Quotes From The Lockeroom
11/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2002
Magic Johnson All Stars vs. Michigan State Spartans Exhibition Game November 1, 2002 Post-Game Quotes
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo:
"I think Earvin (Johnson) would do a better job at this than I did. I just listened to him to talk to our team...I was very disappointed in our defensive performance. I don't think we've ever given up that may points or let a team shoot 66% against us. First and foremost, I'm really disappointed in our defensive performance. I thought we had some guys who did not play anything like Michigan State basketball and that will change."
"As far as some pluses, I was really happy for Mike Chappell. That guy has played extremely well. I thought David Thomas played extremely well. I thought Cal (Bruton) did a great job coaching their team. They played some junk against us that we weren't ready for. They played some triangle and two and mixed up their defenses. In fairness to our guys, those are things that haven't been able to cover yet in two and a half weeks of practice. Watching Mike with so much confidence, watching DT (David Thomas) run the lane, I guess I found out why we won a national championship."
Earvin "Magic" Johnson:
"I would like to thank Coach Izzo for letting us come in and play and for letting us bring in a team all the way from Australia. As you see, a team that was professional and really a good team. They gave a chance to a couple of former Spartans-Mike Chappell and David Thomas-to get the thrill of their lives to play one more time at Michigan State."
On talking to the Spartans about after the game "(I talked) About approaching the game. I thought they needed to have the fire and come out of the gate the way they played in the second half-that's how you have to start the game. I told them they are not only playing for themselves and their families but for every Spartan that has ever played and every Spartan that is going to come. When you put on the Green and White it is about the tradition and you have represent that."
"The Spartans have been always been about defensive rebounding and I thought they didn't have that tonight. I wanted to remind them what the Spartans are all about."
