Hornets.com’s 1-on-1: Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, Stacey King
December 1, 2006
Hornets.com’s Cris Quintana chatted with Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich after Friday’s game at the Ford Center. The fourth-year pro is a rising star in the league who was selected to play on the USA Basketball team this summer.
Meanwhile, Hornets.com’s Jim Eichenhofer chatted with Chicago television analyst Stacey King and asked King about “Stacey King Day” festivities in the Sooner State. The former University of Oklahoma superstar played eight seasons in the NBA and won three championships as a member of the Bulls from 1991-93.
Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich
Q: How do you feel about being named to the USA Basketball team this past summer? Do you feel that your experience will help you in your career?
A: It was a great honor and learning experience. I had a great time. Playing with some of the best players in the world and having some great teammates, was a great experience. I learned a lot from it. I think I’ll be a better player because of that.
Q: What’s your impression of Chris Paul, after getting a chance to play with him this past summer?
A: He’s a good guy. I really got along great with CP. We play the same position out there, so it was fun to share the same role. We split time and played well together.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Hornets after their key offseason moves, with the addition of Tyson, Peja and some of the other acquisitions?
A: I think they had a good offseason. They have a good team. They’ve got a couple of guys hurt right now, but I definitely think they have a chance to make the playoffs this season.
Q: How do you feel about the Bulls going into December, after having a tough start to the season?
A: I think we’re coming along. We had a tough early schedule. Obviously we didn’t play as well as we would have liked to, but I think we’ll have a good month of December and be where we need to be when the season’s over.
Chicago broadcaster Stacey King
Q: The Bulls were predicted by many analysts to contend for the Central Division title and potentially the Eastern Conference crown as well. What has gone wrong so far? What are the keys for them to turn around their season after a rough start?
A: I think one of the major problems is that there are so many new faces. There are seven or eight new guys. The players are trying to get acclimated to a new team and a new coaching style. They’ve played better of late. Their defense hasn’t been what people are accustomed to seeing. But over the last two games (a pair of wins vs. New York), we’ve started to play a little better defensively. The other thing is that there have been so many road games – we’ve had a tough road (schedule) and had to play (almost) all playoff teams to start November.
Q: If there was one concern about the Bulls entering this season, it was that they still might be too reliant on outside shooting. Is that going to be something that makes them inconsistent throughout this season?
A: That’s their strong point, their perimeter shooting. When they’re hitting on all cylinders and knocking down jump shots, they’re pretty tough to beat. When they miss, their defense has to keep them in games, and that hasn’t been the case early in the season. The defense has wavered a little bit. They haven’t been as sharp as we’re used to seeing them (defensively).
Q: Every basketball fan knows about Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from the early 1990s Bulls teams you played on that won three championships. Who do you think were the most underrated contributors on those teams?
A: There were a couple guys. John Paxson, Bill Cartwright – guys who didn’t get the accolades that the star players did, but those guys were just as important. They were valuable because of their professionalism, their ability to play through pain, and being team players who did whatever it takes to win. To win championships, you have to have guys like that.
Q: Do you have a favorite Michael Jordan story from the five seasons you played with him? He’s obviously one of the most intense competitors in the history of the NBA and it’s been said that he consistently pushed his teammates in practices and games to get the most out of them.
A: [grins] I would say my best Michael Jordan story happened in my rookie year in Cleveland, when he and I combined for 70 points. He had 69 points and I had one [laughs]. If you read between the lines of that game, you would see that Michael and I combined for 70. It was big! That was one of my finest moments, especially being that I was only a rookie. [laughs]
Being serious, though, it was incredible just to be out there and see the points he scored. It was fun to be part of. Also the competitiveness he brought to the team was great. We were one of the most competitive teams in the league. The practices were intense, the scrimmages were intense – and we parlayed that into the regular season and winning championships.
Q: After having watched Tyson Chandler struggle mightily last season in his final year with the Bulls, are you surprised by how well he’s played so far with the Hornets?
A: No, I’m not surprised. I’ve always said that if he really focuses and can stay healthy, he can be a dominant player in this league. Rebounding and blocking shots are things he can do right now, until he can get his offensive game to catch up with his defense. He’s very long and athletic and can run the court. He just had a bad year for the Bulls last season. He struggled, and I think he got down on himself early. He was never really able to get out of that hole. Now he’s in a new place with a fresh start, with new teammates and a new coaching staff. He’s just energized right now. He’s a good kid, and he works hard. But he had a tough time becoming the player they wanted him to be in Chicago. So far it looks like he’s off to a great start with the Hornets, and he’s motivated.
Q: The other members of your Bulls broadcast team were joking on the air during Tuesday’s game vs. New York that this should be Stacey King Day in Oklahoma, referring to your return to this state after your All-America career with the Sooners in the 1980s. How did the parade go today, or did they have to cancel it due to the snowstorm that hit the state?
A: [laughs] You know what? Because of the snow, they had to cancel it. [grins] The Governor called me last night and said, ‘Hey Stace, I’m sorry, but because of the weather, I can’t come down.’ [laughs] Mick Cornett, the mayor of Oklahoma City – who is a good friend of mine – had to apologize for the bad weather. He said there was a guy from Kansas, Kirk Hinrich, who brought this bad weather in with them. All these enemies of the Oklahoma Sooners brought all this bad weather in. [grins]
But seriously, I’m happy to be home. I’ve gotten a chance to talk to a lot of my good friends. This is the first time I’ve been back in six years. I’m very happy to be back.
