Mason Excited About Hornets Moves, 2006-07 Season
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Hornets veteran Desmond Mason flew in to Oklahoma City this week to serve as a special guest at Hornets Summer Hoops clinics. In addition to instructing children on the finer points of basketball, the former Oklahoma State standout spoke to kids about the importance of sportsmanship and treating others with respect on the hardwood.
The 6-foot-5 former Slam Dunk Contest champion has played small forward most of his career, the same position in the lineup that Hornets newcomer Peja Stojakovic has filled as a pro. With New Orleans/Oklahoma City having made a big splash in free agency since the offseason began, Hornets.com’s Jim Eichenhofer sat down with Mason to discuss his opinion of the expected arrivals of Stojakovic and Jackson. Mason was unable to comment on other potential moves by the Hornets.
Eichenhofer: What was your reaction when you heard that the Hornets were signing Peja Stojakovic? I think many people around the league were surprised to hear the news.
Mason: I think it was a good move. I’ve guarded him pretty much my whole career. What he brings to our team is an ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter. He stretches the defense, which gives guys like myself and Chris (Paul) even more opportunity to get to the basket, and he creates even bigger (driving) lanes. I think it’s going to be a good situation.
Eichenhofer: With his ability to shoot from the perimeter, how much more difficult will he make it for opposing teams to guard you guys?
Mason: The way we ran last year, it was tough for other teams to keep up with us. When you add Peja, and you’ve got a guy like David West who can shoot the ball… myself running the lane being aggressive going to the basket, teams have to make a decision: Are you going to give up a wide-open 3-pointer to Peja, or give me or Chris a layup or dunk. It’s a tough situation to guard. I’ve had to guard teams like that in the past and you find yourself in trouble a lot of times.
Eichenhofer: Bobby Jackson is another big pickup by the Hornets, a guy who’s definitely evolved into one of the most respected backup point guards in the league. I remember one season a few years back when (Kings starter) Mike Bibby was injured, and Bobby Jackson was playing at an All-Star level. What is your opinion of him?
Mason: At Sacramento, Bobby showed what a sixth man is supposed to be like and what he’s supposed to do. Being that he was Sixth Man of the Year (in 2002-03), he gave that team a big boost when they needed one. The people in Sacramento absolutely loved him; I remember playing there and they just loved it whenever he came into the game. He’s going to be a good fit for us. It’s going to make us a better team.
Eichenhofer: Now that the season has been over for almost three months, how do you look back at the way things went for you from an individual standpoint? Were you happy with how you played?
Mason: Last season definitely didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, from an individual standpoint. From a team standpoint, this team made huge strides – and that was what was really important. But from an individual standpoint, every year I’ve played (in the NBA) I’ve gotten better, and every year I’ve gotten better in statistics. But I think last year was the first time in my career that I went down (in play and statistically). I think a lot of it had to do with getting traded from Milwaukee and not really having a training camp here with the Hornets. It was such a huge move and just bad timing. But that’s the NBA. This year I’m looking for better things from myself and hope that I play better than I played last year.
Eichenhofer: With some of the moves that have been made, have you talked to the coaches about your role for next season? Do you expect to start or come off the bench?
Mason: I don’t plan on coming off the bench. I did my years of coming off the bench. The last couple years I’ve been a starter, and I’ve earned that job. I worked hard to get to that spot. So I don’t plan on coming off the bench. The coaches have told me that my role doesn’t change on this team. I take that as me being a starter. The thing is, last year with the way Chris was playing, the way David was playing, and the way my game was going, you have to take a backseat a little bit (offensively). But this year, I don’t think that’s going to be the case.
Eichenhofer: Changing subjects, did you see any future Hornets at the Summer Hoops clinics you attended?
Mason: [smiles] I’ve seen some really good players, both boys and girls. I’ve seen some really tall kids too. It’s hard to say when they’re that young (ages 7-14). I’ve seen guys who were really good players all the way up until their college years, then when they get to college, they just don’t play well. Some of them were the best high school players in the country.
Eichenhofer: You’ve become one of Hornets fans’ favorite players since you joined the team, and Oklahoma State (Mason’s alma mater) is not that far up the road from Oklahoma City. What has it been like for you off the court since you came to the Hornets?
Mason: It’s been fun. Since I started playing for the Hornets, it’s been open arms from the fans, just as much as it was when I played at Oklahoma State in college. A lot of these people got to watch me play in college, and now they’re getting to see me grow as an NBA player. It’s special, because they still remember me from back then.
