Interview by Hermes Ayala for El Vocero
Monday, January 3, 2005, In this week, in TIRADAS we have a luxury. We found, nothing more and nothing else than Eddie Casiano, one of the most violent glories of the puertorrican basketball history. Sure, we got him thanks to Manolo Cintron, because you all know how Eddie is, he wont answer a phone call to nobody. When we started talking to him, he didnt wanted to stop, in there we can apply this quote, "a punch to make him talk and 50 to shut him up". The guy was talking from "you-to-me", and as a New year gift, we publish it to you, without editing and with everything. There you have, Eddie Casiano "a calzon quitao"
El Vocero : You were coaching Lajas in the Superliga 25, a team nobody gave a chance to win and you got them to the semi-finals. What you like more, coaching or playing??
Eddie Casiano: Playing is my passion. You can control things on the floor. As a coach you have to manage 15 heads.
El Vocero : How would you end the drugs addiction in Puerto Rico?
Eddie Casiano: Thats tough. No one have been able to end the terrorism, no one will be able to end the drugs. The legalization is an option, but everything has to start in home, with the family. If the young boys dont buy it, there is no damage. Thats the only way you can beat drugs, teaching the kids that drugs will make you dumb and will kill you.
El Vocero: When you retire, which jersey will it be, San German or Ponce?
Eddie Casiano: Damn!!! I dont know... Thats tough.The jersey will be from where they more loved me, i will be there. Both franchises has been good to me, and the fans too.
El Vocero: If you could, what would you have done different with your career?
Eddie Casiano: I would have gone to college. NCAA. Maybe my career would have taken another course. I could have played in the NBA, cuz I could have played that basketball like those superstars
El Vocero: How you see the future of Puerto Rico in the NBA?
Eddie Casiano: The 3 of them are making Puerto Rico proud. Danny and Peter are there, and Peter is a rookie, but Carlos is a tiger. Its the first time a puertorrican is in a starting lineup or is qualified to be, at least, whatever his coach thinks. We must be proud of him. He is good. But to develop more player, we must see. And I am saying this as a player and a coach, we must work with the young players.
El Vocero: If you have Tracy McGrady in front of you right now, what would you say to him?
Eddie Casiano: I would ask him if everything is going well in Houston. (Laughing) Cuz I dont have anything to tell him, I would ask him that. Really, there is nothing from me against him, because what happened was part of the game.
El Vocero: The victory against the USA have been the one you have enjoyed the most?
Eddie Casiano: its one the ones I have enjoyed the most, speciall the 3 point shot at the end of the game... near the half court. The championship in 1991 with San German when we were "Los Nenes" (the kids), I enjoyed that one too. I also remember the first game against the 1992 Dream Team. That game was important for me... Ahh, sure, the championship with Ponce... the Manolo's championship, where we cut his moustache. Do you know how much money he invested in tha moustache?
El Vocero: Tell me a place to eat in San German.
Eddie Casiano: No doubt. Mike's Steakhouse. Best steaks of the area. We can go whenever you want.
El Vocero: Big question. What kind of music you hear?
Eddie Casiano: Everything. I hear "Perreo", salsa, rock. What I like the most is hip hop and R&B. There I go "Hasta abajo". My favorite disc is Dr.Dre, The Chronic. That guy is good.
El Vocero: Who should be the General Manager of the National team? If you were the GM, what would you do?
Eddie Casiano: It should be Salvador Vilella because he bring confidence to the team, and he take care of us like no other.