Hornets.com’s Cris Quintana chatted with Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich after Friday’s game at the Ford Center. The fourth-year pro is a rising star in the league who was selected to play on the USA Basketball team this summer.
Meanwhile, Hornets.com’s Jim Eichenhofer chatted with Chicago television analyst Stacey King and asked King about “Stacey King Day” festivities in the Sooner State. The former University of Oklahoma superstar played eight seasons in the NBA and won three championships as a member of the Bulls from 1991-93.
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Q: How do you feel about being named to the USA Basketball team this past summer? Do you feel that your experience will help you in your career?
A: It was a great honor and learning experience. I had a great time. Playing with some of the best players in the world and having some great teammates, was a great experience. I learned a lot from it. I think I’ll be a better player because of that.
Q: What’s your impression of Chris Paul, after getting a chance to play with him this past summer?
A: He’s a good guy. I really got along great with CP. We play the same position out there, so it was fun to share the same role. We split time and played well together.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Hornets after their key offseason moves, with the addition of Tyson, Peja and some of the other acquisitions?
A: I think they had a good offseason. They have a good team. They’ve got a couple of guys hurt right now, but I definitely think they have a chance to make the playoffs this season.
Q: How do you feel about the Bulls going into December, after having a tough start to the season?
A: I think we’re coming along. We had a tough early schedule. Obviously we didn’t play as well as we would have liked to, but I think we’ll have a good month of December and be where we need to be when the season’s over.
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Q: The Bulls were predicted by many analysts to contend for the Central Division title and potentially the Eastern Conference crown as well. What has gone wrong so far? What are the keys for them to turn around their season after a rough start?
A: I think one of the major problems is that there are so many new faces. There are seven or eight new guys. The players are trying to get acclimated to a new team and a new coaching style. They’ve played better of late. Their defense hasn’t been what people are accustomed to seeing. But over the last two games (a pair of wins vs. New York), we’ve started to play a little better defensively. The other thing is that there have been so many road games – we’ve had a tough road (schedule) and had to play (almost) all playoff teams to start November.
Q: If there was one concern about the Bulls entering this season, it was that they still might be too reliant on outside shooting. Is that going to be something that makes them inconsistent throughout this season?
A: That’s their strong point, their perimeter shooting. When they’re hitting on all cylinders and knocking down jump shots, they’re pretty tough to beat. When they miss, their defense has to keep them in games, and that hasn’t been the case early in the season. The defense has wavered a little bit. They haven’t been as sharp as we’re used to seeing them (defensively).
Q: Every basketball fan knows about Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen from the early 1990s Bulls teams you played on that won three championships. Who do you think were the most underrated contributors on those teams?
A: There were a couple guys. John Paxson, Bill Cartwright – guys who didn’t get the accolades that the star players did, but those guys were just as important. They were valuable because of their professionalism, their ability to play through pain, and being team players who did whatever it takes to win. To win championships, you have to have guys like that.
Q: Do you have a favorite Michael Jordan story from the five seasons you played with him? He’s obviously one of the most intense competitors in the history of the NBA and it’s been said that he consistently pushed his teammates in practices and games to get the most out of them.
A: [grins] I would say my best Michael Jordan story happened in my rookie year in Cleveland, when he and I combined for 70 points. He had 69 points and I had one [laughs]. If you read between the lines of that game, you would see that Michael and I combined for 70. It was big! That was one of my finest moments, especially being that I was only a rookie. [laughs]
Being serious, though, it was incredible just to be out there and see the points he scored. It was fun to be part of. Also the competitiveness he brought to the team was great. We were one of the most competitive teams in the league. The practices were intense, the scrimmages were intense – and we parlayed that into the regular season and winning championships.
Q: After having watched Tyson Chandler struggle mightily last season in his final year with the Bulls, are you surprised by how well he’s played so far with the Hornets?
A: No, I’m not surprised. I’ve always said that if he really focuses and can stay healthy, he can be a dominant player in this league. Rebounding and blocking shots are things he can do right now, until he can get his offensive game to catch up with his defense. He’s very long and athletic and can run the court. He just had a bad year for the Bulls last season. He struggled, and I think he got down on himself early. He was never really able to get out of that hole. Now he’s in a new place with a fresh start, with new teammates and a new coaching staff. He’s just energized right now. He’s a good kid, and he works hard. But he had a tough time becoming the player they wanted him to be in Chicago. So far it looks like he’s off to a great start with the Hornets, and he’s motivated.
Q: The other members of your Bulls broadcast team were joking on the air during Tuesday’s game vs. New York that this should be Stacey King Day in Oklahoma, referring to your return to this state after your All-America career with the Sooners in the 1980s. How did the parade go today, or did they have to cancel it due to the snowstorm that hit the state?
A: [laughs] You know what? Because of the snow, they had to cancel it. [grins] The Governor called me last night and said, ‘Hey Stace, I’m sorry, but because of the weather, I can’t come down.’ [laughs] Mick Cornett, the mayor of Oklahoma City – who is a good friend of mine – had to apologize for the bad weather. He said there was a guy from Kansas, Kirk Hinrich, who brought this bad weather in with them. All these enemies of the Oklahoma Sooners brought all this bad weather in. [grins]
But seriously, I’m happy to be home. I’ve gotten a chance to talk to a lot of my good friends. This is the first time I’ve been back in six years. I’m very happy to be back.
