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Chat Reel: Tom Gugliotta
Suns Forward glad to be facing Lakers in Phoenix
Posted: Thursday May 11, 2000 06:46 PM
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Gugliotta: "It's frustrating to go through as much as we did ... and miss the most fun part of the season, the playoffs." Aubrey Washington /Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NBA Playoff's with Phoenix Suns forward Tom Gugliotta. Hi Tom. Thanks for joining us.
Tom Gugliotta: Thank you.
From Guest: You guys had trouble with the Lakers in the first game, but looked a lot better last night. If it wasn't for Kobe's shot, you would have won. What is the attitude of the guys on the team. Were they pleased with last night's game or are the devastated with such a tough loss?
Tom Gugliotta: I think we proved that we can beat them even on their home court. But we certainly can't get a moral victory out of being down 2-0, so we'll have to protect our home court. But we did play pretty well in LA.
CNNSI Host: From Heather: Tom, What do think the Suns need to do differently in order to defeat the Lakers?
Tom Gugliotta: I think we did some good things last night. I thing the two biggest things are that we execute offensively to get good shots and we got out and ran as much as we could which means we did a good job rebounding. We feel that if we get out and run it gives us a good chance at winning.
From Guest: What do the Suns need to do to stop Shaq? Is he stoppable or do you just need to try to contain him and focus on stopping Rice and Bryant?
Tom Gugliotta: He's tough. There's not much you can really do to stop him. After the game our big guys did a good job on him. We didn't give him too many easy baskets, but he certainly made his fair share. We're trying to not let their role players have a big impact on the game.
From Jay in Erie, Pa.: Do you think the team was motivated down the stretch of the regular season because of K.J.'s return? What kind of roll does he have now in the playoffs. Please beat L.A.
Tom Gugliotta: I think everyone did get a boost from having him come back - a player that has achieved as much as he has. Everyone loves and respects him. He's still having a big impact on us even with Jason back. In the lockerroom he's been great - he's just been great for this team.
From Dan in Toronto: Is it tough sitting on the sidelines injured and watching your team struggle without you? What goes through your mind?
Tom Gugliotta: Yes it's very tough. It's frustrating to go through as much as we did and accomplish what we did and miss the most fun part of the season, the playoffs. It's important to keep a good attitude and stay in touch with my teammates and get ready for next year.
From Jong Hoon in Los Angeles: How has your injury been doing?
Tom Gugliotta: My injury is doing very well. I'm rehabbing every day. Structurally my knee very well after the surgery - it's a healthy. I've lost a lot of muscle in my left leg. I'm trying to strengthen my leg back to 100%, that's why it takes 6-8 mos. to recover.
From Toby: What will you miss the most about not being able to play in the Olympics?
Tom Gugliotta: I think the team that was put together is so much fun to being around. I developed a lot of relationships with the guys in Puerto Rico last year. I think the camaraderie of the guys I've gotten to know and then not being able to play with them is what I'll miss. I definitely think so.
From Jodrey: How do you think the Phoenix crowd will be for game 3? Do you think they will be pretty crazy and give you guys a major boost?
Tom Gugliotta: our fans have been great - they stepped it up in the first round. There's no doubt they'll be even more excited with it being the second round and a local rival in the Lakers. I have no doubt it'll be a tremendous atmosphere at America West Arena.
From Sunset: Some people say that whoever wins the Western Conference might as well be given the championship. Do you think the West is much stronger than the East in terms of competition?
Tom Gugliotta: I definitely think the west, from top to bottom, are much more powerful than the east. But you never know, you can't count anyone out in the east. But the west has definitely got to be favored with the finals come.
From Toby: How do you think Jordan will do as your former team's boss?
Tom Gugliotta: I would expect that he would do a great job based upon his basketball knowledge combined with his competitiveness. I don't think he'd settle for anything substandard from what he's used to - I imagine he'll get the most out of his players and put together a team that's very competitive.
From Michael in Honolulu: As far as next season and this year's draft, what do you think the team needs to return to to the playoffs?
Tom Gugliotta: We have a pretty talented group right now. I would say the biggest thing is to stay healthy. I think in the draft we have the 23rd pick and I'm not sure what we'll be able to get at that pick. But Brian, the GM, and the braintrust of the team will figure out what we need to help us get better.
From Alex: What is your prediction for the East?
Tom Gugliotta: That's hard to say. Everybody is so close. Indiana has been the favorite and they're playing very well with the homecourt advantage. That could prove to be the difference.
From Guest: Do you think Shaq was really the MVP? Or where the voters overwhelmed by his scoring?
Tom Gugliotta: No, I think he was the MVP. He's on the best team in the league and the best player on the team. He's developed a more all-around game than he's shown in the past. He's shown that he's the best player all along.
From Adam: Is this Phoenix team the best you've ever played on?
Tom Gugliotta: It definitely is. I've had the chance to play on a couple of good teams but none near as good as the one we have in Phoenix. This year has been fun, but crazy with all of the injuries we've had. I'd love to see this team play a full year with no major injuries.
From Guest: Were you surprised at Phoenix's success in the second half of the season despite the coaching change and injuries to you, Kidd, and Chapman?
Tom Gugliotta: Not really, I think we have so much talent and guys that came off the bench all rose to the challenge of getting the minutes. The coaching change helped in that and didn't let the injuries serve as an excuse to not go out and perform well. It kept the momentum we had from the middle of season into the playoffs.
From Jodrey: How many more years do you see yourself playing?
Tom Gugliotta: After the past 2 years, I've had the chance to rest with the injuries I've had. I'm 30, I think I could play 6 or 7 years at a high level. Even though you take it a year at a time, I think I still have my best basketball in me.
From Christopher in Raleigh, N.C.: Hello Tom. I have been a fan since the N.C. State days. How surprised are you with the play of former ACC player Rodney Rodgers?
Tom Gugliotta: I'm not surprised at all. I've played against him when he was in Denver and with the Clippers. I know his ability, I don't think he was happy with the Clippers. Now that he's with a good organization and one that appreciates him, he's really shown what he can do. It's scary to think what we'd be like without him.
From Sharkez: If you get past the Lakers, what would be the hardest part in beating the Blazers or Jazz?
Tom Gugliotta: I think the Blazers, although they've had some ups and downs, they're extremely talented - maybe more so than the Lakers. They have more depth than the Lakers. And Utah has always been one of the best executing teams, so if they can get through this series, they have the experience of going to the Finals.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Tom. And good luck to the Suns in the rest of the Playoffs.
Tom Gugliotta: Thank you very much.
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