CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Following is my interview with JJ after his game on Thursday, 15 Sept:
KF: what brought you here to this venue, the Impact Basketball sessions?
JJ: It's where I train
KF: You've trained here before?
JJ: Yes. This is my second year here.
KF: What is it you try to accomplish when you train here?
JJ: Just to get better in the summertime. To push myself to get better conditioned and to get better than I was last year.
KF: Are there any particular things you wanted to work on this summer?
JJ: First, my 15-17 ft jumper, then just putting the ball on the floor, not necessarily to bring the ball up court, but on the pick and roll. To put the ball on the floor in the Karl Malone area.
KF: What are you going to do when you leave here?
JJ: Go up to Sacramento and get ready to play. But if it (the lockout) doesn't get solved, I'll stay here.
KF: Here in Las Vegas?
JJ: Yeah. It's were I've been working out this summer.
KF: When you found out you had been traded to the Kings, what were your first thoughts?
JJ: Uhh. I'm a King now. New team, new organization, new personnel. I wasn't really jumping for joy but it does feel good to get a fresh start on a young team and help that team become a world championship contender.
KF: They definitely have the pieces, I think they just need some veteran help.
JJ: Yeah, for sure.
KF: Until the lockout gets settled are you going to work out here every day or just a certain amount of time each week?
JJ: Every Day!! I've been playing every day so far, so why stop now?
KF: Your game looks good to me. You bring something to the Kings they have needed recently. They've got young guys but there are some things I see that you do instinctively that are things the Kings need a lot (quickness, nose for the ball, hustle).
JJ: Oh yeah. I'm going to get it (the ball)! If it comes off the rim and I'm gonna try to dunk it back in or get a rebound for the next possession. I know thats what I'm best at, manning the paint. I'm going to work on my game here to get better at it.
KF: (JJ is wearing the wildest Aqua Blue shoes I've ever seen and couldn't help but to ask him about it.) Anything significant about the crazy blue shoes?
JJ: Nah. I just seen them and liked the shoe, that's all. Nothing significant.
KF: Do you tend to stay with the same shoe throughout the season?
JJ: Nah. I switch if off from time to time depending on how I'm feeling. Some guys it can be a bit of superstition (wearing certain shoes). I just wear what feels good. Size 16
JJ was a great interview, easy to talk with, direct in his responses and knows what he needs to do to get better. Watching his game, he brings an instinctive nose for the ball both offensively off the rim and defensively. And he runs his butt off the entire game usually one of the first down court in both directions. We're gonna like his game!!!
KF: what brought you here to this venue, the Impact Basketball sessions?
JJ: It's where I train
KF: You've trained here before?
JJ: Yes. This is my second year here.
KF: What is it you try to accomplish when you train here?
JJ: Just to get better in the summertime. To push myself to get better conditioned and to get better than I was last year.
KF: Are there any particular things you wanted to work on this summer?
JJ: First, my 15-17 ft jumper, then just putting the ball on the floor, not necessarily to bring the ball up court, but on the pick and roll. To put the ball on the floor in the Karl Malone area.
KF: What are you going to do when you leave here?
JJ: Go up to Sacramento and get ready to play. But if it (the lockout) doesn't get solved, I'll stay here.
KF: Here in Las Vegas?
JJ: Yeah. It's were I've been working out this summer.
KF: When you found out you had been traded to the Kings, what were your first thoughts?
JJ: Uhh. I'm a King now. New team, new organization, new personnel. I wasn't really jumping for joy but it does feel good to get a fresh start on a young team and help that team become a world championship contender.
KF: They definitely have the pieces, I think they just need some veteran help.
JJ: Yeah, for sure.
KF: Until the lockout gets settled are you going to work out here every day or just a certain amount of time each week?
JJ: Every Day!! I've been playing every day so far, so why stop now?
KF: Your game looks good to me. You bring something to the Kings they have needed recently. They've got young guys but there are some things I see that you do instinctively that are things the Kings need a lot (quickness, nose for the ball, hustle).
JJ: Oh yeah. I'm going to get it (the ball)! If it comes off the rim and I'm gonna try to dunk it back in or get a rebound for the next possession. I know thats what I'm best at, manning the paint. I'm going to work on my game here to get better at it.
KF: (JJ is wearing the wildest Aqua Blue shoes I've ever seen and couldn't help but to ask him about it.) Anything significant about the crazy blue shoes?
JJ: Nah. I just seen them and liked the shoe, that's all. Nothing significant.
KF: Do you tend to stay with the same shoe throughout the season?
JJ: Nah. I switch if off from time to time depending on how I'm feeling. Some guys it can be a bit of superstition (wearing certain shoes). I just wear what feels good. Size 16
JJ was a great interview, easy to talk with, direct in his responses and knows what he needs to do to get better. Watching his game, he brings an instinctive nose for the ball both offensively off the rim and defensively. And he runs his butt off the entire game usually one of the first down court in both directions. We're gonna like his game!!!
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