In case you couldn’t tell, we here at The Hoop Doctors love all things basketball. But it’s also good to see when people go on to further heights when their playing days are over. NBA great, Hall of Famer and former US Presidential candidate, Senator Bill Bradley, fits this mold perfectly. Senator Bradley is participating in Beyond Sport which is an initiative that brings together sports-led social innovators with global leaders to address sports’ role in driving positive social change.
We had the chance to chat for a few minutes with Senator Bradley about this initiative as well as his thoughts about the differences in the NBA now versus when he played, the additions that his former team, the New York Knicks, made and if he thinks he could beat President Obama 1-0n-1.
Kevin Burke: Hello, Senator Bradley. Kevin from The Hoop Doctors here. I really appreciate you making yourself available for a few minutes.
Senator Bill Bradley: My pleasure. Not a problem. Are you really a doctor?
Kevin Burke: (laughs) Well, when it comes to basketball I’d like to think so. But, let’s first talk about what you’re doing in Chicago, as part of Beyond Sport. Can you talk about that initiative and your involvement in it?
Senator Bill Bradley: Sure, well Beyond Sport is an organization that develops sports programs to create social change in communities around the world. It recognizes people who make the most of their involvement with sports, and people from all over the world are here today. It’s a great initiative and I’m happy to be a part of it.
Kevin Burke: Now, you’re a Hall of Famer and you played in the NBA when, perhaps, things were much simpler. What is the biggest difference that you’ve notice in the NBA then versus now.
Senator Bill Bradley: Well, when I played the game was about finesse. Now it’s about strength and upper body. Back then, it was about footwork and you would make more movements to get the best shot. The three point line has obviously also changed the game, and they don’t call fouls as much now as they did back then.
Kevin Burke: To that point, the NBA just announced a new mandate that will crack down on arguing calls.
Senator Bill Bradley: Yes, that is true which should have an impact, but I was thinking about the physicality. There wasn’t sumo wrestling going on back then to the extent that you see it now.
Kevin Burke: Transitioning to the team that you played for, the New York Knicks. They tried to get LeBron James this summer but as you know, that didn’t happen. But what do you make of the changes that they made to the roster? Especially their biggest acquisition, Amar’e Stoudemire?
Senator Bill Bradley: I like Stoudemire. I love his game. I love the way he approaches the game and he seems like a hard worker. He obviously can play a very good Poward Forward and would also be a good Center if they needed him to be.
Kevin Burke: What about your adoptive state of New Jersey? The Nets have been rumored for quite a while to be moving to Brooklyn. What do you think about that potential move for the team?
Senator Bill Bradley: Well, at the end of the day they’re going to have to play basketball games regardless of where it is. They are going to do what will be in the best interest for team, but again, they’re going to play games regardless and that’s what matters.
Kevin Burke: What provided more enjoyment for you in your life? Your days playing basketball professionally, or your political endeavors once you retired?
Senator Bill Bradley: You know, it’s really tough to compare the two. I mean, how do you compare winning two NBA championships with being a 3-term senator? It’s nearly impossible to compare the two. But with each came lot of hard work and very long hours. I’ll put it this way: winning NBA championships gave me the biggest thrill and being a Senator was the biggest honor.
Kevin Burke: Lastly, Senator Bradley, it’s no secret that our President is a huge sports fan and has a particular fondness towards basketball. If you two laced them up today, who would win 1-on-1? Yourself or President Obama?
Senator Bradley: I’ll be discrete with this one. I’ll go with youth over age (graciously eluding to President Obama).
Kevin Burke: Good enough. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Thanks once again for the time.
Senator Bradley: My pleasure.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
