Q&A:Jermaine Taylor talks NBA lockout

On the court at UCF, Jermaine Taylor dominated for four seasons. Things are different in the NBA, however. Taylor has been playing the waiting game during his past three NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, waiting for a chance to shine like he did with the Knights. Taylor sat down and talked with the Central Florida Future about waiting for a chance to prove himself, the NBA lockout and the possibility of him playing overseas during the lockout.

Central Florida Future: Since the NBA lockout is in full effect, what have you been up to?

Jermaine Taylor: I'm just enjoying the time that I have off, training every day. There's a gym right across the street from my apartment in Miami, I have a personal trainer there that I train with every day.

No one really knows where this lockout is going. Right now I might go overseas. There are a lot of great offers. I just need to make my decision, and I'm waiting on what happens with the lockout.

CFF: There's a lot of NBA players that will go the foreign route because of the lockout. What do you think of that?

Taylor: No one wants to sit around and not do anything. We're basketball players; this is what we've been doing our whole lives. I don't want to take a break from basketball. I think everyone who has the opportunity (to play overseas) whether they are getting paid a lot of money or not, just for the experience will play.

CFF: So you think you're going to follow the trend?

Taylor: Oh yeah. Once September comes and if there isn't any progress with the NBA season, then I'm going to look to play overseas.

CFF: Are there any ideal overseas markets for you?

Taylor: It just depends on whoever throws out the best offer. I'm really leaning toward China just because of the short season — it's only five months.

CFF: The Kings waived you at the end of the season; how did that go down?

Taylor: With Sacramento, I told the owner, "If I'm not in your plans for next season, if I'm not going to play 20-30 minutes a game, then let me go so I can find some place I can place where I can prove myself."

CFF: Is that the main thing that you will be looking for when looking to sign with a team? The ability to play 20-30 minutes a game?

Taylor: That's got to be the first thing. How many guards they have, if I'm going to get playing time. I cannot, can't, don't want to sit on the bench another year. It's really frustrating for me. Whatever team that can give me the best opportunity to play is where I'm going to go.