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Hosts Koji Steven Sakai and M Martin Mapoma talk sports… something that is very close to Koji’s heart. And Michael Jordan decided to join us for this episode!
Transcript:
Voice Over Host 0:02
This is the best or worst podcast. And now here are your hosts Koji Steven Sakai and M Martin Mapoma.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:13
Welcome, welcome. Welcome.
Martin Mapoma 0:15
Hello. Hello. Hello.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:16
My name is Koji.
Martin Mapoma 0:17
And my name is Martin.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:18
Thank you for listening to I think this is Episode Seven.
Martin Mapoma 0:21
I think so. I’m not so sure.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:23
Something like that seven, eight, ten
Martin Mapoma 0:24
I’m using my regular voice though.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:27
How are you?
Martin Mapoma 0:28
I’m good. I’m good. I’m good. Clearly you can see I’m good.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:33
You just got back from Hawaii.
Martin Mapoma 0:34
Ohau was awesome. It was I mean, you know, Hawaii. It’s built up. It’s like Orange County, but whatever.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:40
Oh, Ohau is not like Orange County.
Martin Mapoma 0:42
No, it’s not. No, it’s not. It’s
Koji Steven Sakai 0:43
Maui is like Orange County.
Martin Mapoma 0:45
Yeah.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:45
Which is, by the way, my least favorite Island. I’m gonna keep saying that. I think Kurt Suzuki came from Maui.
Martin Mapoma 0:51
Who?
Koji Steven Sakai 0:52
Kurt Suzuki nationals catcher.
Martin Mapoma 0:53
Yeah, he did. No, no.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:55
Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 0:56
From Maui.
Koji Steven Sakai 0:56
He’s a terrible human being.
Martin Mapoma 0:58
He is
Koji Steven Sakai 0:58
Remember, Did you see what he did yesterday?
Martin Mapoma 1:00
No What do you do?
Koji Steven Sakai 1:01
We probably shouldn’t talk politics but
Martin Mapoma 1:05
why cuz that’s the juicy stuff is the juicy stuff
Koji Steven Sakai 1:07
He wore the mogga hat magga hat
Martin Mapoma 1:09
Are you serious
Koji Steven Sakai 1:10
Ae got hugged by the President?
Martin Mapoma 1:12
Oh
Koji Steven Sakai 1:13
Then he basically disappointed every Asian American who was rooting for him.
Martin Mapoma 1:17
Oh wow. And you know what I actually said good job when I saw cuz I was on the news in a Ohau they talk about local boy does well are you serious?
Koji Steven Sakai 1:25
Yeah we’re all like super disappointed by it he said that he came out and said that he was just like in the moment or something he was having fun
Martin Mapoma 1:32
whatever
Koji Steven Sakai 1:33
yeah it’s a very polarizing time in our lives but uh actually that’s a great segue that was almost a professional podcasting segue
Martin Mapoma 1:40
that was
Koji Steven Sakai 1:41
which is we were which is we’re talking about sports today, right?
Martin Mapoma 1:45
Yep.
Koji Steven Sakai 1:45
This we are the best or worse moment
Martin Mapoma 1:48
moment
Koji Steven Sakai 1:49
for us or in our lives about regarding sports.
Martin Mapoma 1:52
Yep.
Koji Steven Sakai 1:52
You love sports?
Martin Mapoma 1:53
I love sports.
Koji Steven Sakai 1:54
Really?
Martin Mapoma 1:55
Must my wife’s chagrin. I love sports. I you know yeah. I love sports. Except for I’m trying to think what sport I don’t love I’m sure there s a few of them.
Koji Steven Sakai 2:06
I, my wife will always tell the story one of her best friends, husbands were at some event or maybe it was a wedding. And I was trying to get to know everybody, right? It’d be nice. And sports is usually like it with guys to be like the best way to get to know each other.
Martin Mapoma 2:20
It is
Koji Steven Sakai 2:20
and I was like, do you like sports. He’s like, no. I mean, he likes other sport. He like soccer and stuff, but it’s funny because my wife just looked at me She’s like, okay, because like, That’s like my number. I mean, I could talk sports.
Martin Mapoma 2:32
Yeah, clearly you can
Koji Steven Sakai 2:34
I love the Lakers. I have season tickets, Dodgers.
Martin Mapoma 2:38
I like the Dodgers
Koji Steven Sakai 2:39
USC Trojans.
Martin Mapoma 2:41
Okay, I can’t go there. Trojans
Koji Steven Sakai 2:44
fight on.
Martin Mapoma 2:44
You’re one of the few people that went to USC that I like,
Koji Steven Sakai 2:46
Oh, wow.
Martin Mapoma 2:47
You know, yeah. When I first moved here, and I didn’t know it’s because you know, sec. It’s Kentucky and everyone else Alabama, you know, so, um, basketball was my thing. I’m not you know, I like I like pro basketball. I like it. Because if you grew up loving Kentucky basketball, that’s really all you need. But anyway, but um,
Koji Steven Sakai 3:05
college basketball is not pro basketball.
Martin Mapoma 3:07
No, but to me it’s more fun.
Koji Steven Sakai 3:08
I think I think it’s terrible. Every time I watch every time I watch college basketball, I’m just like,
Martin Mapoma 3:13
cuz you didn’t go to school to have it. He didn’t have a Kentucky if you went to a school in Kentucky that just stomped everyone.
