NBA TV anchor Andre Aldridge, a California boy who enjoys a good laugh just as much as a good backdoor cut, caught up with Toronto's star forward Chris Bosh to talk about growing up in Texas, school grades, movies and more in this week's "Lunch With Andre."

"Lunch With Andre" is a chance for the fans to catch a glimpse of NBA players outside of the 94x50 confines and hear what they have to say about their life away from basketball.

Andre: What was your first job growing up?

Chris: First job was Blockbuster Video and I hated it.

Andre: Why? Because you had to wear a badge?

Chris: Nah, because we had to wear khakis. The same khakis and the same collared shirt. I don’t like customer service, that’s not my cup of tea.

Be kind, rewind.

Andre: You’re like a movie buff then. Before you went to Blockbuster, or after

Chris: I kind of got into it after because you know like, when the DVD comes out, we got a hold of it the week before. So, it was our job kind of to watch the movies so if people ask us about it we can tell them.

Andre: So you have a real appreciation for film -- except for the khaki pants.

Chris: Yeah, except for the khaki pants. Khaki pants and films: Don’t mix them.

Andre: Did you ever get straight A’s in school?

Chris: Yeah, like in middle school. When I got to high school, it got a little tougher, so ...

Andre: Junior high, so like seventh or eighth grade?

Chris: Yeah, I’ll say eighth.

Andre: What did that feel like?

Chris: If felt good.

Andre: Now, I know you’re a brainiac. I know you weren’t getting bad grades before, so when you got home, was everybody fired up about the straight A’s?

Chris: Yeah, but after awhile it was like, “OK, good, good, good job … All right, do it again.”

Andre: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?

Chris: Shoot. Basketball, man. Kevin Garnett.

Andre: Just because of size or because of his game?

Chris: Because of his game, and you know, the way I was I needed inspiration looking at somebody who looked like me or I looked like them. He was thin and tall, young, and could play. And could handle the ball, so …

Andre: Being tall and all is great now. But, being tall when you were a little kid, at what point was it not cool to be tall?

Chris: Like, in elementary.

Andre: How come?

Chris: Because, you’re not really tall but you’re taller than everybody else, you know? Being like 5-foot-6, you’re the monster. So, I got up there real fast. I was just as tall as the girls, which was weird back then..

Andre: At some point in your life guys started picking you first when choosing sides for basketball. How old were you when that started happening?

Chris: Shoot, ever since I could remember.

Andre: Really? I thought you told me you weren’t that good in the beginning.

Chris: Oh, I wasn’t.

Andre: You were tall.

Chris: I was tall and still could out-hoop the people I was around.

Andre: Wow. OK, now when you got to Tech or when you got playing around guys who could really play, were you ever not picked first when you were in the gym?

Chris: Yeah, that happened a couple times but that was only because I didn’t know nobody. You know, when you go into unfamiliar territory and you don’t know nobody it’s a little different.

Andre: It wasn’t like Jarrett Jack was there and got picked ...

Chris: Oh no, no.

Andre: Who was your favorite non-basketball athlete growing up?

Chris: Um, probably Michael Johnson.

Andre: Because of Texas?

Chris: Come on man, Dallas man. You got to be more specific. We from Dallas. It was a Dallas thing and he was lighting the world stage on fire.

Andre: For me, you know, my parents are from Texas and my father is no longer with us but I think everybody, even outside of Texas, know what the Cowboys mean to that area. Do we not understand? How big was Michael Johnson then?

Chris: Michael Johnson was huge. But you know, it was a peak in Dallas sports except for basketball. He was so fast man. Nobody was beating him for a while. He was always on TV and stuff like that so, it was really entertaining to watch him. And you know, of course, the Cowboys, but I didn’t have a favorite athlete. I just always liked the Cowboys.

Andre: What was your favorite cartoon when you were little?

Chris: Looney Toons … Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, all them cats.

Andre: Bugs No. 1? You know, I got back and forth between Bugs and Road Runner because Road Runner was kind of crafty. But, Bugs was really cool..

Chris: Yeah, Bugs was cool. Road Runner, man, me and my brothers got tired of watching it because we wanted the Coyote to win. We wanted the Coyote to get him.

Andre: Hey, but that’s the hook!

Chris: Yeah, I was like, “Man, that can’t happen.” We just started getting real logical like, “That can’t happen.”

