Inside The Lockers

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It's almost game time and you're going inside the lockers with JC and D. Hawk on

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91.5 KUNV Broadcasted live for the campus of UNLV Good morning and welcome to inside the lockers we are

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Just overcoming a moment of technical difficulties, but we are here at 91.5 KUNV. Happy Sunday to all. We come to you every Sunday live from the campus of UNLV, talking about sports and more on the station that brings you jazz and more. When you're traveling, make sure you download the mobile app on either Android or your iPhone. Getting right into it this morning, we have another NFL Sunday. The WNBA playoffs have begun and the major league baseball playoffs picture is shaping. Have a few teams out of quench and a couple of spots still open. I'm your host JC. Speaking with you this morning, let's get right into some do's and don'ts in the baseball world. The San Diego Padres once considered probably a strong contender And it was in the playoff picture a lot of things happen if you also break the Mets who were in first place Will not make the playoffs the Padres who were firmly entrenched at least as a wild card will not make the playoffs and That's why you you have to play all the games the st. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of a Historic 15 game winning streak still have not lost and they have firmly put themselves in a position with only about eight games to play. I think they have a five-game lead so mathematically not officially clinched but looks like they will be the wild card along with the Dodgers who are definitely in the playoffs but still have aspirations of winning the division. They are locked up in a battle with the San Francisco Giants who have just been a team that everybody has been waiting to collapse, you know, wasn't really picked to do what they're doing this year, gonna win over a hundred games, but they just haven't gone away. And although other teams have improved at the all-star break, certainly the Dodgers, Max Scherzer, great pitcher, also got a couple of bats in the lineup too. Trey Turner, the shortstop, picked up from the Nationals, just amazingly San Francisco made very little movement and just has ridden with that team all year long. WNBA playoffs have also begun. There will be a second round of games today but the Liberty who kind of backed into the playoffs after the Sparks couldn't win a spot and the Mystics couldn't win a spot and the Hawks and I spoke about that last week. After the tiebreaker happened, the Liberty clinched and then put up quite a performance against the Phoenix but could not overcome Brittany Griner and they were able to move on setting up a great showdown today again for Seattle Storm between them they have seven WNBA titles however the controversy was that perhaps Sabrina Ionescu was fouled toward the end there so were will you be received as uh... uh... phoenix seattle matchup for a group and unfortunately to the best players uh... certainly this year but you know the historically uh... for the phoenix mercury they'll be uh... no deanna to terracia for that yellow uh... storm there will be no brianna stewart uh... both battling injuries. So while it will be a historic matchup, two of the historic players will not be a part of it. The guest we're going to have today, calling in at about 7.15, is going to be one of the legendary WNBA players, Cappy Pondexter, who has played for the Aces. Cappy is proudly was just named one of the top 30 W, well, not only WNBA, but female basketball players of all time and influential players. And she has multiple titles, multiple all-star appearances, and certainly a friend of Hawk and I personally, and very excited to have her share her opinion with the WNBA and how that league has kind of grown through the years, as well as, you know, insights to, you know, being a professional basketball player. When she was in the league, she was required to really have other opportunities after the WNBA because you had to make that salary that way. But however, the league now has had some collective bargaining, talking about some of the first few weeks of the NFL. So one of the early match-ups that people had circled on the calendar is happening today, and that's the Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams come in undefeated. I think a lot of people felt the Rams, who were in the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago, were missing that dynamic quarterback. And certainly after the first couple of games, Matthew Stafford looks like he has filled that position quite nicely. Of course, the most dynamic quarterback probably in the history of the NFL resides in Tampa, and that is Tom the Goat Brady. Right now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Rams will be matching up today, and of course, you know, it's certainly too early to project what's going to be a matchup to go to the Super Bowl, but both teams are already showing that they have the talent to get there as long as they obviously stay healthy. So it'll be a fun one to watch. Also, one of the things that's been very fun during football is we've had the