|
Chat Reel: Muggsy Bogues
NBA guard big on helping others
Posted: Thursday June 08, 2000 08:40 PM
| |
Muggsy believes that former Cincinnati Bearcat Kenyon Martin will be the No. 1 pick in this month's NBA draft. Steve Grayson/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NBA chat with Toronto Raptors guard Muggsy Bogues. Hi, Muggsy. Thanks for joining us today.
Muggsy Bogues: Thanks for having me.
CNNSI Host: Well, the Lakers took Game 1 of the NBA Finals with ease. Did you see the game? What did you think?
Muggsy Bogues: Yes, I saw the game. It went pretty much as I expected. I felt that the Lakers came off with a lot of momentum -- closing out with the victory over Portland at home. That carried over, and Indiana had to travel. A star player like Reggie Miller not having one of his better games made it difficult for the Pacers to come away with a victory.
From Nate in San Francisco: What can Indiana do to come back from Game 1?
Muggsy Bogues: Knowing the type of player that Reggie is, he'll be back with an amazing game. I'm looking for him to come back and be the Reggie Miller that he's been throughout his career.
From Roc in Salt Lake City: Muggsy, how will Indiana, bringing the smaller and faster Best off the bench, disrupt what the Lakers try to do defensively? Can L.A. do the same things with the smaller, faster Fisher?
Muggsy Bogues: They are two different types of teams with two different systems. Best complements Jackson, and Jackson complements Best. It's all about matchups. Fisher doesn't have the freedom Best has. Fisher is more in a role position to get guys in the proper spot. They each serve different roles for their team.
From Lenny in Indianapolis: What can the Pacers do to stop Shaq?
Muggsy Bogues: There's nothing you can do to stop Shaq. He's too big, and he's gaining confidence. He's playing with a lot of hunger and smarts, and you can see it in his face. His confidence is higher than it's ever been before. There's not a lot Larry Bird or the Pacers can do to shut him down.
From Pamela Murdoch in Oakville, Ontario: What inspired you to start the Always Believe Foundation? Also, what was your most memorable moment from last season? Keep up the great work!
Muggsy Bogues: What inspired me to do the Always Believe Foundation was my experience growing up in the inner city in Baltimore. Knowing the importance of recreation in my life -- always giving me a place to go to stay off the streets and stay out of trouble. I felt that if I had the opportunity to make it in life, I would love to go back and make it easier for those less fortunate. My success has put me in the position to do what I can to help these programs. We have a lot more technology that we've added that kids can take advantage of. I've tried to start it so these kids can have a mentor and stay focused on dreaming of becoming a successful person. I've wanted to do what I can to fund these programs.
As for a memorable moment, last season... I don't just have just one. Joining the Raptors and playing with Oakley, McGrady, Carter and those guys was a treat for me. At this stage in my career, I wanted to help those guys make the playoffs. It stands out in my mind that I was able to help that franchise and put it on the map and show them what NBA basketball is about. That was a treat for me.
From Keith in Raleigh, N.C.: How do you feel about the possibility of Carter and/or McGrady leaving the Raptors? And if that should happen, would that affect your situation there also?
Muggsy Bogues: It changes a lot of things. With Tracy, he's a free agent -- Vince's contract isn't up until next year. Vince's situation is more controllable because of the new system in the NBA. I don't see Vince going anywhere -- he'll be a restricted free agent next year. Tracy will be an unrestricted free agent. I just want what's best for Tracy. I gave him my words of wisdom. I know he'll make the right decision. I think the Raptors will continue to prosper.
CNNSI Host: Was McGrady leaning toward anything after you talked to him?
Muggsy Bogues: Tracy wasn't leaning toward doing anything. I feel that he looks up to me, and what he's going through is unique, and it's a good time for him and his family. He just needed all the wisdom he could receive. I want him to do what's best for him and his family. I'll be behind him 100 percent whatever he decides.
From NVPACK: How much of a distraction was it this year, with Vince Carter being the NBA's poster boy?
Muggsy Bogues: It wasn't a distraction at all. It was good for the team, Vince and the NBA. I was fortunate to be on a team with two superstars. It's just a matter of how you handle it. Vince is handling it amazingly well. You just see a kid that enjoys the game, that has room to grow and wants to grow. It was a great treat to be around Vince this year.
From Rina Ginevra in Toronto: Will Muggsy Bogues be a Toronto Raptor next year?
Muggsy Bogues: That's up to the Toronto Raptors' GM, Glen Grunwald. I would love to be a Raptor. I enjoyed my time in Toronto -- the city is great. They really got behind the Raptors. But that's up to the Raptors as to whether I'll be back or not.
