NBA Draft Interviews 2
InsideHoops.com NBA Draft / June 25,
2004
The 2004 NBA Draft is in
the books. Here's some of what a few first round draft picks had to say after
being drafted:
2004 NBA DRAFT INTERVIEWS
The 2004 NBA Draft is in
the books. Here's some of what a few first round draft picks had to say after
being drafted:
SHAUN LIVINGSTON, (Peoria Central HS Peoria, Ill.) Los Angeles Clippers, No.
4
Q: How do you feel about going to the Clippers, an organization that has a lot
of top 10 picks and has struggled to make the playoffs?
Livingston: I pretty much look at myself as a team guy, and I’m going to be trying
to take a winning attitude into the Clippers. Hopefully that’ll be contagious.
I’m going to try to take some of my abilities in there and also a work ethic,
so I can improve not only myself but the team.
Q: You’re still a free agent in the shoe market and now you’re in Los Angeles.
That can’t be bad?
Livingston: No, it’s not bad at all. It’s not New York, you know what I mean?
But, it’s going to be great and hopefully I can take advantage of that to the
most of my abilities.
Q: Were you hoping about going to Chicago at No. 3?
Livingston: I wasn’t really thinking about it. Obviously, it wasn’t really directed
toward me, you know what I mean, through the media, as far as the Bulls picking
me. So you don’t really think about it as much as you would if you saw your name
down there for a mock draft or something. I didn’t really think about it. I’d
be going there with the same attitude to the Bulls as I am with the Clippers.
SERGEI MONIA, (CSKA Moscow Russia) Portland Trail Blazers, No. 23
(Answers provided by a translator)
Q: Can you describe what the wait was like in the Green Room?
Monia: Until the 15th I wasn’t worried, but then I started getting nervous.
Q: Talk about your relationship with Andrei Kirilenko.
Monia: We are very good friends. We know each other well. We played for the national
team together.
Q: Talk about the influx of Russian players.
Monia: In the years to come, I expect there to be more and more because basketball
is so popular over here.
JAMEER NELSON, (St. Joseph's) Denver Nuggets, No. 20 - rights traded to Orlando
Q: What’s going through your mind after Sebastian Telfair got drafted and you
were still sitting in the Green Room?
Nelson: Nothing. There are no negative thoughts in my mind at all. We’re all fortunate
in this situation. I wish people could get it out of their head that because I’m
not drafted at a certain spot that I was supposed to be disappointed. If I was
disappointed, I wouldn’t be here talking to you because if I was disappointed
I wouldn’t want to talk. I’m just as happy to go at 20 as I would if I went at
13.
Q: What will the transition be like from college to the pros?
Nelson: There’s going to be some challenges that I have to face, but I’m ready
for the challenges. I’m mature enough to handle certain situations that are going
to occur in this first year of my career. Being down there in Orlando on the East
Coast is definitely going to help because I don’t have to adjust to the time change.
Q: Are you excited to play with Dwight Howard in Orlando?
Nelson: Definitely. He’s a great guy. He’s humble. He’s probably – I want to say
resembles me, but he’s like 6-11. He’s definitely a great kid. He believes in
God, just like myself. We definitely have a lot in common.
EMEKA OKAFOR, (Connecticut) Charlotte Bobcats, No. 2
Q: How do you think your college experience prepared you for the draft?
Okafor: Just experience. Just going through what you’re going through. Confidence
is what experience gives you.
Q: Does being the No. 2 pick alleviate any pressure, as opposed to going No. 1?
Okafor: There’s always pressure. No matter what pick, no matter when you’re picked
up, there’s always pressure to perform. If anything, it’s going to be even more
pressure. You’re the first pick of a franchise. So, there we go, right?
Q: With your 3.0 grade point average and finance major, are you going to be handling
the majority of the investing in your portfolio or delegate that to agents?
Okafor: I’m going to hire the pros. I’m going to be too busy trying to figure
out how to put a basketball in a hoop to worry about what stock is high which
stock is not.
Q: How does it make you feel that Bernie Bickerstaff made the move to be in the
position to select you at No. 2?
Okafor: It makes me feel real special and all warm inside. It just shows he believes
in my ability and what I do. It makes me feel good. I know that the staff and
everybody is fully behind me and has my best intentions at heart.
