CJ: First, I want to thank God for allowing me to be here and talking to you today.

OW: We’re happy to have you. So, now that the team is about at the all-star break, what are some of your thoughts on the season?

CJ: We’re getting our stride together. Monta is getting back to Monta, we’re learning how to play with Jamal and Corey and everyone, we’re starting to look like the team we were the last couple of years.

OW: Do you guys still talk playoffs or are you playing for next year a little bit?

CJ: Why not?

OW: Being 12 games out doesn’t discourage you?

CJ: Nah, we have a lot of games to play.

OW: As a team leader, can I ask you if you have any feelings on the Anthony Randolph situation? With him and Nellie, him firing his agent over playing time, etc…

CJ: That’s my little brother. He’s going to be fine. It’s tough for everyone to adjust to being a pro, how hard you have to work, he’ll grow up a bit and work on his game and be fine. He’s got everything he needs right now but time.

OW: Do you think he and Nellie can co-exist?

CJ: Oh yeah, that’s all noise.

OW: You’ve been putting up some huge numbers lately. Is it fair to say you’re playing your best ball of the season right now?

CJ: I think so. With our whole roster together it’s easier for me to do what I do and not trying to do much for everyone else.

OW: Where’s the party tonight? Where we going?

CJ: Where we going? You stayin’ home. (Laughing.) I’m meeting up with Jay (Jason Richardson—ed.) and them over in the city.

OW: Thought I’d try. (Laughs.)

CJ: No problem. I’m ok with that.

OQ: Thanks again and keep it up on the court.

CJ: Thanks for having me. God is great.

CM: No problem.

OW: What can you say about the team and your involvement in where they are going?

CM: Well, first of all, nobody is happy with being 12-29. Especially after making the playoffs and then winning 48 games. We’ve just had a lot of things go in a different direction than we thought it was going to go in the last 9-12 months.

OW: Starting with what, Baron opting out?

CM: Yeah.

OW: Can you talk about that?

CM: All I can really say is I would have preferred Baron to stay a Warrior. He was probably the best player the Warriors have had since Chris Webber. And, perhaps not coincidentally, the last player to lead the Warriors to the playoffs since Chris Webber.

OW: Don’t sell yourself short. Baron was the best player the Warriors had since you ran out there in them little blue shorts and made it rain, not Webber.

CM: (Laughing) I don’t know about that. But, hey, he didn’t play on the Dream Team, did he?

OW: No. Christian Laettner did.

CM: I don’t think anyone talked to Christian for the whole 6 weeks of the tournament. He wore pink polo shirts with the collar up, his sunglasses on top of his head and ate every meal alone.

OW: Not to go off on a tangent, but what were some of the highlights of your playing career?

CM: Oh man, so many. There’s nothing like it. Starting with playing Georgetown at the Garden. Being from New York, a 20 year-old kid, playing against Patrick Ewing in the Garden, both teams ranked 1 and 2 in the country, man…Then with Tim and Mitch, I don’t think I ever had more fun actually playing games than I did with that group. Then trying to get over the hump against Jordan with the Pacers, all in all…

OW: A great career.

CM: I can’t complain.

OW: Getting back to the Warriors.

CM: Do we have to?

OW: (Laughing) Can you talk about your future with the team?

CM: All I can really say is that we’re going to address that at the end of the year.

OW: If you need someone to do a lil hospital job on Robert Rowell, I know people. Just sayin’.

CM: I am considering doing something drastic. Something I would never do under normal circumstances. Something I haven’t done in over 20 years.

OW: What?

CM: Changing my hairstyle.

DN: (Silence.)

OW: Ok, what’s been the toughest part of the season so far?

DN: Well, we’re 7-18, that’s been pretty tough.

OW: What have you been encouraged by?

DN: We’re 7-18.

OW: How much better will the team be when Monta gets back and how long will it take it incorporate him into what you are doing?

DN: A little.

OW: A little?

DN: Better.

OW: Do you still think you can win with this team?

DN: Do you have any alcohol?

CM: No problem, man. I woulda done it sooner but I’m still getting settled, moving in.

OW: You got a place yet?

CM: Stayin’ out in Blackhawk.

OW: Nice.

CM: Yeah, I’m likin’ it. It’s like Newport, where I was livin’ when I played down there, but without the ocean.

OW: Except the mommies are 40 instead of 27.

CM: (laughing, nodding) Yeah.

OW: So how you feel about the season so far?

CM: Well, we’re struggling a little bit right now, obviously. And I’ve been dealing with this hamstring.

OW: Any progress with that?

CM: Every day it’s different. Hamstrings don’t let go. It can feel great in warm-ups and then I’ll feel a tweak in the game or vice versa.

OW: How’s playin’ for Nellie?

CM: (laughing) You don’t wanna bring your kids around to practice. I’ll say that. But it’s been great. He doesn’t have all those wins for nothing.

OW: How have you adjusted to playing the 4 occasionally?

CM: (laughing) What did TO’s pub person say? TO’s got $25 million reasons to live? I’ve got $50 million reasons to play the 4.

OW: (laughing) Fair enough. How long does it take to get adjusted to playing with a new group of teammates?

CM: Depends. Not too long. This team has a lot of good players and good guys. I know Jack’s game. I know ‘Mal’s game. Goose is a little different.

OW: Is it harder to adjust to playing with a big man like him?

CM: No, I just mean dude is strange.

OW: (laughing) Can this team make the playoffs?

CM: What are the playoffs?