To take your game into the broadcast radio: how's that feel?(Know It All)(Inside the NBA )

I didn't exactly know that I wanted to go into broadcasting. When I was a player, people in the media would tell me I was a good interview, but that doesn't make you a good interviewer or a good analyst. I used to come on TNT sometimes as a player. At some point, I was told, "You did a good job. You know, if you ever think of retiring, this could be a good opportunity for you." I was like, "Yeah, they say that to everyone," and didn't think anything about it. But then when the people at TNT got wind that I was actually going to retire, they called me. To be honest, when I first got involved with the show, it wasn't really vogue or cool to be an analyst on TV. Now everyone in the NBA wants to do it.

I didn't try to model myself after a particular analyst. I think that's where guys make a mistake. People don't want Charles Barldey or me to come in and be a news reporter. For me to come on and talk about the basics of what's happening in the game would be a disservice to viewers. They want to know what happens on the inside, from our perspective. For example, if you ever watch a baseball game, you always want to know what's said on the mound--kind of like in the movie Bull Durham. I don't think reporters can really know what's said in that huddle unless they've been in there.

I don't have a problem being critical of players, even former teammates. I can see you not getting back on defense. I can see that you were open but you didn't shoot. I can see that you were covered but you didn't pass. I can see those things. But guys get upset when you question ...