Luc Longley
Longley
In honor of Global Week from March 12-18, NBA.com presents a special Mailbox of the Week with Luc Longley. The Australian center joined the Knicks from Phoenix on Sept. 20, 2000 as part of the four-team trade that sent Patrick Ewing to Seattle. But Longley opened his 10th NBA season on the bench recovering from a knee injury he incurred as a member of the host Australian Olympic team at the 2000 Sydney Games. Longley became the first Australian to play in the NBA when the Timberwolves drafted him with the seventh pick out of the University of New Mexico in 1991. The Melbourne native spent two and a half seasons in Minnesota before being traded to the Bulls in February 1994. In Chicago, Longley found his niche as a key piece of the Bulls' second three-peat. He started every game for those three championship teams, averaging 9.6 points and 5.5 rebounds during that time. The Bulls then traded Longley to Phoenix before the 1998-99 season. He spent two years with the Suns, averaging 7.1 points and 4.9 rebounds and last season, he made his seventh consecutive playoff appearance in helping Phoenix advance to the second round. Longley's Olympic experience this past summer was his third, after participating as a member of the Australian team in 1988 and 1992 before missing the 1996 Games with an ankle injury. This season with the Knicks, Longley has played in 25 games and made two starts. Here are Longley's responses to a selection of fan e-mail:
What are your thoughts on the Knicks' inconsistency this season? Do you think the Knicks will turn it around in the playoffs?
Ben
Baltimore, Md.

Longley: I think we'll perform well in the playoffs. I think this season so far has been unpredictable and inconsistent, but with moments of brilliance, which is promising for the future.



I was wondering if you plan to play in the NBL in Australia before hanging up the boots for good. If so, I assume you would play for Perth. If you are not sure, the Kings could use a good seven-footer.
Michael
Sydney, Australia

Longley: What about the Kings? I'd always wanted to play in the NBL, but frankly at this point, I don't know if I've got enough wheels left to do a year in the NBL when I've still got three years left on my contract here. But if I did, it would only be for the mighty Wildcats!



Hey Luc, being a Perth boy, I'm rooting for your Freo Dockers and Wildcats. OK, since it's Global week, what sort of Aussie food do you miss? Pies and pasties? Or good 'ol Tim Tam?
Peter
Princeton, N.J.

Longley: I think I miss the old fashioned Aussie barbecue -- the snaggers, the lambchops, that sort of thing. Snagger's a sausage. You'll know what a snagger is if you're from Perth.



Luc, who inspired you to become a ballplayer, and at what age did you start to play?
Kenny
Gainsville, Fla.

Longley: When I was young I played rugby and my father played basketball. I think he was the one who inspired me to play. I started when I was about 12.



Luc, how are you finding playing in New York with all of the extra publicity and hype that accompanies that?
Richard
Sydney, Australia

Longley: Well, I'm not playing, in New York. I'm in New York, but I'm not playing in New York. So there's not a lot of pressure because there's no performance to base it on. I really enjoy the city, but I'm pretty frustrated with sitting on the bench and being injured a lot this year. So it's been disappointing, while exciting at times too.



Two questions that I've had for quite a while are, "What is it like to go from an efficient motion-offense like you did in Chicago to a running team in Phoenix and then a stagnant, defensive-oriented team in New York? Is the transition in styles more difficult to get used to than actually learning new plays?" Thanks for taking time to read my questions, and I look forward to reading your answer.
Ashish
Sterling, Ill.

Longley: It's more of a transition in styles and I guess now I'm a well-rounded basketball player because I've played in all three.



Luc, I am a resident of Chicago and I am a huge fan of the Bulls ... still! Anyways, when you were here playing for the Bulls I really loved the presence you brought to the court. I always knew that you and Dennis would collect the rebounds. To continue on, my question for you is: Do you miss the days you had with the Chicago Bulls, and what is your favorite memory you have about those years you spent in Chicago?
Joseph
Chicago, Ill.

Longley: I do miss them of course. My favorite memory is probably the first championship that I won, which was the fourth of their list. But also just the practices, the camaraderie, the practices, being around that group of guys and going into work every day.



Everyone asks you questions about playing with Mike, but I want to know what was it like playing under Phil Jackson and his Zen philosophies? Keep on playing. Cheers!
Shannon
Melbourne, Australia

Longley: I think I really enjoyed it. I loved playing for Phil. I think that's when I developed as a basketball player and I think in other ways too. It was rewarding and I felt like I was able to utilize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses with Phil at the helm.



I am a 1990 alumnus from New Mexico State, the I-20 rivals of the UNM Lobos! I had the chance to see you play for the Lobos while going to school in Las Cruces. Even though the schools are arch-rivals, I just want to say we all respected you and your basketball abilities, all yelling "Luuuuuuuuc" when you had the ball. That was a great time.

My question is: How do you NBA players adjust to moving all the time? And ultimately, where do you plan on living permanently?
Tammy
Gallup, N.M.

Longley: Well, I don't adjust very well to moving all the time. I have a young family and I don't enjoy that aspect of the league. When I'm done playing, I'll live permanently in Australia. That's home and it's where I want to raise my family.