WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.103  (female announcer)   Production funding    for Sports Files is made 00:03.103 --> 00:04.471  possible in part by... 00:04.471 --> 00:07.307  (male narrator)    Infiniti of Memphis has    moved to Germantown 00:07.307 --> 00:10.811  road just half mile north of   Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 00:10.811 --> 00:13.647  to support WKNO for its quality   broadcasting and service 00:13.647 --> 00:14.715  to our community. 00:14.715 --> 00:16.917  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 00:16.917 --> 00:18.919  feels at home on WKNO. 00:27.561 --> 00:30.497 - My guest today on Sports Files is Memphis Grizzlies Guard 00:30.497 --> 00:31.498 Mario Chalmers. 00:31.498 --> 00:36.503 [theme music] 00:48.949 --> 00:50.117 The Memphis Grizzlies just passed the 00:50.117 --> 00:53.587 quarter mile pole of the season, and after an extremely slow 00:53.587 --> 00:56.857 start that saw the team lose six of their first nine games, 00:56.857 --> 00:58.892 the Griz have righted the ship. 00:58.892 --> 01:01.395 Now by no means is the team at peak level, 01:01.395 --> 01:04.231 but since acquiring guard Mario Chalmers from Miami, 01:04.231 --> 01:06.133 things are on the upswing. 01:06.133 --> 01:09.436 Chalmers has added quickness and outside shooting to the suddenly 01:09.436 --> 01:12.906 prospering Grizzlies second unit and has even logged important 01:12.906 --> 01:15.943 minutes alongside starting point guard Mike Conley. 01:15.943 --> 01:18.345 The eight year NBA veteran was a second round draft pick of the 01:18.345 --> 01:21.982 Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008 but was acquired by the Miami 01:21.982 --> 01:23.784 Heat later that summer. 01:23.784 --> 01:27.487 Two NBA titles later Chalmers had become expendable with the 01:27.487 --> 01:30.190 Miami Heat and was dealt to the Grizzlies. 01:30.190 --> 01:32.359 Chalmers played his college ball at Kansas, 01:32.359 --> 01:35.362 and as every Memphian knows, pierced the hearts of this 01:35.362 --> 01:39.499 community with his game tying three-ball in the 2008 NCAA 01:39.499 --> 01:42.369 title game which sent their battle with the Memphis Tigers 01:42.369 --> 01:43.470 to overtime. 01:43.470 --> 01:46.473 Subsequently won by KU. 01:46.473 --> 01:49.343 Well, today it's Mario Chalmers on the nerves he felt the first 01:49.343 --> 01:51.345 time he took the court in Memphis, 01:51.345 --> 01:55.082 his career resurgence and his upbringing in the frozen tundra 01:55.082 --> 01:56.149 of Alaska. 01:56.149 --> 01:58.518 And it's all next on Sports Files. 01:58.518 --> 02:03.523 [country music] 02:10.430 --> 02:12.432 Mario, thank you so much for joining us. 02:12.432 --> 02:13.433 We appreciate your time. 02:13.433 --> 02:14.434 - Thanks for having me. 02:14.434 --> 02:15.435 - Appreciate it. 02:15.435 --> 02:17.838 Alright, let me go way back to your days growing up in Alaska. 02:17.838 --> 02:18.839 What was that like? 02:18.839 --> 02:19.940 - It was different. 02:19.940 --> 02:21.942 You know, my dad was in the military, 02:21.942 --> 02:22.943 Air Force background. 02:22.943 --> 02:25.012 So, that's how we got to Alaska from North Carolina. 02:25.012 --> 02:26.813 And, you know, it was cold. 02:26.813 --> 02:29.983 But it was a lot of fun growing up and a great experience 02:29.983 --> 02:30.984 for me. 02:30.984 --> 02:32.986  (Greg)    And, of course, you were   able to make a name for yourself 02:32.986 --> 02:33.987  playing high school ball. 02:33.987 --> 02:36.390  Some terrific games and terrific   teams that you played on. 02:36.390 --> 02:38.392  And even in   Alaska, way up there, 02:38.392 --> 02:39.926  they find good players. 02:39.926 --> 02:41.928  And obviously they   found you in Kansas. 02:41.928 --> 02:42.929 - Yeah, definitely. 02:42.929 --> 02:45.198 You know, we had a couple of earlier guys come out. 02:45.198 --> 02:46.666 Those guys went to Duke. 02:46.666 --> 02:50.771 So, it was kind of out the norm for me to go to Kansas, 02:50.771 --> 02:51.772  something different. 02:51.772 --> 02:54.074  (Greg)   Alright, we'll get back to your   days at Kansas in a moment. 02:54.074 --> 02:55.642  But you're here in Memphis. 02:55.642 --> 02:57.210  You haven't been here long. 02:57.210 --> 02:59.212  You've made quite   the impact already. 02:59.212 --> 03:00.747  What's it been like for you? 03:00.747 --> 03:02.149 - It's been a good transition. 03:02.149 --> 03:04.384 You know, coming to a team that accepted me early. 03:04.384 --> 03:06.787 You know, a lot of players look to me, 03:06.787 --> 03:08.822 you know, to bring that championship experience and 03:08.822 --> 03:10.824 bring a different type of leadership. 03:10.824 --> 03:12.826 So, I'm just trying to fit in where I can get in. 03:12.826 --> 03:14.828  (Greg)    You had a great   run at Miami obviously. 03:14.828 --> 03:16.897  Two NBA titles. 03:16.897 --> 03:20.467  Did so much to help the   Heat win those championships. 03:20.467 --> 03:26.173  When you had found out the news   and you were going to Memphis, 03:26.173 --> 03:28.909  what were your   original thoughts? 