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Join hosts Anastarcia Palacious and Renaldo Dorsett as they sit down with the people who shape Baha Mar: the chefs, the artists, the visionaries, and the guests to uncover the moments, the culture, and the quiet details that turn a destination into something unforgettable.
Because the real story of Baha Mar isn't in the brochure. It's in the people who live it!
Renaldo: Welcome to Beyond the Stay, where we take you behind the stories of what makes Baha Mar so much more than a destination. Now, Baha Mar is not a stranger to superstars, but this week we have so many superstars from Team Bahamas basketball. One of them is joining me in studio today, Eric Gordon. Eric, nice to have you on this episode of Beyond the Stay.
E.G.: Appreciate it. Appreciate it.
Renaldo: Now, E.G., you’re a veteran. You’ve been through so many destinations. Basketball has taken you all over the world. What makes Baha Mar different for you when you come here to this property?
E.G.: Well, Baha Mar is a special place. I’ve seen this place built from the ground up. This is the main place that I always come to, and a good beach so close to the airport. I mean, it’s hard to beat when you’re coming to the Bahamas.
Renaldo: And Baha Mar, this is pretty much home for you guys as you’re here preparing for the World Cup qualifiers. How has it helped you in terms of your preparation, in terms of your downtime? What do you get to do?
E.G.: It’s great. You get to do every activity if you wanted. You know, this is a family-oriented place. I mean, has all the bells and whistles, including a casino, if you want to, and of course, a great beach. So, it fits us well. We just love all the different restaurants, also. And it’s close to the gym, so it makes it easy access for us.
Renaldo: And I know this is a business trip, so you got a hectic schedule from meetings to practice, everything, but in your downtime, what have you enjoyed the most on property?
E.G.: You know, anytime you come here, you got to hit the beach, and this is just such a great, amazing place to stay when you’re closer to, so we go to practice, then come back to the hotel, and you know, all of us, like, enjoy the beach. So like, I love the close proximity of it.
Renaldo: You got a favorite restaurant on property that you’ve been to yet?
E.G.: They’re all pretty good in their own unique way. I wouldn’t say there’s a favorite because every time I come here, I always mix and mingle in every—all of the same places majority of the time.
Renaldo: So, let’s talk about your lineage, your Bahamian lineage. Of course, from Indiana, but you made splashes across the basketball world when you became a member of Team Bahamas. Tell people a bit about your background because you are not new to this. You’re not a stranger to the Bahamian environment.
E.G.: Yeah, definitely not. I’ve been coming to the Bahamas every year of my life. I’m here all the time. Like, I’ve seen, like I said, I’ve seen how this great this place has grown as far as Baha Mar. And my mom grew up five minutes from here, and I mean this is for sure a second home. I mean, I drive all around Nassau. There’s not one place I don’t know, and I know how to get everywhere. So, like I said, the second home. I enjoy it here, and this will be a forever home for me.
Renaldo: I remember doing an interview with you, I think it was about 2016 or so, it was a long time ago, at the Jeff Rodgers Basketball Camp, and I think that was the first time we asked, you know, what do you think about playing for Team Bahamas, and even then, you made it known that this was something that you want to do. What made that decision so easy for you to say, you know, I want to be a part of this program?
E.G.: Well, I’ve always wanted to be a part of the FIBA rules kind of change because, you know, I’ve always had a Bahamian passport, so for them to change that rule, it gave me a real opportunity to represent the Bahamas and try to accomplish something that they’ve never had, and that’s try to make it to the Olympics. But we have a good team now. We’re one of the best teams in the world, so we just got to keep that reputation.
Renaldo: What was it like for you the first time you put on that jersey?
E.G.: I loved it. I always tell people this is one of my favorite teams because this is like a brotherhood. This is not like business. You know, when I played on the USA team, you know, it was more like a business, but it was fun. But here is more like a brotherhood. Like, I’ve known a lot of these guys since we were—since I was a kid. And to see them grow and play professional in different countries, I mean, it’s just a great [side 00:03:42] to be around.
Renaldo: You’ve been through many different aspects of your career. You had times where you were the young guy on the team, and now you’re the vet, pretty much leading these guys. I think for a lot of Bahamas basketball, it changed when you became a part of this program because you brought a level of veteran leadership. What’s it like now, just getting these guys to understand how to play winning basketball?
