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Delfino: "In Houston, I'm having fun again"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by merrrlo, Mar 5, 2013.

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merrrlo Member

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Looking from the outside, there were more doubts than certainties when Carlos Delfino accepted an offer from the Rockets, a team that had been dismantled in order to pursue a superstar but had failed in their first attempt, Dwight Howard. But the <i>santafesino</i> saw what others didn't and today, six months later, he is enjoying his own very high level and Houston's surprising record, holding the last Playoff ticket at the moment. "The key was not to rush... I made my decision thinking that all of this could happen. I wanted a change after what happened in Milwaukee <i>(editor's note: he was angered when he did not receive the contract offer he was expecting from them)</i>. With the Bucks I played a more standing role, waiting for the corner three. Here I have more freedom and confidence, I play more with the ball in my hands... I wanted to grow with the team and luckily it all came together," he explains while he enjoys his day off.

<b>-Your prediction came true, even though you didn't even count on James Harden...</b>
-Yes, it all came together, even though it was well known that a great player was going to come here. Nobody expected much anyway, but the pieces of the puzzle fit together well in spite of the lack of names and the team's youth. We are a fast team, which scores a lot and are ambitious. I feel very comfortable.

<b>-You had a role without Harden and another one with him here, with less guaranteed shots... But you have made the most of his arrival.</b>
-The truth is I was happy when he came here. <b><i>When we had Kevin Martin, who doesn't create many shots for others, I saw things tougher going forward; but James is no ballhog. He is a natural scorer who can also create, who passes the ball and when he doesn't, he comes in the next day and admits his mistake. You don't see that very often in the NBA.</b></i> I also always knew my role was to be the "spare wheel" and I liked the challenge.

<b>-How do you evaluate your season? From outside it looks very good, in spite of your physical ailments.</b>
-Yes, while I was physically well I think I did well and up to the challenge. I started off with adductor problems and now my elbow, but I keep patching myself up (laughs). I try not to think about the pain, I don't go crazy. I am going through an important moment for the team, playing a lot, and have earned the coach's confidence. It all adds up.

<b>-It's clear that the system gives you a lot of freedom.</b>
-Yes, freedom and confidence. In Milwaukee I had a more defensive role, waiting on the corner to get a shot... Now I do a little bit of everything. <b><i>In Houston I'm having fun again, I have regained the joy of playing.</b></i> I have fun doing a little bit of everything. In previous years I have felt that way when playing for the National Team, but that only lasts a month and a half...

<b>-You have shown again that you can play through pain. Or come back from injury and get back into rhythm quickly.</b>
-There comes a point in one's career when you learn how to play through pain and injuries. You can stand them. There's days in which my elbow bothers me more than others, but I don't think about it too much.

<b>-From the numbers, it looks like your shot, especially your efficacy from the three point line, is key to the team.</b>
-Yes, I'm happy. Everybody even tells me I should shoot more, even on the fastbreak, but sometimes I don't... And that gives you composure and confidence. Yesterday (Sunday) I was 0-5 from three but I don't even think about it, I know that in the next game I will shoot a lot and my teammates and my coach will ask me to do so. When I had a game like that last year I would fall back a bit. The margin of error was smaller.

<b>-Your numbers are a lot better on the road (12.2 PPG and 44% 3FG) than at home (9 PPG and 37% 3FG). Why is that?</b>
-I didn't know that, really? I can't find an answer for that. Maybe it's just that at home the twins don't let me get enough sleep (laughs).

<b>-And how have you been defensively?</b>
-The defensive tasks have changed a bit this season. Last year I wore out in that area, because I had to play more minutes and defend the other teams' best players. Now Parsons mostly handles them and I come from behind, so the wear is different. The responsibility is mostly greater in the last 6/7 minutes. So I get to that point in the game in better shape and can even defend power forwards.

<b>-How was the experience of playing four? I know your teammates had a lot of fun at your expense...</b>
-Yes, my teammates had fun and the press talked a lot about it. But I took it naturally because we had been closing out many games with four small guys and me playing power forward. Now, there were three games in a row in which I had to play Ibaka, Evans and Okafor, who are all huge, and I ended up exhausted. But for a few minutes I can do it, no problem. The experience also adds up.

<b>-McHale highly praised the professionalism and solidarity that is a trademark of Argentine players. Do you feel respected because of that?</b>
-Yes, I luckily had that feeling from the get go with him, and now his confidence and our communication are both very high. <b><i>He knows I am not a vocal veteran, who is always speaking up and giving advice, but one who preaches by example, plays through pain, works out hard and wears the overalls for the team. He values that highly and he always sets me as an example to the team.</b></i> That's another thing that makes me happy.

You can tell by seeing him play.
Click to expand...

I bolded some of my favorite quotes, like when he basically called Kevin Martin a ballhog :grin:

Original interview in Spanish

#1 merrrlo, Mar 5, 2013

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LCAhmed Member

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Perhaps its the extracurricular activities that James Harden has shown him.....

