Orlando Media Day Part One
Orlando Media Day Part Two
Below is the interview with Bargnani as well as some of the more interesting tidbits from todays brief interviews with the rest of the prospects. Bargnani conducted his interview in English without help from a translator.
Andrea Bargnani
Reporter: How excited are you to be involved in this process and to possibly be the #1 pick?
Andrea Bargnani: Im very excited. Its a pleasure to be invited here in New York. Im very proud to represent my country. Its a dream that has started to come true.
Reporter: How about playing with this kind of media attention on you, the pressure?
Andrea Bargnani: Its kind of strange. In my country, the soccer players get all the attention. Its very strange for me.
Reporter: Can you tell me about your game for people who may not have seen you play? Your strengths as a player?
Andrea Bargnani: Maybe I can shoot the ball. Maybe I can make baskets like I did in volume. You have to work a lot on this. I want to work as much as possible.
Reporter: You get compared to Dirk Nowitzki a lot. Do you model your game after him at all?
Andrea Bargnani: Its a very good comparison and Im honored to be compared to him, but hes another level of player, and I will work harder to be the best player I can.
DraftExpress: Are you upset you were unable to workout for NBA teams?
Andrea Bargnani: Yes, very upset. But unfortunately, by league finished only six days ago, the finals, so I was really not able to come and workout.
DraftExpress: What have you done in terms of meeting with teams and taking physicals in the past few days?
Andrea Bargnani: I did the physical test, and thats all, basically.
Reporter: I understand youve put on a lot of weight and that youre now around 230?
Andrea Bargnani: 245 pounds.
Reporter: Theres a lot of questions about translating your game from the European league to the NBA? How do you think you fit?
Andrea Bargnani: In the NBA style? Basically, the biggest difference is in the NBA there are a lot of bigger athletes compared to European athletes. This is the main difference between the leagues.
Reporter: And your skillset, whats the part of your game you think will especially stand out?
Andrea Bargnani: I think for a big guy Im not bad in terms of athleticism. Of course, as you say, I have to work a lot on my body.
DraftExpress: Do you care if youre selected by Toronto or another team?
Andrea Bargnani: Its a pleasure to be here, and any team that selects me, I will try to work and do my best. The NBA teams are the same.
DraftExpress: So theres no chance youll return to Europe next season, no matter who youre picked by?
Andrea Bargnani: No, no, no, no.
DraftExpress: So youre definitely coming to the NBA next season?
Andrea Bargnani: Of course.
DraftExpress: What position do you think youll play in the NBA?
Andrea Bargnani: I think my position is the 4.
DraftExpress: Do you think you could also play some 3 or 5?
Andrea Bargnani: The 3 on defense is very tough to guard smaller players. I think I am a 4.
J.J. Redick
J.J. Redick on the status of his back: My backs doing great. I got a shot a couple of weeks ago. Ive been asymptomatic and pain free for a little over two weeks now. And Ive got about another week and a half of strengthening and rehab before Im able to start working out again basketball-wise.
Rudy Gay
DraftExpress: Were you disappointed when other players pulled out of your workout with Charlotte?
Rudy Gay: Yeah, definitely. Thats what I wanted to do. I wasnt backing out of any workouts, I wasnt backing away from anybody. I could play with anybody and Im one of the best players in this draft. It kind of frustrated me, but youve got to keep going, keeping on.
DraftExpress: What was it like to workout in front of Michael Jordan?
Rudy Gay: Oh, it meant a lot. With him being one of the best players Ive ever seen play, and him actually being hands on with the workout we had, it meant a lot to me.
LaMarcus Aldridge
DraftExpress: What are you hearing about your chances of going #1 in the draft?
LaMarcus Aldridge: I havent heard anything about that. My agent and I, were not really into #1 or anything about that. Were into sending me to the best team where I can fit in and do better.
DraftExpress: Do you think not working out for teams could have hurt you?
LaMarcus Aldridge: No, I dont think that at all. I dont think theyre going to base it off of a workout. I think theyve seen us play all year, so I dont think theyre going to all of a sudden just drop me because of a workout. So, I dont think so, but what do I know? Im just a player.
Brandon Roy
DraftExpress: What do you think of the rumored trade involving you between Houston and Atlanta?
