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The Honolulu Advertiser
Room predrag_savovic Transcript Posted at 8:10 p.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2002

Savovic chats with readers

Dayton Morinaga: Welcome to the Honolulu Advertiser's live chat with University of Hawaii basketball player Predrag Savovic:. If you have any questions for Savo, please whisper them to me. We will get started with an opening statement from Savo.

Predrag Savovic, right, answers questions from readers during a one-hour live chat in The Advertiser's newsroom. Sports Editor Curtis Murayama provides typing assistance.

Scott Morifuji • The Honolulu Advertiser

Predrag Savovic: Welcome everybody and thank you for supporting us this year and watching our games.

Dayton Morinaga: njacinto says: Savo, great game against Tulsa. Did you get to see the Sports Illustrated article and picture? Did the players enjoy it?

Predrag Savovic: Yes, we are happy that the University of Hawaii got some national exposure. And it means a lot to us as a University and the state of Hawaii as a whole.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: I am hoping that you get drafted in the NBA. However if you are not,will you consider playing in Europe?

Predrag Savovic: Yes. I will consider playing in Europe. Playing in Europe will be closer to my home so my family can finally see me play.

Dayton Morinaga: Island Son asks: Do you follow your brother's status at Ohio State during the season? Are you two each other's biggest critics?

Predrag Savovic: Yes, I follow. And he critiques me and I critique him a little more.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: What about extending your education?

Predrag Savovic: I am applying to law school (here in Hawaii). And hopefully I get in because that's what I want to end up doing.

Dayton Morinaga: Island Son says: Got to see you in San Jose last week. What did you guys do different to bounce back and get up for Rice and Tulsa?

Predrag Savovic: A reality check. It was good for us (to lose to San Jose State) in a sense. Because we got a sense of urgency and we got it back after that loss.

Dayton Morinaga: Chessmanwants to know: Who is your favorite NBA player?

Predrag Savovic: It might sound weird but I really don't have one.

Dayton Morinaga: njacinto asks: What do you think are your team's chances of getting an at-large bid to the NCAA's?

Predrag Savovic: I'll answer that question in April. :)

Dayton Morinaga: costasfan asks: Do you practice flopping to draw fouls?

Predrag Savovic: I used to.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki wants to know: How did you end up coming to Hawaii?

Predrag Savovic: Coach (Jackson) Wheeler recruited me from a camp in Los Angeles. I visited (Hawaii) and that's how I came here.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: Do you think that you have the ability to play at the next level?

Predrag Savovic: I'll let others judge me on that.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: What other sports did you try before entering basketball?

Predrag Savovic: Water polo and swimming. Track and field, also.

Dayton Morinaga: Island Son asks: Because you don't have a favorite NBA player,is there anyone present or past that you try to tailor your game toward?

Predrag Savovic: No. I always, in my life, tried to combine the best out of the best.

Dayton Morinaga: njacinto asks: How do you feel about having to perhaps face Tulsa again in the WAC Tournament?

Predrag Savovic: I feel good about it because we've beaten twice on their homecourt.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki asks: Are you better than your brother?

Predrag Savovic: We are different type of players. And we are very good at what we do.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: Who on your team this year do you think emulates your game?

Predrag Savovic: I don't think anybody copies me. Everybody's in their own zone, bringing different qualities to the floor.

Dayton Morinaga: Island Son asks: I notice sometimes you and Coach Wallace get into it on the sideline. Is it more coaching from him or do you have a Jordan/Jackson relationship?

Predrag Savovic: Coach Wallace and I have a great relationship on and off the court. And when we "get on each other" on the floor, it's for the best for both of us.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki wants to know: How did you start that "I am Savo" stuff?

Predrag Savovic: Thanks to The Honolulu Advertiser article.

Predrag Savovic: It's going to stay forever.

Dayton Morinaga: njacinto asks: Do you feel UH should be ranked in the Top 25? Georgia (who you've beaten) is already there.

Predrag Savovic: It's not for us to decide.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: Riley says that you will need to play better defense and rebound more to play in the NBA. What steps are you taking to achieve that?

Predrag Savovic: I think I have to focus on more of that, which I've been doing the past four games.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: What WAC team do you think would match up well with Hawaii?

Predrag Savovic: Every team in the Western Athletic Conference is tough to play, away and home. And there are no favorites.

Dayton Morinaga: jeff hattemer asks: What's your favorite food?

Predrag Savovic: Pasulj

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki asks: Can the team get much better or has it peaked?

Predrag Savovic: It's type of beans, cooked with meat and little paprika.

Predrag Savovic: There is always space for improvement.

Dayton Morinaga: J shimabuku asks: It seems like there has been a lot more focus on the friendships that have been made on this year's basketball team. Do you agree?

Predrag Savovic: This year's team gave us life-long friendships.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: How would you rate your shot selection so far this season?