03:28.909 --> 03:30.744 - I was shocked actually. 03:30.744 --> 03:32.913 I didn't know anything about the trade. 03:32.913 --> 03:34.114 I kind of found out through Twitter. 03:34.114 --> 03:35.982 So, that was a different experience for me going through 03:35.982 --> 03:36.983 my first trade. 03:36.983 --> 03:39.219 But, you know, I'm happy to be here. 03:39.219 --> 03:43.156  (Greg)    When you get here, I know   that I read that you said you 03:43.156 --> 03:46.693  were worried about how the   reaction of the fans would be 03:46.693 --> 03:49.329  with the history of   Memphis and Kansas. 03:49.329 --> 03:52.399  It wasn't bad. 03:52.399 --> 03:53.733  It was very, very good. 03:53.733 --> 03:56.970  So, tell us about that and as   you've moved along so far in 03:56.970 --> 03:58.972  your early stint   here in Memphis, 03:58.972 --> 04:00.974  what the fan   reaction has been to you. 04:00.974 --> 04:02.976 - It was a warm welcome, which was surprising to me. 04:02.976 --> 04:04.978 It was something I wasn't expecting at all. 04:04.978 --> 04:06.980 But, you know, the fans in the community, 04:06.980 --> 04:07.981 they accepted me right away. 04:07.981 --> 04:09.983 Made we feel right here at home. 04:09.983 --> 04:13.320 So, you know, it makes me feel good to come here after the 04:13.320 --> 04:16.523 history that we have and just lay everything out on the line 04:16.523 --> 04:17.524 I have. 04:17.524 --> 04:19.526 You know, just try to bring a winning attitude 04:19.526 --> 04:21.094 and keep it going. 04:21.094 --> 04:23.997  (Greg)    What do you   think about this team? 04:23.997 --> 04:25.098 - I think it's a great team. 04:25.098 --> 04:28.301  Like I said, Marc Gasol    is one of the best centers 04:28.301 --> 04:29.302  in the league. 04:29.302 --> 04:31.538  We got Mike Conley,   the great point guard. 04:31.538 --> 04:32.539  Zach Randolph. 04:32.539 --> 04:35.342  You know, got Tony Allen as a   great defensive style player. 04:35.342 --> 04:38.245  You know, we got a lot of   vets on this team who have been 04:38.245 --> 04:40.447  through, you know, a lot of   play-off games and Vince Carter 04:40.447 --> 04:41.448  and Matt Barnes. 04:41.448 --> 04:43.450  I think we have all   the pieces, you know, 04:43.450 --> 04:45.452  to grind it out and,   you know, go all the way. 04:45.452 --> 04:48.288  (Greg)    How do you look in   your role with this team? 04:48.288 --> 04:50.390  (Mario)    Um, right now I'm   still trying to figure it out. 04:50.390 --> 04:52.893 Being the new guy, I'm still trying to learn the offense, 04:52.893 --> 04:53.894 learn the defense. 04:53.894 --> 04:55.896 But, you know, I just come in and try to be energy guy. 04:55.896 --> 04:58.365 You know, bring championship experience to the team. 04:58.365 --> 05:00.934 And, you know, whatever I see on that night, 05:00.934 --> 05:02.002 that's what I'm able to do. 05:02.002 --> 05:07.440  (Greg)    As the playing time and   the minutes diminished in Miami 05:07.440 --> 05:10.343  here and the move was made, now   you come back and you know that 05:10.343 --> 05:12.879  you're a steady rotation   player, that you're going to get 05:12.879 --> 05:16.416  minutes, even minutes in key   situations because you've played 05:16.416 --> 05:17.417  alongside Mike. 05:17.417 --> 05:19.886  You've played on the   court obviously without Mike. 05:19.886 --> 05:25.258  That has to be a good feeling   to know how much you're wanted, 05:25.258 --> 05:27.260  how much you're needed    and that you're going 05:27.260 --> 05:28.261  to get that consistent PT. 05:28.261 --> 05:29.262 - Definitely. 05:29.262 --> 05:31.264 I mean, that was one of the first things that Coach told me 05:31.264 --> 05:32.265 when I first got here. 05:32.265 --> 05:34.267 It was be prepared for anything. 05:34.267 --> 05:37.671 You know, we had a couple of games playing alongside Mike and 05:37.671 --> 05:39.673 just learning different things from him. 05:39.673 --> 05:41.675 And, you know, he's learned different things from me. 05:41.675 --> 05:45.212 So, we just try to work together and make us a whole group. 05:45.212 --> 05:47.347 - Well, around here, we think Mike Conley is one of the most 05:47.347 --> 05:49.115 underrated players in the NBA. 05:49.115 --> 05:50.850 What do you think of Mike? 05:50.850 --> 05:52.319 - I agree with the same thing. 05:52.319 --> 05:54.621 You know, been going against Mike for the last seven years in 05:54.621 --> 05:55.622 my NBA career. 05:55.622 --> 05:57.824 It's always been a battle between me and him. 05:57.824 --> 06:00.093 So, it's good to be on the other side and be on the same side 06:00.093 --> 06:02.295 with him and, you know, pick his brain. 06:02.295 --> 06:04.297 And hopefully he gets the credit that he deserves. 06:04.297 --> 06:07.100  (Greg)    Injuries have   hurt this team early on. 06:07.100 --> 06:09.102  Brandan Wright's   been out a long time. 06:09.102 --> 06:11.104  Jordan Adams hasn't   been able to get it going. 