Jackie MacMullan

Jackie McMullen from ESPN and bestselling author brought to you by Dunkin' Donuts America runs on Duncan. Good morning --

Okay guys you could direct it and -- I would all of a lot.

The F thing oh yeah you know that's gonna come up but it -- not giving your proper welcome welcome. Welcome back to abolish -- we're really glad to have --

I'm great to be with you guys all friends. Thank you for having.

You know I I actually and believe it or not -- yet told us to Michael earlier today as I was following the Tiger Woods stuff last night I thought of your book. And I thought of of magic Johnson. And the announcement that he was HIV positive and it was a different today and our knowledge wasn't the same back down. But it was a tabloid story that what will that that was like wildfire on the antics gay all magic did this magic did that that's what it was like back there.

One you know it's -- Al -- I was thinking this morning to you imagine now in this day and age. It Magic Johnson was HIV positive. And could -- on that for almost two weeks are you kidding it would never happen today because of the 24 hour. When he you know that the news cycle and kids in and everything else.

That bad news yelled at me he might have that it might have been out on the -- before white students found out that's a pretty heated now they'll.

I talked magical little bit about that this summer how the media to change how the world has changed and we both agreed that. -- didn't do -- crazier -- what I came at a much calmer time.

As somebody in Los Angeles knew about it right and was waiting for the of the word illegal.

That question because you know he was even crack. All of a sudden you won't practiced with one of those guys like all the great ones that didn't best work in practice -- that. So Al kept thinking this. Flu bug which is what keeps you use for all that parents are good reporter what started the -- around almost immediately every time they -- Gary -- trainer about it who did know what was going on.

a crack at how close to what demand that the people we're suspension but they held onto that secret for very long time it was -- radio station that finally broke it.

And they erroneously broke -- that Magic Johnson had eight which of course is a huge difference between having eight. And having HIV virus so they didn't even get right after it finally did break.

You covered extensively. What up until tiger was the most iconic athlete of my lifetime and that's Michael Jordan. I actually think tiger has surpassed that well.

Well and you know Michael Jordan again what a lucky man because his transgression came out after he retired. But there was one of the worst kept secret in the NBA Michael can tell you that. This he had lots of extracurricular activity going on his life and again -- even under the scrutiny that Tiger Woods was over the past few days.

He -- he would have tumbled from his throne long ago also out.

So you know tiger and Michael are good friends and -- Barkley and their two and that these guys didn't get a life that you and I can ever imagine. And to -- it's only a matter of time in this day and age.

Before all their -- are exposed.

You know -- yeah I agree that that if this had come out well with Jordan's problems -- they come out. While he was playing he would have tumbled from his corporate America advertising -- but I still think. You'd have six championships in and I I believe that. Tiger Woods is gonna break Jack's record despite all -- what do you think of the impact. Of this news on Tiger Woods -- career for.

I don't think it has any impact at all Michael and I agree with you because these guys go about their business in such a way but that's tunnel vision. That the outside distractions are relevant to and that's always been true of all the great ones and a ticket to return very well and I think what happened with tiger I don't even think this will affect his endorsement portfolio quite frankly this is not. What what Kobe Bryant went through it is not an allegation of rape did not drunk driving who volunteered. This is the personal transgression we don't even know what exactly does that statement was very profound I thought that a hospital little -- on purpose I'm sure. So when you talk about you talk about the transgression of come running into a fire hydrant in the morning I'm not that it without. Snow. I I really don't think -- have any effect on tiger look at our talks except when you just won't see him for the next few weeks.

You think that that his advertising base will stick with him through all of us.

I do because I again I go back to. We're not talking about a -- here we're not talking about domestic. You know. We're not what we're talking about. Personal transgressions he used those words itself I think people in this country are -- how badly.

And now I don't think it'll affect our little to -- affect its corporate American I think everybody else kind of let it calm down and -- past.

And you'll -- tiger. Still you know getting all those expensive -- out and everything else. Tom Brady -- little blip on the screen that didn't take his endorsement of well you did it I have with the gamut the mr.

