Lakers training camp has been underway for over a week now, with one pre-seaon game already played against the Warriors. The Lakers came away from Sunday night without a win, but for one rookie hopeful, the night was still a golden evening. Robert Sacre, the team’s only draft pick in last summer’s NBA Draft, suited up in his purple and gold jersey for the first time to play an official NBA game. With Dwight Howard still out, Sacre was starting at center. Something the big man couldn’t believe.
The chance to play with the L.A. Lakers rests on Robert’s performance over the next few games. Only three other people stand in his way; Darius Johnson- Odom, Reeves Nelson and Greg Somogyi. Greg, also a center, poses the biggest threat to Sacre’s dream of finding a permanent place in L.A.. But after Sunday’s showing, Robert edged out those he’s competing against, enough to earn the recognition of the most famous Lakers face, Kobe Bryant.
According to the LA Times, Bryant believed Sacre:
“Did fantastic. I think he played extremely, extremely well. He’s a hard worker. He came out and learned the offense and learned the defense. He got the start tonight. He answered the bell. He came out and played exceptionally well.”
Robert has a long road ahead of him, but it’s one filled with promise. The Lakers big man spoke about his game day experience, and his overall time so far in training camp, with Lakers Nation on Monday night.
On the draft and the summer …
Lakers Nation: I think a great place to begin would be to talk about draft day. Where were you watching the draft take place?
Robert Sacre: I was with my family in Louisiana, and we were all in the backyard cooking fish in the outdoor kitchen. My girlfriend and son were there, along with my mom and all of my dad’s family. It was just all of us watching TV, eating fish, and relaxing.
LN: How did you react to knowing the Lakers picked you up?
RS: It was an unreal feeling. Everything I had worked for just came true. It was one of those things where I wanted something so bad and then it happened. It was remarkable.
LN: Were the Lakers your first choice?
RS: Before the draft, I had worked out for 15 different teams and the Lakers were not one of those teams, surprisingly. But I couldn’t be happier that L.A. picked me up. It was meant to be.
LN: After the draft, Summer League and workouts began. What was your overall experience over the past few months?
RS: I think all of the guys on the team have been supportive and really helped me out. The veterans are great and the coaches want to see you do well. They push you. So far, it has been a great experience.
LN: Did anything stand out the most?
RS: Basketball is a business so you can’t take anything personally. This translates into advice from other players and coaches. But, I knew what I was getting into, especially through stories from other guys I know in the league.
LN: Was it harder than you expected?
RS: No. It’s basketball. There are different styles of how to coach and how to work on the game. But it’s what we players know best. This summer may have been a little more difficult than what I have been used to but it wasn’t anything I haven’t seen before. Think about it this way; you’re on your first day of school, every grade you move up, that day is really cool. But eventually you have to relearn things, you get a little nervous and have to adjust. It’s normal.
LN: That is a really great analogy, one I think applies to a lot of new experiences people face. After this summer, though, did you notice anything in particular that you have to improve upon? How have you worked on that during Training Camp?
RS: I need to work on my quickness, and get a better understanding of the overall speed of the game. That comes with time, so I am not too worried about it. I feel comfortable so far and can only take this all one day at a time.
LN: How does playing with NBA-caliber talent differ from your game day experience at Gonzaga? Have you experienced a different game pace?
RS: First of all, I am not just playing with any team. The Lakers have me playing with future Hall of Famers, MVPs, and unbelievable players. You would expect it to be a completely different game compared to college since everything is at a much higher standard. The team, coaches and players, want to win. They push each other and push me; it is really competitive.
Next Page: On the Lakers Roster and the Pre-Season
On the Current Lakers and pre-season game vs. Golden State…
LN: Although the Lakers didn’t win against the Warriors Sunday night, tell me about the overall feel you got after game one.
RS: It was upsetting we didn’t win, but for me, that starting feeling and the feeling that “I’ve got on a Lakers uniform” is one of the greatest feelings I have had. There are no words. I looked around and saw who I was playing with and it was incredible. Indescribable really.
