By Pete McEntegart--Sports Illustrated
December 23, 2002
SI: Is it true you abide by a pyramid of success modeled upon John Wooden's?
Kilborn: Yes. It starts with "Check your negativity at the door," it moves over to "Hug a rainbow," and then there's "Shower up." I'm kind of writing it as I go along.
SI: How come the Fighting Bobcats of Montana State almost never make the NCAA tournament?
Kilborn: There's more to life than winning basketball games. That's what you have to remind yourself when you're not winning basketball games.
SI: You played forward and guard in college. How would you describe your game?
Kilborn: I was an outside shooter. Defense was not something I was particularly interested in. I was the poor, poor, poor, poor man's Pistol Pete.
SI: Do you think some of the current ESPN anchors are stealing your shtick?
Kilborn: You're assuming that anyone still watches SportsCenter. Kidding! I apologize to America if I started this phenomenon [of using highlights as vehicles for wisecracks]. Just give me the scores! If I want comedy, I'll watch the CBS Evening News.
SI: As a Vikings fan, and a Minnesotan, what's your take on Randy Moss?
Kilborn: He's a punk. But the Vikings are in this world to keep me humble. I have a great job, a great house, pretty nice glutes. The Vikings keep me down-to-earth because they'll never win a Super Bowl.
SI: What was the best thing about being the play-by-play guy for the CBA's Savannah Spirits in 1987-88?
Kilborn: A couple of times they were short players and I got to practice. If you think I didn't play defense in college, you should have seen me in the CBA.
SI: Yourself aside, who's the best celebrity basketball player in Hollywood?
Kilborn: Of the guys over 30 [Kilborn is 40], George Clooney and David Duchovny. Clooney is avoiding me. He's waiting for me to get older. I've got the Larry Bird lower back, but I'm confident I can take him.
