http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/summerqa09_douglas.html


Confident Douglas Ready for Rookie Campaign

by Ricky Henne, nyknicks.com


Posted Sept 9 2009, 5:00 p.m.

As the weeks tick away to the start of a new season of New York Knicks basketball, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2009-10.

We continue the series with rookie guard Toney Douglas, who impressed team brass with his composure and leadership during the team’s Summer League campaign.

NYKnicks.com: So tell Knicks fans what you’ve been up to since Summer League ended.

Toney Douglas: Well I took a week and a half off to get my moving situation settled to come up to New York, and I got my condo the first week of August. I have been out here working out and staying in shape and getting ready.

NYKnicks.com: You just got off the court from a workout, right?

Douglas: Yeah.

NYKnicks.com: Who was out there with you today?

Douglas: It was me, (Chris) Duhon, (Larry) Hughes, Al (Harrington) and a couple other guys.

NYKnicks.com: Has this been your first time getting to know your new teammates?

Douglas: Yeah, and they have been great. Chris and I have hung out a couple of times, and with Al and everyone else up here, I am starting to build a relationship with them. They are veterans and I am a rookie so I am listening to them and taking their advice. They keep telling me to stay focused, keep working hard and that it is tough being a rookie but it is a tradition you’ve got to go through. If I do all that, my play will speak for itself.

NYKnicks.com: Back to Summer League for a bit, you had a real good showing. How was that experience?

Douglas: It was a good one. It gave me a little taste of how the NBA is. Now I am here working out, and having had a taste of the system, and with training camp right around the corner, I think it really helped me out.

NYKnicks.com: Have you seen Coach (Mike) D’Antoni or Donnie (Walsh) around since you’ve been back?

Douglas: Yeah I saw Mr. Walsh yesterday actually.

NYKnicks.com: What have you guys talked about?

Douglas: He told me that I keep getting better each day and that he likes what he sees. That helps motivate me. I just keep staying in the gym grinding and doing what it takes to make a difference.

NYKnicks.com: Is that hard to do? To constantly be working out?

Douglas: No, it’s not hard at all if it is something you love to do. I feel like even if I had a regular 9-to-5 job, I would still be doing this after because it is what I love to do. I just have to take advantage of it now.

NYKnicks.com: Looking at the schedule for your first year, are there any games that have you more excited and really amped up?

Douglas: I really haven’t looked at it that hard. I mean, I have looked at it, but I am trying to focus at one game at a time. But people are talking about the big ones like Atlanta on New Year’s Eve and the Christmas game.

NYKnicks.com: That game on New Year’s Eve must be special for you getting to go home and play in front of your family and friends. Douglas: Oh most definitely. I am back in my home city. I love my hometown. And it’s on New Years, so it’s really a special moment

NYKnicks.com: And on Christmas…

Douglas: That’s really a big one. Playing against Miami at home on national TV, that’s huge. And that it is a home game makes it even better. I will have a lot of my family come up, but we’ve got to take care of business. Like I said, we have to take it one game at a time. We play a lot of games, so we just have to stay focused.

NYKnicks.com: Can you describe the emotions you anticipate the first time you pull on a Knicks Jersey and hit The Garden court?

Douglas: Man, that’s gonna feel good (laughs). It’s really gonna hit me that I’m on the court and playing in the NBA. I am just looking forward to it and seizing the opportunity.

NYKnicks.com: Have you taken any time off or gone away anywhere, or has it just been work all the time?

Douglas: I’ve just been working out. I mean, I take some breaks on weekends and I go home. But really, I am focused on being here in New York, staying in shape, lifting weights and getting better. I’m trying to become a better player.

NYKnicks.com: You keeping in contact with Jordan (Hill)?

Douglas: Oh, yeah! We talk all the time. He is up here too, so it’s a good combination.

NYKnicks.com: What kind of impact do you anticipate having as a rookie?

Douglas: I think I can have a big impact. Whatever the coach asks me to do, I will do. I don’t think I can just come over on my own, but I have to trust in coach because he knows what it is I can help out with immediately. Whatever coach tells me to do, I will do. If its defense, I will do defense. If it is offense, I will do offense. My main thing is I just have to be consistent.

NYKnicks.com: Finally, what is the one thing you want to tell all the Knicks fans out there?

Douglas: I just want them to know that I appreciate all their support. I want them to come out and support our team no matter the situation. No matter the ups and downs, I feel like that’s when you know you have true fans. When you face adversity, when things go bad, don’t change up. We have some good fans that live and die for us, and no matter what happens, they will love Knicks basketball.

obviously thats a future all star talking. You can tell be his demeanor

nice to see our guys are just working out and playing together

Posted by fishmike:

obviously thats a future all star talking. You can tell be his demeanor

Really...I'm not sure if a lazy player like eddy wouldn't say the same exact thing. I'm not taking anything away from him, but he is a rookie who just sat thruogh a half dozen media training sessions.

He will definetly have an impact this season, but as far as all star, that's a stretch to determine off of one interview

nate and lee as well.

He's a good guy. We'll see how he does when the games count. But he has talent and he has character. I don't think he's going to light up the league - especially as a rookie. But down the road, he'll be a useful player - a decent scorer, a good passer and a good defensive player.