The "What's Going On?" Podcast

NBA Finals 2025

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Join Thomas Corley, Keith Pickens, and Mike Miller in this episode of the What's Going On podcast as they discuss the 2025 NBA Finals featuring the next generation of superstars and the transition of power in the league. They delve into the controversy around peaceful protests in LA versus insurrection and emphasize the importance of democracy. The conversation also highlights Coco Gauff's influence on young tennis players and the importance of community programs in fostering talent. Tune in to stay informed and inspired!

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The NBA finals are here. Where are the Lakers? Where are the Celtics? In the streets of LA Insurrection or protests? Only one is lawful and protected by the Constitution. Coco Golf is inspiring a new generation. I'm Thomas Corley with Keith Pickens and Mike Miller. This is the What's Going On podcast. Thank you for listening.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

What's going on, Keith?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Hey, what's going on TC

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

What's going on? Mike Miller?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Tom Corley. Hey, Keith. How y'all doing

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

going on, Mike. Everything's good.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

All right. All right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

it's another Monday in America.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

It's a good day in the neighborhood for sure.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

So, we are officially podcasters.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

We are to be vetted for the Trump administration officially.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

We're eligible to be a part of the cabinet now.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Hey, look, we were eligible. We were eligible before then.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Absolutely.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

All you have to do is wake up and I don't mean be woke, I mean literally just get up bed.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Right. I like that. All right, so the NBA finals are here 2025.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

There is no LeBron.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right?

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

There is no Westbrook.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

no Steph Curry.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

no Giannis,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

If you're an owner, what is going on? You spending hundreds of millions of dollars and you ain't in the finals.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

who these cats are playing right now. I mean, they're superstars, but they never registered on my, radar.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah, I think, there's a lot going on here, Tom, every pro sport has its season in terms of who's gonna carry the league, who's going to have the name recognition, who's gonna have their own brand, so forth and so on. And all of these cats you mentioned, they're firmly established. I really didn't look at the time in that they have into the league per se on an individual basis, but I could clearly tell you from an age standpoint, LeBron is 40. Russell Westbrook is 36 years old. Steph is 37. Kevin Durant is 36.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Wow.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

30 relatively young, but you're talking about sports. When you get 30, you're leaning towards, you know, being a senior citizen. Joel. Joel LB is 31. Okay. So when you look at that and you look at the average age of the NBA being, 26.2 years or something like that. Don't quote me all together, but it's some, it's something close to that for sure. Tyrese Halliburton, who is the star for Indiana, is 25 years old

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Mm-hmm.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Gilda Alexander, who's the star for OKC is 26 years old. And so what you're seeing is in effect, the changing of the guard.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

boys are bringing a lot of energy. These boys have skill. I talked to my son about sports. That's my sports guy, and he really turned me on to Gil Alexander and he said, dad, this guy is the truth. And he's the next coming of any of those guys that we just named.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

The baton is going to have to be passed at some point because the transition is clearly there. When you talk about any one of those individuals, and if you talk about Steph Curry in particular, he changed the game, right? I mean, everybody's shooting threes now, but the game was going to change anyway'cause those legs get younger. Some of the rules have changed this Euro step and how they palm the ball and all of these different things that they're doing. It just makes the game, I guess it's a more offensively minded game. I don't know how many guys really play that really good defense that we are used to seeing, especially being that. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we're all Pistons fans. Back in the day, we had those bad boys that were just brutal and they were locked down. But the game has changed. And you're right, you've got all of this money from an ownership standpoint that you're paying out to these guys, but they're not bringing home the prize, but only one team can bring on the prize, right?