Manning brothers and the Manning brothers are announcing on weekends, I'm sorry, on rather on the Monday night games. And it's been really fun to watch. I mean to listen to two great quarterbacks who were brothers So there's that element of kind of familiarity as the element of kind of fun all that stuff. So although they are Very much legendary quarterbacks. There's a lot of kind of just I get regular guy talk if you will About watching a game and of course They've had some guests come on and you know to hear some of the football players that come on and also be a little bit of themselves. I just think it's a tremendous concept. It's been really great. There's been a lot of positive reactions to it. And it's been enjoyable. I know they only signed up for about ten of the games out of all 17 on the Monday night and Thursday nights, but after a couple of performances so far, I'd say it's a winner. We're trying to get there as well. We're trying to entertain and you know sometimes when you see something new or you hear something new it's It's very exciting because sometimes you think you've heard it all you've seen it all and then something comes up in entertainment or in sport That's why we watch sport. We watch sport because it's it's the greatest reality show just to never know what's going to happen Uh the other day I was watching a high school game A team was down 24 points with a minute 11. And if you think I'm making this up, Google it. So a high school team, and it actually involved, it involved our own Bishop Gorman. So Bishop Gorman is a high school team here in Nevada who is very popular as a powerhouse in all their sports, but certainly their football team, perennially one of the best, had a 24-point lead against a team from Arizona with a minute and 11, yes, that's right, a minute and 11 left and lost. And it's just incredible. Touchdown, onside kick, touchdown, onside kick, onside kick, two-point conversion, and it happens. And it was just something I had never seen before, but that's again, that's why we tuned in, because it really is truly the best reality on TV. So, or radio as it may be. I remember listening to Nick's games, and games from certainly Marv Albert, one of the greatest ever to do it, a great radio voice. And he just was so colorful. And that's the beauty of radio, is that sometimes it can give you an experience beyond television. It's something that we're excited about doing this show every week and if you haven't been listening to us, we're excited you join us every Sunday and we want to know what you think about the upcoming season. Certainly the baseball playoffs are a part of the year that I've always enjoyed because that's when baseball just kind of is so fun. I know that sometimes baseball people feel are long games and they lag on. You know, how could a one-nothing game or a two-one game, which you get a lot of in the playoffs because you get those great pitching matchups, but that's just the pressure of it. With each inning, with each person on base where you know the pitchers are kind of locking teams up, you know, it's made heroes out of unlikely players, players that were supposed to be always delivering. Alex Rodriguez wore that label, Dave Winfield wore that label, where you know October rolled around and they just couldn't produce the way they had produced all year long. People felt, you know, a certain way about that, you know, choke artist or, you know, can't win the big one, those kinds of things. And then you have guys in the Hall of Fame like Derek Jeter, you know, who was not only a great player during the regular season, but, you know, Reggie Jackson, another player who comes to mind, the nickname Mr. October. You know, just that when they did come on board to the playoffs, it was it was incredible because they just seemed to take it up a notch. And certainly, Kathy Pondex was someone who lived that. I mean, she was someone who always performed great. It's one of the lights were on as well as, you know, one of the greatest of all time, as we already mentioned. So Cappy will be calling in. Hey, Cap. So to all you listening out here in Vegas and across the USA, I'd like to welcome in a great friend of the show, of Dee Hawk and myself, Cappy Pondexter, one of the best to ever do it on the hardwood male or female I will say. Let's not put her in that box of just a female player. Kathy who is straight up Cooper also happens to possess one of the greatest smiles of anybody walking the planet. I don't want to embarrass her but if you've ever seen Kathy smile you know just lights up a room. I never had that. I'm a little jealous I must admit. You know just that perfect smile. Cap, certainly welcome to the show. And my first question is, have you ever played in a game where in the middle of something unexpected, like maybe lights or, you know, backboard breaking? I know back in the day, obviously, on the men's side, you know, Dr. Duncan Stein, Daryl Dawkins, you know, and the game gets delayed. Has that ever happened to you, Cap?

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Well, thanks for having me. And no, I've never experienced any technical difficulties as such, thank God. It happens every day. And it's quite all right. You just got to keep moving on.

