OUTTAKES

Dan Patrick takes the mask off Rip Hamilton.

DP: Does chemistry breed winning, or does winning breed chemistry?
RH: Sometimes you win with talent, but to win championships, you have to have chemistry.
DP: Did you ever have teammates you didn't get along with?
RH: Oh, yes. I mean, everything isn't always smooth. You don't have to like everybody. I'm really lucky on this team because we all really like each other.
DP: Why did all of you guys wear WWE championship belts the night you got your rings?
RH: When we won the championship, Rasheed said, "Next season I'm going to buy everybody belts. We're going to go out like we're the heavyweight champion of the world."
DP: Championship rings or championship belts, what would you rather get?
RH: Oh, rings all day long.
DP: What do you do with the face mask after you're done with it?
RH: Our trainer keeps it in a little secret safe he carries around.
DP: You should make a line of designer masks.
RH: You are so right. I made it cool to wear the mask. You'd be surprised how many people call the Pistons and ask where to buy them.
DP: Do you still have the Michael Jackson doll with the beaded jacket that you got for Christmas as a kid?
RH: Wow, that's some good research, Dan. I wish I did. That was my best Christmas gift ever.
DP: Best dancer on the team?
RH: Lindsey Hunter.
DP: Worst dancer?
RH: Rasheed Wallace.
DP: Give me your funniest MJ story.
RH: After shootaround one day, Mike and I were having a shootout from halfcourt and gambling, as usual, like $100 a make. I had him down maybe $1,000. It was time to get on the bus and Doug Collins is strict; when it's time to go, it's time to go. Well, MJ was like, "Nah, you're going to wait." MJ made them wait an hour and a half after practice everybody's sitting on the bus-until he tied the game. He will not lose. Ever.
DP: What NBA player would make a great football player?
RH: Ben Wallace. He can go outside linebacker. He can go middle linebacker. He's probably the best athlete on the team.
DP: If I shot against Ben, who would win? RH: You would lose, Dan.
DP: All I know is, Rip, you can't leave a white guy open. And I have better hair than he does, too.
RH: Well, Dan, bring your ESPN cheese next time you're in town.
DP: Oh, I'll bring my cheese. Ben better bring his.

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