E.G.: You got to have the mentality of winning, doing what’s best for one another, but you also got to stabilize this program. Like every window, every time you come to Bahamas, you got to hit the gym. Like, there’s so many young kids out here that are, you know, hungry and will and willing to, you know, see if they have a shot at playing, and the only way they do is for NBA—Bahamian NBA players to come back, be around, always support the team, always come back and, you know, do whatever it takes to help these young guys and keep the program strong.
Renaldo: And this is—playing at home, I know you had an opportunity to play with the team when you guys were in Spain chasing the Olympics, but now you get to play at home in front of this home crowd. What do you anticipate that experience is going to be like?
E.G.: It should be a great experience. You know, we’re here to win. I know the fans—Bahamians always love their team, so it’s… they definitely want to see us win. And the teams that we’re going against, you know, they’re nearby, so of course, they’re going to—it’s going to be a great experience, and I think we’re all going to love it.
Renaldo: I know you’re one of the most low-key NBA players I think I’ve ever been across. You could blend into a crowd anywhere, so that’s pretty much what you were like before. After those games against Argentina, when you hit some of the biggest shots in Bahamian basketball history, has it changed for you whenever you come back home?
E.G.: They show the love even more, but they’ve always showed love, you know, even when I was playing here as a little kid. So, of course, it grew more as, you know, we put everyth—you know, put everybody on notice that, you know, we have arrived and we’re looking forward to being one of the best teams in the world.
Renaldo: This particular—like you mentioned, every window is important, every window matters. I want to talk about the young guys on the team because we won’t have you NBA guys available every time we play, so how important is it to keep those guys connected and keep them engaged in the program?
E.G.: I mean, it’s very important because seeding matters. You know, we didn’t come here—you know, me and a lot of other guys—we didn’t come here just to lose and, you know, kind of, bow down to other teams. We want to have a winning culture because the athleticism of these kids, it’s here, you know? We just got to be able to show people that, you know, give these young guys a chance to do something special at a younger age, and then as they grow to be on a Bahamian team, it’s stabilized. So, it means a lot for these young guys that we have on the team now to come around, stick around, and be a part of this brotherhood where we got to continue playing.
Renaldo: This is a brotherhood, and Bahamas basketball has been sort of a family business for you guys. I think it, you know, most people don’t know, you’ve had brothers that have played on the team, coaching in the program. Tell me about the family ties that you guys have had with this program.
E.G.: Yeah, my younger brother Evan, he’s coached one of the teams, one of the windows here, and my younger, my youngest brother Aaron, he played in one of the windows a couple years ago. And like I said, it’s a family affair, and we want to do what’s best for the country, and what it takes is everybody to play, try to win, keep it stable for the future.
Renaldo: In the Olympic qualifying tournaments, I think that was your first time having a chance to play with V.J. Edgecombe, and then you guys were together with the Sixers. Tell me about what that bond was like, being able to go from the national team to actually play in the pros together.
E.G.: It was great being around V.J. down in Spain, and then with for Sixers. So, to see him grow, he’s very mature for his age, and to see him grow into the guy that he is and the player that he is, and is going to be, I mean, it’s a great experience to see because dude’s going to be spectacular.
Renaldo: You have a favorite moment since you’ve been a part of the program, one that sticks out?
E.G.: Man, I mean, there’s so many, but when he dunked again, dunked on somebody—
Renaldo: Oh, it was Lučić.
E.G.: Yeah, when he dunked on him, I was like, man, this dude’s only 17, 18 years old, and he’s doing all this? I just, kind of, knew he was a little different. But when he got to the Sixers, I got to know him even a lot, a lot more because I was spending time with him every day, and that let me know his mature level, that he gets it. He has that fire, that spark, and to where he wants to be the best player out there, and he’s going to have that chance.
Renaldo: Is there a younger guy on this team that maybe the basketball world doesn’t know, the general public doesn’t know, that they can expect something from them in the future, like, maybe a, you know, watch out for this guy in the future kind of thing?
E.G.: You know what, there’s a few of those guys. The good thing, we have a good mix of older and younger, but there’s a lot of them. You know, Albury is really good. You got [Notto 00:08:28] that’s really good. [Garvin 00:08:29]. I mean, you have a lot of young guys that are good. I mean, you got Big Frederick that when he’s healthy, he can come around. Like, we got a lot of good size and a lot of good young guys that where things could come around.