Brandon Roy: Oh yeah? I didnt know they were thinking about that. I think thatd be good for me. I think Houstons really high on me, but they havent guaranteed me anything. But I went in there late and they said some really good, positive things to me and said theyre trying to trade up. And I think that if thats something that could happen then that could be great, to go #5 to the Houston Rockets.
DraftExpress: We hear that Arn Tellems been negotiating a lot with them, you havent heard anything about that?
Brandon Roy: I kind of told Arn to just let me know when youve got a guarantee from somebody. Theres so much, he could call me every 10 minutes and say Brandon were working on this and Brandon were working on that, but I told him I dont really want to deal with that part of the process and just let me know if a team says Were taking Brandon here. I really havent talked to him too much about it, but we are going to schedule some time tonight when we can sit down and go over whats realistic and what may not be for tomorrow.
DraftExpress: So, if Atlanta drafted you and the rumored trade fell through, would you be upset?
Brandon Roy: No, I wouldnt be upset with any team that takes me; especially not a team thats drafting at #5. I would be excited about it and happy that its over with, but to play with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, thatd be great; just to come in and play, but not having to worry about carrying a team or something like that.
Marcus Williams
DraftExpress: We understand that you refused to workout for Golden State and Philadelphia, why is that?
Marcus Williams: Thats my agents call, it wasnt anything I had to do with.
DraftExpress: If youre not selected by Boston, where do you think youd go?
Marcus Williams: I have no idea, I dont know.
DraftExpress: Are you going to be nervous if you fall to teams like Golden State and Philadelphia when you didnt workout for them?
Marcus Williams: I dont know.
Rodney Carney
DraftExpress: What do you think your best workout was?
Rodney Carney: Its been a combination. One time I may defend well and lock players down, the next workout I might shoot lights out, the next I might be athletic and dunk over a lot of people. Its just a combination. Some workouts I may do different things. All of them were good in my opinion.
DraftExpress: Do you think theres any team in particular you impressed?
Rodney Carney: I dont know. I got some positive feedback from a lot of teams.
DraftExpress: Is there any specific range of picks you expect to go in?
Rodney Carney: Well, I expect to go in the top 14. Thats what my agent tells me. Hopefully Ill stay in that range, but if not, everything will be fine. Its still good to get drafted.
DraftExpress: Are you at all afraid of falling out of the lottery or being the last player remaining in the green room?
Rodney Carney: No, Im not afraid of that. Youre still going to get drafted and youre still in a better position than say any other player. It all depends on where you fall at. It could be a great opportunity for you to come in and start and even progress as a player. You could be an all-star at one point in time. It all depends on where you get drafted. It doesnt matter if its top 14, but if youre in a good spot, youll be fine.
DraftExpress: Weve heard Shawne Williams has been moving up the draft boards recently, are you surprised at that at all?
Rodney Carney: Im not surprised at that at all because Ive seen what he did throughout the season and in practice. He shoots the ball well, handles the ball, hes an all-around player, plus hes 69 and athletic, you cant teach that. He has great potential.
DraftExpress: Do you think hes ready for the NBA or hes coming out too early?
Rodney Carney: Only time can tell. Im not going to say hes not ready or anything like that because I know him as a friend; hes one of my good friends. In my opinion, hes ready. Lets just put it like that, hes ready.
Shelden Williams
DraftExpress: What are you hearing about the rumored trade between Atlanta and Houston involving you and Brandon Roy?
Shelden Williams: I havent heard anything about that. A lot of stuffs been said. Ive heard rumors of me going to Utah, Seattle, Houston, and Atlanta. Ive been hearing several things, so Im not going to oblige to any of that until my name is called out tomorrow night.
DraftExpress: How would you feel about playing in Atlanta?
Shelden Williams: Id feel good about playing for Atlanta. Its not too far from Duke and its out there on the east coast, plus I think theyre an up and coming team as well. Whatever team I go to Ill be happy to go to.
Ronnie Brewer
DraftExpress: What do you think your best workout so far has been?
Ronnie Brewer: Thatd be kind of hard to say. I dont necessarily think that any of the workouts Ive went to have been a bad workout. From the feedback Ive gotten from all the people Ive worked out with, they dont think Ive had a bad workout either. I think Ive worked out fairly well with every team, and thats why Im sitting here fairly confident going into the draft because every team Ive worked out for gave me positive feedback, though I worked out well, and I showed them a lot of things I can do. I showed my versatility and I was very excited about that, and I cant really say I had a bad workout. I had a lot of really good workouts.
