Hornets.com’s 1-on-1: NBA Legend Rick Barry

April 13, 2007

Barry

Hornets.com’s Jim Eichenhofer chatted with Basketball Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry prior to the Hornets’ Friday game against the Denver Nuggets in the Ford Center.

Barry was named one of the NBA’s top 50 players of all time in 1996. He is also the only player in history to have led the NBA, ABA and NCAA in scoring average over a full season. The University of Miami (Fla.) product led the 1975 Golden State Warriors to an NBA championship, defeating the Washington Bullets in a four-game sweep.

Q: What is your opinion of Oklahoma City’s viability and potential as a permanent home for an NBA franchise in the future?
A: I think based on the support that they’ve given the Hornets – knowing full well that they were not going to be here forever – it’s pretty remarkable what they did. They took the Hornets under their wing, embraced them and supported them tremendously. David Stern won’t forget that, and he’s the most important person to impress.
As much as he hates moving teams, if there is a franchise where the circumstances exist, I would think that Oklahoma City is a place he would try to repay for their kindness, their support and their obvious love for NBA basketball.

Q: What prompted you to decide to come here tonight for this game?
A: The NBA asked me. They wanted me to be a part of the evening. They do a lot of those kinds of things now, which I think is very nice, to include some of the older players who helped make the league what it is.
Back in the 1990s, I used to coach a minor-league team and we came here to play against Oklahoma City’s team. It’s nice to see the support and that they have a great building (the Ford Center).

Q: What is your assessment of this Hornets season? After all of their injuries, are you surprised that they’ve made it to game No. 79 and are still in contention for a playoff berth?
A: Yes. It’s been remarkable that they’ve been able to sustain this level of play. Had it not been for the injuries they sustained, there is no doubt in my mind that they would have been ahead of the Clippers and ahead of Golden State. Probably ahead of the Lakers, even.
The Hornets were devastated by injuries. I admire what Chris Paul is trying to do, in terms of playing through a stress reaction in his foot. I’ve had to play with that injury and it’s not an easy thing. A lot of credit has to be given to Byron (Scott), the entire organization and the players for not giving up.

Q: After the disappointing 2005-06 season Tyson Chandler experienced in Chicago that he described as “embarrassing,” how surprised are you that many people believe he has been the Hornets’ MVP this year?
A: I’ve always liked Tyson, but I always wondered why he wasn’t playing at a higher level. I think a lot of it is him growing up and being a little bit more mature. I think the realization all of the sudden hit him – based on what you just said, about him being embarrassed – and he said, “You know what, I’ve got a lot of talent. I have the ability to be a pretty darn good basketball player, but I’ve got to show up every night. I’ve got to put the effort into my game and be prepared to play.”
It’s nice to see a young man like that come to that realization and start to maximize the potential that he has. Hopefully this will be the start of many years for him playing at this level and him continuing to improve.

Q: Would you have liked to play with a point guard like Chris Paul during your playing career?
A: [smiles] I always liked to play with a point guard who is quick and can get you the basketball. Obviously, he’s an outstanding player who can score points and also deliver you the ball. I love point guards, especially ones who are willing to pass. He’s one of the real up-and-coming stars in the league.

Q: What is your opinion of the age-minimum rule? Do you think it will benefit the NBA greatly in the near future?
A: Yes. I actually think it should be a requirement that players do FOUR years of college. I never understood and am still trying to figure out how in the world the players could ever have allowed their (union) leader to talk them into having a limit of only 19 years old. Think about it: You’re a member of a union and have a job in that union. You’re going to let more guys come in to take your job? If I’m a member of a union, I would tell (the union president), ‘Let’s make the age minimum 25!’ [grins]

Q: You used an underhand free-throw shooting technique and finished your career with one of the best percentages in basketball history. What are some of the reasons why you think none of the current players will try that technique?
A: It’s an ego thing. Some guys don’t want to do it because of that. They’ve been asked to try it. To me, if you’re worried about your ego… where is your ego when it comes to being embarrassed because you’re shooting 40 or 50 percent (on free throws)? Isn’t that more embarrassing than shooting underhand but making 70 or 80 percent? You’re not going to get teased (about shooting underhand), because you’d be making a very high percentage.

At this point, I’m not worried about teaching anyone how to do it, and I haven’t approached anybody. If they came to me, I’d be happy to help them. [smiles] But right now, the only thing I’m concerned about is working with my 13-year-old grandson, Canyon, who wants to try it. He’s got (the technique) down already, so I think he’s going to be the next great foul shooter.