Renaldo: And being a part of this, I know international basketball itself is something that has become such a bigger deal now. I know when you made that transition to Team Bahamas, there was, you know, people had a lot to say about it, but what does it mean for NBA players to actually play international basketball?
E.G.: No, it means a lot. Like, it’s good basketball. It’s different than NBA. This game is more physical. It’s fun, and like I said, it was a no-brainer for me to play for the Bahamas. It was a no-brainer. People could be mad all they want because we’re winning and we’re dictating how we, kind of, do things, so I’m fine with it, and no, it’s been fun.
Renaldo: Let’s talk about this current group of guys. Funniest person on the team?
E.G.: That’s a tough one because Buddy’s funny. I think Kino’s—Notto’s funny, too.
Renaldo: It’s a lot to choose from.
E.G.: It is. It is. That’s the best part of our team. We got a lot of comedians out here on our team. So.
Renaldo: That’s the t—[laugh] that might be the toughest question.
E.G.: That is. That is.
Renaldo: All right. So, who is either the best dressed on the team, or who thinks they’re the best dressed on the team?
E.G.: Well, of course, Buddy thinks he’s the best dresser on the team. Yeah, I think he thinks he is.
Renaldo: Who’s likely to pick up the check?
E.G.: Me or Buddy.
Renaldo: Yeah, that’s expected. The best, right?
E.G.: Yeah, yeah, right, right.
Renaldo: The best, right? So, who do you think is actually enjoying their downtime the most on property?
E.G.: I’m going to say Kino. You know, me and him are the oldest guys on the team, so I’m going to roll with Kino.
Renaldo: All right, let’s take it there because the vets on the team need the rest and recovery. What does the perfect rest and recovery day at Baha Mar look like?
E.G.: Man, I’m telling you, like, [unintelligible 00:10:20], you know, as soon as we landed, soon as we got on the airplane and got to the hotel, the first thing we did was go to the beach. Like, literally go to the beach, walk on the sand, and we’re going to do that again after today’s practice. So, you know, as soon as we get to hotel, get ready and chill, just be in that water for a long time. People forget how great the ocean water is for your body.
Renaldo: Yeah, it’s natural. I’m also going to suggest the spa because the spa here is amazing. Done that a couple times, so if you haven’t yet, maybe check that out in between game days. So, we got two days. You got the Bahamian crowd is going to be out. This experience of international basketball, how do you feel it differs from the NBA?
E.G.: Like I said, it’s a completely different game. You know, the minutes are different. The physicality is different. Like I said, we just got to become ready to play, and we just don’t want to be distracted because, you know, being at home, it could be a distraction sometimes. But at the end of the day, we got to play prideful.
Renaldo: Where do you see Bahamas basketball five, maybe ten years from now, once you and some of the other guys aren’t on the court anymore, but where do you see it going from here?
E.G.: No, I think it should be good. I think this is—our best window is now. I think our best window is right now. We had a good start the last four years, and these next four years could be our best window. You know, everything is going to go up and down. It’s always tough for, especially, even a, you know, small country like the Bahamas that have to be great every single window, most countries are not great like that, so Bahama is going to have their chance to go through this window and see how we can maximize, and then we’ll figure it out. But we do have a lot of good young guys.
Renaldo: And we have a lot of young players. We have the big names that are on the court, like yourself, like Buddy, you know, V.J., but I think what most people should recognize is that the Bahamas has so many great young coaches. Talk about the fact that we have these D1 coaches leading the program now.
E.G.: Yeah because all those guys have played in various good high-level D1 experiences, good colleges, and now you got guys that are assistant head coaches, like, everybody on our staff is a head coach at a—I mean a coach at a D1 assistant coach, saying it’s a good experience and they’ve been around for a while and they’re all still young and they’ve started at a young age, so it’s a great experience. We all listen to those guys and they give—I mean they work out well with us.
Renaldo: What’s it like being coached by someone younger? I mean, for the NB—the NBA guys had to have the buy-in first, I think, for them to get that certain level of respect. You know, because you started with Chris DeMarco, Bahamas basketball had an NBA-level assistant coach. Now, you got Mikhail. What’s it like being coached by younger guys?
E.G.: No, it’s good. The energy’s there. And I’ve known Mikhail for a long time, like, long, long time, and I knew he was going to have—he’s definitely got the demeanor and attitude to be a head coach, and he’s going to get his shot. And it’s good that he’s having it here in the Bahamas, so it’s very meaningful and prideful for him. And no, like I said, like, when he was a coach, I was happy about it, and, like, I’m always expected to play, and like, we work out well with him, very well.
