The Rhodes Scholarship.

10 years with the New York Knicks.

I was a U S senator for 18 years.

How about any writing experience?

Wrote three books went on the best seller list and the Tax Reform Act in 1986.

But no TV writing, uh, any experience in front of audience?

Well, I gave a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

A man of large audience.

Oh, welcome back.

I am honored to welcome into the jump former N B.

A All star two time champion with the Knicks, member of the Naysmith Basketball Hall of Fame and, of course, former U.

S.

Senator Mr Bill Bradley.

Thank you, Bill.

So much for joining us today.

And I'm really sorry you're sportscasting.

Career didn't quite pan out there.

Well, you know, on Lee the very best.

Make it on the ESPN.

You can't.

You can't have your own show unless you're the very best.

I've heard that somewhere.

Thank you so much.

Of course.

Ah, Historic day for the country.

What does Inauguration Day especially this particular Inauguration Day mean to you?

Well, it was deeply meaningful to may.

I mean, I remember George Washington said the most important election that the country will have is not the first president that is elected, but the second, in other words, a transition of power, a peaceful transition of power.

And that's what this ritual is all about.

It's about going from one person to another in a peaceful way, and given the events of the previous two weeks, uh, it's really deeply moving for me to see it.

I'm always moved by these inaugurations.

You know, I was on the on the diocese when, uh, Reagan was selected, inaugurated and when Clinton was inaugurated and out in the audience when Obama was inaugurated.

So it's a deeply meaningful ritual, symbolic of a new beginning.

You mentioned the events of a couple weeks ago.

Given your experience as a senator for the state of New Jersey for nearly 20 years, what was it like for you to witness the riot, insurrection, the idea that they attempted to storm and take over the capital on January 6th?

Well, I was appalled.

I felt personally violated because I knew all those nooks and crannies.

In that count, I worked in that chamber.

Um, in that sense, I felt personally violated.

The Rotunda is kind of the the secret Cathedral of American Democracy, and people were in it to filing it.

I think all of them should be prosecuted, and it should never be tolerated again.

We saw so many sports figures speak out after that event happened, and it's interesting.

There are people who say, Oh, we shouldn't have politics in sports You played during a time where you know, that was, frankly, never true that there weren't politics in sports.

And I'm curious what you think of today's athlete MBA athletes in particular, who have been so vocal advocating on behalf of social justice.

What has impressed you about that?

And how does it compare to similar efforts by players of your generation?

Because, you know, the sixties and seventies, that was a time to sure.

Well, I'm particularly pleased by what they did in the lock down in Orlando, you know, they took, they took a really stand and in taking a stand that they put themselves at risk.

But Adam Silver is always encouraged players to be politically involved.

And they were definitely that in our time, we were politically involved a little differently, you know?

I mean, I taught taught school in, uh, in Harlem Street Academy Working Poverty program in Washington.

Other players did things with schools.

Eso It was a little different, but the same element of commitment was there?

Absolutely.

We're gonna ask you for any Phil Jackson stories behind the scene from that time.

Or should I save that for off the air?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I'll tell you a story of Phil Jackson.

Not from those times, but related to the Senate.

He'll always try to get his player, stimulate them in many different ways.

And so one day, he called me up when I was in the Senate, said he'd like to bring the Bulls to the Senate.

And so it was.

The Senate was off that day, so the chamber was closed and I took the Bulls into the Senate chamber.

And you know where Michael Jordan naturally gravitated right to the majority leader's desk.

I'm not surprised.

Nothing about that story is surprising and very gracious of you to offer that tour.

You know, the MBA released video of Kareem Abdul Jabbar receiving his cove in 19 vaccine, and the idea was to promote the use of inoculations to end this pandemic.

Commissioner Adam Silver added on Tuesday.

The league has at least discussed having current players received Cove vaccines to educate and influence the public regarding it's safety and effectiveness and kind of the line the MBA would have toe walk.

There is.

Are they setting a good example by doing that, or is it going to appear too much that they're jumping the line in some way?

Where do you fall on that?

What do you in favor of their?

Well, I I think that the more we can encourage people thio get the vaccine, the better we're gonna be.

You know, 100 million people in the 1st 100 days is a very ambitious goal, and people are gonna have to know about where they could get the vaccine and be encouraged to take the initiative to do it.

And there are some players probably who could encourage them to do that absolutely.

And I do want to ask you a little bit more about today's players.

Specifically, of course, your New York Knicks.

They are off to a seven and eight start this season, good for sixth place in the East under new coach Tom Thibodeau.

How optimistic are you about this team this season?

The future of the organization?

Well, I don't pretend once a Knick fan, always a Knick fan.

So I have high hopes, Um, pleased with where they are now, and hopefully we'll see where they are at all Star time.

If they're there, then maybe there's a chance Thio do well better than anybody thought.

But you always like to see your old team do well, particularly in New York.

That was a very political answer, Senator.

I appreciate that.

A last but not least I want to know who your favorite basketball player is to watch in the MBA right now.

I like Steph Curry.

I like the way he moves without the ball.

I like the way he uses screens.

I like the way he used his hands to push off.

And of course, I like the shots.

I mean, you know, unbelievable release from incredible range.

So I watched him and I see some of the things that he does out there that reminds me of what was really the best about the old nick teams you hit from out there, right?

Good.

10 ft behind the three point line.

Yeah, but it only counted two points then Rachel.

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