Post by russianduck23 on Nov 16, 2006 21:58:27 GMT -5
Here's what The Assassin, whose real name is Mike Jones, said to ESPN and a few other reporters mere minutes after being announced as the 2006 Reebok endorsement deal winner:
On winning the deal: It felt great, man. It seemed like it was almost set up for me as far as the stage. It was a long, long three months, playing against some of the great guys, getting into feuds, but I'm just... man, to go from L.A. all the way to New York, 25 cities, nine elimination games where I could possibly get back to New York not doing nothing again, it felt great. Family and friends out there. I can't even explain it, man.
On doing it in his home city of New York: Yeah, it's very special. I told myself, coming on, my goal was to get to this point, give fans around the country a chance to vote for me and just leave it in God's hands like that. So, I accomplished my goal and it came out the way I wanted it to turn out.
On why he's popular and what what sets his game apart from other streetballers: Because it's so entertaining, man. I'm usually a lot more entertaining than I was tonight. I was trying to be focused and make sure to keep the game close. That's why I think these guys feel I'm going to fit in, because the entertainment value, I'm always going to be able to sell tickets and help out with the fans and things like that.
On if this is the highlight for him of the whole tour: I had a lot of big, 40-point, 30-point games, but this is definitely the highlight, because the whole presentation and all that, it was overwelming. Like I said, it's just good to do it back at home, in my home city. It was a great feeling.
On the popularity of streetball: Because with the different leagues and the pros, everybody can't make it. So it's a lot of talent still out there on the street. Reebok is the best, man. Just knowing, going through this summer, being around all the Reebok guys, they work hard but at the same time they've got a great job. It's good to get out there, it's a lot of fun and entertainment. Streetball is going higher and higher and I'm glad to be a part of it.
On competition with the two other players: The last whole week... they kind of knew I had a little bit of an edge because I've been on since the first city, but anybody ask me, I'll be like, one day I might say AK 47 might win, or, we were just banking on each other to win. We hope that everybody gets signed, but just one person was able to get the $25,000 and the car and I'm happy it was me.
