INTERVIEW - 2002 ESPN Outtakes with Sue Bird

Outtakes with Sue Bird

Dan Patrick cleans up pretty with Sue Bird

UNCUT OUTTAKES: A condensed version of Dan Patrick's interview with Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird appears in the Aug. 5 edition of ESPN The Magazine.

Sue Bird was the Storm's top draft pick and the No. 1 pick overall in the 2002 WNBA Draft.

DP: Biggest difference between college and pro hoops?
SB: The commercial side.
DP: Oh, so we're spoiled?
SB: Yeah, probably.
DP: And the fact that you don't win every night.
SB: Yeah, that's different, too.

DP: Was that difficult, that you lose your first game in the pros, and you'd already lost more than you lost in your senior year of college?
SB: Yeah. That was a little awkward. I probably took it a little too hard, and now I've learned that you've got to get over it because you're probably playing the next night.
DP: Can you ever accept losing?
SB: I don't think so, no. I mean, the difference between college and the WNBA is, instead of getting all upset and sulking about a loss, you have to keep it from getting to you and then move on to the next game.
DP: Can you teach people how to win? I look at you and I see somebody who knows how to win ... is that something you're born with or is it something that can be taught?
SB: I don't know.
DP: You never thought about it?
SB: No, not that way. I've been really lucky. I've always been on really good teams, in high school and college. So I never really thought about that. I don't think so, though. I think it's just something you're born with.

DP: Is there a natural performer in you that wants to entertain?
SB: Yeah, a little bit.
DP: Would you consider yourself a showoff?
SB: No.
DP: Characterize your personality on the floor.
SB: On the floor? I don't know. That's a tough one.
DP: Because you have a personality off the floor. It almost seems like you have more personality off the floor in being able to be yourself, whereas on the floor you seem a little more in control and not as animated.
SB: Right.
DP: Is that on purpose?
SB: I definitely act like a kid off the floor. But then on the floor, I think I grow up a little bit, I suppose because of the position I play.
DP: If you played something different than point guard, do you think you would display a different persona?
SB: Probably. Because I think I'm the one that everybody's looking to to be in control ... but I'm still a 21-year-old kid.

DP: How often does the Larry Bird question come up?
SB: Oh, God. I just tell people he's my uncle now (laughs).
DP: During the course of your college career or even in the WNBA, how often has the Larry Bird question come up?
SB: Well, not as much as I've gotten older. In the WNBA I've only gotten it as a joke ... but in college and definitely in high school. Not even reporters, just random people on the street.
DP: Well, thank God you don't look like him.
SB: Yeah, I know (laughs).
DP: It'd be OK to play like Bird, though.
DP: How would you fare in a 3-point shooting contest with Larry?
SB: I don't know -- hopefully he could show me a few pointers.
DP: You could beat him. He's got a bad back. I think you could take him.

DP: Tell me something that few people know about Geno Auriemma (Sue's college coach at UConn).
SB: He gets manicures.
DP: Does he get pedicures as well?
SB: I don't know, but he definitely gets manicures.
DP: Is that something you can tell by looking at his nails? Or do sources tell you?
SB: I noticed the nails once, and then I asked, I inquired, and this person close to me told me.
DP: What's the deal with his hair?
SB: The hair's always perfect.
DP: Yeah, I know. Is anybody allowed to touch his hair?
SB: Well, he does. He runs his fingers through his hair constantly.
DP: See, I would think it would be a Pat Riley-type thing, that after you guys won, that you want to just mess up the hair -- but it doesn't move.
SB: No. We've messed it up before.
DP: I didn't think that's possible.
SB: Hey, I don't blame him. He's on TV a lot. He's got to look good.

DP: Could you tell there was friction between (UConn men's coach) Jim Calhoun and Geno?
SB: Not really. I mean, they're very cordial -- like, they say "hi" in the hallway and stuff like that ... I think it was probably worse before ... I don't think it's as bad now, but I'm not sure.
DP: I wondered if it was just jealousy. I mean, I would imagine that if I'm Jim Calhoun, and my men's program is successful, but the women keep winning and winning and they get more attention and more love than I do -- that could be tough.
SB: Yes ... in my experience, both have been very supportive of each other, especially the players. The men's players were always supportive of our team.

DP: Most extravagant purchase you've made. You signed the contract -- did you go out and get anything?
SB: No, I haven't bought anything.
DP: Nothing?
SB: Direct deposit. My money is in the bank.
DP: Nothing extravagant? You didn't go out and buy jewelry, stereo, TV?
SB: Nothing too big yet. I'm trying to save some -- it's not like the NBA. I'm not making millions this year.
DP: But what are you saving for?
SB: So I can have something later on. Don't want to go out and buy a car. That's my year's salary. Two Honda Accords, that's my first year's salary.
DP: Is that what you drive now?
SB: No, I drive a Navigator.
DP: Oh, OK. Well, that's $50,000, isn't it?
SB: Yeah, but I didn't buy that.
DP: Somebody gave it to you?
SB: Yes.