Koji Steven Sakai 3:18
Oh no, I watched I went to USC when we had Matt linert and Reggie Bush and we were winning every ball. But college football versus the Pro Football I’d rather watch pro football.
Martin Mapoma 3:26
Really?
Koji Steven Sakai 3:26
Yeah.
Martin Mapoma 3:27
I love college football
Koji Steven Sakai 3:28
I love I just love the I love just the elietness of it like in college. When a player pulls up, he’s gonna miss the shot in pro basketball. He doesn’t miss that shot, you know, like,
Martin Mapoma 3:38
Yeah, but you know, it’s sports on the west coast is a very different like sports in the Midwest, and
Koji Steven Sakai 3:46
there’s nothing to do No offense,
Martin Mapoma 3:47
No, there isn’t. We’re diehard fans like Kentucky basketball. I mean, I’ve been gone from school forever, dude. I still love Kentucky basketball.
Koji Steven Sakai 3:56
But, but to me, it’s like you know, I was As we’ll see an interview with Brian Skaberline he was on the Boston Celtics and he was talking about how people make fun of him because he seems so awkward on the court basketball court but he was saying that’s my dog by the way the background he was saying how in the in to everybody else in the world like when you when you stand next to Russell Westbrook or something like that. He looks awkward, but he’s all like I could kick the shit out of everybody else who’s watching me
Martin Mapoma 4:25
Yeah, he could.
Koji Steven Sakai 4:26
He’s faster, better shape I’m you know, more athletic,
Martin Mapoma 4:29
he’s an elite athlete
Koji Steven Sakai 4:30
He’s an elite athlete, but it’s just funny because he’s like when I stand next to Russell Westbrook, of course, I’m not going to be elite. I don’t look like an elite athlete.
Martin Mapoma 4:38
I see these guy you know, it’s like I see. Went to the Lakers game the other day. Yeah. And that one, dude. The balding balding head?
Koji Steven Sakai 4:44
Oh, white Mamba?
Martin Mapoma 4:45
Yeah. And I like
Koji Steven Sakai 4:47
Alex Curuso by the way
Martin Mapoma 4:48
yeah. And I’m like, this guy’s a baller. When you realize this dude’s like six foot five. He’s playing pro basketball for the Lakers. He’s already
Koji Steven Sakai 4:56
he’s in a eliete.
Martin Mapoma 4:57
Like they talked about hunter Renfrow.
Koji Steven Sakai 4:58
Yeah.
Martin Mapoma 5:00
Hard Knocks of the Raiders. Yeah. And they’re like, they’re talking about the elite bodies. And like they had a picture of a. I don’t know if it was Julio Jones or somebody. And then you have this guy. And then under Renfrow up, and now you look at that guy, and if someone told you that guy is gonna be the elite wide receiver, you’d be like, what’s that? Dude can ball?
Koji Steven Sakai 5:20
Yeah, he’s on my fantasy. He’s on my dynasty team, which is his
Martin Mapoma 5:23
I just got my ass beat. boy who’s eight and o by the way. What’s the guy’s name?
Koji Steven Sakai 5:29
Is it Adam? It’s Adam.
Martin Mapoma 5:30
Jesus is it wasn’t embar…
Koji Steven Sakai 5:33
We played dyntasy football. Sure. It’s really fascinating to everybody.
Martin Mapoma 5:36
What’s his name? Uh, oh, my god. quarterback. Seahawks. Jesus. Help me out here. Russell Wilson was it wasn’t gonna be 51 points and I still lost it.
Koji Steven Sakai 5:46
Wow. But you got my two running backs I sent you were really helpful.
Martin Mapoma 5:49
Yeah. Adrian Peterson. Thank you.
Koji Steven Sakai 5:50
Yeah. So well, let’s talk about the best moment best and worst moment. You want to go first? You want me to go first? Is that your phone?
Martin Mapoma 5:59
pinging
Koji Steven Sakai 5:59
Yes.
Martin Mapoma 5:59
That’s my Watch Sorry, dude.
Koji Steven Sakai 6:02
Man, this is like a podcasting one on one again. But you get
Martin Mapoma 6:07
Oh, because my son is sick and we’re doing this with him around. He’s actually in the house but so be on my phone pinging I’m sorry, it’s my wife checking in on my son. And so watch this. I’ll do as well you guys can hear this is all about listening. He is fine. He’s resting.
Koji Steven Sakai 6:24
This is part of being a dad.
Martin Mapoma 6:28
There we go. Anyway, so the best the best or worst moment
Koji Steven Sakai 6:31
for you in sports or
Martin Mapoma 6:33
Okay,
Koji Steven Sakai 6:33
well, for me too. But
Martin Mapoma 6:34
okay, worst moment for me was I was playing sports I can think of thousands of them. So I was I was mediocre at best at basketball. I am a horrible basketball player. But I played for my basketball team in high school. And I road that bench like there was no tomorrow. And I’ll never forget, you know, it’s like I get it for like 30 seconds. I’d get taken out but my brother was a phenomenal basketball. My brother was a phenomenal athlete. And I played this game we’re playing in and I, you know, everyone got to play in the game except me they just would not put me in and after the game the guys on the team were like hey Martin maybe you drop down to the JV team to play
Koji Steven Sakai 7:16
Wait is this your best or worst moment
Martin Mapoma 7:18
worst
Koji Steven Sakai 7:18
okay?