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

there's a lot of factors that, that weigh into it. And like I said, those legs get old. When you start playing 82 games in the season. Most of them didn't even play 82 games. LeBron 70, Russell Westbrooks 75. Steph 70, which they do need a break. I'm not saying that they're not playing a full season, but you get to Kevin Durant, 62 games, Jan is 67 games, Joel, who can't stay healthy if his life depended on it in Philadelphia, 19 games. Go back to the two young guys that are starring now. Tyree Halliburton played 73 games, not including the playoffs. And, shy, Gil played 76 games. And so you're looking at durability, guys that have to be there now. Those names Tom. They're gonna still bring you your money. People are still going to see LeBron. People are still going to see Steph Curry. People are still going to see Giannis. I got a nephew. He's about 13, 14. That's his favorite player.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Oh,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

so when you look at the NBA and how it's transitioning, it's a different game. These guys, more or less had their day. Now, don't get me wrong, at 40 years old, LeBron is still one of the best players in the league. Bar none. But one player does not a teammate, right? So you also have to have a cast of support.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

You had some crazy trades towards the end of the season or mid midseason.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Always though, but I mean that's in any sport, you're always gonna have those trades because we know who's going to be there and who's gonna be fighting for the championship. They firm up their teams in order to make themselves that much better. Wherever they're lacking, they try to strengthen. But again, I have to defer to you guys because if I'm being honest. I am not an NBA fan per se, and what I mean by that is I'm a team fan. I love the pistons, I love the tigers, I love the lions. If you're local, I'm all about it. I follow those teams, but I can't, even if I'm being honest, I'll check the scores for the current final and I know who's in it. But I'm not setting my, alarm to make sure I'm in front of the TV to watch. And it's not like it's the Super Bowl. Let's keep it real.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

but it's still exciting. People still love it. I'm a senior. I can't speak for you and Mike, uh, I let you guys acknowledge that one way or another, but the game is different for me. I still love my local teams, and that's where my allegiance is gonna be. So, Mike, I'm gonna pass this ball to you. Uh, no pun intended. And let you share your thoughts with us about what you think.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Well, I agree with everything you say. We're a little older. We are used to something different. But, you know, we live in the era of the Nicola Yage

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

The Tatums and the Luas and the ants, and SGAs. Okay? So we are seeing in real time, what it looks like for the changing of the guard. Now, here's what I'm gonna say. The current structure of the CBA, the collective bargaining agreement

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

allows it, what it, what it has done is allowed. A lot of teams, you have to stack your teams with B players'cause that's what you can afford. Now, when I say B players, that don't mean they're not good players. You know what I mean? That don't mean they're not, but the era of the three superstar team the current. Way that the contracts are structured, that the CBA works? No, you can have you one superstar,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

maybe

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

but then everybody else is gonna be,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Supporting C.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right. Because you know, these contracts are pretty huge now.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yes.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

even for the players,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I call'em B players, they're really not, but you know, they're great players, but

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

What you're seeing is, yeah, a change under guard. Due to the way the, CBA is working next year, every team gets this huge, boost in salary cap.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

So you're gonna see some more crazy trades, you know, trying to get, because you have some old thinking that, oh, I gotta have, this many superstars to win a championship. Look what you have in the championship. Now,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Indiana, let's face it. I like Halliburton, but is he a real superstar? I wouldn't say that. I'm not saying he is not a great player.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

All right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right. But, at least the league didn't make them into a superstar, I put it that

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Not yet.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

But what you have as a team. with a lot of very good B players. I'm gonna call'em B players, not because they're not A players, they're just not superstars, that's all. So I should say, I, I shouldn't call'em B players, that is not the word. They're A players, they're just not superstars.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Come to the like, you know, we don't know a lot of these guys. The same for OK. C. Besides SGA, they're a superstar and oh gosh, I can't even think of that other guy's name.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

of anybody's name on that.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right. So besides SGA, uh, that's like, you know, that's who everybody thinks of, and that's okay. That's okay. That it, it's nothing wrong with it. But, you know, like he said, the old guard is gone. This is what it's gonna be for a while. Especially with the way that the NIL money works

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Oh my God,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

in college, right?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yes.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

If you look at the NBA, 60% of the players were not drafted from college.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I am

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

The

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

What's that again?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

60% of the players were not drafted outta college that are in the NBA now.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Was that right?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

60%. Wow.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Weren't drafted directly from college to the NBA.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

came through the G League and overseas. Right. 60%.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Wow.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

That's still 40% that are in the league that were drafted directly out of

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

I didn't realize that.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

correct? Yes, that's what it is.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

it's okay. That's

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

are many ways to get into the NBA.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yes.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

And now we see 60% of the players didn't get there through just being drafted from college.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

