Paul Shirley

  (3:01 PM)

Right on time...

Paul Shirley

  (3:01 PM)

I think, anyway.

Paul Shirley

  (3:01 PM)

Let's have some questions.

John, Sacramento, CA

Hi Paul, I literally just finished your book. Great stuff. I found your section on the end of the 04-05 season with the Suns very interesting. Prior to reading your book, I read :07 Seconds or Less, the chronicle of the 2005-2006 season. Did you find it to be a white flag on Coach D'Antoni's style when they traded for Shaq this past year? I graduated from Santa Clara, so I was a little sad to see Nash start to decline into mediocrity at what will probably be the beginning of the end for him. Keep up the great work!

Paul Shirley

  (3:02 PM)

Thanks. Even though D'Antoni hates me, I was sad to see him leave Phoenix. People forget that the point (sort of) of basketball is for it to be fun. D'Antoni coaches a style of basketball that is fun to watch. I appreciate that, even if I don't ever watch it.

Paul Shirley

  (3:02 PM)

Oops, may have used up the NBA question early.

Brian, LA

So have you played your last game?

Paul Shirley

  (3:03 PM)

I doubt it, but one never knows. Read the book "The Black Swan" for further info on unpredictability. Great book.

Joe (Meridian, MS)

Paul how did the YouCastr gig come about?

Paul Shirley

  (3:05 PM)

I have a friend who is quasi-invested in their company. She put us in touch. Good note: my brother and I are doing our first show tomorrow at 2 pm CT. Check here: http://www.youcastr.com/shows/paulshirley/Off%20Topic%20with%20Matt%20and%20Paul%20Shirley

Paul Shirley

  (3:05 PM)

Zoiks. That was ugly. Just go to youcastr.com and type my name.

Paul Shirley

  (3:06 PM)

Register and you can chat with us as we do the show--very little sports, lots of music, lots of us taking jabs at each other.

Dave (Vancouver, BC)

Hey Paul. What's your take on the Spanish national team photo? How does that get published without someone say "hey wait guys, maybe this isn't such a good idea"? Are people ther that ignorant or is racism alive and well in Spain?

Paul Shirley

  (3:08 PM)

Good question. I actually wrote about the Olympics for El Pais, which is a Spanish newspaper. (Wrote in English--they translated.) They didn't really understand why it was a big deal...because it wasn't a big deal. Do Chinese people have slanted eyes? Yes. Were they saying, Chinese people have slanted eyes...and that makes them bad in bed? No. There was nothing derogatory implied in the gesture. If a person sees that photo and is offended, he shouldn't use the courier service it was advertising. It's not our job to be offended for others.

Dave (Vancouver, BC)

Does D'Antoni really hate you? Why?

Paul Shirley

  (3:09 PM)

Hate is a strong word. He just didn't want to have anyone in his organization pay me to play basketball.

Roberto, Los Angeles, CA

Who is your favorite NBA player personality-wise, as in who doesn't give you the urge to vomit?

Paul Shirley

  (3:10 PM)

One Kevin Garnett.

Brian (Boston,MA)

Hey Paul you and Simmons still on speaking terms? Thanks

Paul Shirley

  (3:10 PM)

As far as I know. Why? Have you heard something?

Katherine (Boston, MA)

Are you going to write another book? I absolutely loved your last one!

Paul Shirley

  (3:13 PM)

Thank you. Yes, probably fiction. Worked on it some in Menorca, then went crazy. Am getting my marbles together and hope to restart soon.

Frank (Allentown)

Paul, would you play for another country in the Olympics?

Paul Shirley

  (3:14 PM)

Absolutely. Think about it--my ancestors came from Sweden, Ireland, Germany, England, etc. Why am I more "American" than I am Swedish? I don't have any American Indian ancestors. And even if I did, those folk came from somewhere else.

Paul Shirley

  (3:14 PM)

We're all African, really.

Chris (St. Paul, MN)

See Burn After Reading yet ?

