http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/61578.htm
January 15, 2006 -- The Post's Steve Serby chatted this past week with the
23-year-old Knick center about life on and off the court in the big city:
Q: Did you like the nickname Baby Shaq when they gave to you?
A: No. Those are huge shoes to fill. Every night you step on the court,
they're looking for some kind of Shaq-like performance. I'm not at his
level yet.
Q: Can you reach that level?
A: Definitely. I get better every year, and under Coach Brown the sky's the
limit for me.
Q: The first time you went against Shaq?
A: Scary. My rookie year. I didn't get many minutes, but when I got out there
against him it was crazy. I never played against anybody that big.
Q: Did he know you were Baby Shaq?
A: I used to be on this show called "Preps," and he watched it all the time,
and that loosened me up 'cause that's the first thing he told me: "I used to
watch your show."
Q: You don't think the work-ethic knock on you is fair?
A: The beauty of the NBA is you always have an opportunity to change what
people think about you. I definitely intend on doing that.
Q: Charles Oakley?
A: My guy. When I first came into the league, he was with the Bulls and he
took me under his wing. I talk to him all the time.
Q: You wear his number (34).
A: Charles accomplished a lot in New York. Those are big shoes to fill.
Q: You still call your mom before every game?
A: Right before I pull up to the arena, I'm on the phone with her.
Q: You were teased as a kid?
A: I was bigger than all the teachers and students. People picked on me all
the time until I started playing basketball and getting good at it.
Q: Your mom encouraged you?
A: She assured me that God made me this big for a reason, and that one day I
was gonna be in the NBA and have the last laugh.
Q: Favorite tattoo?
A: My kids' faces on my back. Three big faces.
Q: Found a tattoo place in Manhattan yet?
A: Stephon introduced me to a tattoo guy named Puppet.
Q: How many tattoos do you have?
A: About 50.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Fried catfish.
Q: Where do you get that?
A: I got a chef here.
Q: How long have you had him?
A: About two months. I wanted to eat healthy foods.
Q: Does he live with you?
A: Me and my wife, and my kids.
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: Three. My one son doesn't live with me, though. He lives in Chicago with
his mom.
Q: Funniest Knick?
A: Malik Rose. He can quote any movie; it's hilarious.
Q: Best-dressed Knick?
A: Myself.
Q: Describe your style of dress?
A: Grown up and sophisticated. Professional.
Q: Most embarrassing moment?
A: Started giving a speech in eighth grade in front of my whole class.
I froze up for like a minute-and-a-half, didn't say nothing. Saw those people
looking at me and I just couldn't get nothin' out. I ended up just saying like,
"I'm gonna miss you guys ... bye," walked off the stage. It was crazy.
Q: Favorite New York things?
A: I never been to a place that's so lit up, other than Vegas.
Q: Worst thing about New York?
A: Traffic.
Q: Do you get recognized in traffic?
A: I'm in the backseat with tinted windows so nobody sees me.
Q: Who's driving?
A: I got a driver.
Q: A chef, a driver ... you have everything!
A: I had to make myself comfortable. I plan on being here for a long time.
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: I saw her at a shopping mall. I had somebody walk up to her for me.
Q: You got everybody doing everything for you!
A: I'm shy, man. I'm scared to walk up to a girl, so I had one of my friends
tell her I was in a rush, but I would love to talk to her and she could
exchange numbers with me. She did it.
Q: She called you or you called her?
A: Like two months later I called her.
Q: Best thing about being Eddy Curry?
A: Just waking up every day and knowing you're part of the NBA.
Q: Favorite Garden celebrities?
A: I love Spike Lee. I grew up watching him. He was just as much of the team
as anybody else. And Donald Trump.
Q: Larry Brown?
A: One of the most unique people you'll meet. He's so intense, and he believes
so deeply in what he's doing and playing basketball the right way.
Q: Other than your wife, who would you want on a deserted island with you?
A: Beyonce ... and my chef.
Q: Do you regret not going to DePaul out of high school?
A: No. I still want to get my education, but I love where I am now. And who
knows if I'da went there that everything would turn out the same way?
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: That I'm a very quiet person, a very nice person. Some people think I'm
some kind of mean, intimidating person.
Q: Worst habit?
A: I have a hard time being on time.
Q: Pet peeve?
A: People touching me. On our team we got a lot of young guys and they always
want to poke at you and tickle you and stuff and I really hate that.
Q: Idols growing up other than Michael Jordan?
A: Magic Johnson. And Gale Sayers, even though he was before my time. I read
a lot of books about him.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Dr. King. Tupac. Jay-Z.
Q: Favorite athlete outside basketball? A: Mike Vick.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: "Oceans 12."
Q: Favorite singer?
A: Jay-Z.
Q: Your health is good?
A: My health is great.
Q: Heart's great?
A: Yup.