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You just got to keep moving on. Well, I'll tell you, one of the things that is really a challenge, when you have that tremendous tension in the game, and then maybe like a scoreboard or a light or this shot clock stops working. And again, we've all seen that on national television during basketball games where the scoreboard goes out or something and this has happened. And that moment where there's gonna be a five, 10 minute delay, that can really be challenging because that intensity is up and all of a sudden you're kind of in game mode and then something kind of challenges you to stay locked in, to stay focused. And certainly, recalling that NFL game I was mentioning people famously remember that the Ravens were totally dominating the San Francisco 49ers and then of course you know after the delay you know the Ravens had you know people considered lost their edge and the 49ers came all the way back making for the memorable Super Bowls although of course the Ravens did hold out but I don't know what your availability is but normally it's a two-person show and so we can get a hawk I hope I hope we have you for a little bit this morning but one of the things I wanted to speak with you about and again thank you so much for joining us during this time of year it's an exciting time a year during well actually it's not true right because the WNBA playoffs are only happening this time of year because they were pushed back because the Olympics right mostly they would have been over by now. The season was extended because the WNBA paused for the Olympics. What were your thoughts on that, Cap, to allow the women who were, you know, either playing for our country or even women who were, you know, playing for their national teams, you know, the overseas players? I thought it was the right move. I think it brings more awareness to those players. It also allows players to play for their home country. Although it did push the WNBA to go head-to-head against football, which any sport really, that's not just the WNBA, that's a losing proposition because of how dominant football has been. What do you think, Cap? Do you think they made the right call extending? Or do you think so that the women who are playing in the playoffs and the championship really would add the summer to themselves sports-wise, except maybe for regular season baseball. What do you think there, Kat?

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It always happens. I had the opportunity to do the Olympic Games and they caused it at the same time before. So it's time to resume. And obviously football is here and like you said, it's a tough sport for anybody to go against, not just women's basketball. I think it's got a lot of visibility still. People are still tuned into the game and the playoff, so it's still a positive mark that's happening in women's basketball.

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I agree and I think you actually raise a very good point there. Just because there are a lot more sports eyeballs that really kind of lock in over the summer, I think that's when people feel, certainly the networks for television shows have always ran re-runs over the summer because that's when they feel people are out of school, they're traveling, not as many people watch TV from just a Nielsen number and then of course when September rolls back around, school rolls back around, everybody's kind of back at being at home and that's when all the primetime TV shows start and certainly that's when the NFL starts. So the fact that there are a lot more sports fans in general and now you have the WNBA finals I'm sorry playoffs, we don't have the finals yet, but the playoffs going on I think there can be a lot to be said to enhancing and expanding viewership. Because I've always been a fan of the women's game. People call it a more purist form of basketball. I think that is even a slight, because what they're saying is like, the athleticism in the men's game takes away from the artistry of the foundation of the game. But I completely disagree. I think that obviously the game still comes down to You know making that great pass, you know utilizing your teammates I think we've seen it time and time again that teams that are a one-person show Don't make it all the way I mean you look at a team like the Milwaukee Bucks who have the great player and Yonatan to the tempo But certainly, you know, they had not gone this far until they brought in Holiday and of course Chris Middleton is a great player, he had some great role players and I think even if you look at Michael Jordan, obviously he had to always have those next pieces, the Robins and certainly Scotty, his wingman through all of it. And then obviously LeBron who was an incredible talent, was able to get the Cavaliers to the finals, but never really kind of got over the hump until of course had the trio of Bosh and Wade, and even with the Lakers had AD. So Cap, I've always been a fan of the women's game because of the style of basketball, but when you hear that kind of thing, like it's more of a purist game, do you think they're not acknowledging just how athletic and how talented the women are overall? Almost like kind of like a backhanded compliment type of thing? What are your thoughts on that?