So unless you are with the NIL

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

unless you are a first round pick in the NBA draft, you better off staying in college.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I have noticed.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yes.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

guys who are 25 years old

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

in the college league,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

sticking around as long as they can because

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yes.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right. Money is a lot easier.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

play nowhere near as many

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Get an education and you get opportunities even beyond basketball. That's what a lot of people don't see about sports in general. When we're talking about the NBA, or feeding to the NBA, it's not just. Getting into the NBA, you have a lot of opportunities for people that may make it one year, may just make it to the practice

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Their access to opportunity is expanded. That's what a lot of people need to see. It's not just the NBA itself. That's what people need to see. It's not just the

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

When you're looking at that, it's the other opportunities that you have access

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

People love the sport

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

true.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Basically it's all about the product. Names are important. That brand is important. Somebody to associate your team with. It's, it's important. But when you look at the brand of Ball, and again, I defer to the Pistons because again, I've already admitted that I'm a more of a fan of the Pistons than I am the NBA per se. They've got a young team, man, and they were not expected to make the run that they made and really they should have beat the Knicks. But they've got some young guys, and, you know, they might, they probably are lacking maybe one or two pieces. But that being said, I mean the, I went to a few games this year and the stadium, was full. Particularly during, the end of the season, I went to see them play the Knicks, which they won by the way. And just the brand of basketball is so exciting and you, know, you have up and comers and they're going to carry the league just from the sixties to the seventies. And, you know, I can go back but. It does ebb and flow. Sometimes it's a little less exciting but you're gonna have an audience, who are excited. I mean, let's face it, you know, for a lot of people in our community, in our culture, the NBA is sexy, right? I mean, it's the place to be. Kids, love playing basketball. They love emulating the stars that are there. They know more of these guys than. Any of us do, believe me, where we're at a loss. These young guys can call out names and give us stats to back it up. As long as the brand is exciting, as long as it's competitive, as long as there's not one team. In fact, for me it's more interesting if it's not one team dominating year after year

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

yeah, yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yeah.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

You

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

So the owners have to figure out, to Mike's point, you got the CBA, how are they gonna distribute the monies in a way that's gonna bring them basketball? That's exciting. But more importantly, basketball that can lead to a championship. There's so much to take into account. Mike, I had almost forgotten. And, I don't know. How about NILI mean, that's just a whole nother conversation in terms of not really being able to get that talent, as fast as you typically would Back in the day, you had people going from college, like you said, some people actually Kentucky, I remember Kentucky, their guards would play one maybe two years, and they were in NBA.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

understand? You know what? I can chill. I can make a million, 2 million. There's a softball player, a young lady just got a contract for 2 million for NIL for softball. So if you can get that for softball, which I love softball by the way, but if you can get that for softball, what can you get for basketball? Right? Football. It changes. It could very well water down the talent Tom. You know, I mean, once you get so many different avenues, it's more competitive, but sometimes, your pickings are not as good as what they would've otherwise been. Particularly if you're not getting the young kids saying, Hey, choose me. Go with it.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I got some food for thought. What if, I know this is a hard accomplishment, but what if LeBron stuck around for one more year and

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

not.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

were able, but if the Lakers could get Trey Young,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Hmm

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Because that's what everybody wants them to do.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Everybody wants them to make a move to get Reon.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Really.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

That's gonna be impossible, I think.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

It were possible

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

With Anthony Davis,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

No,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Trey Young.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Davis is not there

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

oh, right. Not Davis, who's the, center there?

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

The guy

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

from, just that was part of the trays I was talking about.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah. Yeah,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

correct. Right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

not

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

What I'm saying is with that team, you put Trey Young on that team. You know, somebody that can really run.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Tre is nice.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yeah. Do, I don't know.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

When we beat up on him

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

down,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

think, yeah, I don't think even with the extra money in the, salary cap next year, they're gonna be able to do it.'cause they're gonna have to give up somebody, they're gonna have to give up too much. I wouldn't trade. He's with Atlanta.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

He's in Atlanta.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Without getting a whole bunch of something,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

know. So,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

you know,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Guy that's with Memphis. I can't think of his name off the top of my head, but he can handle the ball.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yeah. Um, gosh, I can see his face.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

