Post by zeropointzero on Aug 18, 2010 19:38:28 GMT -5
“With three 2004 first round picks, including your own, are you looking to tank this year (even with the King) in order to assure yourself long-term stability.
We all know how much King prefers to be a sidekick.”
While I do not appreciate that last comment, I’ll go ahead and address your question. First and foremost you need to keep in mind whose picks besides my own we have for the 04 draft. The Suns just had a monster training camp, plus they play in the weaker conference. The Clippers were a formidable team last year, and I don’t expect much of a drop-off from them this season either. Granted, you can never be too sure of a team’s future, I mean if someone would’ve told me before last season that the Bulls would be one of the bottom 3 teams in the entire league I would’ve told you that you were crazy. As far as my own pick goes, we’re approaching this season with all intentions of contending for a playoff spot. Rebuilding the team last season was a bit of a special circumstance as the East was unbelievably loaded and we had a player or 2...I won’t name any names but they no longer play here…who seemed more interested in padding their stats than helping the team win. We got incredibly lucky with the Lottery and now the decision looks great. You can’t plan on getting struck by lightning twice. “Tanking” as you call it wouldn’t be fair to a guy like Stevie who gave us everything he could last year and is right in the middle of his prime, we can’t waste those years to try and land players who might never end up as good as Stevie is now.
“With Lebron now in the fold is this still Steve Francis's team or are the reins passed to Lebron now?”
Let me just say this, New York basketball fans are the best in the world, they really are. LeBron is an unbelievable player, and we expect him to just dazzle crowds all season long, but let’s get this straight. Steve Francis was giving those fans in the Garden 25, 9, and 6 a night last year, and was the lone bright spot on a team that had its struggles…and that’s not an indictment on Steve, okay? If you wanna place any blame for why last year’s team finished so far under .500, blame it on me. Steve is 26, and LeBron is 18. There’s a very good chance that their respective “primes” will take place at different times. But LeBron will have to adjust to the intricacies of the league, it’s just what all rookies have to go through. Steve is unselfish, though. He’s gonna do what he always does, and that’s put the team first. If LeBron’s got the hot hand, Steve is gonna do all he can to get him the rock. He averages over 9 assists a game for a reason. I’ll say this to both Steve and LeBron, and really for any player that wants to play in New York. You want to call the team “yours”, go out and win a Finals MVP. Until you do that, this team belongs to me and we’re gonna emphasize the heart and soul of the team ahead of any individual.
“In the last few season, the Knicks were one of the highest scoring teams in the league, but your defense has been atrocious. Teams average nearly 50% field goal and score well over 100 points, in 164 games throughout the regular season, no team has Stromiled to score less than 75 points on the Knicks defense.
Granted this is partly due to your fast pace offense that results in more possessions from both sides of the floor, but as a GM/coach you have to be concerned about this. What do you plan to do to rectify this situation and improve your defense and hopefully contend for the East and put good use of the immense talents of Lebron James, your #1 overall pick?”
I’m well aware of those statistics, believe me, I am as upset as anybody to see those. When I first constructed this team, I really felt we had the chance to play an uptempo, fast-paced entertaining style of ball that was tailored towards the strengths of our players, but certain guys didn’t pick up the defensive slack like we were expecting. You have to remember the youth on this team last year as well. Tskita was logging major minutes, we had Matt Barnes, Richard Jefferson, Douglas Allen. You can’t expect rookies to step in immediately and shut down established veterans, it just doesn’t work like that. But that’s why they call it rebuilding. I think the playing time each of those guys got made them much more aware players, and I think our fans will see the difference this season. Our style of play is changing drastically this season, the breakneck pace, the up-and-down basketball, that is all gone. Slowing the game down for our guys is gonna help tremendously on the defensive side of things. And then lastly we addressed the issue by putting our money where our mouth is, simple as that. We brought back Aaron McKie, we brought in Tyrone Hill, Kenny Thomas, and Kelvin Cato. That was the one area I felt our team needed the biggest upgrade, defense in the interior. I have no doubts that Stevie is gonna play tremendous defense, Matt Barnes and LeBron really responded to the defensive teaching we gave them in training camp, and Richard Jefferson is stout in that area. You’re gonna see a new team this year.
“We at Bulls Confidential have sources claiming LBJ found Steve Francis fucking LBJ mom in the hotel suite after the final preseason game.
Can you please confirm or deny these reports?
Will Steve be traded? Can the two continue to play together?”
Security! Can we get this guy out of here, you gotta be kidding me…you kiss your mother with that mouth? Seriously…good grief…NEXT QUESTION!
“How does the unexpected arrival of LeBron James affect your plans? Does this move your timeline up as far as when you try to contend in the East? Does the rebuilding process still take a few more years?
What are your plans for the numerous 1st round picks? Keep them and take a chance on some prospects, or package them for some proven players to surround LeBron and Francis with?
Also, do you believe Stern rigged the lottery so LBJ would wind up in the NYC?”
