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AT: Yeah, that was difficult. That became the job, my brand was, ‘He’s always ready, always available, always consistent, and won’t make mistakes’. Every NBA team needs or wants those types of guys on their bench. I learned that at a young age, that if I fulfill multiple areas and be a pillar for a coach, someone they know exactly what they’re gonna get, it doesn’t mean I’ll jump the highest, block every shot, get every rebound, or make every shot. I won’t stop every person, I won’t be perfect. Nothing about my game was like, “Oh my gosh, this dude’s the best in the NBA/world at this.” The closest was certain seasons where I shot at a very high level. The best I’ve ever ranked in a season was fifth in three-point percentage, which is obviously really good. But it’s not like I was Top 5 every single season. The four years at Creighton under Coach [Dana] Altman, taking charges, diving for loose balls, doing tough stuff, became a part of my identity when I played. Combining discipline, consistency, and doing the tough stuff made me a coach’s dream. Moving around and getting traded a couple of times wasn’t a big adjustment because I knew exactly who I was and what role I was fulfilling. I didn’t need to change roles every year. I’d come in, knock down shots, play great defense, do the tough stuff, not complain if I don’t play, be the best teammate, and stay out of trouble off the court. Whether in Minnesota, Portland, San Antonio, Phoenix, Charlotte, Atlanta, it doesn’t matter. That’s Anthony Tolliver.
