NBA Superlatives: Desmond Mason
January 2, 2007
Hornets forward Desmond Mason sat down with Hornets.com after a recent team practice to discuss his NBA Superlatives. In his second season with the club, the 6-foot-5 Mason is averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Winning the dunk contest as a rookie.”
Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “From a game, the 360 dunk I had my second year in Seattle. We were playing in San Antonio against the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, and we pulled off a big upset. That dunk was the sealing play.”
Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “I don’t have a specific moment or play, but the most embarrassing thing for me is probably when I miss a dunk.”
Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “The speed of the game, and how big and strong guys were in the league.”
Toughest player to face at his position: “He’s not playing anymore, but as far as guys I’ve gone against in my career, I would say (former New York guard) Allan Houston. In my first and second years in the league I guarded him, and he was an unreal scorer in my opinion. Even if you were in his face, he could still hit shots.”
Most underrated player in the NBA: Seattle forward Rashard Lewis. “I think he’s getting love (from fans and media), but I don’t think overall that people realize how good he is, or how far he’s come since he was a young player.”
Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Hornets’): “I really like the Milwaukee Bucks’ new green and red uniforms. Those are good colors.”
Favorite road arena: Sacramento’s Arco Arena. “I love how the fans are so close to the court that it feels like they are on top of you. It reminds me a lot of a college atmosphere.”
Favorite road trip, based on the city: New York. “Because it has my favorite Italian restaurant. I eat there every single time we go to New York.”
Biggest trash-talker in the NBA: Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett. “He talks the most, but he does it in a subtle way so people don’t notice it. It used to be Gary Payton, but he doesn’t talk as much as he used to, by any means. Gary was real loud.”
Change he’d make if he were NBA commissioner: “The basketball. They should go back to (the ball that was used prior to the 2006-07 season).” [Editor’s Note: This interview took place days before the league made that decision]
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Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Winning the dunk contest as a rookie.”
Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “From a game, the 360 dunk I had my second year in Seattle. We were playing in San Antonio against the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, and we pulled off a big upset. That dunk was the sealing play.”
Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “I don’t have a specific moment or play, but the most embarrassing thing for me is probably when I miss a dunk.”
Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “The speed of the game, and how big and strong guys were in the league.”
Toughest player to face at his position: “He’s not playing anymore, but as far as guys I’ve gone against in my career, I would say (former New York guard) Allan Houston. In my first and second years in the league I guarded him, and he was an unreal scorer in my opinion. Even if you were in his face, he could still hit shots.”
Most underrated player in the NBA: Seattle forward Rashard Lewis. “I think he’s getting love (from fans and media), but I don’t think overall that people realize how good he is, or how far he’s come since he was a young player.”
Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Hornets’): “I really like the Milwaukee Bucks’ new green and red uniforms. Those are good colors.”
Favorite road arena: Sacramento’s Arco Arena. “I love how the fans are so close to the court that it feels like they are on top of you. It reminds me a lot of a college atmosphere.”
Favorite road trip, based on the city: New York. “Because it has my favorite Italian restaurant. I eat there every single time we go to New York.”
Biggest trash-talker in the NBA: Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett. “He talks the most, but he does it in a subtle way so people don’t notice it. It used to be Gary Payton, but he doesn’t talk as much as he used to, by any means. Gary was real loud.”
Change he’d make if he were NBA commissioner: “The basketball. They should go back to (the ball that was used prior to the 2006-07 season).” [Editor’s Note: This interview took place days before the league made that decision]
