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The Wright Stuff:
Hornets Forward Julian Wright Balances Basketball And Music
Loving you is like a marathon, because I’ve been chasing after you for so very long.....
Those words are part of an original song written by Hornets forward Julian Wright. Like the love-struck protagonist in the piece, Wright also knows the art of the chase. In October, Wright will begin his third season in the NBA and subsequently, he’ll begin chasing something that has eluded him since he was drafted 14th overall in 2007--consistency. Through two seasons, the former Kansas Star has averaged just 4.1 points per game.
“I thought I’d be further along,” Wright said. “That’s what’s been pushing me for this upcoming year.” “I think part of the problem, I go through different times of the year---I’m over thinking. [The coaching staff] just wants me to play. They know the ability is there. I know the ability is there. Now I just have to go perform at a high level.”
But what Wright has lacked in scoring, he makes up for in energy. Wright has provided a spark off the bench for the Hornets and he played an instrumental role in helping the team advance to the Western Conference semi-finals during the 2007-2008 season and the first round of the playoffs during the 2008-2009 season. This season, he wants to give the team an even bigger boost.
“Hopefully I can play enough minutes where through the course of the game, I do more positive than negative,” said Wright. “I feel like my productivity gets better with the minutes. That’s what I’m trying to do this year..”
Wright spent part of the summer in Las Vegas honing his skills in the NBA’s summer league. The nine day event is usually frequented by rookies, second year players, and NBA journeymen trying to crack an NBA active roster.. Wright averaged nearly 15 points in five games and he’s hoping what happened in Vegas follows him to New Orleans.
“I feel like it’s a make year,” Wright said. “This is my first opportunity to play valuable minutes throughout the course of the game. This is the year were I feel like I’m ready to take on the challenge of being able to step up and play with a lot of energy and be the guy that can make game changing plays.”
“I hope [this year] holds a lot more ups than downs. I’m looking forward to preseason and training camp starting and being able to show the team, coaching staff, [general manager] and everyone, I’ve been in the gym and I’m ready to help the team take the next step and advance further in the playoffs.”
Wright will likely get the playing time he’s been denied throughout the course of his career this season. This summer, the Hornets traded starting shooting guard Rasual Butler to the Los Angeles Clipper for a conditional second round pick in the 2016 draft. He averaged a career high 31.9 minutes during the 2008-2009 season. Butler’s departure opens up competition for minutes between Wright, Morris Peterson, and rookie Marcus Thornton.
“I’m looking forward to competing for those minutes,” Wright said. “[The coaches] are not going to give them to me. Once I get the minutes I deserve, I’m going to make the most of them.”
“I learned a lot from [Rasaul Butler]. He pulled me over to the side numerous times to give me advice on things he’s experienced. He used to tell me to work hard and stay positive. That was the approach I took as well. I’m looking forward to trying to come in and fill the void of him leaving and him being a player who defended the other team’s best player for most of the game. I look to come in and provide a spark. That’s what he did.”
When Wright isn’t on the court, he can be found working on his other passion--music. Wright is an accomplished singer who plays the keyboard by ear. The high tenor has been singing since he was a child.
“I’ve sang in the choir since I was like five or six,” Wright said. “At 13 was when basketball started taking over. I was traveling and playing [Amateur Athletic Union] basketball, but the passion was still there. I love listening to all genres of music, but the time wasn’t there for me to pursue music in terms of learning instruments or [acting] in plays. It wasn’t until last year where I starting thinking about pursuing music. The NBA has a lot of down time in the summer so I started to think about taking music more seriously.”
When Wright puts pen to paper, often what develops are loves songs in the R&B and Neo-soul genre. Most of his material comes from true life experiences. As is the case when he is in a rhythm on the court, the rhythm of his music frees his mind.
“It’s definitely a stress releaser, but now it’s more than that,” said Wright. “It gave me peace of mind to get lost in my music.”
“I put my heart into basketball, I put my heart into my music.”