Martin Mapoma 7:19
And like, Martin maybe she jumped onto the JV and play with me, you might get some playing time. And I just remember thinking of myself as a senior in high school that we play JV basketball, that’s how bad I was and how depressed I felt. And my brother was killing it. I’d gotten the chrono for guy started crying, and my mom was like, what’s wrong? I was like, nothing. And then I told her and my dad was an athlete too. And the thing about it is, you know, it was it was so stupid because, you know, I have asthma really bad. And so for me running around, the thing was, I just don’t have the lungs for it. It’s horrible. You know, even as a grown up now my lungs are just horrible. And so I play ball for like two seconds that I was too busy fighting to breathe. That’s I concentrate on playing and so I sucked, you know, and so every new like, jumped on the JV to play and I’m like, dude, JV’s not gonna matter because I still can’t breathe. And I could have chosen a different sport to play like baseball maybe I probably I’m pretty good at baseball, but back and forth even soccer I was okay at basketball just killed me. One sprint down the drop down the down the court. I was done. I was wheezing like crazy. And so that was always in the back of my mind. But this day when I didn’t get to play this guy’s like, oh, we’ll go down to JV to play or whatever. It was a like a nail in the coffin. And
Koji Steven Sakai 8:32
can you give voice to your coach talking to you about this
Martin Mapoma 8:38
Mr. siemer, Mr. camellia Mr. Mr. camelic was great. Um, now that I have one time, you know, I already felt pretty unathletic. But yeah, I’m just mr. siefer was like, we’re changing and he goes Damn, you got some skinny legs. They call me sticks mapoma in school. My legs were so skinny,
Koji Steven Sakai 8:56
Our third podcast has just walked in. He’s our old dog, rabbit. My old dog rabbit. Okay, my worst moment was so I think I probably, maybe I didn’t tell you but I did kendo, which is Japanese sword fighting?
Martin Mapoma 9:09
Mm hmm.
Koji Steven Sakai 9:10
Well, no, not that sorry there but uh, I did it for 10 years. I like 20 years of my life. Oh, yeah. So I was like a, I ended like as a teacher, but this is way before this is when I was a kid. When I was a kid, I won every tournament, I won everything. I was just constantly like kicking ass. And I was so good that I was on the American team, the South California team that went to Japan. And I was beating everybody and then I went to Japan for this like tour. And I was fighting people who were better than me. And they kicked the shit out of me every practice every practice everything I went to
Martin Mapoma 9:44
on purpose.
Koji Steven Sakai 9:45
Well now I just I just lost I mean, that kicked shit. I just lost everything. And this is the first time I ever lost in this sport. And I remember I just like like, I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you but I’m the kind of player that it’s all about confidence with me. So when I’m confident I could take over the world when I’m not confiedent, I just fall apart. And so getting beat all summer destroyed my confidence. And I remember I came back and I never won another match another tournament ever again. And it just because and what I found out later was that the rankings in Japan so the people I was facing in Japan were actually higher rank than me and older than me. So it was natural that I would get beat.
Martin Mapoma 10:21
Yeah, but you didn’t know that
Koji Steven Sakai 10:22
I didn’t know that. I just felt like and so I could never I never won again. And I remember just kept doing it, obviously because it differs along but I just remember that that was like, I felt really bad. I felt so good. I thought I was so good.
Martin Mapoma 10:34
And you were
Koji Steven Sakai 10:35
and I was good. I just it’s all about confidence. Like, you know, there’s two kinds of players, right? There’s like the player who if a coach yells at him says you suck, you suck. That makes him do better. And then there’s other coaches who are like, if you tell him you suck, you know, they fall apart I’m the falling apart one sided, the coach tells you, you know, you’re you’re fine. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. You’re really great. Don’t worry, don’t worry, like I’m that kind of guy. And just getting my ass kicked for an entire Summer in Japan was not that was really hard for me because I just I didn’t after that I hated it.
Martin Mapoma 11:06
I didn’t even know youd did that sport man. Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 11:08
I did it for like 20 years. That’s why I doing I do Jiu Jitsu now and
Martin Mapoma 11:11
Hey, did you get your blue belt.
Koji Steven Sakai 11:13
No, not yet. But it’s super humbling to have to start over because when I do kendo, I’m a teacher basically right.
Martin Mapoma 11:20
Is that the rounded sword. This is like a
Koji Steven Sakai 11:22
bamboo. Bamboo sword. Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 11:24
man. You still have all your stuff?
Koji Steven Sakai 11:27
Yeah, yes. Sorry. I’m just checking our video.
Martin Mapoma 11:30
Are you going to let Takao to do it?
Koji Steven Sakai 11:32
No, no, we’re at now Takao. My son does jujitsu which is way more useful. So when I say about kendo, which is funny is if I find somebody with a sword, even though I’ve done it for 20 years. There’s a 55% chance I’m winning.
Martin Mapoma 11:46
Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 11:46
like it’s not a guaranteed thing because you could do something crazy. I’m not prepared for
Martin Mapoma 11:50
Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 11:51
because like kendo like most martial arts is super forms.