Renaldo: Mikhail’s been a coach since he was a player, I feel like [laugh]. I feel like most people knew that that was coming, right? He just has that—like you said, he has that demeanor. He’s that kind of guy. And then you’ve got Tum Tum on the staff, all of these guys that they’re making great strides in basketball. So, let’s get back to being here. Let’s get back to being at Baha Mar. Is there anything that you’ve seen or that you’ve heard of that you haven’t had a chance to do yet, but maybe you want to try after the second game is done?
E.G.: I’ve done just about everything here. You know, I got two boys, and just for them to have—I know it’s not on this side, but it’s on the other side of the hotel where they have the little kids area, little playground area. I know it’s hot, it gets hot out here, but I think I want them to make use of that instead of just always the slides. Because I really do feel like the experience here at the hotel is just, it’s great.
Renaldo: What’s been their favorite part of the experience?
E.G.: The water slides, man. I mean, you can’t beat that. That water park is very nice. It has, like, a modern look, all white feel, and it’s… like I said, Baha Mar always gives a great experience.
Renaldo: So, they just have you in Baja Bay the whole time? It’s practice and then—
E.G.: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. I just got to watch them run around, you know? That’s all I need to do, and they always enjoy the slides because they know you can’t get that anywhere. And whenever you got to go on the slides in the pool and then to the beach, I mean, it’s easier for me.
Renaldo: I know people always want to talk about your Bahamas experience, but what’s something that you would want Bahamian people to know about Indiana? Are there any similarities between the people? Anything that you would like for them to know?
E.G.: Well, I would tell all the Indiana people you have to experience this place. And people in Indiana know about the Bahamas, and they actually do come down. And no, Bahamas is a special place, and especially this hotel when you’re only not even a full ten minutes from the airport and great beach, great hotel, casino. I mean, there’s they’re not really missing any experience that you’re looking forward to.
Renaldo: How beneficial is it to be in a place like this? Because, like I said, basketball is taking you all over the world. You’re in a place where you get to experience all these amenities. You’re close to the gym. How does it help for game day preparation?
E.G.: Oh, it’s very easy because almost—nowhere is, you know, doesn’t take more than 15 minutes, so we can easily jet to the gym, come back, rest, you know, get ready for the game. Like, it’s very easy. You know, like, in NBA season, everything takes, like, you know, 20, 30, 40, 50 minutes to get to wherever you need to go. Here, I mean, it is not like that. And then you’re coming to a more beautiful place. So, I mean, there’s really no excuses.
Renaldo: Favorite Bahamian dish you got to have, before you leave?
E.G.: I grew up a big fritter guy, so I mean, it’s… there’s no way I’m coming here without having some fritters. I know everybody loves fritters, but fritters might be my number one thing. And hog snapper. I’m a hog snapper guy. Like, I’m a big hog snapper.
Renaldo: All right. E.G., thank you so much for joining us. We got to get you your favorite meals, and we got to make sure you get to experience more [laugh] than Baja Bay. Let the guys give you some free time.
E.G.: All good.
Renaldo: All right.
Renaldo: Welcome back to Beyond the Stay, live here at Baha Mar. We continue our conversation with superstars of Team Bahamas as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Here in studio, we got Bimini’s very own V.J. Edgecombe, and Leano Rolle. Gents, thanks for joining me on the pod.
Leano: Yes, sir.
V.J.: Thanks for having us.
Renaldo: All right, so I know it’s a business trip here for Team Bahamas. We’re here to handle some business against Jamaica and against Puerto Rico, but this is a great place to prepare on this great resort, so let’s start with you V.J. Tell me what it’s been like in your downtime away from practice, away from film, when you get to just kick back and relax.
V.J.: I mean, I can be honest. I just be chilling. I mean, we home, so say we get to either go to the beach, sit in the water, go to the pool, I mean, interact with locals, like, you know, when they walking through the casino or something, just walking past. So yeah, man, it’s been good. I just get to relax. You know, go to the spa, gym. So yeah.
Renaldo: What you getting done at the spa?
V.J.: We had a massage. I been in the steam room yesterday for the first time. [unintelligible 00:18:07]
Renaldo: [laugh] Why?
