Males’s Journal’s On a regular basis Warrior With Mike Sarraille is a podcast that conjures up people to dwell extra fulfilling lives by having conversations with disrupters and excessive performers from all walks of life. In episode 43, we spoke to Cleveland Cavaliers ahead Lamar Stevens, who scored 1,500+ factors and grabbed 600+ rebounds at Penn State earlier than signing with Cleveland in 2020.
Hearken to the complete episode above (scroll down for the transcript) and see extra from this sequence beneath.
This interview has not been edited for size or readability.
Mike Sarraille:
Welcome again to the Males’s Journal Each Day Warrior podcast. I’m your host, Mike Sarraille. I’m right here with, Lamar Stevens, ahead for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beforehand we’ve interviewed Coach JB and Mike Gansey. Each of them spoke about you with the best affection. So first off, thanks for becoming a member of me. I do know that is the primary day of observe for you guys as you enter the 2023 season. You fairly excited to kick it again off?
Lamar Stevens:
Yeah, I’m able to go. Um, I’m going into my third yr, um, uh, you realize, we’ve a fantastic group of fellows, nice group of coaches main the way in which for us. So I’m excited concerning the yr.
Mike Sarraille:
Good. You, one of many issues is we’re doing analysis and I, I discovered this so humorous is, uh, in all probability individuals, lots of people don’t know that you’re a revealed creator as nicely,
Lamar Stevens:
<snort>. Yeah. Yeah. I’m. I’m. I, uh, I wrote a youngsters’s ebook when, uh, my senior yr of faculty, um, with, you realize, six, uh, six children in the neighborhood that, um, they’ve, uh, they’ve been identified with down syndrome. We did loads of, uh, work with, you realize, particular Olympics and, uh, this factor referred to as the Buddy Stroll. So, you realize, I, over my 4 years I used to be in a position to develop a fantastic relationship with them. So, uh, with my senior yr, me and, uh, our, our PR man, PJ Mullen, uh, received collectively and we simply got here up with a fantastic concept simply, you realize, by the connection that we had with these children.
Mike Sarraille:
So, and the rationale I deliver this up is, uh, and I learn the rationale why you probably did the ebook and all of the work that you just did at Penn State. Um, the place did this, this service to others come from? The place was that that taught to you? The place was that inbuilt? Trigger I’m positive that performs into from each Coach and the GM that you just’re probably the most crew oriented guys they’ve ever coached.
Lamar Stevens:
Yeah, I believe it, uh, it goes, you realize, begins with my dad and mom. Um, I’ve simply watched, you realize, my mother and my dad simply at all times continuously, you realize, give again and, you realize, attain a lend hand to household or mates and, you realize, that’s simply type of, you realize, you realize what we established as a household of, you realize, who we’re. You already know, we work actually onerous after which we simply give again. Uh, and, you realize, that’s one thing I’ve taken satisfaction in. And likewise I believe Coach Chambers after I was at Penn State helped me, uh, you realize, actually step into that management function and simply attempt to be that instance, um, you realize, as, as finest as I may.
Mike Sarraille:
That, that, that’s wonderful. So hardly ever do you hear about in collegiate sports activities or skilled sports activities the place a younger participant units the tradition in, in a, a selected, uh, course. Yeah. And, and I’ve, the truth is, I’ve by no means heard of that story, uh, in anyway, however you’ve come up, not give you, however you’ve had this, this mentality which you name the j y d the junkyard canine Yeah. Mentality within the calves and the, the, the group have grabbed that Yeah. To the purpose the place you guys guys move out the, the, the junkyard canine chain. Yeah. With, with a set of values, man, uh, you, you gotta, you gotta clarify this for the listeners the place this developed, why you like that mantra so, a lot. Yeah. And the way you’ve introduced that to the, uh, to the gaps.
Lamar Stevens:
Um, I believe it’s, once more, it goes again to one thing I discovered after I was in faculty and it’s type of identical to controlling what you’ll be able to management. Like, you’ll be able to’t actually essentially management in case you’re gonna make pictures each night time or if the particular person you’re guarding is gonna make pictures. However you realize, you’ll be able to at all times management your, you realize, your vitality, your effort and your perspective and people issues that I strive to ensure I deliver each single day, as a result of on the finish of the day, that’s all I can management. And I believe, you realize, simply being a canine is one thing that I take satisfaction in. Um, and type of, you realize, simply I believe, you realize, particularly within the nba, if we’ve a crew full of fellows that simply can consider in that, um, and you realize, actually pulling in the identical course and, you realize, combating for a similar factor, I believe that that places collectively a very unimaginable crew. And, um, however yeah, I imply, it’s loopy how far, you realize, that’s come, it’s one thing I’m positively appreciative for and didn’t understand it was going to be taken this far. Um, however yeah, I take, uh, excessive satisfaction in simply controlling, you realize, what I can management. And I believe that’s one thing that day-after-day I can,
Mike Sarraille:
It’s nearly your, it’s such as you’re preaching stoicism, <snort>. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Completely. And, and I I’m positive you had no concept how, you realize, how far it might come. I imply, you guys are, are doing the canine name earlier than, throughout, and, uh, and after video games. Uh, do, do you view your self as a frontrunner no matter what number of years you could have within the, uh, the league? I imply, do you see your self as that driving drive to select the blokes up once they’re, they’re down?
