Nomar thought all the GMs should have a "press conference" of sorts, before the year. Even though the season has started, I'd still like to talk about my team, as well as hear about others... This year, the Pistons pulled off a few trades in its quest for reaching the playoffs for the first time in league history. Four new starters are in place, with the acquisitions of Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr, Marcus Camby, and Kendrick Perkins. Clearly, the Pistons have succeeded in their goal of improving the starting lineup from last season. However, the bench is thinner than Calista Flockhart, and any serious injuries within the starting five, could spell troble for the Pistons. At center, the Pistons feel they have one of the best centers in the league at the ripe age of 19, in Kendrick Perkins. He is backed up by rookie Jason Jennings, who the club feels can be one of the best backup big men in the entire league. Ken Johnson is a shotblocking machine, who adds great depth to the center position. The Pistons will be happy with 15 and 10 from Perkins. At SF, the Pistons welcome Marcus Camby who is the oldest player on the active rosters at age 30. Camby will be looked upon to play his trademark tough defense, block shots, and rebound. Any points that he contributes will be considered a bonus. Backing him up will be Ken Johnson, who will play PF as well as his natural position, C. Johnson is a poor man's Camby who should make a solid PF backup. Cameron Montana is the 3rd string PF, and will be looked upon to be one of the best bench warmers in the NBA. When Camby needs a rest, he knows that his seat will be warm, thanks to the skills of Montana. At SF, the Pistons will split some time between offensive gunner Mike Dunleavy, and the defensively strong James Posey. Posey was recently acquired for Tank Johnson, in order to bolster the perimeter defense that had been lacking in Detroit. Posey's tough, physical play will fit in great in the Motor City. He is already a fan favorite. The Pistons basically want Dunleavy to stretch the defense with his 3 pt prowess, to open things up inside for Perkins, and to create driving space for his former Duke teammate Jay Williams. Posey will be used as the Pistons' defensive stopper in key situations. At SG, the Pistons feel they have one of the best, if not the best, SG in the league in 2nd year phenom LeBron James. James is coming off an unbelivable rookie of the year season. James will be looked on to score around 25 ppg, and play the role of go-to guy. Backing him up, will be the versatile Posey. His role is the same as it was at SF, where he will be asked to play tough defense along the perimeter. 3rd string SG, Jon Barry will play the role of "father" on this very young team. At PG, the Pistons have a flashy and exciting young PG in Jay Williams. Williams is a streaky shooter who can shoot the Pistons into wins. Jay will be looked upon to create easy shots for his teammates, as well as scoring around 15 ppg. Jay's defensive skills are also a plus. Jay's as happy as he's ever been because of his reunification with former Dookie Mike Dunleavy Jr. Backing Jay up will be mercurial Omar Cook. Cook plays solid defense, and is a steady ballhandler. At 3rd string, rookie Luke Ridnour, will be used as the cheerleader for the Pistons. The Pistons bolstered their starting 5, into what could possibly be the strongest starting 5 in the entire league. With that being said, expectations are very high, as the Pistons look to upstage the Red Wings for Detroit's best team. 50 wins and a decent run in the playoffs are the young Pistons main goals to accomplish for the upcoming season.
Houston Rockets Press Conference: "We welcome GM Heath" [Applause] Heath: We are da bomb. The other teams kinda sucks. Come back in June and celebrate the Championship with us. "We will now take questions from the press" Reporter: How can you say that about the rest of the league. You don't think it is kind of arrogant? Heath: How ****ing dare you calling me arrongant you lousy piece of ****. What kind of ****face attitude is that? I resent the question. And that is all I have to say today. [Heath leaves the press conference] "Thank you for your time. That was all we had time for"
Cleveland Cavilier's Statement Welcome, I dont want to give away too many secrets about my team but I can basically say that we have 2 Inside players with Defense, 2 outside shoots with Defense and a PG who can do it all in the starting 5 giving some good balance for a winning formula. 2 power forwards starting, 2 Shooting guards, and a good PG. The stats will show the real presence this team can do on the court. I won't go on with any more secret's of my teams success. Thanks
I would just like to say Rod Grizzard is a ****ty player and we will be trading him soon. We hope The addition of Latrell Sprewell and Tyler Dubroff will be well worth the price we paid.