Martin Mapoma 11:55
Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 11:55
it’s all a form.
Martin Mapoma 11:56
Yeah.
Koji Steven Sakai 11:57
And I can’t fight unless you’re doing the same form as me.
Martin Mapoma 12:00
Which is crazy
Koji Steven Sakai 12:01
which is crazy that’s why Jiu Jitsu is such a great sport because or martial art because there’s there’s forms obviously there’s like techniques but it’s a lot of it is like whatever you do I I’m reacting to what you’re doing as opposed to like so you could it’s when we practice in jujitsu, not you because you don’t practice in jujitsu because you sold me out but but the good thing about Jiu Jitsu is that when we’re when we’re doing when we’re fighting when we’re sparring. We don’t there’s no like, there’s nothing that you have to do, right?
Martin Mapoma 12:30
Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 12:30
like we’re doing whatever we’re kind of reacting to each other which is, which is more like a real fight. But um, but yeah, that was a really terrible.
Martin Mapoma 12:37
How did I sell you out
Koji Steven Sakai 12:39
because you’re supposed to join on the same week.
Martin Mapoma 12:41
I know because I was hurt. I’m still I’m still licking my finger man. Ah, I told you. I told Grayson that I would do it. I have to do it because he’s doing it and you know, I have to get going on I no excuses.
Koji Steven Sakai 12:51
But yeah, there’s a lot of new people it’s perfect time. We got to ZR by the way, which is Pasadena
Martin Mapoma 12:58
It’s really good. These guys are amazing. Diego, Lucas, those guys,
Koji Steven Sakai 13:01
we should bring them in at some time, actually.
Martin Mapoma 13:02
Yeah, we should.
Koji Steven Sakai 13:03
All right. So let’s talk about the worst the best moment because those are, those are our best or worst moments. Right? So what’s our best moment? Do you have one? Or do you want me to go?
Martin Mapoma 13:12
I don’t know. The best moment in sports for me. Ooh, that’s a tough one. You go first.
Koji Steven Sakai 13:21
Um, man, I was hoping you would go first, because I don’t have anything on top of my head. I remember one. It’s not me playing sports, which is fine. You know, I could think of like, there, there was a game in basketball where, you know, like I said, I’m all about confidence. So you know, if I could score, then I could score a ton. But then there are games like, I couldn’t do anything. But the one that really sticks out was 2010. The Los Angeles Lakers when they’re playing Boston Celtics in the playoffs, the finals and me my wife or at my stepdads house, we were renting that house and And it would been a long time since the Los Angeles team has won anything. And for us, or I guess Lakers won recently before that, but anyway, I just remember, like, we got our asses kicked by the Boston the year before. And I’m a huge huge Laker fan. And I just remember like not thinking the Lakers were going to win the finals. And then on that game where they won, and Kobe didn’t even play that well, I just remember like, being so happy that they won and, you know, sports does that sports like makes my life so much better that the Lakers are good now. Knock on wood just makes my life better
Martin Mapoma 14:36
What’s their record now?
Koji Steven Sakai 14:36
five and one. But, um, but I just remember thinking that that at that moment, like it was it was like, I felt like I felt like the top of the world even though I wasn’t playing and you know, obviously like you’re just making a ton of money off me. But uh, but no, that was I mean like it’s it’s amazing what sports can do you know, watching these teams and, and my wife hates when I watched the Lakers because I take it so personally. Like when I watch at home, I like walk around cleaning because I’m so nervous. I walk around like cleaning and I move stuff from here to there. And so you know, like watching them win finally come together just it means so much. It’s like, my son and my wife will hate this. But you know, like it’s as important as winning having a baby You know, like for me. I Love I spend so much time thinking about these guys and
Martin Mapoma 14:37
the Lakers
Koji Steven Sakai 14:44
Well, yeah, Lakers is my favorite team like basketball is meaningless unless the Lakers are playing. I don’t watch basketball in general. I watch the Lakers only
Martin Mapoma 15:31
Did you watch them when Jordan was playing with the bulls?
Koji Steven Sakai 15:33
Yeah, I watch watch Lakers. I mean, I I’ve always loved the Lakers. That’s the only team I like and I mean, I you know, I appreciate I appreciate MJ but to me, it’s like if you’re not on the Lakers, then Fuck you.
Martin Mapoma 15:45
Really? What about the Dodgers? You a Dodgers fan?
Koji Steven Sakai 15:47
I love the Dodgers, but I love the like I’ve always loved the Lakers a little bit more but ya know that those two things but yeah, like it just it’s weird, isn’t it how it is how like,
Martin Mapoma 15:56
clean the house?
Koji Steven Sakai 15:58
I mean, I walk around, I move stuff. If I organize things I think that’s why the best for me.
Martin Mapoma 16:02
Takao a Lakers fan?
Koji Steven Sakai 16:03
Yeah, my son’s Lakers fan
Martin Mapoma 16:04
so cute.
Koji Steven Sakai 16:05
That’s why we that’s why we go like, the best thing I could do when I watch Laker game is to go to the gym. And just like, I go on the treadmill, I just run and then I go on the bike and I do I do everything just helps me like, get through the game because I get so angry. Although I’m pretty good at games. The only time I get mad again, like super mad at games is when I’m with people who aren’t fans of another team, and they start cheering I get me super super angry. That’s my rule is like my number one rule before I ask somebody to go to a game with me is like you’re not a fan of this team, right?
