The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins

Latest Episodes:

Episode 22 - Lee Kiefer Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, after breaking down into the latest free agency news, the guys are joined by a 3rd Kentuckian, Lee Kiefer, Olympic Gold Medalist. Lee describes what it was like winning the US's first Gold medal in foil fencing, and what it was like to represent Lexington proudly.

-03:30: Rex’s Draft Recap – Golden State & Charlotte did well

-04:30: The Raptors selection of Scottie Barnes

-06:30: Rex would have taken Evan Mobley #1 over Cade Cunningham

-08:00: CP3 signing a 4 year deal to stay in Phoenix:

-11:00: Signing Cam Payne was also a smart move by James Jones and what he brings to the floor

-12:00: Suns bringing back JaVale McGee

-13:00: Russell Westbrook heading to the Lakers to become a Big 3 with LeBron and AD

-15:30: For the Lakers it boils down to Anthony Davis being great again

-17:30: Josh recalling a story back during the NBA lockout when the Thunder and Westbrook were scrimmaging @ Kentucky and how impressed Russ was with the Kentucky facilities

-18:45 Stuff on Duncan Robinson staying in Miami

-28:00 Better Big 3 – LA Lakers or Brooklyn Nets

-35:00 - Growing up in Kentucky and what made the Bluegrass state so special.

-37:30 - What it was like winning the gold medal, hearing the National Anthem playing and knowing you're the best in the world.

-39:30 - Rex and Josh get the breakdown of fencing and what type of advantage Lee has with her size, not standing as tall as most of her Olympic competitors.

-44:00 - What it's been like living in Tokyo's Olympic Village and competing during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

47:40 - Lee speaks to her personal health and how important it was to manage her life both as an Olympic fencer and as she pursues her medical degree from the University of Kentucky.

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Episode 21- Jeff Capel Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Pitt Basketball coach and Duke legend Jeff Capel. From being a coach's kid to chasing his dreams of playing professional basketball, Jeff forged his own path and became one of the most respected coaches in the NCAA.5:00 - How difficult it's been for a college basketball program to navigate this pandemic, and never getting used to playing in empty arenas.

10:00 - How Jeff fell in love with basketball and what he might be doing if he wasn't spending his life coaching?

12:30 - Rex admits when he first heard of a Coach's kid entering Duke, he expected a white guy. Jeff discusses his father's path.

17:30 - How will Name, Image and Likeness change the scope of college athletics.

30:30 - How hard it must be for a college coach, but Jeff is embracing the challenges that come from the transfer portal, NIL and the pandemic.

32:30 - Rex marvels at how Coach Mike Krzyzewski has adapted throughout the different eras of the Duke program.

37:00 - How Jeff caught the Coach's bug from his father, and had to tune out the noise and distractions that came with being named the youngest Head Coach in the NCAA.

48:00 - Jeff's rocky start at Oklahoma with his top players de-committing, and how he rebounded by being able to recruit Blake Griffin to change the program.

53:00 - While he knew he was a good coach, Jeff felt rejoining the Blue Devils as an assistant for Coach K made him a great coach and someone capable of leading a program.

58:30 - After going to Rio in 2016, the former Team USA coach believes this team in Tokyo is being unfairly criticized because there just wasn't the same amount of time for preparation, and you can't just show up and beat everyone anymore.

1:06.30 - What was it like being the first former player to beat Coach K as a Head Coach? Jeff relayed that Coach K was the first former player to beat Bobby Knight as a Head Coach.

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Episode 20 - Isiah Thomas Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas. One of the most celebrated point guards and one of the greatest 50 players of All-Time, Zeke has a lot to say about his upbringing that led to his NBA career.

5:00 - How did Rex Chapman and Isiah Thomas become such fast friends?

5:45 - Josh gushes over his new friend Isiah Thomas, and his matchups against his favorite Kentucky player, Dirk Minniefield.

