Inside The NBA Presents: Tiny Jimenez's Decision.
Ernie Johnson: "Good evening everyone & welcome to this special episode of Inside The NBA! I'm Ernie Johnson, here at the booth by Shaquille O'Neal & Kenny 'The Jet' Smith. The Chuckster couldn't be here tonight.. We are joined here today with a special message from NBA All-Star Tiny Jimenez, as he's going to make his free agency decision live with us in just a few moments.. Tiny is here with us live via satellite.. Tiny can you hear us?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Hey Ernie.. Fellas. Yessir. I can hear you loud & clear."
Kenny Smith: "Well everybody is on pins & needles across the country, particularly those teams that are in the running for Tiny Jimenez. You ready to go, Tiny?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Heh.. Oh yes. I'm ready."
Shaq: "So what's new, Tiny? What have you been up to this Summer?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Well as some of you saw, I partnered with Gatorade to open a performance center in Newark to specialize in combat sports training.. We also offer specialist training in basketball drills & weight training. Gatorade & I are looking to expand & build a few more of these performance center's across the world.. I've been in Newark working with UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern every day for her big fight next Saturday.. I was in Paris doing the Sanguine Fashion Show a couple of weeks ago if you saw those photos.. & this whole free agency experience of course."
Kenny Smith: "What's this entire process been like?"
Tiny Jimenez: "This process has been everything I thought & more. I've put myself in a position to have this process where I can hear team's pitches & figure out what is the best possible chance ultimately for me to not only win but to be happy as well."
Ernie Johnson: "Coming off of an MVP season, you've certainly put yourself in the position as the top free agent available this summer. Have you enjoyed yourself much during this recruiting process?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I have enjoyed it. I'd like to thank all 7 seven of those teams that came to Newark & took the time to sit down with me & hear what they had to say.. & my team to hear what we had to say also. It was a very humbling experience to hear different approaches on how I can help their franchise win. It was everything I expected."
Kenny Smith: "What do you think it is that sets you apart from the rest of the league as a player? The NBA is stacked full of competition right now, especially at the guard spot. What do you have to say to those out there that want your spot as we go into the next season?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Every time I compete, against anyone in any sport, I feel like I have to prove to the other guy I can do everything he can do. & better. My uncle used to say that everywhere I would go, when I started my career as a fighter, believe that everyone is rooting for the other guy. In my early years he used to say the whole wrestling community was against me so I had something to prove. We have to show these guys that if I went D1, then I would've been a national champion or if I would've competed in the Olympics, then I could've won a gold medal for wrestling. Just because my dreams were cut short on going to college doesn't mean I can't wrestle with these great wrestlers. I learned how to fight with my fists in the streets & it was enough to get Dana White's attention to get me a UFC contract. I had to earn my victories the hard way & earn everyone's respect.. The same goes for basketball. I didn't play D1. I wasn't drafted to the league. Every opponent that I'm matched up with, I'm out to prove something to them. I absorb who they are. I absorb grinding.. I see what they do to win & I start to subconsciously inherit their talent & their gifts. & so a lot of times you see me do exactly what they would want to do to me, I end up doing it to them."
Kenny Smith: "That's an incredible thought process that has certainly earned you the highest of respects among basketball players across all generations. That thought process is also probably why you don't stay in one place too long.."
Ernie Johnson: "How many people know your decision, right now?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha.. Not many.. It's a very, very small number. I can probably count it on my fingers."
Shaq: "One hand or two hands, big fella?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha.. Let's say one."
Ernie Johnson: "When did you decide?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I think I decided this morning. I've been switching in my head day to day.. One moment it's this team & the next moment it's a different team.. It's been a process where I had to weigh out which opportunity was best or which opportunity wasn't best for me. I woke up, I had a great conversation with my Mom.. Once I had that conversation with her, I believe I was set."
Kenny Smith: "So the last time you changed your mind was yesterday? Earlier today?"
Tiny Jimenez: "The last time I changed my mind was probably in my dreams, haha."
Shaq: "So does the team that you're going to, big fella.. Do they know your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Well, they just found out."
Kenny Smith: "They just found out!? So the other six teams are now looking at each other in the board room like 'did he call you because he hasn't called me yet!' Make sure Tiny Jimenez has got the right number!"
