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Matt in albany, CA asks...
Does it bother you that you do not often get to start or do you like your current role as the backup center?
[Adonal] As long as I get to play a significant amount of minutes, I don't feel it matters when those minutes are, my main objective is to I give it my all when I do get on the court. However in the last season I would end up playing the last quarter of the game, and to me that’s when it really counts!

Dwight in Madison, WI asks...
When you and your team are on the road which is your favorite visiting city to play at?
[Adonal] New York City is a huge favorite of mine because I usually get to watch a Broadway show if we arrive the day before. I also enjoy going to Washington DC because my best friend lives there. I also loved going to Vancouver when the Grizzlies were based there because it is such a beautiful city.

Bethany in Hawthorne, CA asks...
Ok, this might be personal, but are you married?
[Adonal] No, I am not.

James in Glendale, CA asks...
My question is how many languages do you speak and which ones are they? I couldn't figure that out by looking at your website.
[Adonal] At the moment I only speak one and a half languages – the half refers to Spanish, which I studied in high school and hope to become better at in the near future.

Ken in Gerber, OK asks...
How do you like your experience in the NBA?
[Adonal] Although my NBA career has been somewhat frustrating, what with injuries and a dismal team record, I have valued every minute of it and look forward to the years to come. During my time in the NBA I have had some amazing experiences and learned some hard lessons, but it all contributes to who I am and the man that I am becoming.

Kendra in Berkeley, CA asks...
I am a staff member at UC Berkeley. In the fall you speak in the Poli Sci 179 lecture. Do you plan on speaking again in Fall 2004? I would love to attend.
[Adonal] I always enjoy addressing university audiences and if I am asked to return, I would love to do so as long as my schedule permits it.

Jonathan in San Diego, CA asks...
What is it like to be on a team that loses consistently? Is it very frustrating? Are you ever envious of players on contending teams?
[Adonal] Of course it is frustrating, but losing just makes me more determined to do even better next time. I have to admit that I do get envious of players on other teams, especially during playoffs, but I know that I am giving my team 150 percent of myself and one of these days the hard work will pay off.

Joya in Oswego, NY asks...
I was just wondering what your predictions are for the season? How far do you think the Warriors will go?
[Adonal] I think that the Warriors actually have a good shot at making the playoffs this season – especially when I return to the court!

Anthony in San Jose, CA asks...
Will you have a problem getting (possibly) less minutes on the court when you come back healthy? I state this only for the reason that Eric Dampier has been putting up double doubles just about every game...?
[Adonal] That is a fair question, but I think that I will be able to provide Damp with some well-needed relief in the back court. We don’t compete against each other and actually play very well as a team on the floor. I can’t wait to get back in the game!

Luis in Hauula, HI asks...
I would like to know what is your opinion about yout cousin "FLEX" as an athlete and where is he now?
[Adonal] I think that Flex is a very talented athlete with a lot of potential. At the moment he is playing ball for the Las Vegas Rattlers of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

Alex asks...
Who do you see as the Warriors' future pointguard? Is there someone in the League that you'd like to see join the team after Van Excel's contract is up? I think we'll have an excellent team for years to come if we can keep JRich, Mike D., Murph, You and Damp together. Speedy will be a great backup pointguard, but we'll need a long term point - Steve Nash, maybe?
[Adonal] I would never count Van Excel out, but if he does choose to leave, I think that Speedy Claxton could certainly develop into a terrific pointguard. I also think that the strength of our team is that a lot of people can play the point. They may not be perfect, but they are competent. If Nash were to come here, we would have room for him as well. He did not start his career out great, but has ended up being one of the best guards in the League - a pattern that bodes well for Speedy!

Melanie in Oakland, CA asks...
I have enjoyed the Caribbean the last two years - I did the weekend fish fry, club 106 and all of the water trips. Are there any other activities and restaurants that I should try this year?
[Adonal] You must try to visit my island of Canouan in St. Vincent and the Grenadines - we will show you a good time!

Jeffrey in Austin, TX asks...
I know you are a pretty cerebral guy - who else in the NBA would you classify as an intellectual?
[Adonal] There are quite a number of guys I would invite for dinner at my house! I think there is a lot of misconception about NBA players as dumb jocks, but there are fewer of the those than one would think. Being a part of the Players' Union, I am constantly in the presence of many wonderful and intelligent people.

Mark in Danville, CA asks...
I am wondering what you think of the Warriors so far, especially Brian Cardinal and Troy Murphy?
[Adonal] I think the Warriors are going to make it to the Playoffs. Brian Cardinal has been an inspiration this year. When I saw him in Hawaii during training camp I was impressed, although somewhat doubtful if he would make the team, but his determination was unyielding. He deserves everything he receives this year. I am so proud of him. Murphy had a difficult time coming in after his injury and now his ankle is acting up. I think he need a few more weeks and he will be ok.

Matt in San Francisco, CA asks...
As an aspiring basketball player I was wondering what tips you could give me to get better footwork and quickness?
[Adonal] Learning good footwork is like learning how to dance. Repetition, repetition, repetition! If you are not naturally fast, you must become skilled and proficient at what you are doing. Practice, practice, practice! Master three good moves that work for you, then build from there. If you know you steps you will do miracles on the floor.

MJ in San Carlos, CA asks...
Which team would you like to be traded to if the Warriors thought that you weren't in the organization’s future?
[Adonal] I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I am here now, and I will be here until I am no longer wanted.

Lawrence in Fremont, CA asks...
What is your tip for when I face the ring to block the shot? How can I avoid the foul yet still get the block?
[Adonal] Blocking shots while not picking up fouls is a very difficult art. But to master that skill, you must learn to keep your hands straight up in the air, and keeping space between you and the shooter so it is safe meet the ball at the ring.

Zoe in Oakland, CA asks...
I'd like to take my two sons to one of your home games - we've never been to a Warriors game, which one would you recommend?
[Adonal] One in which I am playing! Seriously though, a good game for kids is usually the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday game, since it is in the early afternoon, or a Sunday evening game. However all of the home games are usually fun events, but the Warriors do seem to cater more to families at weekend games.

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