The "What's Going On?" Podcast
Think casual, relatable discussions like you'd overhear in a barbershop. Conversations and commentaries from the common-person perspective, a mix of diverse topics and perspectives. The conversations will seamlessly pivot between politics, music, sports, and pop culture. Our goal is to be inclusive and inviting, a broad appeal, non-pundit vibe, and memorable.
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!
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_112218What's going on, Keith?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Hey, what's going on TC
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218What's going on? Mike Miller?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Tom Corley. Hey, Keith. How y'all doing
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217going on, Mike. Everything's good.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216All right. All right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218it's another Monday in America.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217It's a good day in the neighborhood for sure.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218So, we are officially podcasters.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218We are to be vetted for the Trump administration officially.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218We're eligible to be a part of the cabinet now.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Hey, look, we were eligible. We were eligible before then.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Absolutely.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217All 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_112218Right. I like that. All right, so the NBA finals are here 2025.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218There is no LeBron.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right?
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218There is no Westbrook.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218no Steph Curry.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218no Giannis,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218If 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_112217Yeah.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218who these cats are playing right now. I mean, they're superstars, but they never registered on my, radar.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah, 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_112218Wow.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_11221730 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_112218Mm-hmm.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Gilda 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_112218Yeah.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217boys 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_112218Yeah.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217The 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_112218right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217there'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_112218Oh,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217so 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_112218You had some crazy trades towards the end of the season or mid midseason.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Always 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_112218right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217but 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_112216Well, 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216The 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216allows 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_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216maybe
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216but then everybody else is gonna be,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Supporting C.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right. Because you know, these contracts are pretty huge now.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yes.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216even for the players,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I call'em B players, they're really not, but you know, they're great players, but
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216What 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216So 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_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Indiana, 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_112218All right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right. But, at least the league didn't make them into a superstar, I put it that
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Not yet.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216But 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_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Come 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_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218of anybody's name on that.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right. 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_112217Oh my God,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216in college, right?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yes.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216If you look at the NBA, 60% of the players were not drafted from college.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218I am
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216The
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218What's that again?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_11221660% of the players were not drafted outta college that are in the NBA now.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Was that right?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_11221760%. Wow.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Weren't drafted directly from college to the NBA.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216came through the G League and overseas. Right. 60%.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Wow.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216That's still 40% that are in the league that were drafted directly out of
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217I didn't realize that.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218I
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216correct? Yes, that's what it is.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216it's okay. That's
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216are many ways to get into the NBA.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Yes.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216And 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_112218Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216So unless you are with the NIL
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216unless 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_112218I have noticed.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yes.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218guys who are 25 years old
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218in the college league,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218sticking around as long as they can because
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yes.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right. Money is a lot easier.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216play nowhere near as many
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Get 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Their 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216When you're looking at that, it's the other opportunities that you have access
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217People love the sport
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216true.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Basically 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_112218Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218yeah, yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Yeah.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217You
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217So 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_112216right,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217understand? 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_112216I 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_112217not.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216were able, but if the Lakers could get Trey Young,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Hmm
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Because that's what everybody wants them to do.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Everybody wants them to make a move to get Reon.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Really.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216That's gonna be impossible, I think.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216It were possible
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216With Anthony Davis,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218No,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Trey Young.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Davis is not there
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216oh, right. Not Davis, who's the, center there?
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218The guy
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218from, just that was part of the trays I was talking about.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah. Yeah,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216correct. Right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217not
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216What 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_112217Tre is nice.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Yeah. Do, I don't know.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217When we beat up on him
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217down,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216think, 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_112217He's in Atlanta.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Without getting a whole bunch of something,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216know. So,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216you know,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Guy 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_112216Yeah. Um, gosh, I can see his face.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217He's got the braids.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I got the braids
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yep.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I don't think his contract is up,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216you know what I mean? I don't think he's up for a trade,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216mean? And they not gonna trade him.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Ja 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_112216Right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217a guy that I think teams would covet if he had his stuff together.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They wanted to make him, the face of the league at one point. He was
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216He kept getting in trouble. But, he can clean that up,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216so,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216you know.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218I 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_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Well, I'm not gonna call it unrest. I am going to call it democracy in action
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217I like it.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216because the Constitution gives us the right to protest peacefully,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216is what was going
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216the National Guard was sent
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216at nobody's request.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217And you're
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218but,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217absolutely.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218How 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_112216Again, it wasn't violent and both city and the state had it under control and could have dispersed
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216But 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216but it
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216It'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_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216a lot of stuff,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Sure.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216but there's one thing that everybody in this land agrees on, and that's democracy.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Well, 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_112216No, 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216That's okay. That's how we got
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216By 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_112217Right,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216up 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216the way
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216think you are bad.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Everything,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216is not democracy.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217is
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216what we're seeing,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217right. Yep.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right? That's what we're seeing.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216The unrest as we call it. It Democracy at work, and, it was working and continues
