PAUL GEORGE IS LEADING INDIANA TO NEW HEIGHTS
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KEYON DOOLING // JEFF GREEN // JRUE HOLIDAY
Issue 3 Issue 3 JuneJune
20132013
DAVID LEE
GREIVIS VASQUEZ
NORRIS COLE
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS
PAUL GEORGE IS LEADING
INDIANA TO NEW HEIGHTS
~1~
Game Time Issue 3,
June 2013
STARTERS
OFF THE BENCH TIPOFF 3
12 SO MUCH MORE STARTERS: GREIVIS VASQUEZ 4
After a rookie season that didn’t see much playing time,
Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler has been one of the STARTERS: TIM HARDAWAY Jr 5
most important players in the league.
TOP 5: HAIRSTYLES 6
16 TIME TO CELEBRATE
Even though his team struggled with the departure of An-
dre Iguodala, with Jrue Holiday leading the 76ers, the fu-
ture is bright.
20 COMING HOME
After an amazing recovery from heart surgery, Jeff Green
came back better than before.
22 BIG LITTLE MAN
Syracuse’s Michael Carter-Williams was supposed to be
good. But this year he showed that he is one of the
best.
24 RISE OF A TRUE WARRIOR
Despite an injury that was supposed to end his playoffs,
David Lee came back and showed what it means to be a
Golden State Warrior.
28 DON’T STOP
In his first couple of seasons, Paul George couldn’t show his
true scoring ability with so many offensive weapons. With
Danny Granger out most of the year, George showed the
full package of what he could do.
32 HE’S BACK
By coming out of retirement, Keyon Dooling is back on the
floor helping an NBA team.
~2~
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed our second issue of Game
Time Magazine featuring senior writer Nick
Kolb’s cover story on Cody Zeller . We have
taken some extra time getting this issue out
because we have been making sure that it is a
great issue with more articles than ever before.
This month’s issue features our two exclusive
interviews with Keyon Dooling and Michael
Carter-Williams, a cover story on Paul George
and more.
Check out this month’s Top 5, the Top 5
Hairstyles of the season.
Please send us your feedback or other
comments to
magazine.gametime@gmail.com.
Enjoy the Issue!
Alex Stoddard
Game Time Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief: Alex Stoddard
Senior Writers: Jarron Flynn, Chris Kolb,
Nick Kolb, Phil Simpson, Alicia Stoddard
Contributors: Warren Serunjogi, Graham
Raveret
Director of Sales: Nick Kolb
~3~
Reviewer: Jonathan Rabinowitz
MARYLAND’S FINEST
Greivis Vasquez
New Orleans Hornets
With assist numbers like former teammate
Chris Paul, and pick and roll knowledge
like Uncle Drew, Greivis Vasquez is con-
sidered by many as one of the top point
guards in the league.
After his college career at Maryland
ended with him winning the Bob Cousy
Award, ACC POY, All ACC First Team, and
NCAA All-American Second Team,
Vasquez’s NBA career didn’t start the way
his college one ended. Picked at just the
28th pick in the 2010 draft, Vasquez played
just 12 minutes per game his rookie year,
averaging just 3.6 points and 2.2 assists.
With the skill he possessed, Grei-
vis deserved much more time on the
court, and after being traded the day
before the lockout shortened season
started, Vasquez’s minutes shot up to
25.8 per game while his scoring average
more than doubled up to 8.9 points and
his assists went up to 5.4 per game.
In his third pro season, Vasquez led
the Hornets in Eric Gordon’s absence
starting all 82 games at point guard and
coming in behind Chris Paul and Rajon
Rondo for the assist title averaging
9 per game. – Alex Stoddard ~4~
LIKE FATHER
LIKE SON
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Michigan Wolverines
Having a dad that played in the NBA, most
people just assume that you and your NBA
relative are the same people and will make
the same choices. Some differences in Tim
Hardaway Jr. and Sr. are easier to see - like
their size and position. Hardaway Jr. stands
at 6’6” and plays shooting guard, while his
father stands at just 6’ and played PG in his
all-star days.
Growing up in Miami, FL, many col-
leges overlooked him during high school,
but eventually Michigan saw the potential
inside of him. Considering he averaged
31.7 points, over 7 boards and 4 assists in-
cluding 42 in the Florida State Champion-
ship game, it shouldn’t have been so hard
to see. His only other offers were from
Minnesota and Kansas State.
