FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

KENNY SMITH & DARYL MOREY ON CELTICS-RAPTORS BOYCOTT DISCUSSIONS; COLTS RB JONATHAN TAYLOR ON BEING A ROOKIE THIS OFFSEASON — QUOTES FROM THE RICH EISEN SHOW ON PEACOCK & NBCSN

“If they feel this is important as a team to miss because mentally their minds aren’t in the space to play basketball, I think we have to respect that.” – Kenny Smith on Raptors and Celtics players potentially boycotting Thursday’s game as a result of the Jacob Blake shooting

“We are a player-driven league and I think for good reason…Whatever is decided, they are going to have full support.” – Daryl Morey on NBA players potentially boycotting games

 “Now it is about trying to accelerate your learning, accelerate your play during camp without having those previous reps that any other normal previous rookie class would have.” – Jonathan Taylor on getting up to speed in training camp as a rookie

STAMFORD, Conn. – August 26, 2020 – Host Rich Eisen was joined on today’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show on Peacock and NBCSN by:

    • Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor
    • Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey
    • NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith
    • Actor Don Cheadle
    • Actor Joe Manganiello

 

Peacock will become The Rich Eisen Show’s exclusive video home on Oct. 5.

Following are highlights from The Rich Eisen Show on NBCSN:

Kenny Smith on the Celtics and Raptors potentially boycotting Thursday’s game as a result of the Jacob Blake shooting: “I think we all are in a reactionary thought process with what is going on. I know that for the first time last night, even watching Doc Rivers speak, I was like, man, I really (for the) first time felt that being in the bubble, the guys felt helpless. Like I am in the bubble and I can’t even do anything. I can’t join a march, I can’t do anything. And at times if I’m not playing, I’m just sitting in my room and I think that feeling is starting to come out. I don’t know the right answer to that honestly. I think the correct answer is whatever they do, you have to support (them) because somethings are bigger. Guys miss games because of family or the birth of their children and if they feel this is important as a team to miss because mentally their minds aren’t in the space to play basketball, I think we have to respect that because they have also given us time to play in a profession in that bubble that is uncharacteristic of anything that we have ever seen in our lifetime.”

Smith on who the Lakers don’t want to see in the second round: “I don’t think they are fearful of anyone because they walk on the court and LeBron James and AD (Anthony Davis) go, ‘Ok, we have the advantage.’ I don’t think they fear anyone.”

Smith on which team is being overlooked in the NBA Playoffs right now: “The Rockets with (Russell) Westbrook. If he comes back and he is able to play, then all of a sudden you’d be like, wow this could be a mix we haven’t seen…Utah with Donovan Mitchell with the way he is playing and shooting the basketball, and the ability he is playing at…the West is wild and it is wide open.”

Daryl Morey on the Celtics and Raptors potentially boycotting Thursday’s game: “We are a player-driven league and I think for good reason. I think one thing – both the NBA players union and the league and Commissioner Silver have put the players front and center, and I think that led to such a good restart here and I think the players are going to lead again on this. Whatever is decided, they are going to have full support.”

Morey on Russell Westbrook’s health: “This morning we got something positive…He’s still not 100 percent. We don’t know what will happen. He will give it a go in warmups before the game and then it will be a game-time decision with Russell.”

Jonathan Taylor on being a rookie with no offseason activities: “It is really about trying to play catch-up in a sense. You usually go to rookie mini-camp and you have those on-field reps, that on-field coaching. So now it is about trying to accelerate your learning, accelerate your play during camp without having those previous reps that any other normal previous rookie class would have.”

Taylor on Philip Rivers’ leadership: “When you have a guy like that who is able to show that emotion and show that passion and still have a sense of restraint and control himself in certain ways, I think that is the kind of leader that you want.”

Taylor on Jacob Blake and if the Colts have discussed it as a team: “We just did that today. We reemphasized that we are going to be at the forefront, we are going to be the spearhead of this movement going into this season. Definitely won’t be silent, but like I said, we are going to be at the forefront, and we are going to do everything in our power to continue to raise awareness, have these conversations, and promote change.” 

Morey on reports that Indiana would be interested in head coach Mike D’Antoni if he were to become available: “Mike D’Antoni is a hell of a coach so I am not surprised people are interested. We love Mike and he loves being here, so we will work that out…We are going to meet after the season.”

Don Cheadle on watching the Super Bowl as a Chiefs fan: “When it wasn’t looking good, I just walked away. I just went by myself, there was no one on the golf course…because if they are going to lose, I don’t want to know…And if they win, I am taping it, I will just plug my ears, go home and watch it, but I can’t watch them lose.”

Joe Manganiello, a Steelers fan, on Pittsburgh’s outlook this season: “I think after last year’s fixing of the defense, I am excited to see what Big Ben brings back to the offensive side of the ball. I think Big Ben would have been worth at least two more wins last year.”

 –NBC SPORTS–