Editor’s Note: It was brought to our attention the James “Bobo” Fay from “Finding Bigfoot” is not only a huge basketball fan, but also a fan of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Timberwolves.com was able to chat with Bobo about where his fandom started and what he thinks about the up-and-coming Wolves.
KR: When did you first get into basketball? Sasquatch and hoops is an odd one-two punch. Did you play?
Bobo: My dad played in the Ivy League so we watched a lot of games with him. I played as a kid but pretty much sucked. I was kind of a point-power forward type. I was actually a decent rebounder and a good perimeter defender.
KR: I’ve heard through the grapevines (Jeff Munneke) that there’s a place in your heart for the Timberwolves even though you’re from the West Coast. Where did that start?
Bobo: I liked Kevin Love. I saw Love play in college a few times. He was kind of chubby and couldn’t jump. I was pretty amazed how he transformed himself. Thick dude and I just liked the way he boarded and balled and I am surprised he’s not doing that well in Cleveland.
I thought that was such a great trade for you guys, I thought it was just a steal that you got for Love.
KR: Have you been able to watch Minnesota’s new big guy? KAT is pretty damn good.
Bobo: I like him. He’s the best pure big man to be in the league in the last few years.
KR: I’m not sure how often you’re able to watch games or attend them, but do you have any crazy basketball stories?
Bobo: I was at a Kings game. It was when they had (Peja) Stojakovic, (Mike) Bibby, (Hedo) Turkoglu, (Chris) Webber. It was a one-point game going back and forth, changing leads probably eight times in the last three minutes and they were going against the Lakers. (Robert) Horry went to the line and right when he was about to shoot I let out a Bigfoot roar and it threw a hitch in the dude’s shot and he totally bricked it. He looked over right away in my direction probably thinking, ‘what the hell was that?’ I did it again the next shot and it wasn’t an air ball but it was close, and after the game Stojakovic came over and gave me his jersey and said I helped them win. I totally shocked the guy. We were sitting like second row.
KR: Is it an honor being the team’s under-the-radar celebrity fan? Before Munneke brought it to my attention, I had no idea. Are you will to take on that role as the celebrity face of the fans?
Bobo: It totally is (an honor). It’s tough because I was already full on cheering for the Warriors. I like the idea of that, it’s awesome, but I love the Warriors too, you know? Eventually the Wolves are going to be a threat in about four years I’d say. I do cheer for the Wolves and I do watch when I can. When those guys are 25, Steph (Curry) will be like 32, Klay (Thompson) will be 31, they still may be in their prime, but the Wolves would be in a top spot at that time I’d imagine.
KR: So you’ve been able to watch plenty of Steph Curry. The Wolves passed on Curry (twice). We know that, but it’s not like we knew he was going to be this good. We forget that four other teams passed on him as well – including the Grizzlies who took Hasheem Thabeet No. 2 overall.
Bobo: I thought he was going to be kind of like a Ray Allen, like a sweet shooter, all over the 3-point line, maybe a little driving and dishing here-and-there, but I did not foresee this. And Klay, he was not this great lockdown defender in college and in the pros he’s just killing it. Just until the beginning of last season, Steph was slight of build, injury-prone and he wasn’t even close to what he’s considered now. I was a big Draymond (Green) fan coming out of Michigan State, I didn’t think he’d end up like this, but he’s been the best surprise of all for sure.
KR: When we were texting earlier, it became obvious you’re not a huge Kobe Bryant fan. A lot of people probably feel the same way, especially with how Bryant conducts himself in the locker room (sorry Smush Parker). It’s his last season. What are your thoughts on the Black Mamba?
Bobo: For how much I hate Kobe, his intensity is great, he doesn’t have to be as much of a *we’ll say meanie* as he is and can still be intense. The fact that his defense always was good, he’s not a James Harden or those guys who just come down like Carmelo (Anthony) who come down and just shoot and shoot and then loaf on the D, he’s more like that Jordan type, he’ll fight defensively, offensively, he’s just fighting the whole time and I do respect that.
Expect some more talks with Bobo this spring on Timberwolves.com.
You can catch Bobo on “Finding Bigfoot” on Sundays at 9 p.m.
