1:1 with Mike Bibby
Zaza: Congratulations on being inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame!
MB: Thank you. It means so much to be in the record books. I’m happy and blessed.
Zaza: Is there one moment in your career that stands out?
MB: Getting drafted to the Grizzlies when they were in Vancouver... a long time ago. The best time of my life.
Zaza: Talk about the Western Conference Finals going up against Shaq.
MB: Yeah, we should have won. When we had him on our podcast, it was the first time we talked about it…
Zaza: What about today… you versus Shaq now?
MB: He's a little old and rusty. I don't think he could get out on the floor and guard me, but he'd probably be able to back me down… so it's a double-edged sword.
Zaza: I know you’ve got a big shoe collection. What’s your favorite pair to wear?
MB: I like the Jordan 11s. All black; I think the Cap and Gowns.
Zaza: Who was your idol growing up?
MB: Surely Michael Jordan, but my favorite basketball player growing up was Jason Kidd. I was in eighth grade, and I remember he was the high school player of the year featured on the front of the newspaper. When my brother saw the paper, he told me I resembled Jason, so I took a liking to him.
Zaza: As a kid, what team did you want to be drafted by?
MB: Didn't matter... I just wanted to play. I would have liked to play home for the Phoenix Suns, but it didn't work out. There are surely pluses and minuses that come with playing at home… kind of glad I didn't. But there was a potential trade going down with me and Nash early on because he was from Vancouver and I was from Phoenix, so it was going to be a swap. But they ended up not doing it.
Zaza: How does it feel being in Arizona?
MB: Arizona will always be my home, no matter what happens.
IG @mike_bibby_10
1:1 with Eddie House
Zaza: You played for ASU and dropped 61 points in a game. Insane. How did that feel?
EH: That’s the game that got me drafted, to be honest with you. And I never liked Cal because they didn’t give me a letter.
Zaza: Favorite career highlight?
EH: The championship on the Boston Celtics… it was like a one-off. I never had another opportunity to win one.
Zaza: What’s your favorite memory with the Suns?
EH: Besides winning the championship with the Celtics, the Suns were the most fun I ever had with a team. Everybody was cool with each other. Just being around those guys and sharing that season was one of my favorite experiences ever.
Zaza: I’m 10. When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
EH: I thought I was going to be Rickey Henderson, a baseball player. I played left field and pitched. But then my father told me, ‘We don’t have money for college, you’ll need a scholarship.’ The easiest path was basketball, because I could work on my game alone. Baseball needs other people, but basketball... you can go to the park, imagine whatever you want, and just work. That’s why I switched.
Zaza: How about the podcast?
EH: We’re able to share knowledge, swap stories, and have fun. I love doing it, and love the guys.
Zaza: Thank you, Eddie! Go Devils.
EH: Go Devils.
IG @_ehouse50_
1:1 with Ty Ellis
Zaza: What has been your most memorable coaching moment?
TE: Probably winning a gold medal with USA Basketball. My head coach was Jeff Van Gundy, and we won the gold medal in the AmeriCup. Super cool.
Zaza: When you were a kid, did you always think you were going to be a coach?
TY: I actually just wanted to inspire people, if that sounds crazy. I grew up stuttering so bad that I couldn’t really talk. I had people who poured into me and believed in me, and always wanted to do the same for others.
Zaza: Tips for coaches?
TE: Leadership is everything. You’ve got to be confident, not be afraid to make mistakes, and trust your gut.
Zaza: Tell me about the Las Vegas Aces. Is it different coaching men and women?
TE: I’m currently an assistant coach and they’re a really good team. Coaching women is 1,000% easier. With men, you have to coach their ego; they’re hard-headed and fragile mentally, to be honest with you. But women… they care about small details. They find pleasure in being coached and taught.
Zaza: Who’s a favorite player you’ve coached?
TE: A’ja Wilson on the women’s side. She’s a phenomenal ambassador for women’s basketball and can really hoop.
Zaza: How do you navigate a loss?
TE: When it’s over, it’s over. I don’t bring it home. You just pursue greatness, work harder, and try again.
Zaza: As a coach, what do you add to the podcast?
TE: Well, I played basketball too. I wasn’t an NBA star, but I had a good time playing in Europe (the country of Georgia). From a coaching and leadership background however, I help navigate these guys. They’ve done exceptionally well in the NBA, and I bring that European swag. We have good debates on what’s better and who’s better. Obviously the Americans are the best, but I think the country of Georgia guys are right behind them.
IG @coachtyellis
Sports with Zaza
The official kid sports reporter for PVCL- because, let’s face it, the kids know more than us. With purity, curiosity, and fearless questions, Zaza lives for interviewing pros and sharing the action from courtside clips to the sidelines. Follow his IG for more. IG @sportswithzaza