Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
July 16, 2001

Hidayet averaged of 5.3 points per game. (Allsport)

The Kings' Hidayet Turkoglu has been named to the 2000-01 Schick NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Even though he had problems with injuries, he came on strong late in the season and averaged 5.3 points per game, 210 rebounds, and 52 steals.

The Schick NBA All-Rookie Second Team consisted of Sacramento's Hidayet Turkoglu (34 points), Seattle's Desmond Mason (28 points), Chicago's Marcus Fizer (16 points), Washington's Courtney Alexander (16 points) and Cleveland's Chris Mihm (13 points).

Hidayet Turkoglu: Hello everybody!

Question: Hello Hidayet, What "Aspects" of your overall game do you want to work on this summer for the next NBA Season?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I want to work on my fundamentals. Playing with the ball, handling the ball, and working on my shooting to be consistent. Also physically to get stronger.

Question: Did you choose to play in the Summer Pro League or did the Kings ask you to?

Hidayet Turkoglu: The Kings asked me to play because they wanted me to try point guard for next year. So I thought it would be good to see if I could handle the point guard position. Also I wanted to play. So both of us.

Question: Where do you get your confidence from?....you looked so calm last year for being a rookie.

Hidayet Turkoglu: I played professionally 4 years in Turkey. Coming from there I was confident.

Question: What do you miss the most about Turkey?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I miss my family over there. I also miss the food. My mom's cooking. I gained weight in Turkey. Also my friends.

Question: Which players are you good friends with?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I am good friends with Vlade, Chris, Doug, all of them are good to me. Vlade and I knew each other from before and I can speak Yugoslavian so that was good.

Question: Were there things you had to adjust to playing American ball or is basketball pretty much basketball everywhere?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I think in the NBA, it is the best in the world. It is very different than Europe. Here it is the best players, the best runners, the best jumpers, the best athletes. I was one of the best European players but when I came here no one knew about me. And now I play the best players in the world. It is really different here. I had to start over professionally. Now I have to make a name for myself like I did in Europe.

Question: What do you think the Kings can do this year?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I think we are going to go all the way. We have a great team and have the experience of last year. Next year we will have even more experience. I think we will go to the Finals. We are a good team.

Question: What do you need to do to improve to get past the Lakers?

Hidayet Turkoglu: When we play the Lakers we always lost at the end of the game. It was always close, not like the other teams. Not like Portland or San Antonio. At the end of the game we made simple mistakes. That is why we lost. Now we have the experience and we can beat LA and go to the Finals.

Question: Hello Hidayet, How important is it for The Sacramento Kings to sign Chris Webber for the future in terms of the teams success in winning a Championship?

Hidayet Turkoglu: Very important. He is an All Star and one of the best Power Forwards in the league. We need a leader to take the team to take the team higher. He is our leader and he is going to help us a lot. I hope he signs so we can be better than last year.

Question: Who really made you feel like you could succeed at the game of basketball?

Hidayet Turkoglu: Pete Carrill always helped me here in Sacramento. He talked to me truly. Told me if I played well and told me what I needed to do to improve. I am very happy to be with a group of guys like this to help me succeed with my game.

Question: What is the strangest food you have tried here in the United States?

Hidayet Turkoglu: Oh, I don't know. I don't think there has been anything strange.

Question: Finish this sentence: In America, there is too much ______.

Hidayet Turkoglu: Beautiful Girls. Hahaha.

Question: What hobbies do you have that aren't hoops related or do you not have time for much of that?

Hidayet Turkoglu: I like to play pool, go bowling. I also like going to movies. I like to shop a lot and am a big shoe fan. I love to buy shoes!

Question: What is your main goal for this upcoming season? For next year?

Hidayet Turkoglu: To be an All-Star.

Hidayet Turkoglu: That is all the time I have now. Thank you for coming. See you later, everybody. Peace.