7:30 - Why did Isiah end up going to Indiana and playing for Bob Knight?

11:00 - Playing for Bob Knight, and the disconnect from coach to player, especially when the Chicago native was called a "Hot Dog".

15:00 - The importance of education and the path Isiah took to get out of poverty outside of just being a basketball player.

17:20 - Isiah talked about being raised in such a rough environment in Chicago, with the help of his brothers and sisters.

23:00 - Rex and Isiah discuss the changes to Name, Image and Likeness for college athletes and how they made decisions to leave school in order to help their families. It's crazy they had to go through it, but are thankful the next generation has it better.

31:30 - Rex recalls his first time playing against Isiah Thomas and just being in awe of the Bad Boy Pistons. Isiah said he truly felt an out of body experience when he scored 25 in a quarter on the Lakers on a bad ankle.

36:00 - Isiah speaks on his relationship with Michael Jordan, and how when he entered the league, he was just another guy.

41:20 - He sees some of his game in Chris Paul and loves how much confidence Devin Booker has been playing with.

48:40 - What made the Bad Boys Pistons so tough was their mental fortitude, not just their physicality.

55:00 - Isiah admitted it would be a lot harder watching that iconic Celtics moment if he hadn't won back-to-back with the Pistons.

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Episode 19 - JJ Redick Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman show, the guys are joined by JJ Redick. One of the most prolific 3-Point shooters in NBA history, JJ has a ton of stories from playing in the league and podcasting. The first Dukie on the show and the guys couldn't have found a better one in JJ.

01:00 - Rex is court side for each Finals game. Game 4 preview

12:00 - JJ Redick, one of the most experienced podcasters, gives some advice to Rex and Josh about what it takes to make something special.

15:30 - JJ describes where he was mentally after his sophomore season at Duke, and the impact of meeting Rex Chapman for the first time.

17:30 - After retiring at age 32, Rex had to ask JJ how much basketball he has left in him now at 37 years old.

20:30 - Redick is amazed at the career milestones he's made becoming one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA History. After 15 years in the league, JJ understood that you have to love the game of basketball to make it in the league this long.

23:00 - How JJ contributed to NBA discourse with his own podcast, and the issues both he and Rex have with how the sport is covered today in the hot take culture.

30:0 - When did JJ Redick know he had special hand-eye coordination? It might have been when his father gave him a hammer and nails at 2 years old. It wasn't until the 8th grade when his height caught up with the rest of his skillset.

35:30 - He chose basketball, especially after Coach K had some choice words for him to improve.

42:30 - How this season in particular with COVID guidelines made it hard for a creature of habit like JJ Redick. Routine is really important for guys that want to be in a sense of control.

50:00 - How JJ nearly left Duke after his Junior year, but ultimately decided to stay for his senior year.

53:00 - How JJ Redick embraced being the prototypical "Duke Villain" and why it wasn't a good fit for everyone cast in that role.

59:30 - JJ talks about the parity of Bucks-Suns and makes his pick for the NBA Finals. It's hard to pick against two of his best friends, Chris Paul and Jrue Holiday.

1:04:30 - How JJ Redick played a huge part of the next wave of the modern NBA where 3-pointers became the focal point of every offense.

1:09:30 - How difficult this season was playing in empty arenas and being hurt when the Mavericks were in the playoffs with a full crowd.

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Episode 18 - NBA Finals Preview Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

Rex and Josh Preview the NBA Finals, Suns GM James Jones

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys countdown the Bucks and Rex's Suns in the NBA Finals! Who would have thought the Suns and Bucks were on a collision course? Seems like Suns GM James Jones knew all along when he spoke with the guys earlier on the podcast. Some comments from James Jones and who the guys pick for the NBA Finals on this special episode.

2:00 - How injuries have dominated the NBA Playoffs, and where the Bucks are with Giannis Antetokounmpo's hyperextended knee.

5:00 - How can the rest of the Bucks step up in Giannis's absence, at least for the early part of the Finals?