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No, I don't take it as such. I think that for at one point before women started dunking that you really didn't see us play above the rim, so you saw us play the game in a very pure form. And I think that's what they compliment and that's what they remember most. But now that women are starting to play above the rim, that is starting to change now. I think the views are starting to change. People are starting to see the women's game in a whole different light now.

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Well, I agree. And I've always enjoyed it. And of course, Brittany Griner, not the only woman who dunks, but certainly dunks her regularity, even has a nice YouTube clip of like all her dunks kind of strung together. Also, I think one of the things that has always, you know, amazed me is, you know, the shots in traffic. And I think that's, you know, something that you were always known for your ability to make the tough basketball shot. You know, I think a lot of people when I say it is an insult, I guess what I'm saying is like, you have to have this kind of pass the ball around and get it to the open look, which is of course what we all want. We all want the wide open look, nobody in front of us, and sometimes those are the easiest ones that are missed. But when I see the pure game, I agree with you that I guess what people are talking about is above the rim, not above the rim, but some of the hanging shots, some of the shots and one with the body, the athletic body control, and then still able to make the hoop. Those are the things that I've seen, you know, you know, Delegane do and of course Gianna Taurasi won't be playing. Certainly Asia Wilson does a great job of that. I know that you, of course, were known for that. You were able to get in traffic. Of course, you know, there's great even, there's been YouTube videos and clips of you playing against the men and not just holding your own but showing out. That's the thing about basketball, is that if you have the talent, you have the talent. That's one of the things we did, for those of you who don't know, we did a game last year of WNBA players against ex-NBA players, and the names of it was called Who Quality Talent Has No Gender. And when you're talking about the sport of basketball, it is not gender-related. It is certainly, can you dribble, can you shoot, can you pass, do you know the game. And I think that's what draws in me because if you like hoop, that's it. That's the beauty of the game. Have you been watching any of the NBA playoffs and any thoughts on, you know, obviously the first round game where, you know, the Liberty kind of were a team that people didn't think were going to make much this season and then did work their way into the playoffs when the Mystics and the Sparks couldn't secure a spot and then certainly had a chance to upset but didn't. I think a lot of people felt there was a foul there at the end of the game. Have you been watching any of the WNBA playoffs this year, Cap?

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Uh, yeah, I've been tuned in. I've been tuned in to the first round of the single elimination games.

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Yep, and I know that there's the other single elimination today. So for those of you who are not following WNBA regularly, but will follow the playoffs, eight teams make it, the top two get a double bye, and the remaining six teams, they'll play and they'll play down again until there's only two teams left. And then the two bye teams come in, and then those four have a semi-final where both series are best out of five. Cap, you've won a couple of titles. How nerve-wracking is it in the playoffs where you know it's that one and done and would you like to see in the future the first round go to a best out of

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three? Well, when I was playing and we won, we didn't have a single elimination game. We did the best out of three.

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Yeah, I remember that actually now that you're saying it. I remember when they first started out it was best out of three best out of three What was the reason for the change was it strictly monetary with the networks or was it and what's your opinion? Do you think they did the right thing going to? And I thank you for correcting me because as you were saying it I kind of recall that

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I think because they started playing in the bubble they changed the format then and they just kind of stuck with it. I think they said something about the fan base enjoys watching the single elimination games more than they did the best of three in the first couple rounds and that's why they stuck to it.

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Well, it's very similar to Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball never used to be the single game and now when they added the extra wild card spot, you play that one game. And certainly because it is so filled with drama, because win or go home is that great tagline in all sports, even in the NBA, right, they had added that play-in game, which I think they're gonna keep. And again, that one game kind of to get in, which was also part of it was to try and eliminate team's tanking at the end. So obviously monetarily for the league, you know, the more games that are televised, the more games that are in arenas, but for the fan, I agree with you. I think it is definitely just a much more heightened sense of, you know, the win-or-go-home factor. You've been, you know, very fortunate to play on some championship teams and all-star. I know one of your teammates, Tamika Cattings, was elected to the Hall of Fame, gave a great speech. Recently, they came out with a list of top 30 most influential and important, which, again, is another level of just, quote unquote, the best statistically of women basketball players of all time. And you were on that list, and congratulations for being on that list. When you see these lists of the greatest of all time and your name is on it, something that you're excited about, something that you've kind of had all these accolades all the time and it's just another compliment. Of course, I don't know what I've been the greatest at other than I talk a lot and now I have a radio show, but certainly not at your level of greatness. Cap, congratulations, and what does it mean to be spoken about as one of the top 30 of all time ever professional women basketball players?