Coming into Michigan, he was im-
mediately an impact player playing over 30
minutes per game in his freshman season,
and averaging 13.9 points per game.
This past season, Tim helped Michi-
gan reach the National Championship
game where they lost to Louisville. Harda-
way averaged over 13 points and 3.5 as-
sists in the NCAA Tournament.
~5~
– Alex Stoddard
FROM DENNIS RODMAN TO CHRIS
ANDERSON, THE NBA HAS SEEN A LOT OF
CRAZY HAIRSTYLES OVER THE YEARS, AND
WE RANK THE 5 BEST FROM THIS SEASON
~6~
Anderson Varejao’s……
Thing…..
“The Wild Thing”, Anderson
Varejao, most likely calls his hair
the same thing as it is - a nice mess
that flops up and down as he runs.
Everything about~ 7 Norris
~ Cole’s hair
Norris Cole’s Mini
Flat Top
Everything about Norris Cole’s
hair says Top 5. The part com-
bined with the mini flat top is a
lethal combination.
~8~
Chris Andersen’s
Mohawk
Not many players can rock the
Mohawk look, but Chris Ander-
sen does it, and does it well.
~9~
Iman Shumpert’s
Flat Top
Iman Shumpert knows style, and
knows how to wear the best
looking flat top in the league.
~ 10 ~James Harden’s
Hair and Beard
With the mini Mohawk hair and
the beast mode beard, James
Harden has the full package.
~ 11 ~~ 12 ~
BY NICK KOLB
CHICAGO BULLS FORWARD
JIMMY BUTLER
DOES IT ALL,
AND DOES IT WELL
By NICK KOLB
~ 13 ~N
ot everyone gets compared to a "He just gets out there and competes.
Swiss army knife, and when you He's got great energy every day."
do, there aren’t many reasons
Butler, who did not get much playing time
why. When it comes to Jimmy Butler of
last year during his rookie season, has be-
the Chicago Bulls, he completely fits the
come a key player for the Bulls in 2013.
bill. He’s a strong defender who plays
hard whenever he’s on the court, who can In the first ten games of the 2012-2013
also snag offensive rebounds and score. season, Butler came off the bench for
With so much versatility, it’s no wonder limited minutes. Even with the Bull’s star
Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau is so Derrick Rose out, Butler was not playing a
high on him. Said Thibs, significant role on the team. Then, Luol
Deng missed five games due to a
hamstring injury. Butler took his
place and averaged 14.2 points and
8.6 rebounds.
During one game in January
against the Lakers, Butler held Ko-
be Bryant to 16 points, while scor-
ing 10 points of his own. Butler’s
teammates started calling him the
“Kobe Stopper.” With Deng return-
ing to the line-up toward the end
of January, Butler has continued to
play an important role for the
team, usually scoring in double dig-
its and shutting down players with
his aggressive defense.
"I don't try to think about it, I just
try to play incredibly hard every
possession on the offensive end
and the defensive end," said Butler.
~ 14 ~"I don't try to
think about it, I
just try to play
incredibly hard
every possession
on the offensive
end and the de-
fensive end.”
ty, where he was Coach Buzz Wil-
liams’s first recruit. Butler didn’t
get a lot of playing time his soph-
omore year, but by his senior year
he was averaging 15.7 points per
game, playing a strong defense
and being scouted by NBA teams.
Butler has not had an easy path to suc- In the 2011 NBA draft, Butler was the 30 th
cess. When he was 13, his mother kicked overall pick, taken by the Chicago Bulls as
him out of the house telling him, “I don’t the last pick of the first round. He spent
like the look of you.” After bouncing from most of his rookie year on the bench.
friend’s house to friend’s house, Butler
finally found a home with the Lambert Now Butler has the opportunity to show
family, who had a son who played bas- that he is a top level NBA player. As the
ketball. Living with the Lamberts, Butler Bulls close in on a playoff spot without
was able to pursue his basketball dreams. the help of Derrick Rose, they need Jimmy
Butler to be at his best. Just as he has
After playing a year for a junior college, throughout his whole life, Jimmy Butler
Butler transferred to Marquette Universi- seems ready to take on the challenge.