DraftExpress: Is there any team you think you particularly impressed?
Ronnie Brewer: I think I had a really good workout in Chicago, Boston, Minnesota. Those just come to mind because I shot the ball extremely well there and going into the draft, a lot of people questioned my ability to shoot, so whenever I went into a workout and shot the ball lights out, that kind of impressed them, because when in youre scouting report a knock on you is that you cant shoot the ball well, that kind of cuts down the weaknesses they have listed for you. So I was kind of excited for those workouts because I shot the ball really well.
NBA.coms Interviews with Green Room Prospects:
LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE
Q: Do you think you're the best big-man prospect in this draft?
Aldridge: I don't want to get into [that] ... because I think every big man in this draft has a different style of play, so I wouldn't say I'm the best. But I take it as a compliment if they tell me that I might be one of the best big men in the draft. I wouldn't say I'm the best because everybody plays different.
Q: What about some of the critics that say you lack toughness and aggressiveness?
Aldridge: That's going to go away with time. As I get stronger, I'm going to be able to do more and that's going to get rid of all of that talk about not being tough and things like that.
Q: Your agent says he knows where you're going. Has he shared that with you?
Aldridge: No, he hasn't. He said anything can happen; he said that draft night is crazy. People trade up, trade down. So [no], he hasn't told me anything, but he said he has an idea.
Q: Do you keep in touch with Royal Ivey ... other guys from the University of Texas?
Aldridge: I talk to him all the time. He's actually coming up today, so he should be in town for the draft.
Q: Has he given you any advice?
Aldridge: Nah, he just said to keep working hard, stay focused, just wait for my time -- anything can happen on draft. Like I said, trade up, trade down or whatever.
Q: Have you talked to Texas-native Chris Bosh recently?
Aldridge: Well not recently, but before I did my workouts, I was talking to him every day (We were working out together every day.) And then I lost touch when I started my workouts, but he [said] some of the same things ...
Q: Did he let you know his feelings on the possibility of the Raptors drafting you?
Aldridge: No, I didn't know anything about that. I just started reading articles and people started telling me stuff. It's good to have someone of his caliber -- an All-Star -- saying good things about you . I'm honored that he would say good things about me.
Q: Describe your game in terms of your strengths.
Aldridge: I think my strengths right now are [that] I'm very mobile, I think I can guard different positions, I can shoot 15 to 18-foot [jumpers], I'm really long, I think I can block shots on defense or alter shots. And I think if I get down in the post right now, either my jumper or my sky hook can go in on anyone right now. So I think I'm very versatile, but with strength I can get better.
HILTON ARMSTRONG
Q: Where do you see yourself going in the draft and would you be upset if you dropped at all?
Armstrong: Right now Im just really happy. I just really dont know where Im going, but Im just glad I could be here. A couple of years ago I didnt expect to be here, but Im here right now and just taking it all in.
Q: After working out with some of the teams, do you have a feeling of where you would like to go?
Armstrong: All of them were good. The staff all treated me well. I basically had the same workout with all of them. I cant really pick out one team.
Q: Is New Jersey a team you think fits your style?
Armstrong: New Jersey would be pretty good especially with Jason Kidd. They would definitely make me a better player. And its right around the corner from home. Im from New York and it would be good to have my friends and family around the corner from me.
Q: New Jersey needs a rebounder and they need a big guy, so you would fit their needs.
Armstrong: Yes, I would definitely help them out in that aspect. I know they need a rebounder and somebody to help more on defense on the inside. I would be a good fit right now.
Q: Are you nervous right now?
Armstrong: Not really. It really still hasnt hit me that its about to happen. Tomorrow Im pretty sure its going to hit me and Im going to be real happy and excited. My family is more excited about it than I am right now.
Q: How were your workouts?
Armstrong: They have been pretty good so far. They are not too bad. I have been working hard and just do what I do.
Q: Did maturity come in to play to get yourself disciplined and to get where you want to be?
Armstrong: There was a lot of maturity. But it didnt come from just one year it came from all four years being with Coach [Jim] Calhoun. Thats what he teaches -- hard work and maturity and he wants you to be a man on and off the court. That has a lot to do with my success so far.
Q: What role did your family play in motivating you?
Armstrong: Its real important to me. Thats one of the other motivations that I have, my family. We were always in an apartment. Thats the one thing I want to do, set my mother up in a nice place where she is comfortable and where she wants to be. I want her to live a great life. She is retired now and I am so proud that I can help her do that. I have been wanting to do that for her for years and its finally coming true.