Now Jack and you've interviewed everybody in the world did you ever interviewed tiger and if so what were your impressions of.

I have -- into the tiger number of times and he's one of the US I would say that I've never gotten to now I'm sure that by nine. The most fun conversation never had -- with him lies in -- conversation about Jordan because you know recover in the NBA and he knows that I know Jordan. And he didn't tell me a funny little story about Panama playing a game of course complaints of basketball in the backyard. He's very -- he has been from the very very beginning. -- gives great advice from whoever does can't look at the fares for him. But he is human and he he he makes mistakes.

And if -- Tiger Woods.

Everybody wants now much in the states its people it -- it is it that they have an insatiable appetite. For tiger it is human instead of tiger there like on and that's too and our society all the time I think we must build Arturo without and we love and care -- them.

You know Jackie when when I first heard about the friendship between tiger and Jordan. I said to myself this is the most dangerous French -- in sports but I was they can just in terms of intensity and focus. How how Jordan was gonna make tiger even more intense and more competitive than he already was. I had no idea that that statement was true. Away from away from the games.

Yeah that's what it you know and and I think the reason that people like Jordan and Tiger Woods in Barkley gravitate toward one another and they're very few people an expert can understand what you're -- And I'm really into your Tiger Woods who else on -- earth and it give the kind of thing you face everyday except for like Michael Jordan.

So I think you eat you develop an alliance.

That.

It's an elite company. But also give you an entitlement it's almost impossible to state and it's one thing I've admired about LeBron James -- fire and you know none of us are naive enough to say.

He's about argue that because I'm sure there are some there somewhere but hurt him to be so young. And to handle the celebrity and the fast track if he was on. So well. I've had been so impressed by the way he handled that end up till now I guess you're impressed with the way Tiger Woods is on the same.

It's funny because -- in and and we neglect to think about this I mean Tiger Woods has been pampered in catered to from an early age. As much as LeBron James or Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant was he was different sport it was a different world. But that sense of entitlement was nurtured the same way there's Wallace.

It was elected that the reason I'm so impressed with LeBron and the course Michael that he is -- this because you grew up in in the bronze home. -- based there was a bond didn't have -- tiger had it was a very you know stable simply looked like -- we can do you can debate whether they thought -- that -- stable in terms of the way he brought him along but certainly had two parents that were very involved in his life that. You know made good decisions from public to LeBron did not bat. LeBron grow up and and single parent home with very young mother who was dealing with all sorts of stuff so I guess that's why you know the background if you will. It began to succeed. In spite of some of the lack of non support that other young people have impressed -- quite a debt.

Yeah and and if you've ever met his mother you understand what an amazing story LeBron James is because. She's out there nowadays.

That was candid and I can't get -- listed at you know set up and sit down.

Right.

That's under Bob Kagan Jack see past weeks and anyway I couldn't tell you I'm I'm I'm British I would've been who locked in my room for the next six months of Lambert and neglect that. But that he was right. It would go crazy.

it you know editing is what --

You know -- LeBron James you know you're watching the story about a Tiger Woods and so what do you learn -- what you would what you learned from the story.

I don't know the answer it. You know I get don't send a text message that someone that you're having an illicit affairs that the message I don't know leave a voicemail. Right I mean I mean I think the message is that everybody blocking and it is doing something he shouldn't be doing it sooner or later we're all gonna I'm out.

Let's switch gears and actually talk about games on the court I gave up the court and an I've been waiting and ask you this for awhile. I look at Kevin Garnett and some days he looks amazing you and hot shooting streak now that he can't miss then what that New York game. Yeah and he's limping all -- the -- Al Harrington is going around him very easily. What is this what you think the story is with Garnett --

I really think -- so I know that sounds crazy but yet a very serious. Surgery much more serious I think than than any -- you look at the time. From what I understand that's -- pretty deeply into that and the.