It totally changed everything. I don’t care who you are, you put a player like LeBron on the Magic and it changes everything, he’s simply that special. We’re gonna do all we can to contend this year PERIOD. I don’t even wanna hear that r-word at any point this year, so let that be a warning to all you reporters, anybody uses that word I want you to send them my way, because I dare anybody to go up to Stevie or LeBron or especially a veteran like Tyrone and tell them we’re rebuilding. Last year was all about moving out some bad apples in favor of hungry young talent that wanted their chance to play and show how talented they are. Once again, let me make this perfectly clear, we had some…personalities…on last year’s team that weren’t doing a good job at grasping the team concept, and if anybody doesn’t wanna believe me on that, I implore you to look at what one of the former players here did to his new team throughout their run to the playoffs, and subsequently in the playoffs. Shot them right out of the playoffs. Bottom line is we think we can compete right away. As far as our picks go, there’s really no set plan in place that I’m rigidly adhering to. If there is a trade I feel can get us over the hump, I’m prepared to use 1, 2, hell, all 3 of em to get us what we need. But only if it’s the right deal. Obviously I’m gonna keep an eye out for the standings in the Western Conference, if the Clippers or Suns have some bad luck that’s gonna change my perspective. As for your last question I’m not sure I can answer that without my wallet getting a lot lighter.
“Where do the knicks see themself this year? Are you a playoff contender if so why if not what are you missing to become a playoff team? Lastly if you could take back or make a move the past two offseasons what would it have been?”
I’m certainly no psychic so I must apologize to all you prop bettors out there, I don’t really have a specific number I can throw out as far as wins go but we’re thinking playoffs. I’m thinking playoffs, all the players are thinking playoffs, the fans are thinking playoffs. You can’t turn on a radio station here in New York, or open up a newspaper, walk down the street without hearing people buzzing about LeBron and the excitement he’s brought to the city will only make our team better. As for a move I could take back…I certainly don’t wanna put the cart before the horse here, but I’d say we played our cards right with the moves we’ve made recently. I wish I would’ve been more defensive minded with the moves I made in the creation draft, and I was pretty disappointed that Douglas Allen didn’t wanna stay on with the team after we traded for him, but I like our future so I feel no need dwelling on the past.
“This is a question for LBJ himself:
You are going to a once proud franchise, but who has struggled a lot lately. You have immense pressure on you to bring back success to New York and many expect you to takeover the team and be a superstar from day 1. How can the Knicks expect to incorporate you into a team with Steve Francis when both players are largely thought to be main ball handlers that need the rock to create and score?”
[The lights go off, the Triple H King of Kings theme starts blaring
LeBron air-dribbles his way to the podium]
LeBron is here! I’ma make this quick because I got dinner reservations with Spike Lee. First off, I think last year was a unique situation for the Knicks, I mean 2 seasons ago they were in contention for the last spot in the playoffs so things have been up and down, plus like you said this is a very proud franchise with lots of history, it’s not like we’re talking about a joke of an organization such as the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron expects LeBron to be a superstar from day 1 because its all LeBron knows. You see LeBron dunk on all those crackers in high school down in Ohio? Yeah that’s what LeBron thought. LeBron is not concerned with taking over the team because LeBron has much bigger goals, in particular building up my brand. The Knicks can incorporate me into the team by throwing me alley oops…lots of them. Just throw the ball up mayne, pshh….simple as that. Steve averages a lot of assists, so I’m definitely gonna get my fix. No doubt about that. I’ma get mine, trust me. I could lead the league in scoring every season if I really wanted to. And one last thing, to all those out there badmouthing the Knicks just know I’m making a mental list of all of you and I’m gonna get my revenge soon.
We all know how much King prefers to be a sidekick.”
While I do not appreciate that last comment, I’ll go ahead and address your question. First and foremost you need to keep in mind whose picks besides my own we have for the 04 draft. The Suns just had a monster training camp, plus they play in the weaker conference. The Clippers were a formidable team last year, and I don’t expect much of a drop-off from them this season either. Granted, you can never be too sure of a team’s future, I mean if someone would’ve told me before last season that the Bulls would be one of the bottom 3 teams in the entire league I would’ve told you that you were crazy. As far as my own pick goes, we’re approaching this season with all intentions of contending for a playoff spot. Rebuilding the team last season was a bit of a special circumstance as the East was unbelievably loaded and we had a player or 2...I won’t name any names but they no longer play here…who seemed more interested in padding their stats than helping the team win. We got incredibly lucky with the Lottery and now the decision looks great. You can’t plan on getting struck by lightning twice. “Tanking” as you call it wouldn’t be fair to a guy like Stevie who gave us everything he could last year and is right in the middle of his prime, we can’t waste those years to try and land players who might never end up as good as Stevie is now.
“With Lebron now in the fold is this still Steve Francis's team or are the reins passed to Lebron now?”
