Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady

YT DESCRIPTION: WNBA legend Tina Thompson joins Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady on Cousins to discuss her Hall of Fame career, the Houston Comets dynasty, and helping build the foundation of the WNBA.

Tina looks back on learning basketball alongside her older brother and how competing against older players built her confidence. She reflects on winning four championships with the Houston Comets, the WNBA’s early years, and why she waited until less than 48 hours before the draft to commit to the league. Tina also shares what it means to see the growth of the WNBA today.

Tina reveals why her first championship was the most memorable and why the Comets’ third title, dedicated to teammate Kim Perrot during her battle with cancer, remains closest to her heart. She also discusses Sheryl Swoopes, scouting for the Portland Trail Blazers, her relationship with Damian Lillard, and the story behind her signature red lipstick.

Plus, Tina weighs in on the 2026 WNBA championship and MVP conversations, including A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. She reflects on Candace Parker entering the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, shares her thoughts on JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson, and shows her excitement about seeing the Houston Comets return to the WNBA.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:22 Tina Thompson Joins Cousins

02:03 Tina Thompson’s Introduction To Basketball

08:49 Gaining Confidence Playing Against Older Guys

13:08 The Moment Her Brother Validated Her Game

14:58 The Houston Comets Dynasty

23:34 Building The WNBA From The Ground Up

25:40 Deciding To Join The WNBA

29:14 Watching The Growth Of The WNBA Today

34:20 Xfinity Court Connections

36:55 Winning Four Championships With The Houston Comets

38:25 Losing Kim Perrot To Cancer During A Championship Run

42:05 Sheryl Swoopes’ Iconic Era

43:39 The Houston Comets Return

44:17 The Story Behind Tina Thompson’s Signature Lipstick

50:51 2026 WNBA Championship Contenders

53:28 Tina Thompson’s WNBA MVP Candidates

56:59 Watching Candace Parker Enter The Hall Of Fame

58:19 Thoughts On JuJu Watkins & Jazzy Davidson

01:01:41 Wrap Up

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The Cousins sit down to discuss what it means to be “the guy,” becoming a franchise player, and the pressure of leading a team.

T-Mac shares what it was like becoming the Orlando Magic’s franchise player at 21, while Vince explains how he grew into that role with the Toronto Raptors and became a stronger leader with the New Jersey Nets. They discuss handling losing streaks, learning from veterans, and why the best player doesn’t always have to be the loudest voice. Plus, T-Mac shares stories about Houston Rockets teammates Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo and the importance of relationships off the court.

Vince and T-Mac open up about the physical and mental toll of carrying an NBA franchise. T-Mac recalls his exhausting 2007 Game 7 against the Utah Jazz, the frustrations that led him from Orlando to Houston, and Vince shares his struggles with injuries in Toronto. They also discuss accountability and how social media criticism impacts today’s players.

Plus, Vince and T-Mac explain why building an NBA legacy was worth the pressure and scrutiny. They name Brandon Miller and Scottie Barnes as potential franchise cornerstones and debate when loyalty to a team becomes a bad decision, including when it’s time to leave and when a player may have walked away too soon.

00:00 Intro

01:18 What It Really Means to Be “The Guy”

06:30 Vince Carter’s Welcome-to-the-Role Moment

08:30 The Moment T-Mac Became “The Guy”

10:35 T-Mac on Carrying Orlando Through a Losing Streak

16:41 When Vince Was Playing His Best Basketball

19:10 Leadership on T-Mac’s Rockets Teams

23:22 Can the Star Still Be One of the Guys?

27:13 Surviving the 82-Game Grind

31:47 The Mental and Physical Wear of an NBA Season

36:49 Xfinity Court Connections

42:09 Bouncing Back From a Difficult Season

49:13 How Social Media Has Changed Today’s Players

52:39 The Pressure of Being a Franchise Face

58:28 Who Has Next as a Franchise Player?

01:03:20 When Does Franchise Loyalty Go Too Far?

01:08:07 Wrap Up

Follow Cousins on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinceandtmac/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinceandtmac

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinceAndTMac/

Much love to our sponsors:

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Minnesota Lynx star Olivia Miles joins Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady on Cousins to discuss life in the WNBA, her standout rookie season, and the mindset behind her immediate impact.

Olivia reflects on hearing her name called on draft night, joining the four-time champion Lynx, and finding herself in MVP conversations as a rookie. She explains how she developed her unique pace and creativity, what she’s learned from teammates Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams, and the biggest lessons of her first season. Olivia also talks about becoming an All-Star starter, the rise of the WNBA, and staying grounded as her recognition grows.

Olivia looks back on playing at Notre Dame under Niele Ivey, overcoming a knee injury that sidelined her for a season, and the players who inspired her growing up, including Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić and Sue Bird. She also discusses representing Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, her three-year deal with Unrivaled, and preparing for her first WNBA playoffs as Vince and T-Mac share postseason advice.

