Pau Gasol Interview + Last Dance Reaction

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

This podcast episode is brought to you by Coors Light. These days, everything is go, go, go. It's nonstop hustle all the time. Work, friends, family, expect you to be on 24-7? Well, sometimes you just need to reach for a Coors Light because it's made to chill. Coors Light is cold-loggered, cold-filtered and cold-packaged. It's as crisp and refreshing as the Colorado Rockies. It is literally made to chill. Coors Light is the one I choose when I need to unwind. So when you want to hit reset, reach for the beer that's made to chill. Get Coors Light in the new look delivered straight to your door with Drizzly or Instacart. Celebrate responsibly. Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. Hey there, we at Bluewire wanted to thank you for your continued support of this podcast. With over 90 podcasts across our network, we are committed to bringing you great content to fill that sport-shaped hole in your heart. To find more Bluewire pods, search for us on iTunes or check out bluewirepods.com. And remember, one day sports will return and it will be glorious. Thanks for listening. On to the show.

Bluewire. Breaking news, LeBron is a Laker. This Clippers team will win a championship this year.

Tomer Azarly (1:42)

What's good, everyone? Welcome back to the Battle for LA Podcast, part of the ClutchPoints and Blue Wire Networks. As always, Tomer Azarly here, your Clippers beat writer for ClutchPoints. As always, I'm always here with Ryan Ward, our Lakers beat writer for ClutchPoints. Ryan, how you doing?

Ryan Ward (1:56)

I'm good.

Tomer Azarly (1:58)

How's Colorado treating you?

Ryan Ward (2:00)

Crazy weather, but beautiful when it's clear.

Tomer Azarly (2:03)

Would you rather have crazy weather like Colorado or crazy people like Huntington Beach?

Ryan Ward (2:07)

Oh, crazy weather for sure.

SPEAKER_1 (2:09)

Crazy weather for sure.

Tomer Azarly (2:12)

Hope you guys are doing well. Thank you guys again for tuning in.

This week, I mean, we just finished The Last Dance, episodes five and six. We might as well jump right into it. Episode five and six was about Kobe Bryant. And then, well, episode five is about Kobe Bryant, the beginning of it, the All-Star Game, the connection there. And then you add a bit about the rest of their season, the Bulls season. But I think this is the LA podcast, so let's just talk about what's important here. I personally was a bit disappointed that Kobe's moments were only about the first 10 minutes, maybe. Maybe not even that. I feel like they put a good amount of emphasis to start, but I thought they could have done a bit more. Maybe that was just me. Maybe they didn't want to make it all about Kobe.

Ryan Ward (3:04)

No, I totally agree with you, man. I think every Laker fan, every Kobe fan, every member of the media that didn't get a screener was going into that thinking, we're going to see like half an hour of Kobe-Jordan. That's what I expected. I had a tissue box right next to me, glass of wine, all prepared to lose my shit.

I mean, it was still, it still struck a nerve seeing Kobe talk and knowing that he passed away a week after that interview took place.

Tomer Azarly (3:42)

Was it a week after?

Ryan Ward (3:43)

Yeah. They were saying ahead of it.

Tomer Azarly (3:46)

Oh, man.

Ryan Ward (3:47)

So that was a trip. Kind of a trip. Just thinking, Kobe is saying all this stuff and he has no idea what's in store for his future a week later. Just all the madness that took place afterwards. But yeah, I was totally ready for 30 minutes and seen a bunch of stuff I'd never seen. I mean, we still saw a lot of stuff we never saw. I mean, Jordan basically talking in the locker room with that was interesting. Like saying, oh, that Laker boy is going to try and take us all on one on one. And he just knew that Kobe was going to be in total attack mode. And I mean, he knew he was the next guy. He knew he was the next guy way ahead of time.

Tomer Azarly (4:26)

I think what was, yes, the locker room scene was pretty interesting. I enjoyed the just the conversation between them on the court. I really wish they showed more of that.

I feel like you really could have just filled it up with a bunch of other clips of them playing, because they played against each other with the Wizards and the Lakers, right? I mean, excuse me, they played against each other. I think they had their moments.