Paul Shirley

  (3:15 PM)

Yes. Liked it, but it was no Big Lebowski.

Craig KCK

I thought it would be interesting for you to write a show about being a bit actor in Hollywood based on your experience from writing a show. What do you think?

Paul Shirley

  (3:15 PM)

I've kicked around the idea of writing a book about making a pilot. (Not a stretch.) Could happen someday.

Nate (Madison)

Who in the NBA probably hates you the most?

Paul Shirley

  (3:16 PM)

Bo Outlaw. I think it probably just registered this year that I was making fun of him while sitting next to him.

Chris (Northwoods)

Paul, is the basketball career pretty much over now that there's a big "3" in front of your age?

Paul Shirley

  (3:17 PM)

Good lord. I'm not THAT old. In fact, I feel way better now than I did at 26. We big white guys are late-bloomers.

Joe (Chicago)

How are you not on the Bucks? You seem like a "Skiles guy." Wait, was than an insult?

Paul Shirley

  (3:17 PM)

Great question. We even share an agent. What am I doing here? Seriously, I have to talk to Keith about this.

Jerry (Haslett, MI)

Paul, You are rated a 52 overall on NBA 2K8. Got anything to say to the creators of the game for making your overall so low?

Paul Shirley

  (3:18 PM)

Thanks for not making me second-worst. It's way cooler to be worse than second-worse.

Paul Shirley

  (3:18 PM)

That was riddled with errors.

Paul Shirley

  (3:18 PM)

"Way cooler to be worst than second-worst."

Paul Shirley

  (3:18 PM)

Sorry.

Joe (Meridian, MS)

What music have you been listening to lately Paul?

Paul Shirley

  (3:19 PM)

Listening to the new M83 right now. I think you might hear a little of that on the radio show tomorrow.

Val (Anaheim)

What type of people are more insane, Basketball players, or actors?

Paul Shirley

  (3:19 PM)

Actors.

Jerry (Haslett, MI)

Hey Paul. The Thunder need a big man. Care to work out for them?

Paul Shirley

  (3:20 PM)

It's just down the road, right? (From KC) I could be there in 6 hours. Make some calls.

Mike, Tampa

I was reading the excerpt from your book and you mentioned that Marcus Fizer was "a genuine nut job." Was this a slam or is Marcus just a little unusual?

Paul Shirley

  (3:20 PM)

If someone is crazy, and you call him crazy, is that an insult? Or just an accurate depiction of the truth? I'm not really sure. It wasn't written out of malice.

Logan (Chi town)

Paul, what makes you laugh these days? Other than making fun of those less fortunate than yourself.

Paul Shirley

  (3:22 PM)

Patton Oswalt. David Cross. Thinking about my future.

Clark, Circleville, Oh

First off I just want to say that you are a huge inspiration to me. I was just thinking today before your blog was posted if you were going to do one soon. I want to know what you plan on doing after basketball?

Paul Shirley

  (3:23 PM)

I really don't know. Write, do some radio, have some kids, play some cards, see if I have enough money. If yes, continue. If not, go back to school and then get a real job.

Pierce, Baltimore

just read your most recent journal- how long did it take before dunking stopped being fun, after you were first able to do it? My short white friends and I have discussed this a lot, and our consensus is that if we could dunk, we would pretty much do it constantly.

Paul Shirley

  (3:24 PM)

Well, yeah, you think so. But, as I wrote, you wouldn't. As with anything, it loses its luster after awhile. (Anything except Tecmo Super Bowl.)

Joe (Meridian, MS)

Paul is on 2K8?

Paul Shirley

  (3:24 PM)

It shocks me too.

Matt S (Pittsburgh)

Hi Paul. Did you play for Larry Eustachy? If so did he ever invite you along to the post game parties?

Paul Shirley

  (3:25 PM)

I was way too much of a dork to hang out with him in college. I think he would have encouraged it, if only to loosen me up.