ANDREA BARGNANI
Q: How excited are you, being involved in the whole process, and possibly being the top pick overall?
Bargnani: Very exciting. It is a pleasure to be here in New York and I am very proud to represent my country. It is a dream that is starting to come true.
Q: How about playing with this type of media attention on you, the pressure?
Bargnani: Its very strange. Usually, in my country, its the soccer players who get this kind of attention, so its very strange.
Q: You get compared to Dirk Nowitzki a lot. Do you model your game after him?
Bargnani: Hes a very good person and player, its an honor to be compared to him. But of course he is another level of player. I will work hard to be the best player I can be.
Q: Are you upset you were unable to workout for NBA teams?
Bargnani: Yes. I am very upset, but unfortunately my league championship finished just a few days ago so I was unable to come and workout for NBA teams.
Q: How tall are you?
Bargnani: 70.
Q: What teams in particular came to scout you?
Bargnani: A lot of teams. Atlanta, Toronto, basically every team it wasnt just one team that came.
Q: There are a lot of questions about you translating your game to the NBA. How do you think youll fit?
Bargnani: Fit with the NBA style?
Q: Yes.
Bargnani: I think the biggest difference is that in the NBA there are a lot of big athletes compared to European athletes that is the main difference in the leagues.
RONNIE BREWER
Q: What have you heard about where you might get drafted?
Brewer: Ive heard anywhere from six to 14. I really dont worry too much about where Im going to go. I know I worked out well with all the teams I visited, and I feel pretty confident about that. Im just looking forward to tomorrow.
Q: Where do you want to go?
Brewer: I have no choice, so any team that picks me, Im going to be happy. I really dont have a team that I prefer to play for. The NBA is the NBA. Its a privilege to be there, so youve got to take full advantage of it wherever you go.
Q: What kind of adjustments will you have to make?
Brewer: Im going to have to knock down my jumpshot consistently and expand my range to NBA three-point range. I think I have the majority of the basic skills being able to handle the ball, play different positions and being able to defend different positions I think being able to knock down shots consistently, night in and night out will be the biggest challenge for me, but I think I can do it. Its a big transition from college to the pros, but I think the good players make that transition pretty easily. Youre going to have to work hard at it, but I think Ill be able to do it.
Q: How important is it to look good on Draft night?
Brewer: Its important. It gets competitive. When you watch it on TV, you always remember whos the worst dressed. I think everybodys going to come out in their nicest clothes. Nobody wants to be on that worst dressed list.
Q: Who do you recall being on that worst dressed list in the past Drafts?
Brewer: Probably Karl Malone or Jalen Rose.
Q: Did your Dad give you any fashion advice?
Brewer: No. My Dads pretty old school. He has his own style and I have mine. I saw what hes going to wear, and its real nice. I have a different style. Its not too flashy. Its kind of laid back with a lot of different colors. Its not going to be anything outrageous like a yellow or red suit, but its going to be nice.
RODNEY CARNEY
Q: What do you think your chances are of succeeding in the NBA?
Carney: I think I have a great chance, because in a lot of peoples opinion I havent even scratched my potential yet. If I get a lot of things corrected ball-handling, keeping my feet moving right Ill be a much better player. Skill-wise, I have a long way to go. Im working out with my trainer, and Tracy McGrady has worked with me on some things, so I think its going to be a great outcome.
Q: What part of your game do you think will be the biggest asset to an NBA team?
Carney: Defense. If you cant defend then you wont stay on the court, but if you defend you can stay out there for a while. People make a living on defense. Bruce Bowen, Ben Wallace they get paid a lot of money just for that. If I can play great defense, I think I can bring a lot to any team.
Q: What position do you see yourself at playing the most?
Carney: I play the two and the three. Once I get my ball-handling corrected I think Ill strictly play the two. I can make shots, Im a dribble/driver, and I have multiple weapons on offense.
Q: Which of your workouts went the best and why?
Carney: Every workout I did something different, so all of them were kind of the same. I worked out for Phoenix. I shot the ball well, went to the hole, dunked on people and everything. With the Bobcats I defended well and locked people down. In other workouts I shot lights out. Its a combination of everything, so I would say that most of my workouts were about the same.