Lamar Stevens:
Uh, I believe I think about myself a frontrunner as a result of I simply, I imply, I simply need the most effective for everyone. And I believe I’ve developed that relationship with the blokes that, you realize, they know like, I would get on you, I could like name you out or, you realize, speak trash to you, however, you realize, it’s all love and I actually simply need the most effective for, you realize, everyone on the crew. So, um, I, I believe that I may think about myself a
Mike Sarraille:
Chief. Rattling. Proper. And, and what you simply described, I typically speak about, um, lots of people get it incorrect within the navy that they suppose we, you, you realize, we bark at individuals and simply they run off and do issues, is definitely, we, we lead by love. Proper? What you simply described I speak about to corporations so much is, uh, the best type of compassion, proper. Uh, is accountability. Yeah. However you identical to, I could get on you as a result of that, that’s, cuz I do know you’re, you’re higher than that and I like you. I don’t wanna see you, you place out. Um, in order that, I imply, that is, it, it makes me smile the truth that no matter the place you’re at in a company, I believe that the, the, the factor to remove for our listeners is you’ll be able to influence a company, whether or not you’re the crew captain, uh, or, or, or sitting on the bench or, and even, uh, behind the scenes supporting the crew. Yeah. You make an influence. Yeah.
Lamar Stevens:
And that’s, yeah, and I imply, I got here in just about like in, uh, for everyone else’s phrases, like, and as a stroll on, type of like because the 17th man on the, on the roster outta 17, um, from the primary day that I received right here coming in on a two-way contract. And, um, you realize, simply through the years, you realize, simply assembly the nice folks that right here, I simply was in a position to beat myself. And that’s simply, you realize, one thing I took satisfaction in, you realize, coming from faculty, being the primary man to now the following yr, now I’m just like the final man on the totem pole was, it was a humbling expertise, however it helped me, like, I felt wish to be a frontrunner, you need to additionally, you realize, have the ability to do the work, um, and present, you realize, like, you aren’t gonna at all times be the highest man and also you gotta work your means up. And, and, and that’s simply one thing I actually took satisfaction in.
Mike Sarraille:
Nicely, the highest man by himself, uh, will lose. Proper. Uh, however a crew sizzling rattling. It’s wonderful what we are able to do after we, after we work or a part of a crew. Completely. So I, I used to be gonna deliver that up, you realize, you referred to as it a walked on, you went undrafted, however then you definitely walked on with the, uh, the Cleveland Cav Cavaliers on that, that contract in a Penn State. You have been dependent not solely to defend, however to place some critical factors on the board. Yeah. And to, to my understanding what I’ve been instructed, you realize, Cleveland checked out you and mentioned, we’d like you to be the most effective defensive participant, the one which, that you realize, the most effective gamers in, within the league that need to go up towards you or be like, rattling, Lamar’s proper. Guarding me, man. Yeah. What, what kind of, once they requested you that, what was the mentality? Uh, what was your method to that?
Lamar Stevens:
Uh, simply to actually be, you realize, what the crew wanted. Um, I believe that like, everyone has a job and, you realize, simply attempting to purchase into being the most effective at what was requested of me, um, to simply assist the crew win was one thing I took actual satisfaction in. And, um, you realize, that’s what, what received me on the ground. So, um, that was one thing like, and that was what JB requested of me, that was Mike GK ass, me and Kobe. Um, so, you realize, that was my function. The, that’s nonetheless my function and I, you realize, that’s simply my, what I’ve to do for our crew proper now. So,
Mike Sarraille:
Yeah. Have you ever discovered to like that although?
Lamar Stevens:
I discovered to find it irresistible. Yeah. Completely. Completely. Yeah. I imply, I’ve utterly modified my recreation as a result of I actually didn’t play a lot protection in any respect at Penn State, like till just like the fourth quarter once they would swap me on to the Yep. Finest participant. Um, however now it’s like from the leap, like, I wanna cease everyone.
Mike Sarraille:
What, what’s that like now that you’ve got a popularity of you don’t care proper? Who you’re going towards within the league, you’re you’re gonna give him hell.