7:30 - Rex details his gameday prep ahead of the NBA Finals, with Game 1 tipping off in Phoenix.

10:00 - It's not just Chris Paul's addition that helped put the Suns over the top, but Jae Crowder has been so important for the Suns' culture.

11:30 - Just a couple Kentucky guys geeking out over Devin Booker.

15:00 - Name, Image and Likeness changing college athletics and every school seems to be making their own set of rules for student athletes.

24:00 - The guys circle back to their previous conversation with Suns GM James Jones, now more relevant than ever with Phoenix in the NBA Finals.

28:00 - The Acquisition of Chris Paul and how the Phoenix Suns ascended to the top team in the Western Conference.

33:30 - It's not just the veteran guys like CP3 and Jae Crowder coming in, but there's been serious growth from a number of the younger players like DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Smith and many others.

36:00 - How Devin Booker has grown as a leader thanks to the arrival of Chris Paul, and how they take care of each other especially those crucial moments late in games.

39:00 - After being called the greatest teammate LeBron James has ever had, how does Jones evaluate talent and build a team that is good enough to win a championship? How does he look for great teammates that care about winning and care about their teammates having success as well.

40:30 - How genuine Robert Sarver has been about winning, and how he wants to keep pushing the team to do more, and take that next step towards being a championship contender.

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Episode 17 - Ferguson Jenkins Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Hall of Fame Pitcher and Cubs legend Ferguson Jenkins. One of Canada's greatest athletes speaks to his upbringing and not only how he became a pitcher, but a Harlem Globetrotter too!

You can follow Ferguson Jenkins on Twitter and Instagram

1:00 - What was it like being called Canada's greatest athlete?

2:30 - How did Fergie go from an ice hockey player to a professional baseball pitcher?

9:00 - How important was it for Jenkins to finish games?

10:45 - With the rise in dominant pitching today, how does that compare to the issues in the 1968-69 seasons that led to baseball lowering the mound?

14:00 - There have been foreign substances on baseballs dating back to when Fergie played.

21:00 - What it was like leaving Canada and beginning his professional baseball career in the segregated south.

24:00 - Fergie was a 2-sport athlete, spending multiple offseasons playing for the Harlem Globetrotters!

31:00 - The NBA playoffs and the modern game.

33:00 - Fergie details his tragedies that have coincided with the success he's had throughout his career.

40:00 - How impactful it is to pay more attention to other people's lives and how important it is to maintain positive mental health.

57:00 - Why join Twitter and build a social media presence? Fergie just enjoys being able to connect with fans.

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Episode 16 - Vernon Maxwell Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by two-time NBA champion Vernon Maxwell, who first faced off against Rex in college when Florida met Kentucky. After winning back-to-back championships with the Rockets, Vernon details his physical and mental preparation that kept him in the league for over a dozen seasons.

You can follow Vernon Maxwell on Twitter and Instagram

5:00 - Rex said Vernon Maxwell was the first player he ever went against that really made him go "Oh Shit" when they first faced off in the SEC.

7:10 - How did Vernon Maxwell become the answer for so many players when asked who they hated going up against?

10:30 - Vernon learned he was faster than everyone else when playing football. He admits he was running scared from people before recognizing he was just that athletic.

17:30 - How competitive were those SEC Battles both between Kentucky and Florida?

23:30 - If Vernon Maxwell got under so many people's skin, then who were the guys Mad Max never looked forward to facing?

28:40 - Maxwell defends his tweets making fun of the state of Utah

35:30 - How Mad Max was pushed over the edge by one particular heckler in Portland.

39:00 - How Steve Nash took one look at Vernon Maxwell when they were both in Dallas, and made the snap decision to dedicate himself to healthy eating, and becoming a better basketball player.

41:45 - The falling out with Houston after Clyde Drexler was acquired in the middle of Maxwell's 10-game suspension for the incident in Portland.

