Wood touches on NBA career, picks Mavs

While on Saipan as part of the University of Nations team that is conducting coaches and youth basketball clinics, 6’9” forward David Wood took some time to share several of his moments while playing in the NBA.

Wood, who played for the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and the Milwaukee Bucks, explained that while being in the spotlight was a great experience, it also came with many challenges.

“Playing in the NBA is a lot of pressure,” he said. “It is nice to receive big checks and get a lot of attention. It’s like every game is a final exam in school. When you’re getting A’s, finals are not bad, but when you’re getting C’s and D’s and when you flunk, finals are the worst thing in the world.”

“As a professional athlete, it’s awesome when you’re doing great…when you’re hitting your shot, when you’re on fire,’ he said. [But] when you’re going through a slump, its not very much fun at all.“

Wood, who entered the NBA after competing in NCAA Division I with University of Nevada, began his professional career in 1988 with the Bulls, where he suited up with famous guard Michael Jordan.

“I was not expected to make it [to the NBA],” he said. “I truly made it because I had faith. The Bible says all things are possible. Until you believe something, it’s impossible. My road to the NBA was full of failure and when you look at a lot of people in history and they failed, failed, and failed and they just didn’t quit. Winners never quit, quitters never win.”

“I just kept plucking away and the Lord just kept giving me height…I grew late. I just kept practicing and humbly asking people to help me get better and I just never gave up and was able to make it to the show,” he added.

Wood said that his most memorable experiences in the NBA include playing alongside Michael Jordan during his rookie season, as well as competing in the playoffs.

“It was fun playing with Michael Jordan in Chicago. That was my first NBA experience and I’ll always cherish that. It was fun winning big games in the playoffs. I hit a few couple game-winning shots which were nice and I just had a lot of good experience,” he said.

“It was cool [playing with Jordan]. He’s so good and he could just elevate in so many different ways. Most guys can just jump off one foot or two but he could really get up at any time and he did unbelievable stuff in practice everyday not just on TV.”

Wood was asked on Friday who he believes would advance to the NBA Finals, and in the end, who will come out on top.

“I think Shaq is a little bit leaner this year…he’s pretty motivated and they got a good crew in Miami. They’ll make it to the finals,” he said.

“I actually did play against Shaq. I think Wilt Chamberlain was kind of like him so like every 45 years you get one guy like that. We’ll have to wait a long time so we have enjoy Shaq while we got him,” he said.

Just yesterday, the Heat secured a slot in the championship series, beating the Detroit Piston in six games.

Wood, however, picked the Dallas Mavericks to win the title.

“Well I’m pretty tight with Avery Johnson so I’m going to go with the Dallas Mavericks. I think it’s just their time to shine,” he said.