|
Chat Reel: Brian Cardinal
Purdue forward wants to be dunking more than donuts
Posted: Thursday June 22, 2000 08:06 PM
| |
Brian Cardinal (left) says Purdue coach Gene Keady taught him hard work, determination and loyalty. Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's NBA Draft chat with Purdue's Brian Cardinal. Welcome Brian. Thanks for joining us.
Brian Cardinal: Thank you very much for having me.
From Guest: What NBA team would you like to play for? What teams best fit your scrappy style of play?
Brian Cardinal: I'd love to just to play in the NBA - no team in particular. Just to have the chance to be in the NBA would be unbelievable. If I could just pick a coach, it'd be Larry Bird. He's someone I idolize and have admired for so long. But I've worked out for the Bulls and I have been to some camps, but my agent handles a lot of the questions as far as which teams are looking at me. I really haven't talked to him about that too much. I'm just trying to be low-key. If it happens, it happens.
From Mimi Pierson in Chillicothe, Ohio: I really admire you for wearing kneepads during games. When you start playing with the 'big boys', do you plan to continue to wear them?
Brian Cardinal: Oh yeah. It's kind of my trademark. Without those I wouldn't be here today. They allowed me to be more aggressive and get on the floor more than I would have without them. I'm going to try to bring them back if I'm fortunate enough to play at the next level.
From Rich in Hagerstown, Ind.: Brian -- As a recent Indiana grad, I had a lot of fun rooting against you the past several years, but I always respected your style of play. Do you think you will be able to maintain that same style at the professional level?
Brian Cardinal: Well, I think my style will definitely carry over. You'll see me just as aggressive with my defense, and diving for loose balls. I think it'll carry over. It will be interesting to see if I can continue that same style - hopefully it will. It's what has gotten me to this point in my career.
From Brad Blaich in Cincinnati: Hey Brian. It has often been said that the Purdue-Indiana rivalry is only in the eyes of the media and the fans. It's just another game to the players. What do you think? Do you have any good stories from events that might've occurred before, during or after an IU-Purdue game?
Brian Cardinal: I definitely think it's one of the greatest rivalries in b-ball. But I agree with you that a lot of it is in the eyes of the media and the fans. In my eyes it is just another game. A win against Indiana is just as good as a win against Northwestern. But you could feel that there was more energy in the arena when we're getting ready to play them. I remember running on the court my first time - I was shell-shocked. I don't know if I could have played. Just a kind of funny story at Purdue. I remember running onto the court and you'd see the students with orange hunting vests. I think they were wearing those because of Coach Knight's hunting incident - it was funny to see the signs around the arena.
From Spencer Himes in Macomb, Ill.: Do you think the Big Ten players are being somewhat overlooked as high draft choices? Also who would you select first Guyton or Cleaves, and why?
Brian Cardinal: I think the Big Ten offers a different style of play. As far as us being over looked, I think the NBA teams and scouts know enough about the players that if someone has the talent, they won't be overlooked. if there's a great player, the NBA will find them. Guyton and Cleaves have different styles of play. I think Guyton is one of the best, smoothest shooters in the country. He has that over Cleaves. But Cleaves has the leadership presence over Guyton. So they both have different styles of play. It's just a matter of whether a team needs a shooter or someone to lead their team.
From OldGoldAndBlack: I love the TNT commercials with you sitting in the corner. How did you get that gig? And why are you in the corner?
Brian Cardinal: I don't know how I ended up in the corner. (Laughs) They approached me and asked if I wanted to do it. Anytime you can be on TNT or a network of that size you should do it. That was the approach I took. To be on there with those guys - players of that stature - I had to do it just to be involved with those guys. I got suckered into the corner. But I was selling donuts in another. They knew I wouldn't care where I was - just happy to be in it.
From Eric in Indianapolis: What was it like playing against Illinois with your father on the other bench as head trainer? You always seemed to light it up against the Illini! Was it difficult to pick Purdue over Illinois?
Brian Cardinal: Illinois - they never really offered me a scholarship. Picking Purdue wasn't a problem at all. But playing against my father was tough at the beginning of my career - just always rooting for Illinois and having memories of going on trips with him. As I got older and more mature - I was able to handle it better than when I first got there. I began to look at it as a regular game - not me against my dad or Illinois. Just Purdue against Illinois going for a Big Ten championship.
From Guest: Mr. Cardinal, if you were an NBA coach and had the No. 1 pick, who would it be and why?
Brian Cardinal: Who would you guys pick? Let's say Kenyon Martin - I'll jump on the bandwagon.
From Gee Joseph in Wilmington, Del.: What is the best thing you have learned from one of the greatest coaches today -- Gene Keady? And how has he impacted your life?
Brian Cardinal: I agree that Keady is one of the greatest coaches ever. If you had an hour I could tell you everything coach Keady as taught me over my career. Hard work determination and loyalty - if you looked up all of those in the dictionary, his name should be there. He's working hard day in and day out to make you a better basketball player and a better person. We've been down 20 points and he's still in the huddle getting after us like we were up 20. He has a will to win and a determination to do so. He's so loyal to his players. When someone gets in trouble, he'll be there for you wherever you are. You can call him and he'll be like your father away from your father.
From Guest: You were at Purdue when the Big Ten changed to the tournament format. Do you think it is a good idea? Doesn't it take away from the regular season race?
Brian Cardinal: I think there's so pros and cons. I think it does get teams tournament-tough and ready for that atmosphere, but then again it takes away from the regular season championship.
From Jeff Malcomb in North Vernon, Ind.: Brian, as a Purdue alumni and Pacers fan I we to see the Pacers do whatever they can to get you. Do you feel the same about the Pacers? And is there anything you could do to attempt to get traded to them?
Brian Cardinal: I'd love to play for the Pacers - to stay close to Purdue and my home in Illinois would be awesome, but I don't know if the Pacers need what I have. But it would be interesting to see if things work out on the 28th.
From PurdueFan: I read you were going to play hockey in Indianapolis. What is that all about?
Brian Cardinal: I did this thing for the Indianapolis Ice - signing autographs - but people thought I was going to be playing hockey. I have enough trouble staying on my feet in basketball, let alone on skates.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Brian. Good luck in the draft.
Brian Cardinal: Thank you very much.
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