I'd just like to say I musta been smoking something when I traded for 6 SF's. I would like to unload some of them, and I don't expect a playoff run for the Lakers this season. I expect to be high enought to get Harrison Edney or Mark Stoudamire. Now I take questions: Reporter: Why'd you trade Kobe? Answer: Greedy! He probably wouldn't have resigned, and I can't take that chance. Plus, i'll be back in a few years with Caron. Sorry, that's all the time I have!
Philadelphia 76ers Statement: This team looks nothing like the Philly teams of the past, with owner mduke trying to build his team with youth, rather than experience. They felt like they made very good trades in the offseason, building for now, and the future. At center, the 76ers will start natrual Power Forward Michael Bradley. Backing him up will be young potential-star Chris Marcus, "Nutsak" Tsakalidis, and Jorge Wingate. We feel the Center position will be very good in the future. Grade: B At Power Forward, Aaron McGhee and Stromile Swift will both split time, playing 25-30 minutes each. These are both very good young players and could develope into stars. Grade: B+ Now, to the Small Forward Position. The 76ers feel this is their strongest position, with their leader and best player, Kobe Bryant. He was acquired in the huge blockbuster that sent #1 pick Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and Travis Best to Los Angeles. Backing him up will be Kerry Kittles and Ebi Ere. Grade: A Newly Acquired PG Steve Nash will start at SG for the 6ers. His backups will be rookie Ebi Ere out of Oklahoma, an old Kerry Kittles, and newly acquired Free Agent Josue Crum. Grade: A- 3rd year player Tony Price will start at PG, with Bryce Drew and Ebi Ere backing him up. Grade: B+ Go 76ers
[Pacers GM/Coach DHR is at the podium] Press: "What are your expectations for the team coming into the season?" DHR: "I expect this team to win more games than it has in the first 3 years of the league. The trade last year for Keyon and Ben Wallace really jumpstarted our team, but unfortunately we lost a tough series in the playoffs. With those 2 guys in their first full season on the team, we expect to win 55 games or more and make a run at winning the division. The ultimate goal is to make it to the finals." Press: "Can you see any weaknesses on your team?" DHR: "Of course not, why the hell would my team have any weaknesses...that's it, no more questions." [DHR exits. Kevin Garnett enters] KG: "Whats up fellas...first question?" Press: "Kevin, were you dissapointed last year when your team won so many games, yet lost in the first round just as it has been every year in your career?" KG: "Of course I was dissapointed, but last year we hadn't really played together long after the trade. By the playoffs this year, we will all know how to play together. There is no doubt in my mind that we will go deep in the playoffs this year, and if we're not injured we're going to the finals. I'm sort of pissed though, that we're gonna have to go all the way to Paris in the eastern finals just to kick their a$$." [Press laughs] Press: "How does it feel to have a guy like DHR running this team?" KG: "Oh man, without DH I probably wouldn't even be in Indy. I'd probably still be in Minnesota with a bunch of rookies raking in lottery picks (no offense SCF ). DHR has put together a great team, and installed a great offense, so the only thing we have to do is play hard and we'll get plenty of rings soon. Thanks guys." [KG exits...Steve Fowler enters] Press: "Steve, do you feel you have successfully replaced Reggie Miller as the legendary shooter in Indiana?" SF: "Well, I wouldn't call myself a legend yet, but I'm happy to be on a great team like this in only my third season. Reggie is the greatest thing this city has ever had, but unfortunately he had to call it quits without a ring. We'd love for him to come back a year and get a ring with us, but that's up to him. We will bring playoff success to this city, just like Reggie did so many times." Press: "Did you work on any part of your game during the offseason?" SF: "Yeah, I played in a couple of summer leagues and even worked with Reggie a little on hitting those jumpers coming off of screens. I also worked on my handling a little, so I can take it to the hole more and get to the line. Ok guys, see ya at the next playoff press conference." [SF exits...Keyon Dooling enters] Press: "Keyon, how did you feel coming to Indiana in the middle of last season, and how have they changed coming into this season?" KD: "Last year, I was just glad I could land on a winning team. That was my first time for that. I like how things have worked out, and I'm going to do my best