~ 15 ~~ 16 ~
IT’S TAKEN SOME TIME, BUT
JRUE HOLIDAY
HAS PROVEN THAT THE SIXERS
ARE HIS TEAM.
By Chris Kolb
Y
ou may have heard that Jrue Holi- Many people were shocked when he
day is an NBA All-Star. You may wasn’t selected for the All-Star Game in
have seen him slam down a jam or 2011, despite 13.5 points and 4.5 assists per
hit a game-winning buzzer beater. Well, game. Some critics blamed this on Holiday
that’s what he does. being a quiet player and being overshad-
owed by Andre Iguodala. This left Holiday
At age 18, Holiday slid in the 2009
motivated and determined to become even
draft and was selected 17th overall by the
better.
76ers. He was the youngest player in the
NBA at the time. Right from the start, how- Right before the 2012-2013 season,
ever, he was an impact player. In his first the 76ers made a surprising trade, sending
year, the 6’4” point guard averaged 8 points team leader Andre Iguodala to Denver. This
and 3.8 assists per game. Holiday not only meant Holiday was going to become the
played well, he also became the long-term spotlight player in Philly. In return, Philadel-
starter. phia received an injured Andrew Bynum.
~ 17 ~The 76ers are credited
with having one of the best back-
court duos in the NBA. Holiday
and Nick Young combined are av-
eraging 30 points per game, just
about a third of the team’s points.
They can score, pass, steal the
ball, and generally cause trouble
for the opposing team. The two
guards are working well with Evan
Turner, a third year forward from
Ohio State. Averaging just about
14 points per contest, Turner is
complementing Holiday nicely.
Nick, Evan and Jrue are having a
great year and are looking to play
even better. If the 76ers are going
to be an elite team, they need
their big three to play well.
After a slow start to the
season, the 76ers are recovering
quickly. Sitting right now at the
ninth seed in the Eastern confer-
ence, the Sixers are trying to make
the playoffs. Even if they don’t
make the playoffs this year, there
The Sixers needed players to step up, is no reason to worry. All of the
and that is exactly what Holiday has done. big three are under 27 years old and are still
Holiday has put up a season that no one can developing their games. When Andrew
ignore. The 22 year old is averaging just un- Bynum returns next year, the 76ers may be
der 20 points and 9 assists per game. He ready to make a deep playoff run.
was selected for the All-Star Game in only
Holiday has done everything the
his fourth year in the league. There is no
76ers have asked him to do. Not many 22
doubt that Holiday is one of the rising stars
year olds are asked to lead a team, however
in the NBA.
Holiday is fitting that role quite nicely. Jrue
Holiday was ready to make a statement in
the NBA, and that’s just what he’s doing.
~ 18 ~Game Time is looking for sports
writers! If you have a desire to
show off what you can write
about basketball, send us a
sample of your writing to
magazine.gametime@gmail.com.
Start your writing career at Game
Time!
magazine.gametime@gmail.com
~ 19 ~~ 20 ~
By CHRIS KOLB
On January 9, 2012, Jeff Green lay his team to a state championship. Oklahoma City. It was one of the
in a hospital bed with a breathing His family had always been most controversial trades in Celtics
tube and multiple IVs after having Georgetown fans, so it was not a history. Green finished the season
undergone major heart surgery. surprise when Green announced with the Celtics and signed a one-
Exactly one year later, Green was he would be heading to the year deal for the 2011-2012 sea-
hanging on the rim after a nasty Hoyas. At Georgetown, Green son, but was diagnosed with the
jam against the Suns. dominated play and won the life threatening aneurysm in De-
During a routine physical in Hoyas a Big East Championship in cember. There was no timeline for
December 2011, Green was 2007. Green then led the Hoyas Green’s return. In fact, no one was
diagnosed with an aortic to the Final Four and was also sure he would ever play basketball
aneurysm, the swelling of a main named Big East Player of the again.
