Hornets.com’s 1-on-1
October 13, 2006
Hornets.com caught up with starting Magic third-year point guard Jameer Nelson and Magic radio analyst Will Perdue prior to Friday’s preseason game. Perdue – a 13-year NBA veteran who won four championships as a player (three with Chicago, one with San Antonio) – also serves as an NBA analyst for ESPN Radio.
Orlando guard Jameer Nelson
Q: The Magic had one of the best finishes to 2005-06 in the league, going 16-6 over the last two months. What do you think were the main reasons behind why you guys had such a strong close to the regular season?
A: Chemistry. Focus. And just really believing in the scheme that coach (Brian Hill) put in throughout the year.
Q: At the time a lot of people said you should have been drafted higher than No. 20 in 2004. The way you’ve played so far in your career, even more people believe that now. How do you look back at draft day?
A: If you look at my situation, things have worked out for me so far. There is no reason for me to be complaining about my draft status. I think I’m blessed. I keep telling people, ‘The draft is over.’
You’re put in a situation for a reason. Obviously my situation is good. So I would never complain about it. The night of the draft I was upset, but right now I love my position and the team I’m on. So far, so good.
Q: You’ve said that Charles Barkley was your favorite player as a kid growing up in Philadelphia. Were you upset that the Sixers came out and publicly said you weren’t necessarily a top-10 pick in 2004 and then didn’t pick you?
A: Well, to be honest, coach (Jim) O’Brien [the 76ers’ head coach at the time] said that I wasn’t even an NBA player. For a guy who was from St. Joseph’s – the school I attended – that was kind of harsh. But I look at it like what goes around comes around. Right now I’m in the NBA, and he’s not.
I love my teammates and coaching staff in Orlando, but when (players on other NBA teams) say their team should have taken me in the draft or this or that, it pretty much goes in one ear and out the other. I’m happy to get this opportunity and I’ve pretty much found my home now.
Q: Being that you are a Philadelphia native and a lot of people identify you with that city because of your college career, you’re a big Eagles fan, right?
A: Actually, I will give you the political answer to that. [grins] Yes. Yeah, I’m an Eagles fan. I love the Eagles.
Q: What’s the non-political answer?
A: I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan. Definitely. I’m not like a diehard fan, but growing up, I liked the Cowboys. I am a (Philadelphia) Phillies fan, though.
Q: I thought I read somewhere that you were an avid Eagles fan, but that may have been you giving someone else the ‘political’ answer. I was going to ask you if you would have booed T.O. if you were at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly last week…
A: No. I would never do anything like that. I mean, T.O. is T.O. I’m not one of those fans who’s going to get excited and (do something like) throw things at a player (from the stands).
Orlando broadcaster Will Perdue
Q: Orlando surprised a lot of people around the NBA last season by playing so well after it made the Steve Francis trade. In many cases when a team trades a big-name guy and acquires lesser-known players, it struggles. But the Magic did the opposite of that. What did you think were the keys to Orlando’s late-season surge?
A: Well, I think part of it was that Stevie didn’t know what his role was. He was an All-Star in Houston, but yet he was a guy that… wasn’t really a (pure) point guard or a (pure) scoring guard. He could do a little bit of both.
At the same time, they were trying to develop Dwight (Howard) and develop Jameer (Nelson), so Steve was struggling adapting to his role. And there was some discord in the locker room, and guys weren’t necessarily seeing eye to eye. I don’t want to sit here and say that (Francis) was the reason why they were having all these problems, but he just wasn’t happy (with the Magic). Sometimes when you have a player who’s not happy, it kind of rubs off on guys, especially when it’s a (player with the accomplishments of) Steve Francis, an All-Star who has averaged so many points and so many assists in his career.
I think the Magic felt it was in the best interests of Steve and the Magic organization to trade him to the Knicks. The Magic were able to turn that around and get some good, young players, most notably Trevor Ariza.
All of a sudden, the trade opened the door for Jameer, and Dwight Howard had to step up, because even though he was only in his second year, he’s now considered a leader. Players had looked at Steve as a leader and guys were waiting for him to take control, but he was kind of having trouble with that, adjusting to his role and being a leader. The trade cleared the air for everybody. It seemed like guys adjusted to their roles better and were more focused.
Q: Many times when a team finishes the previous season hot, people say it’s a team to watch in the following season. But those strong finishes don’t always seem to carry over. What is realistic for the Magic in terms of wins this season?
A: That’s the big thing going into this season: Are the Magic the team that started 20-40 last season? Or are they the one they went 16-6 to end last season? What team is going to show up? Who is going to be the big leader? Is it going to be Dwight or Jameer? There are still a lot of unanswered questions. The talent level from 1 to 12 is very good.
I would think that this team will be able to get better and build on last season. I think 46-36 is realistic. Anything less than that would be below expectations. But last year, opponents looked at the Magic like, ‘They’re young and they’re not that good.’ This year I don’t think anyone is looking at the Magic that way. They’re not sneaking up anybody.
