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As the series shifts back home to Orlando, Armstrong sat down to answer some fan-emails.
Are the Hornets a tougher team than the Bucks last season when you played them in the first round?
Keon
San Antonio
Armstrong: “They are probably about the same. Both are big and crash the boards. Milwaukee probably had better shooters, but they are basically the same type of team.”
Listed at 6'1" you are one of the shortest players in the league, yet you have the most explosive jumping ability. Since your first season on the Magic you have always been a positive leader on the court. I would like to know what motivates you to work as hard as you do on the court.
Ivan
Pensacola, Fla.
Armstrong: “The love of the game. I really enjoy playing this game and I enjoy playing it in front of the fans. When this game is done I want people to recognize that I brought excitement to the game every time I stepped on the court, not how many points I scored.”
Hi Darrell! Congratulations for making the playoffs. Do you think Tracy McGrady's back problems will allow him to finish the series?
Demetra
Atlanta, Ga.
Armstrong: “Yes, because he is a warrior. If he says that he’s able to play, then he’s going to go out there and continue to work hard no matter what.”
Do you think that you can win round 1 in the playoffs without Tracy McGrady playing 100%?
Jeff
Huber Heights, Ohio
Armstrong: “We’ve definitely got to have Tracy. We’ve already endured a season without one of superstars (Grant Hill), so it would definitely be tough to win without Tracy, as well. Our will to win would have to be even stronger to win the series.”
Darrell, how hard was it for you to work your way up to the NBA level coming from such a small school and basically getting no respect early on in your career? Also, how did that struggle make you stronger as a player and a person? Keep up the good work in the community.
Rod
Charlotte, NC
Armstrong: “Going through everything that I’ve gone through in my career definitely taught me how to play hard. It taught me how to play through a lot of different things like injuries. More importantly, it taught me how to love and respect this game and not to take it for granted. That’s why I always come out and play hard.”
How do you get such a high vertical leap?
Mike
Heyfield State, Australia
Armstrong: “My vertical leap is actually not that good. I jump higher taking off of one foot, instead. I think a lot of people are surprised by that fact. I lifted a lot of weights in high school and my legs just kept getting stronger and stronger. But it’s always a great feeling when you can jump over someone and dunk the ball.”
How do you look to match up with Charlotte's superior size? I know you're probably not looking forward to the next series, but I would really like your team to beat Charlotte (not as much as you, though); they are the scariest team in the East. Good luck!
Eric
Boston
Armstrong: “Charlotte has a lot of big bodies, but I think that if we come out and stay aggressive that we can overcome all of that. Energy is the key. You can have all the size in the world and if you don’t come down the court with energy on every play, you are not going to be successful.”