artery that carries blood to the Year. In the 2007 NBA Draft, Green underwent a 5 ½-hour
body. Green was told that he Green was selected by the Celtics heart surgery in January 2012. Af-
would have to miss the season, with the 5th overall pick. He was ter months of grueling rehab and
and that his basketball career and immediately traded, however, to practice, Green was able to resume
even his life were in jeopardy. His the Seattle Super Sonics (now the playing for the Celtics at the start
struggle and success in returning to Oklahoma City Thunder) for Ray of the 2012-2013 season. His per-
the NBA has been an inspiration to Allen and Glen “Big Baby” Davis. severance and determination were
his Celtics teammates and In Seattle and Oklahoma City, rewarded when he signed a four-
basketball fans around the world. Green averaged a total of 14.3 year, $36 million contract with the
Green grew up in Cheverly, points and 5.8 rebounds per Celtics. Now, he is soaring towards
Maryland. He played high school game. Then, on February 24, the hoop and sprinting down the
ball at Northwestern High School 2011, the 6’9” forward was court. Green isn’t the flashiest
in Hyattsville, and in 2004, he led traded back to Boston in a deal player in the NBA, but he is one of
that sent Kendrick Perkins to the toughest.
~ 21 ~~ 22 ~
NOW CONSIDERED ONE OF THE
TOP PROSPECTS FOR THIS YEAR’S DRAFT,
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS
WASN’T ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF THE BASKETBALL WORLD.
NOT EVERYONE gets to live high school career, he wasn’t one deadly combination, as Fair averaged
their dreams - let alone before of those LeBron James type players 14.5 points and 7 boards combined
they've even graduated from college that immediately comes in averag- with the 6’6” Carter-Williams 11.9
and have a job. But for Syracuse's ing 20 points. He wasn’t even a guy points and 7.7 assists per game, 3rd in
Michael Carter-Williams, playing in who played 20 minutes per game. the country.
the final four was something he'd Carter-Williams didn’t even start in
Despite the decision Fair has
been dreaming of since he was little. his first year at St Andrews, let
alone star. made to stay in school next year,
"Playing in the final four was an Carter-Williams has entered the
experience of a lifetime. It was Similarly, during his freshman draft, and is projected to be a lottery
amazing. It was something I had year at Syracuse, Michael played pick. When it came to his factors in
always dreamed of doing," said just 10 minutes per game, starting the decision, Carter-Williams says, “A
Michael when we met up with him at zero games all season and averag- lot of [the decision] depended on
Mass Premier Courts in April. ing just 2.7 points per game. how my season went. We had a few
Coming out of high school as a five ups and down during the season but
As the leader of the Orange’s run star prospect and the number 21 we ended on a strong note.”
to the National Semi Final Game, ranked recruit in the class of 2011,
Carter-Williams’ 24 point, 4 steal, 5 people may have been expecting Said Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim
rebound performance in the Elite 8 more from Carter-Williams, and about Carter-Williams, "He's coming
propelled Cuse to the Final Four after a one year wait, they got what off a tremendous season and we ap-
before their eventual loss to preciate all he's done for Syracuse
they wanted.
Michigan. Despite his great basketball. “
performance in the win over After his quiet freshman year,
MCW came fast out of the gates Whatever team picks him in the
Marquette, Carter-Williams had
draft, may not start him right at the
many bumps in the road, spotlighted averaging 12.3 points 10.7 assists
through his first 10 games of the start, but as he’s shown in high
in his 2 point, 5 turnover, 5 foul game
season. school, and again in college, he
in the loss in the Final Four.
knows how to play and he knows
In MCW’s first year at St Andrews, Carter-Williams combined with how to lead a team to new levels.
the school in which he finished his CJ Fair in the frontcourt was a
BY ALEX STODDARD
~ 23 ~~ 24 ~
By Jarron Flynn
AFTER A SLOW START TO HIS CAREER, DAVID
LEE HAS SHOWN THAT THROUGH HARD WORK
AND DEDICATION, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
E
veryone says that hard work pays off. But not everyone is willing to put in that
hard work. David Lee is a perfect example of someone who has been willing to
put in the work, and it has shown in his results.
When he was drafted by the Knicks in 2005, he averaged only 5.1 points and 4.5 re-
bounds during his rookie season. Now in his eighth year, the left handed center aver-
aged 18.5 points per game and 11.2 rebounds, along with 3.5 assists in 79 games played
this season. He is proving himself to be a double-double machine, with a unique combi-
nation of inside power play and a soft shooting touch. Having played his second All-Star
Game this season, it looks like the sky is the limit.