Martin Mapoma 16:37
You ask me that.
Koji Steven Sakai 16:38
Yeah. But I mean like, well, when the team’s relevant
Martin Mapoma 16:42
When we’re watching the game and I was like cool. Come on jazz and you’re like.
Koji Steven Sakai 16:51
yeah, cuz that
Martin Mapoma 16:52
I was just kiding with you and you wer like hey hey hey don’t put it out in the air man.
Koji Steven Sakai 16:58
These’s Lakers are mean That’s how important it is. That’s why one like one of the one of the changes in sports with our kids, is that more and more kids are kind of there. They’re more fans of players than teams. And it makes sense because the player in empowermant, so like, for example, people are kids are fans of LeBron. Not necessarily a Cleveland Cavaliers orMiami heat, or now the Los Angeles Lakers. And to me that’s weird. Like I love LeBron, the moment on the Lakers and the moments he’s off the Lakers. I don’t like him anymore. And so like so one of the things I teach I try to try to make sure my son is is that he’s a Laker fan first. And a Dodger fan first and everything out and USC fan. Sorry, Marcia, but that were those fans and then he could do whatever else he wants. I don’t care but
Martin Mapoma 17:43
USC has like a MAGA hat to me.
Koji Steven Sakai 17:45
No.
Martin Mapoma 17:46
I’m just kidding
Koji Steven Sakai 17:47
crazy.
Martin Mapoma 17:47
Hey, I am completely kidding. When I told you man, it’s like when I first moved here, you know, and I didn’t know anything about USC but you know, the USC stuff on and they always seem so toolish to me. Listen to music.
Koji Steven Sakai 18:00
I’m going to wear my USC hat next time
Martin Mapoma 18:02
No, but you know, but I mean, there’s a lot of people that aren’t like that, but it was it for the most part I was like and I remember asking my friends what’s up with all this USC? These people that went to USC either your so like,
Koji Steven Sakai 18:12
Athough I found most people were USC gear didn’t actually go to the school.
Martin Mapoma 18:15
That I’ve seen. I mean that’s that’s we can see it. I’ve seen it before.
Koji Steven Sakai 18:19
When I go to games. I’m like, when did you graduate? Oh, I didn’t go here. I’m like, why the fuck are you here then?
Martin Mapoma 18:26
I’ve run into those people before man
Koji Steven Sakai 18:28
Like, I mean, that happens like Alabama too, right though? I mean, that’s the only thing
Martin Mapoma 18:32
Yeah, but I mean, yeah, you don’t have to Alabama. But yeah, football, let’s say that’s their protein.
Koji Steven Sakai 18:38
Yeah, that’s how I mean
Martin Mapoma 18:39
yeah, it’s it. Yeah, it’s Kentucky.
Koji Steven Sakai 18:42
Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 18:43
so most people didn’t go to Kentucky for school but Kentucky is the basketball team of that state. You know, Kentucky a Louville the two big schools but Kentucky is still the monster. Louville is the redheaded stepchild every once in a while gets you know it’s day in the in the spotlight. Yeah, but there’s lots pitino man here. Rick Pitino the fall from grace, He and I were in the same fraternity so and he was such a jerk when he was a Kentucky
Koji Steven Sakai 19:06
college college sport I mean well the one of the reasons another reason I don’t like college sports is I think it’s bullshit that they don’t get paid
Martin Mapoma 19:11
They’re going start getting paid
Koji Steven Sakai 19:12
no they’re still not getting paid they’re only right now it’s only they’re allowed endorsement deals
Martin Mapoma 19:17
But California
Koji Steven Sakai 19:18
They are able to get endorsements now
Martin Mapoma 19:22
which is only fair man,
Koji Steven Sakai 19:22
but I think they should get paid. I think it’s bs
Martin Mapoma 19:24
espeically football do those guys give them lives that score for four years
Koji Steven Sakai 19:27
but also they like they’re they’re practicing like 40 hours a week and they’re student athletes. That’s bullshit Come on. Yeah, they’re athletes first students third
Martin Mapoma 19:36
and I hate the hypocrisy of that people will sit me here and go No no no no there for education like are you kidding me.
Koji Steven Sakai 19:43
if you’re if you’re we’re if you’re practicing 40 hours a week it’s it’s a job
Martin Mapoma 19:48
but people say that with a straight face there for school like I should smack you dude being so stupid
Koji Steven Sakai 19:52
and I would be open to doing things like you we hold your salary till you graduate. So maybe like you know like you get you get your you get your You get your scholarship you get all your money, you know, you get like all your stuff paid for
Martin Mapoma 20:04
but it’s like that even that man it’s like, they give so much to the school.
Koji Steven Sakai 20:09
Ibut at the end you get your money. You like walk out with like, a lump sum of money.
Martin Mapoma 20:14
That could be like, that could be tricky, because hold us up a ransom and you know, I don’t know.
Koji Steven Sakai 20:19
Well, I mean, whatever number of years Yeah, what doesn’t
Martin Mapoma 20:21
I think more so especially with football because football man
Koji Steven Sakai 20:23
Well, I think basketball I think basketball I think football I think I mean, especially like the new rule because I think it’s crazy that you could you could play for, you know, like a school and they could use your likeness and they could use your number
Martin Mapoma 20:35
and make millions.