From Rapator1: Who do you pick to be the No. 1 pick in this year's draft?
Muggsy Bogues: I think Kenyon Martin will be. A lot of teams are high on him. He showed the potential in college and has impressed the scouts. So I think he'll be the No. 1 pick.
From Guest: Where did the name "Muggsy" come from?
Muggsy Bogues: It's a nickname I've had since I was seven years old. Growing up in the inner city in Baltimore, playing the game the way I played it -- stealing the ball -- Mugging everybody -- and that stood out among some of my peers. One of the characters on the show "Bowery Boys" was called Muggsy. I also hung out with four or five guys that I led around -- so they tied those two, the way I played and hung out with my friends and that character. So I've been Muggsy ever since.
From RaptorRudy: Do you think Butch Carter's comments in recent days have hurt the team's chances of signing certain free agents? How has the team reacted to all that? What's your relationship with him?
Muggsy Bogues: I don't think it necessarily hurts, per se. I don't think it helps, but it doesn't hurt. A lot of things got taken out of context. I wasn't there, but what I heard, "no comment" is better than any comment. You don't need to display internal things publicly. I don't know who he spoke to. My relationship with him and the organization has been pretty good. I'm willing to play for him and go back and try to reach some of the goals we had last year. Others may think differently, but the core guys feel the same as me. I'm not sure if what has been in the papers has been true. Butch is a good guy. He made some mistakes, but he also did some things that were good. A lot of focus needs to be put back on the success the organization had and not focus on the setbacks, because that isn't going to do anybody any good.
From Roc in Salt Lake City: Muggsy -- most players are sent the message that if you're not six feet tall, you can't survive in the NBA. How were you able to ignore that message? What are the biggest obstacles you've had to overcome as a "small" point guard in the NBA and college, and how did you overcome them?
Muggsy Bogues: That's where the "Always Believe" comes in. You've always got to stay true to beliefs. I never accepted it when someone said I couldn't do something. They don't know my capabilities and potential. I left the criticism go in one ear and out the other. I just had to show that it's possible that a kid my size can compete and be as successful as the others on the floor. I didn't see myself failing. I studied the game and became knowledgeable of how to get across what I can do to others. Hard work, the idea of Always Believing and the willingness to survive has been a big part of my having a 13-year career.
From Darren in Toronto: First of all, I would like to congratulate you on a great season. I would just like to know how long have you been keeping that jumper a secret -- or have you been putting in extra hours working on it? Because it sure looked sweet during the regular season.
Muggsy Bogues: The jumper has always been there. It's just a matter of playing the role on your team. I'm always working on my shooting. The folks in Canada haven't seen much of me, later in my career I've been shooting more than I did early in my career. The shots were given to me knowing that I could make them. I wanted to show that I was worth the gamble.
From Dave in Charlotte, N.C.: How do you feel your experience at Wake Forest University and being able to compete against the strong competition of the ACC prepared you for life in the NBA?
Muggsy Bogues: My experience at Wake was definitely a stepping stone to the NBA. It prepared me mainly with the competition that I think was the best day in and day out. The education I was able to obtain prepared me for after basketball. Opening up my eyes to things life has to offer. There's still a lot of things I need to do for others. Wake did a lot of things for me. I was a shy -- speaking publicly -- and Wake Forest brought me out of that shell.
From Walquist: Did you enjoy your time with the Hornets with Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning? Do you keep in touch with either of them?
Muggsy Bogues: Yes -- I talk to both of them, and I enjoyed my time with those two. It was a great experience to know them as colleagues and as individuals. They're hard workers, great people on and off the court. I have tremendous respect for them. We had the state of North Carolina rocking for a while. It was sold out every night we played. I have tremendous memories of playing with them. As far as a new arena there, I'm out of that situation. I think they do need a new arena downtown to survive, to compete in the league. It's just a matter of the city and the people getting to an understanding of making it work. I do think it's needed, but I don't know the logistics.
From Shelby Moore III in New Orleans: How long do you hope to play in the NBA, and what are your goals before retiring? Do you still enjoy playing as much as you did when you were younger?
Muggsy Bogues: I enjoy playing -- I still have a passion for the game. I'm looking to play three to four more years, and hopefully I can walk away with a nice ring on my finger. If I don't get that ring, I won't be dissatisfied with my career. It's been a wonderful ride and still is wonderful. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful career. I'll continue to see where He leads me next.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Muggsy.
Muggsy Bogues: OK -- thank you. For information about the Always Believe Foundation, please call 704-400-2869.
| Related information |
| Multimedia |
 Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
|
| Search our site |
Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day |
|
|
Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. |
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
