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July 16, 2010
Bobcats Acquire Three from Dallas | Fan Poll | Carroll Gallery | Carroll 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. Carroll spoke to the media about the deal.
On having the opportunity to earn minutes with this team
The situation has definitely changed since my first time here. Obviously the roster has changed a lot, but I think what I can do and the skills that I have – shooting and outside shooting – are something I can definitely bring to the team and really help this team with that.
On Carroll returning to the Bobcats
I think the situation is definitely different. For me, my mentality and approach with my second stint is going to be different than the first time I was here with Larry in the sense that I’ve really changed my game a little bit to be the player that I think he liked. I’m trying to be more attacking to the basket and kind of change my game and do something different than what I’ve done and had success with in the past. But I think that looking at the team and the areas that the Bobcats can improve on, I think that going back to what I do best is something the team can benefit from and I’m going to try to get back to where I was before.
On how Carroll sees himself fitting in on the roster
I think the situation is different because the roster has changed. When I was here before, we had a lot of good outside shooters like Jason Richardson, Adam Morrison and Jared Dudley, a lot of guys that can really shoot threes and that shot from the outside. Not that we don’t have any good shooters on the team now, but I think that the team has changed. Larry and Michael have made a lot of changes there. Outside shooting is something we could probably use on the team now. I think that it could be more my role. I think that I can kind of get back to who I was before and just worry about catching and shooting and trying to create shots.
On whether they have talked to any of their Bobcats teammates yet
I talked to a few teammates, a couple of the guys that I played with when I was first in Charlotte like Nazr Mohammed, D.J. Augustin and a couple of guys that I kept in touch with since I left here. I received a few text messages from a few of the coaches also because I obviously had their numbers when I was here before.
On whether Carroll has talked to Nazr Mohammed about the #13
I was talking about it with B.J. and Josh and we decided that the fairest way to decide who is going to wear it is to have a golf match and the winner is going to wear it. I like the idea, but I guess Nazr doesn’t as much because he feels as if he already has it so he doesn’t have anything to gain. But I put the challenge out there and we’re going to see if he’s going to accept it or not.
On playing for Larry Brown and Michael Jordan
I think that as a kid everyone can relate to growing up and watching Michael Jordan, and looking at what Larry’s done with all the teams and all the success he’s had in the NBA. I think this is just another opportunity to play and learn from them. It’s just an unbelievable experience.
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