And I don't see Kevin Garnett -- his leg yet. And I think.

It happened on the court when not antibody does. But we need to go explode make that that big defensive block let's say or to land I'm -- awkwardly.

I'm not sure -- there yet and I don't think that's surprising. Because I think when you have a major and I.

It's in about Tom Brady by the like you and good if you look going forward I think athletes especially of their statute was never dealt with a major injuries.

You know your life flashes before you and I think that pat and Garnett I think it happen to Brady and I think go I think -- Garnett. He'll be okay but there are times when he just doesn't trust satellite get and he may not trust it you know the January -- means that your.

comments in the paper today very interest thing. He wishes Rashid would stop it technicals he wishes and hopes that it doesn't put the team in a bad position especially now that suspensions are. Are on the horizon. But he's more concerned about Kendrick Perkins because he's developing that kind of reputation and once you get it you can't knock.

World's children and -- that has it been common -- a lot we can't blame that entirely on Rasheed because Kirkwood developing some of those are last year as well but you know I forgot I would -- lynching pristine Becky -- him down.

And that is one of the negatives we talked about when they brought Wallace in you know all things considered it looked like a good signing. What you wanted to keep couple things one he wants in in the post. Not I haven't three point one expert. It simply picking duke started -- that but second of all you -- the guy to be part of a mature veteran team. And not -- off at mealtime moments to hurt the basketball team and I don't think I think you say about that regard it's ridiculous how many technical cat and their and so often you decide to walk off the court what are you gotta do that you walk off the floor. I I think that it is pointed career. He ought to consider doing that.

bothers me more than -- than the technicals. --

That's read and it you know the lead in the locker rebounding to meet you guys know that the L 229. Out of thirty teams in the NBA and rebound now. They averaged less than 39 rebounding game. A product conditioned box allow the mission almost had to respect about part of that but yeah that you need machine hanging out there on the three point line. They don't bring him in here to be an aging veteran bet that he's gonna hang out their duties he stepped he's gonna get on the block. And they could make a difference down there and dropped some defense. And not what he -- that yet -- started to Michael I think doc told in the last new game you can you write it would stay in the better lighted up expert that a team when he does that.

About the game again -- of the Orlando. Worries all for eight. Yeah hundred appointment and the way back in why why are you shooting at at at some point you're right Jackie is not just Doc Rivers. It's gotta be teammates in at some point -- saying no one asked you to block here now you want the ball. You gotta get on the blocks and I give you that -- call for eight from three point range and you're still finally jump shot with the.

Yeah that's that's not a picnic and that's what's -- interesting I will say that's when he's on. And you can put him on the floor in the fourth quarter with a league he spread the floor out you've got him out there pierce Ray Allen and Garnett. What you make it difficult thirteen to dissent to descent --

You could be hit next shot and you have to be willing to still do the dirty work. Inside in the post and as you know.

Michael dale -- get older they don't wanna be banging around their you know Jermaine O'Neal that's a -- O'Neal's career was derailed. Because you wanna go in there and -- with the big boys anymore we'll get flat. What what can I tell whether you want your career to continue you get back down there where you belong and I think as she needs a little bit of that going on.

Did the Philadelphia 76ers as I expect sign Allen Iverson just as an attempt to sell tickets.

Yes well that's certainly part that I you know I. I don't. Listen Allen Iverson. Yes.

If if he could play twenty minute he came off the bench he really could be a great veteran presence for a team like the sixers. But we know we can't do that. Now Lou Williams and -- out for another 688 weeks maybe longer with a broken -- so Allen Iverson. Can't -- to get out there and help the team that really struggling offensively from the point. But his visit meanwhile like that on number one Eddie Jordan trying to run the Princeton conference.

I have to think about and that's great. I mean he dominates the ball.

To evolve your backup point. Is general quality nineteen years old he's the youngest player in the NBA I think he can be quite good.

I don't know if Allen Iverson the guy you want to be showed him the ropes so -- state.