06:11.104 --> 06:15.275  The rookie Jarell Martin hasn't   been obviously healthy to even 06:15.275 --> 06:16.343  contribute to this team. 06:16.343 --> 06:20.347  With that said, new players   like yourself and Matt Barnes, 06:20.347 --> 06:22.983  trying to get   this all integrated. 06:22.983 --> 06:25.051  Has that been smooth? 06:25.051 --> 06:27.187  Has it been   rough, bumpy at times? 06:27.187 --> 06:30.390  When I look at the first   20 games of the season or 06:30.390 --> 06:32.892  thereabouts, you've   won some good games. 06:32.892 --> 06:34.894  You've also gotten   beat up some times, 06:34.894 --> 06:36.263  some pretty good competition. 06:36.263 --> 06:38.999  So, again, I'm trying to figure   out where this team stands right 06:38.999 --> 06:41.368  now a quarter of the   way through the season. 06:41.368 --> 06:43.870 - Um, you know, we just got to put it all together. 06:43.870 --> 06:46.439 You know, coming from Miami, actually we dealt with a lot of 06:46.439 --> 06:48.441 injuries of Chris Bosh being out. 06:48.441 --> 06:50.443 So, coming from that background, you know, 06:50.443 --> 06:52.445 it's going to take a little time. 06:52.445 --> 06:54.447 But, you know, it's still early in the season. 06:54.447 --> 06:56.449 And I'm sure once we get everybody back and everybody 06:56.449 --> 06:58.451 healthy, we're going to be a scary team. 06:58.451 --> 07:00.453 - Well, you had a chance to play with three superstars in Miami, 07:00.453 --> 07:01.454 one of them being Dwayne Wade. 07:01.454 --> 07:04.924 When you were traded to Memphis, I recall on Twitter Dwayne 07:04.924 --> 07:07.827 coming out and saying best of luck to my little brother. 07:07.827 --> 07:09.829 I know he meant an awful lot to you. 07:09.829 --> 07:12.032 So, talk about that relationship with Dwayne. 07:12.032 --> 07:14.034 - He's meant a lot to me, you know. 07:14.034 --> 07:15.168 He's one of my big brothers. 07:15.168 --> 07:18.071 You know, he's the guy that when I first got to Miami, 07:18.071 --> 07:20.340 he took me under his wing and taught me the ropes, 07:20.340 --> 07:22.509 you know, taught me everything about how to be a pro, 07:22.509 --> 07:24.511 how to be successful in this league. 07:24.511 --> 07:28.481 So, you know, it's just one of my closest friends that I can 07:28.481 --> 07:32.085 always count on for anything. 07:32.085 --> 07:34.321 And that's just the relationship that me and D Wade have. 07:34.321 --> 07:36.723  (Greg)    And LeBron, your   relationship with him. 07:36.723 --> 07:37.991 - Same thing with LeBron. 07:37.991 --> 07:40.193 You know, when LeBron first got to Miami, 07:40.193 --> 07:42.362 it was just like we clicked right away. 07:42.362 --> 07:44.431 Kind of got similar personalities, 07:44.431 --> 07:46.066 always like to laugh and joke. 07:46.066 --> 07:47.967 But when it came to playing basketball, 07:47.967 --> 07:49.069 you know, we took it seriously. 07:49.069 --> 07:51.438 And that's the thing about LeBron that a lot of people 07:51.438 --> 07:52.772 don't know about him. 07:52.772 --> 07:55.208 When he steps on the court, it's all about business. 07:55.208 --> 07:57.210 And that was something I learned about him. 07:57.210 --> 07:59.646 But I learned a lot of off the court stuff from LeBron, 07:59.646 --> 08:02.349 too, about being a business man and different things like that. 08:02.349 --> 08:05.051 So, I owe a lot to those two guys right there. 08:05.051 --> 08:08.922  (Greg)    Being in Miami, you only   played Memphis twice a year. 08:08.922 --> 08:11.424  But what was the perception of   the Grizzlies and the Grizzlies 08:11.424 --> 08:13.360  organization from afar? 08:13.360 --> 08:14.494 - Grind out team. 08:14.494 --> 08:16.029 You know, we had some battles. 08:16.029 --> 08:19.099 I remember a couple of years ago playing, 08:19.099 --> 08:21.501 Rudy Gay hit a game winner on us. 08:21.501 --> 08:22.502 They came to Miami. 08:22.502 --> 08:23.503 They blew us out. 08:23.503 --> 08:25.505 So, there's always been a battle playing against Memphis. 08:25.505 --> 08:29.342 You know, to be on this side now is grind out mentality still. 08:29.342 --> 08:32.479  (Greg)    You've won   everywhere you've been. 08:32.479 --> 08:33.480  You're a winner. 08:33.480 --> 08:35.482  That's your label   is you're a winner. 08:35.482 --> 08:39.252  Let me go back to the college   days and back to sore moments 08:39.252 --> 08:40.453  for our viewers out there. 08:40.453 --> 08:41.454  I was there. 08:41.454 --> 08:42.455 I saw it. 08:42.455 --> 08:46.626 I was right there on the sideline on media row. 08:46.626 --> 08:49.496 When you took the shot, did you know it was in. 08:49.496 --> 08:50.497 - I did. 08:50.497 --> 08:53.533 It was one of those moments where the coaching staff and my 08:53.533 --> 08:56.436 teammates had all the confidence in the world in me for me to 08:56.436 --> 08:57.437 take that shot. 08:57.437 --> 08:59.472 So, me getting the ball with my hands and getting that release, 08:59.472 --> 09:02.308 it felt like a practice shot. 09:02.308 --> 09:06.546 - Memphis fans believe you were fouled before. 09:06.546 --> 09:07.680 Were you fouled? 