He's got the braids.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I got the braids

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yep.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I don't think his contract is up,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

you know what I mean? I don't think he's up for a trade,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

mean? And they not gonna trade him.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Ja Morran. Well, the only reason they might consider trading him is because of everything that comes with him in terms of he's a great player. He's got absolute upside, but he's attracted to the street and everything the street represents, and he's just has some issues where he just can't be on the court for a full season because he is got too much going on in his personal life. I love the kid, quite frankly, but. But, and he is got skills outta this world. But you know, he's gotta, he's gotta really learn to focus on basketball.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

a guy that I think teams would covet if he had his stuff together.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They wanted to make him, the face of the league at one point. He was

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

He kept getting in trouble. But, he can clean that up,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

so,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

you know.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I know that you're on top of, current events. we're gonna talk about LA and what's going on in la so Mike, you can kick us off with the, unrest that's going on in LA

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Well, I'm not gonna call it unrest. I am going to call it democracy in action

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

I like it.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

because the Constitution gives us the right to protest peacefully,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

is what was going

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

the National Guard was sent

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

at nobody's request.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

And you're

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

but,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

absolutely.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

How do you get to the freeway though, in protesting? The 1 0 1. How do you get to that

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Again, it wasn't violent and both city and the state had it under control and could have dispersed

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

But let me back up. I don't even wanna go there yet. I'm stay, stay focused. Democracy at work. Yes, democracy is messy,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

but it

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

It's part of the constitution. Yeah, it can get a little out of hand at times, but again, both the city and the state at that point had it under control. If we don't all, if, if there's one thing that we can all, we can disagree

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

a lot of stuff,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Sure.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

but there's one thing that everybody in this land agrees on, and that's democracy.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Well, at one time. At one time, everybody agreed on it. The administration, I wouldn't say agree on it, but go ahead.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

No, that's not democracy. You're absolutely correct. We all agree that we have the right to say what we wanna say. What we feel is unjust. Vote. You know, are cornerstones of democracy. Habeas corpus is a cornerstone of democracy. The right to defend yourself, the right to do process is a cornerstone of democracy. That's something that we all agree on. Even if we don't agree with each other's opinions, and that's

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

That's okay. That's how we got

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

By having a different, our diversity, our differences of opinions is what makes our democracy so great because, you know, you, you can have different religions. I can have a different, opinion. We can agree to disagree, and we all go home and. Have our barbecues and watch our show

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

up and go to work the next day and live in democracy and live in peace. Some people just don't want you to even do that. You

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

the way

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

think you are bad.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Everything,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

is not democracy.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

is

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

what we're seeing,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

right. Yep.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right? That's what we're seeing.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

The unrest as we call it. It Democracy at work, and, it was working and continues

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

No one person's opinion. Trump, I don't even wanna say that word.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Pun intended.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I don't even wanna say that word. And I wanna say off camera what? But no. no one's, one person's opinion, goes over anybody else's. have your opinion, you are entitled to that opinion.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I have my opinion, I'm entitled to my opinion.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Absolutely.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

What is going on in California is that the INS has been weaponized against a population and going against our democracy,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

even going into courts. Where people are practicing due process explaining why they're

