In Part 2, as he does on the court, KAT doesn’t shy away from discussing his heated rivalry with Joel Embiid and the scuffle they had, including how he felt when he went up against Embiid, Ben Simmons, and seemingly the entire city of Philadelphia. He elaborates on his mindset when facing off against top-tier NBA talent like Nikola Jokic and other elite players in the league, and discusses his friendly rivalry with Anthony Davis, reflecting on the similar paths their basketball careers have taken.
Shannon and KAT go deeper into NBA history as KAT shares his Mount Rushmore of NBA big men, naming his picks for the best power forwards and centers of all time. He talks about the dominance of players like Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain and wonders if anyone will ever be able to match Wilt’s historic 100-point game. KAT also reflects on watching Steph Curry dominate during the Olympics and suggests he might be able to beat Curry in a three-point contest, but goes on to call Steph the best shooter who’s ever lived.
On a personal note, Karl-Anthony opens up about his relationship with Jordyn Woods, sharing how they transitioned from friends to partners and the challenges they face as a high-profile couple in the public eye. KAT shares some of his personal turmoil as he discusses the loss of his mother and how that pain still affects him to this day. He expresses how crucial Jordyn has been in helping him navigate that grief and staying grounded.
KAT also talks about his financial strategy, revealing that he takes business inspiration from notable figures like Magic Johnson, 50 Cent, Alex Rodriguez, and Floyd Mayweather. He reminisces about the first thing he splurged on after being drafted into the NBA and gives his Mount Rushmore of basketball players from New Jersey. Shannon asks KAT whether he grew up a Knicks fan or a Nets fan, and while he rooted for both teams for different reasons, he favored the Knicks more. KAT goes on to share stories about growing up tall, playing soccer as a kid, and improving his coordination through sports.
The episode wraps up with KAT reflecting on his decision to go to Kentucky, why he chose the Wildcats over other schools like Rutgers and NC State, and his thoughts on the all-time best Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina teams. He also weighs in on the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake beef and picks his all-time Kentucky starting five. Finally, KAT gives his thoughts on the upcoming NBA season, his goals, and his excitement about what lies ahead for him in the NBA. #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.