Ed O'Bannon and Tyus Edney
Turn the clock back a year, to the 1995 NCAA championship game. Ed O'Bannon (left) and Tyus Edney (right) are standing at the peak of college basketball. Their UCLA Bruins have just defeated defending champion Arkansas, 89-78. O'Bannon has been named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, and Edney, though appearing only briefly in the title game due to a semifinals injury, shares equally in the acclaim for his stellar play throughout the tourney.
Return the clock to the present. The two former teammates find themselves playing for NBA teams with similar records and in similar battles for a playoff berth. So far, the 5-10 Edney has fared the better of the two, having assumed a nearly immediate leadership role at the point for the Kings, and he's made plenty of teams sorry that they let him languish until the 47th pick in last year's NBA Draft. The 6-8 O'Bannon, who was chosen ninth in the draft, has had to adjust to a new position -- shooting guard -- for the Nets, and he's working for the minutes he needs to put up the numbers that he's accustomed to. But whether or not Edney and O'Bannon segue from last year's NCAA tourney to this year's NBA playoffs, these two UCLA champions have proven to the world that time is definitely on their side.
Tyus Edney and Ed O'Bannon are ready to answer your questions live as our guests for "One-on-One."
This is a moderated chat. Not all questions will be posted!
paul from depaul.edu at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 6:52pm ET
what is the biggest change in playing at the professional level compared to the college level?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:02pm ET
It's a different game plan. The rules are different and the style of play is different. You're playing against the greatest players in the world.
Wolfpack from wvnet.edu at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 6:56pm ET
What are your predictions for tonight?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:03pm ET
Kentucky.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:03pm ET
I think Syracuse, because Tyus picked Kentucky.
LIL MAC #3 from [198.108.150.15] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:00pm ET
What do you think is different from this years UCLA team and last years team?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:05pm ET
They're' young. Last year we had three seniors. They're still learning how to play together. They had to find out during the year who was going to be their leader. Toward the end, they ran into a good, fundamentally sound team in Princeton.
Marty Levison from [204.188.105.12] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 6:55pm ET
Hey Ucla Alumni, do you guys miss each other.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:06pm ET
Yeah, the only thing that I miss about UCLA is the players and the coaches. We were very close. Some of us keep in contact. I don't keep in contact with most of the guys except Charles (my brother). Tyus and I do keep in contact.
Allen from usc.edu at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:05pm ET
Who is the toughest player to guard in the NBA?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:07pm ET
I'd say Adbul-Rauf, Gary Payton, and Rod Strickland.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:08pm ET
Michael Jordan. I didn't sleep for the next two nights after I guarded him. He's the one who I was not looking forward to at all. I also had a lot of trouble with Reggie Miller.
Patrick from Brazil from [200.246.231.131] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:06pm ET
How many hours did you use to practice when you were a teenager?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:08pm ET
Probably four or five hours a day.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:09pm ET
For me, it's different during the season and off-season. In the off-season, I'll play for 4-5 hours, lifting weights and running track. In the season, I practice about 2.5 hours a day and lift weights for about a half hour a day.
Mike D. from [141.224.128.186] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:08pm ET
What are your opinions on Garnett jumping into the pro's and on Kobe Bryants decision on maybe going pro?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:10pm ET
Kevin is playing well. When I played against him, he had good games. He's adjusting pretty well. He has a lot of talent. He's doing well. This is the first time I've heard about Kobe Bryant. I guess if he feels like he can do it, he might as well try.
Eddie J. from ca.us at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:09pm ET
so, how does it feels after being in the final and winning
with each other, and now comming to the nba, and not play
as teamates, but as competeter.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:12pm ET
It's weird, definitely. We were teammates for four years. We had a lot of fun. When we played against George Zidek the other night, it was weird. It's different.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:13pm ET
Last year, obviously we had a great time playing together and winning the whole thing. This year, it isn't easy because we have different uniforms. But the memories that we have winning together. But once we put on that uniform and have that common goal with our new teammates, it's easy to play against each other.
mstthew smith from [156.46.52.156] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:09pm ET
What is it like to play in the NCAA Final Four Championship game
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:14pm ET
It was an unbelievable experience. I even took along my video camera, because I want to show my kids what a great time I had.
Chuck from csulb.edu at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:10pm ET
When you guys look at Lorenzo Romar coaching Pepperdine next season, do you see him being successful right away? (I know he's got some real talent transferring over...)
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:14pm ET
I think he will definitely have success and put the program on the upswing. He's a good coach and knows the game. He'll get his players to play hard and win games.
Jason Wong from mn.us at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:13pm ET
What did you guys think about the movie Hoop Dreams? Can you relate to it?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:16pm ET
Hoop Dreams was a great movie, and it was something that I can relate to. I was there when they were there; I was in some of the parts that were in there, but I wasn't in the movie. I got a chance to see some of the same things that they saw. I can't relate to the povert, but I can relate to the basketball aspects.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:16pm ET
Growing up and playing in high school and junior high, that's what I related to the most in the movie.
Nancy from nasa.gov at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:13pm ET
Are the two of you going to go back to L.A. to play in
the summer leagues together?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:16pm ET
If there's a summer league, I'll be there, so if Ed's there, I'm sure I'll see him.
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:17pm ET
Yes, I'm going to go back to L.A. for the summer. I'm not sure where I'll play in the summer leagues, but I'll definitely be there this summer.
Luke from [198.53.152.117] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:15pm ET
Who do you think should be rookie of the year?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:18pm ET
I'm not sure. Damon Stoudamire is having a great year; Stackhouse and Big Country are having great years. Rasheed Wallace is having a steady year. It depends on who you ask.
Mitchell from [198.170.215.146] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:17pm ET
Who has been the most influential person in your lives?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:19pm ET
There's been a number of people. My father has helped me grow up and be a man. He coaches at high school and college. My mom for being a nice person. I could go on and on about who's helped me.
Steve from nyu.edu at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:18pm ET
As native Southern Californians, what has been the most difficult adjustment to living in New Jersey and Sacramento, respectively?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:20pm ET
Are you kidding me? It has to be the snow. I've never seen it. It's definitely the biggest adjustment.
Jason Wong from mn.us at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:19pm ET
Who are your best buddies on your NBA team?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:20pm ET
I have few guys I hang out with. Rick Mahorn, Jayson Williams, Vern Fleming.
Shawn from pipeline.com at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:19pm ET
What do you think about Stephen Marbury? Do you think he could be a star in the NBA?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:21pm ET
Yeah, he's a great player. I think he'll do fine. If he stayed in college, he'd be a three or four time All-American.
Monika Chmiel from [199.212.134.42] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:20pm ET
What is the best advice you have ever recived?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:21pm ET
Don't take anything too seriously. Always relax in any situation. My dad has said that a number of times. Relax, keep your composure, and keep your wit.
Luke from [198.53.152.117] at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:20pm ET
What's your favorite tv show?
at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:22pm ET
The Twilight Zone.
THE MODERATOR (NBA.com) at Monday, Apr. 1, 1996, 7:23pm ET
Thank you for joining us for this "One-on-One" with Ed O'Bannon and Tyus Edney! Please join us again Wednesday for a special "One-on-One" with Robert Parish of the Charlotte Hornets, live at 2 p.m. ET.
Copyright ¨ 1996 NBA Properties, Inc. and/or Starwave Corporation and ESPN Inc.
All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.