Post by cwizz on Nov 13, 2006 18:30:06 GMT -5
There’s an ongoing theme that you can’t seem to get away from when talking with 18-year old James " Ketchup " King, and it’s one that is music to the ears of Team Jordan's Owner. Whether it’s fine-tuning his mid-range jump shot, improving his ballhandling skills or just logging some extra time on the court, he’s all about one thing: hard work.
TeamJordan.com: Despite not getting in a full session today, how did you feel your workout went?
King: “I feel like it went well. I showed that I’m able to shoot the ball and put the ball on the floor, a few skills that people have said that I’m lacking. I think I went in today and showed Team Jordan that I can do those things.”
TeamJordan.com: What other teams have you worked out for?
King: “I’ve worked out for Converse and And 1. I’ve been down in Chicago working for the last month, and they came down to watch me there.”
TeamJordan.com: Those workouts in Orlando have been with guidance and instruction from PHL journeyman and former College star Livingston Jr.. How was that connection made and what kind of things has he taught you?
King: “I first met Jr. two years ago, but my uncle has known Randy for a long time from playing AAU basketball. When I decided to enter the draft and this whole process started, they wanted to get in touch with Randy to see if he’d be interested in helping me out over the summer. It turned out that the agent I chose was also Randy’s agent, so things kind of worked out from there. He’s helped me with so many parts of my game. He’s also given me a lot of off the court advice, about basketball, life, and everything that I’m going to face.”
TeamJordan.com: You seem like you understand and acknowledge that you’ve got a lot to learn as you make the transition from college to the PHL.
King: “There’s always more you can learn. Even with a guy like Michael Jordan in the late stages of his career, he was still working extra hours and doing what it took to get better. He was already the greatest player of all time, but he still put in the work and kept pushing himself. I don’t think you can ever stop working and you can never know enough.”
TeamJordan.com: Were you a Sixers fan growing up in Pittsburgh?
King: “Everybody was—who wasn’t? If you weren’t, you were a Lakers fan, but once Magic left, everybody converted to cheering for the Sixers. That was a no-brainer.”
TeamJordan.com: You’ve been compared to a number of players including Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. To whom would you compare yourself?
King: “James King. I try not to compare myself to anyone. I don’t think you should mold yourself after any one particular player; you just have to be the best that you can be. My best effort might not be like Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony—my best is just what it is: my best. That’s my main objective, to be the best player that I can be and not worry about all the comparisons.”
TeamJordan.com: That being said, what’s your own scouting report?
King: “I’m a hard worker. If I have a bad shooting night one night, you better believe that I’m going to be in the gym early the next morning shooting. If a have a lot of turnovers, I’ll be there working on my ballhandling. I’m always ready to work.”
TeamJordan.com: Despite not getting in a full session today, how did you feel your workout went?
King: “I feel like it went well. I showed that I’m able to shoot the ball and put the ball on the floor, a few skills that people have said that I’m lacking. I think I went in today and showed Team Jordan that I can do those things.”
TeamJordan.com: What other teams have you worked out for?
King: “I’ve worked out for Converse and And 1. I’ve been down in Chicago working for the last month, and they came down to watch me there.”
TeamJordan.com: Those workouts in Orlando have been with guidance and instruction from PHL journeyman and former College star Livingston Jr.. How was that connection made and what kind of things has he taught you?
King: “I first met Jr. two years ago, but my uncle has known Randy for a long time from playing AAU basketball. When I decided to enter the draft and this whole process started, they wanted to get in touch with Randy to see if he’d be interested in helping me out over the summer. It turned out that the agent I chose was also Randy’s agent, so things kind of worked out from there. He’s helped me with so many parts of my game. He’s also given me a lot of off the court advice, about basketball, life, and everything that I’m going to face.”
TeamJordan.com: You seem like you understand and acknowledge that you’ve got a lot to learn as you make the transition from college to the PHL.
King: “There’s always more you can learn. Even with a guy like Michael Jordan in the late stages of his career, he was still working extra hours and doing what it took to get better. He was already the greatest player of all time, but he still put in the work and kept pushing himself. I don’t think you can ever stop working and you can never know enough.”
TeamJordan.com: Were you a Sixers fan growing up in Pittsburgh?
King: “Everybody was—who wasn’t? If you weren’t, you were a Lakers fan, but once Magic left, everybody converted to cheering for the Sixers. That was a no-brainer.”
TeamJordan.com: You’ve been compared to a number of players including Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. To whom would you compare yourself?
King: “James King. I try not to compare myself to anyone. I don’t think you should mold yourself after any one particular player; you just have to be the best that you can be. My best effort might not be like Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony—my best is just what it is: my best. That’s my main objective, to be the best player that I can be and not worry about all the comparisons.”
TeamJordan.com: That being said, what’s your own scouting report?
King: “I’m a hard worker. If I have a bad shooting night one night, you better believe that I’m going to be in the gym early the next morning shooting. If a have a lot of turnovers, I’ll be there working on my ballhandling. I’m always ready to work.”