David Lee was born in St. Louis Missouri. He became ambidextrous when he broke his
left arm and learned to play right handed. When he was in high school, he was selected
as a McDonald's All American and won the slam dunk competition highlighted by his be-
tween the legs dunk. He played college ball for Billy Donovan at the University of
~ 25 ~Florida from 2001-2005. In his Even though he played only better every season.
junior year he was named sixteen minutes per game that
In July 2010, David Lee was
Second Team All-SEC averaging year, he was able to make a
traded to the Golden
13 points and 7 rebounds. solid contribution averaging 5.1
State Warriors in a deal that
points and 4.5 rebounds. He had
In 2005 David Lee was selected involved Anthony Rudolph,
his first break out game against
by the Knicks with the 30th pick Kelenna Azubuike, Ronny Turiaf
the Suns in 2006, scoring 23
in the first round of the draft. In and a future second round pick.
points on 10 of 11 shooting to
2006, he was named MVP in the He has continued to thrive as
go along with 15 rebounds. By
rookie challenge, while playing a Warrior, setting himself apart
his third year, in the 2007-2008
for the Sophomore's, scoring 30 in a western conference loaded
season, he was averaging 10.8
points on 14 of 14 from the with talent.
points and 10 rebounds. By the
field. David Lee's first year as a
2009 -2010 season, his scoring With David Lee in the front
Knick was a learning experience,
had exploded to 20 points per court, and Stephen Curry in the
however, he showed flashes of
game to go along with 12 re- back court, the future is looking
brilliance, as a preview of what
bounds. He set his career high in bright for the Golden
was to come.
2008 with 37 points, and was State Warriors. They have a
also the first Knick combination of deadly outside
to score 30 points shooting, to go along with a
and 20 rebounds strong inside presence. After the
since Patrick trade of Monte Ellis, which an-
Ewing! In 2010, gered the Golden State fans,
he became the both David Lee and Steph Curry
first Knick to make have stepped up in a major way,
it to the All-Star making sure that the new cul-
game since Allan ture of winning basketball,
Houston and which Coach Mark Jackson is
Latrell Sprewell trying to install, stays in place.
appeared in 2001. After the trade, Golden State
He has shown has become an even better
throughout his team thanks to their leadership.
career, that he is With one or two more pieces, ,
the type of player they can be an even stronger
who is going to title contender in the west. We’ll
continue to get see what the future holds for
the Warriors.
~ 26 ~~ 27 ~
~ 28 ~
BY ALEX STODDARD
PAUL GEORGE
HAS BEEN STEADILY
IMPROVING EVERY YEAR
OF HIS CAREER, AND HE
WON’T STOP NOW.
~ 29 ~I
n five days, stars will align in Houston, win.” He’s been doing exactly that. Leading the
coming in all shapes and sizes, many of Pacers in scoring and steals while placing second
which will be new to the festivities of play- in both rebounds and assists per game.
ing in the highlight dominated all-star weekend.
George has Indiana sitting on a 29-19 record,
Take Paul George for example, who may not
1st in the Central Division and 3rd in the East.
have played in an all-star game before, but
knows how to get the fans excited. Last year in Think back to when he was first drafted as an
Orlando, George electrified the crowd by put- under the radar lottery pick. He put up solid
ting on a glow-in-the-dark Pacers uniform and numbers in college, just under 17 points per
throwing down a 360° Windmill dunk. game and 7 boards in his sophomore season and
He may not be the next LeBron or Kevin Durant, 15.5 PPG for his career at Fresno State.
but don’t expect his first all-star appearance to be
After a decent rookie season in which he
his last. George, who has been leading the Pacers
started the final 19 games for the Pacers, he
during his breakout season, says, "I'm willing to
showed flashes of brilliance including a 23 point
do whatever this team needs for me to do to
game in a win over Washington but also had his
fair share of two and four point
games. He looked like he could have a
career in the future as a solid role
player for a contending team.
But that wasn’t enough.
He continued to improve in the off-
season, in all facets of the game, most
notably his three point shooting,
which he improved from just 30% to
over 38%. In turn, he doubled his
three pointers made per game.
