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Your March, 2004 questions...

Michael in Lorrach, Germany askies...
Who's your favorite b-ball player and have you ever been in Germany?
[Adonal] I don’t necessarily have a favorite. I believe in stealing from each of the good players in this league. But if my foot was in the fire and I had to pick, I’d pick Hakeem Olajuwon. Just because of his incredible footwork and improvement in the game every year in his career.

I have only briefly stopped in Germany, on my way to Amsterdam. But I would like to definitely go there sometime in the near future. Be sure to let me know when is the best time to come, where should I go and can I come to your house for dinner?

Randall in Hollister, CA asks...
I know you like to read, and I was wondering what are your thoughts towards Shakespeare?
[Adonal] Shakespeare is one of the greatest romantics ever. He has written everything you can possible say to a woman. So, every loverman and every great poet owe a debt of gratitude to the original king of words. I love the man.

Matt in Livermore, CA asks...
I am wondering why so little playing time? I am a courtside season ticket holder and I get frustrated when your number doesn't get called. I hope next year on opening night I hear the #31 being called for the starting line up.
[Adonal] It’s the coaches’ decision. But it’s certainly not because of my knee. It took me a very long time to get back. I worked very hard to get back from surgery. And my knee is doing great. But I think at this point, coach has different plans about the team and whom he wants on the floor. I am clearly frustrated. But I will continue to be professional about it. And I hope when the Warriors recap the year, they will try and figure out if they want me to be part of their future or not. But it has been great playing for you and all the great people in the Bay Area. And I will continue to do that for as long as I can.

Mark in Danville, CA asks...
1. What do you think about Pietrus? How about Dunleavy?
[Adonal] Clearly, I think Mickael Pietrus had a frustrating year, not being able to play a lot and not knowing the language. But I think with a little time, showed been wonderful defense play. In time he will become a big impact in the league.

Mike D. has continued to stun and amaze people with his perception of the game as a shooter and a point guard -- or ‘point forward.'

2. Reports claim that Mussleman and Dunleavy had an altercation at a shoot around before the Pacers game on March 2, is it true? If so, what happened? Is the team happy with Mussleman? Are you?
[Adonal] “What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.” I think that the locker room is a sacred place and we should try to keep whatever happens in that sacred place.

Conflict is inevitable in all sports. And sometimes, they can be taken out of context.

Anonymous in Benicia, CA asks...
I made my JV basketball team this year but found it hard to do well. I was so afraid of making mistakes and felt there was a lot of pressure on me. I made a lot of mistakes. What advice do you have on the mentality of basketball?
[Adonal] I could attest to the fact that this year has been difficult for me, especially since every time I made a mistake, I found myself going back to the bench. So, it happens at every level – JV, Varsity, College, the NBA...What works for me, is that to truly play this game the right way, you should let go of everything and focus on the moment. Mistakes are part of the game. And no coach or player can play a perfect game. So as hard as it is, my former coach, Paul Westhead, said you have to think of it in terms of Zen, ‘the uncaring caring.’ What he meant by that was as much as you care about it, you have to let it go and give it the opportunity to flourish naturally. Because if you do, it will be a like a snowball affect. It is a Self-fufilling prophecy. Try to remember how much you love basketball and focus on enjoying the game.

Don’t think about the past, just think of the next play, as Larry Bird would put it.

Paolo in Fairfield, CA asks...
How long do you want to play in the league for? You obviously have a future outside of it, how many more years do you desire?
[Adonal] The most important thing for any athlete is not to put a timeframe on their abilities. For me, as long as I continue to have fun and play at the highest level, I will continue to play basketball.

But if someday, I find my skills diminished and the game is no longer fun - that is when I will bow away from the sport.

John in Berkeley, CA asks...
How come the NBA and Golden State Warriors run those "fluff" ad's touting their various "build a neighborhood basketball court" and "Read to Achieve" campaigns, and yet your very important work around Democracy Maters doesn't get hardly any publicicty at all?
[Adonal] The Warriors have given me some face time for ads and have tried to give me more press about my organization. In general, hitting political issues is hard in sports because people don’t want to bring the outside world into the sporting realm. And that was evident by the response to Steve Nash wearing a ’Shoot for Peace’ T-Shirt during the All-Star break, opposing the War in Iraq. At heart, most people believe politics has nothing to do with sports. But I’m trying to change that everyday. After all, we chose not to participate in the Olympics when Hitler was ruling Germany. And Muhammed Ali refused to go to war. Sports have always been a merging force with politics. And that is never going to change. But we need a new breed of sports people to take up the banner.

Jacob in San Francisco, CA asks...
What do you think of Lebron James as a basketball palayer and do you think LBJ will improve in the of season?
[Adonal] LeBron has already exceeded expectation in his physical maturity and basketball knowledge. I look forward to great things in his future. And I think he will be a great addition to the game of basketball.

Mike in San Francisco, CA asks...
When you were a kid, what was your favorite subject?
[Adonal] In elementary school, it was health education. And in light of all of the many issues many people face each day, it’s one to be taken very seriously.

Chris in Fairfield, CA asks...
I was wondering, besides all the educational programs that you do and basketball, what else do you like to do for fun? Do you like to party? Or play video games?
[Adonal] I read quite a bit. I also go to the movies. And I love to travel. If there ever is a Caribbean party happening, I will definitely be there. I do like to party.

Eric in Oakland, CA asks...
Will you be a Warrior next season?
[Adonal] I would love to be a Warrior next season, but a great deal of that will depend on whether or not the Warriors want me back. That would not just mean financially, but also whether or not the Warriors are interested in making me a significant part of the team and helping along my full development as a basketball player. I look forward with an open mind to what will unfold this summer.

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NBA PLAYOFFS 2008 · Eastern Conference Playoffs · The Magic fall to the Detroit Pistons 4 games to 1 in the Second Round best of seven series. For NBA Playoff information, including matchups, player profiles and tickets, click here.>
NBA PLAYOFFS 2008 · Adonal's Playoff BLOG · Read Adonal's daily entry covering each day the Magic's run in the Playoffs. BLOG.>
April 13, 2008 · Nifty Fifty! · The Magic hit the 50 win mark with a 104-84 win over the Chicago Bulls. News Story.>
DIVISION CHAMPS! · Magic Clinch Southeast Division Title! · The Team clinches their first division title since 1995-96. For complete team information, click here.>
Athletics and Academics Camps · 2008 Summer Series Announced. · Adonal is pleased to announce his "Athletics and Academics" Basketball Camp Series taking place this summer in the San Francisco Bay Area. For dates, locations, and sign-up information, click here.>
Full Calendar >>