So what got you interested in roller skating?
After my rookie season three years ago, I went to my niece’s birthday party. I had to get out on the floor and skate with her, and I didn’t know what I was doing. People were spinning circles around me while I was falling down. After that I went, like, every day till I got good.
How did you get so good so quickly?
I seriously put a lot of work into it. In my hometown, Louisville, there’s a whole group of people who are lifetime skaters. In the beginning, I would have to get off the floor when they were skating. Now I’m part of the crew.
Do you own your own skates?
Of course—Carrera. Black leather. They cost about the same as a pair of J’s [Air Jordans], $170 or so. It’s the only pair I’ll need for a while.
Do you take your skates on the road?
Just in the off-season. Last summer I went almost every Friday and Sunday night. I’d rather go skating than to a club. Seriously. It’s the same music and you can dance with girls, but it’s smoother on skates.
Can you do any crazy moves?
Moves are for competition. I like couples skating. It’s more fluid, and I’m good at it.
So basically you make sure you look cool out there?
Exactly.
Does skating help your court skills?
Nope. But my court vision definitely helps me avoid collisions.
Anyone talk smack about your skating?
My teammates do. Perk [Kendrick Perkins] says it makes me soft. But I don’t care, because I’m good.
What’s perk do, play video games?
Him? Nothing. Man, he’s asleep.