DP: So what's this about getting a pet monkey?
SB: I would love to have a monkey.
DP: Why?
SB: Marcel, from "Friends" -- tell me he's not the coolest pet.
DP: But what are you going to do with the monkey when you're gone.
SB: He'll come with me.
DP: You're going to bring the pet monkey on the road?
SB: Yeah, he'll be like my child. I'll dress him in cute clothes, like overalls.
DP: Maybe you could get him a uniform, have him sit on the bench.
SB: He'll be the cheerleader.
DP: I know the team struggled last year. I was going to say -- I was going to make a nasty joke and say that maybe he could play for you guys...
SB: Ohhh!
DP: But that would be mean-spirited, and I wouldn't do that.

DP: When do you fall in line with everybody else and get a tattoo? Or do you have one?
SB: No, no tattoos. Too permanent.
DP: Mom won't let that happen?
SB: Mom's pretty cool, but I don't think I'm going to let that happen. I had my belly button pierced. That's as far as I'll go.
DP: That was big?
SB: Yes, and that's not permanent, so that's good.
DP: Was that a team thing?
SB: Oh, no.

DP: Can you imagine a WNBA player posing for Playboy?
SB: Hasn't there been one already? Am I making that up?
DP: No. They tried to, but Lisa Harrison turned them down. Is there the right amount of money for you to do that?
SB: I don't think so.
DP: Well, you didn't say no. You said, "I don't think so."
SB: You never know until you're in that situation.
DP: Let's say I'm Hugh Hefner and I offer you a million dollars to pose for Playboy.
SB: He's not going to offer me a million dollars.
DP: I'm Hugh Hefner. It's my money. A million dollars to pose for Playboy.
SB: No. I'd have to say no. But I'm flattered (laughs).
DP: OK. Who do you want to see in Playgirl?
SB: Wally Szczerbiak.
DP: Does Wally know about this?
SB: No.
DP: He does now.
SB: I don't know him or anything, but you know, I like to see my fellow Long Islanders do well.
DP: Oh, so that's the only reason you'd want to see him in there?
SB: Yes, the only reason (laughs).
DP: Oh, OK. That was a no-look compliment, I think.

DP: Did you have cable in college?
SB: Yes.
DP: Is that an NCAA violation?
SB: No.
DP: I just wanted to make sure. I never know nowadays.

DP: Favorite "Sopranos" character.
SB: Paulie. Love his hairdo.
DP: Who is the Paulie of the WNBA?
SB: Oh, you're going to get me in trouble.
DP: You're the angelic point guard. You don't get in trouble.
SB: OK then, coach Lin Dunn. They have the same hairdos.
DP: Oh man, you're in trouble.

DP: Anything funny happen at the White House?
SB: George Bush butchered Coach Auriemma's name.
DP: Did you laugh?
SB: We were just giggling on the side. And then Bush said, "Come on, you know I'm not good with English."

DP: First game you remember seeing in Madison Square Garden.
SB: I was probably, like, 8 years old, so around 1988, and the Knicks played the Bulls -- so all I can remember is Jordan dunking.
DP: And that was it?
SB: I don't remember much, but I can always remember I loved Kenny Skywalker. He was my man.
DP: Why?
SB: Because he would fly, man. He was dunking all over the place.
DP: But unfortunately he couldn't do anything else ... what about his hairdo?
SB: Yeah, the flat top?
DP: That wasn't a good look.

DP: Will there be a day when you dunk?
SB: Maybe on a 7-foot hoop.
DP: Yeah?
SB: If they lower the baskets for the All-Star game, I'm in the contest.
DP: You have no ups?
SB: No. I can hit the backboard on a good day (laughs).
DP: Does it fascinate you that in basketball, you can be a very good player and not be able to run fast or jump high? Is the game more mental than people think?
SB: I think so. Especially if you don't have as much God-given ability. You have to be smarter.
DP: So was that a compliment for yourself? Did you just pat yourself on the back?
SB: No, I'm just saying that -- no back-patting.

DP: If you could have a superhuman power, what would it be?
SB: Oh, I'd be invisible.
DP: What do you want to do with that?
SB: I'm a nosy person (laughs). I need to check out what's going on ... I could be like a fly on the wall.

