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Answers from Theo |
Fresh off a trade from the Detroit Pistons to the Philadelphia 76ers, Theo Ratliff certainly wasted no time making an impact, scoring 17 points (8-10 FG) and grabbing seven rebounds against the Miami Heat in his Sixers' debut. The Pistons selected the 6-10 center from Wyoming with the 18th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, and Ratliff spent two-plus seasons in Detroit before being traded along with guard Aaron McKie to the Sixers for guard Jerry Stackhouse and center Eric Montross on December 18 in a move designed to shake up both teams. Known as a defensive specialist, Ratliff left Wyoming ranked second on the NCAA all-time blocked shots list (425 blocks), trailing former Georgetown center and Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning. TR: Blocking shots has always been something that's come natural to me. It was always something I focused on defensively. I figured it could help me be a dominant defensive player, so it's something I've been doing since I started playing basketball.
Q: Hi Theo! I want to know who in your opinion is the hardest person in the NBA to block? Why? TR: Gary Payton is hard to block because he throws a lot of floaters. He floats the ball to the basket a lot, and I can't jump as high as he can get the ball in the air. I have a hard time blocking guards or anyone that can shoot the floater.
Q: Dear Theo, TR: Blocking shots has always been something that's come natural to me. It was always something I focused on defensively. I figured it could help me be a dominant defensive player, so it's something I've been doing since I started playing basketball.
Q: How much does the mental aspect of a trade affect you?
TR: The mental aspect of the trade hasn't affected me a whole lot. I feel like I've come into a better situation. I'm still trying to grow as a player, and this is a team I feel that I can grow with, contribute to and hopefully get more wins.
Q: What is the hardest thing about being traded?
TR: I think the hardest thing about being traded is moving your whole life to a different state. For my fianc‚e and I, it was very difficult trying to get everything organized and get my car and all our belongings moved to a different spot.
Q: Theo...I enjoyed watching you play for the Pistons
the past few seasons. When you met the media in
Philadelphia, you seemed quite emotional. You
addressed the fact that you were never a focal
point of the offense with Detroit. How do you feel
about Coach Larry Brown giving you that opportunity
with the Sixers? TR: I wasn't really upset about not being the focal point on the offense in Detroit. I just wanted to be a part of the offense in Detroit. I feel that here in Philadelphia Coach Brown will allow me to be more than just a defensive role player. I think I will be able to contribute on the offensive end now.
Q: I want know if there has been a huge difference in the
coaching styles from Detroit to Philly? If so, how have
you adjusted your game?
TR: Here, Coach Brown wants all five players to be offensive minded. Whereas in Detroit, it was get the ball to Grant or Brian Williams and they did what they needed to do. You were a rebounder and that was all you did. Here, I'm more involved. I'm getting the ball in the low post, and I'm getting the ball outside to shoot.
Q: Please describe the difference, if any, in leadership values between your former teammate
Grant Hill and your current leader Allen
Iverson.
TR: You can't really put them in the same category as far as leadership is concerned. Allen is a young guy fresh out of college, where he only went for two years. The maturity aspect hasn't reached that level yet. Allen shows his leadership through his actions by playing hard, playing aggressive all the time and playing to win. That's something you can't teach.
Q: How was it playing against the team that had just traded you in less than week after you departed from them?
TR: It was fun seeing all the guys. Everybody wished me well and I wished them success in Detroit. It was a relaxed atmosphere. There weren't any grudges or anything like that.
Q: What part of your game do you think you need to improve on the most?
TR: I need to improve on every aspect of my game. My goal is to be the best player I can be. I feel that if you stop trying to improve on things because you think you're already good at them, your skills can actually start to deteriorate.
Q: What age did you start playing basketball at and were you always interested in basketball?
TR: I started playing basketball when I was around 12 years old. I became very interested in basketball by watching the older guys play. I didn't really know what was going on, but I watched it and always thought it was a fun game to play.
Q: If you could be one person in the entire NBA past or present, who would it be?
TR: I would say Hakeem Olajuwon because he shows the humbleness of a great player, as far as his attitude, on and off the court. I admire his leadership ability, not vocally, but his actions and what he does and what he brings to the team. |