V.J.: Too, too hot, bro. I ain’t going to lie to you. Too hot.
Renaldo: [laugh]. All right, Leano, tell me what your day looks like when you just kicking by, you just relaxing.
Leano: Probably come from the gym and get some work done, body-wise, massage, go to the beach, put my toes in the sand, walk around, feel up the hotel, walk through the hotel, and chill. That’s it.
Renaldo: And being here at Baja Mar, tell me what that’s like, or how does it help with the prep? Because, you know, the gym’s no more than 15 minutes away, you staying at this great resort. How is that different from the normal preparation that you would have anywhere else?
V.J.: To be honest, you said everything’s close. Everything close, and it’s a good vibe around there. You know, you’re waking up to the sun, like that’s a plus, and you got to wake up to the sun, you know, shining through your window. But like I said, everything close. You know, you got taxis and stuff ready to, you know, drive you wherever you got to go. You know, you don’t got to wait too long. It’s a lot of people. You got good food, so you straight.
Renaldo: Leano, what’s been your favorite part of being here at Bahama, whether it’s something on property, whether it’s a restaurant, what’s been your favorite part?
Leano: It’s quiet. You get rest. You don’t have to worry about no noise complaint.
Renaldo: Give me your favorite restaurant. I know you’ve been to a lot of different places.
Leano: Marcus restaurant.
Renaldo: What’d you like about Marcus?
Leano: The food, the…
V.J.: The chicken. The chicken. Yeah. Marcus, they chickens [unintelligible 00:19:41], and so yeah.
Leano: They got good hospitality in there, too. That’s what I’m trying to say. Good people to do.
Renaldo: What else we been getting to outside of the restaurants?
V.J.: We’ve been to the beach for the first day. First day we’ve been up, we been to the beach. Just chilling, to be honest, man. Sit down in the water, you know, as you can and like—
Renaldo: Baha Bay? We ain’t hitting the slides? We ain’t do none of that stuff?
V.J.: Not yet, not yet. We’ve been there before, nah. Don’t get us wrong. We’ve been there before, but we ain’t been there yet. Probably after all this.
Renaldo: So, that was going to be my next question. After game time, after we get done with Jamaica, done with Puerto Rico, and you got some time to chill. What’s first on the list?
V.J.: I supposed to take my family to swim with the pigs. Yeah, I got little sisters and them, so they ain’t never see that. I ain’t never been either, but we probably could do that. He most likely could be with us. So yeah, all of us probably just could go over there and chill, probably go see go to dolphin encounters or something like that. I don’t know. Something like that.
Leano: And have some [junk 00:20:42] on the team.
Renaldo: Oh, you about to get a lot of that. About to get a lot of that.
V.J.: Some junk in it for sure.
Renaldo: Okay. All right, so let’s talk about this team. And this has to be a special moment for you two. I mean, this is a big year for you, Leano. You go from JUCO heading now to D1, and in the same year, you join the national team for the first time, playing alongside your cousin. What’s this year been like for you?
Leano: This year being crazy. Prayed about it. Shout out to him. He helped me with everything. So, process was a nice process, the waiting process. Feel like it take a minute, but… timing is everything.
Renaldo: And what was it like for you when y’all got to training camp in Miami, you really put that practice jersey on for the first time. Did you have that moment, like, I’m with Team Bahamas?
Leano: Training camp was great. [unintelligible 00:21:30] texted me. He was like, I got to come down there and do my thing if I want to make the team. So like, that was all on my mind during the training camp. So, I had to put in a little more focus to make sure this day come true for me.
Renaldo: And V.J., I know you’ve been doing your thing, but you had to be keeping an eye out just on what Leano was doing, right?
V.J.: [laugh]. Yeah, I ain’t going to—yeah, um… it’s just we grew up together, so you know, it’s hard not to look up, but like, overall, I just making sure he good, you know? I knew I was already on the team.
Renaldo: You was sure?
V.J.: Yeah.
Leano: [laugh].
V.J.: I can be honest, I was sure [laugh]. I was sure. But no, but on the other side, like, he um… it was like you said, I was, kind of like, just trying to keep an eye out to see what he’s doing, how he looking, where he would be able to help the team.
