Just a little over a month ago, June 17, 2013, the Denver Nuggets hired Tim Connelly away from the New Orleans Pelicans as the team’s new GM. We have seen Connelly navigate the team through the draft on June 27th, through trades involving Kosta Koufos and Darrell Arthur (and draft pick Joffrey Lauvergne) and another one with the Utah Jazz (Rudy Gobert for Erick Green, plus cash), and in the signings of J.J. Hickson, Randy Foye, and Nate Robinson. We have heard Connelly speak at his press conference, the presser for Brian Shaw, and the presser to introduce Hickson and Foye.
I thought it might be fun to put Connelly through some similar questions that I've asked potential Nuggets draft picks over the past couple of seasons. Luckily, he agreed to my Q&A request out in Las Vegas on some non-hoops questions.
Nate Timmons: You grew up in Baltimore. So, are you familiar with the old HBO show The Wire?
Tim Connelly: Yes.
NT: Would you say you are an Avon Barksdale guy or a Stringer Bell guy? (This is the same question I asked Baltimore native Will Barton back on June 19, 2012.)
TC: Oh geez, probably an Avon Barksdale guy. Actually, my brother taught at an area high school in The Wire's neighborhood, he taught at that high school for several years, and a couple of his students acted in it. But I'm an Avon guy, I like a blue collar guy. [laughs] I don't promote any illegal activities.
Check out this clip of Avon and Stringer from The Wire, warning on the language.
NT: Who were your role models growing up?
TC: My mom and dad, for sure. Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken [Jr.] are probably my guys [as sports role models].
NT: What about your parents inspired you when you were growing up?
TC: They were just real humble and hard working people. They don't have an ounce of perniciousness, they just treat everyone the same, very open minded, and they are just really really nice people.
NT: What were their jobs when you were young?
TC: I'm one of seven [children], so my mom had a full-time job being a mom. She also helped non-profits and wrote grants. My dad worked for a small investment bank his whole life.
NT: Have you ever thought about what you'd be doing if you weren't involved in the NBA?
TC: Yes, pretty much everyday. I'd like to teach, I'd enjoy that. I'm a teacher.
NT: What subject or subjects would you like to teach?
TC: I love history. I read quite a bit. I really enjoy 20th Century history: World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Bay of Pigs [Invasion], I'm just fascinated by recent history.
NT: You mentioned reading, what books are you or have you recently read?
TC: I just read a book called Big Data, it's kind of how you make the best use of all the data we have. I read a book about Genghis Khan recently. I like to read, I enjoy reading. I like non-fiction, I'm not [big on] fiction.
NT: What could we find you doing when you have time off?
TC: I like to do a lot of things. I love movies, I love going out for dinner, I love live music, I really like comedy shows – they have a good comedy scene in Denver, so I'm looking forward to that.
NT: You're a D.C. guy and Dave Chappelle is from that area and he's coming to Denver.
TC: I think we're going to take the guys to see Dave Chappelle. I like to do a ton of things. I like hanging out with my nieces and nephews when I'm at home, I love being around the kids. As much as I love basketball, you need a little separation.
NT: Let's say we're on MTV Cribs, what's in Tim Connelly's refrigerator?
TC: Oh geez, let's see … OJ, almond milk, green tea, and a bunch of cheese. [laughs]
NT: So, are you a big cook or not really?
TC: You know, I wasn't until we got to New Orleans. I had a buddy, who's a pretty good chef, who stayed with us and New Orleans is such a big food culture that I've actually started to dabble. My fiancée and I enjoy messing around in the kitchen, we're not good but we're not bad anymore.
NT: What's a favorite movie of yours?
TC: That's a tough question. I really like The Usual Suspects, that's one of my go-tos.
NT: Let's say Hollywood comes calling for Tim Connelly. Would you rather be in a comedy, action, horror, or Sci-Fi film?
TC: If Hollywood comes calling for me I'll probably be in a horror movie, I'll be the first guy killed. I love comedies.
NT: Let's say you're in a comedy movie, who do you co-star with and what's the plot?
TC: That's a tough question, probably Will Ferrell or maybe Vince Vaughn. As long as it's funny I don't care what the plot is, those guys will carry it.
NT: Last question, you're engaged – so what's the biggest thing you've learned in a relationship?
TC: She's great, Negah made me so much better. I learn something new everyday, but it's good to have someone next to you who is stable and always has your best interests in mind. I've learned countless things.
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