09:07.680 --> 09:08.681 - Nah, I was never touched. 09:08.681 --> 09:09.682 - Never touched? 09:09.682 --> 09:10.683 - Never touched. 09:10.683 --> 09:12.685 - Was there anything about that game, 09:12.685 --> 09:15.055 the way it ended, the situation with Memphis, 09:15.055 --> 09:19.059 again, that was whether or not they should have fouled, 09:19.059 --> 09:21.361 did they foul.. 09:21.361 --> 09:23.363 A lot of controversy around here for years to come. 09:23.363 --> 09:26.266 I would imagine that you could imagine something like that. 09:26.266 --> 09:31.638 But was there something that you look back at that game and go, 09:31.638 --> 09:35.308 you know, if this happened here, we don't win it 09:35.308 --> 09:37.444 or anything that.. 09:37.444 --> 09:39.446 Obviously you wouldn't change anything. 09:39.446 --> 09:41.448 You won a national championship. 09:41.448 --> 09:43.450 But anything that comes to mind? 09:43.450 --> 09:44.451 - Nothing at all. 09:44.451 --> 09:45.452 We won. 09:45.452 --> 09:47.654 We got the title, 2008. 09:47.654 --> 09:49.656 One of the best moments of my life. 09:49.656 --> 09:52.258  (Greg)    Did you know once you got   into overtime you were winning? 09:52.258 --> 09:53.293 - We definitely did. 09:53.293 --> 09:55.295 We just felt the momentum swing our way. 09:55.295 --> 09:57.630 And we could see the defeat on their faces. 09:57.630 --> 10:00.066 So, we just went for the kill after that. 10:00.066 --> 10:02.602  (Greg)    You're not the first   though from that team to play 10:02.602 --> 10:05.738  for the Grizzlies, which is   crazy for Memphis fans 10:05.738 --> 10:06.739  around here. 10:06.739 --> 10:08.741  Darrell Arthur, of   course, was the first. 10:08.741 --> 10:11.845  So maybe he's the way for you   to make your way into Memphis. 10:11.845 --> 10:12.846 - I hope so. 10:12.846 --> 10:15.114 You know, funny thing about DA, that was my roommate in college. 10:15.114 --> 10:16.115 You know, we're very close. 10:16.115 --> 10:20.620 I still talk to him all the time. 10:20.620 --> 10:22.856 But, you know, it's just a great moment for all of us in our 10:22.856 --> 10:24.891 college careers and helped us get to the next level. 10:24.891 --> 10:28.127  (Greg)    We talked   earlier about the perception, 10:28.127 --> 10:30.196  your perception of this   team how good they can be. 10:30.196 --> 10:32.198  You said, "Hey, they   can go all the way." 10:32.198 --> 10:35.401  When you look around the league   and you see what Golden State is 10:35.401 --> 10:39.706  doing, how good San Antonio is   with the veteran players and now 10:39.706 --> 10:41.975  they young guys like Aldridge. 10:41.975 --> 10:46.279  And, of course, what Cleveland's   assembled with LeBron, 10:46.279 --> 10:51.651  how does a Memphis,   an OKC, a Houston, 10:51.651 --> 10:57.457  all these other good teams,   how do they get to that level? 10:57.457 --> 10:59.459 - You know, with those teams, they've been together for a 10:59.459 --> 11:00.660 while, especially Golden State. 11:00.660 --> 11:02.962 They've been together a couple of years. 11:02.962 --> 11:04.964 With Cleveland, once you get a taste of the finals, 11:04.964 --> 11:06.966 you know you're always hungry to go back more and that's what we 11:06.966 --> 11:10.203 experienced, you know my first year or 2010 when we lost to 11:10.203 --> 11:11.204 Dallas with Miami. 11:11.204 --> 11:14.107 So, for us, it's just, you know, keep grinding out. 11:14.107 --> 11:17.410 You know, take each day and get better as a team. 11:17.410 --> 11:20.413 You know, everybody brings their individual games and get better 11:20.413 --> 11:21.447 and keep improving. 11:21.447 --> 11:23.449 And then when that time comes, you know, 11:23.449 --> 11:26.419 be willing to lay everything on the line and go for it. 11:26.419 --> 11:28.521  (Greg)    What has Dave   Joerger, Coach Dave Joerger, 11:28.521 --> 11:32.692  said to you and what do you see   in him as a coach in this short 11:32.692 --> 11:34.494  time you've been in Memphis? 11:34.494 --> 11:35.495 - He's a good coach. 11:35.495 --> 11:36.496 He's a player's coach. 11:36.496 --> 11:38.498 You know, he's a guy that is going to always relate to his 11:38.498 --> 11:40.533 players and, you know, make sure they're feelin' okay, 11:40.533 --> 11:42.535 make sure they know what's going on. 11:42.535 --> 11:44.537 And, you know, to play for a coach like that 11:44.537 --> 11:45.538 is a great opportunity. 11:45.538 --> 11:47.540  (Greg)    What was it   like with Erik Spoelstra? 11:47.540 --> 11:48.541 - Kind of like the same thing. 11:48.541 --> 11:50.543 You know, with Spoel, it's kind of different because me 11:50.543 --> 11:51.544 and him came.. 11:51.544 --> 11:53.546 Our first rookie years was together. 11:53.546 --> 11:55.548 His first year as coach and my first year in the NBA. 11:55.548 --> 11:58.017 So, been with Spoel my whole career. 11:58.017 --> 12:00.219 Learning from Spoel, learning together, 12:00.219 --> 12:01.821 it was a great experience. 