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Thank you, Jerry. It means a great deal. I never take anything like that for granted because it shows that all the hard work that I put into the game is a reflection and something that they gave back to me from all of my hard work. So I appreciate it. And it's something that I can cherish forever.

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Well, and certainly that's the whole thing, the hard work, because to get to a level where you could be a professional in anything, obviously there's some talent there, but talent isn't enough. It takes the hard work. And then once you get there, to kind of continue to work. I mean people even, you know, famously remember, you know, certain like Jordan, you know, coming into the league, you know, people questioned would he be a great shooter and certainly by the time all was said and done, you know, some of his greatest highlights is some of the shooting prowess, just someone who worked and worked. But you know, Cap, one of the things that I thought was interesting is Candace Parker has a commercial out right now where there's a lot of different athletes speaking, before they reveal that it's her, they're naming all the things that she had done. And as you see these commercials now, acknowledging the different levels of success of the professional women athlete, and then obviously, even in the big three, Hawks League, where Lisa Leslie, another former WNBA great, has coached a team to a title. Of course, last year with Hupwauda, you were an analyst and did a great job on television and I know that Ann Meyer, voice of the Mercury. More and more as women continue to ascend in all levels of sport. Is this something that is a basically an equality thing where people say okay we have to or is it just more people recognizing the talent is there? Because I know one of the more famous and controversial things that happened this year was when Rachel Nichols was commenting about Maria Taylor who does an incredible job and I think you know really earned her way and everyone felt she earned her way to be part of the playoffs speaking with the the NBA pregame show and certainly her comments when when public and now she's not even Going to be doing the jump anymore and certainly Maria Taylor was on better things But when you see all this accolades for the great players including yourself Is this something that's important? I know Hawk was actually going to talk about it today on the news from the HawkNest, that the prominence and the comeuppance of not just the women athletes, but the women athletes who are now getting more and more opportunities in sports media. What do you think? Is it just something that you think networks are doing to be politically correct, or is it just tremendous talent and women who are earning? I know the answer to this but what are your

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thoughts on it Kat? I think it's just women are getting more opportunities to showcase their prowess and showcase that they're not just one-dimensional that they can do other things just as well as anybody else on the face of this earth. I think women who are finishing up their careers are starting to navigate into their their field of what they're interested in and it happens to be broadcast and it happens to be a whole array of different things that I feel among sports. So I think it's great and I love to see more women be a

