Emeka Okafor Comments To Charlotte Media - June 24, 2004

The Orlando people said in newspapers today and on ESPN that your back and health were a reason they didn’t pick you number one. I just wondered what your comment was about that?

I checked with the doctor and he said I was fine. I went to the NBA Combine, checked with numerous doctors, and there were no questions raised. I checked with spine doctors chosen by the NBA, they said I was fine; I went to Charlotte and Orlando spine doctors, they said I was fine; I went to my private spine doctor, he said I was fine. So I don’t what else I can do.

Where do you see this team in terms of a fit between Orlando and Charlotte? Which one do you think was the better fit, and why do you think this team is going to be a good fit for you?

I’m the type of person that can come in and fit into whichever team. I don’t necessarily see one as a better fit, but of course since I am here in Charlotte, it’s exciting to me knowing that it’s a new franchise and that I have the chance to be a part of something new and be there from the start.

People have talked about you being limited on offense. Do you buy any of that and do you think that you are going to progress as an offense player in the pros?

I don’t know where people get their information (laughing). Up until I started having my back spasms, I was leading my team in scoring, and you don’t haphazardly do that without having some type of notion of how to put a ball in a basket. Besides, if you take away the couple of games that I was injured that I played in, I’m averaging 20 points a game. I guess call it beginners luck 25 times over. For the Final Four, I averaged 21 points and you don’t do that by mistake, so when I hear that and think about what I have accomplished, I question them and say, “Are you guys looking at the same game that I’m looking at?” Are they still remembering the freshman Okafor? I don’t know, so I kind of block those out of my mind and keep on working. I’ve come a long way by knowing how to let it go.

Because you were not a number one pick, do you feel at all that coming in you have something to prove, a little bit of extra incentive?

No. Even if I was number one I would have something to prove. The fact remains that I still have to come in and show that I belong in the NBA and show that I am a valid number two pick and worthy to be part of your franchise.

When they announced that (Dwight) Howard went number one here at the Charlotte Coliseum there was a huge roar from the fans almost as if they wanted you in Charlotte. Does that excite you that you are coming to a town where the fans seem to overwhelmingly want you to be here?

It just shows that the city is going to support the team and the players. Of course, you know, the press support would be lovely. That will just make it more fun.

Do you feel like you may have to carry this new franchise?

No. It’s a team. A team is five players on the court working together as one. That’s the way things worked at Connecticut. Of course, at Connecticut I helped do a lot of things, but I didn’t do it myself. I expect the same situation in Charlotte. I’m going to try my hardest to contribute.

I’m sure by now you’ve had some kind of conversation with Bernie. Do you have any sense of whether they would anticipate you playing center or power forward?

I have no idea. It just depends on the personnel we have.