Hodges Making A Positive Impact
Feb 13, 2008
By: Walter Villa
Craig Hodges, a two-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and one of the greatest shooters in the history of the game, has agreed to work with America's Next Sports Star, an exciting new television reality show.
Hodges joined Larry Bird as the only players ever to win three consecutive Three Point Shooting contests at the NBA All-Star Game.
Hodges, who played 10 years in the NBA, led the league in three-point shooting percentage three times.
Hodges, born in Park Forrest, Ill., played his college ball at Long Beach State from 1978 to 1982. He played alongside the legendary Michael Jordan when the Bulls won NBA championships in 1991 and 1992. After Hodges' NBA career was over, he played one season of pro ball in Italy.
Hodges is now an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers.
We recently spoke with Hodges about America's Next Sports Star, the NBA and his two grown sons, who have followed his footsteps by studying at Long Beach State.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO AMERICA'S NEXT SPORTS STAR?
"It looked like a great opportunity to give talented players a second chance to follow their dreams. It will give these players great exposure."
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYERS DO YOU THINK WILL TRY OUT FOR AMERICA'S NEXT SPORTS STAR AT MIAMI THIS SATURDAY AND AT THE OTHER CITIES ON THE TOUR?
"I think you are going to find a real high level of players. There are great players all around the country who - for whatever reason - are not in the NBA or have yet to make it. Hopefully, through this show, we will help players get some exposure."
SINCE YOU WERE DRAFTED IN THE THIRD ROUND AND DID NOT HAVE THE JOB SECURITY OF A TOP PICK, DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN REALLY IDENTIFY WITH THE PLAYERS WHO WILL COMPETE ON AMERICA'S NEXT SPORTS STAR?
"No doubt. That is the beautiful part of the game. It is an equal-opportunity game. If you work hard and have talent, you might receive the opportunity of a lifetime.
"As you get older in the game, the funnel keeps shrinking. When you go from junior high to high school and from high school to college, the number of players who can excel keeps shrinking. To get to the NBA, the number of players who can make it are exceptionally low. It's like catching lightning in a bottle - you have to be prepared for it."
YOUR SON JIBRIL IS PLAYING IN THE CBA IN BUTTE, MONTANA. MIGHT HE BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE SHOW?
"No, because he is busy with his CBA season. But he knows about the show and is excited about it."
JIBRIL AND JAMAAL BOTH ATTENDED YOUR ALMA MATER, LONG BEACH STATE. DOES IT MAKE YOU PROUD THAT THEY FOLLOWED IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?
"It is a blessing to see your kids rise up and grow to be good citizens and scholars."
YOU WERE ONE OF THE GREATEST SHOOTERS IN NBA HISTORY. WHAT WAS YOUR SECRET?
"There was no secret. It was a matter of form, technique and hard work. There was not a lot of movement in my shot. I made sure every shot was generated by my legs, which is why my shots were rarely short.
"One of the things that I did was train my eyes on a spot and let my body take over. You don't want to aim, you just want to shoot the ball 6 inches above the front of the rim and 2 inches inside of it. "
IN YOUR ROLE AS A LAKERS ASSISTANT COACH, WHICH OF YOUR PLAYERS HAS IMPROVED HIS SHOOTING BASED ON YOUR TEACHINGS?
"Jordan Farmar is someone who has really improved, and I would like to think that I have helped him."
(Editor's note: Farmar's field-goal percentage from his rookie season to his second year has improved from 42.2 percent to 47 percent. His three-point accuracy improved from 32.8 percent to 38.5 percent.)
WHO IS THE BEST PURE SHOOTER IN THE NBA TODAY?
"I think Ray Allen. He shoots it the same way every time."
THE RECENT SHAQ TO PHOENIX AND MARION TO MIAMI TRADE HAS CAUSED A STIR IN THE NBA. WHO GOT THE BETTER OF THAT TRADE IN YOUR OPINION?
"I think it will help both teams. Shawn Marion wanted out of Phoenix, and Shaq wanted needed out of Miami. The Suns are hoping that can Shaq can help them make a championship run, but I don't see it happening. It is going to be difficult at this time of the year for Shaq to get acclimated to the Suns' running style."
YOU HAVE LONG BEEN POLITICALLY ACTIVE. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN FROM TODAY'S NBA PLAYERS OFF THE COURT?
"To whom much is given, much is required. It is not for me to tell anyone what to do, but I think we all have a responsibility to try to end the pain and suffering going on in our communities."
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A HEAD COACH IN THE NBA?
"(Laughs.) No. Even my job now, it's a job. What I really want to do is impact people in a positive way."
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