Author: David Shama

Does averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds and five assists seem doable?

“That’s at the very peak.  I think it’s doable but if we’re winning 40, 50, 55 games, something like that, and I am averaging 10-10 and five, I will be fine with that, too.”

When you came into the league some people said you were too small to play power forward and your problems would include not being able to get your shots off near the basket.  Do you think people stereotyped you because you’re not that tall, or athletic looking, or even because you’re white?

“I feel like in some ways, yes, I was stereotyped because of those things you just mentioned.  I really admire Steve Nash (6-3 Phoenix’s league MVP point guard) because coming out (in the draft) he was the 15^th pick.  People we’re saying in the same kind of context (as me), focusing on what he couldn’t do, rather than what he could do.

“I think it was kind of the same thing with me.  People wanted to only mention that I was 6-8 and one half, 6-9.  I was right at the cusp of being undersized for my position. I kind of had a bulky body.  I wasn’t the most athletic guy in the world.

“But I still think I am kind of sold short on my athleticism as far as getting up and down the floor, and finishing around the basket.  I think last year I had trouble just because getting in for the first time and playing against a guy like a Marcus Camby, or a guy like Dwight Howard.  But now I am getting my shot blocked considerably less.

“As far as improving on that, I played against a lot of different guys (Ryan Gomes, Kevin Garnett) during the summer. … I’ve had a lot of doubters my whole life, and one of my favorite things is to prove people wrong.  I feel like I can continue to do that. …”

Could you adapt to the small forward position or would that be too difficult physically in matchups with smaller, quicker players?

“I  feel like I definitely could change my body.  Lose weight, a lot more sleek.  I would really have to work on my lateral quickness.

“I don’t think I am a small forward.  I don’t think I am a five (center).  My natural position is power forward.  But if they needed me to play at the three (during) some parts of the game I think I could do that if we decided to go with a bigger lineup.”

Do you think Spanish Olympic guard Ricky Rubio, drafted on the first round by the Wolves last year, will ever play here?

“I  hope he comes over. There’s a lot of hype on that kid and I would like to see what he can do.”

How fun would it be to have an exceptional passer like Rubio to play with?  Someone to match your talent for passing and willingness to share the ball.

“Awesome.  I  always talk to passers (and learn) what goes through their minds,  where they want to put the ball.  It’s pretty special to see what they can do. “

Who are the three NBA players, past or present, you most admire?

“My dad (a former NBA player).  He taught me the rebounding aspect and the toughness aspect of basketball.  Then I’d have to say a guy like Wes Unseld, an undersized big man.  I love Larry Legend, Kevin McHale, Magic Johnson.  Those big time guys like that are guys I grew up watching on the tapes that my dad used to give me when I was young.”

You had a successful coat drive to benefit the Salvation Army last November. Why did you choose to support a coat drive?

“I thought the coat drive was a good idea, obviously because of the cold in Minneapolis, but also nobody really had a stamp on that.  I remember growing up in Portland, a guy like Brian Grant had a coat drive.  Also, a guy like Rasheed Wallace had a coat drive.  I thought it was a good thing to get a head start in the community.”

What’s your reaction when you hear about NBA players waiving guns at one another in the locker room?

“Around here I am not afraid of it (happening), just because we have so many good guys on this team.  I don’t think the front office or the coaching staff would allow guys that weren’t high character around the organization.

“It is bad for the NBA.  I’ve never seen anything like it, so I wouldn’t even know how to react.

Your uncle is Mike Love of the Beach Boys.  How often do you listen to the Beach Boys?

“I love the Beach Boys.  I have a whole 50 song play list on my iTunes and my iPod.  I always enjoyed their music but I was kind of embarrassed (when younger).  People would make fun of me in Oregon, like, ‘Oh, your uncle is a Beach Boy.’  When I got to UCLA, people were like, ‘Your uncle is a beach boy?  I grew up with them.’  These are kids my age.  Then I thought it was really cool.  It was like, yeah, he’s my uncle.  No big deal. It’s feel good music. I think it’s phenomenal.”

Do you have a steady girl friend?

“I do.  She’s out in L.A. (and) she goes to UCLA.  Her name is Elise.  She is a fourth year senior graduating this year in June.  She is a Newport Coast girl. That’s the greatest spot…if you’ve ever been there.  Unbelievable. ”

Charley Walters is looking for news and willing to compete with other reporters 24-7 to be first with a scoop.  The St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist recently talked with Sports Headliners about his career including his passion for beating everybody else on a sports story.

Walters has worked for the St. Paul daily newspapers since the 1970’s and for about 25 years has been writing his popular notes column with headings like “Don’t Print That,” “Behind the Lockers,” “A Little Birdie Says,” and “Psst.”  His commitment to report the news once had him hiding behind a Christmas tree to learn about a baseball player’s contract.  He also hid behind a rock outside Winter Park waiting for Vikings general manager Mike Lynn.

About three years ago Walters was sitting in his car on a bitterly cold January morning at 5 a.m.  Equipped with binoculars and laptop, he was looking for confirmation that Tim Brewster would be the next Gophers football coach.

Years ago Walters and another St. Paul newspaper reporter, Charles (Buck) Hallman, made a middle of the night visit to Lou Nanne’s house.  “We go over there at 3:15 in the morning, his house in Edina,” Walters said. “Hallman is knocking on the door.  I am standing with him. …Louie finally comes to the door and starts cussing us out and says, ‘What are you guys doing here?’  Charley says, ‘We want to find out who the next North Stars coach is going to be.’ ”

By 4:30 a.m. Nanne, the North Stars general manager, gave in and told the persistent twosome that Bill Mahoney would be named coach later that day.  Hallman and Walters broke the story when it was published in the afternoon edition of the St. Paul Dispatch.

Sometimes Walters receives a news tip from unexpected places.  Walters got word on the Timberwolves being sold and moving to New Orleans from a source who was sitting in a bathroom stall when he overhead two guys talking about it.

The bathroom tipster could also be referred to as one of Walters’ “little birdies.”  How many does he have?

“Flocks of them,” Walters said.  “I’ve got them everywhere.  I’ve even got them at the Minneapolis newspaper.  I’ve got people there that for some reasons would rather have some things in my column than another one.  There’s people all over the place that if they trust you and respect you, they will answer questions and help out.”

Walters said he has the phone numbers for 3,500 contacts.  He’s been collecting those numbers since journalism school at the University of Minnesota.  It was there that he received some advice from teacher Steven Hartgen that Walters has long remembered.

“I was sitting in the front row because I don’t hear that well, and it was reporting 1101,” Walters said. “The first day of class Hartgen came in there and said, ‘I am going to give you students Hartgen rule No. 1. …Here’s my rule, whenever you are interviewing anybody, asking anybody a question, at the same time be asking why is this son of a bitch lying to me?  So that’s probably the best advice I’ve had in my 35 year newspaper career in St. Paul.”