Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Strawberry: Defense will keep me in NBA

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Jeff Who, Sep 2, 2008.

Tags:

Page 1 of 2

Jeff Who Member

Joined:

Mar 12, 2008

Messages:

8,389

Likes Received:

41

didn't see it posted but if yes, than lock please.

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Catching_up_with_DJ_Strawber-281388-34.html

HOUSTON - The draft is done. The free agent frenzy and Olympics are, too. Preseason is still more than a month away. Yep, we've officially entered hoops hibernation.

So to get you through the basketball void, Rockets.com will spend the next few weeks catching up with various members of the team to find out what they've been up to this summer. The tour continues today as we introduce you the newest member of the team, D.J. Strawberry.

JCF: Your first summer league game this year was against the Rockets and you really filled up the boxscore (22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists). Do you think that performance might have paved the way for you to eventually end up here?

DJ: I mean at that point I was just trying to play and have fun and impress the Suns. I thought I was going to get a chance to play there, but now I’m here and I’m glad to be here.

JCF: Did you have any sort of inclination that you might be traded?

DJ: They [ Phoenix] said it was a possibility. I really didn’t think much of it. I just kept working out, kept working on my game. When it happened, I was excited about it and I’m ready to get going for the Rockets.

JCF: How did you find out?

DJ: Actually, Steve Kerr - the general manager for the Suns - called and told me he had traded me to Houston. I was pretty happy. He said it would be a good opportunity for me here. It’s a business move and it’s part of the NBA. I just have to come here, have a good attitude about it and do what I can to help the team.

JCF: I know you haven’t been here long, but what sort of feedback have you received thus far?

DJ: They’re excited to have me here. They’ve been telling me that they’ve been trying to get me here for awhile. They’re excited to have me come in and compete, play hard and get the opportunity to make the team.

JCF: What have they said they want to see from you out on the court?

DJ: They just want me to come in everyday and work as hard as possible in order to get better everyday. As long as they see me doing that, they say I’ve got a good chance.

JCF: Your reputation is that of a guy with the potential to be a defensive stopper, but someone who needs to improve his outside shot and point guards skills. Do you think that’s a fair assessment?

DJ: Yeah, those are the things I need to work on. Obviously I’m not a natural point guard – I just started playing the position a couple years ago. I played one year there in college, and Phoenix just started using me at the one at the end of the season. So it’s not a natural position for me, so I have to get used to it. And the more reps I get on the floor and in practice, it will become easier and easier. So it’s something I’m working on and will have to continue to work on in order to get better at it.

JCF: What do you see as the key to you making this team?

DJ: Defense is what got me into the league and it’s probably going to be what keeps me in the league. So I have to maintain that, but at the other end I need to bring the versatility, play different positions, show that I can score, show that I’ve improved my jump shot and just play my game overall. I need to show that I’m a better player than I was last year.

JCF: What was it like going up against Steve Nash on a daily basis?

DJ: Oh, it was great. It was great for me to learn so much about the game. Steve’s not the best athlete in the world, he’s not the fastest, but he’s one of the smartest players in this league. He knows the game and he knows what to do in every situation on the floor. So with him telling me stuff like that, it couldn’t be a better experience for a rookie like myself.

JCF: How about off the court? What have you been doing this summer that’s not basketball related?

DJ: Nothing much, just hanging with my cousins and little brothers and sisters. Took them to some amusement parks a few times, but that’s about it. I’m really a low-key kind of guy, just staying at home with my family and friends and hanging out.

JCF: Are you a movie or video game guy?

DJ: Yeah, video games. We’re playing Madden, college football, NBA Live, you name it. All the sports game, we’re playing ‘em.

JCF: Are you a Live or 2K guy for basketball?

DJ: I’m a Live guy, personally.

JCF: Oh no.

DJ: (laughs) I can’t get into the 2K. I don’t know why. Probably just because I grew up with Live. I’ve heard 2K is good, I’ve just never really played it much. Maybe I’ll have to check it out.

JCF: You have to. It’s way more realistic than Live. What are your thoughts on the new Madden?

DJ: It’s a great game. We play it all day sometimes.