Koji Steven Sakai 20:37
Billions of dollars off of You
Martin Mapoma 20:42
You know,
Koji Steven Sakai 20:42
with some communications defree.
Martin Mapoma 20:44
They’re getting paid to go to school. You’re paying what $40,000 for that kid to go to school for four years. Give me a break.
Koji Steven Sakai 20:49
Yeah. I think it’s closer to like 200,000 but
Martin Mapoma 20:54
$200,000 that doesn’t even put a dent in there in the athletic programs you know,
Koji Steven Sakai 20:57
the only the only issue and which I reconigze So that you know, there’s a big difference between football basketball and like, volleyball beach ball.You know, like golf, or, something
Martin Mapoma 21:09
you know, I don’t generate the money.
Koji Steven Sakai 21:10
Yeah, so but I think there’s ways to figure it out. I mean, I just I think it’d be so that people don’t get paid anyway so before we get too far afield What is your worst or what is your best moment in sports?
Martin Mapoma 21:20
Man my best one in sports scoring a basket and basketball. I know but rarely happen. No. Geez my best moment in sports. I mean, you know I live in Chicago when Michael Jordan came back with the Bulls and you know being there for that was like four years or three years they won championships in a row
Koji Steven Sakai 21:42
three peat.
Martin Mapoma 21:43
Yeah three peat was pretty cool cuz I was still I was acting and I. So my best moment was that because the year they won, I booked a big Nike commercial with Michael.
Koji Steven Sakai 21:54
with Michael
Martin Mapoma 21:55
Yeah, with Michael there was a bunch of other people there to but but I’ll never forget You know, we’re on the set and I’m looking black as on the people on there and so he saw me as a Hey, how’s it going? I was like, holy shit, this guy’s You know, I’m doing good. How are you? Oh, good, good. And so, you know, we did the commercial and it came out it was on TV. It was in the Nike store for a long time was pretty awesome. And then I did another commercial, and he was there. And I’ll never forget, he kind of he looked at me goes Hey, dude, what are you doing? I’m booked again Oh cool.
Koji Steven Sakai 22:34
That’s was Martin’s phone by the way
Martin Mapoma 22:37
Please please make sure he’s doing schoolwork, this kid’s so sick he’s like the last I want to do is use my brain. But um, so then, you know, and he talked to me for a little bit. And then I forget because on the set we’re like told don’t talk to don’t talk to Jordan. When he comes in don’t like go up to him. Try ask for an autograph. I would never do that. I never did get an autograph from him on one of his menu’s for his restaurant which is Really cool but you know seeing him there and and after as people were looking at me like who are you and I’m like dude I’m just an actor relax like well how do you know Michael? I don’t know him he’s recognized from recognized me from another shoot that we did but it was so funny because all of a sudden I was like this this like you know what I’m like you know I was like an it guy just for having said hi to Michael Michael me like Hey, what’s going on? What are you doing here? What are you what are you doing? What are you doing? Like I’m just a guy doing no commercial. So I guess if that’s my best moments in sports. That’s really depressing.
Koji Steven Sakai 23:35
Yeah, that is really asking. Hey, can you do a Michael Jordan voice?
Martin Mapoma 23:37
No, I can’t I cdo a Michael Jordan voice. Are my voices that different? I gotta hear it
Koji Steven Sakai 23:45
They’re all the same voice.
Martin Mapoma 23:46
You know, it’s it’s, you know, Oh, I know a good moment. So I’m a big if you guys don’t know I’m a big Spartan Racer. I love running Spartan races. And I’ve done one in a year because I got hurt, always getting injured. But um The first Spartan Race that I ever did was my buddy JT signed up for a beast in Temecula. And it was 13 miles
Koji Steven Sakai 24:09
run or
Martin Mapoma 24:10
Run hills everything obstacles. And at mile number two i cramped up and I cramped up so bad I could barely move mile number two. And I forgot my wife had come out to see me do as Grayson was there and you know, my buddy Jeff, who does them, you know, his family was there, and all the other guys who sign up to do it with and I said guys, you gonna stop him like there’s no way I’m stopping this race. You guys go on, so my buddy JT stay with me. So through the whole race, I would run do an obstacle cramp up, run do an obstacle then cramp up and it was hot as hell. But I didn’t give up. I said I’m going to do this. I’m going to push, push, push, push, I did everything I could possibly do. Got to the very end. And I mean I literally taking like five steps and I would stop and cramp up, and I managed to do it, I hopped over the fire. And I got to the finish line. And behind me they put the metal around my around my neck and I was like, that was hardest thing that I’ve ever done and getting them metal felt so good. It felt like a real sense of accomplishment, because they’re people that there are people that dropped out of the race, and I didn’t come to find out that we are stopping and stopping and you know, and not moving our guys who only finished like 45 minutes ahead of us, which was really surprising. You know, and so that was definitely one of my best moments because it it it fueled me to go on and do other races. But you know, overcoming that because I could have stopped and I could have stopped and said no the guys I work with was like never forget it you know this you know guy anyway. He’s like, Yeah, one thing I saw Martin he does not give up. If you give him a challenge. It’ll hurt him but he’ll just do it. And it felt really cool to have done it because it was really tough. You know, and and because out there people just giving up just walking off the course. And I said there’s no way I’m trying All the way out here and do this race and not get that I wanted that metal you know, and that was it that was big and then did a tough mudder and I you know, I sprain my my hip flexors and running up the second wall and snapped, and I fell. And I messed my foot up real bad. But I was I could barely move and the guy’s like, do we get the cart and take you off the course? I was like, no finishing these things. I want that metal. So long story short, I got done with the raise. Like I did it. I walked through the obstacles. They gave me a headband. What the fuck is this thing all all that I get a headband no metal as I felt jipped
Koji Steven Sakai 24:15
that the first story was way better than your Michael Jordan story. No offense.
