December 19, 2007


Hornets.com caught up with SuperSonics rookie forward Jeff Green for a recent one-on-one interview:

Hornets.com: What are some things early on in your rookie season that have surprised you about the league? Travel, schedule, opponents?
Green: The traveling is brutal; it’s a long way from almost everywhere we play with the exception of Portland. It’s part of the job, so you learn to adapt quickly. As for the schedule and our opponents, you have to be ready to bring it every night. Both teams battle for who’s going to win, so you have to be prepared both physically and mentally.

Hornets.com: How difficult was it for you to enter the draft last summer?
Green: It wasn’t that difficult, it’s just a matter of where you might land in the draft. I worked really hard to get myself in a position to be drafted high, so that definitely helped.

Hornets.com: What are your thoughts on your alma mater this year? Aside from the big man Hibbert, who else should we be expecting to come out of Georgetown?
Green: Dajuan Summers, Jonathan Wallace – a point guard who’s underrated and doesn’t get enough credit for what he brings to the team. Basically the whole team; they all worked hard to get to the point they’re at right now, getting off to a (8-0) start. They’ve got a big game coming up vs. Memphis (on Saturday), which will give them a really good idea of how they match up against some of better teams in the polls.

Hornets.com: How have you adjusted to living out west versus being on the East Coast?
Green: I’ve adjusted pretty well so far; the time difference was tough to get used to at first, but after a few weeks everything was fine.

Hornets.com: Who's been the toughest player you've had to guard so far this season?
Green: In the regular season, I’d have to say Kobe Bryant. He’s an unbelievable player, who does so many things at a high level. In the preseason, it was Tracy McGrady. It’s no secret why these guys are two of the best players in the league.