And I know… I said, but I had faith in him the whole time, you know? I tell him—we keep it real with each other, you know? We ain’t no yes man or nothing, so I tell him what it is, like, what you have to do probably, most likely what you would have to do because I was once in his shoes when I had to come in, you know? First year, don’t know it, don’t know nobody, except boy, [unintelligible 00:22:45] nobody at the time. So, it was—but overall, I’m happy for him.
Renaldo: What’s it been like for you just watching his year? I mean, he had the viral videos where everyone was like, “V.J. Edgecombe’s cousin, he’s got bounced.” What’s it been like for you seeing that and then watching him go through the process, making this decision.
V.J.: See, for me, I say, what he do don’t surprise me. It don’t surprise me at all. You know, I don’t like the headlines that say, “VJ. Edgecombe’s cousin.”
Renaldo: [laugh]. Yeah, yeah.
Leano: [laugh].
V.J.: He making his own name for himself. You know, I want everyone to say everything to say Leano Rolle, Leano Rolle instead of saying V.J. Edgecombe. I don’t want my name attached to, you know, his and, like, just—you know, I know people do it for the clicks, you know, but like I said, he making his own name, he got his own game.
We, kind of, play similar in a way but like I said, I just so happy, I just be happy for him, so knowing all everything, you know, he go through we all go through, you know, growing up be from the same place. So, like I say, we damn near see each other every day, type of thing. So, like I say, I just happy for him.
Renaldo: Well, y’all ain’t going to be able to get away from the comparisons because I say all the time, y’all, kind of, like our version of TMac and Vince Carter, cousins who play the same kind of game, play the same kind of way, so that’s what it’ll always be like for us. But for you, Leano, watching V.J.’s rookie season and seeing that rise to stardom, I know you were there on draft night, so you’ve been a part of the process the whole time. What was this year like for you, just watching from the outside, looking in?
Leano: It was great. From summertime, yeah, [unintelligible 00:24:18] working out in LA, seeing the work he got to put in to get the way he is today was terrific, like, hard working. And watching the first game was crazy. Cause I was at my [juke 00:24:31], and we had, like, a movie night, so we outside watching movie. I got to, I can’t even watch the game. I looking at the box score. So, every time I refreshing the page, points keep going up, and I was like, “Nah, he going for 50 tonight.” [laugh].
Renaldo: It didn’t feel real, right?
Leano: It felt real. It’s just crazy, like, to do it first night.
Renaldo: All right, let’s talk about this particular group of guys. I know V.J., you had your first opportunity last year. You kind of jumped right into it. You missed an opportunity with the junior national team because of Covid and all that stuff, but you jumped right into it with the seniors. Tell me about that experience in Spain, where you, as a young, not even in college yet, jumped right into it with NBA guys. What was that experience like for you?
V.J.: To be honest, it was great because, like I said, it was fresh out of high school, and I ain’t play a college game yet, I ain’t—I mean, I was at Baylor, but I was really just moving in, so I ain’t really get to compete against, you know, grown men at the time, so thrown right in the fire. But that’s something I look forward to, you know? It’s just another challenge, you know?
Got to be able to overcome that obstacle, like, being able—you know, I was a little nervous the first time, but I mean, at the end of the day, I ain’t trying not to overtake it. It’s basketball, you know? This is basketball at the end of the day, you know? I felt like I was prepared. I felt like I was prepared. And then I had a bunch of great group of guys around me.
So having, you know, all the pros around me, me and Donny being the only two high schoolers, you know, it was like, it was a dream come true, though. Like you say. I missed national team. I always wanted to represent the [Bombers 00:26:05], and I missed junior nationals because of Covid and all stuff like that. But everything happens for a reason, and I feel like it was all perfect timing.
Renaldo: I asked E.G. what was the moment where he realized, okay, you got it. I want to see if you have the same moment, right? It was at the pre-qualifiers in Spain. What was your, ‘okay, I’m here moment. I arrived. I can play with these guys.’
V.J.: First game.
Renaldo: First game, right away?
V.J.: First game. Yeah, I think I was leading scorer off the bench. I would say probably that dunk.
Renaldo: On Lučić?
V.J.: On Lučić.
Renaldo: It’s the same one [laugh].
V.J.: Probably that dunk on Lučić. I was doing—I was against Montenegro in Greece, yeah. I would say that same game, I was like, “Yeah.” And then even when we get to Spain, when we play Finland, I was like, okay. It’s, kind of, I’m more comfortable now. So yeah.