Katherine (Boston, MA)

In your book it seems like you never appreciated the opportunties you had in the past and were given. So many people would love to go to a NBA practice or even play college ball. It seems like you took it all for grantid. Are you appreciative of your opportunities now?

Paul Shirley

  (3:28 PM)

"Given" seems like a strange word to use. I am appreciative, but I think I always have been. The problem with most people's logic on this is the following: No one walked up to me out of the blue and said, "Hey, want to play at Iowa State?" I ran and lifted and practiced and, eventually, got pretty good. Then, someone said, "This guy might help us put asses in the seats, we should get him here." Repeat for Greece, Atlanta, etc. No one is "given" anything in today's world.

Jeremiah - Atlanta, Georgia

Paul, would you like it if NBA were relegated to the DNBA if they finished in the bottom 2 of the division, Euro-style? What would be the most hilarious consequence of that change?

Paul Shirley

  (3:29 PM)

I would love it. Milwaukee's rough, but imagine if Shaq had to go to Bismarck.

Josh (DC)

I just blue myself.

Paul Shirley

  (3:29 PM)

No comment, Tobias.

Brad(NM)

Also a big fan of your book..you mentioned one of the only guys you liked on that Bulls team was Antonio Davis. Did you two stay in contact at all?

Paul Shirley

  (3:30 PM)

No. Liked and stayed in touch are miles apart in my world.

Craig (PA)

Paul, just picked up the new Klosterman novel, have you grabbed it or read it? How do you think Chuck will be at fiction?

Paul Shirley

  (3:31 PM)

I have a feeling he'll do fine. I haven't read it yet but will. I went to ISU to do a guest lecture recently. Found out that day that Chuck was doing something similar--only on a much grander scale--at the University of Iowa. No punchline, just found it odd.

Jerry (Haslett, MI)

Who would win one on one. You or Sean Marks?

Paul Shirley

  (3:32 PM)

We'd probably stop at 5-5 and go get a beer.

Matt (Grand Rapids)

Paul, I'm planning on reading you book on a plane trip from Michigan to Washington next month. Is it good or should I bring a backup book?

Paul Shirley

  (3:33 PM)

You'll enjoy it but it won't change your life.

Erica (Milwaukee)

Paul, you've done a lot of things in your life so far that a majority of people will never have the opportunity to do. Did you ever go into something thinking, "Geez, I hope I don't screw this up?" If yes, how have you gotten over those kinds of thoughts, or at least not let them interefere?

Paul Shirley

  (3:34 PM)

That happens constantly. I suppose I rely on this: "I've put all the work I can into this. There's nothing I can do to change my preparedness or ability now. Might as well go and do it." ...Then she shoots me down, and I go back to drinking alone.

Michael (Iowa City)

You just mentioned Tecmo Super Bowl. What other SNES games are you into? Do you play any other systems?

Paul Shirley

  (3:35 PM)

SNES?! NES, my friend, NES.

Matt

Do you ever find yourself rooting for guys like Greg Ostertag and people like that..you know, the big, slow, goofy white guy who will never be any good in the NBA? Or do you just laugh like the rest of us? Thanks!

Paul Shirley

  (3:36 PM)

Fortunately, I'm just a step under big, goofy white guy. I'm the big, goofy white guy liaison. So I can laugh, but not too much.

JACE (LAS VEGAS)

hey paul, my boise state broncos are heading into oregon this weekend. with the re-emergence of there defense and oregon not seeing to keep a qb healthy week in and week out, do you think they could take down a speedy ducks team at home?

Paul Shirley

  (3:36 PM)

Obviously.

Trevor (New Rockford ND)

What is wrong with Bismarck? By the way Chuck Klosterman is from ND!

Paul Shirley

  (3:38 PM)

I'm sorry to be the one to break this to you--but you have to get out of ND. I've spent some time there and it's just too cold. Life is better other places. And the mosquitoes, my god, the mosquitoes.