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

and you know what's going on. No, they're going into court. They don't even want you to explain why you're here. They just want to arrest you and put you up. So people that are doing the right thing are being just summarily removed from our country, and that is what that protest was about. That's not what our constitution, is about. That's not what it said. That's not what the law says.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Unless there is a warrant for these people's arrest, you cannot just go in and summarily remove them. that's not how it works. They have a right to due process. It is what it is. leave it at that. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mike, I'm not sure I can really add too much more to, what you've just said so passionately and so eloquently. Um, because you're 100% right. It's really, democracy at risk. Because you're right, these people were peacefully protesting, a policy of the current administration. And Lord knows if you dare go against the current administration in any way, shape or form, they're coming at you, coming after you. And so to the extent that not only did the state not asked for the National guards nor the city, they overreached because it impacts. The policy they hold dear and so. To your point, when you get to a point where there's no freedom of speech, no freedom to protest, peacefully, then you're really taking a big step back because the beauty of this country, as you stated, is that we're all different and we all have a right to our opinion. We all have a right to live peacefully. We have a all right to have a. We all have the right to disagree, and just because I feel a certain way about something doesn't mean that my neighbor or you have to feel the same way, but we can agree to disagree and life goes on peacefully and you know, I can't, I can't, overemphasize the peacefully part. And unfortunately, unless you're in lockstep with the current administration, then you're not gonna have peace. Because until they can twist your arm so far behind your back that you say give, they're gonna continue to come at you. And what's really scary, and we stated before, is this Congress 100% be behind him. But it's getting really scary when you see the Supreme Court beginning to uphill hold decisions that impact people who are here, like you said, Mike, legally, or at least they need an opportunity to state their case around how and why they're here. But everything is out the window. And so as it relates to LA, I was really glad to see that there was a protest, I'm fearful that people will begin to see this as the norm. As long as people go out and protest and express how they feel, we still have a chance. I mean, we're still in the democracy game because once people just throw their hands up and say, you know what? Do what you want. Whenever you get ready and we'll just go along with it, then we really lost sight of what we really were, what we really are, and what we should continue to be. So go ahead, Mike.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right. So what I see, and continuing with this topic of, unrest, what I see is a bunch of immigrants

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

that don't want these other immigrants coming in. Let me say that again so that you understand what I said.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Is that spelled hypocrisy?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yeah. Descendants of immigrants that don't like the other immigrants that are here these other immigrants were your back of the house.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

These are the people that took the low paying jobs that you didn't wanna, that you created, but you don't wanna take,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

people to

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

This is why when you check into a hotel now. You gotta check in at four o'clock instead of three o'clock, and you gotta check out at 10:00 AM instead of 11:00 AM. they need those extra

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

'cause they don't have help to clean those rooms.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Well, and not to mention, they're not just cleaning the rooms. They're saying, Hey, depending on how long you.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Or we'll come at your request, but don't look for us to come unless you say, I want you to come. And so

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

that whole thought process is different. And again, it's around what you said. What you want to do is get rid of immigrants. But you're not keeping in mind that how you got here was through immigration.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Thank you. now the same, you know, divider in chief calls out the National Guard. But he didn't call out the National Guard, and this has been said in the press over and over

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Oh my God.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

call out the National Guard on January 6th

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

God.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

when people were killed.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

He's blatantly racist.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right. Our democracy was clearly under attack, and not only was it under attack, it was advertised ahead of time. That's what really got me.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I happened to be off work that day.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I can't remember why I was off of work. I had taken that day off, but it wasn't for that purpose. I was off for another purpose, and I can remember clearly, wife at the time kept saying, it's going to be insurrection today, it's gonna be on tv. She kept saying it before, and I, I just, you know, working, I just was not in tune. As to exactly what she was talking

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

But when you're thinking about it, these people had to stay in hotel rooms.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

So didn't the FBI and every national security agency under the Sun see that? Who was booking these hotel rooms and Airbnbs and vrbos? Didn't they see who was staying

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Why didn't they give. Those people weapons to defend our democracy. But he didn't. He didn't do it. He let those people out.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

And the past few days, what we call an ins, well, it's not an insurrection, but Unrests broke out

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

and he chose to send in the National Guard at nobody's request. So you sent in, somebody that's against you sent in the National Guard to defend your reputation or your thought process, but you didn't do that when our democracy, our very democracy was under attack. And that is what we all agree

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

is that we live in a democracy. So like he said, whether we agree or disagree on anything, democracy is a number one thing that we all must agree on, or everything is lost. The republic is lost. That's it.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Hey Mike.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

agree on democracy.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

This is not Tianmen Square.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

That's

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Next are the next are.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right. That's gonna be on the 14th, right? That's gonna be on 14th of June. Y'all will see right? The, the military parade on the 14th of

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Watch us transition.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

This guy's ego is so swollen. He's such a narcissist that everything has to be about him and everything has to celebrate who he is. He's just a little man, really. I mean, inside that body is just a really, really, really tiny man, screaming to get out because he's gotta be stroked every second of every day. And his impact on our government. I won't say it's irreparable, but my God, I just can't even fathom how long it's gonna take he's pushed us so far back, how long it's gonna take us to get back to a semblance of,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Mm-hmm.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

