INTERVIEW : JOSH CHILDRESS Interview by: Jeff McMenamin HTV: You grew up in Compton, California which parks/rec centers around LA did you play at as a kid? CHILDRESS: I pretty much lived at Enterprise Park. I mean I played there every single day and it was a great place to be growing up there and having that gym right next to my house was great for me. HTV: What NBA player did you idolize as a kid? CHILDRESS: As a kid I grew up idolizing Scottie Pippen because I loved the way he played and he had a great all around game and I just really enjoyed watching him play. HTV: What was your favorite Scottie moment? CHILDRESS: Probably when he got that elbow from Alonzo Mourning and he had a big fat knob on his head but than he just got up and kept playing. HTV: On the AAU scene, you played for the legendary SoCal All-Stars program. Talk about how deep your summer squad was back in the day. CHILDRESS: Yeah, I played on a team called the So Cal All-Stars and we had a pretty good squad. Myself, Cedric Bozeman who played at UCLA, Bobby Jones who played for a bunch of teams in the NBA, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Sampson who is now on the Kings, and we had a couple other guys who played overseas so it was a pretty good squad. HTV:You're the most notable athlete from your high school, Mayfair HS back home in Lakewodd, Cali. What reaction do you get from former teachers and current students whenever you go back to visit? CHILDRESS: Normal, I have always been kind of a normal guy and when I come back to the school I chat with everyone and see how everyone's doing but it's just normal man.
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HTV: What was your experience like at Mayfair as a player?
CHILDRESS: It was really good, I had a really good experience there and I grew as a player there and my coach, coach Bragg he really allowed me to develop and I kind of did what I wanted to do with his guidance such as play multiple positions and I was able to work on things that I wanted to work on for the next level. You know he allowed me to do that, and a lot of coaches don't allow that kind of stuff because their ego gets in the way but coach Bragg allowed me to do that and it was good for me.
HTV: You went to one of the most elite colleges in the country in terms of education and there also happens to be a pretty solid basketball program at Stanford. How did you enjoy your days in Palo Alto?
CHILDRESS: Stanford was really cool man. It was a great place for not only basketball but just a great place to be. It was a nice area, nice campus, obviously nice academics, and I'm really glad I chose to go there because there's just nothing like it.
HTV: In one of the most memorable games in Stanford history, you took down the then No. 1 Arizona Wildcats when you hit a huge bucket toward the end of the game . In fact it was such a big hoop, that basket is known as "The Shot" in Stanford hoops lore. What was that feeling like?
CHILDRESS: It felt good. It felt really good. We were down about five late in the game and we got a steal and basket to put us down three. It was just one of those moments that you just have to appreciate and really enjoy it. I watched that clip a few times online and even still I get chills watching that time because it was just a great atmosphere, two great teams, great coaches, we had Tiger Woods in the crowd, and it was just a great game.
HTV: Your Stanford team was rated No. 1 in the country for four weeks. What was the media attention and pressure like for the team during that time?
CHILDRESS: The media attention was a lot larger than we were used to. We didn't get a ton of media coverage, but the pressure was a bit bigger. Every team that we played came out and played the best that they could. They were all trying to knock off that number one seed and unfortunately we lost to Alabama but it was a great year for us and a great season and it was just one of those years that you wish would've ended in a championship.
HTV: Like you said earlier, Tiger Woods came to a few of the games the years you were on the team. Did you get to meet and talk to him?
CHILDRESS: I got to meet him, but I didn't get to talk with him. He's a little busy (Laughs). He seems like a very nice guy though and I'd love to chat with him now and just to see the type of guy he is. I'm sure he's a great person and he's Tiger Woods you know, he's probably the most dominant guy in sports. So it would be cool to just sit and talk with him and kind of pick his brain and see how he views things and learn a few things from him.
Childress storied career at Stanford included being ranked #1, playing in front
of Tiger Woods and gracing the cover of College Hoops 2K5.
HTV: What was it like to get your face on the cover of ESPN College Hoops 2k5?
CHILDRESS: It was really cool. It was a great feeling to essentially have grown up playing all those video games and loving that stuff and to have that was cool man and it was a great honor. I'm glad they chose me for that.
HTV: Let's get your opinion on a couple of fellow Stanford ballers who are currently in the NBA. What do you think of the Lopez twins?
CHILDRESS: The Lopez twins are very good. They're very good guys and very good players. That's one thing that Stanford has is quality people and they're no exception. They're quality guys and you appreciate that and I'm glad they were part of the program.
HTV: When you were drafted by the Hawks at 6th overall, you became the highest drafted player out of Stanford to the NBA. What does that mean to you?
CHILDRESS: It's a great honor. Stanford had some really good players and will continue to have very good players and to be the highest draft pick out of there I have to say is a great honor for me. I'm really glad I was picked that number and I'm glad I was able to play in the NBA and it was really just a dream come true.
HTV: You had a great career with the Hawks and it seemed as if you were geared for a breakout season after the 2007-08 season. What factors went into your decision to play in Greece?
