Jason; Atlanta, GA: What has been the highlight of your Laker experience so far? Smush Parker: Everything. The whole experience. Being able to play basketball and contribute. Period. On my previous teams, I didn't get too much playing time. I feel like I'm a part of this team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlos (Los Angeles, CA): What where your expectation coming into the season? Smush Parker: They were exactly what's happening. Starting for the Lakers and being a part of bringing them back to the playoffs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ben: Sacramento, Ca: Hi Smush, Your defense has improved since opening night... Does Kobe or Phil offer advice or push you to strive? Smush Parker: Definitely, Phil pushes me to strive to do better than what I'm doing. Kobe has definitely helped me defensively and offensively. He's given me some good pointers. Defense is all about effort. Anyone can play defense if they're willing to put in 110 percent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patrick (Escondido, CA): After bouncing around the NBA for a couple seasons, how have you adjusted so well to this team, offense and staff in such a short time? Smush Parker: In my situations, I've had to adapt to my environment. I feel that I know my opportunities are limited. I feel like I'm a role player that has to adapt to my environment as fast as possible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug: hey smush, what do feel are the Lakers chances to win the division? Smush Parker: They're very high. We have a great chance of winning the division and getting back into the playoffs and making some noise. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laker Pride (La Mesa, CA): I'm glad to have you on our team, Smush. I loved that teardrop you made over Shaq late in the 4th quarter the other night. Good luck the rest of the season! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlos (Los Angeles, Ca): Smush going undrafted, being in the d league, and all of those obstacles. What was your motivation to try to make it to the nba? Smush Parker: My motivation is my dad. Just try to make him happy. That's it. IT's him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Boston: Where did you get the nickname smush? And whats the best nickname in the NBA? Smush Parker: My nickname came from my mother. It was given to me when I was a baby. The No. 1 nickname in the NBA is Smush. It doesn't get any better than that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug Greensboro, NC.: What pieces do you feel the lakers are missing to become a great team? Smush Parker: We already have the right pieces. We just have a young team, fairly new to each other. It's just going to get some getting used to each other to be a great team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Mueller Rochester, NY: Smush, what is it like playing with the best player in the league Kobe Bryant? Smush Parker: It's amazing. Who would you rather play with int he backcourt? He's just a great player. He's awesome to watch. He's been nothing but helpful to me. He creates so many opportunities for me and the other teammates. It's an easier game with him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frankie , North Carolina: Do you think about the NBA's new D-league? I know you played in it for a while tell us how hard it is to get noticed there or is it something where you are playing in front of scouts every night? Thanks. Smush Parker: It's not hard to get scouted in the D League. Wherever you're playing at in the U.S., there's somebody watching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Torii (Los Angeles, California): After playing well in your rookie season, especially for an undrafted rookie, did it surprise you that cleveland released you? Smush Parker: No, it wasn't surprising. At the time I was playing there, we were the youngest team in the league. There were 8-9 guys in the league that were under 22. They all had guaranteed contracts. I was the only one that wasn't tied up at the end of the season. They knew they were going to pick LeBron and he was going to play the point guard position, which is my position. They were going to have him and Wagner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sacramento, ca: how's the locker room chemistry? do u guys hang out after practices? what are the pieces missing to get the lakers to championship level? Smush Parker: Some players do. Some players don't, just like with every team. There are a lot of guys that hang out and play cards and go eat together. A lot of times, when we're at home we don't, because we all have families. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- shawn athens ,greece: did you enjoy your time with aris greece .and woudl you like to return here to greece? we miss you. Smush Parker: I loved Greece. It was one of the best times in my life. It was a great experience. I plan on going back in the near future. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carlos (Bakersfield,CA : Hey smush do you have any personal goals you wish to accomplish this season Smush Parker: As a player, I just want to become a more consistent point guard and player. Leading the team. A good assist to turnover ratio. Hit my jump shot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse (spokane,WA): How do you feel with the Ronny Turiaf heart? Do you have a bond with him? Smush Parker: My feelings are that he's healthy. I haven't built a relationship yet, but we were together this summer. He's a pretty cool guy. Hopefully he can jump right in and help ASAP. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DJ (Houston, Texas): WHat do you think the penalty should be for Antonio Davis? What do you think you would do if put in his position? Smush Parker: No I didn't see what he did. I heard about it. I don't what exactly what went on. I would have done the same thing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- lou (los angeles): Smush, Is there a tremendous difference in the speed of the game and how hard was it for you to learn the triangle offense? Smush Parker: The speed of the game is slower, but the players are a lot faster. College is a lot more frantic. But the NBA is a lot more laid back, but the players are a lot faster and stronger. As far as the triangle, it's easy to learn, but it's tough getting everyone to run it the same way. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mike (hudson, new hampshire): hey smush, love watchin you play, did you expect to have such a fast impact, and whats it been like playin for phil jackson? Smush Parker: No, I didn't expect to have a fast impact. But I did know that there was a position open. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pree (San Francisco, CA): Been a Laker fan my full 23 years. I love the force with which you take the ball to the basket; I have seen you throw down some of the most fierce Laker dunks this season. From where does that fearless come? Smush Parker: Growing up in NYC. Running in the streets of NEw York. Playing in the streets of NEw York. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vancouver, BC : Do u see yourself having a long-term career with the Lakers, or just a 1-year stint? Smush Parker: I see myself with the Lakers for a long time. Hopefully they see it that way. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mikael (Coatesville, Pennsylvania): I remember watching you dominate during your year at Fordham. How have you molded your game for success in the NBA? Smush Parker: When I was in college, I was the man. I'd do anything I pleased, basically. Took any shot I wanted. Here in the NBA, I'm just a role player. I have to tame my game to fit into the system of an NBA team. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Sarasota: Why does the Media continue to slam your teammate Kobe Bryant as ballhog, do you think he is ? Smush Parker: Kobe Bryant is a player that believes there is no shot that he can't make and there's no player that can stop him. We're going to ride with Kobe or go down with him. Sometimes great players have to take shots that some people think are bad shots. Smush Parker: Thanks for the continued support, love and continue to support Smush Parker and the Lakers
