Great questions
Dobbie Hits Up the OoD
By: Kevin Dobson
Player Interviews 2/25/10
After walking into the OoD, the nerves were up, but so was the excitement. Doing my first player interviews was an amazing experience, the players were great, and the expectations for the team are high. You get the feeling when meeting these guys, that the future is bright, and anything other than championships are a bust. Players like Denis, Rodney, and Wally stayed out shooting long after practice, giving no less then 100 percent at all times. The team chemistry off the court is as good as on the court. While interviewing McGruder, Judge was in the background cracking jokes left and right, Samuels, and Pullen went back and forth, reminiscent of Bill Walker and Michael Beasley.
After doing six interviews, I had to break this into two parts, so expect part 2 in the coming days. The first person I talked to was Denis Clemente:
Kevin: Being a fan favorite, and seeing people draped in the Puerto Rican flag, how does it make you feel?
Denis Clemente: It's hard to explain it. It makes me emotional, like that's where I came from. I see it and I realize that I owe my island and the fans something great.
K: Is it easy to ignore K-State's ranking, and focus on the games?
DC: We play and practice hard. If we keep getting better, and worry about the games then the ranking will take care of itself.
K: What kind of future do you see for Kansas State?
DC: They are going to be unbelievable. Coach Martin will keep getting better and better, he is competitive, so I believe every year he will have that competitive team.
K: What's in the future for Denis?
DC: I wish I knew. All I can do is go step by step, and try for the NBA. If not then plan B is to play overseas.
Next I talked to Jamar Samuels:
K: Is it hard being the sixth man and not a starter?
JS: I've been coming off the bench my whole life, playing with the DC Assault I was behind Beasley and Julian Vaughn who's at Georgetown. I came off the bench, and was the guy that gave that added energy to the team, so it was natural here.
K: How did the dunk at the end of the last Mizzou game make you feel?
JS: We just watched that in film, it made me mad. We wouldn't have done that to them, but it was just something that made us want this game even more.
K: KSU has been better on the road, but this being a home game, what will it take to win against Mizzou Saturday?
JS: We need our fans. The Nebraska game the fans weren't really there, and I was kind of upset about that. I understand they have lives and that is fine but this Saturday we are going to need them though, we need to fill the arena.
K: A lot of fans are following you and Jake on Twitter, does Frank have any rules about these things?
JS: Just if we wouldn't say it to our parents we shouldn't put it on Twitter. We have to respect our peers, but at the same time show our human side, and be able to have fun.
(At the end of the interview Samuels taunted Pullen who was in his own interview, "Hey Jake, Follow me JamSam32, alright Twitter baby!" Dude was all jokes and reminded me a lot of Michael Beasley.)
Next was Rodney McGruder, he was a little more soft spoken and didn't seek out an interview like some players, but was more then happy to answer a few questions;
K: As a freshman what improvements should we expect to see from you?
RM: Every aspect of my game, I just need to work hard and try to improve everyday on offense and defense.
K: In your mind how does Kansas State's future look?
RM: I see a bright future, with Coach Martin things will only get better. Expect Kansas State to compete and go places.
K: The slam dunk at the end of the Mizzou game, how did that make you feel?
RM: It was a bit of disrespect, but things like that happen in basketball. We just need to stop giving up the easy baskets from here on out.
K: How does Coach Martin keep you focused on the Mizzou game, and off the upcoming KU game?
RM: He tells us this is the most important game right now. It is just as important to us as any other game, be it KU or Iowa State. Everyone knows that it's just like a fight, every round is important.
After talking to these three it was clear that Coach Martin has beat this Missouri game into their heads. I believe as long as they stay focused and play as well as they have on the road, it should be a pretty easy victory. I also got to talk to Luis Colon, Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, and Wally Judge I will have part 2 posted in the coming days.