CHILDRESS: Well I think it was just a combination of a few different things. The restricted free-agent process is a little rough on the players and I got the opportunity to go to Greece and I took it. It was primarily personal. I just wanted to experience something different and I wanted to really blossom and grow as a person and a player. I took the deal and I'm glad I did, It's been a good experience and obviously I'm going back for my second year so it should be fun.
HTV: Was it hard to get accustomed to the Greek lifestyle?
CHILDRESS: Yeah, it was a little difficult at first, especially not being able to speak the language. As days went by though I kind of learned what I need to do and after a month or two I was fine.
According to Childress, not winning a championship in Europe during his first
season was more disappointing then the drop in his stats.
HTV: Did you still talk with your former Hawk teammates?
CHILDRESS: Yeah, I do. I talk with some of them. Primarily Josh Smith and Marvin Williams more than anybody else. They're doing well and they're enjoying their success and I'm happy for those guys.
HTV: You played a lot less games and minutes overseas in Greece and your production (8.8 ppg. & 4.6 rpg.) dipped from your time in the League (NBA career averages of 11 & 5.6 per game). Was the decline in your numbers frustrating for you?
CHILDRESS: It was frustrating not playing the same amount of minutes and all that stuff but at the end of the day it comes down to wins and losses and we didn't win the championship like we should have and that's a bigger concern than my stats. So I'm looking next year to come out with a new found fire and to finish off the season with some trophies.
HTV: What is it like playing in the Euroleague?
CHILDRESS: It's cool. The Euroleague is cool although I wish we played more than one game a week. The Euroleague is cool though and there's a lot of good teams, you get to travel to a lot of different countries, and it's just fun it's really fun.
HTV: How much different is the playing style compared to the NBA?
CHILDRESS: The playing style is a little slower and a little more controlled, but that's the main difference. Everything else is pretty much the same. Basketball is basketball.
HTV: What about the competition level?
CHILDRESS: It's different. There are players in the NBA that probably couldn't play in Europe and there are players in Europe that probably couldn't play in the NBA. Its just different styles and some players are better suited to play in Europe, but a big chunk of the guys are still very talented in what they do. It might not be NBA style but its still talent.
Childress keeps in touch with his former Hawk running mates
especially Marvin Williams and Josh Smith.
HTV: Have the Greek fans treated you well?
CHILDRESS: The Greek fans have treated me very well and they are very welcoming. I appreciate how nice and supporting they've been to me.
HTV: Obviously based on what was reported this summer you thought hard about returning to the NBA. Do you think eventually you will come back to the League?
CHILDRESS: Of course I have and it's something that I don't really know when will happen but it's a thought that I have and when the time comes I'll be able to make that decision.
HTV: There have been rumors that Nate Robinson might join you at Olympiacos, are you excited about this possibility?
CHILDRESS: I don't think that's going to happen to be honest but if it does than that would be great. He's a great player and a fun guy to be around but I'm not sure that that's going to happen.
HTV: If NBA players keep signing in Europe will it make you more likely to stay overseas?
CHILDRESS: I really don't know. It all depends on how I feel. I'm going to do what's best for me and if that means staying than so be it and if that means coming back than so be it. I can't really predict the future so it all depends on how things shape up.
HTV: How do you think the basketball world would change if a player like Lebron James signed with a team in Europe?
CHILDRESS: I think it would make it even more global than it already is. Soccer is still the most popular sport in Europe but it would bring some more awareness to basketball and ultimately bring more fans.
Childress picture here at practice in Greece last season, has been working on
his "ball handling, shooting, post-game" this summer.
HTV: Would it be similar to David Beckham coming to play soccer in America?
CHILDRESS: Yes very similar. I think that's a good comparison.
HTV: How has your summer been?
CHILDRESS: It's been good. I've been training and staying with my family and friends and just relaxing at home. I've been putting in my time in California and getting bigger.
HTV: What have you been working on to improve for next season?
CHILDRESS: A little bit of everything. My ball handling, shooting, post-game, strength, quickness, and everything that I feel like needs work.
HTV: Did you get to watch any of the NBA Playoffs?
CHILDRESS: I watched some of it. I couldn't watch too many of the games because of the time difference. From what I saw there were some really good and competitive games that were fun to watch. There were some great playoff series' for most teams.
HTV: Was it hard to watch the Hawks knowing that you could have been playing on that stage?
CHILDRESS: No because I was in the playoffs too. It wasn't like I left early. We were in the finals in our league and so I was busy doing that.
HTV: What is your favorite thing to do at night in Greece?
CHILDRESS: I chill at home a lot to be honest. Probably go to the beach because the beaches are really nice out there on the Mediterranean.
HTV: What car have you been driving these days?
CHILDRESS: I have a Benz that I got when I first got in the League and I just got the Porsche Cayenne a little bit ago.
HTV: Have you purchased any big ticket items lately?
CHILDRESS: The one thing I purchased this year for myself was a nice watch, but that's it. We're in a recession man I'm trying to save (Laughs).
HTV: What songs have you been playing on your iPod lately?
CHILDRESS: Lately more than anything has been Drake. Not one specific song, but his mix tapes and songs that he's in. He's a pretty cool artist who is very talented. He's just someone I can kick back and chill to.
Childress believes that someday he will return to play in the NBA.
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