the potential. I think that that Michael and organization saw in me, um, years ago when they gave me an offer sheet and I had signed that to come here back then and then, you know, ultimately that got matched on DSO. That was for sure. One thing that was always in the back of my mind, But then more than that, kind of as the whole thing started started going just the vision that that the organization had the front offices Well, as, um, Coach Borrego of kind of where this team could go where they could get to you know, how they believed they could utilize me And where I fit into all that and the impact that they believe that I can have And, um, kind of being able thio maximize my impact on winning and helping helping you know, this team get to that next level was really enticing and really powerful. And something that I wanna be a part of. And, um, something that, you know, as I was going through that process and thinking more and more about it was it was just something that I really wanted to dio. Thank you. Oh, and then Sorry, Thio, your for your follow up question. Um, sorry. The second part of that was, um yeah. So their familiarity with the players, right? Like so Yeah, obviously, T Rowe and I played together in Boston And so I know just how talented he is and playing against you know, some of these guys, I really do like their young players and, um certainly have have a lot of young players and no, you know, absolutely no doubt that I am now at that point in my career where I am the vet. And I think, along with Cody Zeller, he's another guy that's been around for a long time. But I think devante played great last year. PJ Miles Bridges obviously drafting Lemelle Oh, and the other guys that that we've drafted Thio I think there's there's a lot of potential on DSO some of the it's it's hard right now with everything the way the restrictions are were only allowed to see. You're only allowed to be on the court like two people right now. And so I I'm like seeing people, but you know, it's with a mask on, and it's hard Thio, you know interact with everybody just yet. But certainly the potential is there for these young guys. And so I'm exit. Or we could go to Rick Gordon. Can you send yourself in your video a little bit? Yeah, I'm kind of struggling to see where the camera is There. You got a little bit more of that same direction. There you go. Perfect. Alright. Actually, never use an ipad before like this. Go ahead, Rick. A garden dripping out of the Charlotte Observer. This is the team that hasn't gone to the playoffs in four years. This is a team that hasn't won a playoff series since the MBA came back to Charlotte 2004. To what extent do you think you could do something about that? Yeah. I mean, I think that's kind of what I alluded to just just briefly. They're having an ability to come in and help us get to that next level. I think I'm somebody that I could do a little bit of everything. Um, the thing I like to do most of his play make and create for others, but, you know, I'm saying my career I've done done the scoring thing as well, And so, um, for me, being somebody that I believe is versatile can do a lot of different things. I could just help us on try to impact our team with winning and as much as possible. And so I think the pieces are there in place. Um, you know, I think with a young team, it's kind of sometimes you need to just get over that initial hump there to get to that next level And, um, eso I'm excited about You know, that opportunity and that challenge. And certainly there's There's a lot of work that needs to be done. There's no doubt about that. But, um, you know, that's That's one of the things that is was really enticing about coming here to Charlotte and having the opportunity to try to help us get to that level and to follow up. What, what caused you to opt out of the guarantee D or on your contract with the Celtics? E think this was something that was, you know, I would say unlike any other situation I've been in, certainly with the timing of everything and how quick everything escalated. Onda how hectic it waas and chaotic it, Waas. But, um, you know, I just think that like, I kind of said, uh, after, you know, speaking with family and with with my agent And, um, you know, speaking to the horns organization and and, um, kind of just hearing more and more about their vision and kind of where they see this team going it. Really, Um, you know, it's really powerful. And it made me really think more and more about it. And it was something that I wanted to be a part of, like I said. And so, um, you know, I decided to just to opt out and go for it. Thanks, Gordon. Scott Fowler. Welcome to the Charlotte. I'm from Charlotte Observer. Congratulations. Um, I wonder if you can. No. It's sometimes hard to evaluate yourself, but I wonder if you could evaluate where you are right now where you want to be a za player. I know you've heard the criticism, whether ballot or not, that you've never been quite the same after that Really gruesome injury several years ago. And I wonder where you see yourself, uh, progressing. Can you still progress as a player? Yeah. I mean, I still view myself is in the prime of my career. I think that there's a lot of, um, there's a lot of talk. Certainly, I'm actually somebody that doesn't look or read at any of media or anything, so I actually haven't really heard any of the criticism. I've always just kind of focused on myself and try toe make myself a better player. And certainly the situation that I was in in Boston, we had a lot of great players and we had a great team. And so there's, um