to be the point that this team needs, dishing out to shooters like Steve and Wally, and getting to the lane for dunks or feeding KG." Press: "Were you surprised that Indiana wanted you, even though they had a young Tinsley last year?" KD: "Yeah, Tinsley is a very nice player. One of those guys who can drop 15 dimes on any given night. He's handled coming off the bench well, and hopefully he'll stay next season since his contract is running out. I have a lot of respect for him, I don't know if I would've handled losing my starting job so quickly as well as he has. Now it's like we have two sixth man players, with him and Ben, who could both easily start." [Dooling exits...Ben Wallace enters] Press: "Ben, how would you explain your role on this team, and are you happy with it?" BW: "Oh, its easy...i'm the garbage man. And I'm happy with it. I come in off the bench for Kevin or Brad, still get plenty of minutes, and all I have to do is grab every rebound and block shots. My goal is to become the greatest garbage man of all time, whether coming off the bench or starting." Press: "How is the locker room atmosphere and off the court relationships with your teammates?" BW: "Hey buddy, what are you tryin' to say? I don't go that way man (laughs). But really, we have all become very tight. We had several team parties this summer, and it's like we've all been playing together our whole lives. I've never become so acquainted with my guys so fast on any other team before. It's real cool." [BW exits...Surprisingly, Matt Bullard shows up] Bull: "Hey whats up guys...just got into town. Thought I'd say hello." Press: [Mumbling amongst each other, saying "Who the hell is this guy?". Finally, someone points out that he's the tall 3-point shooter that used to play for the Rockets. Bull: "Any questions?" Press: [Lots of "umms", "hmm", and finally someone says "No"...everyone packs up the cameras and leaves] Bull: "Well, guess they couldn't handle the power of the Bull." --------------------------------------- Center: Brad Miller is the starting man, and Ben Wallace will see most of the backup minutes. Both of these guys are great on the boards, and Wallace gives them a great defensive presence. Miller adds a nice mid-range and post-up offense to compliment. <b>Grade: B+</b> Power Forward: Kevin Garnett will lead this team again at the 4 spot, as he begins to enter the years of his prime. It will only be a matter of time before he becomes king of the nba, holding up a Finals MVP trophy. Ben Wallace will fill in any time KG needs a short breather, along with Alberto Wanzer who will be more of an emergency backup. <b>Grade: A+</b> Small Forward: Wally has faded out a little on this team, and they may be shopping him around, but for now he's still an effective role player. A good 3-point shooter would be ideal for this team at the 3 spot. Wally is more of a mid-range guy. KG will see some minutes here, when their is a need to go big, and Matt Bullard will give them a 3-point threat off the bench also. <b>Grade: B-</b> Shooting Guard: Steve Fowler, going into his third year, continues to improve and will be used as a top three scoring option this year. He is well above average on both ends of the floor, and could make a run at the all-star team. 2nd year lottery pick Erick Ripken will get the backup minutes, and occasionaly Dooling will play here so Tinsley can run the point. <b>Grade: A-</b> Point Guard: Keyon Dooling is the man here, and he is becoming one of the top PG's in the league now that he is a full time starter. He is a great all around PG, that can score inside and out, dish it around, run the floor, and grab some rebounds. Not to mention he plays solid D to go along. Tinsley is more than capable as the backup, and he will get decent minutes as Dooling can slide over to the 2-guard. 2nd-year 2nd-round pick PG Ramon Kersey is a very talented shooter and ball handler, and if he can get some minutes eventually he might turn out to be a nice steal. <b>Grade: A</b> Projected team record: 58-24
2:30 AM Press Conference Nets GM moestavern19 enters "I have called this conference at this time to announce - The Nets have traded Rod Grizzard, Richard Jefferon, Moochie Norris, and Brain Steitz to the Phoenix suns for Dale Davis, Tony Delk, and Lee Nailon. Press "Who Gives a ****!, Its almost 3 in The ****ing morning!" "I believe you are not obligated to be here" Press "What is the Team's reaction to the trade?" "Are you kidding? Would I be dumb enough to wake up Michael Olowokandi at 3 in the morning at tell him Dale Davis is coming!" Press "Well we all had to get up!" "Yeah But most of you guys could get your ass kicked by Larry King's voice" GM leaves.
