say, ‘hey, we have been the primary.’ I really feel like Jalen Rose and Jacoby, they have been the primary, like podcast. Like although Jacoby did not play, however J-Rose was a former participant. And you then had, not less than what I am conscious of, Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye that did Street Trippin’ whereas they have been nonetheless taking part in with the Cavs. After which after that, I’d say we have gotten suggestions from guys. KG has instructed us, ‘Man, y’all, like, watching y’all boys do it and the way y’all did it gave me the boldness to know okay, I can do me.’ You do not bought to suit into this, regardless of the media world seem like. We present, I really feel like, we confirmed whoever. I do not need to say anybody who has carried out one, did it due to us, however like, whoever noticed it, they noticed that we got here and have been our genuine selves. Like all these people who know us, once they see us within the present, they know that is Q. and D., for actual. And that is who we’re on and off the digital camera. That gave them a comfortability to have the ability to exit and do it in their very own methods. I really feel prefer it’s quite a lot of totally different individuals doing it, not everyone’s doing the identical, however everyone has their consolation zone to have the ability to go on the market and simply do it their very own manner.

Darius Miles: Yeah, I really feel like we’re two guys that actually, we let different individuals say no matter. And it is a lot respect after I hear Stack Jack (Stephen Jackson) say that we began the motion, or KG say we began the motion, Baron Davis, or we simply seen Paul George, and he mentioned we began it, so I recognize it, I do not wish to say it myself, as a result of it might be braggadocious, it feels braggadocious for actual, like, however, yeah, I like for different individuals to say that we made a motion to encourage them to do what they did.

Do you guys have a favourite episode or a favourite visitor on Knuckleheads through the years?

Darius Miles: A favourite visitor? Alright, a particular visitor was Kobe [Bryant] for positive. I believe that was like, the respect we have now for Kobe and his recreation and what he is carried out within the NBA, for him to succeed in out to us and recognize what we was doing, and wished to be on the present, I really feel like that was actual particular, and a particular second. We was actual hyped after, we was hyped going into it, and we was hyped after we bought it. Actual hyped for him, so I believe Kobe is the one for me.

Quentin Richardson: Yeah, like, it is robust for me to say, however I imply, such as you mentioned, if we bought to choose one, gotta be Kobe. Simply because what he means to the sport, who he’s within the recreation, and like we’re of that period, so we all know he was the dude, he was the man. And if you play within the period, you respect who these dudes have been. He was the highest of the meals chain in our period. So to get to holler at him. Such as you mentioned, he reached out as a result of he noticed what we was doing and wished to be on there, and that was my first time ever getting that sort of probability to take a seat down and chop it up with him on that stage the place it is like we’re not opponents and we are able to all recognize one another. In order that was tremendous dope.

What is the subsequent massive visitor you are gonna attempt to get on Knuckleheads? Who would you like on the present?

Darius Miles: Oh, we need to get Michael Jordan, that is the GOAT of all GOATS proper there. We are able to by no means, we each Jordan Model guys, if we are able to ever put all of it on the road, it’s going to be for Michael Jordan. We bought some actual good company coming quickly. Nancy Lieberman, Sam Cassell, Boogie Cousins, simply to call just a few. However the Golden Goose is all the time gonna be Michael Jordan.

Identical for you, Q?

Quentin Richardson: Simple.

Have you ever had conversations with Michael Jordan in any respect?

Darius Miles: No. Not but. Not but, we simply attempting to construct ourself up and hopefully we’ll be a model that-

Quentin Richardson: If it is alleged to occur, it’ll occur.

Darius Miles: Yeah, we’re being affected person with it.

He does not do something like that in any respect, proper?

Darius Miles: Precisely, so we simply being affected person and hopefully we come throughout his radar the place he really feel that he can provide us simply half-hour of his time, we do not want a lot.

Paul George, Klay Thompson, and the NBA

You guys had Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue on Knuckleheads. What makes him so distinctive not solely as an individual, but additionally as a coach that so many gamers relate to?

