Conan O’Brien recently had a hilarious and entertaining chat with the basketball star Brittney Griner on his talk show. Griner, who stands at a towering height of 6 feet 8 inches, shared some interesting insights about her career and game strategies.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Griner’s gameplay is her incredible shot-blocking skills. With a wingspan of approximately 72 inches, she can effortlessly swat away any shot near her. O’Brien humorously remarked that opposing teams must resort to unconventional methods to prepare for her, like having a player stand on another player’s shoulders or use paddles to train. Griner admitted that she has seen some creative attempts, including kayaks and sticks with paddles. However, there were no funny faces drawn on the paddles, much to everyone’s surprise.
Although Griner is known for her dominating presence on the court, she confessed to experiencing the rare occurrence of having her shot rejected. Though it wasn’t a significant block, it was still a humbling moment for her. She described it as a surprise, as she usually dominates in the paint. O’Brien comically asked if the person blocking her shot was in an airplane or helicopter, which drew laughter from the audience.
Griner achieved great success during her time at Baylor University, where the team had an impressive record of 40 wins and zero losses. As a result, they were invited to the White House to meet then-President Barack Obama. Griner humorously shared that she had asked the president if she could block his shot during their meeting. Unfortunately, Obama denied her request, citing security concerns. It would have been quite a memorable moment if she had managed to block the shot of the Commander-in-Chief.
To end the chat on a lighthearted note, O’Brien asked Griner about any pre-game rituals or superstitions she follows. Surprisingly, her game day ritual revolves around bacon. Griner confessed that she must eat a substantial amount of bacon before each game. On game days, she consumes around 10 pieces, while on normal days, she enjoys a hefty breakfast of 12 to 13 slices. Her love for bacon is notorious, and her friends and family are well aware of it. In fact, she even owns bacon-themed merchandise, including bacon-inspired shirts and socks.
O’Brien amusingly suggested that opposing teams should wear bacon headbands or bring bacon-shaped props to distract Griner during games. The playful banter drew laughter from the audience, and Griner humorously shared that she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with such delicious and tempting distractions.
When asked if she ever opts for turkey bacon, Griner dismissed it, stating that it’s not real bacon. She prefers the classic and flavorful pork bacon.
The chat between Conan O’Brien and Brittney Griner showcased her fun and lively personality, as well as her remarkable skills on the basketball court. Griner’s love for bacon added a quirky and unexpected element to the conversation, leaving the audience entertained and amused by her unique game day ritual.
Overall, the interview offered a delightful blend of humor and sports talk, highlighting the undeniable charm of both Conan O’Brien and Brittney Griner.