Like fellow New Orleans backcourt reserve Ish Smith, veteran Pelicans guard Toney Douglas has played for an assortment of NBA teams during his pro career, including New York, Houston, Sacramento, Golden State, Miami and New Orleans. He’s appeared in the NBA playoffs three separate times, highlighted by the Heat’s 2014 Eastern Conference championship. Douglas also was on the Pelicans’ 2015 playoff-qualifying roster after joining New Orleans during the second half of the regular season. The 29-year-old discussed his career and the league with Pelicans.com:
Most memorable moment in the NBA: “Going to the NBA Finals with Miami in 2014. That was a great experience. Being on a championship-caliber team, you know what it takes: a lot of sacrifice and all of your teammates are like brothers.”
Most memorable dunk in the NBA: “When I was with New York, I was playing in Orlando. I never really dunk on a fast-break layup, but I surprised everybody and hung on the goal after the dunk. I got a technical.” [laughs]
Most embarrassing moment in the NBA: “During my rookie year, there was a time where I didn’t realize we were leaving for a road trip – obviously no one tells you that, it’s something you just have to know – so I went to practice without packing anything. I didn’t have time to go back and pack, so I had to go buy a bunch of stuff in whatever city we were in. It was like an eight-game road trip, but I had nothing to wear.” [laughs]
Most surprising thing about the NBA as a rookie: “How fast the game is. You have a split-second to read and react. Also there are a lot of games, more than you’re used to playing.”
Toughest player to face at his position: “I’d say Russell Westbrook, because he comes at you every night with some type of great force, coming downhill.”
Most underrated player in the NBA: “Even though he does get some credit, right now I’d say Paul George with the Pacers, coming back from his injury. He’s been playing great, putting up 40-something-point games. I don’t know if he gets the recognition he deserves, coming back from such a major injury.”
Best uniforms in the NBA (besides the Pelicans’): “I like the Hawks’ new uniforms. Those are nice. Those are fresh.”
Favorite road arena: “Oracle Arena in Oakland, because of the atmosphere.”
Favorite road trips, based on the city: “New York, Toronto, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles. I was raised in Georgia but have an offseason home in Orlando, so any time we go to Georgia or Florida, that’s home to me.”