Shaq: "Do you have any doubts about your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Uhh... no. I don't have any doubts at all."
Kenny Smith: "Would you like to sleep on it a little bit longer? Or are you ready to make your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha, I've slept enough.. or lack thereof."
Ernie Johnson: "Are you still a nail-biter, Tiny?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I've kicked that habit as of late, Ernie.."
Ernie Johnson: "Well you've certainly had everybody else biting their nails. I guess it's time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know.. Tiny, what's your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "This Fall.. man this isn't easy. This Fall is going to be taking my talents to the valley of the sun & join the Phoenix Suns."
Shaq: "Phoenix Suns. That was the conclusion you woke up with this morning?"
Tiny Jimenez: "That was the conclusion I woke up with this morning."
Ernie Johnson: "Why?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I believe the Phoenix Suns & I are on the same page. They want to see me excel at the highest level & compete for championships. We signed Bam Adebayo to go along with Jarrett Allen in the post, & we also brought in LeBron James & Chris Paul to be new coaching staff.. We all won an NBA championship together in New York so.. as they say.. the stars are aligning for us to get prepared to try to do it again. We're about the team & not about the individual, so this team will be hard to stop once we get our rhythm going."
Kenny Smith: "What do you have to say to Indiana?"
Tiny Jimenez: "It's heartfelt.. It's hard to explain but those three years meant everything to me. When I came, the team was coming off an NBA championship.. we won another championship & continued to be a threat in the Eastern conference. Getting beat how we did by the Pelicans in the Finals though really showed the difference in the talent gap. I didn't feel Indiana & I were on the same page anymore as far as competing goes, so ultimately I decided to move on. Pacers' fans will always have a special place in my heart."
Ernie Johnson: "Well thank you for using Inside the NBA to announce your decision, Tiny. We all here at Studio J wish you & the Phoenix Suns the best of luck heading into the new NBA season!"
Tiny Jimenez: "Thank you so much, fellas."
Ernie Johnson: "Good evening everyone & welcome to this special episode of Inside The NBA! I'm Ernie Johnson, here at the booth by Shaquille O'Neal & Kenny 'The Jet' Smith. The Chuckster couldn't be here tonight.. We are joined here today with a special message from NBA All-Star Tiny Jimenez, as he's going to make his free agency decision live with us in just a few moments.. Tiny is here with us live via satellite.. Tiny can you hear us?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Hey Ernie.. Fellas. Yessir. I can hear you loud & clear."
Kenny Smith: "Well everybody is on pins & needles across the country, particularly those teams that are in the running for Tiny Jimenez. You ready to go, Tiny?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Heh.. Oh yes. I'm ready."
Shaq: "So what's new, Tiny? What have you been up to this Summer?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Well as some of you saw, I partnered with Gatorade to open a performance center in Newark to specialize in combat sports training.. We also offer specialist training in basketball drills & weight training. Gatorade & I are looking to expand & build a few more of these performance center's across the world.. I've been in Newark working with UFC fighter Mackenzie Dern every day for her big fight next Saturday.. I was in Paris doing the Sanguine Fashion Show a couple of weeks ago if you saw those photos.. & this whole free agency experience of course."
Kenny Smith: "What's this entire process been like?"
Tiny Jimenez: "This process has been everything I thought & more. I've put myself in a position to have this process where I can hear team's pitches & figure out what is the best possible chance ultimately for me to not only win but to be happy as well."
Ernie Johnson: "Coming off of an MVP season, you've certainly put yourself in the position as the top free agent available this summer. Have you enjoyed yourself much during this recruiting process?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I have enjoyed it. I'd like to thank all 7 seven of those teams that came to Newark & took the time to sit down with me & hear what they had to say.. & my team to hear what we had to say also. It was a very humbling experience to hear different approaches on how I can help their franchise win. It was everything I expected."