12:01.821 --> 12:03.823  (Greg)    And, of course, in   Miami, you also were able to, 12:03.823 --> 12:06.426  I'm sure, lean on Pat   Riley, one of the legends. 12:06.426 --> 12:07.994 - Oh, definitely with Pat. 12:07.994 --> 12:11.431 One of the legends there as he's been through everywhere. 12:11.431 --> 12:13.433 Another guy that's won almost every level. 12:13.433 --> 12:16.002 So, it was good to pick Pat's brain and learn from him, 12:16.002 --> 12:17.003 too. 12:17.003 --> 12:19.472  (Greg)   Alright, so where are those NBA   World Championship rings? 12:19.472 --> 12:21.774 - They're in Miami right now in a safe. 12:21.774 --> 12:23.810 So, I got to get those and bring them out here. 12:23.810 --> 12:26.079  (Greg)   Do you have the NCAA   championship ring 12:26.079 --> 12:27.080  alongside that? 12:27.080 --> 12:29.082 - They're all sitting there together, 12:29.082 --> 12:30.083 all in a little case. 12:30.083 --> 12:32.085  (Greg)    So, what is   the plans, I guess, 12:32.085 --> 12:34.220  when you settle   down, get the home, 12:34.220 --> 12:37.257  put the, you know,   hopefully here in Memphis. 12:37.257 --> 12:39.258  You'll be here for a   few years to come. 12:39.258 --> 12:41.260  You're going to put a nice   little display in the home or 12:41.260 --> 12:43.262  you're just going to keep   it in a safety deposit box? 12:43.262 --> 12:44.364 - I don't know. 12:44.364 --> 12:45.698 I'm still thinking about it. 12:45.698 --> 12:47.967 But I'm a definitely keep them around just so I can show my 12:47.967 --> 12:49.102 kids about them. 12:49.102 --> 12:51.638 And I just show them what winning's all about, 12:51.638 --> 12:53.640 tell them what you get from winning. 12:53.640 --> 12:57.977  (Greg)    Your goals individually   for the rest of this season. 12:57.977 --> 13:02.982  (Mario)    Um, you know, be   the best player I can be. 13:02.982 --> 13:06.319  Do all the little things for   the team and show them how to.. 13:06.319 --> 13:10.757  You know, not show them but help   lead to an NBA championship or 13:10.757 --> 13:13.126  help lead to the   Western Conference Finals. 13:13.126 --> 13:18.264  You know, just do all the little   things and get my feet wet here. 13:18.264 --> 13:22.001 - Toughest player to guard in the NBA would be who? 13:22.001 --> 13:23.703 - Uh, probably Steph Curry. 13:23.703 --> 13:26.572 - How about the most physical player you have to go up against 13:26.572 --> 13:31.244 in the NBA? 13:31.244 --> 13:34.781 - Um, most physical.. 13:34.781 --> 13:40.053  (Greg)    Because Curry is   unbelievable but he's not the 13:40.053 --> 13:41.054  physical player. 13:41.054 --> 13:42.588 - He's not a physical player. 13:42.588 --> 13:44.590  (Greg)   Step back, boom, knock   down three from anywhere. 13:44.590 --> 13:46.592  Where is a guy   who's just go to, man, 13:46.592 --> 13:48.594  you have to rev up the   physicality because that's the 13:48.594 --> 13:49.595  way they play? 13:49.595 --> 13:52.432 - Um, I might say Eric Bledsoe. 13:52.432 --> 13:54.834 He's one of the physical point guards out there that, 13:54.834 --> 13:56.836 you know, when we play against each other, 13:56.836 --> 13:58.838 it's always a bang-bang situation. 13:58.838 --> 14:02.275 So, I might have to give that to him. 14:02.275 --> 14:05.712  (Greg)    Trash talking,    who does the most? 14:05.712 --> 14:06.713 - Nobody.. 14:06.713 --> 14:07.714  (Greg)    Nobody? 14:07.714 --> 14:09.716 - ..really trash talks directly to me. 14:09.716 --> 14:11.718 But the person who has a lot of antics would probably 14:11.718 --> 14:12.719 be Westbrook. 14:12.719 --> 14:15.088  (Greg)    Does he yaps a lot? 14:15.088 --> 14:17.090 - I mean, he don't really yap a lot. 14:17.090 --> 14:19.092 But, you know, his antics when he scores and, 14:19.092 --> 14:21.094 you know, he's a very emotional player. 14:21.094 --> 14:23.930  (Greg)   You've come out   and have shown fans, 14:23.930 --> 14:27.900  first of all, you haven't   lost a nanosecond of your speed. 14:27.900 --> 14:30.236  Second of all, you've   been knocking down threes. 14:30.236 --> 14:31.771  You've been hitting that shot. 14:31.771 --> 14:35.541  What are you working on when   people don't see you and you're 14:35.541 --> 14:38.177  at practice and   before practice and after, 14:38.177 --> 14:39.178  shoot arounds? 14:39.178 --> 14:41.180  What are you trying   to do to get better, Mario? 14:41.180 --> 14:43.716 - You know, try to get stronger, get my legs stronger. 14:43.716 --> 14:46.619 You know, keep working on that, keep working on my shooting and 14:46.619 --> 14:47.620 ball handling. 14:47.620 --> 14:50.323 You know, just the little things that's going to help with my 14:50.323 --> 14:52.325 speed and quickness and, you know, 14:52.325 --> 14:54.327 being able to get to where I want to get on the court. 14:54.327 --> 14:56.329  (Greg)    Alright, you're off the   hot seat but we like to end all 14:56.329 --> 14:58.331  our interviews with something   we call Five for the Road. 14:58.331 --> 15:01.100  It'll be a simple question,   first thing that comes to mind. 15:01.100 --> 15:02.668  Okay. 15:02.668 --> 15:05.705  Your favorite   professional sports team. 15:05.705 --> 15:09.308  You cannot say the Grizzlies and   you cannot say the Miami Heat. 15:09.308 --> 15:10.810  Any sport. 