Loading...
Loading...
Keyon Dooling has often referred to the summer of 2004 as a "nightmare".
After four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dooling became a free
agent. However, few teams came knocking on Keyon's door and thoughts
began running through his mind that his NBA career may have come to a
close.He ended up signing with the Miami Heat for the 2004-05 season, playing for the league minimum. But it wasn't until the following year when he signed with the Orlando Magic that Dooling began to understand how to play in the NBA.
After recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him for the first part of the 2005-06 season, Dooling became an integral part of a Magic squad that showed signs of a promising future.
And all those signs have held true so far this season with Dooling a vital role in the team's success. As part of a solid second unit with Carlos Arroyo, Trevor Ariza and Darko Milicic, Keyon has led the team in scoring once and scored in double figures six times, including a career-high 25 points on Nov. 15 vs. Denver.
Between home games on Monday and Wednesday, Keyon took the time to chat with his fans on orlandomagic.com. Check out what he had to say about his talents with the Orlando offense, the haircut and much more.
Tim (Tampa): Tough loss last night, does the team take a loss like that hard or can you rebound from it pretty easy and get going for your next game?
Keyon Dooling: The thing about this league is you never go more than a few days until the next game, so you don't really have the time to overthink it, you have to move right on to the next game.
Howie (fla): Hey Keyon, how have you changed your game to mesh with the talent on the Magic?
Keyon Dooling: It's been easy, just give the ball to Dwight and spot-up!
Karl (New Jersey): What do you think was different for you that night that you scored the career high 25 against Denver this year? Were you just feeling the touch? getting enough minutes? what brought on that scoring output?
Keyon Dooling: It was just a matter of feeling it and getting open looks.
Tom (Orlando): What's the locker room chemistry like there? You guys get along? Who's the funniest on the team?
Keyon Dooling: The locker room chemistry is great. It's a fun place to go to work everyday. We work hard and we play hard. And I think I'm the funniest guy on the team, but beside myself, I'd have to say Dwight Howard.
Daniel(Orlando): hey keyon, where'd you get the idea to shave the side of your head?
Keyon Dooling: I didn't shave the side of my head! I just have a part in it!
Duane(chicago): Loving the haircut. Whats the next design you got in mind?
Keyon Dooling: Oh yeah. I have something up my sleeve, I need to let it grow back a little bit, but in a few weeks you'll see something new. You gotta have fun with your hair before you lose it all!
Patrick (Titusville, FL): Keyon what is your opinion about the NBA deciding to go back to the old leather ball?
Keyon Dooling: I'm lovin' it. I think it's a great idea.
Rafael Rivera - Orlando: Who did you most admire in the NBA growing up?
Keyon Dooling: I would have to say Michael Jordan is the guy who inspired me to go to the park and explore the game of basketball. Also, Isiah with his ballhandling, I loved. And Larry Bird, the way he could shoot the ball.
Liese (Kissimmee): What NBA player would you not want to play one on one with? Which one would you want to play?
Keyon Dooling: Once you get to the league you don't really think one-on-one because you are concentrating on team success. But the one player that I think you never want to see one-on-one is Kobe Bryant.
Brooks (Orlando): yo dooling, why do you think that the magic have been off to a great start this season?
Keyon Dooling: I don't think it was one event. It was finishing strong last year and using that momentum to carry over this year. We have a great chemistry, everyone accepts their role.
John (fla): WHo's on your All-star ballot? who should go to vegas?
Keyon Dooling: Wow. You want me to name the whole team? I think some surprises would be Kevin Martin and Joe Johnson. They should be on there this year. Also 'Melo, he should be on there. He's never been to the game, yet everyone knows he's one of the Top Ten players in the league.
Gerald (Manila): hey Keyon!
I'm one big magic fan! You seem to be doing very well in Orlando. Do you see yourself spending a long time with the Magic?
Keyon Dooling: I surely hope so. I actually love waking up every morning and going to work. We have the total support of everyone in our organization, and our city loves us. It's a great place to work and I really enjoy it here in Orlando.
Orlando : do u feel like our defense can get better
Keyon Dooling: I think we can get better. It's a matter of getying more experience. We're a young team, working hard and I think we still have room for improvement and we're trying to do that.
Rafael Rivera - Orlando: Hey Keyon, you bring so much needed energy off the bench! You and the rest of the Magic bench have either kept us in, brought us back and even have been responsible for us winning most of the games we have won this season! What do you do to prepare yourself before a game, when you know you are comming off the bench, to have so much energy?
Keyon Dooling: It's my niche here. It's the way I've adapted to keep a job in this league. It's the least I can do, play as hard as I can every night. At least you have control over that. Some nights, you're shot isn't dropping, but every night, you can control your effort and that's something I pride myself on.
Kimo Bautista (Makati,Philippines): hi keyon, i'm a fan of the orlando magic since the shaq-penny era of the 90's. do you think the magic can go to the finals this year?
Keyon Dooling: Wow. I think we can definitely make a run into the playoffs, we have the talent to win in the playoffs. And of course, getting to the finals ia goal of ours.
Keyon Dooling: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to write to little ol' me. I really appreciate all the interest and the questions and I hope to chat with you again in the future.
