Last week, Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin took some time to talk with Wildcat Blue Nation.
Sep 30, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin poses for a portrait during media day at US Airways Center. Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Daniel Solzman: Archie, thanks for joining Wildcat Blue Nation today. How are things treating you with the Suns?
Archie Goodwin: It’s going great. (inaudible) I’m just happy to be here.
Daniel Solzman: How has the transition been from playing college basketball to playing in the NBA?
Archie Goodwin: It’s not really that hard. I don’t feel it was that hard of a transition. I think the biggest thing for me now is just going from playing 30-plus minutes a game to playing a much less amount. Of course, I’m going to have to continue to get better and over time, that amount will rise. But for right now, I’d say that’s the biggest difference is just being prepared at all times because you never know when you name is going to get called.
Daniel Solzman: How did it feel to score the first points of your NBA career against the Utah Jazz on November 1st?
Archie Goodwin: It didn’t really—I don’t know—I guess I was so tuned into the game that it didn’t really hit me. I don’t feel like—it’s a big moment, I guess, but it’s hard for what I want with my career to go. I don’t look at it as that big a deal. I’ll have a lot more scoring that I plan on doing in years to come
Daniel Solzman: Do you see yourself as more of a point guard or a shooting guard?
Archie Goodwin: Probably more of a scoring guard because that’s what I’ve been doing naturally. But I feel like can make the transition needed to be a point guard or I can run it in spurts as needed because I have a pretty nice handle or am able to create it off the dribble so I can see myself running it as well. But for right now, I’m probably a 2-guard.
Daniel Solzman: Have you had a chance to catch any of this year’s team play yet? If so, what did you think?
Archie Goodwin: Yeah, I’ve seen them play against Michigan State and then I watched them play a little bit against Baylor.
Daniel Solzman: What do you think of their performance so far?
Archie Goodwin: I think they kind of have the same troubles we did for starting off. We really didn’t know each other that well. When they are playing against teams that have been with each other for a long time, they are going to probably struggle for a little bit until they get, at least, further along into the season because those teams play so well together and they already know each other’s spots as opposed to us where, we get a new group of guys every year. You don’t exactly know where everyone’s going to be at or likes to get the ball at. I think it’s going to take some time for Coach Cal to get them acclimated to it, quickly. They have to have a lot of talent to have a really deep roster to have a lot of size and athleticism on the team. It’s going to take them far, no doubt in my mind.
Daniel Solzman: What is the biggest thing that Coach Calipari taught that still resonates with you?
Archie Goodwin: I think one of the biggest things I learned from him was just about getting loose balls because it’s a lot of things that guys won’t do, especially at this level where guys might feel that they don’t have to do as much as others do. working hard, definitely, should see a lot more minutes as opposed to a guy that’s lackadaisical about a situation.
He always wanted us to get loose balls and make the effort. I feel like that’s something I brought over here. They’re always complimenting me on how hard I work. I’m always going after the balls and trying to come up with plays. That’s one thing that I really learned from him.
Daniel Solzman: Thanks again for joining Wildcat Blue Nation. Any words for Big Blue Nation?
Archie Goodwin: I just want to tell everyone how I miss them and wish everyone the best of luck this year. Hopefully, everyone is with me as I continue to go on the journey and the rest of the Wildcats that are in the league.