Hawks center Pero Antic addressed the media Friday following his arrest in New York City early Wednesday morning. Here are excerpts of the interview:
Q. What can you tell us about the incident:
A. We issued a statement and there is a video out that speaks for itself. The only thing I can say is we feel bad for the bad publicity that we brought to the Hawks organization, the Hawks family, not by our fault. I just want to say I am going to be supportive of Thabo, my teammates and just think about the basketball right now and the good things we can do."
Q. So you believe you were falsely arrested?
A. The video speaks for itself. It is a legal matter. We have great people who are great doing their job. We are going to let them do their job. We are going to try to do our job and do what we can because we have big goals for this season.
Q. Do you address your teammates?
A. They were supportive. We went and apologized to them. We couldn't even help them at the game in Brooklyn. They win. We congratulated them. We have the full support of the team. That is the most important thing for us.
Q. Did you speak to Coach (Mike Budenholzer)?
A. He is an incredible guy. This is a big family here. They are all supportive. We are grateful to be in this organization.
Q. You said the video speaks for itself. We couldn't see what happened before. How did Thabo Sefolosha get hurt?
A. For now, it's a legal matter. I will say it's a pure example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. People know Thabo for so many years of being in the league. Thabo is one of the greatest guys. A few of the reporters here know me. I don't have anything (in my past) so it is just a pure example, like I said, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Q. You understand the people are concerned that you were at that place, at that hour, after playing the night before and with a game that night?
A. We apologize for doing that and bringing that publicity but the big picture is the other stuff. We apologize.
Q. You are back playing tonight?
A. As I know, yes. You should ask coach about that.
Q. What does it mean not having Thabo on the court?
A. This team went through a lot of obstacles. We feel bad for Thabo. We need him. He's a big part of our team. We are going to support him. It's a rough time for him. We'll continue to try to fill his spot. Some guys will have to step up.
Q. Were you trying to shield people from taking pictures of (the Pacers') Chris Copeland (who was stabbed)?
A. To be honest, no. We didn't have anything to do with what happened with that. We weren't together. We didn't see the guy. Whatever happened, happened way before.
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