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part of the sports spectrum. I agree and not only even really sport too, right? I think one of the most fascinating stories which you know got a little bit of publicity and this is something I know that Ann Meyer and I have spoken about that I think that and I agree with you a hundred percent I think women are obviously showing all of their talents more because they've just given an opportunity. I think that you know that's that's half the battle. I mean you have to give somebody an opportunity so that you can experience their gifts and their talents. Obviously if you just put somebody into a box and say, hey, you know, obviously, you know, talking to LeBron James, shut up and dribble, you know, that whole controversy and certainly LeBron James is a successful business person. He's an advocate. He's someone who has accomplished a great deal off the court and certainly he is not filled with controversy in his life. So for any athlete to be kind of put in that box, but I think women, we're not given those chances. I know that there's been barriers broken down here and there. I know that Jackie McMullin, who is a famous athlete in her own right, and then became a journalist and has recently just retired from the SDN. She's someone who broke down some barriers, but I just think more and more, to your point, as women are doing what they want to do and showcase. And one of the things, I think that's a fascinating story I was about to mention is Maya Moore. I mean Maya Moore probably one of the greater talents both college and pro and then you know became committed to righting wrong someone who you know wrongly committed and then in prison and not only got him out I think there are a couple now but I just think you know how fascinating that is for someone to have saw so much of a part of what they wanted to do and committed themselves to it even in the face of you know whether it was criticism or disappointment maybe not criticism disappointment because those players who obviously were teammates with her and wanted her talent so that they obviously could be the best team possible fans who enjoyed watching her but when you see those kind of commitments, Cap, with someone like yourself who, when you've seen things that aren't the right way in our society, you've been not shy, which I really respect, to voice your concerns about, you know, hey, you know, there's a better community, there's a better society out there for us, and I'm going to call you out on it. You've been, you know, in social media, different ways you've been making sure that, you know, all voices are heard, and as an athlete that has your platform, any thoughts about, you know, the athlete who has been criticized, male or female, not taking a stand as opposed to the athlete, or is it just kind of in each personal preference? Do the athletes have a responsibility to use that platform to speak out, or is it really just each case-by-case basis what the person feels who they want to be. Because everybody can handle that pressure. That's a great word. Yeah. Yeah, I mean right now we obviously saw, you know, one of the more fascinating things that happened at the Olympics with Simone Biles, someone who has incredibly talented and success. I thought, you know, there's a lot of criticism about courage. I thought she showed incredible courage with all the sponsors and all the people that had expectations for her to say, look, I'm not right mentally at this moment, and even though I know what you all want from me, it's not best for me. And as much as I want to compete, and I've competed at a high level before, I'm not gonna be out there until I know that I'm right by the end of mine. And I thought it was a very courageous thing. And then the other thing she did was she inspired other athletes, but especially gymnasts, to come forward and say, you know, I would have never performed that day, but I felt like I had to and I'm so glad that Simone is speaking out and setting a tone and a precedent where people can feel more comfortable. And obviously Naomi Osaka, another one on tennis. When you're watching these women who have already experienced incredible success and handling the pressure and now they're having the courage to say, I'm not right, I'm not where I want to be, I know what you all expect of me, I'm going to not compete and criticism be damned because this is my life. public, I think, acts of courage in sport, especially with more and more acceptance that mental health is every bit as important as physical health. What are your thoughts for sport, both men and women, but especially women moving forward where if a person isn't right, they can sit out a game?

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I mean, like you said, I agree that, you know, just as important as physical health, mental health is just as important, if not the most important aspect, because it's always been mind over matter. It's always been your mind is stronger than anything. So if your mindset isn't right, then there's no way that you can perform at your top level. So I think it's important when these athletes are starting to speak out about their mental health, because for me, it's always been important. I've been an advocate of mental health since the very beginning of my career and it's just I feel happy and elated that many athletes are starting to speak out about it and not look at it as a form of something that should be looked down upon you know

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because it's important that we talk about our mental health. Right, I agree with you so much and you have always been that person. That's why I wanted to bring that to the public eye because you have always had tremendous success. A lot of times when someone is very very successful and they speak about, and again, Hawk and I have spoken about on this show, it's like when somebody is really really fitting what everybody wants you to be, and then you speak about racialations, you speak about... I just watched an incredible documentary on Muhammad Ali, who I've always been a fan of, God rest his soul, the greatest. But for those of you who are young listeners, and you only know the name, just quick and briefly, Muhammad Ali, who at the time was a world champion, basically wore the heavyweight crown. Just think about how big UFC is now. Boxing was twice that and to be the heavyweight champion of the world was royalty in this country. When they tried to draft him for the Vietnam War, they didn't just tell him that if he doesn't go, he'll be stripped of his boxing license, his ability to box, but he will be thrown in jail for five years and even paying $10,000, which of course, you know, back then, you know, certainly a lot of money. He basically said, listen, I'm holding to my principles. You know, not only I'm a Muslim and I'm a man of peace and I am not going as a, you know, conscientious objector, but even more importantly, he spoke out, you know, which I think ruffled a lot of people's feathers and, you know, tough on them when he said, you want me to go fight for rights halfway around the world when as a black man here in America I don't have any rights and you won't even give my rights here and you want me to go fight on your behalf. That's very powerful stuff because that's the kind of thing that could end a career after the fact and certainly at the time, he drew tremendous criticisms, even from, again, people within his own race. One of the more well-known meetings took with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jim Brown. So they wanted to understand, Bill Russell, of course, was there at that meeting, they wanted to understand, why was he doing this? Is he making it tough on all of us? And after that meeting, they all basically emerged from it saying, hey listen, Mohammed's got it right. So not only to stand up in the face of your own career, but to stand up in the face of your own kind of pressure when you're wearing the mantle. I think the opposite side of that is people feel like Tiger Woods, for all of his greatness, has not spoken out enough with his platform. So, Cap, when an athlete has to make that choice between career and what is maybe not what people want to hear, I know you've always leaned to the latter where, listen, I'm a great player, but who I am comes first. And that's why I think a lot of people respect you. I know I've always have. But maybe, Cap, you think it's hurt you in your post career because again you're someone who maybe not is going to fit into that box that people want to put people into. I'm not sure I

