NEW YORK – Paul Millsap just lost in pop-a-shot, and he isn’t thrilled about it.
The Hawks star has been busy giving a tour of the NBA Store on 5th Ave., working as a sales associate and trying out various tasks. He greeted visitors, helped shoppers check out, pressed a couple customizable Derrick Rose Knicks jerseys, picked out some Kobe XIs (in red and black, of course), and grabbed a basketball off a particularly high shelf.
As a reward for navigating the ever-growing throng of people – those who knew who he was, and those who followed the crowd simply because it seemed like this tall gentleman was important – Millsap got to compete in a friendly game of pop-a-shot. He asked what the record was on this machine (Frank Kaminsky had scored something like 67 points) and joked that he was going to break it.
He didn’t break it. He ended up losing, never really finding his rhythm on the machine. Maybe it was the hard day at his second job, or the camera crew livestreaming the whole thing (he’s putting out a series of videos where he tries new things off the court), but the Top 20-caliber NBA player and three-time All-Star representative couldn’t help being competitive even at this.
“Why’d you have to beat me, man?” Millsap joked.
.@Paulmillsap4 testing his pop-a-pop skills @NBASTORE NYC pic.twitter.com/pT0B1lrL6n
— NBA Store (@NBASTORE) June 29, 2016
For a guy who went through the whole free agency circus a year ago, eventually signing a three-year, $58 million deal to remain in Atlanta, it must be nice to goof around in Manhattan while other players get wooed and stress out about their decisions. Millsap is perennially under the radar, and he kind of likes it that way.
After his disappointing defeat, DIME got a few quick minutes to chat with the Hawks forward, where he gave advice to free agents and talked about his golf game.
DIME: You checked sales associate off the list, and I know you’re going to be trying a bunch of other new stuff too. What are you most excited about that you’ve never done before?
Paul Millsap: This is great, man. The NBA Store has been great. But I want to really try tennis. I’ve played a little before, but that’ll be fun. Soccer will be pretty cool too.
Are you one of those dudes who is so competitive that you want to win everything? Or are you okay when you know you’re not going to be the best right when you step out there?
I’m going to compete regardless, if I’m the best at it or not. I know realistically I’m not going to be the best at everything. I get out there and compete the best that I can, and hopefully I’m happy with the results.
What are your kids into? You trying to beat them at games too?
They don’t like to play games with me, man. I’m too competitive. Uno, I’m slapping cards down hard. I try to calm down a little bit, though.
With free agency coming up, you don’t have to deal with that this time around. What would be your biggest piece of advice for the guys having to go through that now?
What I would tell them is embrace the moment, don’t let it stress you out, and spend time with your family. They’re your best support. Especially for the guys going through it for the first time, I think it’s a little different. Just embrace the moment.
Despite all your accolades and the All-Star Games, you still don’t get the attention other guys do around the league. Do you like being under the radar?
I think the element of surprise is amazing. [Smiles.] Do I like to be under the radar? No. Do I want to be above the radar? Probably not. I’ve tried to find that balance where I’m sneaking up on guys, but them knowing I’m here at the same time.
Should you be getting more respect?
I don’t think respect is based off of who’s seen and who’s not seen. There’s a lot of fans who respect me for my game and for who I am.
What else do you like to do off the court?
Besides taking care of my family, hanging out with them, I’m an avid golfer. I play a lot of golf, and watch golf. But I’m also doing stuff like this, experiencing new things, and just trying to get better.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Atlanta?
Favorite place … I have a few of them. The place I probably go the most is Ruth’s Chris. My family goes there all the time. That’s definitely a place we always go.
Is there a golf course you really love?
I just came from Cabo about a week ago and played a few courses out there. They were beautiful. I’m into going around and seeing different courses. I like to admire the work that’s put into them.
Driver, wedges, or putting? Which are you best at?
Putting. I’m inconsistent with everything else. My putting’s been pretty stable, though.
What do you drive off the tee?
About 280.
That’s pretty good!
It’s decent. I don’t think I’m using the best of my potential. I think I could probably get up to 300 at some point when I’m all finished up.
You do have other things going on now.
I know, I know. That’s what drives me crazy, though.
The Hawks have had a pretty interesting couple years, but success is right there, and the culture has gotten a lot better, and the fans have been coming back. It seems like they’re really fostering a good environment for fans. What’s that like seeing things grow, and Atlanta embracing that?
I love it. It’s been great. I’ve been here since the new regime, so to watch us work our butts off to be that competitive team my first year, to next year the fans supporting us like crazy, to last year to where they’re still supporting us. It’s been a great run, and I’m constantly seeing it grow every year, and I’m glad to be a part of it.