Kenny Smith: "What do you think it is that sets you apart from the rest of the league as a player? The NBA is stacked full of competition right now, especially at the guard spot. What do you have to say to those out there that want your spot as we go into the next season?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Every time I compete, against anyone in any sport, I feel like I have to prove to the other guy I can do everything he can do. & better. My uncle used to say that everywhere I would go, when I started my career as a fighter, believe that everyone is rooting for the other guy. In my early years he used to say the whole wrestling community was against me so I had something to prove. We have to show these guys that if I went D1, then I would've been a national champion or if I would've competed in the Olympics, then I could've won a gold medal for wrestling. Just because my dreams were cut short on going to college doesn't mean I can't wrestle with these great wrestlers. I learned how to fight with my fists in the streets & it was enough to get Dana White's attention to get me a UFC contract. I had to earn my victories the hard way & earn everyone's respect.. The same goes for basketball. I didn't play D1. I wasn't drafted to the league. Every opponent that I'm matched up with, I'm out to prove something to them. I absorb who they are. I absorb grinding.. I see what they do to win & I start to subconsciously inherit their talent & their gifts. & so a lot of times you see me do exactly what they would want to do to me, I end up doing it to them."
Kenny Smith: "That's an incredible thought process that has certainly earned you the highest of respects among basketball players across all generations. That thought process is also probably why you don't stay in one place too long.."
Ernie Johnson: "How many people know your decision, right now?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha.. Not many.. It's a very, very small number. I can probably count it on my fingers."
Shaq: "One hand or two hands, big fella?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha.. Let's say one."
Ernie Johnson: "When did you decide?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I think I decided this morning. I've been switching in my head day to day.. One moment it's this team & the next moment it's a different team.. It's been a process where I had to weigh out which opportunity was best or which opportunity wasn't best for me. I woke up, I had a great conversation with my Mom.. Once I had that conversation with her, I believe I was set."
Kenny Smith: "So the last time you changed your mind was yesterday? Earlier today?"
Tiny Jimenez: "The last time I changed my mind was probably in my dreams, haha."
Shaq: "So does the team that you're going to, big fella.. Do they know your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Well, they just found out."
Kenny Smith: "They just found out!? So the other six teams are now looking at each other in the board room like 'did he call you because he hasn't called me yet!' Make sure Tiny Jimenez has got the right number!"
Shaq: "Do you have any doubts about your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Uhh... no. I don't have any doubts at all."
Kenny Smith: "Would you like to sleep on it a little bit longer? Or are you ready to make your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "Haha, I've slept enough.. or lack thereof."
Ernie Johnson: "Are you still a nail-biter, Tiny?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I've kicked that habit as of late, Ernie.."
Ernie Johnson: "Well you've certainly had everybody else biting their nails. I guess it's time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question everybody wants to know.. Tiny, what's your decision?"
Tiny Jimenez: "This Fall.. man this isn't easy. This Fall is going to be taking my talents to the valley of the sun & join the Phoenix Suns."
Shaq: "Phoenix Suns. That was the conclusion you woke up with this morning?"
Tiny Jimenez: "That was the conclusion I woke up with this morning."
Ernie Johnson: "Why?"
Tiny Jimenez: "I believe the Phoenix Suns & I are on the same page. They want to see me excel at the highest level & compete for championships. We signed Bam Adebayo to go along with Jarrett Allen in the post, & we also brought in LeBron James & Chris Paul to be new coaching staff.. We all won an NBA championship together in New York so.. as they say.. the stars are aligning for us to get prepared to try to do it again. We're about the team & not about the individual, so this team will be hard to stop once we get our rhythm going."
Kenny Smith: "What do you have to say to Indiana?"
Tiny Jimenez: "It's heartfelt.. It's hard to explain but those three years meant everything to me. When I came, the team was coming off an NBA championship.. we won another championship & continued to be a threat in the Eastern conference. Getting beat how we did by the Pelicans in the Finals though really showed the difference in the talent gap. I didn't feel Indiana & I were on the same page anymore as far as competing goes, so ultimately I decided to move on. Pacers' fans will always have a special place in my heart."
Ernie Johnson: "Well thank you for using Inside the NBA to announce your decision, Tiny. We all here at Studio J wish you & the Phoenix Suns the best of luck heading into the new NBA season!"
Tiny Jimenez: "Thank you so much, fellas."
Phoenix with Bam & Allen gives us the best chance at competing with the Pels in the post. Let's hope this new investment pays off, but it's already sounding WAAAAY better than Nic Claxton 
That Wizards/Bulls conference finals matchup is gonna hit different. Jimenez/Taylor matchup in the NBA Finals? 