you know, I was kind of in a different role than I was before, prior to the injury and tried to make the most of that. And, um, my thing. Statistically, my agent would would tell you that I had a better year efficiency wise than I did my last year when I was in Utah. And so I think I'm still, you know, more than capable of being that player and and want to be that player. And, um, you know, I think I'm just excited for this new opportunity in this new challenge in my career. Like like I told you, I still firmly believe that I'm in the prime of my career. And, um, you know, I think it's gonna be a great challenge. And certainly there's gonna be ups and downs as there are no matter where you're at with basketball. But I'm looking forward to, you know, being here in Charlotte and being with, you know, the new coaching, new coaching staff and new players and kind of getting it going. Thank you. So Jason Brown and then Desmond Johnson. Thanks. Brian Gordon. Welcome to Charlotte. My name is Jason Brown, one of the sports reporters at a Spectrum News one television station here in the Queen City. You've been a free agent a couple of times now in your career, signing big deals. Is there anything from just making sure that you performed to the level that you want? I mean, obviously, you say you don't listen to outside fans or media and expectations, but is there anything that you've learned from going through this experience the second time in your career? Yeah, I mean, I mean, I think it's each situation has has been quite different and unique. This one was certainly unique. And just like I said with the timing and um with covert and everything. Um, but I mean, I think And then of course you know, going through it the first time. You know, I was never I was never imagining myself going through that injury on the first game when I'm on a new team. But certainly you want to play your best basketball and, um, you know, there's, I think, all of us as n b A. Players that have expectations from ourselves that are different and unique from expectations from external forces, external sources, Um, you know, So I want to play my best basketball. And I think at this point, time in my career is trying to help this team in any way possible win and and help us get to that next level. And I think, you know, worrying about individual statistics is, um, not something I've ever really done, but not something. Certainly at this stage of my career that I'm, um, focused on. I'm trying to help us get get better and when and whatever that maybe that's that's that's kind of my goal in my mind set. Thank you. And congratulations on your success, thanks to a Desmond Johnson next. Hey, Gordon, Desmond Johnson here. Tobacco Road Sports Radio. What were your initial thoughts on Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan? Have you had you had a conversation or met him before this offseason? What made you want to play for Jordan and his franchise over other teams, like Indiana that were bidding for your services? Yeah. I mean, I think as I as I mentioned at the very beginning, I I'll never forget the first kind of go around when I was a restricted free agent and I actually came here and visited Charlotte and, um, ended up signing an offer sheet that that Michael gave me. Um and you know that that meant a lot to me. So I actually I think I did a video conference with him on that visit. And anytime you you talked to Michael Jordan, there's a little bit of that star struck. I mean, I remember watching him growing up. I think I asked them. I think I asked them back then if Reggie fouled him when he pushed off and hit the shot against them. When? When Reggie, what's on the Pacers? And in the playoffs, there s, I mean, I was e mean He's one of the greatest players to ever play, if not the greatest player to ever play. So there's there's e think everyone feels that a little bit. So I never forgot that. And so, um, this second go around. He actually mentioned that as well when I talked to him on the phone and then when he had texted me a little bit, um, that he's wanted me for years now. And, um, I think it was something where you know, the more and more conversations that we had that I had with the coaching staff with with some of the front office guys, I just the vision that they had, the impact that that they believe I can have helping us get to that next level. Like I said, it is very powerful. And and so, you know, although there were conversations with lots of teams for signing trade opportunities, it was one of those things where, you know, my agent was kind of working on those, and it was kind of just told him, Let's let's do this thing in Charlotte. Let's just get this done. Thank you. Oh, Steve Reed and then Gary Washburn. Gordon. Welcome to Charlotte. I was gonna ask you a little bit more about M. J. You know, how often did you talk to him during this process? And any other things that he talked to you about? ASUs went through. Yeah, it honestly, it this surely is. Like I said, it was a unique free agency. And so there there wasn't much time. Um, everything was going, you know, it's really chaotic and hectic. And so I talked to him, I think twice, Um, like I said, they had texted me and really, just like he's like I said, He just was, you know, saying now you know, he's he would be really excited to have you here in starlet and and things that I can have a huge make a huge difference and have a big impact on helping this team and kind of being a difference maker. And so that was the main message. And, you know, like I said, trying to get us to that next level