Now it is not guaranteed it's you know it's a low. Commitment financially it to the team that under the cap. And as you point out built into the World Cup you know capacity and it's in the lead but they're less than 60% -- almost every night.

So that's got a lot to do that bring a little -- back to the sixers. But what a disappointing -- you know brand bad bad but the complete disaster that there.

A table and also the does that disaster as an aside the story did you hear this is an industry thing but I gotta throw out there anyway that was so mortified by it. That Stephen A Smith have the scoop for the Philadelphia Inquirer and they didn't run the story the Iverson's group because of their issues with him. Is that a sad day for journalism and in newspapers turning down a scoop.

Relatives let him know that and the panic -- heat emanating skeptic you'd get.

It gets stuck around him to get me.

Yeah yeah yeah I didn't know they can't hit it. And that's -- good point but let me ask -- Jackie. See what you think of his comment I was watching the lakers last night against the warnings and they were torn with the hornets they had controlled the game the entire time. They wound up winning by eleven but it really wasn't that close. And I had a thought I -- you don't want. I love the Celtics. The lakers of the best basketball and I think by far do you agree.

I'm not a -- but I do agree and you know what the reason why in my opinion is pocket doll.

And -- it.

They come Obama in my house my -- very that they think he looks like a Lima and yet there it is who didn't leave early favorite player in the NBA but that's because he's so good. And really make that -- so much better I don't ask some questions about their bench and I will tell you that. When you sign a guy.

And he goes on late night television. In his buddy's underwear yeah. You know what I'm telling you that tells me that nothing has changed about on our test. And -- heat could very well.

it's also so yes they're the best team in basketball -- if I'm Jerry glass and and Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak. My heart it in my throat just about a all the time because on our test we'll bring you more.

Well two other quick things for you before we let you go -- number one a counter to that statement. Dennis Rodman did a book signing and one in a wedding dress one in 88 feather boa. And the Chicago Bulls still won three straight titles and he was he was a part of the brain -- but.

But you know what it's like -- and it's -- very very well let me play a quick story about him we -- are starting his first I'll start and we think it -- maybe second one. And we were in the shadows we were talking and you know we learn in the actual -- we -- in the corridor and they were they were announcing the -- it was the night before Roberts the All-Star Saturday night that.

There are not going to the plane again the next step they announced Dennis Rodman name.

Everybody booed because of course in this is the forum at the start he looked at -- he said why didn't need me.

I thought I don't hate you that you figured Siemens you know you play hard to worry about that wanted to lighten up against and they never like to. -- the kid that wanted so desperately they had the approval of the -- what he never got soaking wet.

All the way over the the -- because you had a great need that poem that was the way to go but got logistic.

Now Dennis Rodman had some troubles no question about it. But he would keep it in Denmark has run a test cannot help themselves because he does not do what he needs to do to be productive player. On an NBA team he doesn't take the advice of doctors and he doesn't do the credit needs he needs to be a productive stable player.

With the team so that's the difference between the.

In my other quick thing for -- was tell us about this book signing up today.

And the book planet the friendly they're great writers series at Fenway Park with a great George mr. rich and be in the commonwealth will actually at hotel commonwealth. I don't have today and then I got another one that's the above items like guys tomorrow night at -- Biden noble and lol. From 7:18 -- so we're still personable. Person.

Your New York Times best seller. Really really got black we're thrilled he really act which what was which -- highest numbers of Fargo had bragged so.

I don't say we we tend within 1011 and thirteen so we're very we're very happy with that.

And -- that. -- book we can't recommend it highly enough your book and Peter king's book or are to a holiday recommendations for folks.

Well you know -- to -- the incentive Peter King that good company Hughes is one of the best.

We're looking forward to having you as a regular weekly contributor and next week back to our normal time Tuesday at 12 o'clock we appreciate -- solace. And I expect at Jerry's say that is Jackie McMullen ESPN -- or as one of the best basketball writers in the nation. But as you could tell during the course of our conversation. Basketball is not her only. Beaten life.