Scot Pollard became an instant fan favorite when he arrived in Sacramento back in 1999. The 6' 11" center, who averaged 5.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and one block per game in five seasons with the Kings, emerged into an invaluable reserve and spot starter during the team's glory years. Renowned for playing hard-nosed defense, diving for loose balls, and battling for every rebound on the court, Scot was also notorious for his ever-changing hairstyles, outrageous fashion sense, and quick wit.
I had a chance to talk to the former King about his old teammates, his favorite looks, and his on-the-court mentality. Make sure to check out his website, planetpollard.com.
Which players did you follow growing up, and who did you model your own game after?
Growing up, I followed my brothers. I'm the youngest, and four (of my) brothers played Division I, so there were a lot of games to pay attention to.
I was always a fan of Patrick Ewing, and tried to tear the rim off like he did when I used to dunk. I really just took things from everyone I watched growing up. I would see a bigman dribble up the court, and then I would work more on ball handling. I would see a guard post up, and (I'd) make sure my inside game was as quick as could be. I really didn't try to be like any one player — I wanted to do everything well, so I ended up being pretty good at everything, and not spectacular at any one thing.
You were well-renowned for hustling, taking charges, and doing many of the intangibles that didn't show up in the boxscore. Can you describe your mindset when you entered the game?
Whenever I suited up for a game, I was preparing for war. I knew that I had a role to play, and that role was to push, pull, knock down, chase the ball, help on defense, take the hard foul, raise my hand if I'm close to a star player in foul trouble and take the foul for him, block shots, grab rebounds, tip in, dive for loose balls, and take charges.
These aren't easy things, and these are things that don't make the highlight reels. These things hurt, and you get injured doing them — just ask how much better I feel nowadays! These things don't get you on an All-Star team, but these things are necessary to help your team win.
In my mind, I knew going into a game that I was there to make the stars look good. I didn't want to see Vlade (Divac) or Chris (Webber) in foul trouble, or worse, (get) injured from taking a charge or diving on the floor. My role was not to be the All-Star — my role was to do all the ugly stuff that gets your team an extra possession, extra rebound, tip in points, whatever it took. I hit people on the other team to get Peja (Stojakovic) an open jumper, I knocked people down to give Jason Williams, Mike Bibby, Tony Delk, Bobby Jackson, Hedo Turkoglu an angle to the basket. And I loved it.
I knew my strength in the NBA was my strength. Why would I try to take shots that may be questionable, when I can hand the ball off to Peja, knock his guy down, or at least out of the way, and give one of the best shooters in the league a shot? I probably could have been more offensive-minded in my career in the pros, but I was always on such good teams, I felt that I needed to be the warrior behind the scenes that makes the little things happen.
You were a key member of the Bench Mob, which became integral to the Kings' success. Can you talk about your role and the importance of the reserves on those Sacramento squads?
The Bench Mob was such a special group (because) we had guys that could start and play those minutes when necessary, but were also team players that didn't complain when the starters returned. They played less and didn't get many shots on a particular night, but we all understood that if we just kept our heads and kept preparing, we would make our impact individually, as well as a unit.
When you have the starting talent that we had (during) those years, plus the Bench Mob, who knew their roles and played them so perfectly, we had a really great and unique situation. The phrase "you don't know what you have until it's gone" definitely applies to that team, as well as the Bench Mob.
So often in the NBA, bench players create problems from lack of shots, playing time, or just an ego that tells them they should be starting — that didn't happen in (Sacramento). It truly was the easiest team to get along with of all the teams I played for. We had an idea of how special it was at the time, but as we disbanded, for lack of a better word, we would see each other on other "normal" teams, and (we'd) hug it out and say to each other, "man, that was so fun!" and "wish we could be back there!"
I remember hearing each member on The Bench Mob had special nicknames. What were some of yours?
I had a lot of nicknames in my career. In Sacramento, I was "The Lumberjack," "Samurai Scot," "The Butcher," "The Garbage Man," and probably a lot of other really mean names opposing fans had for me that I'm unaware of.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
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Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Fantasmic stuff. You should've asked him if he's ever been in the same room with Mark McGrath.
2 - doktakra
Ha! Thanks, man, glad you enjoyed it.