Arroyo
You watch the games, you see the scores, but how do you really know what's going on in NBA Playoffs 2005? NBA.com has infiltrated the action with the ultimate insiders -- the players themselves. We're giving you an exclusive look at the postseason with a roster of player mailboxes.

Detroit's Carlos Arroyo averaged 5.5 points and 3.2 assists off the bench for the defending NBA Champions after arriving in a trade from Utah. Send Carlos a question via e-mail and we'll post his answers to the best questions at least once for each round of the Playoffs the Pistons reach.


CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS MAILBOX

Q: Many people say Miami is going to be Detroit's biggest challenge. Do you agree with this prediction or do you think the West will produce a tougher contender?

Arroyo: They are all great teams, any of them can win. I think we have the challenge of repeating and protecting the championship. San Antonio and Seattle, that's a tough series over there, it's even right now. Hopefully it'll be us, Miami or either of them in the West, I really don't care.

Q: After being traded to the Pistons mid-season, how big of a factor has Chauncey Billups been in your game?

Arroyo: Big. I learn a lot from all of them. Not only from Chauncey, he's a great player, a great shooter, a great point guard, but I've learned from everybody here. It's a championship team and every time I get to watch and learn it's a great experience for me.

Q: You seem to be very comfortable communicating on the court with other players, but have you encountered any problems communicating with your teammates because of language or cultural difference?

Arroyo: Not at all. I've never had that problem.

Q: In your opinion, what are the advantages or disadvantages of having international players in the NBA?

Arroyo: My opinion is that with all the international players, Hispanic, Latin and European players, our job is to do a good job to be able to open more doors for those who have a hope of one day playing in this great league. That was one of my goals since I was a kid, to make it to this league. Dedication and disciple are what got me here. I believe the doors are opening and we're going to have more and more international players in the league.

Q: What has the playoff experience been like for you so far, being part of a team that will go far in the playoffs?

Arroyo: It's been awesome. It's a great team and a great environment with great guys, great coaches, a great GM and a great president in Joe Dumars. This is a team that feels comfortable with each other inside and outside the court. It's a family, that's why we feel so comfortable when we're out there playing with each other. We have fun. As long as we have fun playing it should be alright.

Q: How do you deal with the pressure of playing in the NBA with all the fans and everybody watching your every more?

Arroyo: This is what I dreamed of since I was a kid, to be here and that's part of what I wanted. I'm a very fortunate person to be in this position, being one of the 400+ players in this league. It's a privilege, not a right to be here and I always understood that.


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