You can appreciate it. A lot of times you don't appreciate something until it's gone, or almost gone. Now you can say, wow, I thought we were in stressful times, but really we were in peaceful times. This is stressful times because. In our lifetime, we've only known democracy. Even if you go back to the sixties, I mean, it wasn't, all cake and candy or peaches and cream. Our folks were going through some things, but we've transitioned to a time where it's been peaceful for the most part. And it's been what you said, Mike, it's been a democracy where, people had the freedom of expression and now they're trying to take that away.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right. And that is, Uhuh. They don't even want Saturday Night Live to do skits about.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Santa does skits about no matter who the president,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

doesn't matter,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Republican, they really lambasted Biden and I was fine with

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

you know,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

What's funny?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

even Obama, they did, you know,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

It's comedy. Oh my goodness. They'll even want that. Golly.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

You can't say anything about this guy,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right. So,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

What's your take?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Tom.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

You got a powerful voice. Hear it.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Insurrection was the same administration, and I couldn't believe that putting the two together, the same incidents were different reactions.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

The hesitation on Capitol Hill to get the National Guard going, the immediate response to take things, take that kind of action requests. In fact, in DC they were begging for the National Guard to get mobilized.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

But here in California and the city of Los Angeles, there was no request for that to take place.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I'm just boggled by, well, I'm not gonna say boggled by, I'm like you, Keith. I mean, it's just a standout racist situation. Where

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

they're taking those actions and, the border czar, saying that when people step outta line, these are gonna be the, steps that we're gonna take immediately arresting people. whereas, in DC there was no action like that

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

People actually lost their lives in that

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Oh yeah.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

so i'm just,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

lost their lives, you know what I'm saying? Trying to protect and serve.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah. And then of course he wants to say he's the president. He says that he's for supporting police, but when he ducks actions, take actions like this, it doesn't communicate to me that's the case.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right, right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

So,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yeah, he's definitely inconsistent, man. If there ever was a liar on his face, not even trying to hide it, it's this guy, he doesn't even try to disguise it. I mean, that's, that's the thing that makes it so incredulous because he doesn't disguise it. He'll say one thing one day and change it the next day and dare you to question the fact that on two different days, he, on the same topic, he said two different things, you know, I mean, he was just hyping Musk in the office. Giving him, little gifts and tokens and so forth. And within a week, he was tearing this guy down like he's some cycle. But this is the guy you brought in

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

To oversee?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

that Tesla on the lawn that's still on the White

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

He might sell it or give it away. He not giving away anything because he's a transaction guy. What he gonna try to do, is sign it and try to sell it for a million dollars.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Oh wow.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

He's about profiting for everything.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Save the children. Coco Golf did her thing this weekend.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yay.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

I watched every second.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

did you

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

my God.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Was too busy being in the streets myself.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

I'm a big Coco fan.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Mike is our tennis expert

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Yes,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

there are stats out there, Mike. One in 12 Americans are playing tennis.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

So that said, there's an increase of, players now they're saying the estimated in 2024 was 25.7 million people playing tennis. Of course, golf is at, 50 million. So what's your thought on, sports for kids getting introduced to the game of tennis.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

It.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

racket, right? I mean, whereas basketball, you need a ball. Baseball you need a whole uniform. Hockey is the most expensive probably'cause

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Yeah, hockey is

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

And

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

No.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

pretty expensive

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right?

