Spencer Hawes Teleconference - 6/22/2010

Q: What can your new teammates and the fans in Philadelphia expect from you this season?
A: “I think first and foremost someone that’s going to come in with a mentality focused on winning and trying to bring that tradition back to Philadelphia. I think I’m an unselfish player and I think I’m ready to adapt to whatever goals fall on me that will make it most successful for the team.”

Q: Why do you think it didn’t work for you in Sacramento?
A “I wouldn’t say it didn’t work for me. I think there’s just sometimes a situation maybe from one side, maybe from both sides where things don’t always match and sometimes you have to make a change. I think coming out here and with the guys and talent that are in place and now with the new coaching staff – it’s something that with the way I play should allow me to take off pretty quickly.

Q: Describe your style of play.
A: “The strength that I bring to the table derives from my skill set because I’m a bigger guy. My ability to shoot and make plays on the offensive end. I know that defensively there are things I want to get better at and things I’d like to address. I’d like to block more shots and be more of a force inside. One of the things I have been focusing on a lot this summer in getting stronger has been trying to get back down to the post area with my footwork. I thought that was a strong point of my game, but coming in as a 19 and 20 year old, I didn’t necessarily have the strength to be able to hold my own as much down there but now after growing up a bit I think that’s something I can definitely be more effective at and I’d like to try to re-establish that as a strong suit.”

Q: Have you had a chance to talk to Coach Collins and talk about what he expects out of you as far as your role?
A: “I have. I actually talked to him on the phone right when the trade was going down. And now, not personally, but I’ve just chatted with him for a few minutes. I think on both sides there are big expectations and that’s the way you like to have it as a player. Coming in, you know there’s going to be a lot expected and I look forward to trying to deliver on those expectations.”

Q: You were juggled in and out of the starting line-up a lot in Sacramento. Do you hope that you have a more defined role this year, whether that’s as the starting center or as the first man off the bench?
A: “Yeah. I think as a player you like knowing where you stand. I think it makes it easier on both sides. I think that’s something that will make me work hard and I’ll see where I come up.”

Q: When you played against these guys (76ers) a couple of times last year, what was difficult to defend or play against or some of the upsides that you saw about the Sixers?
A: “I think when you look at the team on paper, there’s just boatloads of talent pretty much up and down the roster. Their athleticism really jumps out at you. I know in game planning for them the last couple years, their athleticism was always something that we had to address. I know anytime you have that kind of talent and athleticism it’s really a huge advantage coming off the bat and now with Coach Collins and his staff we’re really going to be able to focus in and start moving in the right direction and having that translate to more wins.”

Q: Do you welcome this trade in terms of maybe time for a new start after three years, it being a new situation – kind of like a second chance?
A: “I hardly look at it like a second chance, but it caught me off guard – I really didn’t see it coming at all. You know, then when I got the chance to kind of sit down and look at it, and kind of evaluate I think coming to a great organization, a great city, and the opportunity here to try and take my game to the next level and make that next step forward is something that I welcome and something that I can’t wait to get started.”

Q: You mentioned having to work on your defense. What specifically do you think you’ll have to work on to be better defensively here?
A: “The pick-and-roll defense was always something that last year I talked back and forth with my coach about trying to improve and I think that’s something I was able to improve. Also, I think just defending one-on-one in the post is something I struggled with early on and now looking at the tape and going over the strategy I think I’ve improved in that area. I always try being aware and ready to be a shot blocker and try and give the guys the luxury to try and take some extra chances and gamble a little bit knowing that they will be alright when they do.

Q: You grew up in Seattle, went to college at Washington, and then you played in Sacramento. Is it going to be weird to be moving all the way to the East coast?
A: “It’s going to be different; it’s one of those things that is just all apart of the experience. I’m kind of looking forward to it. Being a West Coast kid, you always hear about the East coast and everything that’s always going on back here and it’s something you want a little taste of. So, I’m not going to lie, it is going to be a little bit different but it’s also going to be a lot of fun, and, you know, I look forward to it.”

Q: You talked about how you had high expectations. Is one of those expectations having the starting center spot at the season opener?
A: “I think that’s always your goal as a player. At this point, having spoken to the coaches and the organization, it’s not something that has come up so far, but I think your goal is to always play at the highest level. You would be selling yourself short if it wasn’t.”

Q: Do you know anything about the draft coming up on Thursday? It looks like Evan Turner might be the guy. Have you been able to see him or know anything about him at all?
A: “Yes, I try to watch a fair deal of college basketball during our season. It’s hard to fit it all in, but I saw a lot of him. One of the things that really impressed me about him was when he hurt his back how tough he was, coming back from that and not letting his team down. Obviously, as basketball player of the year, his resume speaks for itself.”

Q: What are your plans for the rest the summer? Are you going to try to stick around Philadelphia and bond with your teammates, hang out at the training facilities, or are you going back to Seattle?
A: “As of now I am going back home, but that’s another thing I want to try to figure out. After talking to the coaches and the organization, being around some of the guys, I realize that I know a few of them from playing with them in the past, but there are still a lot of them I need to get to know to start that new chemistry. I think chemistry on and off the court is very important; a lot of times people do not acknowledge that fact.”

Q: Were you unhappy with your playing time with the Kings?
A: “I don’t think it was that as much as the fact that sometimes situations for either side just don’t work themselves out. I think that last season I probably went about it in the wrong way voicing my frustrations when maybe I shouldn’t have. I think that’s all part of the process of growing up and maturing as a person and a basketball player.”

Q: What do you expect from the upcoming season as far as what your role will be on this team?
A: “I think that in coming in here there is a void, especially with Samuel (Dalembert) leaving, that needs to be filled. Obviously, his ability to block shots and rebound are at an elite level. I want to try to come in here and provide that, along with a spark on the offensive end. I look forward to bringing these aspects of play to the table.”

Q: If people want to get to know you off the basketball court can you talk about what kind of personal interests you have off the court that people may not know about you?
A: “I am a pretty opinionated person, I’m outgoing and I like conversing with people. I enjoy politics; it has probably been noted on a few occasions that politics here and around the world interest me. I am an all-around sports fan. I am enjoying watching the World Cup right now. Overall, I would consider myself a low-key person.”