Q: What kind of reactions did you get after the playoffs last year?

A: Oh man, everywhere I go, people are saying that we made basketball fun again and stuff like that. I think a lot of people are going to watch us to see what we do this year. I think we're a very interesting team. We might be the most talked-about team in the league. We have a lot of expectations and we have to find a way to fulfill them.

Q: How important is it to resign Andris Biedrins before he can become a free agent?

A: Obviously it's very, very important. We want to get him signed now so he doesn't have to worry about that so he can play with a clear mind, but if it doesn't work out I just can't see this organization ever getting rid of a guy like that. We're keeping our fingers crossed that it can get done because we'd love to have him.

Q: How much growth do you think he still has in his game?

A: A lot. I think he's just scraping the surface. I think he just turned 21 and he's still learning the game, especially at the NBA level. I think as time goes on he's gonna continue to get better, especially with the coaches we have that are constantly working with him, helping him get better at a lot of things.

Q: What'd you think of Kobe's trade demands a while ago?

A: I don't know what was up with that. I don't know why anybody would ever want to leave the Lakers. That's "The Show" and all that. You know how superstars are. They're weird like that.

Q: Has this team changed its chemistry from last year with some of the additions and subtractions?

A: I don't think so. Obviously losing J-Rich is huge, but I think we have enough guys that can pick up the slack. We're really gonna miss him, though. He's a great guy in the locker room. He has so much joy about the game and the way he approached it toward the end, I think a lot of games he won for us down the stretch. So it's gonna be tough without him but I think we have enough talent around that we can make up for that and the core of the team is pretty much the same so I don't think it should be that much of a difference.

Q: With his departure, does it change what you're asked to do?

A: I don't know yet. We have our meeting tonight so coach will let us know what he expects from guys and stuff like that. Without him we're definitely gonna have to take some added pressure on ourselves. We are ready for it. I know I am.

Q: They had you running extra laps on the treadmill and things like that when you came from Indiana. How do you feel physically?

A: I'm good physically. Last month when we were down in Vegas playing, I was the one a lot of the time pushing the tempo, making guys run even more. A lot of guys were like, "Man, get outta here with that Golden State [bleep]." So I'm feeling good. I'm ready to get going and I'm very excited. You play with guys like Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince, they walk the ball up the court every time.

Q: Have you talked to Baron a lot, and how motivated was he coming off the playoffs?

A: He's very emotional. I think that Dallas series reminded him of what type of player he is and how good he is, and now instead of him talking about making the All-Star team or doing this that and the other, he's talking about being the MVP of the league, kind of like how Nash did it, being the guy that doesn't have to get 20 points because he's so good at every part of the game that everybody recognizes he's the most important piece to a winning team. I'm looking forward to getting out there with him because he's focused. You'll see it immediately.

Q: Is it weird that you and Stephen Jackson are pretty much among the veterans of this team now with your tenure and how long you're signed for?

A: Yeah. I mean, I've been an old man for a long time so for me it's nothing. But we are the veteran guys, the leaders of this team, and we have to conduct ourselves that way on the court and in our play. We added Austin Croshere and Troy Hudson, so we've got a lot of guys that have played big time basketball in this league and that's gonna help us.

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