The Vertical Podcast with Chris Mannix makes its debut with an in-depth interview from Los Angeles with Clippers swingman Paul Pierce.

The pair have known each other for many years, and the 10-time All-Star and 2008 NBA Finals MVP talks about choosing to play college basketball at Kansas, falling in the 1998 NBA draft and his time with the Boston Celtics.

Chicago Bulls beat writer K.C. Johnson also makes an appearance in this first episode to talk about the team’s direction in the Eastern Conference.

Click here to download the podcast on iTunes, or listen here or on Yahoo Sports.