Q: One of the players on the Magic roster that everyone is watching pretty closely is Darko Milicic. It seemed like when he got a chance to finally play last season, he showed some of the reasons why people thought he could become a good player. What do you expect from him this year? Was it just a matter of him needing to gain confidence after his forgettable stint in Detroit?
A: I think so. It was two things for him: Confidence and aggressiveness. He never really got a chance to do anything in Detroit, and that was unfortunate. Everyone pretty much just talked about how much of a bust he was.
When Orlando made the trade, the first thing they had to do was build up his confidence. It was kind of a gradual process. But from what he was able to do at the end of last year, to what he did in the World Championships [Milicic averaged 16.2 points and 9.3 rebounds for Serbia & Montenegro], I think he should be able to put up (averages) of maybe 16 (points) and eight (rebounds).
He is kind of on the radar now and people realize this guy has some skills. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a starter within the first 20 games. They’ve been saying Tony Battie is going to be the starter, but I think part of that is motivation for Darko, to keep working hard and become a starter. That way, he will be rewarded by becoming a starter, and not just given that spot.
Q: What was your opinion of the Hornets’ offseason? They made several big changes and were one of the league’s most active teams.
A: I think there are some similarities between what the Hornets did this summer and what Orlando did last year. Last season Orlando traded away – from a skill level – maybe their best player in Steve Francis.
You guys had a player in J.R. Smith who had a good rookie year, but really struggled in his second season. From everything that we had heard and read and physically saw in the two games Orlando played against the Hornets, Smith was not on the same page as Byron Scott. When that happens, not only can that affect him, but it can affect the other players and harmony in the locker room, on the plane, on the floor. Because now you start thinking that a player has an agenda.
That trade (sending Smith to Chicago) might have the same effect for the Hornets as the Francis trade did for Orlando. It might clean the slate a little bit and make guys better understand their roles. You would think from what the Hornets did from a personnel standpoint, that this team should be better. And I really like Hilton Armstrong. I was working for ESPN during the draft, and he seems like a good kid and can play. I think this is a good spot for him.
Q: What did you think of the Peja Stojakovic signing? People are interested to see what impact he will have on Chris Paul’s game and vice versa.
A: I don’t think (Stojakovic) is the same kind of player he was when he was in Sacramento, but he’s a guy who can still knock down the jump shot, get to the free-throw line and create offense. When you have a guy like Chris Paul to run an offense and Peja coming off screens with such a quick release, it’s going to be tough (to defend). When you start putting guys with a scorer’s mentality around Chris Paul, this team is going to be able to score a lot of points. But they still are going to have to work together on defense as a team.
Hornets.com caught up with starting Magic third-year point guard Jameer Nelson and Magic radio analyst Will Perdue prior to Friday’s preseason game. Perdue – a 13-year NBA veteran who won four championships as a player (three with Chicago, one with San Antonio) – also serves as an NBA analyst for ESPN Radio.
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Q: The Magic had one of the best finishes to 2005-06 in the league, going 16-6 over the last two months. What do you think were the main reasons behind why you guys had such a strong close to the regular season?
A: Chemistry. Focus. And just really believing in the scheme that coach (Brian Hill) put in throughout the year.
Q: At the time a lot of people said you should have been drafted higher than No. 20 in 2004. The way you’ve played so far in your career, even more people believe that now. How do you look back at draft day?
A: If you look at my situation, things have worked out for me so far. There is no reason for me to be complaining about my draft status. I think I’m blessed. I keep telling people, ‘The draft is over.’
You’re put in a situation for a reason. Obviously my situation is good. So I would never complain about it. The night of the draft I was upset, but right now I love my position and the team I’m on. So far, so good.
Q: You’ve said that Charles Barkley was your favorite player as a kid growing up in Philadelphia. Were you upset that the Sixers came out and publicly said you weren’t necessarily a top-10 pick in 2004 and then didn’t pick you?
A: Well, to be honest, coach (Jim) O’Brien [the 76ers’ head coach at the time] said that I wasn’t even an NBA player. For a guy who was from St. Joseph’s – the school I attended – that was kind of harsh. But I look at it like what goes around comes around. Right now I’m in the NBA, and he’s not.
I love my teammates and coaching staff in Orlando, but when (players on other NBA teams) say their team should have taken me in the draft or this or that, it pretty much goes in one ear and out the other. I’m happy to get this opportunity and I’ve pretty much found my home now.
Q: Being that you are a Philadelphia native and a lot of people identify you with that city because of your college career, you’re a big Eagles fan, right?
A: Actually, I will give you the political answer to that. [grins] Yes. Yeah, I’m an Eagles fan. I love the Eagles.
Q: What’s the non-political answer?
A: I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan. Definitely. I’m not like a diehard fan, but growing up, I liked the Cowboys. I am a (Philadelphia) Phillies fan, though.
Q: I thought I read somewhere that you were an avid Eagles fan, but that may have been you giving someone else the ‘political’ answer. I was going to ask you if you would have booed T.O. if you were at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly last week…
A: No. I would never do anything like that. I mean, T.O. is T.O. I’m not one of those fans who’s going to get excited and (do something like) throw things at a player (from the stands).
