Tom Izzo, Morris Peterson talk MSU family, NBA playoffs
FLINT – Tom Izzo started last week in Oakland watching Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA playoffs. He finished it Saturday watching Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves play together again for a good cause.
Michigan State’s coach found the connection between his past players, separated by a generation.
“He’s all part of the same family, if you ask me,” Izzo said of Green. “Not only the Spartan family, but Saginaw and Flint, they’re all right here together. Part of the success (Peterson and Cleaves) had is what gets guys like Day Day to come. He followed the success they had.”
Izzo joins Snoop Dogg, Morris Peterson at Hoop 4 Water
Like Green, Peterson also has been busy during the NBA playoffs. He’s an analyst for the Raptors’ The Sports Network (TSN) broadcasts in Canada. The team and network allowed him to skip Game 3 in Toronto, a 99-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers that pulled the Raptors 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals heading into Monday’s Game 4 in Toronto.
“The Raptors have been playing well. I’m really proud of those guys,” Peterson said. “They’ve adjusted every series. They’ve been playing with their backs against the wall. They’ve been playing with a chip on their shoulders. People said they were gonna lose the first round, they said they were gonna lose the second round, and now they’re saying they’re going to lose the third round.
“They’re going against a tough Cleveland team right now that’s playing well, probably the best team I’ve seen play in the last three or four years. It’s going to be a challenge for them, but I’m really proud of those guys and how they’ve handled adversity and played throughout the season. They’re still in the playoffs and got more games to go.”
Peterson called his job “a blessing” and was appreciative of the team and network granting him the opportunity to return to his hometown for the Hoop 4 Water benefit he helped organize with Snoop Dogg. All proceeds will be donated to the Flint water crisis victims through the Morris Peterson Jr. Foundation.
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“They’ve given me a voice. And one thing my parents have always said is you have to earn the right to speak,” Peterson said of his job. “I’m just so blessed in the situation to be able to talk about the game. For me, I love the game. Even if I wasn’t broadcasting, I’d probably be in the barbershop talking about the game like I do with my friends anyway.”
Green’s Warriors also now trail the Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, 2-1, after the Thunder routed Golden State 133-105 on Sunday night. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
Izzo and Mark Hollis were at Game 1, which the Warriors lost. Izzo said he expects Green to emulate Peterson in his post-career life.
“I am proud of Day Day,” Izzo said. “I spent some time with him after the game, and he’s the same guy. He’ll be doing a lot of giving back.”