Renaldo: He set the bar kind of high with his first national team appearance. What do you expect your role to be on this squad as the young guy for the first time, playing?
Leano: Whatever coach need me to go there and do. Just to go there and play defense, knock down wide open shots, whatever it takes for me to be a part of this team, I’m down to do it.
Renaldo: All right. V.J., tell me how different your experience is. Because this isn’t your first time staying at Baha Mar, even while you’re playing. Baylor was here for Baha Mar hoops.
V.J.: Yeah.
Renaldo: Tell me the difference in the reception you got there when you were a college student, and now, being in the NBA.
V.J.: I think I was on the rest. I think I was on ground. I had rest. You know, the TV [unintelligible 00:27:36]. But ain’t much people that know me for real. Like, if you—some might know me, but now everyone, you know, everyone know me now. I mean obviously because, you know, I’m in the NBA and stuff like that. But I would say just the interactions was different. That was the biggest perception of it, you know, that all interactions are different now, you know?
Everyone, you know, let me get a picture, or how you doing? Just trying to have a conversation. Then it was, you know, “Good afternoon,” you know, when you’re just walking by someone, you know? Or entering the room, “Good afternoon,” then you just go or keep going about your day. So yeah.
Renaldo: All right, let’s talk about this particular group of guys, so I want to ask y’all some quick questions. Whatever comes to mind, give me the first name that you think of. I start with you, Leano. Funniest person on the team.
Leano: [gestures to V.J.]
Renaldo: Really?
Leano: Yes, sir.
Renaldo: All right V.J., give me yours.
V.J.: Him and Domnick Bridgewater.
Leano: [laugh].
Renaldo: Everybody’s always say Notto. He’s always the answer to everyone’s question. E.G. said that.
V.J.: Him and Notto, bro.
Renaldo: Now, you got to tell me why.
V.J.: Bro… he’s so blunt. Like, he blunt, and he say stuff with a straight face. Bro, and he just always got something funny to say, bro [laugh]. All the time [laugh].
Renaldo: So, who is the best dressed on the team, or who thinks they the best dressed on the team?
V.J.: Best dressed?
Renaldo: Yeah. Who’s—
Leano: I ain’t really seen nobody dressed.
V.J.: I see them, but I know I don’t dress. He don’t really dress. I would say someone that tries is Buddy. He tried to dress. I mean, he ain’t too bad.
Renaldo: I like how y’all have the same answers that E.G. had, so they got to be true. Everyone got the same answers. All right. Who do we think is enjoying their downtime the most here at Bahama?
V.J.: Notto [laugh].
Renaldo: I got to get him in here next.
V.J.: Notto.
Leano: Uh…
V.J.: I think Notto enjoy this time the most.
Renaldo: All right. Who do y’all think is the hardest worker?
Leano: I got him.
V.J.: It’s my dog right there. My dog—him right there. Yeah.
Renaldo: Good answers. Good diplomatic answers. Bimini always staying together. I respect it. I respect it. So, in terms of, like, this group of guys. V.J., like you said, last year was your first time. Tell me the difference this time around. I know you’ve had to probably accept more of a leadership role just because of your status. What’s different this time?
V.J.: Like, what you said, the leadership role. You know, it’s my first time playing home for the national team, so it’s a different experience. I don’t know what to really expect, but on the floor, like I said, just be more of a leader. I just think being a leader is the most important thing. Just trying to do my best to be vocal, you know? Just try to, you know, help everyone stay calm in the moment.
Renaldo: And Leano, for you, this is pretty much—I feel like this is your introduction to the Bahamian public. Like, they are about to get to know you for the first time. How do you think you can make that first impression?
Leano: Just being myself. Go [unintelligible 00:30:36], do what I got to do. Like, me walking through as a couple people stop me and be like, “Yo, you Leano?” Say be like, “Yeah, that’s me,” “You V.J.’s cousin?” That’s how they address me every time, bro. So… just go there and be myself.
Renaldo: So, it’s about doing that thing on the court, like V.J. was saying, to break out of that shell of just attaching you to him, just making a name for yourself? All right, I mean that’s what we’re about to do, and that’s what we expect. How has the leadership from the older guys on this team really helped you to blend in? Because yeah, you got V.J. but you also got an 18-year vet in E.G. you got guys like Buddy. You got Kino, who’s been playing with the national team for 20 years. Like, how have they helped you ease your way into this process?