PAVEL PODKOLZINE, (Varese, Italy) Utah Jazz, No. 21- rights traded to Dallas
Q: What area of your game do you think you most need to improve?
Podkolzine: First, is to improve my body because the contact in the NBA is much
stronger than in Europe. I need to work very hard with my muscles. And then play,
because I need to play.
Q: Do you look forward to playing against Yao Ming?
Podkolzine: Now, Yao Ming is a superstar in the NBA, but I will work very, very,
very hard. I will play against him.
Q: Talk about the decision to pull out of the draft last year and staying in this
year?
Podkolzine: Last year, I decided to leave for different reasons. Why is because
I was very young for the big competition and had no experience. I opted to come
back to Varese and play more and improve more.
JOSH SMITH, (Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va.) Atlanta Hawks, No. 17
Q: How do you feel about playing with Josh Childress?
Smith: I feel real good about it. Childress is an awesome player. He can knock
down the three. He can do a whole bunch of stuff, and he’s very versatile. I think
we’ll make a real good one-two punch.
Q: How does it feel getting picked by your hometown team?
Smith: It feels real good being able to play for you home crowd.
Q: What do you think your biggest transition will be?
Smith: I guess the more physical level. You go in there with grown men, you have
to understand that your body is not as strong as them. So you have to train yourself
and work hard so you can bang with those professionals.
KIRK SNYDER, (Nevada) Utah Jazz, No. 16
Q: What was it like watching Portland take Sebastian Telfair at No. 13? Did you
think they’d take you with that pick?
Snyder: Yeah, my heart sunk a little bit. But that’s the political side of things
and that’s the business side of things. You had to be aware of that going in.
I was aware of that and it happened. Now I’m dealing with it. It’s going to be
fun just to pick up the ball and play basketball. That’s what I look forward to.
Q: Do you think you’re a good fit with Utah?
Snyder: Oh, yeah. A wonderful fit.
Q: What position do you think you’ll play?
Snyder: Two. Mainly because I’m going to play defense and Coach Sloan is a basketball-oriented
guy. He’s basketball; he doesn’t beat around the bush. He looks like one of the
types of coaches that’ll tell you what’s on his mind and coach you.
Q: Being a California kid, what’s it going to be like moving to Utah? Have you
visited?
Snyder: I’ve been to Utah, it’s not too far from Reno (Nevada) where I went to
school. I’m pretty acquainted with living in Salt Lake City, Reno, places like
that. It’s been fun in Reno and hopefully it’ll be great in Salt Lake.
BENO UDRIH, (Breil Milano, Italy) San Antonio Spurs, No. 28
Q: What’s it like entering the league with your countryman Sasha Vujacic?
Udrih: I think it’s great. We worked all of our lives to get this opportunity.
Q: What part of your game do you need to work on most?
Udrih: I think I need to work on my strength. Because point guards like Steve
Francis and Chauncey Billups are strong. To guard them I need to get a little
stronger.
Q: Did you expect to go in the first round?
Udrih: When I first came to the States, my agent told me I’d be a late second
rounder or not drafted. He told me I had a lot of work to do. I went to the Chicago
Pre-Draft Camp. I did my best in every game, and then I did some workouts. But
the teams didn’t guarantee me anything.
ANDERSON VAREJAO, (F.C. Barcelona, Spain) Orlando Magic, No. 30
Q: You put your name in for the draft the past two years and pulled out. What
made you stay in the draft this year?
Varejao: The last two years, I withdrew my name from the draft expecting to go
back to get more experience and playing time.
Q: Did you know this was the team that was going to draft you?
Varejao: It was a surprise because I didn’t work out for Orlando and they didn’t
scout me as much as I know. It was a big surprise.
SASHA VUJACIC, (Snaidero Udine, Italy) Los Angeles Lakers, No. 27
Q: It’s a long way from Italy to Los Angeles. What are your thoughts now?
Vujacic: I don’t know. It’s something incredible going on. I always wanted to
finish with a very good club. The Lakers are just like a dream for me and I’m
just looking to improve, to work hard and to do something.
Q: Looking at Rasho Nesterovic, who played very consistent since his first days
with Minnesota, and Bostjan Nachbar, who sits on the bench, how do you see how
things might go with you?
