Q&A: Josh Childress on NBA journey, EASL investment, overseas hoops

Josh Childress is a retiredAmerican basketball player who played three years at StanfordUniversity, where he became an AP first-team All-American,consensus second-team All-American, the Pac-10 Conference Player ofthe Year and Pac-10 Conference Tournament MVP as a junior in2004.

He was selected by the AtlantaHawks with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, becomingthe highest Stanford player to be drafted in the NBA.While Childress played in the NBAfor the Hawks (2004-2008), Phoenix Suns (2010-2012), Brooklyn Nets(2012) and New Orleans Pelicans (2013), he made a name for himselfoverseas when he moved to Greece to play for Olympiacos from 2008to 2010.

Childress had a fruitful careeroverseas, playing in leagues like the NBL (with the Sydney Kingsand Adelaide 36ers) in Australia and the B-League (with the San-enNeo Phoenix) in Japan. Over the course of his 15-year basketballcareer, Childress averaged 9.1 points and earned a number of honorsincluding All-NBL first team, NBL top scorer, All-Euroleague secondteam, Greek League top scorer, Greek League best defender and NBAAll-Rookie second team.

Now, the 40-year-old Childressis an investor in the East Asian Super League, a rapidly growing league acrossEast Asia. During theEASL's Final Four in the Philippines, Childress spoke withBasketballNews’ Mon Anthony L. Valmoria to share what he is up tonowadays, his venture with the EASL, his fond NBA memories, hisjourney playing overseas and more.

You are an investor in the EASL. When did thishappen?

Josh Childress: “I started as an investor last year, lastsummer. I talked about seeing the opportunity [to] kind of ‘bridge’the gap between the countries in Asian basketball and it's afantastic opportunity to do that. So EASL did a great job here inits first year and we hope to build on this movingforward.”

Why invest in the EASL? Why do you think it will be asuccessful league?

Childress: “Ithink it’s bringing together a bunch of different countries andleagues that have all increasingly gotten better and I think if youcan find a way to connect Asian basketball across the board, itwill be a fantastic league. A fantastic opportunity for fans, mediaand the players. So, I’m hopeful that when this tournament – thisFinal Four – has more traction, you get more countries involved inthe league and have some great basketball.”

After your 15-year playing career, what are you up tothese days?

Childress: “Ihave an investment company. I run investments; we do real estate,we do sports properties, we do stuff like this (the EASL). Weinvest in a bunch of different things and I run it full-time –that’s what keeps me busy these days.”

Watching the EASL games and seeing how basketball isplayed over here, how would you describe the brand of basketballthat's played on this side of the world?

Childress: “Itis very physical and very fast-paced. We’ve seen really excitinggames here and I think players here are playing for pride. There’sobviously a nice prize – a cash prize – at the end of it. But atthis point, it’s just pride and making sure that you win and you’rethe champion of Asia. So I think [basketball here] is reallyexciting.”

Let's talk about your experiences as an NBA player. Whatare your fondest memories from your playing days?

Childress: “Most of your memories are around yourteammates, you know? Around the locker room like how fun that was,those plane rides, just the camaraderie you have with your team –that’s the thing that I missed the most about playing. Thefriendships and the teammates that you have over theyears.”

Speaking of your teammates, you played with a lot ofteams in the NBA – who was your favoriteteammate?

Childress: “They were all my favorites (smiles). But I’dsay between Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith, Joe[Johnson], Tyronn Lue, Mike Bibby – all those guys were greatteammates. I’m very thankful that I had the opportunity to playwith them.”

What is your best NBA memory?

Childress: “Getting drafted. I mean, that’s a dream cometrue. It’s something that, as a kid, you always see on TV. So, thatwas an amazing experience.”

When it comes to American NBA players deciding to playoverseas, you were one of the pioneers. What were the pros andcons?

Childress: “Itwas something that has been done before, but it was a greatexperience. I loved playing in Greece – the fans were amazing. Igot the chance to experience European basketball, which wasdifferent. The pros and the cons are that it sets you up in asituation where you’re playing a different style of basketball andhaving to figure out how to play there. But that was so much fun,you’re in very hostile environments playing against teams that younever knew existed and having the chance to compete at a highlevel. So, I loved my time in Europe. In the EuroLeague, basketballwas fantastic; in the Greek league, it was fantastic. So hopefullywe can mirror that EuroLeague style format here with theEASL.”

Other than monetary considerations, what would youadvise fellow Americans about the decision to play overseas? Whatother factors do you think are crucial in choosing where toplay?

Childress: “Ithink the biggest thing is playing style – you know, goingsomewhere your style of play fits [in with] where you’re going – orhaving the opportunity of playing a lot of minutes. I know someguys that are going to certain countries that may pay a little bitless, but they know they’re going to play a lot, they’re going toplay their game. And that will lead them to those opportunities forsuccess with bigger contracts and moving the following year. So,always make sure you go somewhere where you can be the best versionof yourself and play at a high level.”