OKC Thunder: Q&A with Thunder forward Nick Collison

A: “No. I don't worry about it. I've never really gotten hurt from it. Every once in a while you'll catch a knee in the thigh or the groin, which doesn't feel good at all. But long term, I haven't had anything really that I'm worried about. A guy like Kobe and I are different players. I have to do other things than he does to be effective, obviously. Defensively, I'm not a great shot-blocker, so I have to be able to do something when guys are (going) to the rim.”

Did you learn early on how to protect yourself when drawing charges so you limit the risk both short term and long term?

“I'm not sure. It's kind of a feel thing. I think I've learned to fall. I kind of slide back as opposed to falling straight into the ground, which I think decreases the blows that your back will take. And also, I usually keep my hands out so I'm not falling back on my wrist. I think that's a way guys can get hurt, too. They put their hands down first. So those things I think I've picked up. But I can't necessarily say I was taught. I remember in ninth grade, in freshman basketball, we had to take a charge drill a couple of days. But I think it's something that over time, with experience, you figure out how to do.”