Paul Millsap: “Starting is not a big deal to me”
Did you get the contract you were expecting this summer or were you expecting a little bit more?
PM: It’s hard to say with the economy we’re at. I mean, the contract I got is great. I’m pleased with it. It’s more than what I expected I was going to get in the market we’re in.
How was the whole experience of being a free agent? Were you nervous during the summer?
PM: There was a little bit of that. It was a little frustrating. I was hoping it would be over pretty soon. But in the end it worked out on my best interests. So now I’m really happy and pleased with the situation.
Who has been the best player so far in the preseason?
PM: Deron Williams, he has come to play every day. There’s a couple of guys who have made major improvements from last season, including myself. You got Carlos (Boozer), Memo (Okur)… Everybody has come with a chip on their shoulder and well in shape.
Is the atmosphere on the team affected in any way by all the speculation about Carlos Boozer?
PM: Not at all. We don’t really think about it until people bring it up. We forget about it when we get on the court. That’s just not our business. We get on the court and we play basketball.
Do you feel ready to play more at the small forward position this season?
PM: Yeah, I think I’m ready for it. I’m capable of doing that, extending my game out to the small forward position. I think I will help my team doing that. But there’s still a lot of things I got to work on and get better at to do that.
You said this summer you were expecting to be a starter this season. Maybe that’s not going to happen. How do you take that?
PM: It’s not a big deal to me. Starting or not starting, we’re still going to have a good team. I’m still going to be a major part of this team. Even if I come off the bench, I’m still gonna play a lot of minutes. Starting or not is not really going to affect the way I approach the game or anything like that.
You were drafted in the second round. I guess that had to give you extra motivation to succeed in the league. Is that right?
PM: Absolutely. I mean, I still keep a chip on my shoulder. I’m trying to make teams pay for that. Still got a point to prove. People still don’t think I should be where I’m at right now, so I always keep a chip on my shoulder.
How was camp with the U.S. team the past summer? Did you enjoy the experience.
PM: It was a great experience. I would love to be on that team. I would love to travel the world and play basketball. Overall, it was a great experience for me to pay with those guys out there and just get a look.
JoshFarc Said,
October 10, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
Great interview. I still think there is little chance that he ends up playing SF minutes at an efficient rate. That’s just not his position.
Bhavik Patel Said,
October 12, 2009 @ 5:40 am
Paul knows that he will start next season or even this season for sure after boozer gets traded or his contract is played out. If Boozer ends up staying its only because the Jazz go deep into the playoffs or win the whole thing. Deep would mean western conference finals at least. Its a win win situation for him. He got paid and his contract is front loaded. Front loaded could could be a good or bad thing? Depending on the way to look at it as value. You cant get equal value if they want to move him or he is easy to move because his contract after this season pays him way below what hes worth at 6 million. This guy can play the game of basketball. His story is just like boozers. Second round pick that proved that he can play and got a big contract. I think he can easily fill in boozers numbers and he is growing as a basketball player. Trade boozer for a few young pieces or get a superstar in return that works with the direction the jazz are going. This jazz only have the first half the season to prove what they got before the jazz start making moves.
Max in Missouri Said,
October 12, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Personally, I want to see Millsap start and play. Boozer is a guy with “character issues” (at best) and he is probably the most overrated player in the game, next to Chris Bosh.
Brian Boitono Said,
October 12, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
I love Paul, cant see him getting any meaningfull run @ small forward. Even with the money he would be making it wouldnt make sense to have him okur and boozer on the floor at the same time. A. it leaves them with no depth. B. the guy he would be replacing ak-47 ainte cheap/or a slouch either. Best bet is move boozer (they know that, everyone knows that) it would have to be to a team planning a deep playoff push and in need of a low post presence. Honestly though the Jazz wont get nearly what boozer is worth in return and may be better off just keeping him. He is a beast if he stays healthy
NBA News & Rumors: KG, Westbrook, Jackson, Bynum/Odom, Miller and Millsap Said,
October 13, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
[...] Paul Millsap doesn’t worry about whether or not he’s starting. And he shouldn’t, because he’s still not quite as good as Carlos Boozer. Millsap should just put his head down and go to work, because he will be the starting power forward in Utah soon enough. The team made it clear by the commitment it made in the offseason. Boozer probably won’t be in Utah next season. [...]