Sportsnet’s Dave Zarum caught up with New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson on Friday ahead of his matchup with the Toronto Raptors. The guys talk about the matchup problems the Raptors present, life without Anthony Davis, Jason Williams passing stories from practice, and what it means to carry the title of “NBA Foodie”
Dave Zarum: Facing the Raptors tonight, you’ll likely be seeing two completely different looks from your opponent. Have you put any thought into your matchups with Luis Scola vs. Patrick Patterson?
Ryan Anderson: You know, Patterson and I can relate to each others’ game a little bit more because of his ability to stretch the floor. He’s a guy that can move his feet really well.
But Scola is a guy that, when I first got into the league, I just hated guarded him. He’s just one of those pests- and I mean that in the best way. He’s very methodical. He knows his angles and how to use his body to get back to that right hook- that’s his game. It is a completely different look in terms of me playing offense against them. Scola’s not a guy that really enjoys guarding out on the perimeter, and so we’re going to go out tonight and try to take advantage of certain things like that.
DZ: Anthony Davis is likely out tonight. I’d imagine that changes how you guys approach each game?
RA: We just need to be prepared regardless. Personally, I’ve been in a number of different positions, so I’m comfortable with whatever the coach wants me to do. Obviously with Anthony on the court it adds such a different element to the game because of his ability to score and impact the game in so many ways. It helps, you know? With him not on the court- like, our last game against Atlanta, we proved that we can play [without him], and really we should have won that game. We had it under control, except for one stretch of it. But when we play hard and at the pace we want to it doesn’t matter who we have on the court.
DZ: And that’s shown against the Raptors- twice last season without Davis in the lineup you guys won fairly convincingly.
RA: Yeah. And over the years we have been short-handed, we’ve had a lot of injuries. This team has fought through a lot. So for me that’s not exactly something new here coming at us. We’re going to fight and be prepared to go at it tonight.
DZ: It’s kind of interesting to think about how when you came into the league [in 2008] it was still quite a luxury for a big man to be able to stretch the floor, whereas nowadays it’s practically mandatory if you want to be an NBA pro. Did you see this coming at all? Was there a point in your development where you realized the game could be headed in this direction? Or did it just work out that way?
RA: It just kind of worked out that way [laughs]. I always say I don’t know how the heck I’m doing this job…
DZ: I have an idea: because you’re really good at basketball.
RA: Haha, no I mean that a lot of cards weren’t necessarily stacked in my favour. This game is something that has evolved so much, and I have to say that I’ve had great coaches around me growing up who just let me play, let me be myself and not just be a big guy who can only put hook shots up around the basket. And it’s paid off. There’s not a whole lot I feel like I can’t do, except maybe dribble the ball up the court. And I’m not the best dunker. But other than that there aren’t a whole lot of things I can’t do, because I wasn’t really restricted.
DZ: So this morning somebody sent me a video of Karl-Anthony Towns as a high-schooler interviewing Kevin Durant. When you were in high school, which NBA player would you most want to have interviewed?
RA: Oh man, any of the Sacramento Kings players. I was just such a nut about that team; the Kings were huge when I was growing up. I was lucky enough to be able to play with Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Williams- those were legends for me growing up, I idolized that team. But probably Peja Stojakovic. He was an awesome guy and I just loved watching him play.
DZ: You must have some great J-Will-at-practice stories.
RA: Oh heck yeah. His court vision is honestly the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I saw him throw a halfcourt pass on the other side of the backboard that bounced perfectly into somebody’s hands for a fast-break lay-up. Like, nobody does that. Off the backboard full court pass? It…it…It was insane.
DZ: And I feel like that’s not the kind of stuff he necessarily practices…
RA: You can’t. That’s just sheer talent and being aware of where everyone is at all times. It really is awesome.
DZ: Last thing. I noticed you were on Twitter talking about a great restaurant experience here in Toronto last night. It seems you’re holding down the corner as the “NBA Foodie” no?
RA: Food is my passion. I love to cook- I don’t have much time to cook, but I love it. I love everything about food. I love that it can be an art. And with fresh ingredients—that place that I was at last night, Buca in Yorkville, is such a fresh farm-to-table style restaurant. I just got really lucky with a reservation and that kind of stuff is so cool to me. I’ll never take that for granted.
DZ: How do you scout restaurants on the road?
RA: I’ll talk to people through Twitter, or just pick up recommendations as I travel. Word of mouth. The cool thing is a lot of my teammates have been big foodies also. Like, J.J. Redick and I used to really enjoy going around to eat at restaurants. I try to get out of my hotel room when we’re in cities, and thankfully we play in some of the best cities in the world.
I love Toronto. It’s such a great city, there’s so much to offer here. I went to a place called Harbour 60, a steakhouse, amazing place.
And, you know, it’s funny you said the “NBA foodie” thing because it’s something that I’d like to make…It’s pretty awesome to have a platform playing this game and I know that as soon as I’m done it’s going to be gone. So while I’m around I’d love to have some kind of staple around the league. So why not post pictures when we travel and let fans get involved in what we do on off-days and where we eat? That’s something I want to continue to try to push a little bit more.
DZ: Appreciate the time, thanks Ryan.
RA: Hey, my pleasure man, thank you.