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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Interviews Dajuan
Wagner: "We're going to be good"
So far, what's your impression of play in the NBA as a rookie? Dajuan Wagner: It's fun, you know that's my dream, what I've wanted to do all my life. You were looking forward to it so much, how did having the illness before the season affect you? DW: I was frustrated from that. I waited so long. Then, when the season comes, I get sick and had to sit out 11 or 12 games. Now I'm just trying to make the best of it. Did that have you worried at all? It seemed like until they found the blood clot it dragged on quite a while. DW: It worried me a lot. I didn't know what was going on. Once I had the surgery, I felt good. How far do you figure that set you behind? DW: It set me back pretty far because I didn't play any preseason ball and most of training camp. So I had to start from mostly zero. You probably lost a bunch of weight and all your conditioning? DW: 19 pounds. I'm getting better every game [as far as conditioning]. What's your evaluation of your own play thus far, now that you have gotten a chance to get in there? DW: I'm doing alright. I can get better, though. It seems like sometimes you go out and are able to rack up some big numbers and then other nights it seems a little harder. Does it take awhile to figure out the NBA game? DW: It's probably just adjusting, being a rookie. In college, you play two games in a week. In the NBA, you're playing nearly every day. So once I adjust to that, I'll be good. What's the best thing you've brought to the Cavs thus far? DW: Just going out and playing. It seems like you bring some excitement to the court? DW: I try. I just go out and play. What parts of your game would you like to work on? DW: Everything. How does coach Lucas tell you to go about playing the game? DW: He just wants me to be aggressive all the time. Is coach Lucas a good coach for a young team? DW: I think so. He played the game. He knows what it takes. What does he ask from the players? DW: Just that everybody goes out and plays hard. So far, the Cavs record as a team isn't that good, but you guys can still be a fun team to watch at times? DW: We're going to be good. We're going to get better. It's just a learning process. How frustrating is it, losing? DW: It's frustrating, because I'm not used to losing. It's what you have to deal with. You just have to learn from it. It seems like you guys have trouble closing out games, putting other teams away down the stretch? DW: That's just from being young. Both of our veterans were hurt. We're going to get better, though. Is there something you can do, or just at some point is it going to click in and you're going to win one or two of these? DW: We've got to keep working. How about the fans? So far with the way the team's gone, there's been some talk that the support's not there. DW: We've got to start winning first. Nobody's going to come watch you lose. Once we start winning, they'll come. What are your goals for the season, both individually and for the team? DW: I don't have any goals [for myself]. For the team, we're just trying to win some games. Do you think you have a shot to be Rookie of the Year if you keep up the play? DW: What do you think? I think you're one of the most exciting new players to come around. DW: I don't worry about that. If it happens, it happens. Bruce Meyer is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this interview. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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