Post by nbaballer on Oct 16, 2005 20:34:17 GMT -5
Larry Hughes, the star player of the New Jersey Nets is having his best season ever. Throughout his career he has been on five times and has gotten better with each stop. Yet when people talk about the top players in UBL, Larry Hughes name never comes up. His name gets overlooked because of the Lebron's, Kobe's, and Tmac's of the league. However, when you compare the stats of these players, Hughes should be included among those stars. Very few players in the last three years have had averages over 20 ppg, 6 rpg, 6 apg. What are Hughes averages over that span? 21 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg.
This year Larry Hughes has been nothing less than spectacular. Paired with Steve Francis and Jason Richardon, the Nets have become an elite team in the UBL. We recently sat down with Larry and talked about his performance, the team, and the UBL.
Reporter: Larry, you have become a star in this league. How does that make you feel knowing you have become an elite player?
Larry: Star? I ain’t no star. I get not respect in this league. None. When you ask people who they think is the top SG in this league, what do you think they say? Larry Hughes? No. Its always Kobe, Lebron, Tmac, Pierce, whoever. Look at the stats man. I should be right up there with those guys. It’s frustrating because I feel like I am always forgotten when it comes to stuff like that.
Reporter: I see. So you are upset about getting no attention in the UBL?
Larry: You know what. I am not going to sit here and complain that I am the forgotten star of the UBL. I am bigger than that. All I care about right now is the New Jersey Nets and winning a championship. Look at those guys records. They aren’t winning like we are right now. So they can get the love, I will take the wins.
Reporter: Right now you guys are 10-4 and are one of the top teams in the UBL. Are you happy with start of the season?
Larry: When we win, I am happy. So right now I am feeling good about our chances. We are in a tough conference. The Bucks and Wizards look really good so far. Those guys play some great basketball and we have to stay with them if we want to make some noise come playoff time.
Reporter: Talk about your team mates for a minute. How do you think you guys get along?
Larry: We got a great group of guys here in Jersey. Jason is such a talented player, he can do anything on any given night. Steve Francis, the guy may take a beating in the press about his attitude, but I don’t see that stuff from him. The guy competes every night. Jamaal, Nenad, Reef, and Kenny have been a great frontcourt for us. Our starting five can compete with any other starting five in the league. That’s how good we are. Our bench is nice as well.
Reporter: This is your third season in a Nets uniform. How have you liked your experience here in New Jersey?
Larry: It’s been great. When I got traded here three years ago, the Nets were a lottery team. The GM brought in some new guys and it just worked. Last year, I think we had a great chance to go deep in the playoffs, but a guy named Shaq took over the last few games in the series and we lost. The fans here have been great. I can tell you that I get the respect here in Jersey.
Reporter: Is there one thing that you are most proud of so far, be it personal or team related.
Larry: Defense. We are playing some great D. Plus to have myself, Steve, and Jason in the top 10 for steals per game, is great. We may not be the biggest team and get the blocks, but we are athletic, quick, and play great defence. Jason and Steve worked hard this summer on their defence and it paid off for them.
Reporter: Speaking of defense, who is the toughest guy in the UBL to defend?
Larry: Man, that’s a tough one. There are some tough guys out there to defend. But I have to say Kobe. Whenever we play them, I am always assigned to guard him. He does everything. He’s such a challenge to defend, but I love a challenge. Also Kirilenko, the guy’s 6’9 and plays shooting guard.
Reporter: If there is one player that you could have on your team, who would it be?
Larry: Wow. Man, I don’t wanna disrespect any my team mates. But if I have to choose….. Hmmm. KG and Timmy would look good in a Nets uniform, but I have to go with Shaq. No offence to Jamaal, but Shaq’s, well Shaq. He killed us last year in the playoffs. We were up 3-1 in the series, and Shaq won it for them.
Reporter: Last question. Besides the Nets of course, who do you think has a great chance at winning a championship this year?
Larry: No one. [Laughs] That’s the mentality you got to have in the UBL. You have to have confidence in yourself and your team.
Reporter: Thanks Larry
Larry: No problem. It was fun
This year Larry Hughes has been nothing less than spectacular. Paired with Steve Francis and Jason Richardon, the Nets have become an elite team in the UBL. We recently sat down with Larry and talked about his performance, the team, and the UBL.
Reporter: Larry, you have become a star in this league. How does that make you feel knowing you have become an elite player?
Larry: Star? I ain’t no star. I get not respect in this league. None. When you ask people who they think is the top SG in this league, what do you think they say? Larry Hughes? No. Its always Kobe, Lebron, Tmac, Pierce, whoever. Look at the stats man. I should be right up there with those guys. It’s frustrating because I feel like I am always forgotten when it comes to stuff like that.
Reporter: I see. So you are upset about getting no attention in the UBL?
Larry: You know what. I am not going to sit here and complain that I am the forgotten star of the UBL. I am bigger than that. All I care about right now is the New Jersey Nets and winning a championship. Look at those guys records. They aren’t winning like we are right now. So they can get the love, I will take the wins.
Reporter: Right now you guys are 10-4 and are one of the top teams in the UBL. Are you happy with start of the season?
Larry: When we win, I am happy. So right now I am feeling good about our chances. We are in a tough conference. The Bucks and Wizards look really good so far. Those guys play some great basketball and we have to stay with them if we want to make some noise come playoff time.
Reporter: Talk about your team mates for a minute. How do you think you guys get along?
Larry: We got a great group of guys here in Jersey. Jason is such a talented player, he can do anything on any given night. Steve Francis, the guy may take a beating in the press about his attitude, but I don’t see that stuff from him. The guy competes every night. Jamaal, Nenad, Reef, and Kenny have been a great frontcourt for us. Our starting five can compete with any other starting five in the league. That’s how good we are. Our bench is nice as well.
Reporter: This is your third season in a Nets uniform. How have you liked your experience here in New Jersey?
Larry: It’s been great. When I got traded here three years ago, the Nets were a lottery team. The GM brought in some new guys and it just worked. Last year, I think we had a great chance to go deep in the playoffs, but a guy named Shaq took over the last few games in the series and we lost. The fans here have been great. I can tell you that I get the respect here in Jersey.
Reporter: Is there one thing that you are most proud of so far, be it personal or team related.
Larry: Defense. We are playing some great D. Plus to have myself, Steve, and Jason in the top 10 for steals per game, is great. We may not be the biggest team and get the blocks, but we are athletic, quick, and play great defence. Jason and Steve worked hard this summer on their defence and it paid off for them.
Reporter: Speaking of defense, who is the toughest guy in the UBL to defend?
Larry: Man, that’s a tough one. There are some tough guys out there to defend. But I have to say Kobe. Whenever we play them, I am always assigned to guard him. He does everything. He’s such a challenge to defend, but I love a challenge. Also Kirilenko, the guy’s 6’9 and plays shooting guard.
Reporter: If there is one player that you could have on your team, who would it be?
Larry: Wow. Man, I don’t wanna disrespect any my team mates. But if I have to choose….. Hmmm. KG and Timmy would look good in a Nets uniform, but I have to go with Shaq. No offence to Jamaal, but Shaq’s, well Shaq. He killed us last year in the playoffs. We were up 3-1 in the series, and Shaq won it for them.
Reporter: Last question. Besides the Nets of course, who do you think has a great chance at winning a championship this year?
Larry: No one. [Laughs] That’s the mentality you got to have in the UBL. You have to have confidence in yourself and your team.
Reporter: Thanks Larry
Larry: No problem. It was fun