15:10.810 --> 15:11.811 - Carolina Panthers. 15:11.811 --> 15:12.812  (Greg)    Why? 15:12.812 --> 15:14.814 - Because I'm kind of from Carolina. 15:14.814 --> 15:18.117 You know, I was in Charlotte when they established that 15:18.117 --> 15:19.118 Panthers team. 15:19.118 --> 15:21.120 So, all my family is from Charlotte. 15:21.120 --> 15:23.122 So, that's why I stick with my hometown team. 15:23.122 --> 15:25.525  (Greg)    Okay, favorite   pro athlete of all time? 15:25.525 --> 15:26.559 - Michael Jordan. 15:26.559 --> 15:27.927  (Greg)    Music. 15:27.927 --> 15:31.931  What's your favorite   music or genre or artist? 15:31.931 --> 15:33.499  What do you like to listen to? 15:33.499 --> 15:35.501 - Favorite artist of all time would probably be Jay-Z. 15:35.501 --> 15:36.502  (Greg)    Jay-Z. 15:36.502 --> 15:39.005  Do you like to listen to a   lot of music before a game? 15:39.005 --> 15:40.106 - Yes, all the time. 15:40.106 --> 15:42.375 You know, I got to listen to music before the games just to 15:42.375 --> 15:43.442 get me in my zone. 15:43.442 --> 15:45.845  (Greg)    On the bus and   things like that as well? 15:45.845 --> 15:46.846 - Yeah, definitely. 15:46.846 --> 15:48.848  (Greg)    Just really   gets you focused. 15:48.848 --> 15:49.849 - Yeah, I'm a big music guy. 15:49.849 --> 15:50.850 So, I love music. 15:50.850 --> 15:52.852 That's something I'm always doing in my off time is 15:52.852 --> 15:54.854 listening to music and finding new things to do. 15:54.854 --> 15:56.856  (Greg)    Have you thought   about doing something? 15:56.856 --> 15:57.890  Can you play in instrument? 15:57.890 --> 15:58.891  Can you sing? 15:58.891 --> 15:59.892  Do you have a good voice? 15:59.892 --> 16:01.227 - Nah, I don't do any of that. 16:01.227 --> 16:02.228 [laughter] 16:02.228 --> 16:03.229 I just listen to music. 16:03.229 --> 16:07.934  (Greg)    Okay,   favorite movie of all time. 16:07.934 --> 16:08.935 - Life. 16:08.935 --> 16:10.303  (Greg)    Life? 16:10.303 --> 16:11.304 - Mhm. 16:11.304 --> 16:12.605  (Greg)    Who stars in that? 16:12.605 --> 16:14.607 - Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. 16:14.607 --> 16:16.042  (Greg)    How do I not know that? 16:16.042 --> 16:18.477  I'm a big fan of Eddie   Murphy and Martin Lawrence. 16:18.477 --> 16:22.949  If it was a sports   movie, what would it be? 16:25.852 --> 16:28.888 - Um.. 16:28.888 --> 16:32.091 I say either Space Jam or When the Game Stands Tall. 16:32.091 --> 16:33.259  (Greg)    Okay. 16:33.259 --> 16:36.095  And finally your   favorite television show. 16:36.095 --> 16:37.096 - Martin. 16:37.096 --> 16:38.097  (Greg)    There you go. 16:38.097 --> 16:39.098 A big Martin fan. 16:39.098 --> 16:41.100 We're a big fan of yours, Mario. 16:41.100 --> 16:43.102 Thank you so much for joining us. 16:43.102 --> 16:44.103 We'll take a break. 16:44.103 --> 16:45.104 Overtime is next. 16:45.104 --> 16:47.206 [country music] 17:11.998 --> 17:13.065 The last time we spoke, 17:13.065 --> 17:15.835 the Memphis Tigers were deciding on a new head football coach to 17:15.835 --> 17:17.603 replace Justin Fuente. 17:17.603 --> 17:20.506 I said the school likely had their new guy but it was after 17:20.506 --> 17:22.909 our deadline to tape last week's show. 17:22.909 --> 17:24.010 Well, I was right. 17:24.010 --> 17:26.045 The Tigers have a new head football coach. 17:26.045 --> 17:28.948 But let's make this clear, after Barry Odom turned down the 17:28.948 --> 17:32.485 opportunity to come to Memphis, nobody had a clue who the next 17:32.485 --> 17:33.519 choice was. 17:33.519 --> 17:35.521 The school put a lid on the leaks, 17:35.521 --> 17:37.523 and when the announcement finally came, 17:37.523 --> 17:40.726 it was 34-year-old Mike Norvell landing the gig. 17:40.726 --> 17:44.363 The graduate of Central Arkansas was working most recently as the 17:44.363 --> 17:46.666 offensive coordinator at Arizona State, 17:46.666 --> 17:50.002 where he was highly respected for his high octane offense and 17:50.002 --> 17:51.470 tireless recruiting ability. 17:51.470 --> 17:55.341 Needless to say there were some happy folks on hand during last 17:55.341 --> 17:58.678 week's introductory press conference. 17:58.678 --> 17:59.679 - I thank you. 17:59.679 --> 18:02.915 It is a thrill to see all of you here today. 18:02.915 --> 18:05.685 But I have to tell you, I am thrilled to see everyone here. 18:05.685 --> 18:08.354 But who I'm really excited about being here is this young man 18:08.354 --> 18:09.355 right there. 18:09.355 --> 18:11.991 I'd like to thank the Memphis community for their tremendous 18:11.991 --> 18:13.893 support of Tiger football. 18:13.893 --> 18:17.697 As you know, the last two years have simply been historic. 18:17.697 --> 18:20.833 We have every expectation that the trajectory of this football 18:20.833 --> 18:24.670 program will continue to be remarkably positive. 