Emeka Okafor, the 2005-05 got milk? Rookie of the Year, led all rookies with
averages of 15.1 points and 10.9 rebounds in 35.6 minutes played last season
for the Charlotte Bobcats. He was one of only nine players in the league to
average a double-double and posted 19 consecutive double-doubles from
November 21, 2004 to January 1, 2005 - the longest such streak by any NBA
player during the season and longest streak for a rookie since 12-time NBA
All-Star Elvin Hayes posted 60 straight from October 30, 1968 to February
22, 1969.
Okafor spent a hectic offseason trying to make himself a better player,
teammate and person both on and off the court. He started the summer by
heading to Europe with Bobcats guard Kareem Rush, and then headed back to
Houston to train with the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon. From there, he headed
to Los Angeles for a taping of Wheel of Fortune that helped contribute to
the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund before heading back to Charlotte to
prepare for the 2005-06 season.
Miami, Fl.: Lets say that you have games 2 nights in a row. Can you take us through what it's like after the first game ends and what happens up until the next game? Like do you fly out the same night, how do you fit sleep in, meals, fun time, etc?
Charlotte, NC: Obviously when playing in college there are hardcore rivalries (of which we dont see much of in the NBA anymore), but, how do things change when you are playing on the same team and teammates now with guys you have played and fought against at the college level?