Jalen Rose talks Twitter, replacement refs, Ron Artest, poker

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October 2, 2009

On October 15th and 16th, myself and a bunch of other bloggers, journalists and media moguls will gather in Las Vegas for Blogs with Balls 2.0, a conference devoted to sports blogs and their effect on the universe. One of the guests of honor at BwB 2.0 will be ESPN analyst Jalen Rose (notes). Yesterday, I caught up with the social media savvy Rose to get his take on the NBA’s new Twitter policy, replacement referees, the Lakers and much more.

Ball Don’t Lie: You recently talked with my buddy Shoals at The Baseline about the changing media landscape, so I’ll try not to double-up the questions. But I want to get your opinion on the NBA’s new Twitter policy. Thoughts?

Jalen Rose: As a fan, ex-player and someone that has a Twitter account — and is a huge fan of social media — it’s not the thing I like the most. But as a boss, a coach, a CEO, a general manager, an owner, I have no problem with it at all. Because ultimately, no matter what career you choose in life, you’re going to have a boss. And that boss is able to set certain parameters around your performance and what he/she feels is going to allow success in the workplace. I understand both sides. I have no problem with it.

BDL: On the whole, do you think Twitter and Facebook have done more good for the NBA than harm?

JR: I think it’s probably done more good. It allows players to connect with their fans. It’s allowed them to create a broader audience and help increase their visibility and brand in a positive way, which obviously is a domino effect to all of the things they represent — their agent, their manager, the NBA, their shoe company, another endorsement deal. Everybody gets a chance to benefit, especially when it’s positive. In doing that, there’s going to be some horror stories, sure, but for the most part, it’s been good.

BDL: Obviously, Twitter wasn’t around when you were in the league, but can you recall your teammates being just as crazy with checking their e-mail or texting during practice or in the locker room? Did that stuff go on?

JR: Well, one thing age teaches you is the older you get, the longer the walk was to school. I’m at an age where I’m able to pay attention and respect both sides. I grew up in an era where I had to go back to my dorm room to see if somebody left me a message on my voicemail. I know about the era of beepers and huge cell phones … and now you might see a nine or 10-year-old with a phone. It’s really just a sign of the times. I like to think of Twitter and similar entities as a 24/7/365 GPS, or ticker, or public service announcement. Anyone can press send and whatever you’re doing isn’t private anymore.

BDL: So no good stories of Sam Mitchell smashing someone’s cell phone?

JR: (laughs) No, not at all. Like I said, the times have changed and you have to evolve with it. But I’m a huge fan of social media and I’m glad that it continues to expand.

BDL: You’re all over Twitter; you’ve got some 30,000 followers. I’ve got to ask you about this one tweet. You said you saw The Dream and Christina Milian, HBO’s Bill Maher and Jon from "Jon and Kate Plus 8." Where the hell were you?

JR: (laughs) I was out in L.A. — Beverly Hills — eating dinner.

BDL: Was Jon eating his last 15 minutes of fame?

JR: Yeah, basically. I had that on there at first, but it was too long. So that’s why I shortened it to "is he famous?"

BDL: Moving on. The NBA begins preseason play tonight (Thursday) and they’re going full steam ahead with replacement refs. You played during the last batch of backup refs in ‘95 with the Nuggets. Should players and fans be worried?

JR: I wouldn’t say worried because the sheer brilliance of the athletes and the game will continue to evolve. I don’t think the officials will affect it totally. However, anytime you’re not dealing with your A-plus product — that is the real officials — you’re dealing with [second-rate] back-ups. It’s kind of like the Yankees. They can put out their starting line-up or they can put out their backups. When you’re dealing with your backups there’s more room for error and question. [...] Basketball is such a subjective sport to call. What’s a foul? What’s over-the-back? What’s a block or a charge? What’s a travel? These are all things that are questioned on a daily basis.

BDL: But do you remember a drop off in the quality of referring back in ‘95?

JR: Yes, you notice a difference and there is a difference. Anybody that tries to suggest otherwise is not being accurate because, again, you have your first team and then the backups. These new refs are the backups.

BDL: OK, let’s put you on the spot. You told Shoals that you like the Cavs to take the East, so I’ll ask about the West. Can anyone — the Spurs, the Nuggets, the Blazers — knock off the Lakers?

JR: Well, actually what I told him was this: I can’t pick a Finals yet, but I can pick a final four. And if I had to go out on a limb today I would take the Cavs. But I’m seeing an Eastern Conference final between the Celtics and the Cavs, with a wildcard being the Magic. And then in the Western Conference I’m going with the Lakers and Spurs, with a team maybe like Utah being the wildcard.

BDL: Do Lakers fans need to be more worried about Ron Artest (notes) trying to fit into the mix or Lamar Odom (notes) marrying "The Kardashian Klan" and reality TV?

JR: Both great questions. I think Artest is at a point in his career where he understands that he is going to be judged by winning and his ability to get along with those who have had more success — Phil and Kobe. When you’re in that situation, and you’re Ron Artest, you’re going to be attentive enough to those guys where even if he wanted to get off track he understands that’s not the place he can do it. He has to represent a different standard of excellence playing for the Lakers just because … it’s the Lakers. I think that’s going to help him a lot on and off the floor. [...]