Andre: Your favorite superhero?

Chris: Probably Superman. He can do everything.


Faster than a speeding bullet...

Andre: You ever play an instrument?

Chris: Nope.

Andre: Can you sing?

Chris: Not a lick.

Andre: Can you dance?

Chris: In emergency situations.

Andre: Wow, so you know your teammates are going to see that. That’s why you’re being truthful.

Chris: You know, I cut a rug every now and then.

Andre: I was a DJ before I went into this and I was real popular. I mean I was real popular, but the only reason was because I can’t dance ... What’s a song on your current playlist?

Chris: “Shoulder Lean” by Young Joe.

Andre: When and where are you happiest?

Chris: When I’m relaxing with my family. Doing nothing. That’s my favorite thing to do, nothing.

Andre: It’s hard to call you lazy, because we watch you work. But, didn’t you tell me you’re lazy around the house?

Chris: Yeah. I’m lazy. I’m quick to say it. I’m lazy around the house. Ain’t no shame with that. I like playing video games. I like sitting there and doing nothing.

Andre: So, the remotes and the wireless controllers are all in one area where you can reach them.

Chris: Once I sit down, I might turn the XBox on and not play it till like another hour. I have the universal remote and the wireless controllers all good to go.

Andre: If you were an inventor, what would you invent?

Chris: I’d invent something to where you didn’t have to travel. Like a Star Trek thing. Beam me up. Boom. You’re there.

Andre: So the Toronto to Miami flight would no longer be an issue?

Chris: Yeah, it’d just be like, “Y’all ready? OK. Boom. Let’s go.”

Andre: Your favorite movie?

Chris: Favorite movie is The Devil’s Advocate.


Is it hot in here ... ?

Andre: Now is that because of Keanu or because of Al or …?

Chris: It was because of Al and it was a real deep message. It was a crazy movie. I’ve seen it so many times. It was just a good movie. Great acting too.

Andre: What about in the end where the wall turns into fire, did that freak you out a little bit?

Chris: Yeah, that was a little crazy. It was more crazy to see Al Pacino. I don’t know if they kind of made his face like that, but the way he was looking and yelling, that kind of spooked me.

Andre: It messed me up when they went to the ledge and Keanu didn’t know he was on the ledge and then they looked down. I’m on the 30th floor here in New York City, but I can’t imagine.

Chris: Man, I hate heights. I wouldn’t even go outside.

Andre: You haven’t been to the tops of any towers or anything?

Chris: The CN Tower. I went to the top. It was OK because I was enclosed. I don’t mess with rails and stuff because you could just fall right over.

Andre: Outstanding website for you at http://www.chris-bosh.com where you have details about the book club for kids, what is your favorite biography?

Chris: My favorite is Malcolm X.

Andre: When you were little, what was the first job you dreamed of being?

Chris: Let me think, I think I wanted to be an artist.

Andre: You still into art now?

Chris: No, it left me.

Andre: That’s OK, I wanted to be a fireman. Now, here’s a hard one. If you had to describe yourself in one word what would it be?

Chris: Enthusiastic.

Andre: I want you to fill in the blank here -- I can’t leave home without my ________?

Chris: Wallet.

Andre: What do you want for Christmas?

Chris: Nothing, time home.

Andre: If you were invisible for one day and could spy on anybody, who would that be?

Chris: I’d probably spy on my brother, while he in college. I never got to hang out with him much because I played basketball and he played basketball. So, I’d like to go with him on a game day, see what he does, go to his game. You know.

Andre: How old is your brother?

Chris: He’s 20.

Andre: If you could spy on a famous person, who would it be? And it can’t be Sam Mitchell. I’m not saying he’s not famous, but it can’t be Sam Mitchell.

Chris: It would have to be a movie star or something. I don’t know. I’d spy on everybody.

Andre: When you first got into the league, who did you really learn from?

Chris: Michael Curry.


Michael Curry

Andre: Very strong. You do any impressions?

Chris: Nah, I don’t do any impressions. I do a good impression of myself.

Andre: Your favorite television show?

Chris: It’s tough. I don’t even watch TV that much. I’ll go with The Wire though.

Andre: OK, so you TiVo it and go back and watch The Wire.

Chris: Yeah, I TiVo and go back and watch The Wire, the whole season.


Listen closely...