Q: What was it like talking to and seeing the GMs and coaches knowing that they would be the ones deciding whether or not to pick you?
Carney: It was kind of intimidating, because once you see the head coach and the GM youre like these are the head guys. Youve got to make a good impression, so you kind of tidy up your clothes, speak well Sometimes, you try and do too much, but after the first couple workouts you just relax and do your thing. I think they respected and liked that.
Q: What are you planning to wear to the Draft?
Carney: I just tried on my suit upstairs. Its pretty nice. Im not going to tell you all what it is, but its nice.
RANDY FOYE
Q: Has it all sunk in that the start of your NBA career is upon you?
Foye: Not really. Its pretty surreal. Its just crazy to me. Its happening so quick. I think about the [college] season ending against Florida and how upset I was, and then I look at how a couple months later Im as happy as Ive ever been. I also dont think Ive ever worked as hard. Sometimes when I play, Im just high off life, just out there playing. Sometimes, Im dead tired from traveling and everything, and I just go out there and still perform at the highest level. Hopefully, people are impressed at what I can do.
Q: You made two visits to the Celtics. What does that tell you?
Foye: It tells me a little something. You never know though, because anything can happen. Theyre interested in drafting a point guard. They brought Marcus Williams back for a second time, and Rajon Rondo too. So, the thing that sticks out to me when I think about what the Celtics are trying to do is theyre trying to draft a guard.
Q: Minnesota was supposed to show up to the workout, but didnt. What do you think their interest level is?
Foye: I think that [Danny] Ainge and [Kevin] McHale talk to each other, so [Ainge] can send word back on how I did. I dont think McHale had to come there and watch with his own eyes, because I know theyre good friends.
Q: Do you feel comfortable with teams wanting you to play strictly point guard?
Foye: Yeah, people want me to play the straight point. Some people want me to be a combo guard.
Q: As a fan of the game, are you also interested in seeing who goes number one?
Foye: Yeah. Im a fan like anyone else, so I want to see. Im interested in what Torontos going to do with their pick, because you dont know if theyre even going to keep their pick yet. It depends. Some teams that arent even in the picture may sneak up there in the top five, so Im looking forward to seeing what happens.
Q: Will you be disappointed if you dont go in the top 10?
Foye: Not at all. How can you be disappointed to be drafted by the best league in the world, so Ill just be happy to be drafted. Its not about going in the top ten, its about being the right fit for the team that picks you.
RUDY GAY
Q: Do you think you can be consistent on an every-night basis?
Gay: Definitely, that's why I've been doing all the things I've been doing these past 6-8 weeks. Just to be consistent throughout the long season and I'm prepared to do that every game.
Q: How has the past few weeks gone?
Gay: Anxious. It's been the longest, but then again the fastest few weeks -- however many weeks -- in my life. There's been a lot of hard work, a lot of workouts, but I've just been so anxious since that day at UConn.
Q: Are you happy with all the decisions you've made in your life basketball wise?
Gay: Yeah. I think God has blessed me with that. Just being there, making the right decisions, although sometimes you might question those decisions. But I think being blessed with the ability to stick in there and go for [it].
Q: Anything you would change leading up to this moment?
Gay: I wouldn't change anything.
Q: You have the chance to be the best player coming out of this draft. What do you have to offer an NBA team?
Gay: Personally, I think -- a lot people think of a great player they think offensively -- but defensively I can be a stopper. I think I can bring a lot to a team personally, just as a person who loves the game. I think that means a lot.
Q: What did you try to showcase in your workouts?
Gay: Just that I can do a lot of things ... [inaudible] ... being around a lot of great players like Marcus Williams, Hilton Armstrong, Denham Brown ... also just going out there and handling the ball and showing that I love the game.
Q: Where were some of the places you played as a kid?
Gay: I played at Cecil Kurk Recreation Center. I just went all around, I moved around so much ... I used to hang with my cousins, so wherever a good run was, I would go ... After playing with AAU, you don't really want to go outside.
Q: With all UConn players expected to go high in the draft, have you ever thought of the possibilities of going back and competing for a national championship?
Gay: I think there have been times where I've thought about what happened and stuff like that. No matter how much you want to you can't replay that game ... but it was there night.
ADAM MORRISON
Q: Tell us how excited you are to be here.
Morrison: Its pretty exciting, the dreams coming true. Its finally coming together, so tomorrow well find out.
Q: How about the thought that everything is going to change tomorrow night?