Predrag Savovic: I wouldn't rate it. I would just say that I take shots that I feel I can make.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: What do you think needs improvement with the UH team?

Predrag Savovic: Offensive rebounding. On-the-ball defense.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki asks: How do you pronounce your first name?

Predrag Savovic: Roll the r's ... Prrre - drrrag

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: Do you guys enjoy watching other UH sports?

Predrag Savovic: Yes. We're supportive of all UH sports.

Dayton Morinaga: Island Son asks: Are you the type to trash talk during games? If so, who in the WAC do you love trash talking to?

Predrag Savovic: I love to trash talk Nevada players ... because they trash talk all game.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: Are you planning on living in Hawaii the rest of your life?

Predrag Savovic: Yes. I plan on living on Hawaii for a long, long time.

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: Hos is the team picking up any new plays that the coach said he was putting in.

Predrag Savovic: We are very flexible about adding plays.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Are there any of your family member into sports aside from your brother,and what sports are those?

Predrag Savovic: My father was a great track and field (decathlon) athlete. My mother was a handball player. My uncles were soccer players.

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: How often do you get to go back home?

Predrag Savovic: Once in 4 1/2 years.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Do you play chess and if yes, are you good at it?

Predrag Savovic: Yes. I check with you how good I am. Wanna play?

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: What would you say to other Europeans who aspire to play any sport in America?

Predrag Savovic: Be ready for a tough competition and cutthroat selection.

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: Is coaching a possibility in your future? It would be hard for a team to match your intensity.

Predrag Savovic: Maybe. In the future.

Dayton Morinaga: Duckie 17 asks: Have you ever tried playing volleyball? Do you think you could take on Dejan Miladinovic?

Predrag Savovic: No. It's not my thing. Dejan is great at what he does.

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: What's your favorite local food?

Predrag Savovic: I like pot stickers. Chicken egg rolls and Teriyaki chicken.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Europeans are getting noticed in the NBA lately. What is your reaction to that?

Predrag Savovic: It's a great thing for the game of basketball because it diversifies it and gives a whole new dimension to it.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: Do you have a girlfriend? Name?

Predrag Savovic: No. No name.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Was there a point in time that you regretted coming to UH?

Predrag Savovic: Never. This was one of the greatest things that happened to me.

Dayton Morinaga: Five-O asks: Are you active in recruiting any players from back home? Seems like UH is taking a more international approach to recruiting international players.

Predrag Savovic: No. I lost contact with players back home.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: What do you think about the quality of the education at UH?

Predrag Savovic: Challenging.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: What is your favorite movie?

Predrag Savovic: The 12 angry men.

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: Was this past road trip the longest you have ever been on?

Predrag Savovic: No. The longest trip was last year when we won the WAC title and then went to Dayton for the NCAA.

Dayton Morinaga: Island_Son asks: Other than the obvious, why did you transfer from UAB to UH?

Predrag Savovic: I felt that UAB was not the place where I could stay for a long time.

Dayton Morinaga: dschneider asks: My children are fans of yours. They want to know how old you are?

Predrag Savovic: I am 25.

Dayton Morinaga: Duckie 17 asks: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

Predrag Savovic: Jazz. 1980s music.

Dayton Morinaga: nicole21 asks: Have you have a chance to talk to President Dobelle yet?

Predrag Savovic: No. Not yet. But thank you for your effort.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: What about the wars you have with Carl (Eng,lish) during practice? Does it help both of you?

Predrag Savovic: I wouldn't call them wars. They are just challenges we have with each other and they are helpful for the team, as well as for both of us.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki asks: What is the main reason for the team's success?

Predrag Savovic: Great sense of ohana ... and role acceptance, as well as striving for excellence.

Dayton Morinaga: skandie asks: What do you do when you're not playing basketball or studying?

Predrag Savovic: Work.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: Do you think Hawaii has the potential to win the national title? I personally believe we can beat Kansas and Duke?

Predrag Savovic: I'll answer that question in April. :)

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: What do you think of Carl's chances of getting into the league (NBA)?

Predrag Savovic: He has great potential to be a great player.

Dayton Morinaga: Island_Son asks: Who do you like in the Super Bowl?

Predrag Savovic: St. Louis Rams.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: What do you not like most with your teammates habits?

Predrag Savovic: We don't look at each other's bad habits; we look at it from the positive aspect.

Dayton Morinaga: dd 196 asks: How much of a difference does Mark (Campbell) make over Jeep (Hilton)?

Predrag Savovic: Can you tell me?

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: Where did you come up with the "pull the shorts down" move? Pretty sneaky ...

Predrag Savovic: I learned that from one of the best players from Yugoslavia. His name is Mihailo Grusanovic

Dayton Morinaga: nicole21 asks: What is the best basketball game you've ever watched?

