The Posecast: David West on NBA career, mentoring young players, more

Two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA All-Star and fellow Xavier All-American David West joins The Posecast. David talks with James Posey about his NBA journey, the intense Xavier-Cincinnati rivalry, his experience mentoring today's players, the Professional Collegiate League and much more. Time-stamps are below!

 

1:25: David tells the story of how he ended up at Xavier University.

 

4:55: James shares his own recruiting experience and how he landed at Xavier. James actually hosted David during his recruiting visit.

 

8:00: David and James discuss the intense Xavier-Cincinnati rivalry and what it was like being part of that.

 

11:50: David was barely recruited in high school, so he never expected to become one of the top players in Xavier's history or make it to the NBA. 

 

17:00: In 2003, David was named the AP's National College Player of the Year. He discusses that honor and what it did for his confidence.

 

20:30: David was drafted No. 18 by the New Orleans Hornets in 2003. He talks about his rookie year and how playing with a ton of veterans really helped him.

 

23:50: Chris Paul and David became a great one-two punch in New Orleans and they had great chemistry. David discusses how they developed that.

 

25:45: David discusses why that Hornets team broke up, with Chris heading to the Los Angeles Clippers and David leaving for the Indiana Pacers.

 

29:05: In 2007-08, the Hornets advanced to the Conference Semifinals and lost to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. James joined the team the following year, but they missed the playoffs.

 

31:20: David talks about joining Pacers in 2011, and providing toughness and veteran leadership.

 

34:50: David discusses his decision to leave the Pacers for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. He opted out of $12 million with Indiana and signed a $1.4 million contract with San Antonio.

 

38:15: The Pacers kept losing to the Miami Heat in the playoffs, which took a toll on David. That's a big reason why he decided to join the Spurs.

 

39:50: David talks about why he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and how Bob Myers and Kevin Durant recruited him.

 

42:25: David talks about how much the AAU landscape has changed in the last 20 years.

 

48:15: David was known for being one of the NBA's toughest players. Where did that come from?

 

51:00: Since retiring, David launched The Professional Collegiate League (which compensates college players). He discusses this and his other post-playing endeavors.

 

1:00:00: David shares his favorite coach, favorite teammate and the most underrated opponent he faced.