#2 LCAhmed, Mar 5, 2013
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"James is no ballhog. He is a natural scorer who can also create, who passes the ball and when he doesn't, he comes in the next day and admits his mistake. You don't see that very often in the NBA."

So can we all agree that Harden is not some greedy ballhog like some posters were trying to argue?

what do you know... Harden takes accountability as well, maybe that is why Morey said he has been a great leader, better than ever expected.

#3 Nook, Mar 5, 2013
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Can't help but loving Delfino on the team, will be sad to see him go while Morey chases Dwight. It's the right move, but if/when Dwight falls through, I'd look to regain Carlos at a higher base salary with team option.

#4 Mirri3000, Mar 5, 2013
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...he wears the overalls for the team?

#5 liljojo, Mar 5, 2013
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Can't help but to love this guy. Sincerely hoping his option gets picked up at the end of the season.

#6 c1utchmatic, Mar 5, 2013
vlaurelio Member

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LCAhmed said: ↑

Perhaps its the extracurricular activities that James Harden has shown him.....
Click to expand...

he hooked him up with twins :grin:

#7 vlaurelio, Mar 5, 2013

merrrlo Member

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liljojo said: ↑

...he wears the overalls for the team?
Click to expand...

...some idioms are better left untranslated, huh?

#8 merrrlo, Mar 5, 2013
rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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liljojo said: ↑

...he wears the overalls for the team?
Click to expand...

Laborers wear overalls. Blue collar.

#9 rockbox, Mar 5, 2013
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in b4 .gif

#10 Fullcourt, Mar 5, 2013
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Nook said: ↑

"James is no ballhog. He is a natural scorer who can also create, who passes the ball and when he doesn't, he comes in the next day and admits his mistake. You don't see that very often in the NBA."

So can we all agree that Harden is not some greedy ballhog like some posters were trying to argue?

what do you know... Harden takes accountability as well, maybe that is why Morey said he has been a great leader, better than ever expected.
Click to expand...

Rational people can agree to that but I don't think you will find much rational from LOF's.

Great interview and I love that the players seem to really love Kevin McHale.

#11 crash5179, Mar 5, 2013
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Great guy, great interview. Repped.

#12 Fullcourt, Mar 5, 2013
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This guy reminds me of Luis, and also the times we had with Sura, Jon Barry, Deke, and even Eddie Johnson back in the day. Great veterans who came in and really made us wish we had had them here longer.

Men, not kids, maybe that's what it is.

#13 Nero, Mar 5, 2013

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just a word Member

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vlaurelio said: ↑

he hooked him up with twins :grin:
Click to expand...

...you mean his twin girls?

#14 just a word, Mar 5, 2013
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"With the Bucks I played a more standing role, waiting for the corner three. Here I have more freedom and confidence, I play more with the ball in my hands..."

great to see him having fun. love having him on the team - our record wouldn't be where it is now without his big threes.

but carlos... let's temper down a bit on the ball in your hands thing, ok? It does make me a bit nervous when you try handling fast breaks...

#15 Fighton, Mar 5, 2013
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True professional. I hope he retires a Rocket.

#16 jayhow92, Mar 5, 2013
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crash5179 said: ↑

Rational people can agree to that but I don't think you will find much rational from LOF's.

Great interview and I love that the players seem to really love Kevin McHale.
Click to expand...

Maybe I missed. I didn't see many people say Harden is ballhog.

#17 boiler, Mar 5, 2013
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why rocket full of classy guy, figure at least one bad guy is needed in playoff time.

#18 landryfans, Mar 5, 2013

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liljojo said: ↑

...he wears the overalls for the team?
Click to expand...

That would be "brings his lunch pail" to many American announcers.

#19 sirbaihu, Mar 5, 2013
merrrlo Member

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There's a little bit more to the interview than I realized, in case anyone's interested:

He's got a crystal ball
Carlitos warned everyone when he signed, six months ago: "It's true that this is a young team, with no big names, but I'm confident that we'll do the same thing we did on my first year in Milwaukee. We had a similar situation and by playing hard, intese, fast and ambitiously we got into the playoffs when nobody thought we could." His analysis came true and we reminded him yesterday. "Yes, it's true. Everything is coming together, we're doing well. Harden took us to the next level and we all understood our roles. But there's still 20 games left and we would like to close the regular season with a playoff spot. We've got the right mentality, but we can't go easier because we have a heavyweight coming behind us in the Lakers," he explained.

<b>-And how do you feel having the Lakers behind you?</b>
-In the locker room we're mostly focused on ourselves. I feel the Lakers will sneak in, that's why we have to move another spot in the standings. And it's possible. In four days we could be sixth. The race with Utah, Golden State and the Lakers will go on till the end of the season. Hopefully we can keep playing like we have until now.
Click to expand...

Con la pelota de cristal

#20 merrrlo, Mar 5, 2013

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