Q&A With Thabo Sefolosha
Reached by phone at his home in Chicago, newly acquired Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha said he looks forward to joining the team and promised to do whatever he can on the court to help Oklahoma City win.
Sefolosha, 24, is regarded as a exceptional defensive player who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end but is an inconsistent shooter. He was stuck in a jammed backcourt in Chicago and never really got a chance with the Bulls after they selected him 13th overall in 2006. But because of his youth, professionalism and all-around skills, the Thunder think he has the potential to be a mainstay in Oklahoma City. Here’s what he had to say about the trade and joining a new team for the first time in his career.
DM: What was your reaction to today’s trade?
TS: I welcome the trade. I think it’s going to be a good situation for me. I’m happy to come and play with some very good young players. It’s a lot of talent on this team so I hope I’m going to be able to help the team and showcase my talent.
DM: Do you expect to start right away? What has the Thunder coaching staff and front office told you about what they expect from you?
TS: I haven’t talked to the coach yet. I’m just ready to come and work hard and hopefully get a spot in the starting five. But I just want to come and play hard and bring with the team whatever the coach asks me to and play with passion and intensity.
DM: You haven’t received much playing time in your three years in Chicago despite being drafted 13th overall in 2006. Do you look at this trade as a new beginning?
TS: Yeah. That’s how I look at it. Obviously the backcourt here in Chicago was a little bit crowded so I understand this trade on the Chicago Bulls part. So I see it as a fresh start, coming into a young team where I really think I can fit in and I’m really excited about that.
DM: What do you know about the Thunder?
TS: I heard it’s really good management over there. They’ve got some very good draft picks. So it’s a good situation, I’m sure.
DM: How would you describe your game? What can fans expect to see?
TS: They can expect to see me playing hard every night, playing defense and doing whatever I can on offense. Just trying to help the team whatever way I can.
DM: What are your travel plans? Will you come to Oklahoma City or will you join the team on the current road trip?
TS: I don’t know. I haven’t talked to the GM or the coach yet so I don’t know exactly what the plan’s going to be.
DM: How did you find out about the trade?
TS: It’s funny because I didn’t have my phone with me. I was just at home relaxing and my brother came back from school and said, ‘Oh, I heard you got traded.’ And I was at practice earlier today. And when he came and told me that I went and checked my phone and called John Paxson. That’s how I found out.
DM: What were your emotions after you found out?
TS: It was mixed because I’ve got my family here. I’ve got my brother going to school here and everything. So I was happy as far as basketball. But it’s my first time going through a trade like these and having to trade cities during the season. So I’m just a little bit anxious about that, but as far as basketball I’m sure it’s going to be a great situation.
DM: Can this situation with the Thunder be what you need to take the next step in your career?
TS: I hope so. That’s how I should look at it because they have a spot for me over there. Even if it’s not in the starting five I really hope to bring something to this team.
DM: Anything you want the fans to know about you?
TS: Not much. Just that I’m excited to come to Oklahoma. That’s about it.
-DM-
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Comments
Can’t say I know a whole lot about the guy, but given what I’ve read about him around the net and on here he sounds like a really good on the ball defender at the 2-guard spot with an all around offensive game and an outside shot in progress….Sounds to me like a carbon copy of our current starter at the position with 2 years of experience.
Idk DAK, Weaver has been a very inconsistent. Even though I agree with you by saying I don’t think this is necessarily what we needed in the 2-spot. I assumed they would go for an ace shooter, or a big man like Jamison that could bring a little D in the paint.
I really like the rebounding Thabo is going to bring to the Thunder. He’s an excellent rebounding two guard and a good rebounder at small forward.
You put Thabo alongside Durant and Westbrook and you have one of the best rebounding perimeter groupings in the entire NBA, and they can be that for the next 6-8 years, at least.
That will take a huge amount of pressure off of the big men and should help Oklahoma City to be one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA for a long time. Imagine if the Tyson Chandler trade had of gone through? Wow.
I also think Thabo immediately becomes the best defender on the team. He’s a very nice pickup — Sam Presti deserves a lot of praise for this move.
Well… we’re anxious to meet you as well, Thabo
DM, is he going wear #2 for us?