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Anderson discusses Pitino, TV shows and fettuccine

Posted: Sunday March 25, 2001 9:45 PM
Updated: Monday March 26, 2001 7:28 PM

Guard Derek Anderson took a paycut this season to join Tim Duncan in San Antonio. One of the league's many good guys, Anderson is a perfect fit with the Spurs.

The former Kentucky Wildcat invited us into the team's locker room, where we plopped onto a plush couch and talked about Rick Pitino, TV sitcoms and chicken fettuccini.

1. Your middle name is Lamont and your favorite TV show is Sanford and Son. Is that a coincidence?

Yeah, it's just a coincidence. I just love Sanford and Son. I love comedies. I have every episode on tape. That show has me rolling. I watched it all the time growing up.

2. What's your favorite episode?

Oh, I love them all. I don't have just one favorite, but especially anytime they are messing with Esther -- like the time they stuck her face in cookie dough and made animal cookies. [Laughs.]

3. Louisville is your hometown, and you went to the University of Kentucky, so how do you feel about Rick Pitino taking the job in Louisville?

I'm a Rick Pitino fan, and I love Kentucky. I don't think he turned his back on the University of Kentucky. He just had an opportunity, and he took it. But it has to be hard, though. Five years removed from the state, then to come back, but to Louisville. That's like Dean Smith going to Duke. But the people in Louisville love him, too. He's going to be all right.

4. Why did you choose to earn a pharmacy degree?

Well, when I was growing up, I always challenged myself to do a lot of different things. I took chemistry in high school, and I really liked it. And no one else I knew was doing it. All the basketball players were just basically going to school. But I wanted to do something different, so I stuck with it. And once I start something, it's hard for me to get away from it. It did get harder, though. But I stuck with it, and I got it.

5. Speaking of challenges, what was your lowest point with the Clippers?

Derek Anderson is the Spurs' second-leading scorer, averaging 16.1 points a game this season. AP

Just after about the second month of the season, looking at everyone's attitude, everyone had already given up. I just couldn't let it become contagious.

6. Do you ever find yourself -- before, after or during games -- looking up into the crowd to check for hot chicks?

Oh no. [Pauses.] Well, I did my rookie year. As a rookie, I was more in awe. I wasn't really looking for girls, I was just trying to see who was at the game -- like if there were any celebrities. But once the game started, my mind was always on the game.

7. How did you get the nickname "Lil' Smooth"?

Man, I've had that nickname forever. My middle school teammates gave that to me in the seventh grade. When I was young, I was a point guard my whole career. They said I played that way, smooth. I never rushed or did too much.

8. I heard you love Italian food. Are there any good Italian restaurants in San Antonio?

Oh yeah. Pitatti's is my favorite. It's up in the Quarry Market district.

9. What's your favorite dish?

I love the lasagna. Oh, and the chicken fettuccine. But I'll try anything. Lasagna is my pregame meal for every home game. On the road, I always have chicken fettuccine.

10. So you've already had some chicken fettuccine tonight?

Yeah, but I'm still hungry.