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don't play sports anymore so it really doesn't even really matter to me in that aspect.

0:36:15
What people think in terms of... What about like opportunities, what about like opportunities after sports where people are either being hired for, I mean you did a color analyst on our game and of course you know the game as well as anybody. And I've listened, of course I watched that broadcast after I was there live when it happened. I mean, of course, there's autograph signings, there's all those kinds of things that are attached to sports post-career that athletes obviously don't want to hurt their potential, but obviously you're enjoying your life after basketball. So I'm just wondering if you feel like an outspoken athlete, yourself or otherwise, whether that be yourself, is sometimes compromised with their opportunities because there is someone who are vocal about uncomfortable topics.

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I don't know.

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Like, honestly, like for me, like I just feel that it's important that you say how you feel, you speak about how you feel. It's important that you stick to that because it holds true to who you are. And at the same time, you know, life happens. And with life happening, people are going to gravitate towards you regardless, no matter what they feel. And I think that's the positive thing that you should take out of it. Because not everybody's going to like you. Not everybody's going to respect your opinion. Not everybody's going to value who you are as a person, regardless of what you say and who you are. I think it's just important that you remain true to who you are. And, yeah, there are a lot of opportunities that are still arising for me outside of basketball. Right. But for me the most important thing is just

0:38:06
remaining true to who I am. Which you've always done and and also for those of you listening please listen to the great words that Kathy is saying right now. I know we have a lot of young fans who listen. I think that's first and foremost as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and be who you are I think you know that is something that you can put your head on the pillow at night because you're right. You're not going to please everybody. You know what I mean? So if an athlete is speaking out, they're not pleasing their sponsors, maybe even their own teammates because they're bringing spotlight where they're just trying to focus on the season. And then if they're focusing only on the season where people feel, hey, this is a cause that we need your voice and you're like I'm kind of you know I'm just locked in and doing what I'm doing then of course there could be a community you know who needs you to speak out on their behalf and you're not who feels like you're kind of betraying them. It is something I think the way to fix all of that is first and foremost be true to who you are like you just said and then I think you just make your your way accordingly. Life is fluid things change right now people are speaking about mental health, people are acknowledging the greatness of female athletes and all their accomplishments, people are acknowledging that you can have a voice and not be perfect and still be respected. But Cap, do you watch other sports? Were you a fan of other sports when you were playing, when you were on the road and had a travel day or something like that? Did you, you know, tennis, football, baseball, was there anything or was it just for you 100% boots and then now in your post-career don't really engage in sports that much. What's your free time and sports viewership look like? I've always been a fan.

0:39:53
My dad was a fan of like baseball and football so I've always watched it with him and now that my career is over with, we tend to watch a lot of football together.

0:40:10
Who's the football team that you pull for?

0:40:13
Nobody in particular. I just like watching great football games.