18:24.670 --> 18:28.074 I'd like to take a second and thank our advisory committee 18:28.074 --> 18:30.810 including Tom Kadien, Kate Johnson, 18:30.810 --> 18:33.446 Brad Martin, Willie Gregory and Mike Bruins. 18:33.446 --> 18:36.549 They have been invaluable. 18:36.549 --> 18:39.385 I'm going to get out of the way and let you get to the people 18:39.385 --> 18:40.953 you really want to hear from. 18:40.953 --> 18:43.155 Tom, come on up and introduce our coach. 18:43.155 --> 18:44.924 - Good afternoon. 18:44.924 --> 18:49.428 I want to thank y'all for being here today and remember seven 18:49.428 --> 18:51.430 days ago or six days ago when we met, 18:51.430 --> 18:55.334 the promise that we would get together and build a search 18:55.334 --> 18:59.705 process that would find the sense of urgency and a sense of 18:59.705 --> 19:04.276 the right fit and the perfect person to be a Memphis Tiger. 19:04.276 --> 19:06.512 I, too, want to thank our committee in leadership, 19:06.512 --> 19:10.916 especially Alan Graft, Brad Martin and Willie Gregory and 19:10.916 --> 19:14.186 Mike Bruins. 19:14.186 --> 19:15.187 - Thank you, everyone. 19:15.187 --> 19:17.189 And I really appreciate everybody coming out. 19:17.189 --> 19:20.993 This is a special day. 19:20.993 --> 19:23.863 To stand in front of you today, words really cannot describe how 19:23.863 --> 19:28.100 excited and how honored I am to be introduced as head football 19:28.100 --> 19:31.237 coach here at the University of Memphis. 19:31.237 --> 19:34.006 This is a day I've dreamed about. 19:34.006 --> 19:37.777 This is a day that, you know, by no stretch did I get here alone. 19:37.777 --> 19:40.346 So, I'd like to start off and it would only be right for me to 19:40.346 --> 19:43.849 give thanks to people that have helped get me to this point. 19:43.849 --> 19:45.851 I'd like to start off to my wife, Maria. 19:45.851 --> 19:47.853 [applause] 19:52.625 --> 19:55.428 The sacrifice, the long hours, 19:55.428 --> 20:00.466 the commitment, all those things have helped get to this point, 20:00.466 --> 20:01.801 to this place. 20:01.801 --> 20:05.104 And we sit here and we talk about fit. 20:05.104 --> 20:08.574 I can tell you that the most important things for me are fit 20:08.574 --> 20:10.609 and family. 20:10.609 --> 20:12.611 And as I was going through this process, 20:12.611 --> 20:15.014 I was able to sit through. 20:15.014 --> 20:16.248 And I knew.. 20:16.248 --> 20:17.917 I've known this university. 20:17.917 --> 20:19.618 I've known this city. 20:19.618 --> 20:21.754 I played college football about two hours away. 20:21.754 --> 20:24.323 So, I've spent a lot of time here at Memphis in May. 20:24.323 --> 20:25.558 I'm a big fan. 20:25.558 --> 20:26.692 I enjoy it. 20:26.692 --> 20:31.697 But there's been a group of people that every time that I've 20:33.933 --> 20:37.903 come here and got a chance to spend any amount of time in this 20:37.903 --> 20:40.639 great city, it's always been the same thing. 20:40.639 --> 20:42.341 It's a family feel. 20:42.341 --> 20:43.442 It's a tremendous community. 20:43.442 --> 20:48.714 It's a community that welcomes you with open arms and always 20:48.714 --> 20:50.816 makes you want to come back. 20:50.816 --> 20:53.986 And I'm so proud today to be able to stand in front of you 20:53.986 --> 20:55.988 with this position. 20:55.988 --> 20:58.591 It's another opportunity, it's another time for me to be able 20:58.591 --> 21:01.527 to give back, to serve, to sacrifice, 21:01.527 --> 21:03.696 to sacrifice for a football team, 21:03.696 --> 21:07.600 to sacrifice for a community, to help put a product on the field 21:07.600 --> 21:09.602 that's going to make everyone proud. 21:09.602 --> 21:11.604 I'd like to take a moment to thank Coach Fuente and his 21:11.604 --> 21:15.374 staff, the incredible job that they did. 21:15.374 --> 21:20.346 But even more on the lines of this support staff, 21:20.346 --> 21:24.683 the academic groups that we have with Bob Baker, 21:24.683 --> 21:25.684 Ash, Lauren. 21:25.684 --> 21:28.487 Everybody that works and touches our student athletes here. 21:28.487 --> 21:31.590 I'd like to thank them for their contribution. 21:31.590 --> 21:34.093 Because what I found here at the University of Memphis, 21:34.093 --> 21:38.898 why I'm standing in front of you today is because now at this 21:38.898 --> 21:42.468 time we have a culture of winning. 21:42.468 --> 21:45.504 We have a culture of winning in every area. 21:45.504 --> 21:48.174 We have a culture of winning academically. 21:48.174 --> 21:50.609 We have a culture of winning socially. 21:50.609 --> 21:54.580 We have a culture of winning with how we play this game. 21:54.580 --> 21:57.683 And that's what makes me so proud and so honored to stand 21:57.683 --> 22:01.554 before you today because now it's my job, 22:01.554 --> 22:05.391 it's my responsibility to help take the next step. 22:07.660 --> 22:09.662 And now to the future. 22:11.096 --> 22:15.534 This is the perfect time and this is the perfect place. 