Chat with Paul Shirley
Welcome to The Show! On Thursday, basketball veteran Paul Shirley, who submits a regular ESPN.com diary, "My So-Called Career," will stop by to chat. Shirley has played for 11 professional basketball teams in the four years since he graduated from Iowa State University. He most recently was a member of the Phoenix Suns last season and spent part of the 2004 season with the Chicago Bulls. Shirley has also played in Greece, Spain and Russia, and has spent time in both the CBA and ABA.
Shirley burst onto the web scene when he started writing ''Paul Shirley's Road Ramblings" for the Phoenix Suns website last season. The ensuing attention led to a book deal with Random House. Currently, he continues to work out and look for opportunities to return to the NBA or another league.
Send your questions now and join Paul in The Show on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET!
Micah (Atlanta): What do you think of the trade Atlanta made to get Joe Johnson?
Mary (LA, CA): Paul, this "getting an NBA contract" thing is taking a lot longer than expected. What is so different this yeat that you didn't encounter last year?
Dave (San Antonio): The stars in the league can pretty much spend whatever they want on whatever they want. How do you handle it? Obviously, when you work you make more than the average Joe, but it is equally obvious that there is no quarantee of work or for how long. Do you try to set yourself up for the future or do you say, "What the heck?" and enjoy what you have knowing you will have to get a real job in a few years?
Charles (San Jose): Paul, is the opportunity there to play in the D-League or the CBA if you wanted to?
Matt (PA): Are you upset about Arrested Development being cancelled?
Jay (Adams, MA): Paul, you gotta help me out. I am completely isolated from new music these days, so the last two "new" bands I checked out and really enjoyed were mentioned in yout blogs; Interpol and Stellastarr*. Since I now have pretty good faith in your judgement, who else should I be stealing MP3s of?
Dan: Boston MA: On the NBA teams that you've been on, do the players all hang out together? Did you hang with the "stars". Did you hang with bench guys? Or, is it just guys that you work with, and everybody has completely seperate lives outside of "work".
Mo (Atla): Paul - if that Birdman guy can make an NBA roster (albeit the Hornets), why in the world can't you? You got to have more skillz than that guy!
Souz (Boston): No friends from hoops? Are you a LOSER?
3FF (Arlington, VA): Paul, get me a Christmas gift right meow!
Paul Shirley: Nice reference.
C.C. (Bay Point, CA): Would you rather play in a NBA uniform or continue to write for ESPN?
Paul Shirley: Choice A, please. This is fun and all but...
Ryan (worcester, ma): Paul, Takeo Spikes is chatting after you tonight. As far as I know he is the only human whose neck is wider than his head..do you know of any others and can you think of a cooler last name than Spikes?
Paul Shirley: I think I would be a household name if my last name were Spikes. Although, I would need a two-syllable first name as Paul Spikes sounds like a porn actor's moniker. The only better last name is Outlaw.
Chad (Pittsburg, CA): What NBA team would you play for? Would it matter?
Paul Shirley: This is a common question, which baffles me. As if, when an NBA team called, I would say, "No, thanks, I'd rather not play for you guys. I'm holding out for something better." So, no, it doesn't matter.
Jeremy P. (New York, NY): If you had to choose an all-Iowa State roster, who make the starting five? Would they all be cornfed albinos like you and The Mayor?
Christian (Bay Area, CA): Who is the best player in NCAA Ball right now? Adam Morrison or J.J. Reddick?
Paul Shirley: I know almost nothing about college basketball, but I will say that Adam Morrison might be my favorite American basketball player right now. (Favorite overall is either V.Radmanovic or a guy who plays in Europe named Dejan Bodiroga. Because I'm sure you cared.)
Travis (Canada): Of all the other pro sport players you have met, who is the most honest and forcoming, that you would consider a friend in any situation?
Paul Shirley: I think PJ Brown might be the best guy I have met in the NBA. We don't know each other well enough that I could call him a friend, but I was very impressed with him while I was in training camp with the Hornets a couple of years ago.
Adam (Boca Raton, FL): If Morrison is your favorite how do you explain his unfortunate facial hair experiment?
Paul Shirley: I think that is part of the reason he is my favorite.
Dan (San Jose): Did you just call Supergrass a "new" band? Have you been living in a cave for the last ten years?
Paul Shirley: I easily devolve...No, I realize they're not new. However, I don't think enough people know about them, so thought I would throw them in with the others. For some reason, bands from over the water (see also: The Doves, The Charlatans (UK), and Travis) don't get much play here.
Adam (Minneapolis, MN): Do you think the Timberwolves are for real, they have had a soft schedule but have had a nice string of wins. Tonight will tell me a lot against San Antonio. What do you think?
Paul Shirley: Here's the thing. I suppose lots of people would rather me answer more questions like this one. The problem is that I just don't care. Maybe I should be banned from these chats because of it, but until I am, I'll keep plugging away with the fun questions.
Paul Shirley: (Bracing for the maelstrom.)
Brett (LA): Its the 4th quarter. Game is tied. Pressure is high, crowd is roaring. You guys have the ball. The coach calls a time out and the team gathers around the coach. How bad does it STINK in that huddle? Thats 4 quarters of sweat!
