[hoopworld] One-on-One: Q Ross
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:58 amits not the best of sites, but there is a little internet luv for the former pony !
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12253.shtml
Originally, Mike Dunleavy flew all the way to Belgium to recruit Quinton Ross who was playing in Europe, at the time. After a slow start, Ross has become an integral part of the Clippers’ lineup, averaging about 22 minutes a game (even starting while Corey Maggette was out with an injury) and providing an important defensive presence on the wing. Most importantly, he’s steadily improved during the season, shooting 51.9% from the floor in March. Chris Monjoy of Hoopsworld.com sat down and talked with Quinton Ross about Euro ball, life in the NBA, and guarding Kobe Bryant.
Chris Monjoy: What’s the biggest difference between the European game and the NBA Game?
Quinton Ross: I think you get away with more over in Europe. Over here referees are going to be calling a lot more. I mean, over here, they may not call it, but over there it’s ridiculous, man.
CM: How many times did you get nailed and they didn’t call it?
QR: All the time, man. All the time.
CM: What was the worst time?
QR: It was a road game, I believe it was in Russia, and I went to the hole and got KILLED. Just killed. But we were in the other team’s home gym, and they didn’t call it.
CM: Do you think that rough style of play might have ended up helping you with the defensive mindset you bring to the game, as one of the team’s stronger defenders?
QR: No, no, defense comes from inside. You have to want to play defense, you know? You have to want to lock someone down.
CM: Your role has grown exponentially throughout the season. What do you think you’ve done to really help your game, or was it just a matter of opportunity?
QR: It’s a matter of opportunity. The more I’m out there, the more comfortable I become. When I was out there at first, I was little tentative, but the more I played, the better I felt.
CM: What’s it like guarding Kobe?
QR: Oh man, he’s a great player. He’s got so many moves. You’ve got to stay down, man. You’ve got to stay down.
CM: Did he talk any trash to you?
QR: No, man. I try to stay quiet. I’m not trying to get that guy motivated.
CM: Who were you favorite guys that you got to play defense against this season?
QR: I got to guard AI, you know, Allen Iverson, and I got to guard Stephon Marbury. He was good, man. He was real good.
CM: Who’s the biggest trash talker out there?
QR: I don’t know, man. I honestly don’t know.
CM: Is that because you don’t talk trash?
QR: Yeah. I’m not trying to talk trash. That’s not me.
CM: What’s been your favorite moment, so far?
QR: Probably that Miami game, with Corey (Maggette) hitting that big shot at the end. That was fun.
CM: What was the toughest part of this season?
QR: Just trying to adjust and learn the NBA game. You’ve got to learn quick or you’ll be out of there, you know? That’s been the hardest part.
CM: But do you feel comfortable with the NBA game, at this point?
QR: Yeah, I do. Yeah.
CM: So do you plan on being back with the Clippers next year?
QR: Yeah, yeah. I hope so. Yeah.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12253.shtml
Originally, Mike Dunleavy flew all the way to Belgium to recruit Quinton Ross who was playing in Europe, at the time. After a slow start, Ross has become an integral part of the Clippers’ lineup, averaging about 22 minutes a game (even starting while Corey Maggette was out with an injury) and providing an important defensive presence on the wing. Most importantly, he’s steadily improved during the season, shooting 51.9% from the floor in March. Chris Monjoy of Hoopsworld.com sat down and talked with Quinton Ross about Euro ball, life in the NBA, and guarding Kobe Bryant.
Chris Monjoy: What’s the biggest difference between the European game and the NBA Game?
Quinton Ross: I think you get away with more over in Europe. Over here referees are going to be calling a lot more. I mean, over here, they may not call it, but over there it’s ridiculous, man.
CM: How many times did you get nailed and they didn’t call it?
QR: All the time, man. All the time.
CM: What was the worst time?
QR: It was a road game, I believe it was in Russia, and I went to the hole and got KILLED. Just killed. But we were in the other team’s home gym, and they didn’t call it.
CM: Do you think that rough style of play might have ended up helping you with the defensive mindset you bring to the game, as one of the team’s stronger defenders?
QR: No, no, defense comes from inside. You have to want to play defense, you know? You have to want to lock someone down.
CM: Your role has grown exponentially throughout the season. What do you think you’ve done to really help your game, or was it just a matter of opportunity?
QR: It’s a matter of opportunity. The more I’m out there, the more comfortable I become. When I was out there at first, I was little tentative, but the more I played, the better I felt.
CM: What’s it like guarding Kobe?
QR: Oh man, he’s a great player. He’s got so many moves. You’ve got to stay down, man. You’ve got to stay down.
CM: Did he talk any trash to you?
QR: No, man. I try to stay quiet. I’m not trying to get that guy motivated.
CM: Who were you favorite guys that you got to play defense against this season?
QR: I got to guard AI, you know, Allen Iverson, and I got to guard Stephon Marbury. He was good, man. He was real good.
CM: Who’s the biggest trash talker out there?
QR: I don’t know, man. I honestly don’t know.
CM: Is that because you don’t talk trash?
QR: Yeah. I’m not trying to talk trash. That’s not me.
CM: What’s been your favorite moment, so far?
QR: Probably that Miami game, with Corey (Maggette) hitting that big shot at the end. That was fun.
CM: What was the toughest part of this season?
QR: Just trying to adjust and learn the NBA game. You’ve got to learn quick or you’ll be out of there, you know? That’s been the hardest part.
CM: But do you feel comfortable with the NBA game, at this point?
QR: Yeah, I do. Yeah.
CM: So do you plan on being back with the Clippers next year?
QR: Yeah, yeah. I hope so. Yeah.
