Q+A: Lance Allred

by Ed Odeven TOKYO—Kyoto Hannaryz center Lance Allred took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for SLAMonline about his first season in the bj-league (Basketball Japan League), his impressions of Japanese basketball, his season and life in Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. The veteran center, a former NBA, D-League (and University of Utah and Weber State player), is averaging 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Hannaryz, who are 21-9 and in third place in the nine-team Western Conference. SLAM: What are your thoughts on your play this season? Lance Allred: Obviously every player feels they could do better. I always do. There are still missed shots that I replay in my head from every game so far this season, that I feel I should have made. But sometimes the ball just doesn’t go your way, and that is life. All you can do is be honest with yourself when you ask, Are you playing as hard and most importantly as smart as you can every night? And if the answer is ...