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July 16, 2010
Bobcats Acquire Three from Dallas | Fan Poll | Najera Gallery | Najera Player Page
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Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced on July 13 that the team acquired center Erick Dampier, shooting guard Matt Carroll, forward Eduardo Najera and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca. Najera spoke to the media about the deal.
On having the opportunity to earn minutes with this team
Obviously, you have to earn your minutes, that’s what training camp is all about. I’m excited about it. I’m basically working on my conditioning and my body. I had a couple of injuries last year, but I’ve still got to go in and earn some minutes and that’s the beauty of this trade. That’s what excites me and you better believe that I’m going to be ready for it.
On Najera returning to teams previously for second stints
I have spent the majority of my career in Dallas, but you never know whether you’re going to stay for a while or you’re just going to be passing through. Right now, I’m just trying to accommodate myself so that I can stay for a while. I think that everybody knows the type of player that I am. It’s not very complicated. I think the Bobcats can use me and I know what to do to win ball games. I’m excited about this. I’m sad to leave Dallas, but at the same time this is an opportunity to help the team.
On what Bobcats fans can expect from Najera
My game is more defensive-minded. I do like being able to do little things. Mainly, I think that there are a couple of players that I can play with, a good combination on the floor. I think I’m a pretty smart player and I’ve been playing for a long time. I consider myself a physical player, just like Erick, and that’s something that I can bring to the table as well. Later in my career, I’ve been shooting more from the outside and that’s something that George Karl, who’s really good friends with Larry, kind of got me into. I’ve been working on my outside shooting with my boy Matty right here. That’s something that is still out there and that’s pretty much the type of player that I am.
On whether they have talked to any of their Bobcats teammates yet
I personally haven’t spoken to anybody. But obviously during the summer everyone is spread around and the coaches are busy with summer league. I’m sure that we’ll get in touch and start talking about basketball.
On Najera and Charlotte’s Hispanic community
Clearly, I’ve been in two cities that have a lot of Hispanic people, Dallas and Denver. My priority is basketball. That’s what I do for a living and that’s what I love doing. I’m just going to follow through and obviously I feel comfortable and I feel really welcomed. That’s something that I’m not necessarily looking for. The most important thing for me is to focus on basketball. That’s what I do.
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