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216No one person's opinion. Trump, I don't even wanna say that word.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Pun intended.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I have my opinion, I'm entitled to my opinion.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Absolutely.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216What 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216even going into courts. Where people are practicing due process explaining why they're
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216and 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_112217right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Unless 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_112217Mike, 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_112216Right. 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_112217Hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216that 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_112217Is that spelled hypocrisy?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Yeah. 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_112217Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216These 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216people to
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216This 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216'cause they don't have help to clean those rooms.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Well, 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_112216right,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Or 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_112216Right,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217that 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_112216Thank 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_112217Oh my God.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216call out the National Guard on January 6th
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217God.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216when people were killed.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217He's blatantly racist.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right. 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I happened to be off work that day.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216But when you're thinking about it, these people had to stay in hotel rooms.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216So 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Why 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216And 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216and 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216is 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_112217Hey Mike.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216agree on democracy.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217This is not Tianmen Square.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216That's
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Next are the next are.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right. 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_112217Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Watch us transition.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217This 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_112216Mm-hmm.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217You 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_112216Right. And that is, Uhuh. They don't even want Saturday Night Live to do skits about.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Santa does skits about no matter who the president,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217doesn't matter,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Republican, they really lambasted Biden and I was fine with
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216you know,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217What's funny?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216even Obama, they did, you know,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216It's comedy. Oh my goodness. They'll even want that. Golly.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217You can't say anything about this guy,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right. So,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217What's your take?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Tom.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217You got a powerful voice. Hear it.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Insurrection 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_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218The 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_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218But here in California and the city of Los Angeles, there was no request for that to take place.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218I'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_112216I.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218they'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_112217Right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218People actually lost their lives in that
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Oh yeah.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218so i'm just,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217lost their lives, you know what I'm saying? Trying to protect and serve.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Yeah. 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_112217Right, right.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218So,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yeah, 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_112218Right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217To oversee?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216that Tesla on the lawn that's still on the White
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217He 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_112218Oh wow.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217He's about profiting for everything.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Save the children. Coco Golf did her thing this weekend.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Yay.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217I watched every second.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218did you
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217my God.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Was too busy being in the streets myself.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217I'm a big Coco fan.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Mike is our tennis expert
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Yes,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218there are stats out there, Mike. One in 12 Americans are playing tennis.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218So 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_112216It.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218racket, 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_112216Yeah, hockey is
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218And
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217No.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216pretty expensive
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right?
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218being introduced to tennis, what's your take on how to do that?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216All 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_112218they being overwhelmed with applications?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216no, 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_112218Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Palmer 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216So 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They wouldn't turn off the lights at 11 o'clock at night.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216There 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_112217Mm-hmm.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218Is the city? Has the city invested in the new courts?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They've upgraded.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218I remember a time where the grass was growing through the cracks on the tennis courts.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Oh no, they've upgraded. There was a time when, a lot of us up at Palmer Park,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217you ever play at Rouge Park?
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216yes, I played at Rouge
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Me too.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216don't play there anymore. Now they've replaced the tennis courts. Since then,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They've replaced those tennis courts. We don't play there anymore. Now we play over at, Comstock.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Park. The group I play with
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right, right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216I play at Palmer Park, and I play at the Southfield, civic Center.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216And 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_112218do
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217too.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216let them.
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218so, 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_112216Oh, 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_112218Hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216they 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_112218giving away rackets, or are they letting
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They'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_112218Okay.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216So 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_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216many black male tennis players
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216were playing tennis and playing well?
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216They were just looking at us like, whoa, we've never seen this in our neighborhood
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216didn't think of it
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216just there because
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216we were looking for another court to play
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217But that's,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216them that was something,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217that's critical.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216right? That was a thing
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217That's critical.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216some adults came over
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216us, man, we really love
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216being
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216And 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_112218Yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216and 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_112218Absolutely.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216these 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_112218Right. That's
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216know,
meet-the-music-a-to-z_2_06-09-2025_112218What are these associations doing
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216they're providing access with equipment and everything and providing programs. Funding is always an
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216know, they only have so much funding, so they go where they
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216But they do offer it. So it's up to us as a community.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm-hmm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216To say, okay. we were welcome. Like those people welcomed us to their community to play tennis,
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216they told us, don't be there after dark.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Oh my God.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216There were no lights
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217No lights.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216about being there after
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right, right,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216we
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217right,
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216the middle of the day
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216there, 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_112217Mm.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216does a great job
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Mm
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216providing access.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217mm
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216the more people that go up there, they have access to more resources that they had more kids.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Right.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Not 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_112217Good. 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_112218sounds like you have a bad memory there, Keith.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217No, 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_112218yes.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217they 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_112218Yeah. Yeah.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217And 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_112218Yeah.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217that'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_112218in for Formula One.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217yeah.
michael-miller_1_06-09-2025_112216Right.
keith-pickens_1_06-09-2025_112217Absolutely 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.