Toney Douglas interview
By InsideHoops.com | Oct. 7, 2009
New YOrk Knicks rookie guard Toney Douglas is in a nice situation. The team is in a rebuilding state of mind, and all young players on the team have a chance to make a name for themselves while many of the team's veterans may be gone after the upcoming season. InsideHoops.com met with Douglas back on July 20 for a quick, exclusive interview.
InsideHoops.com: How would you describe yourself as a player. What's the scouting report you'd give, on you?
Toney Douglas: I bring defense. Defensive intensity. You can't coach pride, and toughness. I think I'm tough out there on the floor. On the offensive end, quick, can shoot, scoring guard, can also find people.
InsideHoops.com: Did your friends used to compare you to any NBA players in particular?
Douglas: A little bit. Mostly Joe Dumars. Because he was a guard and he played on the defensive end. I got a lot of that.
InsideHoops.com: People forget, half the game is defense.
Douglas: When I worked out for Detroit, he told me that I remind him of himself. Anytime you have somebody like that, he himself says it, it's a great compliment.
InsideHoops.com: That's wild, that your friends used to compare you to Joe, then he does it himself. So he should be your favorite non-Knick, or something.
Douglas: Oh yeah. I'm a big fan of his.
InsideHoops.com: How's the summer league experience for you? You're in a better situation than most summer league players, since most of these guys are here looking for a job, while you can focus on getting comfortable.
Douglas: Just get comfortable. Every day I'm getting comfortable, getting to know my teammates. Summer league teammates, some of them I probably won't see in October, but seeing my new teammates when training camp starts, just waiting to fit in.
InsideHoops.com: Tell me about Jordan Hill, your new Knicks teammate. Talk to me about his game.
Douglas: We've known each other since AAU ball.
InsideHoops.com: How would you describe him as a player?
Douglas: I feel like he's a work-horse. He goes and gets it on the boards. He's a consistent rebounder. And he can score in the low block. He's an energy guy, too. And he got toughness. And you can't coach toughness.
InsideHoops.com: New York City. You've been there before, I assume?
Douglas: When I was a littel kid, I've been there. Always said I wanted to come back, and now I'm going to be in New York playing.
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