Martin Mapoma 25:28
Which one?
Koji Steven Sakai 25:41
The one? No, no, I like that. I like the one about getting the metal that was a really great story. Right. That’s a really great story.
Martin Mapoma 26:51
Yeah. I feel like I was just rambling Michael. That sort of came up.
Koji Steven Sakai 26:56
You just wanted to talk about how Michael Jordan knows you , How your best friends with Michael Jordan. I am waiting for the Michael Jordan voice.
Martin Mapoma 27:05
I am my not best. I am not best friends with Michael. He doesn’t know who the hell I am. I mean, No, he doesn’t.
Koji Steven Sakai 27:11
He talks he talks about you all the time on his podcast.
Martin Mapoma 27:13
Hey Martin, how are you doing?
Koji Steven Sakai 27:15
There it is Michael Jordan, He’s on our podcast
Martin Mapoma 27:21
thank you for having me. Thank for having me. I thought it was a good game. You know, Scottie played well. Will Purdue played well. I want to thank Koji and Martin for having me on the show
Koji Steven Sakai 27:40
That was terrible.
Martin Mapoma 27:41
Oh, wow. It would south real fast.
Koji Steven Sakai 27:43
Oh, yeah. It was terrible.
Martin Mapoma 27:44
I don’t know. I don’t know Michael Jordan. anybody’s voice. Anyway, so yes, my that’s my best story about me in the Spartan Race.
Koji Steven Sakai 27:50
That’s a great that’s a great story. I think I think sports is really important. I mean, I’ve talked to you a lot about me with my son. I think sports is a great is the great equalizer for boys.
Martin Mapoma 27:58
We talked about this before. We’re gonna talk about it again, you don’t think that sports I think sports is very important with race relations
Koji Steven Sakai 28:04
but I think we are I mean, okay, I don’t agree with that, but
Martin Mapoma 28:07
How can you not?
Koji Steven Sakai 28:09
I do think it plays a factor. But I was gonna say, though that I think like for boys, it’s the, you know, like, kids that play sports don’t get picked on don’t get bullied, you know, because first of all, they’re usually in good shape. But second of all, they’re with other people.
Martin Mapoma 28:23
So it’s their click.
Koji Steven Sakai 28:26
The best player in your team doesn’t want to get your ass kicked every day. Or ask too much right? They’ll step in even if you’re the worst player, you know, so like to me that’s why it was really important to my kid play sports and he plays a ton of sports.
Martin Mapoma 28:39
That’s cool.
Koji Steven Sakai 28:39
Yeah, my screens all off. That’s all I was trying to fix. But I’ll fix it later.
Martin Mapoma 28:45
I was right on there. I think that I think the sport is a big part in race relations. I really do.
Koji Steven Sakai 28:50
Yeah, cuz
Martin Mapoma 28:51
half the people out there would not associate with other people.
Koji Steven Sakai 28:55
Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 28:55
that they that they sit next to they play sports with us. They had that moment. And it’s that’s why it’s always It’s really, really strange for me to you know, I always had this thing where I say Where do racists go on vacation? You know, like, if you’re a white supremacist, where do you go on vacation? Apparently there’s a story in the newspaper about that guy going to Germany and coming back in which took all his weapons
Koji Steven Sakai 29:14
You go to the 10 commandment that Noah’s Ark museum or something.
Martin Mapoma 29:20
Yeah, but so you know, I think I, you know, I think it’s really hard to be an athlete and be prejudiced. It’s just really,
Koji Steven Sakai 29:29
what i what i think though is it really but to me, it reinforces stereotypes. It like it a lot of times, like, sure we like, we like the black athlete when he’s on our team. But we don’t want him living next to us.
Martin Mapoma 29:43
Yeah,
Koji Steven Sakai 29:43
we don’t want him. We don’t want him like taking care of our children. We don’t wait, oh, like, we don’t want her to be around that, like on the sports field. That’s fine. And to me that’s like that. That’s not equality. That’s not equality.
Martin Mapoma 29:54
No No I’m not talking about equality, but it’s Yeah, and I agree. And I don’t want to say I feel it. That’s changing a little bit speaking as a black man.
Koji Steven Sakai 30:01
Yeah. I’m not a black man
Martin Mapoma 30:04
I’ve seen it change a lot. Because, you know, I’ve seen, you know, some people in even when I was going to Kentucky law the the basketball players, you know, I know, I know, you know a couple guys play basketball there one guy really, really well, you gotta pass man, if you’re a black athlete, and if you’re a black athlete, and that’s any athlete, you get a pass away in a lot of ways that you wouldn’t. And so maybe, maybe, you know, sports is not the sort of the great equalizer. But it makes life a lot easier. I think that would be without having that kind of interaction.