Vujacic: Last year, I pulled out of the draft because I didn’t want to be a cheerleader.
This year, I think that the year in Italy helped me a lot because I played like
15 minutes per game. I had a good season and I learned some things. For this year
I’m mentally ready for the NBA. I’m looking forward to it and I think I will work
hard for the NBA and see what will happen.
Q: What part of your game do you think you need to work on the most?
Vujacic: I just want to work on everything. I just want to become a top player.
I want to give my maximum. I want to show myself that I can improve a lot and
I’m just looking forward to it.
RAFAEL ARAUJO, (Brigham Young) Toronto Raptors, No. 8
Q: Are you excited to play with Vince Carter?
Araujo: I’m really excited. He’s a great player. I think he’s really going to
teach me a lot. I think he’ll support (me). I’m really happy right now.
Q: What will be the biggest transition for you?
Araujo: I need to learn the system. I know they drafted me because they believe
in my potential. I think I’ll go there and try to do my best. Of course, I’ll
have to learn a lot of things. It will be a new experience, but I’m going to do
what I’ve done all my life: work hard and improve my game.
ANDRIS BIEDRINS, (BK Skonto Riga Latvia) Golden Warriors, No. 11
Q: I believe you’re the first Latvian player in the NBA and you’re 18 years old.
Are you ahead of where you thought you’d be at this point in your life?
Biedrins: My plan started beginning a few years ago, like two and a half, I started
to feel like I could get into the NBA. I think what was better for me at that
time that I have a coach, I have parents. The coach was, everyday, seeming like
he was my second dad. He didn’t let me go. There was a hard time for me and that’s
why I’m here now.
Q: Because of hard work?
Biedrins: Yes, because of very hard work.
Q: What do you think the transition from Latvia to Golden State will be like?
Biedrins: I know the first season will be hard, and everyone has a first season
that’s hard. I will do my best to get in better shape. About Golden State, I was
there. I like the city they’re from. Some agents from my agency live there and
there’re a lot of people who can take care of me. I think it’ll be a great place
because I need some people to help me start to live there.
Q: You were very emotional when your name was called. What were you thinking about?
Biedrins: It was like, I don’t know. I’m not so emotional every day. I don’t know
what happened with me. I was feeling like I like Golden State and they might pick
me and that’s why I started thinking, “Come on Golden State, Golden State.”
JOSH CHILDRESS, (Stanford) Atlanta Hawks, No. 6
Q: Can you talk about whether you think college to the NBA is more of three-year
than four-year process?
Childress: I think the freshman and sophomore years are more of the learning years;
that’s when you get your feet wet. The junior year is where you really break out.
I think over the past few years guys have really broken out in their junior year
and found it was in their best interest to make the jump.
Q: So, it’s individual situation and not part of the system?
Childress: What’s funny is that a lot of times if a guy is a senior, league officials
and GMs look at him like he’s an old man. I’m just happy to be here. It’s been
a dream of mine forever, and I’m so excited.
Q: What kind of adjustments will you have to make?
Childress: I’ll definitely have to get used to playing a longer season, that’s
a given. Additionally, I’ll have to get used to playing in a league full of men.
Night in and night out, there is somebody on the court that can really take it
to you.
LUOL DENG, (Duke) Phoenix Suns, No. 7 - rights traded to Chicago
Q: Was it nerve wracking sitting there waiting for your name to be called?
Deng: Oh man, you have no idea. It’s a great feeling hearing your name. It’s really
nerve wracking. After what happens, with the trades and everything going on, you
just didn’t know where you’re going to end up.
Q: Did you work out for the Suns and what do you know about the team?
Deng: I did not work out for the Suns, but I know a lot about the team. They’re
a great team. They’re fast running, an athletic team. It would just be great.
Q: Can you talk about your suit?
Deng: My parents went and talked to the guys, my agent and the person who designed
it. It was the best looking suit. I had a different option. This is the one I
picked. Why, I don’t know. I just liked it.
(After his rights were traded to Chicago:)
Q: There was talk about this trade. What kind of emotions do you have now?
Deng: I’m very excited, because I really had a feeling I’d end up in Chicago.