Morrison: Like I said, its been a long-time dream and Im very excited for it. Life is going to change, but its going to change for the better.
Q: What do you say when people compare you to Larry Bird?
Morrison: I say that he won three straight MVPs and he was an NBA champion and Im just a college kid, so I appreciate, but its a little overdone I think.
Q: How long is the stache going to last?
Morrison: [Laughter] I dont know.
Q: Youve been seen at Lakers games, are you a big Lakers fan?
Morrison: Yeah, very much. Kobe, and obviously Ronny Turiaf is one of my former teammates he plays there. So, its fun to go to Lakers games and L.A. is great and its fun to go.
Q: What players did you idolize growing up?
Morrison: Probably Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan obviously. I think every kid in America idolized Jordan as a basketball player so those are probably the two guys I watched the most.
Q: What teams would fit into your style particularly well?
Morrison: Im not quite sure. I mean, Im trying to fit to into their style, not them fit to my style. I think wherever I go I am just going to adapt to what they want me to do and how they want me to do it.
Q: Do you feel you can make an impact right away with the team?
Morrison: Yeah, if I didnt I wouldnt be entering this Draft, I would have gone to my senior season. So, yeah I feel like I can get it done at the next level.
Q: You and J.J. Redick have been linked cross country. Talk about what you guys talked about when you hung out together in L.A. a couple of weeks back.
Morrison: Just the whole process and the workouts and stuff. Just chilling and hanging out and kind of exhausting all the frustration that there is with this process, but also the good stuff that comes with it. Like I said before life is changed a little bit now for all of us, its for the better so just talking about that stuff.
PATRICK O'BRYANT
Q: How does it feel to know you might be the first center off the board?
OBryant: That feels really good. Ive worked hard to get to this point, and it would be great to be one of the first ones to go.
Q: Are there any indications of where you might be going?
OBryant: None at all its really all up in the air right now.
Q: Who would you say is most responsible for encouraging and getting you to the level you are at now?
OBryant: I think I would have to go with my mom. She has always been there for me and one of the only people who has been there since the beginning.
Q: Are there any players youre really looking forward to playing against?
OBryant: Just for the experience to play against Shaq such a great player, one of the best ever, it will be an honor to play with him. And then Kevin Garnett and all of the other greats in the NBA, theyre just going to be fun to play with.
Q: What do you feel youve improved on since your (college) season ended?
OBryant: Probably my footwork. Ive been kind of shocking myself with a lot of it, some of the stuff Ive been pulling out in my workouts. On the wing, and some of my outside game. Im even kind of surprising myself with it.
Q: What have teams tried to work on with you?
OBryant: Probably my low-post game. From 15-foot, spot-up shooting type stuff to other stuff in the low-post.
Q: What are you looking forward to buying with your first contract?
OBryant: Pretty much anything Ive ever wanted. (Laughs).
J.J. REDICK
Q: What style of play would you like to step into?
Redick: Well, I think for a guy like me, probably everybody, would say Phoenix and the style of play that they have right now. But not everyone plays that style. I really would just be happy where I would have a chance to compete for playing time right away.
Q: What do you say when people say youre too small for the NBA?
Redick: Well, I think people say a lot of things, not just about me but about everybody. Im 6-4 with my shoes off. I dont think thats too small. Im not Dana Barros out there playing the two.
Q: So you would be a two in the NBA, not a one?
Redick: If a team wants to make me a one, I wouldnt be opposed to trying that but Im a two-guard.
Q: Could you play the three as well?
Redick: I can play the two better. Its what Ive been playing since I was about 14.
Q: Do you remember growing up, people saying you cant do this or you cant do that do you remember the first time that happened to you?
Redick: Yeah, its happened to me my whole life. In fact, Ive realized there are always going to be doubters. Be it my size, or my quickness or my skin color, whatever it is that drives people to doubt me. Ive overcome it my whole life. People told me I wasnt going to play when I was in high school as a freshman. People told me I wasnt going to get any playing time at Duke, that I was crazy for going to a school like that with so many good players because I wasnt going to play. And that turned out alright.
BRANDON ROY
Q: With the Northwest rivalry do you want to go higher than Adam Morrison?