Koji Steven Sakai 30:37
Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 30:37
I think it’s really hard to be like, you know, a head coach of a team and be a bigot. I just it’s I’m not saying it doesn’t happen.
Koji Steven Sakai 30:45
Yeah,
Martin Mapoma 30:45
I’m sure it does exist with Jesus. It’s you know,
Koji Steven Sakai 30:48
but but to me, there’s like a in the last election there was like, I read a lot of stories about how, for example, a small town in in Montana, would you know, they wanted they were really afraid of terrorists. Muslim terrorists, even though there’s like a zero percent chance of being attacked by Muslim terrorists, but they might have a Muslim neighbor, and they were okay with that one. Like, but they’re not okay with Muslim people in general. Or you know, it’s us. So like, to me sports is like that. It’s like, Oh, yeah, he’s on our team. So we like him know that but we don’t like black people in general. We don’t like this person in general. And so that like, it’s it’s a weird it’s a weird acceptance
Martin Mapoma 31:26
Spike Lee dealt with that in do the right thing. Remember that? JOHN Turturro a sophomore, he’s like, wait, you don’t black people what about who’s your musician? Michael Jackson. Oh, no, he goes, No. Bruce Springsteen. There’s no it’s not Michael Jackson. No, it’s Michael Jackson’s ummm. Let me explain myself. It’s different. He’s different because well, you know, he’s uh, it was really interesting to see that. And that happens a lot like a lot of racist people over republicans or whatever. You know, that hate black people. You love Colin Powell.
Koji Steven Sakai 31:52
We don’t hate Republicans, by the way.
Martin Mapoma 31:53
No, we don’t we don’t we don’t. I didn’t come out. Right. But you know, a lot of people that you know, wouldn’t vote for you know, a black Politicians love Colin Powell.
Koji Steven Sakai 32:01
Yeah.
Martin Mapoma 32:02
But Colin Powell was their guy. You call Colon Colin powell?
Koji Steven Sakai 32:05
Condelicas Rice. Yeah
Martin Mapoma 32:07
Condi. You know, umm.
Koji Steven Sakai 32:10
LYeah. I mean, it’s one of those things where like, I mean, a lot of a lot of people who are racist they, their front they’re good with the people around them in their lives. But, on a kind of a bigger picture. But and that’s kind of my issue with with saying sports is a great equalizer. I mean, I do think it plays a factor because it is hard to be like, I hate all black people, if you like professional sports,
Martin Mapoma 32:29
and that’s what kills me. They’re like, would you rather have an all white league or you know, they’re like, yeah, like, Really?
Koji Steven Sakai 32:36
But that was like, that was why the Boston Celtics versus the Lakers in the 80s was such a
Martin Mapoma 32:39
Oh, I know.
Koji Steven Sakai 32:40
It’s such a like a interesting thing. It was like a small town Boston versus big down la
Martin Mapoma 32:45
Yeah
Koji Steven Sakai 32:45
African Americans on Showtime Lakers vs. Boston, which was super different
Martin Mapoma 32:50
Blue coller, you know, pull your socks up.
Koji Steven Sakai 32:51
Yeah. And they’re like the Lakers are like fast and fun. And, you know, like it was it was a thing and it was very real. You know, we’re a West Coast. We are liberal and they’re working town, you know, hard working people.
Martin Mapoma 33:05
But my friends on Facebook was like, it’s been 20 years was like, oh, man, you know, California, there’s just walled off and, and let them stick to themselves and I’m like you live in Ohio.
Koji Steven Sakai 33:17
Yeah, by the way, California is the number one
Martin Mapoma 33:20
economy
Koji Steven Sakai 33:21
no no, we give more money to the country than any other state and we we get the least amount back.
Martin Mapoma 33:27
Yeah.
Koji Steven Sakai 33:28
So like all these people that all these people in other states that hate California, whatever, because we give more money than them. We give so much money to the federal government, we get nothing back. That’s the irony of it. I think we’re like 40 don’t quote me on this, but I think we’re like 46 47 in the amount of federal money coming back to us. So even though we have these liberal policies, in reality, we actually don’t get that much because we we make so much money we give them out but anyway, we’re we’re way we’re way way left field right now. That was a sports Thank you so much for listening. This is an interesting conversation about sports, which is something dear and close and dear to my heart
Martin Mapoma 34:07
clearly because I don’t clean the house and I’m watching basketball.
Koji Steven Sakai 34:11
Thank you Michael Jordan for visiting us today
Martin Mapoma 34:13
Anytime, anytime. Just for the record. No, Michael Jordan was not on the show.
Koji Steven Sakai 34:20
Bt Michael Jordan, can you tell everybody to please rate review and subscribe?
Martin Mapoma 34:23
Sure. Sure. Sure. Please rate, it was Martin t.alking now. Okay.
Koji Steven Sakai 34:35
This has fallen off the rails. Please,
Martin Mapoma 34:36
please rate and review the show like us. Don’t like us. Tell a friend. Tell your family tell you barber.
Koji Steven Sakai 34:42
Yes Thank you very much. Have a good day night. Whatever.
Martin Mapoma 34:45
Yeah, exactly. Bye
Koji Steven Sakai 34:46
bye.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
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