He made a solid jump heading into his
sophomore season and started every
game for the Pacers. George’s minutes
increased, as well as his production. H e
was becoming a major contributor for the
Pacers, and the league was taking notice.
He was averaging double digit points and
over 5 rebounds.
~ 30 ~As he improved, he still wasn’t
considered at the level as fellow 2010
draftee, #1 pick John Wall, who was
widely considered one of the top
young point guards to be drafted in
years. He was supposed to turn the
Wizards around. Paul George did just
that in his first 2 ½ seasons in Indian-
apolis. Taking the Pacers from lottery
team 8th seed in his rookie year, to
title contenders for years to come.
George got lots of help in David
West, Roy Hibbert, and the injured
Danny Granger. On the other hand,
Wall’s best teammates, in his three
seasons, have been Gilbert Arenas
(past his prime) and Nene (in which
he has been often injured). Still, had
you told any experts that Paul George
would be an all-star before John Wall
on draft night, they would have
“I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER THIS TEAM
NEEDS FOR ME TO DO TO WIN.”
laughed in your face. would have left the room. He proved them
wrong. He proved everybody wrong.
This season, Wall missed the first 33 games
with an injury, and Paul showed off his im- With the way George has been playing this
provement, becoming the first 2010 draft pick season, the next step in his career is being an
to be named an all-star. If you had told those All-NBA selection, and don’t be surprised when
same experts that he would be the first all-star they happens because it will happen sooner
from a draft with plenty of college stars, they than you expect, just like a lot of things in his
career.
~ 31 ~~ 32 ~
After just 298 days in retire-
ment, Keyon Dooling’s break
ended as he suited up, this time
for the Memphis Grizzlies.
By Alex Stoddard
Interviewed By: Nick Kolb, Chris Kolb,
Warren Serunjogi, Phil Simpson, Alex
Stoddard and Alvie Stoddard
~ 33 ~“You’re from Ft. Lauderdale broth- with the Boston Celtics, reaching your body gets a chance to restore
er – Remember – make your family the Eastern Conference Finals. itself. It gets a chance to heal be-
proud – you’re a Dooling.” cause it’s not under the consistent
We caught up with Keyon, pre- duress of the NBA. But, at the
When you’re a player that isn’t comeback to talk about playing, same time, it’s hard to push your-
going to be distinguished from coaching and more. self to train enough to stay in shape
another player because of incredi-
Game Time: What kind of work year round. The conditioning part,
ble size, or blinding quickness, or a that’s the easy part when you’re an
pogo stick like jumping ability, what would it take to get back on an
NBA team? athlete. Getting back in shape,
really is important is coming to that’s not too bad. The challenge
every game prepared to play like KD: When you take a year off, a would is proving that you can still
it’s your last. Whether it be a ritual couple of things happen. First off, do it.
to get you into your game mindset,
or a pre-game dunk, or even a
handshake, whatever you do
should get you ready to play your
best. For Keyon Dooling, he has a
different way of getting himself
ready.
“Positive happy thoughts will
manifest themselves; Make your
free throws, be aggressive; Stay
Solid; Bring your motor; Positive
Energy; Be strong and tough with
your approach and demeanor; Stay
low with the ball; You’re a super
athlete; You’re super nice with the
ball; You’re Super savy; Know the
game plan – both inside and
outside; Be hungry and humble;
You’re from Ft. Lauderdale Brother
– Remember – make your family
proud – you’re a Dooling.”
Dooling’s preparation (including
reading his pre-game check-list)
and consistency have been a big
part of his success, from his days at
Dillard High School, to his Big 12
years at Mizzou, all the way to the
NBA grind and his Playoff success
~ 34 ~Game Time: You played for a KD: I begin to
number of NBA teams. Tell us focus on basket-
about your experiences on these ball in the 9th
teams and playing with some of grade. And, at
the greatest b-ball players. the age of 14, I
received a schol-
KD: I enjoyed each and every one
arship to
of my experiences. Even the bad
times, I enjoyed them all. I grew attend a private
the most as a person when I faced Catholic High
adversity -- when I had injuries, School – Cardinal
when I went through adverse times Gibbons. Attend-
with my family, or even went ing Cardinal
through slumps. These are the Gibbons changed
times when you have to go down my life. I then
and dig the most. I enjoyed all the graduated from
ups and downs. That’s something Dillard HS in Fort
about the NBA that I miss most -- Lauderdale,
the roller coaster of emotions, the Florida.
fulfillment of life, the highs and
Game Time:
lows that you get to feel from
riding the wave of playing the Why do so many
talented players
game.
never make it to
Game Time: What were a few of play at the
your greatest moments in the college or NBA
game? level?
