I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday. Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say.
1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Do you feel that you are better this year?
Brewer: We have a year under our belt, to gel, build chemistry, comradery, another year under Thibs’ system. So I think overall we are getting better. Last year we had a lot of injuries, this year the same thing, so we are learning how to play with injuries, and overall just get better as a team.
2. How are you guys dealing with this season, obviously a young and athletic team you’re set up well, but with not a lot of practices how is that?
Brewer: You have to learn quickly, make adjustments in walk-through and film and test it in games. We have a lot of guys on this team who can do a lot of different things, and I think that helps to our advantage. When some guys who aren’t having great nights we have other guys who step up and make up for it.
3. What’s it like guarding Ray Allen?
Brewer: I mean he’s a tough tough assignment. He comes off two or three screens, has a quick release, one of the best shooters to ever play the game. It’s definitely a tough test for me individually and our team as a whole.
4. How is it with Coach Thibodeau, you mentioned having a year under your belt now, but how was that adjustment, just how defensive minded he is?
Brewer: Man, to me, that’s what allows us to win. He expects greatness on defense, get stops. You can really tell on our team, when we’re successful, we’re defending, we’re rebounding, and that leads to easy baskets. So the adjustment for some guys who were defensive minded was pretty easy, but we’re still learning to get better.
5. How has the addition of Rip Hamilton helped you, a veteran guy who plays the same position?
Brewer: Yeah man, he’s a tremendous addition to this team. He’s only going to make us better. For a vet like him he’s very opened minded you can ask him anything he’s open to tell you what’s helped him be so successful for so many years. He’s huge for us, we’re definitely hurting and missing him right now.
-Keefe
