Q: You started your career here. Now you've come back a second time. How do you look at the differences?
A: We were in the same boat (before) that the Kings were in last year and this year – out of the playoff race. Being my rookie year, Eddie Jordan gave me as much playing time as I could handle during that time. He kind of developed me, but I was a free agent so I decided to take my game to the Atlanta Hawks. But it was a great time. It was my first experience in the NBA, having a great year here in Sacramento and just enjoying the city and the community. Things are pretty much the same, but they've changed a little bit.
Q: How are they the same?
A: The familiar routes, the places I used to go eat all the time. They're definitely still there. Over there on Howe Avenue. I used to spend a lot of time over there. Arden (Fair) Mall. Those things are still the same. But there are a lot of things that have changed. The area around the arena is built up and the Natomas area is built up. That's the difference. But it's still a great community out here.
Q: How strange is it to drive around Arco now after you knew it when it was the arena and nothing else around here?
A: It's definitely strange. You could speed without any reservations or anything like that. I know guys used to have car races back in the day, because there was nothing out here. But now, things have changed. It's a lot more built up and it's a lot more commercialized around here now. With that being said, you've got to obey traffic laws at all times. It's a great thing to have a lot going on around the arena because we spend so much time here and it's always quick to run out and grab a bite to eat. It's enjoyable.
Q: Who were the real speed demons?
A: I think Terry Dehere. Mitch Richmond. Billy Owens. All those guys. All the old-school guys. They were definitely driving around in their Mercedes. I think Mitch had a Porsche. Those guys were zipping around the parking lot a good deal back in the day.
Q: Where do guys go now to do their speeding?
A: I don't know. I've only been here a few months and it seems like we've been playing games night in and night out.
– Scott Howard-Cooper