And, what qualities sepa-rate the dedication and avoid the distrac-
KD: The day that I was drafted into kids that do make it? tions to make it.
the NBA was one of my greatest
moments in the NBA. Prior to that KD: Making it to the college or NBA Game Time: As a coach, what
– the day that I slam dunked the level goes much deeper than pure skills and qualities do you look for
ball in the 9th grade was a great talent. In many cases there are in a player and what skills make
moment. And, the first time that I social challenges and education the best players?
saw Michael Jordan wind-mill dunk challenges that prevent many kids KD: As a coach, I only look for a
the ball. These were all great from making it to the college level. few qualities in player (and these
moments that I’ll never forget. The challenges of growing up in a qualities make the best players):
poverty stricken community, gang Players that consistently work hard,
Game Time: At what age did you
violence, abuse and many other players that are selfless, players
begin to focus on basketball? factors impact a kids ability to make that are coachable and players that
it to college – let along to play have talent.
basketball at the college level. Kids
must have the discipline and
~ 35 ~Game Time: What have been the was a coach on the floor and he KD: I was nervous before every
toughest challenges in your was entertaining. He was unselfish, game. I don’t know what to call it. I
basketball career that you have he was scoring over 20 points, and don’t know if you call it nerves or
faced? he was rebounding the basketball. getting focused or if it’s a combina-
He was Magic Johnson -- he was tion of things but whatever it is, it’s
KD: Going through injuries is always “Magic”. something that you cannot feel
tough. The schedule is tough. What
unless you are preparing for that
your body goes through is tough. Game Time: As a player were you Moment.
Everything is tough
about the NBA. I’d be How did you counter
lying to you if I said it it: I embraced it,I
was easy money. loved it. I loved all of
that. I embraced all of
Game Time: You it. Remember, you are
really know the game always at your best
of basketball. In your
and you grow the
opinion, who is, or most when you are
was, the greatest uncomfortable and
point guard to play when you go through
the game? Who was adversity. So, every
the greatest player
time you’re going up
ever? against someone
KD: The greatest point who’s better than you
guard to ever play the or tougher than you,
game was Magic you need to compete
Johnson. He was able until the last minute,
to play with hall of until the last drop.
famers and all-stars And, at the end of the
and make them day, even when you
better. Magic con- are overmatched, you
trolled the game. He make your opponent
was a 6’9” point guard work for every inch.
who started at the
center position to win
Game Time: Do you
the championship his rookie year. ever nervous before a big game?
think kids spend too much time on
He made the passes, he could
the wrong things with respect to
control the tempo of the game, he practicing:
~ 36 ~KD: Yes, I think you have to have especially in the urban communi-
balance. I think there’s an un- ties. Often it’s held against players Game Time: What one piece of
healthy way that our players here who do not have a structured advice would you give us (not
in the United States are being game. It’s not that these players necessarily related to basketball)?
taught the game. And that’s mostly are undisciplined - it’s just that they
KD: Protect the innocence of youth.
through playing a lot of freestyle have been taught a different type
Respect yourself, your name, your
basketball and not focusing on game. It frustrates me to hear
family, respect everyone. And, if
developing specific skills. The people criticizing young players on
you want something - put the plan
fundamentals of the game, the their game. I believe that it is the
together and be willing to work
thought processes of the game and coaches job to teach players the
hard to achieve your plan.
the little details of the game are fundamentals. I would like to see
not emphasized as much as in the more work on the fundamentals
past. Yes, I would like to see more
emphasis on the fundamentals,
~ 37 ~BBA Newsletter®
Featured Interviews – 2011 - 2012
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Keyon Dooling – Grizzlies
Sam Doner – Doner Elite Dana Barros - Celtics
~ 38 ~
Michael Carter-Williams - Tommy Amaker - Harvard Dave Taylor – Phenom Camp
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