JCF: Who’s your team?

DJ: I like to change up my teams depending on who I’m playing. If they’re a good competitor, I have to go with a pretty good team. But if I’m playing with someone who’s not too good, I can go with my team, the 49ers.

JCF: Yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty severe handicap. Hey, switching topics a bit, ever since the Olympics ended I’ve been asking everyone their opinion on this: Who’s better – The Dream Team or the ’08 squad?

DJ: Oh, you have to take the original Dream Team. You have to.

JCF: No question?

DJ: No, it’s not even a question. You have to. I mean, this Olympic team was very good. They were great. But the Dream Team had Magic, Jordan, Bird, Barkley… You can’t get better than that.

JCF: Well speaking of great teams, this Rockets team looks like it has the potential to be very good this season. Does it make you that much hungrier to try and make the roster so you can be a part of what could be a very special group?

DJ: Oh yes, definitely. Last year they went on that 22-game winning streak and that was amazing. Even us in Phoenix were looking at it and amazed by what they did. To have Yao go down, and then have guys like Landry and Aaron Brooks come in and play well, it was incredible. So this is gonna be a great team, and with the additions that they’re making it’s definitely inspired me to work hard and make this team because I think they can really do something big in the Western Conference this year. Artest is going to be good for them playing the three position next to T-Mac, while defending and scoring, too. He’s going to be a great addition to this team. So a lot of teams are good in the Western Conference this year, but I think this is definitely one of the better ones.

Have a comment, critique or suggestion for Rockets.com? Contact Jason Friedman via email at: jasonf@rocketball.com
Click to expand...

#1 Jeff Who, Sep 2, 2008

akiracy Member

Joined:

Oct 10, 2007

Messages:

419

Likes Received:

38

DJ: They’re excited to have me here. They’ve been telling me that they’ve been trying to get me here for awhile. They’re excited to have me come in and compete, play hard and get the opportunity to make the team.
Click to expand...

#2 akiracy, Sep 2, 2008
bewy Member

Joined:

Mar 14, 2008

Messages:

588

Likes Received:

13

Doesn't look that talented to me...maybe a good pick incase rafer and SF retire.

#3 bewy, Sep 2, 2008
Jeff Who Member

Joined:

Mar 12, 2008

Messages:

8,389

Likes Received:

41

akiracy said:

Click to expand...

Yeah it is amazing. I also tought he was not going to make the team but now...I am not sure. But now the question is what will AB do?

#4 Jeff Who, Sep 2, 2008
wreck Member

Joined:

Jul 18, 2006

Messages:

3,551

Likes Received:

47

akiracy said:

Click to expand...

well theyre not not gonna tell him right off that he will be cut. im sure he'll have a fair chance to make the team. if he outperforms head hes in, its not that big a challenge.

#5 wreck, Sep 2, 2008
The_Yoyo Member

Joined:

Dec 25, 2001

Messages:

16,683

Likes Received:

2,873

good read

it seems like rockets.com thanks to JCF have become a lot more active in doing things like interviews and reports recently I dont know if they are getting more and more worried at the lack of activity on that site when compared to here.

Either way I am pleased at their constant additions especially in the off season.

nice read JCF

#6 The_Yoyo, Sep 2, 2008
Ikorose Member

Joined:

Aug 22, 2008

Messages:

826

Likes Received:

1

Que Steve Francis + Luther Head for Joe Smith deal

#7 Ikorose, Sep 2, 2008

ReD_1 Rookie

Joined:

Aug 4, 2007

Messages:

3,055

Likes Received:

13

Nice attitude, I like D.J. every minute more but that's not gonna make him a Rocket.

I mean with Hayes, Harris, Francis, Brooks, Dorsey, Novak on the block he's gonna work real hard.

#8 ReD_1, Sep 2, 2008
BleedsRocketRed Member

Joined:

Mar 12, 2008

Messages:

3,910

Likes Received:

2,197

I really hope he can get some sporadic minutes off the bench. The guy is really a good defender, and not that bad on the offensive end. He deserves a chance.

