Post by russianduck23 on Nov 27, 2006 16:44:24 GMT -5
By The Best Damn Sports Show Period| Nov. 27 2006
Last July Adidas drafted power foward AK 47. Daniels had his moments as a Syracuse Orangeman and put up nice numbers in his minutes, but injuries kept hitting him, and it was simply time to move on. ESPN editor Jeff Shana met with AK 47 a few days ago for an exclusive interview.[/color]
ESPN: Your time in Syracuse. Talk about what you got out of being there, the best aspect of the experience.
AK: That we got to go to the final four. Playing in the finals, was a really good achievement for me, a good start. So now I'm moving on to something that will hopefully be bigger and better.
ESPN: Talk about the growth of your game, from the time you first stepped into the league through now. You're still evolving.
AK: Just maturity level. Understanding the game a lot more, and being able to play with anybody, is going to help out a lot.
ESPN: The idea of being drafted in the fourth round, were you expecting it? Expecting to be drafted in general?
AK: Uh huh. I'd been [anticipating] it, yeah. I was just hoping for a little better and maybe being taken in the earlier rounds because of all the time I spent in the gym and working on my game.
ESPN: Were you pushing for Adidas to take you?
AK: Yeah. I always loved Adidas, and to be able to represent them has been a dream of mine for a long time. Plus the big shoe deal didn't hurt. (laughs)
ESPN: In search of more minutes, a bigger role, elsewhere?
AK: Nah, if you haven't noticed i have been the prime option for the team. I'm always the first look and get the ball when my guards can get it to me. I love it here, but the money isn't great so when the time comes, I may look for some more money.
ESPN: How long were you pushing for a rule change to enter the draft early? Was it going on for a while?
AK: Naw, I just new it was going to happen.
ESPN: Did you know or expect to be headed to Adidas?
AK: I had an idea but I didn't know the full effect. I had spoken with the GM and he said if I was there in the later rounds then it would be a no brainer.
ESPN: So now you're here. New home, new existence. Next step in your career.
AK: It's a great team... just trying to get Adidas to the ultimate place, the PHL finals.
ESPN: What's up with the new ball? How's it feel to you?
AK: [Sarcastically] New ball? We got a new ball?
ESPN: That's the hot rumor. That's the word on the street.
AK: I mean, you gotta play with it. I don't like it, but you gotta play with it.
ESPN: And do you confirm that the grip is fine when dry but that it's slippery when wet?
AK: I'm not a big fan of it.
ESPN: Your game. Your skills. What do you specifically want to improve?
AK: I'm just working to get better all around. Whether it's shooting, passing, dribbling, playing defense, whatever, I'm just looking to get better.