Andre: Who would play Chris Bosh in a movie?

Chris: Me.

Andre: OK, who would be your leading lady?

Chris: That’s a set-up question. Is my girl going to read this? Who going to be reading this?

Andre: Here, I’ll help you out. Other than your girl, who would be your leading lady?

Chris: Sanaa Lathan.

Andre: We can talk for an hour there, but we’re not going to.

Chris: Love and Basketball II man.

Andre: I know, I know. I saw her once in person.

Chris: You’re a lucky man.

Andre: She can have the whole checkbook and everything in my apartment. OK, you’re from Texas, you went to the real brainiac school Georgia Tech when I was in Atlanta, so I know about this. So answer this question: Which group is smarter, Longhorns or Aggies?

Chris: Shoot, Aggies.

Andre: Wow. You know T.J. Ford is your point guard, right?

Chris: Yeah.

Andre: You know, he reads this.

Chris: I know.

Andre: Aggies?

Chris: Yeah, they’re engineers. Texas grad school is different, but we’re talking about undergrad.

Andre: And you know they’re bitter that the Aggies beat them.

Chris: I’m sure they are. I would be too.

Andre: Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

Chris: Sweet potato.

Andre: When’s the last time you cried?

Chris: Man, I don’t know.

Andre: OK, last movie that made you cry?

Chris: Last movie? I’ve never cried off a movie. I’m not that emotional when it comes to movies. I’ll just watch it.

Andre: They say that most men will never admit to crying in movies.

Chris: Really? I’ll tell you the truth about that. I ain’t never cried because of a movie.

Andre: Because of your Blockbuster experience, you watched Shawshank Redemption and you didn’t tear up?

Chris: Shawshank? No, I was happy to see him get out!


"He crawled through 500 yards of the foulest ..."

Andre: What about when dude hung himself?

Chris: I was like, “Aw, man.” He could have least went back or something.

Andre: Who has the best looking uniforms in the NBA?

Chris: There’s none that just really stand out. You know? Ours is nice. We just need to change the design, but that’s another story. I don’t be looking at the uniforms, I just be looking at the goal.

Andre: Who’s the best-dressed Raptor?

Chris: Me. Hands down. If not me, Mo-Pete.

Andre: OK, which Raptor needs a little help?

Chris: P.J. Tucker.

Andre: Is it a color situation or just the whole thing?

Chris: It’s not the color. He be on point, it’s just it’s too small. He like the Euro look. We don’t roll with the Euro look.

Andre: Quick word association … Hot.

Chris: Cold.

Andre: Chocolate.

Chris: Woman.

Andre: Ball-hog.

Chris: Me. No, I’m playing.

Andre: Nice to have the green light, ain’t it?

Chris: It’s great.

Andre: Were you besides yourself when Britney and Kevin broke up?

Chris: Kevin who?

Andre: What’s your favorite food?

Chris: You know what? I don’t really have a favorite food, honestly.

Andre: Are strangers still trying to fatten you up? Do people come to you unsolicited and send you recipes or food and stuff?

Chris: No, not really. They just tell me, “You need to do this, you need to do that.” And I’m like, “Hey, you need to leave me alone.”

Andre: You have been eating all your life.

Chris: Ask my momma, I puts it away.

Andre: Did you see Borat?

Chris: Yes.

Andre: Did you laugh?

Chris: Hard.

Andre: Out loud?

Chris: Yeah, it was silly man. It was pretty funny.

Andre: I almost cried. Did that almost make you cry at the movies?

Chris: I didn’t almost cry, but it was pretty funny.

Andre: I want you to watch Shawshank again and then go see that new Will Smith movie. You’re going to be crying.

Chris: I might cry at that. I watched the previews. I was feeling bad after the previews like, “Damn.”

Andre: You know it’s a real story and I’m going to have to wait till that one comes out on DVD.

Chris: Oh really? You can’t be crying in the theatres?

Andre: Oh, come on, man. I’m supposed to be grown.

Previous to joining NBA TV, Andre Aldridge hosted and anchored numerous programs for CNN’s Sports Division from 1999-2002, including “This Week in the NBA,” “Sports Tonight,” “Closer Look,” and “SI Cover to Cover.” During his tenure at CNN, he also reported live from NFL Super Bowls, covered major boxing title fights, and reported from several Major League Baseball games.