Roy: I think more than anything I want to get in a good situation for myself. As Im going through this process, Im learning that the situation is probably better and going as high as you can. You want to come in and play right away. Everybody that Ive been involved with at the NBA says after a year or two you dont remember where guys are drafted you just remember how they played in their first two seasons. I just want to get in a position that I can play well. Im happy for everyone here and I hope they all get in the best situation possible.
Q: You put in four years of college. How was the education part?
Roy: I think college was the best thing for me because I got the chance to develop into a complete player. The thing college does is it teaches you discipline. You have to mature at the college level especially with a coach like coach [Lorenzo] Romar. He forces us to handle our school work and be just as good on the court. I think its matured me and given me a lit of discipline.
Q: What is the game plan after your career is over?
Roy: I think to have an education is great. I know for myself I definitely want to stay around basketball whether its broadcasting or coaching. Staying in the game is something that Ill want to do in the future.
Q: How many times did you run into [Adam] Morrison in June?
Roy: We worked out once for the Portland Trailblazers. We see each other all over traveling, but we only got the chance to work out together once.
Q: How was it sharing a workout with him?
Roy: It was weird because Rudy Gay was there and the anticipation was kind of high. It was the first workout that all three of us were in so everybody was pretty excited about it. Guys were trying to force and impress, but once everyone settled down I thought it was a good workout. I actually hope that maybe we can get one more together just because it was such a fun workout and I thought it was competitive.
Q: What kind of player can you be at the next level?
Roy: I think I can be a versatile player, a combo guard. I think I can play the one and the two. Some people say they want to see me play more one and some people say they want to see me focus more at the two guard position, but I think I can definitely be a combo guard. I think I can play the two guard position as equally as the one. Thats something I want to develop more, playing more point guard.
Q: What past NBA player do you consider your game most similar to?
Roy: Thats the hardest question Ive had to answer in interviews. I think I do a lot of things like a lot of different guys. Thats what I try to do. I study the NBA games and if I see a guy playing a certain way I try to take it to the gym and work on what he did. I think Kobe Bryant has great footwork and I try to pay attention to the things he does when he gets into the lane. I think Tracy McGrady, I love his pace and people say we play the same tempo. He looks calm and hes always relaxed.
CEDRIC SIMMONS
Q: Whats the last few days been like for you?
Simmons: Workouts here and there. Been times when I get nervous, times when I sit in my room and think about being at the next level. Feel like Im living a dream.
Q: What can you offer an NBA team?
Simmons: Shot blocking, athleticism, I can run the floor well. Im still a little raw offensively, but I can shoot the jumper facing up.
Q: There have been questions of your offense. What have you done to this point to improve offensively? What can we expect in the future?
Simmons: Im doing a lot of shooting; Ive done a lot of ball handling. In the future you can expect me to get better each year doing different things. I want to kind of improve like Elton Brand has in his NBA career.
Q: Has anybody been able to give you advice on what to expect at the next level?
Simmons: Yeah, I talked to Coach [Herb] Sendek, talked to Julius Hodge, who is a former teammate of mine, and Coach [Sidney Lowe]. And they all kind of told me the same thing, that it is a big adjustment and a lot is going to change in the next day. So I just got to take it one day at a time and not spend my money too fast, just take care of my money
Q: With Draft day here, how do you feel?
Simmons: I mean it feels good. I started at the bottom and came up to the top and now Im invited to the green room. Whoever thought I would be invited to the green room when I first went in without an agent, so I mean it is just a dream come true.
Q: Talk about the day when you were invited to the Green Room, how did you feel? Do you think it vindicated you?
Simmons: Yeah, it kind of let me know where I was in the Draft. I had my doubts, I kind of thought a lot of these guys were better than me, and all that, they had more pub than me. Once I found out I was invited to the Green Room I was just excited. Every time I dreamed about going to the NBA thats where I dreamed about me getting my name called.
TYRUS THOMAS
Q: What is your mindset entering the NBA?
Thomas: If I go to a great team and I don't perform, I'm not going to play, I'm not going to last long. If I go to a bad team, I'm not going to last long. So if I just go in and work and do what I have to do, I'm going to be alright and the team will be alright.
Q: What has been the most surprising part of the workouts with these teams?
Thomas: It wasn't unexpected. I know you have to work and show what you're capable of doing.
Q: So nothing surprised you?
Thomas: No, not really.
Q: How conscious are you of what you're going to be wearing tomorrow?
Thomas: I want to make sure I look good because Charles Barkley's a hard man and he'll talk about you in a minute. So you just have to make sure you look good; look good for the public eye.