22:15.534 --> 22:17.536 You know, there's a lot of opportunities that have been 22:17.536 --> 22:21.207 discussed in my coaching career of places that I could have 22:21.207 --> 22:23.842 gone, of people that I could have went and led. 22:23.842 --> 22:28.147 But I was in such a great situation that it had 22:28.147 --> 22:29.315 to be right. 22:29.315 --> 22:33.586 It had to be all about the fit and all about the family. 22:33.586 --> 22:40.192 And it took about two hours sitting with the administrative 22:40.192 --> 22:45.831 staff here, you know, talking to the people that are closest 22:45.831 --> 22:46.966 to me. 22:46.966 --> 22:49.868 After that two hour meeting of talking about what's in place 22:49.868 --> 22:54.306 here, the people, the commitment, 22:54.306 --> 22:58.611 the young men, there was no doubt. 22:58.611 --> 23:00.646 This is the perfect fit. 23:00.646 --> 23:05.050 This is the perfect place and I'm excited about where we're 23:05.050 --> 23:07.052 going to go. 23:08.387 --> 23:10.389 Looking forward with this community, 23:10.389 --> 23:14.894 okay, and this program, the thing that's always really 23:14.894 --> 23:17.696 inspired me is about one vision, one way of doing things, 23:17.696 --> 23:24.303 a pursuit of perfection. 23:24.303 --> 23:26.772 And when I came and I've listened to so many people, 23:26.772 --> 23:28.807 I got a chance to meet so many great people in just such a 23:28.807 --> 23:34.280 short period of time, there is one clear and concise vision. 23:34.280 --> 23:36.315 It's to win in every area. 23:36.315 --> 23:37.850 It's to win every day. 23:37.850 --> 23:42.855 It's to strive for perfection, to strive for excellence. 23:42.855 --> 23:45.858 And I was able to meet with the team about 30 minutes ago. 23:45.858 --> 23:47.860 And when I stood in front of them, 23:47.860 --> 23:50.829 I knew that I had made the right decision. 23:50.829 --> 23:52.631 I looked into their eyes. 23:52.631 --> 23:53.632 I saw the hunger. 23:53.632 --> 23:54.633 I saw the fire. 23:54.633 --> 23:58.737 And we talked about one thing, to go finish. 23:58.737 --> 24:01.307 To go finish, finish what they began this year and then get 24:01.307 --> 24:03.809 ready for the future. 24:03.809 --> 24:07.112 And its a tremendous, tremendous group that I was able to stand 24:07.112 --> 24:09.815 in front of to talk a little bit about what we're going 24:09.815 --> 24:11.483 to be about. 24:11.483 --> 24:12.651 We're going to be about family. 24:12.651 --> 24:16.155 We're going to be about core values. 24:16.155 --> 24:18.457 We're going to put a product on the field and a product within 24:18.457 --> 24:21.560 this community that you are going to be proud of with how we 24:21.560 --> 24:26.365 play, with how we go to school, with how we are 24:26.365 --> 24:27.766 in the community. 24:27.766 --> 24:29.768 This is a team that you're going to want to back. 24:29.768 --> 24:32.638 And we're going to continue to build on the great successes 24:32.638 --> 24:35.574 that we have already had and continue to take this 24:35.574 --> 24:37.543 into the future. 24:37.543 --> 24:39.878 Our football team, we're going to play smart. 24:39.878 --> 24:41.413 We're going to play fast. 24:41.413 --> 24:45.551 We're going to play physical and we're going to be passionate 24:45.551 --> 24:48.787 about finishing in everything that we do. 24:48.787 --> 24:51.490 We're going to be passionate about that. 24:51.490 --> 24:53.492 And we're going to do it together. 24:53.492 --> 24:55.494 We're going to do it as a family. 24:55.494 --> 24:57.563 We're going to do it through adversity, 24:57.563 --> 25:01.533 when times might not go well for us. 25:01.533 --> 25:07.139 It's all going to be about the finish and finishing together, 25:07.139 --> 25:10.109 finishing successfully, finishing on top. 25:10.109 --> 25:12.344 I'm so very excited to be the head coach 25:12.344 --> 25:14.246 at the University of Memphis. 25:14.246 --> 25:18.984 I'm so very excited for this opportunity and I can't wait to 25:18.984 --> 25:20.986 get out there and shake everybody's hand and get a 25:20.986 --> 25:23.589 chance to meet everybody that's associated. 25:23.589 --> 25:26.992 But I can tell you there are great days ahead. 25:26.992 --> 25:29.661 Thank you very much. 25:29.661 --> 25:30.662 [applause] 25:30.662 --> 25:31.663 - And here at Sports Files, 25:31.663 --> 25:34.233 we welcome coach Norvell and his family to Memphis. 25:34.233 --> 25:35.234 And that will do it for now. 25:35.234 --> 25:37.970 Next week our Saturday 4:30 airing returns, 25:37.970 --> 25:40.072 along with the rest of our normal weekly airings 25:40.072 --> 25:41.240 of Sports Files. 25:41.240 --> 25:43.475 Until then have a great week and we'll see you next time. 25:43.475 --> 26:17.109 [theme music] 26:17.109 --> 26:21.580 (female announcer) Production funding for 26:21.580 --> 26:24.249 Sports Files is made possible in part by... 26:24.249 --> 26:27.453 (male narrator) Infiniti of Memphis has moved to Germantown road 26:27.453 --> 26:30.656 just half mile north of Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 26:30.656 --> 26:33.559 to support WKNO for its quality 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