LN: Where do you see room for overall team improvement?
RS: Right now, everyone is getting used to playing with each other. This team has a core group. You’ve got guys from Orlando, young players, and older veterans. The chemistry will come with time, and that’s most important right now.
LN: Team chemistry has definitely been at the forefront of Laker talk this summer. What strengths did you see the Lakers team really exhibit?
RS: Overall, we have a good team with a chance to compete with other top teams in the league. But more specifically, coach Mike Brown really focuses on defense and takes pride in defense. He understands it to be a huge key for us to be successful. All of us are really doing a great job defensively.
LN: After Sunday’s game, how do you think you did?
RS: I think I did alright for the first game, but I can always get better. I have to take one step at a time. You can’t crawl and then expect to run. There are always those baby steps you have to take first. I need to ensure I keep getting better and keep working hard.
LN: You are on a roll with these analogies today! That’s great advice; patience with your basketball game and just working to improve the next step, instead of jumping ten steps, will be beneficial in the long run. But one of the things you have to look out for, especially in your position now, is the team competition. Can you tell me why do you deserve to make this Lakers squad?
RS: I’ve put the time in. I am a hard worker. If you look through my basketball career, I have won a lot of games in my life. I love to win. For this team, that’s what matters. That’s the mentality to have; I just have to show that in camp.
LN: Where do you see yourself fitting into this Lakers team?
RS: I see myself backing up Dwight and I have no problem doing that. He is the best big man in the world and I take great privilege in being behind him and doing it well. Although, I don’t look too much in the future because tomorrow is never guaranteed. I know I’ve said it before, but everything is going to come one day at a time.
LN: It must have been exciting playing with an MVP like Steve Nash. Can you tell me about that?
RS: Playing with everyone was exciting. I looked around when they called my name to start and was in awe. This is a dream come true to play with great guys like that; I’m playing with the best of the best. Think about it; this time last year, I was watching the Lakers on TV and now I’m on the court in the uniform. It was a surreal moment.
LN: Is there anyone on the team you are most excited about having the chance to play with?
RS: No question, Kobe Bryant. I’ve always been a big fan of his. But that’s a tough question to answer as everyone is an honor to play with. So far, there has been great chemistry between all the players. *Laughs* I mean, it’s the Lakers! I want to be part of a team like that! And I am so fortunate to be a part of this team right now.
LN: The Lakers seem to have a lot of characters this year. Who do you think has the biggest personality?
RS: Dwight. He’s definitely a big personality. But everyone is different, and comes from different places, bringing their own characters. For example, right now I am learning Spanish from Pau. I ask him for one phrase a day in Spanish and I attempt to learn it. You might as well learn some stuff while you are out here.
LN: That is awesome! How is he as a teacher?
RS: He’s great. But being from Canada sometimes I mix up my French vocabulary with the Spanish. Pau and I will be talking, and I will butcher sentences he gives me, and he’ll be like “what did you just say?” He always supports me while laughing off whatever I messed up.
Next Page: On Training Camp and Basketball
On Training Camp…
LN: The first week of training camp is over. How was it?
RS: It was training camp. You look forward to it but it’s long days and hard work. It was nothing I haven’t seen before.
LN: Howard is out, giving you the chance to really show what you’ve got. Does this make you nervous at all?
RS: I don’t see anything bad about playing behind Dwight; I get to learn from one of the best centers. I really don’t feel like there is pressure.
LN: Are you worried about Greg Somogyi, seeing as he and you play the same position? He does have three inches of height on you.
RS: I mean, yeah. But it is all friendly competition.
LN: How do you intend to stand out from him and the other rookies looking to make this 2012-2013 Lakers team?
RS: I need to play hard and do what the coaches ask me to do. Honestly, let the chips fall where they may. I don’t have all the decisions; it’s in their hands. I have to do what I do best.
LN: Can you give me one thing that you can bring to the table that the others can’t.
RS: I can always bring energy. And I play great defense.
LN: So far, you’ve been one of the most energetic players I have ever spoken with. But all of this must be a tough experience, especially when you have a son at home I am sure you are thinking about. When things don’t look to be going your way, how do you stay motivated?