Pat (Kokomo)

Paul, in your podcast with Simmons a year or two ago, he suggested that you just go-off in regard to your NBA experience (i.e. naming players, etc.). Do you plan on doing this or would you fear for your life?

Paul Shirley

  (3:40 PM)

It's not that I fear for my life. I just don't think it helps anyone. The stories can be absurd without me telling exactly who it is. It's like this: I don't really want an ex-girlfriend telling people about my failures in bed. If she says, "this guy I knew...", well, okay. But if it's, "Paul Shirley doesn't know my (blank) from my (blank)." That doesn't make me too happy. Do unto others and all that.

Jerry (Haslett, MI)

Since your blog on ESPN has been a hit, do you see yourself being a NBA analyst for ESPN?

Paul Shirley

  (3:40 PM)

No.

Craig (Boston)

Why do you think that your holier then now?

Paul Shirley

  (3:40 PM)

I don't think I'm holier then now, but I am spellier than thou.

Doug: (New York)

What's your radio show going to be about?

Paul Shirley

  (3:41 PM)

Music, girls, music, life, music, politics, music, random games, music.

Paul Shirley

  (3:41 PM)

For late-comers--my brother and I have our first show on youcastr.com at 2 pm CT tomorrow.

Matt (Grand Rapids)

Do you like any mainstream music or do you think they are all sellouts?

Paul Shirley

  (3:42 PM)

I can't blame anyone for a moderate amount of selling-out. If you have a job, you're probably a sell-out. Do I hate U2 now? A little. (I used to love them like Cracklin' Oat Bran. The descent: so sad.)

Erica (Milwuakee)

And what do you have against Milwaukee? I'm not a Bucks fan, but there are plenty of bars and plenty of beer to get through the winter.

Paul Shirley

  (3:44 PM)

I live in Kansas City, so I'm on shaky ground here. But they have bars and beers in warmer places too.

Zachary Poopy Rapson (Miami aka 305)

Hey Paul. Can you give some basketball lessons? Give me a call at 1-517-204-8329 if you can. Thanks Paul!

Paul Shirley

  (3:44 PM)

I'm just hoping that someone will call that number.

Michael (Iowa City)

I saw Chuck Klosterman when he was at U of Iowa speaking. It was inspiring. When you lived in Ames, where was your favorite hangout spot? Did you ever chill in Des Moines or IC? And what are your other favorite video games??

Paul Shirley

  (3:45 PM)

Does Serf City (ancient PC game) count?...In Ames, I spent a lot of time in the gym and in my apartment and very little time having fun. Mistake by me.

Doug (Chicago)

Paul, what area did you live in during your stint with the Bulls?

Paul Shirley

  (3:46 PM)

The Residence Inn right across from the Bulls' practice facility in Deerfield. Oh, and in the hospital a little.

Dave, LV

Who's the funniest guy you've ever played ball with?

Paul Shirley

  (3:47 PM)

Maybe Eddie Robinson. Or Shaq.

Joe (Dallas)

Have the Mavs ever shown an interest in you? Dallas would be a great place for someone of your ilk!

Paul Shirley

  (3:48 PM)

No. They also thoroughly dislike me. Or at least, I have to assume that, right?

Eddie (VH)

Paul, in regard to your musical tastes, I get the feeling that you like music that insists upon itself (ie. all of the bands and songs you've ever mentioned). What happened to music that just wanted to make you jump, dance and screw all at the same time? So you're telling me you're not blasting Van Halen's "Panama" and easing the seat back when you hear it in the car? Where's the love for the classics?

Paul Shirley

  (3:50 PM)

Who doesn't like Van Halen? (Except my brothers.) I like the classics too, but I feel a certain responsibility to help people find music they don't know about. No one is going to say to himself, "Oh yeah, I'm going to go check out Led Zeppelin now." They might say that about M83 though.