0:40:16
Absolutely. And there's been several of them. That's kind of the thing with the Monday night game or the Thursday night game. Sometimes these games get out of whack but you know the the Tampa Bay Dolls game which kicked off the season was incredible you had the Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens game I don't know if you saw that wacky ending a couple of weeks ago that was a great one and as I mentioned worth just seeing her smile. I just want to leave you with this how often do you get I I mean, you know that your smile is different, right? Like it's just, because again, the one thing that you can't, I mean, some people improve upon it, people get braces, things like that, but you just have that, like if I drew it, like that's what I want a smile to look like, just lights up a room, just, you get that a lot. Have you heard that throughout your career? Like, you know, because again, sometimes someone has beautiful eyes or someone has, you know, incredible hair you know, they get mailed off to you, right? I mean, Jimmy Johnson famously had that hair that, you know, always locked in place. But have you heard that a lot, Cap, about your smile?

0:41:25
Yeah, I have, Jimmy.

0:41:28
Thank you. I appreciate that.

0:41:30
It gives me confidence even more.

0:41:32
No, but you know it. I mean, the funniest thing is that sometimes when someone has something, like sometimes you meet someone and they have an incredible color eyes or just something, right? You know, it's just that trait that everybody instantly, you instantly recognize, like when that person walks into the room. And I just remember the first time we met, because you know, we met over the phone, you know, actually our man D. Hawk introduced us. But you know, I got to meet you. That's the beauty of it too, Cap, I don't know if I've ever told you this, but I became a fan of yours over the phone. I mean, obviously you're a great talent and had seen some of your games without knowing it's you, like you're tuning into a game, you're just watching, oh, that's so-and-so, you know? But, you know, the first time I got to like meet you in person, then I said, wow, that's like a light bulb. It's just so bright. I am not surprised to hear that other people haven't told you that because it is unique it is well not unique it's one it's just one of a kind in that context. Well keep smiling Cap it only brings joy to certainly me and anyone around you and we look forward to what's next for you. Is there anything that you are coming up that you while you have this forum anything you want to plug or anything you want to mention to or do we just stay tuned in for what's next with Kathy Pondexter?

0:42:51
Just stay tuned for what's next. I'm just doing a lot of writing and reading and just look forward to what's happening next into my life.

0:42:58
Oh, I love it. And certainly, I won't give it away, but I know some of the things you mentioned to me, you're writing on some of the stories that you're working on, and I'm excited to see those things come to fruition. Thanks for joining us, Kath. and see you in the next phase. But just a joy to have you today. Thanks for joining us. Thank you. That was Kathy Pondexter, one of the greatest to ever do it, and certainly someone who has had the courage to speak up about when things aren't right, or even at moments when she hasn't been where she wants to be, someone who's not afraid to say, hey, listen, I think we can all do better. And sometimes when people are saying things that are uncomfortable for other people to hear, they get muted. And Taffy's never been muted, and certainly her smile is something that we all can appreciate. Her voice is a powerful one. She said a lot of wonderful things today, I hope. Our listeners are listening to it. Next week, we will have the baseball season wrapped up so we'll know exactly who is playing in the playoffs and then also the WNBA best of five would have begun so We'll start seeing those semifinals coming Today we got great week of football certainly the Rams and the Tampa Bay Matchup is the marquee game people looking at that as a potential NFC championship preview. But a lot of other great games, as we mentioned, Buffalo against Washington football team, my Giants trying to see if they can get a win against the Falcons. Obviously both teams come in 0-2, somebody will leave with a win. And we want to give a shout out to Justin Schaefer, part of USA National's B1 family. They continue to win. Georgia has won their fifth game, 5-0. Beat Danville yesterday, 62-0. So thanks for tuning in, America and Las Vegas. We look forward to having you tune in to Inside the Lockers, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Sunday right here on 91.5 Jazz & More. We bring you sports and more every Sunday from the beautiful campus of UNLV. You can download us on the mobile app or iPhone. And we will see you all next week. And we will see you all next week. Have a great Sunday, everybody.