One-On-One with Javaris Crittenton
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Javaris Crittenton with the 19th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Coming off an impressive Summer League performance, Javaris Crittenton will compete with Jordan Farmar for minutes off the bench. Although Coach Phil Jackson's reputation suggests that as a rookie Javaris Crittenton may not get a lot of minutes, don't be surprised if he makes it impossible for the coach to keep him on the bench:
How long have you been in LA?
I've been in LA for about a month now.
What have you been doing?
I've been working out in the facility, individual workouts, playing pickup - just preparing for the whole season.
How does it feel to be wearing the purple and gold?
I can't even describe the feeling, man. I feel real good. I got a real good, warm feeling inside when I put this jersey on.
Was there any doubt in your mind that Kobe Bryant would show up today [for Media Day]?
Nah there wasn't any doubt in my mind. It's a team event and I know he's a team player - so I knew he would be here.
Have you had a chance to talk to him?
Nah, to be honest this is the first time seeing Kobe the whole summer.
Are you looking forward to playing against him and practice and learning from him?
Yeah, I'm a competitor. I compete with anybody. I'm looking forward to that. He's a great player - the best in the league in my opinion. I'm looking forward to competing against him and also playing with him.
How about Phil Jackson? Have you talked to him?
I talked to PJ a little bit. We spoke briefly but nothing major - no sit-downs, what is my role? - it's none of that. I'm just going to come out here and work hard and do what he needs me to do.
You ran the triangle offense in high school. Was it similar to what you ran with the summer team?
It was very similar. I haven't ran it since high school - I know that wasn't too long ago but it was a little while ago. I remembered most of it. As we were going along the things I didn't remember I picked up on. There were a few kinks here and there but overall I understand it.
Do you feel like you have an instinct for it? There's a lot of instant decision-making on the fly. Is that natural for you?
I feel like that's natural for me at the point guard position and also because I ran it before. I know certain areas where to score - how the defense may react - if I go this way, he's going to go that way - my counter move. There are a lot of things that come into play. You have to think fast.
You and Jordan Farmar were on the court together in Summer League and had the chance to play some shooting guard. Is that something you're comfortable with?
It's not really in the coaches' opinion (or in my opinion) it's not really point guard/shooting guard. There are just two guards in the back-court and they're interchangeable. It's not just knowing one position - you have to know both. One time I may bring the ball up. Another time he may bring it up and I have to know that position. It's not, "Who is going to dominate the ball?"
So are the positions then based more on defensive assignment - whom you take on the other team - than saying you're the two in this offense?
You really just pick up a player in transition and then find what player that you're going to match up with.
Are you looking forward to the season?
I'm really excited about the season and I'm really excited about the team.
What's the one thing that fans might not know about Javaris Crittenton?
The town doesn't really know me - a few people do - but once I get on that court I'm a competitor - and I go hard.
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