Q: What are you going to be wearing?
Thomas: I'm not telling. It's classified.
Q: How do you think you'll feel after tomorrow night?
Thomas: Relieved, just relieved and blessed. It's like getting that paycheck. I know after tomorrow night, my paycheck is on the way. It's just like all your hard work and you're going to see some results.
Q: [Inaudible]
Thomas: I was just telling my uncles when I was fitting on my clothes that this was the first time out of my family anybody in my family owned a suit that was not from Burlington or Ross or from Steinmart, so it was a good feeling.
Q: What strengths will you bring to an NBA team?
Thomas: They know what I'm going to do. I'm going to bring excitement and energy to the team. I'm going to bring hard work. They know what I'm going to bring.
Q: Do you think you'll have an impact right away?
Thomas: I'm going to do what I have to do to help my team succeed, so if that means being a great practice player for a year or half a year or however long, whatever it is to help my team get better, that's what I'm willing to do.
MARCUS WILLIAMS
Q: When did you start thinking about being drafted into the NBA?
Williams: High school. Probably the end of high school.
Q: Did you watch the NBA Draft on television?
Williams: I watched it Bens [Gordon] year. And I watched it until Charlie [Villanueva] got picked.
Q: How much do you read of the mock drafts?
Williams: None. None at all. The past couple of years Ive seen Ben going in the teens and Ive seen Charlie going like 25th and they ended up going three and seven.
Q: Who did you work out for?
Williams: Boston, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston and Minnesota.
Q: Any teams twice?
Williams: Boston and Toronto.
Q: From your workouts did you get any indication as to who you think is really interested?
Williams: Everyone kind of gives you the poker face. Ive heard the same line seven times; they really kind of give you no feedback I guess.
Q: Of the teams you mentioned before, which do you think would be a good fit for you?
Williams: I looked at a couple of rosters, and Ive seen Toronto, Ive seen Atlanta, Ive seen Boston with me stepping right in and contributing.
Q: Anything in particular teams wanted to see from you in their workouts?
Williams: The workouts when I went back twice, it was more situational like 2-on-2, pick and rolls, down screens. Then they just let you play to see if you can play the game of basketball, see how creative you are.
Q: You are going to be one of the first guards taken. Rudy [Gay] is going to be one of the first forwards taken and Hilton [Armstrong] is going to be one of the first centers taken. How did you not win a national championship?
Williams: During the tournament we were living life on the edge. It was a close game the first game, second game, third game, fourth game. I think a lot of egos may have clashed, not to say publicly, like we were arguing out loud. I mean there were a lot of egos; you got six guys who can score 20 points on any given night. And right at that time is when agents come, and the NBA talk, and some people get more publicity than others. So I dont think we were as focused as we should have been, as we were during the season.
SHELDEN WILLIAMS
Q: Where do you think the rumor came from that you were going to Atlanta?
Williams: I dont know. There have been rumors that have me going to Seattle, Utah, New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Atlanta. I dont pay attention to that until my name is called on Wednesday.
Q: Can you come up with some reasons why teams would be making a mistake passing on J.J. Redick?
Williams: It depends on the system you have. Hes going to be a player that can stretch out a defense and be a great shooter. Hes the closest thing youll find in terms of a pure shooter, and if thats what a team is looking for, hes at the top. I knew from Day One how well he could shoot the ball. When we got to Duke, we played a lot of pick up games together, and I saw first hand what he could do, so I never questioned it, and he delivered every night for us.
Q: What was is like playing for Coach K?
Williams: It was a great experience. Hes a Hall of Fame coach. Hes straight forward and honest with you from Day 1. A lot of people try to sugar coat stuff, but no matter what the situation is, he wont sugar coat anything. He shoots straight from the hip, and I really appreciated that about him.
Q: Is there one person responsible for helping you get to this level?
Williams: My parents. My Dad, hes the one that worked with me and my younger brother. Basketball was the last sport I started to play. He didnt want me following in his footsteps; he was a basketball player. Hes the main reason I developed the work ethic I have.
Q: Is there any player youre looking forward to going up against?
Williams: Not really. Just being in the league will be a great feeling for me.
Q: Was there a particular team you felt most comfortable working out for?
Williams: No. I just went out there and tried to do the things that I do. People who have seen me play for four years, they know what to expect. What I showed in workouts is what Ive showed for four years.
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