Wolves forward Chris Richard has three double-doubles in three games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA D-League. Accordingly, we joined Wolves radio producer John Focke in the broadcast studio and went back and forth with Richard from his cell phone in the Fort Wayne airport, where the Skyforce were delayed Tuesday morning.
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Richard is averaging 11.7 points on 50 percent shooting to couple 11.7 rebounds - including almost six on the offensive glass - in about 23 minutes per contest, all Sioux Falls wins over the Fory Wayne Mad Ants. Richard said he's relishing the opportunity to simply play basketball, and already feels that he's improved in his brief stint. Here's a sample of what he told us:
On what Minnesota's coaching staff told him before sending him to Sioux Falls:
"The coaches told me they wanted me to come down because they wanted me to play. Get in better game shape, get a few games under my belt, get used to the NBA rules and all that kind of stuff. They wanted me to get shots up, get comfortable with playing and taking shots instead of passing it out all the time."
On his first weekend with the Skyforce:
"(The first weekend) was great. It was a little bit different from what I thought it would be ... I came out a little bit nervous because I was coming to a new team. These guys already had everything the way they wanted it, it's a bunch of good guys and I didn't want to mess up what they had going on. The first few minutes of the first game I was holding back a little bit, but once the game kept going, the coach kept calling my number and the guys kept giving me the ball, looking for me to do stuff."
On gaining confidence through his D-League experience:
"I'm a little more comfortable, because I have guys telling me to take shots, the coach keeps calling my plays, and it's a little bit easier. Sometimes when I get the ball with the Wolves, I get tentative a little bit, because I don't really know if I should take (a shot) or do (something else). I think being down here is a confidence builder."
Richard also talked about the marked differences between playing in the D-League and the NBA, interacting with his new teammates and keeping in constant contact with Corey Brewer.