Paul Shirley: It's not so bad here, but I should have bottled some of the rankness eminating from the bench scenes in Greece. Truly breathtaking.
Jim (Aurora,IL): I agree with your decision Paul. If people want real NBA discussion, they should have read the Chad Ford chat. Expecting anything more than music and random NBA-life questions from you would just be stupid.
Paul Shirley: Exactly. Jim is my new favorite. I'm not really qualified to analyze the ins and outs of basketball.
Steve (Ithaca): "A group of atheists at the University of Texas in San Antonio is trying to tempt college kids into trading their Bibles for pornography." Thoughts?
Paul Shirley: I wouldn't think that would be too difficult. Then again, the Bible-types are a dedicated lot.
Isiah (NY): Are you in NBA game shape? How can you tell?
Paul Shirley: Good question. I work out a lot during the days, and try to keep myself in a semblance of game shape through conditioning, etc. But, it is impossible to simulate the pace of an NBA game, and to expect to find high-level pick-up would be ludicrous, so I do always worry about whether I am doing enough.
Paul Shirley: See, a whole answer without a single smartass remark. I think I am growing as a person.
Welcome to The Show! On Thursday, basketball veteran Paul Shirley, who submits a regular ESPN.com diary, "My So-Called Career," will stop by to chat. Shirley has played for 11 professional basketball teams in the four years since he graduated from Iowa State University. He most recently was a member of the Phoenix Suns last season and spent part of the 2004 season with the Chicago Bulls. Shirley has also played in Greece, Spain and Russia, and has spent time in both the CBA and ABA.
Shirley burst onto the web scene when he started writing ''Paul Shirley's Road Ramblings" for the Phoenix Suns website last season. The ensuing attention led to a book deal with Random House. Currently, he continues to work out and look for opportunities to return to the NBA or another league.
Send your questions now and join Paul in The Show on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET!
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Paul Shirley: I'm just in from a workout--unshowered, unshaved, and generally disgusting. A fine time to answer some questions.
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Paul Shirley: And, to pre-empt the geniuses out there...I'm doing this on my own, so there is a good chance I will misspell something. Deal with it. Micah (Atlanta): What do you think of the trade Atlanta made to get Joe Johnson?
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Paul Shirley: It turns out that that Boris Diaw guy is pretty good, and the Hawks are really bad right now, so it must have been an okay move for the Suns. Mary (LA, CA): Paul, this "getting an NBA contract" thing is taking a lot longer than expected. What is so different this yeat that you didn't encounter last year?
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Paul Shirley: Actually, the earliest I've ever signed with an NBA team is mid-January. One year, I signed with the Bulls on March 1st. So, I haven't given up hope and gone to work construction just yet. Dave (San Antonio): The stars in the league can pretty much spend whatever they want on whatever they want. How do you handle it? Obviously, when you work you make more than the average Joe, but it is equally obvious that there is no quarantee of work or for how long. Do you try to set yourself up for the future or do you say, "What the heck?" and enjoy what you have knowing you will have to get a real job in a few years?
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Paul Shirley: Actually a good question. Everyone pretty well assumes I'm a millionaire because I have played some professional basketball. (Especially back home in Meriden, Kansas.) That's not the case, obviously, and I will have to make it last, so I try not to blow it all on hookers and coke. Fortunately, though, I do have a fully-functional brain, so hope to have another career when my athletic days are done. Charles (San Jose): Paul, is the opportunity there to play in the D-League or the CBA if you wanted to?
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Paul Shirley: At some point soon, I will probably begin playing for a minor league team because that is the logical move. It may be an ABA team, however, because that league is a little less structured and has teams in more attractive places. (And occasionally cancels games because the referees don't show, which adds to the fun.) Matt (PA): Are you upset about Arrested Development being cancelled?
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Paul Shirley: Yes, but I hear that a move to Showtime may be in the works. Of course, I'm too cheap to go beyond basic DirecTV, so that doesn't really help me. Jay (Adams, MA): Paul, you gotta help me out. I am completely isolated from new music these days, so the last two "new" bands I checked out and really enjoyed were mentioned in yout blogs; Interpol and Stellastarr*. Since I now have pretty good faith in your judgement, who else should I be stealing MP3s of?
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Paul Shirley: It is a struggle to find new bands. Here are a few that may interest: Calla, Broken Social Scene, The Music, The Kills, and Supergrass. Just a random sampling that you might find entertaining. Dan: Boston MA: On the NBA teams that you've been on, do the players all hang out together? Did you hang with the "stars". Did you hang with bench guys? Or, is it just guys that you work with, and everybody has completely seperate lives outside of "work".
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Paul Shirley: Generally, professional athletes have gotten away from the "Yankees in the '30's" mentality, where everyone would go out together after the game. Most guys have their own lives--wives, kids, 40-member posses--so there is not that much fellowship. In some situations, though, we all get along fairly well. I've made a few basketball friends over the years, but most of them are trainers, strength coaches, etc. Mo (Atla): Paul - if that Birdman guy can make an NBA roster (albeit the Hornets), why in the world can't you? You got to have more skillz than that guy!
