Roberson Looking Forward to Helping Knicks by Reteaming with Lee, Chandler

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Sept. 17, 2008

As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.

Anthony Roberson grew up playing against Wilson Chandler in high school and was teammates with David Lee at Florida. In a recent interview, Roberson discussed his expectations for the Knicks as well as what it will be like to join his old friends in the NBA.

NYKnicks.com: When you got the invitation to participate in the NBA Summer League with the Knicks, did you think you had a chance to make the roster and get a contract?

Anthony Roberson: I was confident, yeah. But at the same time, the NBA is a business so you never know. I came in confident, stayed within myself, did what I do best and that's play hard. I wanted to impress the coaches, and I guess I did.

NYKnicks.com: You obviously had a very successful run out in Vegas. What was the best part of that experience for you?

Roberson: Above all, I enjoyed the opportunity that (Mike) D'Antoni gave me. To come out and play right away, it said a lot and it gave me the opportunity to show my talent and show my skills.

NYKnicks.com: A number of Knicks players say that you are already one of the best shooters on the team. What's that mean to you?

Roberson: It feels good. It's always good when your teammates have confidence in you that when you shoot the ball that it is going to go in, so I am very pleased with that. It's always a good feeling.

NYKnicks.com: You bounced around the NBA trying to establish yourself. Was that a difficult period for you?

Roberson: It's been a good experience, actually. My rookie year, I was in Memphis and learned a lot. I was a young player on a veteran team and didn't play that much, but I learned a lot on the bench from those guys like Eddie Jones, Damon Stoudemire, Bobby Jackson and some others. It was a good experience for me and I'm just happy that Jerry West gave me that opportunity to play and experience the NBA that first year. Then I played in Golden State my second year with Don Nelson, and that gave me an opportunity to play a lot more. I learned a lot more, because I think the more you play at the NBA level the more you learn and the more confidence you get. And I was real confident my second year. It was very successful for me. Now this year I am coming in with a new attitude and am just trying to be a part of this new attitude and new era that D'Antoni is trying to bring to New York. So I'm trying to stay positive, play hard when I get my opportunities and do what I do best.

NYKnicks.com: Has coach D'Antoni told you about what he expects out of you?

Roberson: Just to be ready when my number is called. And that's all I can ask. At the same time, I'm just happy for the opportunity and when my number gets called I'm going to be sure to be ready to play.

NYKnicks.com: How about Donnie Walsh? How have your conversations with him gone?

Roberson: He said he's happy to have me on board, and I am very thankful to him for him giving me the opportunity with this being his first year as President of the Knicks. He's giving me the opportunity right out of the gates to come here and be a free agent and sign here, so I'm very thankful and blessed at the same time.

NYKnicks.com: During Summer League, Walt "Clyde" Frazier said that he was really impressed with your shooting. How does it make you feel when a Hall of Famer who was voted one of the 50 Greatest Players of All-Time gives you such high praise.

Roberson: Just like my teammates, that means a lot. I mean, coming from a player like him who had such great success in the NBA and is a Hall of Famer and has done great things, for him to say that about me is big and I am very thankful for that. I'm just going to work hard, keep trying to improve and keep trying to make my way up through this league.

NYKnicks.com: Not many people may know this, but you played with David Lee in college at Florida. How's your relationship with him?

Roberson: Oh, it's real good. I played a couple of years with D-Lee, and, you know, we had a lot of fun playing together. That's a guy right there who goes out and plays hard every night, and it's going to be fun to reunite with him again and get on the court and go to war with him again. I'm excited.

NYKnicks.com: He's become a big fan favorite here. What's that like to see him transform from a young player you knew at Florida to a big time NBA player who the Knicks fans love?

Roberson: I'm so happy to see that happen for him. Back in Florida, you'd look at David and his personality and you knew that wherever he went, he was going to stay that way. It's good that New York has embraced him for the way he is, and I'm happy for him. I wish him even more success in the future, and I'm happy to be able to get out and go play with him again.

NYKnicks.com: What was he like in college?

Roberson: He was the exact same way (laughs). I mean, everybody down there in Gainesville loved him. He's a people's person, and he's somebody who feels strongly about the fans. He's the same way here.

NYKnicks.com: What's it like to be able to call New York and The Garden your home?

Roberson: Oh, it's special. I mean it's the Mecca of basketball you're talking about. A lot of great players have walked onto this court and have had some memorable performances. So I'm very pleased to be here and very thankful at the same time. I count my blessings and thank God for putting me here and in this situation to succeed.

NYKnicks.com: If someone was to ask how Anthony Roberson plays, how would you describe him?

Roberson: I think somebody who is going to come out and play hard no matter the situation on the floor. Also a people person – someone who is laid back and loves to win.

NYKnicks.com: How do you fit in with the new style of basketball the Knicks want to play here under coach D'Antoni.

Roberson: I think I fit in well. You know, D'Antoni plays some exciting ball. He loves to get up the court and shoot fast. This team has a lot of good shooters and playmakers, and I look at myself as one of them.

NYKnicks.com: Have you been working out at the Madison Square Garden Training Center?

Roberson: Yeah, a lot.

NYKnicks.com: How's that been?

Roberson: Good. So far it's been real good. We are all working out and putting the work in and I think we are all going to help the team be better this year.

NYKnicks.com: Along with Wilson Chandler, you are one of the few people to play with Danilo Gallinari. How would you characterize what you saw from him in Vegas?

Roberson: He's very talented. He can do a lot of things on the floor. He's also a good teammate -- someone who listens and also plays hard every day. I think he's going to be very, very good. I'm excited to get back out there with him.

NYKnicks.com: And with Chandler, how was it playing with him?

Roberson: Me and Wilson had a good connection. Real good. We're both from Michigan and knew each other from high school, so our bond has always been real good. He is getting better and better. The fans got a surprise on their hands when they got him, and when they see him this year, he's a lot better than he was last year. He looks real good. He improved a lot. I think his confidence is way above where it was last year, and I think he's going to be a big part of this team.

NYKnicks.com: The team's obviously been down for awhile, but you're one of the newcomers expected to inject new life into the team. What's that responsibility feel like?

Roberson: I'm happy to have it and I'm excited. I believe in this team, and I think the fans should be excited. This is a new era coming into town. It's a whole new Knicks organization and a whole new look. We are going to change it around. Now, we know it's not something that's going to happen right away and it will take some time, but through hard work and a lot of hours together, it can be done and it will. But I think they should be happy. It's a new era that's coming to town.

NYKnicks.com: What has been the highlight of your career?

Roberson: I think just being able to play in the NBA. Being from a small city like Saginaw where I grew up, the odds were not very high for a player like me to make it to the NBA. Growing up in the inner city hood areas, the odds weren't good. But to be able to play in the NBA and accomplish the dream I've dreamed of since I was the age of five, that's special.

NYKnicks.com: Is there any player in particular you are looking forward to calling a teammate?

Roberson: I'm looking forward to suiting up with all of them. I mean guys like Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson and players like that, I'm happy to be alongside of them. It's going to be a dream season for me. We're new and improved, and we're looking to have a better season than last year.

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