Leano: Just a little certain stuff in practice, like say in the [unintelligible 00:31:27] they tell me where to be on the court, and the rotation, like, how to move around on the court, and just a little simple stuff.
Renaldo: Let’s talk about this coaching staff, V.J., because this has to be the first time you’ve had an all-Bahamian coaching staff that you’ve been playing for, and it’s a young group of guys. Everybody coaches at a D1 level. What do you think the difference is having all-Bahamian coaches that pretty much get you right away and identify with you?
V.J.: First of all, we all could talk regular.
Renaldo: [laugh]. No code switching?
V.J.: No code, like, everyone could understand us. But, you know, these people that know us too, from we was young, or just even have an idea of who we were. You have, like, even from, you know, the head coach down to the equipment manager, you know, like, everyone know us. We could be ourselves around people.
You know, Bahamians just like to clown all day and just laugh. You know, some people won’t get that. You know, if you’re not from here, you won’t really understand us and truly understand how we just move and how we just live life, you know? We all just be having fun, just enjoying time, laughing all the time. So like, even I feel like in the midst of the game, like, where we might be clowning, like, another coach won’t understand that, you know?
So like, even, like, for example, like, I mean E.G. used to be on the bench in Philly, like, we in the back of the bench laughing about something while the game going on, just like, stuff like that. So, I feel like we got a bunch of good coaches who understand us. You know, now they in that coaching role, you know, on a national level, global level now, you know, they have all eyes on them also, you know, just trying to see how they’ll coach a team. I feel like it’s going to help both them and us. So yeah.
Renaldo: I want to get a little bit more into that relationship with you and E.G. because that was the first time. I mean, the Bahamas has ever had something like that. You had two guys on the national team, and then when you get to the NBA, teammates again. How did he help you in that transition to the league? Because that had to be a culture shock, no matter how big of a prospect you are going in.
V.J.: See, that was the only person I know. So, like I said, he, you know, when he reached out to me, you know, we already have that relationship, so that’s someone I know I get to talk to at any time. Our locker is right next to each other, so… like I say, he helped me a lot just with the transition, telling me what to expect in the NBA. You know, it’s all the business stuff like that. So yeah, I’ll say he just kept—he pretty—kept it pretty short and sweet. Just tell me what it is, try not to sugarcoat nothing, always be [unintelligible 00:34:06] with me.
Renaldo: All right, last thing from me. I want you guys to describe what your perfect day is, like, here at Baha Mar. We don’t have no game to worry about. You just get to chill. You get to do whatever you want on any one of the properties. Give me your perfect day. I want to start with you, Leano. What we doing on the perfect day?
Leano: Perfect day. We hit the beach first, cause, you know, when I go back to school, I won’t be seeing no beach no time soon. So, go on the beach, chill for a little bit. Probably hit the water slides. Maybe. I ain’t too big on slides and stuff [unintelligible 00:34:38].
V.J.: Scary.
Leano: [laugh]. We might hit [privilege pool 00:34:43][laugh], yeah. So, but my perfect day, either chill in the room or go to the beach. I don’t be doing too much wrong.
Renaldo: All right V.J., give me yours.
V.J.: See where I get up, try to get up early, get some good breakfast. Yeah, [I’m doing 00:35:01] the sausage combo. See, they saying. Then… yeah shower up, go to the beach or something, so I get some good sunlight, man. Try to stay outside. Grab some lunch. I got eat. I got eat lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got eat. They say eat at pool. Go to pool, privilege pool, or the park. I don’t gamble, so I ain’t going to casino. Yeah, that’s my day. I don’t—unless I in the room, chilling. I don’t like to do too much, so yeah.
Renaldo: Oh, we got to get y’all some suggestions then because there’s so much stuff to do. It’s so much stuff we could get into, but there’s a lot more that we could get into here on the resort. I’m sure some people going to fill you all in with what to do. But gents, thank you for joining me on this episode. Good luck to Team Bahamas, and of course, we want everyone to be out to the gym, right?
Leano: Yes sir.
V.J.: Yeah, for sure for sure. Thank you.
Renaldo: All right, this was Beyond the Stay, the podcast that brings you the stories and the people behind Baha Mar, and what makes this destination the wonderful destination in the Caribbean that it is. I’m Renaldo Dorsett. Thank you to our viewers. Please subscribe, share the links, and tune in for the next episode as we continue to tell you the stories well Beyond the Stay.