Predrag Savovic: I rarely watch sports on TV. But the best I've seen was last year's WAC championship game when we beat Tulsa.

Dayton Morinaga: tanuki asks: Do fans bother you in public?

Predrag Savovic: No. It's always a pleasure to see that people appreciate what you do, on and off the floor.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 wants to know: What about playing with Troy (Ostler) in Latvia if you don't make the NBA?

Predrag Savovic: I don't about that right now.

Dayton Morinaga: nicole21 asks: Do you follow your soccer national team?

Predrag Savovic: No. Unfortunately.

Dayton Morinaga: Does Carl English have a girlfriend?

Predrag Savovic: YES!!!

Dayton Morinaga: Duckie17 asks: Do you keep in contact with former UH basketball players?

Predrag Savovic: Some. Yes. Todd, Lane, Nerius.

Dayton Morinaga: Who is Carl's girlfriend?

Predrag Savovic: A beautiful girl from Newfoundland who he loves very much.

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: Have you ever blocked one of Carl English's shots?

Predrag Savovic: Hell, yeah I've blocked many of his shots. :)

Dayton Morinaga: Duckie17 wants to know: Does Phil Martin have a girlfriend?

Predrag Savovic: Phil Martin? I don't know (that he has a girlfriend).

Dayton Morinaga: Do you admit that Carl English is the best blocking guy on the team?

Predrag Savovic: No. Lance Takaki is the best-looking guy.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Did you ever consider trying out for the Yugoslavian national team?

Predrag Savovic: I tried out last summer for our national team that will play in the World Championship.

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: Have you thought of any nicknames for this year's awesome team? You know, like Fab Five ...

Predrag Savovic: United Twelve ... or Worldwide Twelve.

Dayton Morinaga: nicole21 asks: What is your favorite place to hang out?

Predrag Savovic: Troy's ...Aaaron's ... Ryan's ...

Dayton Morinaga: Carl23 asks: My friends and I are going to your practice on Friday. Can we take a picture with you?

Predrag Savovic: Sure, why not?

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: Is this UH team the smartest (basketball wise) you ever played with?

Predrag Savovic: Hard question because every team is intelligent in its own way. But this team has something special that makes us so good.

Dayton Morinaga: joshinewa asks: Why can't you guys dunk?

Predrag Savovic: Because we are groundhogs.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: What has been the best thing about living in Hawaii for you?

Predrag Savovic: Being surrounded by such wonderful people and weather and making lifetime friends.

Dayton Morinaga: dd196 asks: Do you swear in Serbian when you get mad?

Predrag Savovic: Yes.

Dayton Morinaga: dschneider asks: How old were you when you first started playing basketball?

Predrag Savovic: 12.

Dayton Morinaga: j_shimabuku asks: Are there a lot of fans who show up to your practice wanting pictures or autographs? If so, did that occur last year as well?

Predrag Savovic: No. Not a lot during practice. More during the game. It's happened more so this year.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: How much would pay June Jones per year?

Predrag Savovic: How much would June Jones take to stay here?

Dayton Morinaga: joshinewa asks: Why won't many of the inside players dunk instead of taking layups?

Predrag Savovic: Because we are groundhogs ... me leading the way, we can't dunk for nothin'.

Dayton Morinaga: dunkman asks: What do you think about the guys who wave the flags every time a player from a different country scores?

Predrag Savovic: They are our big fans and friends.

Dayton Morinaga: waynekai asks: What is you pregame ritual?

Predrag Savovic: It's hard to explain over the Internet. But, I things to be squared up (clean, neat, in place) in my house and in my locker.

Dayton Morinaga: Duckie17 asks: Who is the nicest guy on your team?

Predrag Savovic: All of my teammates are great guys.

Dayton Morinaga: We will be wrapping up the chat shortly. Savo needs to go home and study. We will take only a few more questions.

Dayton Morinaga: CARL23 asks: Do you think Carl would let me take a picture with him on Friday at practice?

Predrag Savovic: I think he would.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Do you think you are the leader of this team?

Predrag Savovic: This team has many leaders.

Dayton Morinaga: chessman asks: Does Savo mean anything in your native language?

Predrag Savovic: Savo ... doesn't have a meaning.

Dayton Morinaga: miloscampbell123 asks: What is it like hearing people refer to you as the leader of the Warriors?

Predrag Savovic: It's a compliment for people seeing me as such as person.

Dayton Morinaga: That will be the last question for this session. Predrag Savovic: will make a final closingt statement.

Predrag Savovic: Thank you for being here with me tonight. I hope all of you enjoy the rest of the season and wish you all good luck and God bless. Please come out to the games and watch the Warriors.

Dayton Morinaga: A transcript of this entire live chat will be posted on this site later this evening. Good night and thank you for participating.