About this episode
Tyronn Lue — NBA champion as both player and coach, and current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers — sits down with Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for a deep dive into his journey from a small-town kid in Mexico, Missouri, to leading some of the biggest stars in basketball history. Lue opens up about his roots, his path to the league, and what he remembers from the legendary 1998 NBA Draft class featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, and more. He recalls the moment he thought he might be drafted by the Orlando Magic, what it was like getting the call from Denver, and eventually being traded to the Lakers, where he played alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, and even Dennis Rodman. From Shaq pranks and $10,000 shopping sprees to learning what greatness meant from Kobe, Lue reflects on championship runs, locker room stories, and how much Allen Iverson influenced his love for the game. As a coach, Lue shares his candid perspective on today’s NBA. He breaks down what the Clippers need to finally reach the Finals, his expectations for Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul, and how important health will be for their success. He talks about building a tough defensive identity, what Kawhi has asked him about Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, and why he wants Lakers fans to come over to the Clippers’ side. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.