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

being introduced to tennis, what's your take on how to do that?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

All you can do, there are programs out there now. I applaud Leonardo King over at the Palmer Park Tennis Academy. The kids now, it's all about, and not just her, Michelle Burton she's, the executive director for the southeast region, USTA. I got a couple of friends, Tanya Hill and, Anthony Passmore. They coach girls tennis. Anthony over at Cass Tech, and Tanya over at, Renaissance and even Robert Hall. He has a program, up at the Southfield tennis courts

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

they being overwhelmed with applications?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

no, they're not overwhelmed. I'm not gonna say they're not overwhelmed, but it is robust.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Palmer Park Tennis Academy is robust. There are others on the east side and, different places. But how do you get kids interested? All you can do is offer it. The way we got interested through school baseball, football, tennis, soccer, all these, when we were growing up, the schools were funded for all of these different

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

So that's how many of it. Even if you didn't play in high school or junior high, you we had DNBP, Detroit Neighborhood Basketball Program. And the different tennis programs. When we were growing up, you used to go up to Palmer Park, you couldn't get a court.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They wouldn't turn off the lights at 11 o'clock at night.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

There would be people out there till 11 o'clock at night. Using those courts. You had to wait to get a court.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Is the city? Has the city invested in the new courts?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They've upgraded.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

I remember a time where the grass was growing through the cracks on the tennis courts.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Oh no, they've upgraded. There was a time when, a lot of us up at Palmer Park,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

you ever play at Rouge Park?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

yes, I played at Rouge

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Me too.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

don't play there anymore. Now they've replaced the tennis courts. Since then,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They've replaced those tennis courts. We don't play there anymore. Now we play over at, Comstock.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Park. The group I play with

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right, right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

I play at Palmer Park, and I play at the Southfield, civic Center.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

And sometimes I go over there to Barcus, over on the East side. They're right off eight mile. But the way to get the kids involved is number one, you're gonna have to show videos on the, do they use, TikTok and, whatever their platforms are

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

do

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

too.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

let them.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

so, so the USTA, are they doing? And then the state of Michigan, they're a chapter of the USTA. What are they doing?

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Oh, I don't know about the State of Michigan. USTA always have, programs always have, they have kids days. In fact, I think one just passed, it's a free tennis day where they come out with all the rackets and all the equipment. All the kids gotta do is show up

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

they have free tennis lessons all day for kids and adults for that matter. It's one coming up this summer. The church right there on Seven Mile by Schaefer, I can't think of the name of it. Had a park that they, part of their church grounds. They turned into a park and they have two tennis courts over there. And so they're having, family day the USTA is part of,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

giving away rackets, or are they letting

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They're just something to play with, so the kids don't have to bring their own equipment, they have equipment for them. The USTA does, various things throughout the spring, and summer, to help the kids come out and, they don't have to, to invest in it. And you know what I've noticed we were over at, van Antwerp Park And the reason we were there be is because our courts at Comstock were being, redone. So we are looking for another place to play. So Van Antwerp is behind Bates Academy, which used to be Bob and Junior High School.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Okay.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

So we go over there, we were there, the whole summer two things I noticed. The first thing was when we were there, when the kids were still in school, many of them who walked home in that direction would just marvel, just look at us like, whoa. They had never seen that before.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

many black male tennis players

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

were playing tennis and playing well?

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

They were just looking at us like, whoa, we've never seen this in our neighborhood

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

didn't think of it

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

just there because

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

we were looking for another court to play

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

But that's,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

them that was something,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

that's critical.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

right? That was a thing

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

That's critical.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

some adults came over

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

us, man, we really love

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

being

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

And I'm going, what? It was strange to me. But they said, it made them feel like something was going on in their neighborhood.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

and the kids were looking at us and you could tell how bad they wanted to play. Especially this one little girl who just kept walking by. She wasn't even looking where she was walking. She was constantly looking at us the whole time she was walking and I was going, these are the type of people that we wanna reach out to.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Absolutely.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

these kids that you could tell that they wanna participate. But they just don't have access.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Right. That's

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

know,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

What are these associations doing

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

they're providing access with equipment and everything and providing programs. Funding is always an

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

know, they only have so much funding, so they go where they

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

But they do offer it. So it's up to us as a community.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm-hmm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

To say, okay. we were welcome. Like those people welcomed us to their community to play tennis,

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

they told us, don't be there after dark.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Oh my God.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

There were no lights

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

No lights.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

about being there after

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right, right,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

we

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

right,

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

the middle of the day

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

there, so that was fine. You know, providing the access. And again, that Palmer Park Tennis Academy with Leonor King