Jeff (Evansville, IN)

Did you play on the ISU team that got upset by Norfolk State? I only ask because that win by Norfolk resulted in Steve Merfeld leaving there for Evansville which then resulted in him wrecking what had been a respectable program. So if you were on that team, THANKS A LOT!

Paul Shirley

  (3:51 PM)

No, I was on the team that was upset by Hampton. I do respect your views on causality, though.

Bob, Denver

I'm assuming coaching styles affect every player differently. Do you like more of the "I'm your best friend" approach like Doc Rivers, or the "Get you a@@ down the court before I kick it down there" approach like Jerry Sloan?

Paul Shirley

  (3:52 PM)

When they're young--the latter; when they're old--the former.

Rob (Boulder)

Paul, can you please talk about the man, the myth, the legend, Trent Reznor. Not only was the Slip Amazing, but Ghosts is the most entertaining 2+ hours of instrumental music I have ever heard.

Paul Shirley

  (3:52 PM)

I think you did my job for me.

tem (columbus oh)

I can't believe you are still relevant. I can't believe you were ever relevant. Can you?

Paul Shirley

  (3:54 PM)

My relevance is debatable. But not by you, because you just asked me a question.

Erica (Milwaukee)

What kinds of different/interesting (non-American pop) music did you pick up living over in Europe that you can recommend? Specifically: any good female artists?

Paul Shirley

  (3:55 PM)

Female artists (not necessarily European): Feist, Cat Power, The Go! Team (kind of), and CSS (kind of). MIA, of course, but everyone knows her now because of Pineapple Express. Even though that song wasn't actually in the movie, which I found odd.

Paul Shirley

  (3:55 PM)

Saw Feist in Barcelona. She was great. It was me and 900 5'4" girls.

Eddie (Fresno)

In your last ESPN column you talked about winking at your girlfriend during a game. I'm a bit surprised, because I thought for sure Bill Simmons would have written a column about going to Spain to see you play.

Paul Shirley

  (3:56 PM)

Well-played.

Pete (Ames, IA)

As a lifelong resident of Ames and graduate of ISU, I notice that you never say anything positive about the place, and are rather dismissive of it. Which is cool, I guess. It's not like we're going around here thanking fate that you spent a couple of years here carrying the jockstraps of Marcus Fizer and Kenny Pratt.

Paul Shirley

  (3:58 PM)

GO CYCLONES! YAY IOWA STATE!

Paul Shirley

  (3:59 PM)

Yeah, I could do that all the time, like most alums. Or I could describe what my life was actually like, talk about the ups and downs, and maybe help improve my alma mater. I could see why that throws people off.

Bobby (NC)

Since you have traveled far more than most of us here, where in the US would you recomend for a weekend gettaway with the GF?

Paul Shirley

  (4:00 PM)

If you're going for outdoor-sy, the Tetons. If you're going for cool--San Francisco. If you're going for cheap--Charlotte, NC.

Ryan (Columbia, MO)

I went to your book signing a couple of summers back in Tulsa. When you signed my book you asked if you should make it out to me and my fiancee (she was with me). I declined and said to just make it out to me. She dumped me on Monday. Good choice on my part.

Paul Shirley

  (4:01 PM)

I absolutely remember that. Sorry, man. This is going to sound hokey, but remember this: If she's the woman you think she is, she'll hold you in her heart. If not, you don't want her anyway. Pretty sure country songs have expressed that way more effectively than I just did.

MATT,MPLS

Whats worse, being told that you are being cut, or watching a really good band that you like, break up?

Paul Shirley

  (4:03 PM)

A band breakup can be dealt with. Usually, that just makes you remember the good times. No one would hold Guns N Roses in such esteem if they had slowly petered out, a la, say, Tesla.

Paul Shirley

  (4:04 PM)

Okay, time's up for me. I'm driving to my parents' house to help mow the yard. It's been years since I was healthy enough to do that, so I'm oddly excited. Check out the radio show tomorrow at youcastr.com. 2-4 CT. Until next time, thanks for reading what I've written and for being around for this. I do appreciate it.