Latta chats about WNBA season
WNBA star Ivory Latta is
easily one of my favorite pro
fessional athletes And, she's
also one of my favorite people
to interview. Each interview
seems like our first. I always
learn something new when I
talk with Latta. ?
1 thought this would be a
good time to see how things
were going for my favorite
WNBA player, who recently
joined the Atlanta Dream from
the Detroit Shock. I asked the
second-year point guard how
she's been adjusting to the
o switch, as well as the added
pressure of- being a marquee
player again. She said that
she's handling things well. I
also wanted to get her thoughts
on Camille Little joining her
again. Most of you remember
- the two of them from their days
at UNC.
We also discussed her com
ing to Winston for CP's
Weekend, the hot weather, Lil
Wayne and a few other things.
Take a look at some of th?
things Ivory and I talked about
during a very fun interview on
Tuesday.
Ivory: Hey, Anthony.
What's going on?
Anthony: Not too much.
How are you?
Ivory: I'm doing pretty
good. I'mjioing pretty good.
Anthony: Things are
going kind of slow for you all
in Atlanta. Kind of give me
your thoughts on how things
are going for the team.
Ivory: It's going pretty
good. I can't complain. Like
you said, it's a little slow. But
things are going to pick up for
us. We're all going to come
together, and everything will
be good for us in the end.
Anthony: Things have
worked out kind of quick for
you. You went from being a
rookie to being one of the pre
mier players in the league this
vear
J
Ivory: (Laughs.)
Anthony: (Smiles.) How
have you been adjusting to
that?
" Ivory: It's definitely been
a good adjustment. It hasn't
been that bad. But I still have a
lot of things to work on, as far
as me and the team. Like I said,
everything will work out in the
end, buddy.
Anthony: OK. Do you feel
any pressure?
Ivory: No.
Anthony: I mean, you're
all over Phillips Arena. There's
billboard photos of you every
where. You don't feel the pres
sure to do a lot right away?
Ivory: None what-so-ever.
None. I'm just blessed to be in
this position. It's a great oppor
tunity for me to be down here
in Atlanta. But there's no pres
sure at all. None what-so-ever. <
Anthony: (Smiles.) How
much are you enjoying being
back in that Carolina blue
(Atlanta Dream colors)?
Ivory: Aw man, it's great.
(Both laugh.) It's like the old
times. It's good.
Anthony: Speaking of old
times, you have your girl
Camille (Little) back with you.
Ivory: Oh yeah, definitely.
She's doing a great job too. So,
it is great.
Anthony: 1 hear that. Have
you been watching the Finals?
Ivory: The NBA Finals?
Anthony: Yes.
Ivory: Oh man. They
come on too late. I'm in the
bed by 8:30, 9 o'clock. So, I'm
usually sleep when the game
starts. I'm catching the high
lights and stuff.
Anthony: OK. Which
team will win between Boston
and L.A.? Who are you pick
ing?
Ivory: Ah man. I'm a
Kobe fan. But I really want KG
to -win a ring. So, I would pick
Boston. But I became a Kobe
fan this year. I'm picking
Boston, though.
Anthony: I know you like
Kobe. Me too. But you know
the MVP should've gone to
Chris Paul.
Ivory: What? Beyond that.
That's who I'm actually watch
ing right now to help my game
out. I've definitely got a cou
ple clips on him. I believe he
should've gotten the MVP. His
play was outstanding.
Anthony: No doubt. What
about you? How much have
you improved since last year?
Ivory: A lot. At Detroit, I
didn't get to play as much. I'm
getting the opportunity to do
what I love here. I'm trying to
get better every day. I have a
great guard to look up to in
Betty Lennox. You can't go
Photo by Getty Images
Ivory Latta slows down for interview.
wrong with that.
Anthony: I hate to dwell
on the start of the season. But
how hard is it for you to be
patient with the way things are
going?
Ivory: It's hard, without a
doubt. But God has been teach
ing me patience my whole life.
I've really been put into situa
tions that really require my
Ivory: Yeah. That's the
bowling weekend, right?
Anthony: Yeah.
Ivory: Let me know when
it is. I definitely want to come.
Anthony: I don't know the
exact date right now. Text him
or something. He'll hit you
back.
Ivory. I'm going to do that.
I will hit his brother up and see
One-on-One
with Anthony llill
patience. I know things will
workout for us in the end.
Anthony: OK. Let's move
on. If you could play anyone,
one-on-one, who would it be?
Ivory: I'd probably have
to say Chris Paul. He's out
standing. We're good friends
too.
Anthony: So, we need to
get you down here for his
weekend in September.
I ?
what the dates with that is.
Anthony: Cool. So, what
else is new? '''
Ivory: Nothing much. Just
enjoying this hot weather.
Anthony: It's way too hot
in Atlanta. *
Ivory: That's why they
call it Hotlanta. I'm used to the
hot weather, but this weather is
just too hot. I don't be outside
that much.
m
Latta
Anthony: How's every
thing back in South Carolina?
Ivory: Everything is good.
The fam is doing good. Friends
are doing great. Everybody is
just excited. Ya know.
Anthony: Who's gives
you the hardest time in the
WNBA?
Ivory: I would have to say
Tamika Catchings. She plays
on both ends. She does it all.
Anthony: What's the best
part about playing with the
Atlanta Dream?
Ivory: The atmosphere.
Our fans are great. We have, by
far, the best fans in the WNBA.
They come out and support us.
Anthony: What music
have you been listening to?
Ivory: Oh, you cut my car
on and it's nothing but Lil
Wayne. Come on, man. All
day.
Anthony: (Smiles.) Let's
finish up with free association.
Um, Ivory Latta.
Ivory: (Laughs.) Funny.
Anthony: Point guard.
Ivory: The best.
Anthony: Porsche Jones.
Ivory: (Giggles.) I don't
know. I onlv played against her
one time, l think. She's cool.
(Giggles.)*I don't know.
Anthony: Candace Parker.
Ivory: Good player.
Anthony: Camille Little.
Ivory: (Laughs.) Great
person.
Anthony: UNC.
Ivory: The best school
ever.
Anthony: Best female
point guard to, come out of
Carolina,
Ivory: Me.
Anthony: That's what's
up. We're down. Thank you for
the time, Ivory.
Ivory: No problem. You
take care, baby.
Anthony: (Smiles.) No
doubt.
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