RS: I have a phrase I say: “water the bamboo.” I have it tattooed on me. It’s a metaphor meaning you might not see things work out right away, but if you keep doing the right thing, do it well and work on it, eventually you see great progress.
LN: That’s really interesting. Can you elaborate on where this metaphor comes from?
RS: Basically, the Japanese plant bamboo and for three years they water it every day. After the third year, no shoots of bamboo have grown. It’s not until the fourth year that the bamboo will grow six feet in three months. It’s about patience and knowing your hard work will pay off.
LN: There is still some time to show the Lakers what you can bring. What do you expect from the rest of this training camp?
RS: I have just got to play my game. It may get tougher, the camp may get weaker. But the Lakers brought me here for a reason. I have to go from there basically.
On basketball in general…
LN: I understand you are originally from Canada. How long have you been in the U.S.?
RS: Well I was born in the U.S. and lived here till I was seven, and then moved to Canada. I came back after my senior year of high school and went to Gonzaga.
LN: How was it playing at Gonzaga, which has a rich history of basketball?
RS: It’s Gonzaga. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and I would not take it back. I felt great with my decision going there and I wouldn’t go any other place if I had to do it again.
LN: You and Darius Johnson-Odom, another Lakers hopeful, have played against each other the past few years since he went to Marquette. Did you both have a relationship prior to this draft?
RS: Well, I worked out at IMG Academy in Florida with him for three weeks before the draft. Both of us kind of kidded around and then all of a sudden we were teammates. I think it’s mutual that we want each other to succeed and do our best.
LN: For this upcoming season, who do you think is the Lakers biggest competition this year?
RS: In the West, absolutely OKC. And of course, my vote for the East has to go to Miami.
LN: How about who you think will win the championship?
RS: The Lakers. Of course.
LN: That’s what I like to hear! Let’s end this interview on something quirky about you. Can you tell the Lakers Nation readers if you have a secret talent? If so, what is it?
RS: I know almost every movie you can possibly think of that has ever been made. I would consider that talent. My hobby is watching movies.
LN: What is your favorite movie?
RS: Baby Boy (2001) with Tyrese and Snoop Dogg.
LN: Last but not least, are there any words that you live by?
RS: Have no regrets. Life is too short to have regrets. Live every day to the fullest.
If you look at Robert, you notice a few things; he’s big, which translates well to his center position, hes got the arsenal of tattoos you see on many of toady’s athletes, and he looks like he was just made for basketball. But one thing that may not come off right away is how he possesses a great realness and ability to relate to you when you speak to him, while also conveying intelligence. It’s rather hard to find that balance.
When I started my interview with Sacre, he has just left the tattoo parlor, filling up the last spot on his arm with a tattoo of legendary rapper Snoop Dogg. It took five hours. Intrigued by the process, the burning question to ask “why Snoop?,” Sacre and I spent a good 15 minutes chatting about everything that came to mind before I realized I was there to do a job.
This ease that Robert has that makes you think that you’ve been buddies for years translates to his life in a number of ways. When it comes to the Lakers, he fits right in. The hard working player goes well with the easy teammate he can be, especially with the characters this L.A. team picked up during the summer. But Robert doesn’t intend to fade back; rather, the big man plans to be the back-up to Dwight the Lakers can count on. Playing as part of the starting five without nervousness on Sunday night is the first sign of a stable player. His dependability to live up to the challenges thrown at him is admirable, but Sacre is also fearless. I mean, he has to be; this isn’t the time to wimp out.
I’ve experienced all types of athletes working in athletics for eight years, but I don’t think I have met someone so sure of themselves as Robert. At 23, Robert’s got the maturity to be sure of himself and the Lakers team as a full-time roster player. His life is about basketball and playing basketball, but more importantly, he has a winner’s mentality. And from what LN has heard this summer, the coaches and players have done nothing but emphasize a championship in 2013, nothing less. Sacre’s tapped into that thirst, and I believe he’s an asset to get L.A. there.