Dionte Christmas Teleconference 7/8/09

Dionte Christmas

On other plans for the summer…After I finish here, I’m headed out to Vegas to play for the Los Angeles Clippers.

On how it’s been playing with Jrue Holiday and Marreese Speights…It’s been cool. Holiday has been playing really well, getting everyone involved. He’s in the same process as I am as far as learning things like that. Marreese (Speights) has been playing well. The first game he dominated, like 28 points and 11 rebounds, and he’s been taking the rookie guys under his wing and showing us the ropes.

On what part of his game needs the most work…Ballhandling and being able to create and get in the lane more.

On what part of his game is the most NBA-ready… My jumpshot

On what advice he’s received from Coach Dunphy since draft night… He’s told me not to hang my head, not to give up on my dream. I’m still here in the mix of things. I’m still on a lot of people’s boards. I think if I play well, I can make a team.

On how it’s been playing on a joint team… I think it’s an advantage playing on a joint team; you get the best of both worlds. There are two coaching staffs who I think are doing a great job right now, and it gives them a chance to see me. It’s another opportunity to get to play with great players; players from different organizations. We have guys like CDR (Chris Douglas-Roberts) and draft pick Terrence Williams, so you get the best of both worlds.

On what his chances are to make it with the Sixers… I think I got a great chance. They’re looking for shooters and hardworking players, and I fit that mold. I’d love to spend my professional career in Philadelphia. I think I have a great opportunity in front of me. I think I’m playing pretty well, pretty solid out here in Orlando. So, I think the opportunity is there.

On if there have been any surprises thus far… No, not really. Coming in, I talked to a lot of guys, like Mardy (Collins) and Lynn Greer. Everything has been what I expected. Guys are quicker, stronger, everybody is paying attention to every detail out here because if you don’t you’ll get burnt. Guys are very skilled out here; everybody’s good. If you weren’t you wouldn’t be out here. It’s nothing I didn’t expect.

On having Aaron Mckie as a coach, as a fellow Temple alum and a guy who played your position in the NBA… The past couple days I’ve been glued to him. I’ve been talking to him about things, mistakes I’ve been making, some of the things I’ve been doing good, things I need to improve, stuff like that. He gives great advice. Even before this process I would talk to him. I would try to get on the phone with him as much as possible before the whole process even started, so I had a relationship with him before summer league. The time I’ve been out here with him and the team has been great.