Last season Ryan Anderson enjoyed a highly successful rookie season which saw him average 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds while playing a shade under 20 minutes per game (19.9). By all accounts Anderson was a great fit and a big part of New Jersey’s youth movement.

That all changed when Orlando and New Jersey made a deal involving Vince Carter that the Magic demanded Anderson be part of.

Despite being disappointed when he first heard about the trade, things have worked out great for Anderson as he’s still part of a team that values him. He’s not only valued but his minutes (24.0) and production (16.0 points per game) are all up this season.

Before the game I was able to chat with Ryan Anderson for a bit about how he felt when he heard he was traded and his role with Orlando this season.

Hoops Addict: From what I’ve heard you really enjoyed your rookie season in New Jersey. Were you disappointed when you heard you were traded to Orlando?
Ryan Anderson: Yeah, because I really had no clue. From what I’d heard I thought I was in there future plans for the team and they were building from a young squad last year so I expected to come into train with the coaching staff that weekend. To get the call to hear I was getting traded was a little weird, especially not knowing where I was going to go. At first I heard I was getting traded and then I thought, “Where am I going to get traded?” It was just a weird feeling. There was a lot of different emotions that go through your head.

Once I heard it was Orlando I was excited. Everything has gone smoothly and I don’t have any hard feelings towards the Nets.

Hoops Addict: You mentioned that you thought New Jersey was going to be your home for awhile, but it came out on ESPN a couple of days ago that one of Orlando’s stipulations on  the deal was that you were included. How does it make you feel that you’re thought of so highly that the team would have passed on obtaining Vince Carter if you weren’t included in the deal?
Ryan Anderson: It’s an honor to be that highly regarded by a great team, but how can you not say it’s a Vince Carter trade? I have no problem with being in a trade like that. He’s one of the best players of all-time and a great teammate. A great leader. And this team really needs him. To be able to continue to play alongside him is great. I don’t need any acknowledgment, I just want to play and help the team. With Rashard (Lewis) being out I want to make this team better and make my mark as a player for the Orlando Magic.

Hoops Addict: You mentioned wanting to leave your mark.  You’re a player that is 6′10 who can hit the outside shot and bring other big guys outside the key to guard your shot.  Talk a bit about how your perimeter shooting opens up things for your teammates.
Ryan Anderson: Especially on this team there are so many guys who demand attention it’s hard to guard a team like us because rather than having forward who are down low by the bucket, Dwight (Howard) can work and do his thing near the basket. But if they double down on him then we’re wide open on the wing. It creates a lot of matchup problems but we have so many guys who can do that, even on this team, we have multiple guys who can shoot the ball. We even have a lot of big guys like Rashard who can step out and shoot the ball. That’s just the way this team is built and it’s great to be a part of an offense like this.

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