I still feel like if the Lakers are going to win another championship they can’t have Andrew Bynum (notes) from this year’s Finals. There’s still going to be a question about the point guard position — obviously we love Derek Fisher (notes), but he’s not getting any younger and we got to still play the first 46, 47 minutes of the game. Even though they’re the defending champions, they have questions. Every team has questions, that’s why they play the game.

BDL: And what about this Odom-Khloe "circus" — you see that being a distraction?

JR: Well, there’s a difference between being a professional athlete — having the media ask you questions and what you consider being hounded — as opposed to the paparazzi. So, for whatever it’s worth, hopefully he’s ready for that what comes with it. Because when he misses a lay-up (and everybody does), when he has a bad game (and every player will), [the marriage] is going to be one of the things that’s well discussed and documented about his concentration, his focus and his ability to still perform.

BDL: Right. As soon as something bad happens the media’s going to want to pin it on his relationship.

JR: Kind of like Jessica [Simpson] and Tony [Romo].

BDL: Yeah.

JR: But when you’re Tony Parker (notes) and you have Eva [Longoria] the only way you can silence [the doubters] is to do what Tony did. Go out, win the Finals MVP, win a couple of championships and become one of the top three point guards in the game. So for Lamar, he’s definitely going to have to be competitive at a high level. If the Lakers have any fall off record wise, or he struggles, he just gave his critics something else to pile on about.

BDL: Had a few people on Twitter want me to ask you this next question: What fountain of youth is your ex-Fab Five teammate Juwan Howard (notes) drinking from? He’s still playing!

JR: No question about it. I used to joke with Juwan, as did Chris [Webber] and the other guys, that we always knew he’d be the last one of us to keep playing in the NBA.

BDL: Really?

JR: Yeah. Because not only does he love the game that much, but his style of game is conducive to a long career. As a power forward his game was skill. His game was left shoulder, right shoulder, rebound with two hands, make a medium range shot — not necessarily high-flying reverse dunks. So I’m not surprised; I’m very happy for him. I always joke with him about not being able to go to the army because he has flat feet. But it works in the NBA. And now I have another reason to root for Brandon Roy (notes) and LaMarcus Aldridge (notes) with Juwan on the team. That’s my brother.

BDL: Any chance at a Jalen Rose comeback?

JR: No!

BDL: No?

JR: With an exclamation point behind it. I still can play and I’m still in shape. I consider myself the best player that doesn’t have an NBA uniform and I’m content with that title.

BDL: Bold.

JR: And if anybody wants to play me for that title — for charity — the offer stands.

BDL: You’re getting your Bryon Russell hustle on here.

JR: He got that from me. Just so you know. I played with him out in Los Angeles — UCLA. I’ve played with him in Calabasas. I’ve said it on Twitter. I’ve said it on television. I love B-Russ, but I have to take the patent on that one.

BDL: Sort of an odd question, but what player’s game today most reminds you of yours?

JR: Joe Johnson (notes) — a guy that can play three positions.

See, let’s talk about the transformation in the game. There were big guards that I looked up to — big point guards, 6′7 and taller. Scottie Pippen was a point forward. Grant Hill (notes) was and is a point forward. LeBron James (notes) is a point forward. As for point guards — Magic Johnson was bringing it up at Michigan State. Steve Smith was bringing it up at Michigan State. Penny Hardaway was bringing it up in Memphis.

BDL: All big guys.

JR: The evolution of the game is that there are no more big point guards. So since there isn’t as many big point guards, I root, and I pay attention to the guys that can play three positions and be just as effective. Joe Johnson is a player, like LeBron James, that you can start at point guard, shooting guard or small forward positions.

BDL: He had similar numbers to what you were putting up, too — 20-5-5. All right, final question because I’ve kept you to long here—

JR: I would’ve said LeBron, but he’s too good and too athletic. (laughs)

BDL: He’s just a freak, yeah. And you would’ve gotten grilled on the blogs had you picked LeBron.

JR: (laughs) Yeah. They would have thought I was hanging out with Lindsay Lohan.

BDL: (laughs) All right, final question. Rumor has it you’ll be playing in the Blogs With Balls charity poker shootout in a few weeks.

JR: Yes, I will be.

BDL: OK, so before I sit down with you at the table, what’s your tell? I want to know your tell.

JR: My tell? What do you mean by that?

BDL: Well, let’s say you’ve got a good hand, you’re bluffing, whatever. I want to know your tell. Are you going to touch your sunglasses, fiddle with your chips—

JR: Oh, oh, oh, I got to tell you something, you just reminded me of this. I’m the only person I know that doesn’t play golf, doesn’t play poker, doesn’t eat sushi and doesn’t have a Facebook page.

BDL: (laughs) What?

JR: OK, I’m working on a Facebook page this week. Now, I’m going to sit at the poker table — I’ve watched lots of teammates play, lots of family and friends play — but I’ve actually never held the cards for one game. For some reason I—

BDL: Hold on. Thirteen years in the NBA, and you never once played poker on the bus?

JR: Never.

BDL: Wow.

JR: I’ve watched the game for years, but I’ve never played.

BDL: How do I get seated at your table?

JR: (laughs) I’ve never played poker, never played golf, never eaten sushi—

BDL: And you don’t have a Facebook page.

JR: I’ve never been on Facebook.

BDL: Yet.

JR: Yet. I’m getting a page this week. People have been getting on my case about it calling me a dinosaur. I’m like, all right, I’ll get a page. But I’ll tell you what — you want to play Spades, you want to play Tonk? I play those games.