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Q: Orlando surprised a lot of people around the NBA last season by playing so well after it made the Steve Francis trade. In many cases when a team trades a big-name guy and acquires lesser-known players, it struggles. But the Magic did the opposite of that. What did you think were the keys to Orlando’s late-season surge?
A: Well, I think part of it was that Stevie didn’t know what his role was. He was an All-Star in Houston, but yet he was a guy that… wasn’t really a (pure) point guard or a (pure) scoring guard. He could do a little bit of both.
At the same time, they were trying to develop Dwight (Howard) and develop Jameer (Nelson), so Steve was struggling adapting to his role. And there was some discord in the locker room, and guys weren’t necessarily seeing eye to eye. I don’t want to sit here and say that (Francis) was the reason why they were having all these problems, but he just wasn’t happy (with the Magic). Sometimes when you have a player who’s not happy, it kind of rubs off on guys, especially when it’s a (player with the accomplishments of) Steve Francis, an All-Star who has averaged so many points and so many assists in his career.
I think the Magic felt it was in the best interests of Steve and the Magic organization to trade him to the Knicks. The Magic were able to turn that around and get some good, young players, most notably Trevor Ariza.
All of a sudden, the trade opened the door for Jameer, and Dwight Howard had to step up, because even though he was only in his second year, he’s now considered a leader. Players had looked at Steve as a leader and guys were waiting for him to take control, but he was kind of having trouble with that, adjusting to his role and being a leader. The trade cleared the air for everybody. It seemed like guys adjusted to their roles better and were more focused.
Q: Many times when a team finishes the previous season hot, people say it’s a team to watch in the following season. But those strong finishes don’t always seem to carry over. What is realistic for the Magic in terms of wins this season?
A: That’s the big thing going into this season: Are the Magic the team that started 20-40 last season? Or are they the one they went 16-6 to end last season? What team is going to show up? Who is going to be the big leader? Is it going to be Dwight or Jameer? There are still a lot of unanswered questions. The talent level from 1 to 12 is very good.
I would think that this team will be able to get better and build on last season. I think 46-36 is realistic. Anything less than that would be below expectations. But last year, opponents looked at the Magic like, ‘They’re young and they’re not that good.’ This year I don’t think anyone is looking at the Magic that way. They’re not sneaking up anybody.
Q: One of the players on the Magic roster that everyone is watching pretty closely is Darko Milicic. It seemed like when he got a chance to finally play last season, he showed some of the reasons why people thought he could become a good player. What do you expect from him this year? Was it just a matter of him needing to gain confidence after his forgettable stint in Detroit?
A: I think so. It was two things for him: Confidence and aggressiveness. He never really got a chance to do anything in Detroit, and that was unfortunate. Everyone pretty much just talked about how much of a bust he was.
When Orlando made the trade, the first thing they had to do was build up his confidence. It was kind of a gradual process. But from what he was able to do at the end of last year, to what he did in the World Championships [Milicic averaged 16.2 points and 9.3 rebounds for Serbia & Montenegro], I think he should be able to put up (averages) of maybe 16 (points) and eight (rebounds).
He is kind of on the radar now and people realize this guy has some skills. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a starter within the first 20 games. They’ve been saying Tony Battie is going to be the starter, but I think part of that is motivation for Darko, to keep working hard and become a starter. That way, he will be rewarded by becoming a starter, and not just given that spot.
Q: What was your opinion of the Hornets’ offseason? They made several big changes and were one of the league’s most active teams.
A: I think there are some similarities between what the Hornets did this summer and what Orlando did last year. Last season Orlando traded away – from a skill level – maybe their best player in Steve Francis.
You guys had a player in J.R. Smith who had a good rookie year, but really struggled in his second season. From everything that we had heard and read and physically saw in the two games Orlando played against the Hornets, Smith was not on the same page as Byron Scott. When that happens, not only can that affect him, but it can affect the other players and harmony in the locker room, on the plane, on the floor. Because now you start thinking that a player has an agenda.
That trade (sending Smith to Chicago) might have the same effect for the Hornets as the Francis trade did for Orlando. It might clean the slate a little bit and make guys better understand their roles. You would think from what the Hornets did from a personnel standpoint, that this team should be better. And I really like Hilton Armstrong. I was working for ESPN during the draft, and he seems like a good kid and can play. I think this is a good spot for him.
Q: What did you think of the Peja Stojakovic signing? People are interested to see what impact he will have on Chris Paul’s game and vice versa.
A: I don’t think (Stojakovic) is the same kind of player he was when he was in Sacramento, but he’s a guy who can still knock down the jump shot, get to the free-throw line and create offense. When you have a guy like Chris Paul to run an offense and Peja coming off screens with such a quick release, it’s going to be tough (to defend). When you start putting guys with a scorer’s mentality around Chris Paul, this team is going to be able to score a lot of points. But they still are going to have to work together on defense as a team.
