Next up is another new member of the Orlando Magic, Forward Matt Barnes.
On who has surprised him so far
"Seeing and playing against these guys, no one really surprised me. I’m just amazed at how much better Dwight keeps getting. I’m very excited to work with him. Along with playing with Vince, who’s someone I’ve always admired. Me and Rashard are in the same year, so I’m excited to play with him. Jameer’s a great point guard so I’m glad to see he’s healthy. I get to play with Pietrus again. We were together in Golden State along with Adonal. So I just feel good about being here."
On Ryan Anderson
"Ryan’s good. Ryan works out with me all summer in Sacramento. So I know what Ryan can do. Ryan’s very quiet and I think he’ll be maybe looked over but once everyone sees him with a consistent chance to play, you’ll know that Ryan Anderson can definitely play."
On Chemistry
"I think it’s very important. I’ve heard people say you don’t have to like your teammates, you don’t have to do this, you don’t have to do that and I think that’s all really bullshit. I think you have to get along on and off the court. If you’re friends with someone off the court, you’ll do more for them on the court.If you’ll die for your teammates on and off the court, I think that’s the best way to be about your business and that’s what makes successful teams.We did a week in Philly about a month and a half ago. I’ve been here for three weeks and the majority have been here for three weeks. I think it’s a great jumpstart to get into camp.On joining OrlandoIt’s all about winning. I felt that although we were talking to the Lakers, Dallas and Cleveland, that this was really the best style and fit for me. And this team was right on the doorstep of winning a championship last year so with the new additions that the team has made I think we’re ready to hold that trophy up next summer."
On why he picked the Magic
"It’s where I’d fit in on the team, what positions I may be able to play and where I can see myself helping. Watching them last year and watching them during the season, I was telling someone earlier, that this is more of Western Conference offensive team but then when it comes to defense, it’s an Eastern Conference defensive team. It’s a great fit for both and I’m just excited to get to work."
On what he took from the Finals
"With a healthy Jameer, it would have been a different outcome, but this is a new season. This is something we definitely can’t dwell on."
On Stan Van Gundy
"Stan’s a good dude. Stan texts a lot. Stan texts like a girl who just got her phone for the first time. I’ve never been in something like that but it’s always motivational, always makes me smile and lets me know how serious he is about winning."
At this point, Jameer Nelson came in to conduct an interview.
"Nelson: How do you feel about your Point Guard?Barnes: I feel that my Point Guard is small. I thought you were a lot bigger on TV. And that you have no ankles.Nelson: You know he has to pass you the ball, right?Barnes: Yeah, but I know we’re really good friend so I know he is going to pass me the ball.Nelson: Over and out."
On Van Gundy’s messages
"I was in California most of the time and his messages were Eastern time. At first, I was like what’s going on here, but the more I started reading them and sometimes they’d make me laugh but it just really shows his passion for the game and how intense he is. Even during the summer when he’s suppose to be relaxing, he’s thinking about making us a better team and I love that."
On Rashard Lewis’ suspension
"I’ve played the four in the past and I’ve been working myself at a couple of positions. We just got to hold the fort down while Rashard’s gone. He’s an all-star, you don’t replace what he does. You just hope that you can get different people to contribute to what he was doing."
On the new guys getting used to Van Gundy
"You see impersonations and voice impersonations and walks and this is a really fun team but at the same time, I think they know when fun and games need to come to an end and when it’s time to be serious. That’s a sign of something I want to be around. A team that’s not always so intense and a team that knows how to have a good time but at the same time knows how to be serious."
On where he’ll see the most time
"I’ve been working at the two, three and four, so as long as I get on that court, I don’t care what position I’ll be playing."
On his role as an enforcer
"It’s just the way I play and the way I’ve been brought up. I was always just real rough. That kind of just translated over with being an enforcer and an intimidator. That’s just who I am. It’s not like I’m going out and trying to pick fights or anything but I’m just a tough-minded, tough-nosed kind of guy and I’m not going to let anyone push me or push any of my teammates around."
(Andrew Melnick is Howard the Dunk’s lead blogger. Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)