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Paul Shirley: Just want to say thank you for the z, my man. Souz (Boston): No friends from hoops? Are you a LOSER?
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Paul Shirley: Yes, actually. You caught me red-handed.
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Paul Shirley: Yes, actually. You caught me red-handed. 3FF (Arlington, VA): Paul, get me a Christmas gift right meow!
Paul Shirley: Nice reference.
C.C. (Bay Point, CA): Would you rather play in a NBA uniform or continue to write for ESPN?
Paul Shirley: Choice A, please. This is fun and all but...
Ryan (worcester, ma): Paul, Takeo Spikes is chatting after you tonight. As far as I know he is the only human whose neck is wider than his head..do you know of any others and can you think of a cooler last name than Spikes?
Paul Shirley: I think I would be a household name if my last name were Spikes. Although, I would need a two-syllable first name as Paul Spikes sounds like a porn actor's moniker. The only better last name is Outlaw.
Chad (Pittsburg, CA): What NBA team would you play for? Would it matter?
Paul Shirley: This is a common question, which baffles me. As if, when an NBA team called, I would say, "No, thanks, I'd rather not play for you guys. I'm holding out for something better." So, no, it doesn't matter.
Jeremy P. (New York, NY): If you had to choose an all-Iowa State roster, who make the starting five? Would they all be cornfed albinos like you and The Mayor?
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Paul Shirley: I think I'll bat this around. How about: Jamaal Tinsley, Fred Hoiberg, Jeff Grayer, Jeff Hornacek, and Marcus Fizer. Positions be, uh, darned. (Everyone not from Iowa just left this chat.) Christian (Bay Area, CA): Who is the best player in NCAA Ball right now? Adam Morrison or J.J. Reddick?
Paul Shirley: I know almost nothing about college basketball, but I will say that Adam Morrison might be my favorite American basketball player right now. (Favorite overall is either V.Radmanovic or a guy who plays in Europe named Dejan Bodiroga. Because I'm sure you cared.)
Travis (Canada): Of all the other pro sport players you have met, who is the most honest and forcoming, that you would consider a friend in any situation?
Paul Shirley: I think PJ Brown might be the best guy I have met in the NBA. We don't know each other well enough that I could call him a friend, but I was very impressed with him while I was in training camp with the Hornets a couple of years ago.
Adam (Boca Raton, FL): If Morrison is your favorite how do you explain his unfortunate facial hair experiment?
Paul Shirley: I think that is part of the reason he is my favorite.
Dan (San Jose): Did you just call Supergrass a "new" band? Have you been living in a cave for the last ten years?
Paul Shirley: I easily devolve...No, I realize they're not new. However, I don't think enough people know about them, so thought I would throw them in with the others. For some reason, bands from over the water (see also: The Doves, The Charlatans (UK), and Travis) don't get much play here.
Adam (Minneapolis, MN): Do you think the Timberwolves are for real, they have had a soft schedule but have had a nice string of wins. Tonight will tell me a lot against San Antonio. What do you think?
Paul Shirley: Here's the thing. I suppose lots of people would rather me answer more questions like this one. The problem is that I just don't care. Maybe I should be banned from these chats because of it, but until I am, I'll keep plugging away with the fun questions.
Paul Shirley: (Bracing for the maelstrom.)
Brett (LA): Its the 4th quarter. Game is tied. Pressure is high, crowd is roaring. You guys have the ball. The coach calls a time out and the team gathers around the coach. How bad does it STINK in that huddle? Thats 4 quarters of sweat!
Paul Shirley: It's not so bad here, but I should have bottled some of the rankness eminating from the bench scenes in Greece. Truly breathtaking.
Jim (Aurora,IL): I agree with your decision Paul. If people want real NBA discussion, they should have read the Chad Ford chat. Expecting anything more than music and random NBA-life questions from you would just be stupid.
Paul Shirley: Exactly. Jim is my new favorite. I'm not really qualified to analyze the ins and outs of basketball.
Steve (Ithaca): "A group of atheists at the University of Texas in San Antonio is trying to tempt college kids into trading their Bibles for pornography." Thoughts?
Paul Shirley: I wouldn't think that would be too difficult. Then again, the Bible-types are a dedicated lot.
Isiah (NY): Are you in NBA game shape? How can you tell?
Paul Shirley: Good question. I work out a lot during the days, and try to keep myself in a semblance of game shape through conditioning, etc. But, it is impossible to simulate the pace of an NBA game, and to expect to find high-level pick-up would be ludicrous, so I do always worry about whether I am doing enough.
Paul Shirley: See, a whole answer without a single smartass remark. I think I am growing as a person.
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Paul Shirley: That's going to do it for me. Sorry if I didn't get to your question--they come in pretty fast and this is a one-man operation. The column/blog should be easier to find now; I'm under the contributors section on the NBA page. If you didn't get a question answered, feel free to e-mail me there. I'll do my best to get back to you. Thanks for reading. My smarminess aside, I do appreciate it.