Lamar Stevens:
Um, I imply, I believe that it’s, like I mentioned, it’s one thing I actually get pleasure from. Prefer it’s one thing, it’s simply, I believe it’s simply fixed studying. Like, um, I believe felt like my first yr was simply pure skill of simply being athletic and, you realize, however the extra I’ve studied the sport, the extra I’ve like dived into changing into a greater defender. It’s, it’s a enjoyable course of and, you realize, attempting to cease a number of the finest scores within the league and or on this planet. Um, and it’s like a chess match, so, you realize. Yeah. Um, I believe it’s enjoyable. I believe it’s enjoyable for me and it’s like, it’s fixed as a result of each night time is someone completely different. Someone might shoot three as nicely, someone might get to the mid-range or someone could also be a very good driver and a freak athlete like Zion Williamson or one thing like that. So, um, like it’s only a chess match each night time. And I, I believe it’s enjoyable getting in concerned in that. What’s
Mike Sarraille:
What’s your course of for when you realize you’re rising up towards a type of gamers? I imply, are you, you watching tapes? What’s, what’s your preparation course of for that?
Lamar Stevens:
Yeah, I’m watching loads of movie. Um, and that’s actually the largest factor for me, simply watching loads of movie. We do loads of defensive stuff in observe already. Um, however main into the sport remainder of my physique and simply watching movie and seeing what they love to do, what they don’t love to do, um, in ways in which, you realize, we are able to make it tough on ’em once they, once they play towards us.
Mike Sarraille:
You already know, Lamar, you’ve, you’ve had some, nicely, one, it seems like your dad and mom have been your final coaches and mentors. Positive. Um, and, and that that’s an indicator of who you might be and the character that, that you’re as a person right now. However you’ve additionally had some nice coaches, mentors alongside the, uh, the way in which for our listeners who’re, you realize, might lack conventional coaches, mentors such as you’ve had, what are in all probability a number of the, essentially the most precious management rules you’ve discovered which have served you nicely right now? Self-discipline, onerous work. Yeah. Persistence. What, what, what are the, these high three that stand out to you?
Lamar Stevens:
Uh, I might positively say self-discipline might be my first. Um, as a result of there’s gonna be days the place you’re drained and also you don’t wish to do it, and that’s everyone. Um, and I believe, you realize, having that self-discipline to nonetheless stand up and do it day-after-day, um, after which I believe you need to be a tough employee, um, simply to proceed to raise and to proceed to develop. Um, after which the final one I might say might be like having the ability to talk, um, with a bunch of various, with a bunch of various individuals, um, and having the ability to relate to them and know who you possibly can speak to a sure kind of means and yeah. get the most effective outta this particular person versus that particular person. So did
Mike Sarraille:
The, the most effective leaders I’ve ever served with knew the right way to swap up their communication type relying on who they have been speaking to. Yeah. However yeah. And also you, you additionally simply type of introduced up empathy Yeah. Is vital to, uh, to communication as nicely. Placing your self Positive. In, within the sneakers of the individuals that you just’re speaking to and attempting to grasp what they’re, uh, they’re, they’re feeling. Um, you realize, one of many questions we ask on this present, um, and you might be removed from it, however generally I interview company of their, uh, sixties, seventies, uh, the place they know they’re on the latter half of their life for you, when all is alleged and completed, and that occasions come, let’s say 80 years from now. Yeah. Uh, you realize, 70 years from now, God prepared, uh, how are you gonna look again in your life and measure whether or not Lamar lived a lifetime of influence and of service to others?
Lamar Stevens:
Uh, I believe I’ll measure my life simply in all probability by the relationships that I’ve constructed. Um, you realize, the real relationships that I’ll have the ability to nonetheless have and folks that I used to be in a position to influence, you realize, in my neighborhood, you realize, and, and simply in life. So I believe that’s in all probability what brings me like essentially the most pleasure having the ability to assist someone else. So so long as I, I can say that, you realize, I’ve impacted, I don’t even when it’s three individuals, I really feel like it might, I’ll be Phil. Actually good about that.
Mike Sarraille:
I I’d love that you just simply mentioned that. It seems like high quality over amount. Yeah. And I do know in an age the place, you realize, social media is about amount, not essentially the, the standard of relationship. Yeah. Nicely, Lamar, I can’t thanks sufficient for becoming a member of us, man. I’m excited to, to look at you on the, uh, the court docket, the depth and, uh, you realize, the onerous work and, and the way in which you dedicate your self and sacrifice for the crew, I believe is one thing that each younger man and lady ought to watch, proper. And, and take away from you. And the very fact, once more, that you’ve got impacted and created a part of historical past, this younger junkyard canine mentality is, uh, I’m, I’m taken again, man. I’m 44 and I’ve labored for some nice organizations and I’ve by no means seen someone together with your tenure are available in and influence a company the way in which you could have. So congrats on that,
Lamar Stevens:
Man. I recognize that. Recognize you guys for having me,
Mike Sarraille:
Completely. All proper, guys, thanks for becoming a member of us. Once more, this has been the Males’s Journal On a regular basis Warrior. I’m your host, Mike Sarraille. Till subsequent time.