Darius Miles: For me, after I got here to LA, I lived in Marina del Rey. Ty Lue stayed proper throughout the road from me. He is from proper exterior of St. Louis, the place I am from. We’re mainly from the identical place. And although he was a Laker, he sorted me like I used to be on the Lakers group, although I used to be a Clipper. And my complete time, since I bought to the NBA and out the NBA, him, his household, his pals, everyone handled me like household. So one of many people who I positively wished to have on this podcast was him. As a result of I really feel like he is a particular individual. I really feel like he is a fantastic coach. I really feel like he is a participant’s coach, he is a fantastic teammate. He is the entire above. He labored exhausting to attain every thing that he is achieved as a participant and as a coach. So he is certainly one of my favorites that I root for it doesn’t matter what. So I am glad, it is simply placing icing on the cake for him to be a Clipper. That makes it much more particular. Like he needs to be a Clipper till he retires. I do know teaching in NBA do not sort of work like that, however I hope he is be a Clipper till he do not need to coach no extra.

Quentin Richardson: Yeah, I agree, man. We have all the time been strong with T-Lue since we first bought within the league. I imply, so far as him teaching, man, like D. mentioned man. He earned it, man. He went, was an assistant for a very long time, discovered, after which when he bought his time, he delivered. And I believe such as you mentioned, being a participant and taking part in within the league at a excessive stage like that, he is aware of what gamers are going by way of, he is been by way of it, so he can converse as a coach from that seat, too. Having that data of being in that place and figuring out how days be typically and I believe he does a fantastic job of relating and clearly it is working. So I am like [Darius]. I want him the most effective. We bought nothing however love for T-Lue.

Darius Miles: And I really feel like the rationale that he is even higher at teaching, like T-Lue performed with Shaq, Kobe, Michael Jordan. He carried out performed with guys that, like he carried out been in locker rooms with guys, he carried out coached the man like when he was first head coach, he carried out coached LeBron. So nothing else he can coach will be above LeBron, Kobe, Mike, and Shaq. So he isn’t starstruck, he isn’t able that he looks like [he can’t handle]. He carried out been round alphas his complete profession, so I believe that is what make him much more particular. He bought the expertise and bought to see guys be nice.

I do know you guys are Clipper Nation. Should ask you guys about Paul George leaving the Clippers for a max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Darius Miles: Yeah, I noticed PG the opposite night time, I instructed him I am unhappy and simply my emotions is simply so harm about that. However I perceive it. It is the sport. You need your group to respect you and worth you the best way you worth your self. I want him a lot luck in Philly. That is gonna positively be a group that I am gonna watch subsequent 12 months. However it’s nonetheless Clipper Nation in relation to me over right here, although we misplaced Paul George. I just like the items we added in Derrick Jones Jr., [Nicolas] Batum, introduced Batum again, I like what we carried out did. We simply bought to maintain Kawhi [Leonard] wholesome and do what we do. I am trying ahead to the brand new stadium. I used to be wishing PG would have been part of that. That might’ve been much more particular. He is a LA child, however I want him all the most effective.

Quentin Richardson: Identical with me man. I want PG all the most effective. And we as former gamers completely know that it is a enterprise and like D. mentioned, you gotta get what you suppose your worth is and finally is you simply gotta dwell out the 4 years of that contract so that you gotta make the most effective transfer for you and your loved ones. And he went to a fantastic state of affairs. He is in a state of affairs the place he needs to be competing, competing for a championship. Glad he is over within the East not going in opposition to the blokes right here. However like, that is simply a kind of issues, man, that typically it occurs. I imply, I used to be glad to listen to the best way he dealt with it with Kawhi, their friendship is undamaged they usually talked about what was occurring and Kawhi, supported him. So man, to me, that is the largest factor, man. Every little thing is all good and we want him nicely.

The Golden State Warriors had a powerful run of 4 NBA championships in eight years. You not often ever see that carried out, however now Klay Thompson is gone. Did you guys suppose that the Warriors ought to’ve carried out no matter they wanted to maintain their core intact or do you suppose Klay ought to’ve gone to do his personal factor?

