I'm a big guy, but I play with a guard mentality. I got that from my dad, and it's always stayed with me.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I grew six, seven inches in junior year of high school, so I played guard my whole life growing up. So I think there's where I got my skill set from.
I always keep my guard up with guys and I guess that can get in the way sometimes. I can make them go through hell.
I sometimes get very protective of the people I play.
I was a hockey player growing up. Being a big guy and being imposing, I had to use my size to protect my teammates.
I think my versatility is a big strength. I don't think anybody can guard me, just because I'm 6'10 and can dribble and play point. If I have a little guy on me, I take him to the post. For me to be able to then pass the ball, it helps me a lot.
On certain plays and situations I feel like I have the advantage. But sometimes I just have to not think about the size of the guy in front of me.
If I play a more aggressive, stronger guy, I often go through my day feeling a bit better than when I play somebody who's not.
It's how I've been playing my whole life, guarding the best player on the other team.
Because I'm a big guy, I was always playing the bad guy or whatever, but after I did 'The Blind Side,' where I played a father who's a really loving, likeable sort of person, a lot of those barriers were broken down. People saw me as something softer, not so much as a heavy anymore.
I have always been small, so defenders have always been taller and tougher than me. So that's difficult for me; they foul me sometimes, but there you are - that's what the rules of the game are for.