Delfino Interview

Saw this interview posted on clutchfans. Really liked how refreshingly honest Delfino can be, and some of the insights he gives.

Looking from the outside, there were more doubts than certainties when Carlos Delfino accepted an offer from the Rockets, a team that had been dismantled in order to pursue a superstar but had failed in their first attempt, Dwight Howard. But the santafesino saw what others didn't and today, six months later, he is enjoying his own very high level and Houston's surprising record, holding the last Playoff ticket at the moment. "The key was not to rush... I made my decision thinking that all of this could happen. I wanted a change after what happened in Milwaukee (editor's note: he was angered when he did not receive the contract offer he was expecting from them). With the Bucks I played a more standing role, waiting for the corner three. Here I have more freedom and confidence, I play more with the ball in my hands... I wanted to grow with the team and luckily it all came together," he explains while he enjoys his day off.

-Your prediction came true, even though you didn't even count on James Harden...
-Yes, it all came together, even though it was well known that a great player was going to come here. Nobody expected much anyway, but the pieces of the puzzle fit together well in spite of the lack of names and the team's youth. We are a fast team, which scores a lot and are ambitious. I feel very comfortable.

-You had a role without Harden and another one with him here, with less guaranteed shots... But you have made the most of his arrival.
-The truth is I was happy when he came here. When we had Kevin Martin, who doesn't create many shots for others, I saw things tougher going forward; but James is no ballhog. He is a natural scorer who can also create, who passes the ball and when he doesn't, he comes in the next day and admits his mistake. You don't see that very often in the NBA. I also always knew my role was to be the "spare wheel" and I liked the challenge.

-How do you evaluate your season? From outside it looks very good, in spite of your physical ailments.
-Yes, while I was physically well I think I did well and up to the challenge. I started off with adductor problems and now my elbow, but I keep patching myself up (laughs). I try not to think about the pain, I don't go crazy. I am going through an important moment for the team, playing a lot, and have earned the coach's confidence. It all adds up.

-It's clear that the system gives you a lot of freedom.
-Yes, freedom and confidence. In Milwaukee I had a more defensive role, waiting on the corner to get a shot... Now I do a little bit of everything. In Houston I'm having fun again, I have regained the joy of playing. I have fun doing a little bit of everything. In previous years I have felt that way when playing for the National Team, but that only lasts a month and a half...

-You have shown again that you can play through pain. Or come back from injury and get back into rhythm quickly.
-There comes a point in one's career when you learn how to play through pain and injuries. You can stand them. There's days in which my elbow bothers me more than others, but I don't think about it too much.

-From the numbers, it looks like your shot, especially your efficacy from the three point line, is key to the team.
-Yes, I'm happy. Everybody even tells me I should shoot more, even on the fastbreak, but sometimes I don't... And that gives you composure and confidence. Yesterday (Sunday) I was 0-5 from three but I don't even think about it, I know that in the next game I will shoot a lot and my teammates and my coach will ask me to do so. When I had a game like that last year I would fall back a bit. The margin of error was smaller.

-Your numbers are a lot better on the road (12.2 PPG and 44% 3FG) than at home (9 PPG and 37% 3FG). Why is that?
-I didn't know that, really? I can't find an answer for that. Maybe it's just that at home the twins don't let me get enough sleep (laughs).

-And how have you been defensively?
-The defensive tasks have changed a bit this season. Last year I wore out in that area, because I had to play more minutes and defend the other teams' best players. Now Parsons mostly handles them and I come from behind, so the wear is different. The responsibility is mostly greater in the last 6/7 minutes. So I get to that point in the game in better shape and can even defend power forwards.

-How was the experience of playing four? I know your teammates had a lot of fun at your expense...
-Yes, my teammates had fun and the press talked a lot about it. But I took it naturally because we had been closing out many games with four small guys and me playing power forward. Now, there were three games in a row in which I had to play Ibaka, Evans and Okafor, who are all huge, and I ended up exhausted. But for a few minutes I can do it, no problem. The experience also adds up.

-McHale highly praised the professionalism and solidarity that is a trademark of Argentine players. Do you feel respected because of that?
-Yes, I luckily had that feeling from the get go with him, and now his confidence and our communication are both very high. He knows I am not a vocal veteran, who is always speaking up and giving advice, but one who preaches by example, plays through pain, works out hard and wears the overalls for the team. He values that highly and he always sets me as an example to the team. That's another thing that makes me happy.

You can tell by seeing him play.