Nazr Mohammed Interview
NBA Playoffs | June 12, 2005
The San Antonio Spurs are battling the Detroit Pistons in the 2005 NBA finals. Center Nazr Mohammed was traded from the Knicks to the Spurs in mid-season, and has proven to be very useful for San Antonio, especially during the NBA playoffs. Here's what Mohammed said on an off-day between NBA Finals Game 1 and 2:
Q. Compare the glitz of New York to this.
Nazr Mohammed: For me its glamorous, winning is glamorous. It’s a great feeling. New York, of course, there is a little bit more media in practice. It’s just all about winning and its more of a family type environment.
Q. Talk about how you guys handled Ben Wallace.
Nazr Mohammed: Ben is extremely tough, he’s a 2-3 time All-Star and he’s one of the best rebounders to play this game so I just try to go out there and keep him off the glass, and try to find open spots on offense. He is a big spark for their team.
Q. What were your thoughts when you were traded from the Knicks to the Spurs?
Nazr Mohammed: Whenever you’re traded, the first thing that goes through your mind is disappointment, you have a family that is just getting situated in a city. I was disappointed just to be traded, I thought I’d be in New York for a while and when I finally got over the initial shock I was pretty excited for the opportunity to come here and actually have a chance to compete for a championship.
Q. Talk about playing alongside Tim Duncan.
Nazr Mohammed: It’s amazing, he’s such a great player, he’s so unselfish. And being a big guy playing along side him makes it even better, because he takes the attention and focus of two big guys on the other team, so it kind of leaves you by yourself a lot.
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