#9 BleedsRocketRed, Sep 2, 2008
towW Member

Joined:

Aug 23, 2008

Messages:

748

Likes Received:

8

akiracy said:

Click to expand...

I had the same reaction. Since when did we want him?

He'll probably be good practice for Brooks.

#10 towW, Sep 2, 2008
Rockets2K Clutch Crew

Joined:

Mar 22, 2000

Messages:

18,050

Likes Received:

1,271

The_Yoyo said:

good read

it seems like rockets.com thanks to JCF have become a lot more active in doing things like interviews and reports recently I dont know if they are getting more and more worried at the lack of activity on that site when compared to here.

Either way I am pleased at their constant additions especially in the off season.

nice read JCF
Click to expand...

which leaves the question, was it rockets.com's idea to expand with more features and that is why they hired fritz? or did fritz come onboard and encourage them to do more features?

whatever...I was concerned when he left houstonpress that we were losing a good objective outside journalist, but I'm really pleased to see the stuff JCF has been doing for rockets.com

#11 Rockets2K, Sep 2, 2008
akiracy Member

Joined:

Oct 10, 2007

Messages:

419

Likes Received:

38

wreck said:

well theyre not not gonna tell him right off that he will be cut. im sure he'll have a fair chance to make the team. if he outperforms head hes in, its not that big a challenge.
Click to expand...

id rather ship head out, brent barry does everything head does and he does it better.

#12 akiracy, Sep 2, 2008
SuperBeeKay Member

Joined:

Feb 24, 2008

Messages:

6,185

Likes Received:

258

ReD_1 said:

Nice attitude, I like D.J. every minute more but that's not gonna make him a Rocket.

I mean with Hayes, Harris, Francis, Brooks, Dorsey, Novak on the block he's gonna work real hard.
Click to expand...

NEWS FLASH
He got traded

#13 SuperBeeKay, Sep 2, 2008

acshen Member

Joined:

Jun 15, 2007

Messages:

911

Likes Received:

110

yeah nice job jason.

#14 acshen, Sep 2, 2008
BrooksBall Member

Joined:

Jul 18, 2007

Messages:

20,568

Likes Received:

256

akiracy said:

id rather ship head out, brent barry does everything head does and he does it better.
Click to expand...

Everything? You mean "the one thing", right.

In addition to being a better shooter, Barry also has basketball IQ to go along with a legitimate set of NBA-caliber skills.

#15 BrooksBall, Sep 2, 2008
ClutchCityReturns Member

Joined:

Apr 26, 2005

Messages:

13,427

Likes Received:

2,666

Good job calling him out on playing Live.

That game is turrble.

#16 ClutchCityReturns, Sep 2, 2008
akiracy Member

Joined:

Oct 10, 2007

Messages:

419

Likes Received:

38

BrooksBall said:

Everything? You mean "the one thing", right.

In addition to being a better shooter, Barry also has basketball IQ to go along with a legitimate set of NBA-caliber skills.
Click to expand...

so you just reinforced what i just said?

#17 akiracy, Sep 2, 2008
BrooksBall Member

Joined:

Jul 18, 2007

Messages:

20,568

Likes Received:

256

akiracy said:

so you just reinforced what i just said?
Click to expand...

Perhaps. I just wanted to emphasize that Head only does one thing well. When you said Barry does everything Head does, it sounded like Head could do more than one thing.

#18 BrooksBall, Sep 2, 2008

akiracy Member

Joined:

Oct 10, 2007

Messages:

419

Likes Received:

38

BrooksBall said:

Perhaps. I just wanted to emphasize that Head only does one thing well. When you said Barry does everything Head does, it sounded like Head could do more than one thing.
Click to expand...

ah i get it, i interpreted that first sentence negatively

#19 akiracy, Sep 2, 2008
Tsquare Member

Joined:

Aug 23, 2008

Messages:

1,219

Likes Received:

3

ClutchCityReturns said:

Good job calling him out on playing Live.

That game is turrble.
Click to expand...

Yeah, he says he plays NBA Live over NBA 2K... trade him.

Quote"That game is turrble."
spell check- terrible

#20 Tsquare, Sep 2, 2008

(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Page 1 of 2

Share This Page