GERALD WALLACE

One of the NBA’s top high fliers, Gerald Wallace is on his way to having a career year with the Bobcats this season, averaging 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.12 steals in 25 games. He became the first Bobcats player in team history to win the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award for games played November 21-27. Wallace has increased his production as of late, averaging 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.75 steals and 3.25 blocks in his last four games. BobcatsBasketball.com caught up with Wallace recently to find out a little bit about him off the court.

What was your childhood ambition?
I always wanted to be a baseball player – that was my favorite sport. Basketball was just something I did to pass time. I still think about going back sometimes and trying to play in the Major Leagues, kind of like Michael Jordan. Right now, my biggest excitement is going home and just playing in a softball tournament.

What position did you play?
I was a pitcher. I was more of like a Randy Johnson. I didn’t have a lot of junk, but I had a heater though. It was on full blast at all times.

When did you realize it wasn’t going to be baseball for you but basketball?
When I started growing. I grew like six inches one summer and realized there weren’t too many tall people in baseball, so I had to convert to basketball. That worked out pretty good.

So do you still follow Major League Baseball?
Oh yeah. My friend and I were arguing last night. He’s a Yankees fan and I’m a Red Sox fan. I told him we were going to try to sign Roger Clemens, so we were going back and fourth about that. I need to go up to Boston soon anyways to see what I can do about making sure we keep Manny Ramirez. We don’t want him to go, so I’ve got to sit down with him and have a talk.

What about Miguel Tejada for Manny?
Miguel, Miguel, Miguel? Well, we do need a shortstop. Nah, all we need to do is just add the Rocket and keep the rest of the lineup intact.

What’s your retreat – how do you get away?
I lock myself in my room and play video games.

What games are you playing?
Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I’m more into adventure games but will play sports games, too. Right now I’m playing Tiger Woods golf game.

So are you a golfer at all?
I’ve got some clubs. I’ll just leave it like that. I’ve only been out on the golf course once, so I’m not even a beginner. I’m just a guy who purchased clubs.

What’s your wildest dream?
To win a championship. I’ve seen how it feels to be in the situation to be so close and have it right in your hands the three years I was in Sacramento. Things just always seemed to go wrong, so I want to be on the other side where I know what it feels like to be on top for a year.

What’s the biggest challenge for you?
To always get better. I never settle and always try to improve. I always want to be one of the elite players in the league. I want to make the All-Star team and be considered one of the top players.

So what did it mean to you to be the first Bobcats player to win Easter Conference Player of the Week?
It meant a lot to me. It was a pretty big accomplishment for me, but it was just one step in the many that I want to take towards becoming one of the best in this league.

What’s your perfect day?
Coming to practice, having a good, hard practice where I can go home, take a nap and eat. Then I’ll play video games, or if it’s Monday, I’ll watch Monday Night Football or wrestling.

So you’re a wrestling fan?
Oh, yeah.

What wrestlers do you follow?
Undertaker was my man for a while, but his role as a superstar in the WWE is kind of fading through his 10-12 year career. I’m starting to take interest in John Cena. I kind of like him, mainly because I met him one summer when the WWE was in Sacramento. He came to a Monarchs game, and I had the opportunity to host him. He sat beside me at courtside and we talked quite a bit. Now he’s the champ, but back then he was just getting in it. I think that was his first Monday Night RAW. He was cool, though. We came out the next night and watched the wrestling show.

So if a WWE show comes to Charlotte Bobcats Arena are you going?
Oh yeah, no doubt. If they come anywhere near Charlotte and we’re off and I have an opportunity to go, I will be there.

What is your indulgence?
Sleep. I can’t get enough of it.

What was your last purchase?
I just bought an Apple computer yesterday, and I have no idea how to use it yet.

Who or what is your inspiration?
My kids. You never want to let your kids down. You always want to be a positive influence to your kids, as well as to the community you live in, but most of all it’s your kids. When they grow up, you want your kids to walk around with their heads up and be proud that you’re their father. That’s my biggest thing – I don’t want to be a disappointment to my kids when they get older and have them say they’re ashamed to be my kids.

What was your welcome-to-the-NBA moment?
Karl Malone busted the whole bottom of my lip in my first preseason game against Utah at some small neutral site. He got the ball on the post, and I went down to double him. He turned with his elbows out and busted the whole bottom part of my lip. I was like, “Oh my goodness.” I walked over to the bench and my mouth was full of blood. (Chris) Web(er) asked me, “Man, what’s wrong with you?” I showed him and he said, “Welcome to the league young fella.”

Did Karl say anything to you?
No, he didn’t even look at me. I don’t even think he knew he did it. He just went back down the court. He was just making a move and I happened to be in the way.

What professional athlete would you pay to see?
I’d pay to watch (Allen) Iverson play. I’d pay to watch LeBron (James) play. I’d pay double to watch Peyton Manning play. He’s the man. I hope they win it all this year. They made it this far as the best team, so I hope they go all the way.