Rowan Kavner
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Look up Michael Rapaport, and his extensive list of film and television roles will likely show up first.
But the actor, comedian and director is also an avid NBA fan and a frequent member of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game roster, winning MVP one year. Rapaport grew up in New York a passionate fan of the Knicks, but he’s also gone to Clippers games during his time in Los Angeles.
Early this week, Rapaport was at the Clippers’ practice facility interviewing players for Complex and NBATV.
“We’re doing sort of an unorthodox, straight-forward approach on interviewing NBA players,” Rapaport said. “I’m not an analyst. I’m not an Xs and Os guy, but I love basketball. I love basketball players. I feel like a lot of times when they get interviewed, you miss out on their personalities.”
Here’s more from Rapaport and his thoughts on the NBA and the Clippers.
Where did your passion for basketball and the NBA begin?
Rapaport: “I grew up loving basketball as far as I can remember. Obviously when I was a little kid, I loved all sports, but I fell in love with basketball the most. Probably the thing that put it over the top was the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird college game in ’79. I just fell in love. I was 9 years old, and it’s been a part of my life and I’ve had a love with it. Basketball has been a daily part of my life as a fan. I used to play, I grew up literally dreaming of playing in the NBA, way before I had any aspirations to be an actor or anything like that. I love basketball, I love the NBA, and the experiences I had playing basketball personally, I got so much from it.”
How much fun are the celebrity games for you?
Rapaport: “I love it. Like last year, playing on the court at Madison Square Garden, I had so much fun. I might not be the best player, but I’m certainly the one having the most fun. I like to say I’m trying to have the most fun. I love it. I know all the guys have a good time doing it and I’m looking forward to next year. But there’s no jokes. For me, it’s (the real deal).”
Have you made it out to any Clippers games here?
Rapaport: “I’ve been able to make it to some games. I’m feeling like this budding relationship between you and me can get me to more games (laughs)… But I love the team, I love the environment, I love the new millennial sort of quality to the team.”
What do you make of the Knicks’ start and how Kristaps Porzingis has started out?
Rapaport: “I think Porzingis is going to be good. I think the sentiment of most Knicks fans at the time was, ‘Who is this guy?’ But I think we all know who he is now. I think that was Phil Jackson’s first big move as a GM. I think that’s going to be his signature first move as a GM of the Knicks.”
Can you go into more detail of what your group is doing here with the players at the facility?
Rapaport: “We’re just trying to get a little more insight and a lighthearted take on what they’re doing. To be totally honest with you, this is a dream come true. I’ve never been to any practice facility for any team and I felt like a kid, because I’d never been to an NBA practice. For me, to be here, it means a lot to me.”
