Inside Dish - Oct.23, 2008

Gerald Green Question and Answer

Certainly there were a few people in the arena on Saturday night that knew Gerald Green  is now playing for the Dallas Mavericks. However, it would not be a stretch to say that 99 percent of the fans had never heard of him.

Maybe that’s not giving Maverick fans enough credit, and there are probably a few You Tubers who have been watching Gerald since his high flying prep school days and adore his anti-gravity dunks. Probably even a few know that he won the NBA All-Star Weekend Sprite Slam Dunk contest in 2007 while he was playing with Boston.

Maybe.

Even if you wanted to research his “Bio” on NBA.com, you wouldn’t see anything but an empty white page under “Personal” and “Background.”

Nada.

Some fans caught on early in the game Saturday that they might need to figure out who was scoring all those “Buckets” for the Mavericks. You could actually see people perplexed reaching for their roster sheets each time he scored to try and get the low-down on this scoring machine.

One by one, fans started asking their neighbors, “Who is this guy?” or “Is this guy a rookie?” You could actually hear the rumble of all the questions floating in the arena air. It was like a 15 thousand person Kindergarten rumor game –“It’s Gerald Green, pass it on!”

So in order to help catch people up and answer the question, “Who the heck is Gerald Green?,” we tracked him down in the locker room after shoot around Tuesday morning in order to get Mavericks fans up to speed.

When did you find out that the Mavericks might be interested in having you join the team?

I found out earlier in the summer after the draft, but before summer league was about to kick off. I wanted to sign earlier with the Mavericks but my agent was talking with other teams so we put it off. The Mavericks just seemed like the better situation for me because I am a Texas guy and wanted to stay in Texas so I could be close to my family.

When did you start playing basketball?

I have always played basketball. I started really early, I would say around 4 years old playing in parks and playgrounds. I didn’t play organized basketball until I was in the 10th grade at Gulf Shores Academy.

When was the first time that you slammed a basketball?

It was the summer going into the 10th grade. It was at a park and they said that the goal was a little higher than regulation, but I don’t really know. I do know that a lot of people used to make fun of me because I couldn’t dunk. They would say ‘You are 6’4 and you can’t dunk?!’ So that would get to me and I would feel down about myself. But that’s changed.

When was the first time that you slammed in a game?

It was in the 10th too. Everything happened in the 10th grade. When I first started playing basketball in high school was the first time that I slammed in a game. It was a fast break one handed dunk. It was great. It was such an adrenaline rush. Before that I didn’t really think that I would ever dunk in a game. It was exciting.

When did you figure out that you wanted to play in the NBA?

I have always wanted to play basketball in the NBA. Since I was 4 years old…probably before that really. I used to have a pre-school goal at home and I would always slam dunk. My daddy would always ask me ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ I would say ‘I want to be in the NBA when I grow up!’ It really was something that I always wanted to do.

Who was your favorite basketball player growing up?

Michael Jordan, of course, right?

When did you figure out that it actually may happen?

After the McDonald’s game when I was a senior I thought it might just happen.

What did it feel like to win the Slam Dunk contest in 2007?

It felt really good. It was one of those moments that I know I will never forget. Seeing Michael, JR Rider, Vince Carter and those guys putting on spectacular performances and those types of dunks was great when I was growing up. It has always been in me to be able to put on that kind of show and win the contest. I was thinking about this well before I could dunk. For a while there was a question as to whether I would be able to dunk or not?!

What does it feel like to be able to fly?

You know what? I wouldn’t consider it flying. I don’t know if it’s flying or not but it is like when you jump on a trampoline. Flying would be tough and unbelievable. It would be like jumping as high as you can and staying there indefinitely. Jumping on a trampoline is closer to how it feels. You can go up and up until you get to the highest peak. That is how it feels when I jump.

What was your first job growing up?

I worked at Kroger. I was a sacker and I had to push the buggies in the parking lot during the summers and it was 110 degrees outside.

What type of cell phone do you use?

I use the iPhone.

What is your favorite mode of communication? Text, email, or calls?

Text for sure.

What is your favorite late night snack?

Candy if I have it.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in Dallas?

I do have a favorite restaurant in Dallas and it is Pappadeaux.

What is your favorite restaurant in the NBA?

Ruth’s Chris.

What is the first thing you bought with your first NBA paycheck?

I bought my dad a car.

What do you do after morning shoot around and the time you’re supposed to be back for the game?

Well, I go home and my fiancée fixes me something to eat. I usually take a nap and then once I wake up from my nap I get my clothes for the night ready. Once I am dressed I head out and stop by McDonald’s or Burger King on my way to the arena. (At this point Dirk Nowitzki who is eavesdropping on the conversation busts out laughing and says “Yeah, you can do that because you are young. You will not be doing that when you are 30 trust me!”) Well, I understand that it is not a normal NBA routine but it is my routine. So there you have it. Then before the game if I can get a hot dog I get a hot dog and then I go play.

Favorite sport to watch?

My favorite sport to watch is definitely football.

Last movie you watched?

“Max Payne” I just watched it yesterday.

What is your favorite television show?

You know it isn’t on anymore but it is “The Wire.”

Who plays you in the made for TV show about you?

I don’t know who would play me.

What is your favorite movie?

“Above the Rim.”

Who is your favorite actor?

Martin Lawrence.

Who is your favorite actress?

Halle Berry.

What is your favorite type of music?

Hip Hop and R&B.

If you were another person would you be friends with you?

Oh, most definitely. I am a nice outgoing guy until you step on my foot.