Austin Carr Chat Transcript
January 7th, 2005
Austin Carr is in his seventh season as the full-time analyst for the 30 Cavaliers games to be televised on the Cavaliers Television Network, after having served as a substitute analyst over the prior three seasons. After a standout career with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1971-80, Carr rejoined the Cavaliers in the front office in June, 1991 as the Director of Community and Business Development. He is responsible for generating new business from Northeast Ohio corporations with a particular focus on smaller
companies and minority organizations.Carolyn (East Cleveland) LeBron James just injured his left cheekbone, how will he adjust to wearing a protective mask?
Austin Carr: Carolyn, from what it looks like to me, he has no problems wearing the mask. He is adjusting to the heat it generates, and it does not effect his peripheral vision or his upward vision. He is adjusting pretty well. He is truly a unique individual.
Roger (Bedford, OH): I see the Cavaliers are wearing the wine and gold this Saturday. Which is your favorite Cavaliers uniform?
Austin Carr: Roger, you know the wine and gold is my favorite. I am also very partial to the road uniform which was solid wine with gold trim. What is ironic is when we wore those jerseys, people made fun of us. Now it is one of the most popular ones out there.
Irene (Canton, OH): Hi Austin! Big fan here! I see you are the all-time Cavaliers leader for field goals made at 4,272. Do you think that record will be broken and if so who will do it?
Austin Carr: Irene, I think there is a man by the name of LeBron James who will own 90% of the offensive records if he stays here his whole career. I think he will definitely get more field goals and make them in less shots than I took.
Lance (East Cleveland): Now all of the NBA teams have private charter jets. Back when you played, everyone flew on commercial airlines. What was that like? Are players too pampered today?
Austin Carr: Lance, I would say the players are more pampered now compared to back then. Sometimes you get too soft and it carries over on the court. In our day, traveling commercially was a nightmare. It's less wear and tear on them now, but it can create softness.
Sven (Middlefield): What's your favorite Cleveland-area restaurant?
Austin Carr: Sven, I have several. I like Sushi Rock, Mallorca on West 9th, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Beachwood, and I like the Fish Market in Beachwood also.
Lopez (Lakewood): What are your memories from the game where Walt Wesley scored 50 points against Cincinnati?
Austin Carr: I didn't come until the season after that. It did however make me want to come to Cleveland to play with a guy who could score 53 points in a game.
Howard (Marietta): Mr. Carr, who was the best player you ever played against in the NBA?
Austin Carr: Howard, I have to give more than one. Jerry West, Walt Frazier, Pete Maravich, Phil Chenier, Nate Archibald...and that's just to name a few!
Daryl (South Euclid): You played with Lenny Wilkens in the 70's. What current player does he most remind you of and why?
Austin Carr: There are not many players that remind me of Lenny. He was a unique player, he could only go to his left, but you could not stop him from going left. He was a very smart guy who taught me so much. I can't match him with a player today. Nate Archibald was about the closest you could get from players in the past.
Matt (Mentor-On-The-Lake): Long time fan. Richfield was an awesome place to watch a basketball game. Larry Bird was quoted as saying that it was one of the best arenas ever. What was the best part about playing at Richfield Coliseum for you?
Austin Carr: The best thing about the Coliseum it had an inner concourse and people never really left the arena. The way the floor was presented for the fans, it was a like a theatre effect. Everyone had good access to view the main floor which gave it it's ambience.
Karim (Eastlake): What were your first impressions of the City of Cleveland when you arrived after you were drafted by the Cavaliers?
Austin Carr: Karim, when I first got here I was told to not stay downtown after practice and go home. The river had just caught on fire and it was not the best place. As time went by, I met a lot of positive people and the city started going in a positive direction. I'm glad I made it my own.
Scott (Newport Beach): Why do cities like Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia get labeled cursed or have the label of being the worst luck towns when it comes to sports when Cleveland has had such a series of heartbreakers and disappointing seasons in all sports. Browns in the late 80's, Indians heartbreaker to the Marlins, Jordan's shot over Craig Ehlo.
Austin Carr: It's hard to figure out why. We don't seem to be cursed compared to other cities. I prefer to not have that label, because it seems to fulfill itself. I think there will be a team in Cleveland in the next five years that will win a championship.
Dan, Cleveland: Longtime fan of yours, Austin! I enjoy listening to you during TV broadcasts. My question is how are you doing with your diet? Are you staying away from ice cream bars?
Austin Carr: That is my New Year's resolution! I've been on two trips since the new year and I've turned six ice cream bars down! I'm making progress.
Dave Martin (Northfield Center Township): Why was Bill Fitch such a successful coach with the Cavs?
Austin Carr: I would say first of all he was a disciplinarian. He did not allow you to be careless and he had a funny way of galvanizing us. He had a way of making us hating him to a point that made us win. He did a good job of that. One other thing is that he learned from his mistakes. I want to thank everyone for attending the chat and hopefully we can do it again! Happy New Year!