When the Wizards gave up their draft pick, I kind of knew that if I didn’t go
at the three, I wasn’t sure where I’d end up. When I saw Chicago get the seventh,
I had a feeling I wouldn’t go below seventh. For me to go to Chicago, I’m very
excited.
Q: How about teaming up with Ben Gordon?
Deng: It’s exciting. My brother went to UConn, so I was close with the guys there.
I kind of know Ben Gordon through a lot of people. Our relationship is good. And,
in terms of basketball, he’s a great player and I am excited to get the opportunity
to play on the same team.
BEN GORDON, (Connecticut) Chicago Bulls, No. 3
Q: What does it feel like to go two-three with Emeka?
Gordon: This is the greatest feeling in the world, right now. Just the way it’s
happening, it’s like a fairy tale … two guys coming in the same year, won a championship
together, and then go two-three in the draft. It’s the greatest feeling in the
world.
Q: Are you surprised you went so high?
Gordon: No, I’m not surprised. I know what I can do as a player. I think other
people may have been surprised, but I always thought I should have gone one.
Q: What about going to Chicago?
Gordon: Chicago is a great city. It’s comparable to New York and L.A. I think
I’m going to a really good market and the Bulls have a great organization and
tradition. I’m just going to go there and try to help my team as much as possible.
DEVIN HARRIS, (Wisonsin) Washington Wizards, No. 5 - rights traded to Dallas
Q: What were your emotions when you heard your name called?
Harris: It’s the greatest feeling in the world. It was like a dream come true.
When I heard my name I couldn’t believe it -- a-once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Q: What will be your biggest transition?
Harris: The pace of the game. Especially Dallas, they like a fast-paced game.
It’s different than what I’m used to, but I also think it’s the best part of my
game. But at each level it gets faster, so you have to catch up as best as you
can.
Q: Talk about the trade and having to wait it out.
Harris: I pretty much knew beforehand, but I guess there was some behind-the-scene
stuff that I didn’t really know about. I knew I was going to go to Dallas, but
I guess it just took some time for the trade to go through.
DWIGHT HOWARD, (Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, Atlanta) Orlando Magic,
No. 1
Q: Were you surprised?
Howard: I was surprised. The whole day, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t do anything.
I was thinking about this moment right here. And it’s here. I’m very happy with
the way things have fallen for me, and I’m ready to go to work.
Q: You had no indication you were going to be the first pick?
Howard: I had no indication. Actually, my agent knew. And I was talking to him
all day today and yesterday and he just made it seem like something big was going
to happen. I was hoping for a magical moment.
Q: Do you feel pressure being No. 1?
Howard: No I don’t. I don’t feel any pressure. There are a lot of things that
I have to do because I was taken No. 1, but I think I can overcome.
ANDRE IGUODALA, (Arizona) Philadelphia 76ers, No. 9
Q: Tell us about going to Philadelphia and playing with Allen Iverson.
Iguodala: I think it’s going to be a great experience for me going out there and
play with a true warrior like Allen Iverson. That’s going to rub off on me. He
comes to play 82 games a season. I know a lot of people say rookies tend to hit
a wall, but I think with his help I’ll be able to ease through that with no problem.
Q: Did you come into Philadelphia for a workout?
Iguodala: Actually it was the last workout, was on Monday. My agent and myself
thought Philly would be a good situation for me. So I went in there and had a
short workout, but it went well.
Q: What do you think the biggest transition coming from Arizona where you played
the two, three and even a little bit four, coming to the NBA where you’ll probably
play two?
Iguodala: I’ve always played the guard position most of my life, so I think the
hardest transition will be playing 82 games.
VIKTOR KHRYAPA, (CSKA Moscow) New Jersey, No. 22 - rights traded to Portland
Q: What will be the biggest transition for you?
Khryapa: Here they are more athletic. All players who think they can play better
want to play here.
Q: What All-Stars do you look forward to going up against?
Khryapa: I look at the best players, like K.G. and Kobe Bryant.
Q: Did Andrei Kirilenko’s success give you confidence?
Khryapa: Yes. It helped me because we are close friends. And Of course, I asked
him a lot of questions about the NBA and life here. The answers he gave me, I
liked them.
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of NBA Draft Interviews.
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