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

does a great job

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Mm

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

providing access.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

mm

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

the more people that go up there, they have access to more resources that they had more kids.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Right.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Not that they don't have, kids now, but if they have even more kids, it could expand to other parks. It doesn't always have to be at Palmer Park. It could be at Van an Torp. It could be at Comstock. In fact, Comstock is about to undergo a big, renovation the city is gonna put some money into that park.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Good. Yeah, Mike, you've got a wealth of information, that's your passion, and, you introduced some notions that I was unaware of. It's good to know that there are people who are taking time to, to teach the kids, but also some people are also able to, finance or provide financial support by at least providing rackets and balls and a. A court that's decent. I'm not talking about one without a net or glass broken all over it. But it's really good.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

sounds like you have a bad memory there, Keith.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

No, actually, when I was younger, to Mike's point, there were basketball court. The baseball fields were clean. You could go into the rec center and get a tennis racket or a volleyball. They had everything back then. When I was younger, I did see as time went on, particularly in Detroit, which is where I'm from, how things shifted and how, they started to close some of those local parks or, they just didn't have the funding and the upkeep. But, one of the things I want to touch on, real briefly, and it then inspired you bring this topic to the forefront is the fact that we've got. A representative in Coco Golf who, and that's a seed planted. And see, one of the things that enable you to dream when you see somebody who looks like you, when we, when Barack Obama became president of the United States, can you imagine how many young black kids started to imagine that possibly. They could also sit in that seat one day. So I say that to say this with Coco, not only being consistently good, but winning major tournaments. What they're seeing and what they're saying is if she can do that, I can do that. And several interviews, Coco said, you know what really inspired her to play tennis? Venus and Serena.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

yes.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

they looked like her. It allowed her to believe that it was possible. And so what happens is when you get representation, whether it's African American, Chinese, Hispanic, whatever it is it inspires and encourages these kids and makes them believe they too can do the same thing, that they can aspire to do the same thing. When I watched Coco, she made it very specific that if it were not for Venus and Serena, maybe she doesn't even play tennis, because if there's nobody that looks like her, maybe it seems almost insurmountable to get to that point. Right.

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah. Yeah.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

And everybody can't be a Venus and Serena. Everybody can't be a cocoa golf, but you can certainly aspire because they're doing it in real time. Right,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

Yeah.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

that's one of the things that I see is that when you get that type of exposure, it's encouraging to young kids. We need to make sure that we get more financing and that we get equipment and we get places for these kids to play. When you start talking about whether it be basketball or major league baseball, they literally understand how important it is. To have kids not only love the game, but be able to play it and have access. They pour money into communities, into programs to make sure that children are able to do those things. I'm not sure if the WTA is doing that, you know, or tennis at large, for men and women, I don't know if they've reached out to that extent where they're starting to provide support to the community so that kids, black, white. Asian, whatever can play, but that's a big part because even though you only need a racket per se in balls, you still need to be able to avail yourself. And there are some expenses associated with playing any sport. It's simple, but you still need money. You still need a place to go. It still has to be maintained because again, to your point when you said it sounds like I could relate to not having nets. I have seen courts that would run over, weeds, glasses, broken no net. And what kind of court is that? Who can, who You can dream about it. Imagine it, you can hit the ball back and forth, and say, we're playing tennis, but that's not really tennis. I think it's important and it's a great thing that we've got kids. What's the guy's name, Tiao. Mike, you're familiar, when you have people that look like you in any endeavor, whether it's a tennis player, a baseball player, a rocket scientist,

meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218:

in for Formula One.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

yeah.

michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216:

Right.

keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217:

Absolutely same difference. And so I think that, by her winning, I don't know if you guys got a chance to hear her speech, but that young lady is so eloquent they nitpick at you and the reporters ask questions that, if you're not prepared, it could get under your skin. But she is so cool, calm and collected, and her responses are so on point, man. It's just, I admire that young lady. She's doing some great things and my guess is that she's inspiring, a lot of kids youngsters, period, whether they be young kids, teenagers, college age, she's providing a vision for them, a dream for them. And so, the children can learn by watching and she's a great example.

To learn more about today's topics, become a subscriber, text us or become a supporter, go to the show description. That's all the time we've got this week. Thanks for listening. We'll be back next week with the What's Going On podcast.