Before He Ran Into Immortality...

Peterson took in the Wolves home opener from behind the hoop in the Lexus Courtside Club seats. It's unknown if the extremely high comfortability of his chair led directly to his huge game on Sunday.

We interviewed Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson at Friday night's Wolves game from his Lexus Courtside Club seat. Clearly inspired by the Wolves, he ran for an NFL record 296 yards on Sunday.

Or maybe he's just freakishly good at football ... Yeah, that's it. Beast. After nearly breaking this reporter's hand with a handshake, AP talked about what fellow No. 7 overall pick Corey Brewer is feeling like, revealed who the best Vikings baller is and offered some insight into his rookie season:


MT: What's up Adrian, thanks for taking some time with us. First of all, how are your basketball skills? Can you ball?
Adrian Peterson: You know. I can do a little something something. I have a little game. But I'm not Jordan.

MT: All right. Well, you're close enough to the bench to call some plays tonight. Give us your analysis of what's been a gritty effort thus far against the Nuggets:
AP: The Wolves are playing good team basketball. They definitely have some guys that can score and put some points on the board. I've noticed that, but this is my first game so I'm just enjoying it.

MT: Let me ask you about our first-round draft pick, Corey Brewer, who like you was taken at No. 7 overall in the draft. You had a great deal of success at Oklahoma, and Brewer couldn't have been much more successful at Florida. What do you think he's thinking about in his first regular-season game as a pro?
AP: I know he's going through a lot right now, and he has a lot of pressure on him to live up to his reputation. He probably feels like he has to go out and score 30 or 40 points.

MT: I'll guess that was your mindset going into your first game, anyway?
AP: Oh yeah, it has to be. You have to come in with that confidence. But I've been watching Corey Brewer since college, and I know his skills will show in Minnesota.

MT: Brewer of course won two national titles at Florida, but Oklahoma had some nice teams a few years ago, led by Hollis Price, who took your Sooners to the Final Four in 2002.
AP: Oh for sure. I used to play ball with a lot of those guys. We used to get it on. (Our football team) would have five-on-five games with those guys, and a couple of times, we won. We had to show them that we were multi-talented.

MT: This Lexus Courtside Club isn't a bad deal, huh?
AP: This is a great deal. They took care of us first with the valet parking, which is really nice and saves you that hassle. Then you come in, have a good little meal and drinks also, and they take you to these seats. It's cool.

AP demolished the Chargers on Sunday for an NFL record 296 yards. Fierce.

MT: I see you watching the Timberwolves Dancers, Adrian. But I'm not going to ask you to choose them over your Vikings cheerleaders or anything, because we don't want to get you in trouble.
AP: (smiles) Definitely.

MT: OK. Who's the best basketball player on the Vikings? I know Dwight Smith won a state championship in high school.
AP: I'd say Sidney Rice. He's nice.

MT: Let me ask you this: What would happen if someone tried to take a charge from defensive tackle Pat Williams?
AP: (laughs) Oh man. A concussion.

MT: The game is starting to heat up, so last question here: What's your analysis of your rookie year in the NFL thus far? You're leading the league in rushing, but I know you're not happy with the team's 2-5 record.
AP: It's going all right. If anything, that record would be different, like you said. But I'm just trying to stay focused on the little things. At the same time, we're coming in this week against San Diego trying to change things around for this last, long stretch.

MT: So you feel good about the way you're playing personally, but it's hard to feel good in the bigger picture because of the team's lack of success...
AP: Yeah. You get all these awards, like Rookie of the Month and all that, but it's hard to feel great about those awards when you're 2-5.

MT: OK Adrian. Thanks for your time, best of luck against San Diego on Sunday and please don't break my hand again.
AP: No doubt, thank you.