jason collier interview

Catching Up With Jason Collier

The Rocket Guy: Jason, you're sort of a cult figure in Houston now that you're an "Ex-Rocket," which means there will be a huge segment of the Rockets' fan base that will follow you incessantly and want to know where you are and what you're doing. Bring us up to speed on what you've been up to since you left Houston.

JC: "Well, I went to training camp with the Timberwolves, cut on the last day, and then I decided to go to the NBDL instead of going overseas because I was getting ready to have a daughter (Elezan Collier). My wife was preganant and I wanted to stay here in the United States. I played for half of the season in the NBDL and then Atlanta decided to call me up."

Where did you play in the NBDL?

JC: "The Fayetteville Patriots, with (head coach) Jeff Capel. I played there, then got called up here for a 10-day contract, then signed another 10-day. Haven't landed the rest of the season yet, but I'm hoping."

TRG: When the Rockets drafted you, it was with the intention of you being a part of the process of replacing Hakeem Olajuwon. You had some good games early, like your game against the Lakers in particular, then the Rockets get the lucky ping-pong, take Yao Ming, and that basically left you out of their plans.

JC: "Yeah, I had some injuries the first two years that made it tough."

TRG: You also mentioned during the third year that you were frustrated with the Rockets for labeling you with injuries that weren't really injuries.

JC: "Well, with Yao there it was a difficult situation. With Yao and Cato and those guys filling that position, it was hard to get used to that. It's something comes with the territory, though, I got the short end of the stick on the deal, so that's what happens. It happens to everybody."

TRG: Rudy Tomjanovich was a huge success story for the Houston Rockets, but his inability to mold Steve Francis into a true point guard would seem to be a primary reason for Jeff Van Gundy being brought in to replace him. What is your take on Steve Francis as a point guard?

JC: "This league is so much different than any other level of basketball, there are so many great players, so many people that can do things one-on-one and have the ability to take the ball to the basket. Steve Francis is probably one of the best one-on-one players in the whole NBA, and I'm sure it's hard for Steve to get used to (being a true point guard) because he had to do everything before Yao got there. That was his game - he had to do everything for four years before Yao got there. I'm sure it will probably take him just as long to get used to the new system. It's
something new and different and he'll have to deal with it. If not, maybe he might leave, but it's something he'll have to get used to. He's so talented, I'm sure it tough for him just to get used to playing with someone like Yao."

TRG: What was it like playing for Rudy T and Larry Smith, who are both known for being big man's coaches?

JC: "I really enjoyed my time in Houston with Rudy T and especially with Coach Smith (who is an assistant with the Hawks now). Coach Smith was always a good person I could lean on when I was upset about different things I could go in and talk to him. It really helps when you have people like Coach Smith, who you can confide in and he really helped me in my three years (with the Rockets) tremendously, just by him being around and helping me out, working with me, he helped me tremendously."

TRG: Did your relationship with him help your transition to the Hawks?

JC: "Sure. It's nice to see a familiar face. I'm glad I'm with him,
whether it's for 10 more days or the rest of the season, I'm really happy that I'm with him."

Jason Collier is averaging 14 points and six rebounds per game for the
Hawks and had back-to-back 20-point games on March 12th and March 14th. He scored 22 in a win over the Wizards and 21 in a loss to the Raptors. Naturally Houston fans will continue to follow Jason's career with interest, and wish him the best.

 

Seems like the guy has class. He was given opportunites to rip the Rockets, but chose not to. I can see Collier sticking in the league as a solid bench player for years to come. Kind of like a present day Will Perdue or maybe Luc Longley.