Fountain Valley native Anthony Brown joined his childhood favorite team when the Lakers picked him with the 34th overall selection. Below is a transcription of Brown’s conference call with the Los Angeles media:
Q: On being drafted by the Lakers:
Brown:It’s a surreal feeling. Obviously being from this area and growing up watching the Lakers and one of the greatest players of all-time, Kobe (Bryant). It’s definitely a surreal feeling, and I’m excited for it.
Q: On how difficult it was to not be drafted in the first round:
Brown: It wasn’t too difficult. I honestly believe that God has the right plan for. All along I’ve been more worried about the team fit as opposed to what number you go. So I definitely appreciate the opportunity, and I just wanted to hear my name being called.
Q: On how he feels he fits with the Lakers:
Brown: I’m definitely able to space the floor being able to shoot the 3-ball. We’ve got a lot of young pieces with D’Angelo (Russell), Julius Randle and obviously Kobe. You have to just prove that you can be a multi-positional defender as well being able to hit the 3-ball.
Q: On whether he went to Lakers games growing up:
Brown: I went to a few Lakers games as a kid. Not too many, but I did watch all the game on KCAL9 before the TimeWarner deal. I was watching Lakers since I was five years old. So pretty much all my life.
Q: On having played four years at Stanford:
Brown: I just think that I’m more mature and ready to play. I feel like I have translatable skills right now — the 3-ball and the defense — that I believe can be used right away. … Others have more work to do, and I definitely feel that I’m more ready to play than an underclassman.
Q: On what he felt that he showed the Lakers with his workout:
Brown: I felt that I showed that I compete. I get after it. Make or miss shot, I’m going to use all my effort, and I’m going to make small basketball plays. I’m unselfish, and I’m willing to put my body on the line. Everyone knows that I can shoot, but there are other areas to my game — intangibles — that I wanted to be able to show.
Q: On whether growing up a Lakers fan makes his transition any easier:
Brown: They’re my No. 1 team. I followed them from Phil Jackson in 2000 all the way up until now. I think it definitely helps me that I know what it means to put on that jersey; what it means to represent as a Laker. A lot of pride comes with that jersey, and I think that I can definitely help represent the team well.