Post by FLCeltsFan on Dec 5, 2005 22:39:19 GMT -5
ONE ON ONE: Dan Dickau
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By Wendell Maxey Jr.
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Dec 5, 2005, 17:46
If anyone should own stock in Samsonite, the luggage company, it should be Boston Celtics journeyman point guard Dan Dickau.
After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings 28th overall in 2002 from Gonzaga, Dickau has made more moves than U-Haul. Check the itinerary: Sacramento, Atlanta, Portland, Golden State, Dallas, New Orleans, and now Boston. So what gives? You would think a guy that can shoot lights out, can push the ball, and loves to pass would easily find an NBA home. It’s the nature of the beast. The “B” in NBA stands for business if you haven’t forgotten. Dickau bought into it last year with the New Orleans Hornets where he averaged 13.2 points per game. That’s when the business side of basketball reared its ugly head, again.
A lot has happened since last season. The Hornets are holding their own in Oklahoma City, they drafted future rookie (of the year) point guard Chris Paul, and Dickau steadily packed his bags. He was once again an NBA desperado.
But the move to Boston has been better than the rest.
Dickau spoke about bouncing around the league and settling in Boston before the Boston Celtics visited the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden.
And even if he won’t admit it, the time spent with us did wonders for Dickau: hours later he scored his only two points of the game, sinking two clutch free throws to give his Celtics a 102-99 victory over Larry Brown and company.
You’re welcome Dan.
How has the transition to Boston been for you?
It’s been one of the smoother transitions because it wasn’t as unexpected as the others. Obviously I’m not playing as much as I would like or hope. But the season is early and there are plenty of opportunities that will come my way. I just have to make the most of them.
That was a real confidence builder what you went through in New Orleans last year.
Oh yeah. Going from places where I wasn't playing very much to getting a chance to go out there and play big minutes and have some good games. I thought I could be a good player in this league and now I know I can. It’s just a matter of continuously getting minutes.
Did you think you would settle down there and call the Hornets home?
I thought it was a good possibility, until they drafted Chris Paul. It was something where I obviously felt that no matter what they were going to go to him. So I started looking elsewhere.
Does moving around like you have just become part of the business side of basketball?
Yeah. Pretty much so far I haven’t been able to really choose to where I go. And this time I had more of a choice. So that was one of the reasons I think the move, as unexpected as it was, was easier to acclimate to.
So who do you run with on the team? I saw you and Brian Scalabrine earlier. Are you guys pretty tight?
Yeah, we have become pretty good friends because he is from Washington as well. We have known each other before here with Boston. That has made the transition easier for both of us.
What about playing in Boston, the organization, the history of the team?
It’s been good so far. Fans you can tell really know the game and they are passionate about basketball. It’s just a great sports city. If we can get back to playing better basketball and winning games I think it will become even more fun.
You head back to the Portland area in February. Is that a trip you are looking forward to with a chance to see friends and family?
Oh yeah. We will be back there right after the All-Star break. So that will be fun. At this point in my career it’s just another game. But ask me about a week out and I will be more excited about it.
What about starting out this five game road trip?
It’s a chance for our team to find ourselves. We’ve played so-so at home and we haven’t gotten the job done at all on the road. If you are going to be a good team in the NBA you have to somewhat get it done on the road. Maybe this is a chance on this trip to figure that out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Wendell Maxey Jr.
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Dec 5, 2005, 17:46
If anyone should own stock in Samsonite, the luggage company, it should be Boston Celtics journeyman point guard Dan Dickau.
After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings 28th overall in 2002 from Gonzaga, Dickau has made more moves than U-Haul. Check the itinerary: Sacramento, Atlanta, Portland, Golden State, Dallas, New Orleans, and now Boston. So what gives? You would think a guy that can shoot lights out, can push the ball, and loves to pass would easily find an NBA home. It’s the nature of the beast. The “B” in NBA stands for business if you haven’t forgotten. Dickau bought into it last year with the New Orleans Hornets where he averaged 13.2 points per game. That’s when the business side of basketball reared its ugly head, again.
A lot has happened since last season. The Hornets are holding their own in Oklahoma City, they drafted future rookie (of the year) point guard Chris Paul, and Dickau steadily packed his bags. He was once again an NBA desperado.
But the move to Boston has been better than the rest.
Dickau spoke about bouncing around the league and settling in Boston before the Boston Celtics visited the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden.
And even if he won’t admit it, the time spent with us did wonders for Dickau: hours later he scored his only two points of the game, sinking two clutch free throws to give his Celtics a 102-99 victory over Larry Brown and company.
You’re welcome Dan.
How has the transition to Boston been for you?
It’s been one of the smoother transitions because it wasn’t as unexpected as the others. Obviously I’m not playing as much as I would like or hope. But the season is early and there are plenty of opportunities that will come my way. I just have to make the most of them.
That was a real confidence builder what you went through in New Orleans last year.
Oh yeah. Going from places where I wasn't playing very much to getting a chance to go out there and play big minutes and have some good games. I thought I could be a good player in this league and now I know I can. It’s just a matter of continuously getting minutes.
Did you think you would settle down there and call the Hornets home?
I thought it was a good possibility, until they drafted Chris Paul. It was something where I obviously felt that no matter what they were going to go to him. So I started looking elsewhere.
Does moving around like you have just become part of the business side of basketball?
Yeah. Pretty much so far I haven’t been able to really choose to where I go. And this time I had more of a choice. So that was one of the reasons I think the move, as unexpected as it was, was easier to acclimate to.
So who do you run with on the team? I saw you and Brian Scalabrine earlier. Are you guys pretty tight?
Yeah, we have become pretty good friends because he is from Washington as well. We have known each other before here with Boston. That has made the transition easier for both of us.
What about playing in Boston, the organization, the history of the team?
It’s been good so far. Fans you can tell really know the game and they are passionate about basketball. It’s just a great sports city. If we can get back to playing better basketball and winning games I think it will become even more fun.
You head back to the Portland area in February. Is that a trip you are looking forward to with a chance to see friends and family?
Oh yeah. We will be back there right after the All-Star break. So that will be fun. At this point in my career it’s just another game. But ask me about a week out and I will be more excited about it.
What about starting out this five game road trip?
It’s a chance for our team to find ourselves. We’ve played so-so at home and we haven’t gotten the job done at all on the road. If you are going to be a good team in the NBA you have to somewhat get it done on the road. Maybe this is a chance on this trip to figure that out.