47:15 - Why is Vernon Maxwell still mad at Gary Payton after they played together in Seattle?

52:30 - Vernon's All-time Walk-the-walk team.

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Episode 15- Steve Kerr Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr had a storied playing career and is now one of the best coaches in the NBA. Steve reflects on his 8 NBA Championships, and what he's learned from playing for some of the best coaches in basketball: Lute Olson, Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich.

You can follow Steve Kerr on Twitter and Instagram

7:20 - Steve's outlook on the Warriors' 2020-21 season and what's next as this team develops for the future. This might have been Steph Curry's most impressive season.

10:30 - The evolution of the NBA, and how Steve watched the league go from five three-pointers a game, to some players taking five in a single quarter.

12:30 - When Steve discovered he was one of the best athletes, playing every sport and dominating the other kids, from the age of 8 or 9 and all the way through high school.

17:30 - Steve and Rex share the first time they met at a Team USA workout, and how they both were impressed with their own brand of basketball. The high flying Rex Chapman vs the steady, consistent shooting of Steve Kerr.

21:30 - Steve discusses his upbringing, splitting time overseas and in Los Angeles, and the impact his father had on him.

27:30 - How Steve Kerr ended up at Arizona to play for Lute Olson, especially after getting steamrolled by John Stockton on a visit to Gonzaga.

34:00 - Steve on his Spurs career with Pop and Tim Duncan.

36:30 - On the other hand there was zero humility when it came to Michael Jordan.

43:00 - The evolution of the NBA has gone too far in one direction.

48:20 - Steve's thoughts on the NBA Playoffs and if Kevin Durant and the Nets are likely headed to the NBA Finals.

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Episode 14- Muggsy Bogues Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

On the latest episode of The Rex Chapman Show, Rex and Josh Hopkins are joined by Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues, who Rex demands should be a Hall of Famer. Could Muggsy have made it out of Baltimore wrestling if not for hoops? And following an incredible career at Dunbar, Wake Forest and in the NBA, Muggs proves heart over height.

You can follow Muggsy Bogues on Twitter and Instagram

6:00 - How did Rex and Muggsy become such fast friends despite completely different upbringings in Owensboro, KY and Baltimore, MD?

10:30 - How accurate was "The Wire's" depiction of inner-city Baltimore where Muggsy grew up?

15:00 - When did Muggsy realize he was a special athlete despite his size, and how he gravitated to basketball.

18:30 - Attending Dunbar and playing on the greatest high school team ever,

28:30 - How Muggsy was never intimidated entering the NBA despite being more than a foot shorter than the average player.

38:40 - The best players to come out of Baltimore that Muggsy didn't play with at Dunbar.

41:20 - Muggsy's favorite point guards in the NBA right now, and how Dame Time against Denver would have never happened if Muggsy was guarding him.

42:40 - How Muggsy scouted his opponents and learned their tendencies to become an incredible defender. Rex admits it helped him become a better player.

48:00 - Wait... Rex was supposed to be in Space Jam?

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Episode 13- Scott O'Neil Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of The Rex Chapman Show, Rex and Josh Hopkins are joined by 76'ers CEO, Scott O'Neil. We find out just what a sports CEO does, go in-depth on his new book "Be Where Your Feet Are", out now, and Rex answers questions from Scott.

The Rex Chapman Show is powered by BasketballNews.com and produced by NC Podcasts.

-06:00 - Scott on his start in basketball

-13:30 - The day to day life of a CEO of a pro-sports team

-17:00 - The 76ers rise back to the top of the East and going through "The Process"

-19:00 - What inspired "Be Where Your Feet Are"

-23:00 - What qualities does he look for when bringing people in to his company

-32:00 - Kevin Garnett vs. cell phones

-35:00 - Scott turns the tables to question Rex

-37:00 - Josh's God-given inbounding abilities

-39:00 - Lessons he learned from David Stern

-49:00 - Solving the great divide that exists in the country currently

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