Plus, Olivia opens up about life away from basketball, playing as herself in NBA 2K, and the best investments she’s made in herself. She shares why her signature goggles have inspired young fans and what it means to see people wearing her jersey.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Olivia Miles Joins Cousins

01:45 Adjusting To Life In The WNBA

02:45 Olivia’s Basketball Inspirations Growing Up

04:54 Developing Her Unique Pace & Style Of Play

07:00 Biggest Lessons From Her Rookie Season

12:17 Becoming A WNBA All-Star As A Rookie

15:09 The Rise Of The WNBA & Its Young Stars

18:19 Staying Grounded Through Early Success

20:15 Playing For Niele Ivey At Notre Dame

22:54 Overcoming A Season-Ending Knee Injury

26:25 Xfinity Court Connections

35:50 Signing A Three-Year Deal With Unrivaled

37:13 Representing Team USA & Playing In FIBA

39:56 Preparing For Her First WNBA Playoffs

46:15 Choosing Basketball Over Soccer

49:50 The Best Investments She’s Made In Herself

50:43 Who Olivia Miles Is Away From Basketball

53:32 Inspiring Young Fans With Her Signature Goggles

56:28 Olivia’s Music Taste

57:24 Wrap Up

Follow Cousins on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinceandtmac/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinceandtmac

X: https://x.com/VinceAndTmac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinceAndTMac/

Much love to our sponsors:

Xfinity: Xfinity Shield is your defensive line at home and online with built-in WiFi protection features. Detect motion with your Xfinity Gateway, no cameras needed. Plus, your devices are protected from threats and risky sites the moment they connect. Get it now at xfinity.com/shield.

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Derik Queen joins Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady on Cousins to reflect on his rookie NBA season, the transition to the league, and the people and experiences that helped shape his journey.

Derik shares how LeBron James and James Harden inspired him growing up, what he learned playing alongside Cooper Flagg and Asa Newell on a stacked Montverde Academy team, and the conversations he and Flagg had about one day facing each other in the NBA. He also discusses adjusting to the physicality of the league, studying film to improve his game, and his goals heading into his sophomore season.

Queen opens up about how growing up in Baltimore shaped him, leaving home for high school basketball in Florida, and the close relationship he shares with his mother. He also talks about adjusting to NBA money, his longtime relationship with Under Armour, and the importance of remembering where he came from as his career continues to grow.

Plus, Derik reveals Shaquille O’Neal as his dream 1-on-1 matchup, shares his goal of opening a homeless shelter, and talks music with Vince and T-Mac, including the Baltimore rappers in his rotation.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:19 Derik Queen Joins The Cousins

01:31 Adjusting From High School & College To The NBA

06:17 What Inspired Derik Queen To Play Basketball

15:36 Playing On A Stacked Montverde Academy Team

23:30 Xfinity Court Connections

27:27 How Growing Up In Baltimore Shaped Him

30:26 Growing Up Fast After Leaving Home

32:35 Derik Queen’s Close Relationship With His Mom

35:04 Biggest Adjustment To Making NBA Money

36:30 Goals For Elevating His Game In Year Two

40:40 NHTSA Game Changing Decisions

43:42 Dream 1-On-1 Matchup

46:41 Derik Queen’s Passion To Open Homeless Shelter

49:23 Baltimore Rappers In Derik’s Rotation

53:01 Wrap Up

Follow Cousins on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinceandtmac/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinceandtmac

X: https://x.com/VinceAndTmac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinceAndTMac/

Much love to our sponsors:

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Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell joins Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady on Cousins to discuss his evolution as a player, Cleveland’s championship expectations, and the mindset driving him as he enters his 10th NBA season.

Donovan reflects on the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference Finals run, why he still wants Game 1 back, and how the playoff sweep has fueled his offseason preparation. He explains how positive affirmations have strengthened his mindset, what he’s adding to his game, expectations for Evan Mobley, and building chemistry with James Harden. Donovan also shares how former teammate Mike Conley helped shape him into a veteran leader.

Donovan looks back on his historic 71-point game against the Chicago Bulls, growing up around the New York Mets with dreams of playing baseball, and choosing Louisville among 26 college offers. He also discusses mentoring Mikel Brown Jr., playing in the NBA Bubble, and why he hopes to play baseball after his NBA career.

Plus, Donovan opens up about marrying Grammy-winning singer Coco Jones, the pressure of writing his wedding vows, and finally getting an Instagram follow-back. He also sings lyrics from his favorite Coco Jones song and reveals the story behind his “Spida” nickname.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:03 Donovan Mitchell Joins The Cousins

01:21 Donovan on Love, Marriage & Coco Jones

04:38 Breaking Down the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference Finals Run

14:57 Entering Year 10: How Donovan Has Evolved

17:47 Evan Mobley’s Next Leap & Teaming Up with James Harden

22:26 How a Positive Mindset Changed Donovan’s Game

29:45 The Night Donovan Dropped 71 on Chicago

36:08 Baseball Was the Original Dream

40:55 Choosing Louisville Over 26 Offers

45:12 Why Mentoring the Next Generation Matters

50:40 NHTSA Game Changing Decisions

53:53 Inside Donovan’s NBA Bubble Experience

58:34 Xfinity Court Connections

01:00:59 Giving Coco Jones Her Flowers

01:09:27 Wrap Up

Follow Cousins on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinceandtmac/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinceandtmac

X: https://x.com/VinceAndTmac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VinceAndTMac/

Much love to our sponsors:

Xfinity: Xfinity Shield is your defensive line at home and online with built-in WiFi protection features. Detect motion with your Xfinity Gateway, no cameras needed. Plus, your devices are protected from threats and risky sites the moment they connect. Get it now at xfinity.com/shield.

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