Darius Miles: Like I mentioned, it goes hand in hand. While you really feel like a company does not worth the best way you sort of worth your self or how you’re feeling such as you imply to the group, typically you bought to make that robust choice. I do know that, as exhausting because it was for the Warriors to let him go, it was simply as exhausting for Klay to go away. It was an enormous choice on himself. I do not really feel prefer it was actually nothing they’ll do, however meet his calls for. And we perceive it. Like, you won’t really feel like he was definitely worth the cash that he wished these subsequent couple of years. Some individuals mentioned that when Kobe was on his final leg they usually gave him that cash. They simply gave LeBron, a 39-year-old participant, $105 million. So that you by no means know what [happens], you simply hope the group be on the identical web page. However I like Klay’s new state of affairs. I believe that is an attention-grabbing state of affairs for him to be in. He is going over there being a starter. I do not suppose it is a query that he is coming off the bench or something. He is taking part in with Kyrie and Luka, a group that simply went to the NBA Finals with what that they had. I am excited for him. The Warriors, I am unhappy to see that dynasty not collectively no extra. We do not see the Splash Brothers collectively no extra. It is simply loopy to me. However that is how this league is. Because the years go by, stuff change.

Quentin Richardson: If Klay’s blissful, I am blissful. No matter he wished to do, I am with that. and if he is blissful, he is blissful. I’ll say, it may be bizarre seeing some other jersey. Like, being in a Mavs jersey, I believed it was going to be a kind of guys that is gonna be with the Warriors endlessly, however like D mentioned. This can be a totally different NBA and we all know issues change, so so far as that goes, if Klay’s blissful, I am blissful. They bought some items they usually tryin to rebuild and do the entire thing in Golden State. In order that’s life within the NBA proper now.

The Boston Celtics had a unbelievable season right here, high to backside. What did you make of their run? Did you see them doing that sort of this simply or perhaps not simply however they suppose it was a couple of recreation out of the playoffs and also you mentioned you see them doing it once more?

Darius Miles: They seem like a fantastic group that is been nicely put-together. Any doubt that anyone gave them, they stepped as much as the problem and gained it, however it’s exhausting to win back-to-backs. It is exhausting to win three within the row. We simply watched what was that six totally different groups in six years win a championship. So this this subsequent season goes to be attention-grabbing as a result of as soon as the group wins a championship, all the opposite groups are simply attempting to beat that group, however I really feel like they positively bought a great probability subsequent 12 months with a wholesome group. I believe they’re very strong man. They’re beginning 5 is the most effective beginning 5 within the league, I’d in all probability say. The way in which they play, how free they play, all the best way round. The group, the teaching workers, everyone did a fantastic job this 12 months and I believe it is positively on discover that they dominated final 12 months.

Quentin Richardson: Yeah, they positively went and had a dominant season they usually bought to have everyone again, so I imply, I’d say they need to positively be the early season favorites. Clearly, you gotta wait until all of the chips settle the place they are going to be and see if any trades occur earlier than after which see how they play through the season however I believe going into the season, they’re going to be the highest rated group, and the group that is anticipated to be on the high. And as all the time, there will be some others, however they’re the defending champs they usually bought everyone again. They need to be the highest canine proper now.

Final one for you guys. Are you guys gonna attempt to get Kawhi Leonard on the Knuckleheads Podcast?

Quentin Richardson: Man, Podcast P did not have him on the podcast! I do not suppose Kawhi’s doing a podcast. I used to be in search of that as a result of we had tried to get him earlier than. I used to be like if Paul George do not get him on his podcast, then he isn’t doing no podcast.

Darius Miles: It is quite a lot of guys, such as you’d be stunned. For lot of men, it isn’t a disrespect or something for us. Like Kawhi instructed us, ‘man I like the present, I watch the present and I like the present, however I am simply not into [talking],’ and you understand we respect that. But when he ever wanna come on, we’ll have him.

Quentin Richardson: Like Bol Bol is one other. He is like, ‘what am I gonna say? I do not discuss like that.’

Darius Miles: So each man do not actually discuss like that however we respect it as a result of our podcast is to actually give them their flowers and reward them and present how a lot, not solely us, however quite a lot of different individuals recognize their recreation.