DP: Are you a crybaby when you go to the movies?
SB: I've been known to, if it gets ... yeah. Especially, the one that I always remember, I cried in the movie theater, "My Girl." How can you not cry at the end of "My Girl"?
DP: See, sometimes you're embarrassed to tell people that you cried at a movie, and then they say, "You cried at that movie!"
SB: Everybody cried at "My Girl." I'm not embarrassed.
DP: I didn't.
SB: Everybody who I was with.
DP: Oh.
SB: You're a guy. You don't count.
DP: Oh, I cry .. I've been known to cry at a lot of movies. Man, I cry when my kids are on stage, when they're doing a play, you know ... here's one for you: I cried at Senior Night when Rebecca Lobo's team was introduced.
SB: Really.
DP: Yes, for no reason.
SB: For no reason?
DP: It was just the whole emotion of the families involved. Your parents are still alive, right?
SB: Right.
DP: My mom's still alive, my dad's not. And so when you see people share the moment, then I ... you know, I got kind of silly. I got emotional. I didn't cry on your Senior Night, though, just so you know.
SB: I didn't, either.
DP: Why not?
SB: Well, it wasn't the right time.
DP: It wasn't the right time?
SB: I wasn't sad yet.
DP: Oh.
SB: Because, you know, it's almost not like Senior Night, because the way the NCAA Tournament works for women, you still have two more home games if you're the high seed.
DP: Oh, that's right.
SB: It really wasn't over yet.
DP: So it's kind of like a fake goodbye.
SB: Yep.

DP: If they could pipe music in while you played, what would you want to listen to?
SB: Probably rap. Any kind of rap, like DMX.
DP: But he's angry. DMX is angry.
SB: That's OK. Something that gets your blood flowing.
DP: See, I'm a big Notorious BIG fan.
SB: Oh, really?
DP: Yeah.
SB: No way.
DP: I think he's the best rapper ever.
SB: So do I. He's my favorite of all time.
DP: And if you don't know, now you know.
SB: (laughs) You're not going to finish the line?
DP: No, I'm not.
SB: OK.
DP: But I get this argument from people from the West Coast -- they always say Tupac is the best. And I say no, Notorious BIG.

DP: Do you stay in touch with the rest of the Huskies? Like Svetlana?
SB: Yes.
DP: Nykesha Sales?
SB: Well, they're older than me. But I see them in the WNBA and we always hang out.
DP: So there's a fraternity there.
SB: Yeah, there is.

DP: How were you personally affected by September 11th?
SB: Well, being from New York, you know, a lot of my friends and a lot of my friends' parents either worked in the Towers or somewhere around it. So I was a mess that day because you're trying to get through ... I'm trying to call my mom. I'm trying to call my friends, people who go to school in the city, and you can't get through to anybody. You know, all the phone lines are cut off, so I was a mess the first day. But then, as the days went on I started finding out that pretty much all my family and friends were OK. You know, I was very fortunate.
DP: When something like that happens, does it put things in perspective and you realize, "You know, I just play basketball games"?
SB: Yes.
DP: You know, you're so into your world, and then all of a sudden this happens and it kind of hits you, "You know what? Do you think people around the world care about what's going on in Connecticut basketball?"
SB: Definitely, definitely.

DP: Where's your New York accent?
SB: I'm lucky, man, I avoided it. I say "man" a lot, but I avoided it ... I don't say "yous" -- like, "yous guys, what are you thinking?" I don't say "yous." But sometimes my "a-l-l" words, like "ball" -- also coffee or talk -- you can tell on those a bit.
DP: Give me a typical sentence that I would hear from a New Yorker if I went on the court that would just sum up what that language is all about.
SB: Let me think. On the court?
DP: Well, it could be off the court, too, if you wanted. But I figured you going on the court, that if you heard something...
SB: How I would know they were from New York?
DP: Yeah.
SB: "I'm telling you, yous gave it away right there." Or, "What are yous doin'?" That's very typical ... when you add the "yous" you're definitely looking at a Brooklyn/Queens person.
DP: So you can break down the dialect in the five boroughs.
SB: (laughs) A little bit ... "yous" is when you're talking to a group. One person, they just say "you."

DP: Best city to travel to.
SB: Oh, New York. And then Seattle. Seattle's a close second.
DP: See, I love Seattle. You haven't been there for the rain, though, have you?
SB: No, I haven't.

DP: By the way, who's playing you if someone made the movie, "The Sue Bird Story"?
SB: Well, I would pick Sandra Bullock, but people say I look a little bit like Geena Davis. I mean, some people have said this, but I don't know if it's true or not. I don't see it.
DP: Yeah, but you're cuter than Geena Davis.
SB: That's what I said.
DP: Well, of course you said that. I would hope so. OK, who's the leading man?
SB: Wow! Either Brad Pitt, or I had a huge crush on Marky Mark.
DP: (laughs) You did have or you still do?
SB: No, did, did ... but I still like him.