I just heard a good interview on 610 with Juaquin Hawkins. He said he cried when he found out he made the team today. He is a terrific interview...sounded like a 15 year vet. I think that's the first I've ever heard him. He also said he can't wait to play against Kobe and considers himself a good defensive player.
I have to root for the underdog. I really like when Rudy finds the diamonds in the rough. Hopefully he is another Sam Mack/Chucky Brown CBA type.
yeah, he really conducted a nice interview. he was in training camp with the lakers when kobe was a rookie so he said he's had a few battles with him. matt asked him if he'd go as far as ruben patterson and label himself a "kobe stopper", but he said no not that far but i'm looking forward to the challenge. sounds good to me.
It'd be cool if he were another Mario, however Mario is one of a kind. He might be my favorite "non star" to ever play for the Rockets. (due respect to Air Bullard)
Kobe's probably going to torch him the first time they play so I hope he learns something from it. I'm glad he made the team, I'm also glad Pete Mickeal made the team. These are some hard working players, and they also bring toughness and defense to the Rockets, lord knows we need that.
He plays SF/G like Shandon but he can cover the point also. He is like Shandon Anderson but a little quicker and longer and has better handles(isn't saying much).
He plays the 2 and 3... solid defender from what we've seen in pre-season... about 6'7" and 210 lbs -- anyone correct me if i'm wrong there...
yeah didn't clutch or maybe the chronicle mention that the rockets were especially impressed with the defense he put on darrell armstrong in the 4th quarter against the magic. that's not a slow man either.
JUAQUIN HAWKINS ·Number: 29. ·Position: Forward. ·Height/weight: 6-7, 205. ·Years pro: Rookie. ·From: Long Beach State. ·Etc.: The biggest surprise of this year's camp. Sat out the first four preseason games before a breakout performance against Orlando in which he scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. ... Has played with the CBA, the Harlem Globetrotters and overseas in Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines.
You can just tell that this guy will be the "Garbage Man" of this team, he will do anything it takes to help this team win; dive for loose balls (insert joke here), play some hard-nosed D, and have fun doing it. I LOVE having these kinds of players on your team, they really provide lots of "off-the-bench" energy and production. Good for you Hawkins, but more importantly good for thr Rockets.
This team really needed somebody who would play solid D. I'm glad that Hawkins could make his NBA dream come true being the guy to fit the bill.
he reminds me exactly like Mario....he played everywhere in the world, has experience despite not playing in the NBA much, is very appreciative of the opportunity to play in the NBA, can play D, very quick, can shoot the rock surprisingly well for someone who does not shoot a lot and is a scrapper! we needed someone like him and hopefully, he will see some minutes! he is listed at 6'7", but he is actually closer to Cuttino, maybe a bit taller......
I think Hawkins will be a great defender, Anyone remember how Vernon Maxwell played defense on Jordan, Vernon really frustrated Jordan, I hope he has that kind of Success against our Key Opponents. I dont think it will take him long to learn how to play defense on players like Vince, Kobe and TMac. Just my 2 cents guys. PRO YAO MING
