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George Gervin won four scoring titles during his NBA career. Anthony Neste/NBAE/Getty Images |
Gervin: “Probably make some baskets. I think team-wise, they have a quality team. I think Tony [Parker] kind of lost his confidence in the second half of the Lakers series and [Hidayet] Turkoglu couldn’t hit any jumpers, so I think that really hurt them down the stretch. So I think guys shooting better, or they may bring somebody in, another shooter. So I think if they do that, they’ll be alright.”
Q: What teams or players have you most enjoyed watching during this postseason?
Gervin: "I enjoyed the San Antonio series of course because I’m an ex-Spur, but I enjoy this series. I really think it’s big. I really think Detroit can put some pressure on Los Angeles to win one. They have to win one tonight or they put themselves in a tough situation to really move forward.”
Q: How many games have you been to in person during this postseason, and what has it been like traveling around with some of the other NBA legends?
Gervin: “I’ve been to a lot of games, at least six. I love it. I really think it’s the greatest thing that could happen to us. It really gives us an opportunity to really get back into the game. The NBA really showed that they appreciate the history of basketball, and that’s special and we’re thankful for that.”
Q: Who gave you the most trouble defensively during your playing days?
Gervin: “Dennis Johnson is the guy who gave me the most trouble when he was with Seattle or Boston. He always played me well. I used to get 30-35 on most guys. I used to get a hard 30 on him. [Laughs.]”
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Gervin poses with the Larry O'Brien trophy in Dallas on April 14, 2004. Chris Covatta/NBAE/Getty Images |
Gervin: "Probably my greatest achievement is when I scored 63 points in 33 minutes, winning my first scoring title going against David Thompson. He had scored 73 earlier that day, and I needed 58 and I was able to get 63. So that’s probably my most memorable and fondest time in playing, and it’s not because of the points – it’s because of the relationship that I had with my team and they wanted me to have that, so I think that’s more special than the points that I scored.”
Q: And on the flip side, what would you say was the biggest disappointment?
Gervin: “Losing to the Washington Bullets in 77-78, having them up 3-1 and they came back and beat us three in a row to eventually go on and win the NBA title. That’s probably my most disappointing season.”
Q: You grew up here in Detroit, are you rooting for the Pistons in The Finals?
Gervin: “I’m rooting for the Pistons. I’m a Detroit boy. All my friends are here in Detroit. I’m the kind of guy that has kind of two home teams, San Antonio is out, so now I get a chance to root for my home team, the Detroit Pistons.”
Q: What are your predictions for the series – how many games will it go and who will be MVP?
Gervin: “Number of games will be determined tonight, I think. The Pistons being up 2-1, if they win tonight, I think they’re going to take it. If the Lakers win tonight, I think it will go seven. And I think overall, I’d like the Pistons to win it. MVP… If the Lakers win it, I have to go with Kobe. If Detroit wins it, probably have to go with a guy like Ben Wallace, the cornerstone of the team, the guy that’s consistent every night and works hard.”