Let me just say this, New York basketball fans are the best in the world, they really are. LeBron is an unbelievable player, and we expect him to just dazzle crowds all season long, but let’s get this straight. Steve Francis was giving those fans in the Garden 25, 9, and 6 a night last year, and was the lone bright spot on a team that had its struggles…and that’s not an indictment on Steve, okay? If you wanna place any blame for why last year’s team finished so far under .500, blame it on me. Steve is 26, and LeBron is 18. There’s a very good chance that their respective “primes” will take place at different times. But LeBron will have to adjust to the intricacies of the league, it’s just what all rookies have to go through. Steve is unselfish, though. He’s gonna do what he always does, and that’s put the team first. If LeBron’s got the hot hand, Steve is gonna do all he can to get him the rock. He averages over 9 assists a game for a reason. I’ll say this to both Steve and LeBron, and really for any player that wants to play in New York. You want to call the team “yours”, go out and win a Finals MVP. Until you do that, this team belongs to me and we’re gonna emphasize the heart and soul of the team ahead of any individual.
“In the last few season, the Knicks were one of the highest scoring teams in the league, but your defense has been atrocious. Teams average nearly 50% field goal and score well over 100 points, in 164 games throughout the regular season, no team has Stromiled to score less than 75 points on the Knicks defense.
Granted this is partly due to your fast pace offense that results in more possessions from both sides of the floor, but as a GM/coach you have to be concerned about this. What do you plan to do to rectify this situation and improve your defense and hopefully contend for the East and put good use of the immense talents of Lebron James, your #1 overall pick?”
I’m well aware of those statistics, believe me, I am as upset as anybody to see those. When I first constructed this team, I really felt we had the chance to play an uptempo, fast-paced entertaining style of ball that was tailored towards the strengths of our players, but certain guys didn’t pick up the defensive slack like we were expecting. You have to remember the youth on this team last year as well. Tskita was logging major minutes, we had Matt Barnes, Richard Jefferson, Douglas Allen. You can’t expect rookies to step in immediately and shut down established veterans, it just doesn’t work like that. But that’s why they call it rebuilding. I think the playing time each of those guys got made them much more aware players, and I think our fans will see the difference this season. Our style of play is changing drastically this season, the breakneck pace, the up-and-down basketball, that is all gone. Slowing the game down for our guys is gonna help tremendously on the defensive side of things. And then lastly we addressed the issue by putting our money where our mouth is, simple as that. We brought back Aaron McKie, we brought in Tyrone Hill, Kenny Thomas, and Kelvin Cato. That was the one area I felt our team needed the biggest upgrade, defense in the interior. I have no doubts that Stevie is gonna play tremendous defense, Matt Barnes and LeBron really responded to the defensive teaching we gave them in training camp, and Richard Jefferson is stout in that area. You’re gonna see a new team this year.
“We at Bulls Confidential have sources claiming LBJ found Steve Francis fucking LBJ mom in the hotel suite after the final preseason game.
Can you please confirm or deny these reports?
Will Steve be traded? Can the two continue to play together?”
Security! Can we get this guy out of here, you gotta be kidding me…you kiss your mother with that mouth? Seriously…good grief…NEXT QUESTION!
“How does the unexpected arrival of LeBron James affect your plans? Does this move your timeline up as far as when you try to contend in the East? Does the rebuilding process still take a few more years?
What are your plans for the numerous 1st round picks? Keep them and take a chance on some prospects, or package them for some proven players to surround LeBron and Francis with?
Also, do you believe Stern rigged the lottery so LBJ would wind up in the NYC?”
It totally changed everything. I don’t care who you are, you put a player like LeBron on the Magic and it changes everything, he’s simply that special. We’re gonna do all we can to contend this year PERIOD. I don’t even wanna hear that r-word at any point this year, so let that be a warning to all you reporters, anybody uses that word I want you to send them my way, because I dare anybody to go up to Stevie or LeBron or especially a veteran like Tyrone and tell them we’re rebuilding. Last year was all about moving out some bad apples in favor of hungry young talent that wanted their chance to play and show how talented they are. Once again, let me make this perfectly clear, we had some…personalities…on last year’s team that weren’t doing a good job at grasping the team concept, and if anybody doesn’t wanna believe me on that, I implore you to look at what one of the former players here did to his new team throughout their run to the playoffs, and subsequently in the playoffs. Shot them right out of the playoffs. Bottom line is we think we can compete right away. As far as our picks go, there’s really no set plan in place that I’m rigidly adhering to. If there is a trade I feel can get us over the hump, I’m prepared to use 1, 2, hell, all 3 of em to get us what we need. But only if it’s the right deal. Obviously I’m gonna keep an eye out for the standings in the Western Conference, if the Clippers or Suns have some bad luck that’s gonna change my perspective. As for your last question I’m not sure I can answer that without my wallet getting a lot lighter.
“Where do the knicks see themself this year? Are you a playoff contender if so why if not what are you missing to become a playoff team? Lastly if you could take back or make a move the past two offseasons what would it have been?”
I’m certainly no psychic so I must apologize to all you prop bettors out there, I don’t really have a specific number I can throw out as far as wins go but we’re thinking playoffs. I’m thinking playoffs, all the players are thinking playoffs, the fans are thinking playoffs. You can’t turn on a radio station here in New York, or open up a newspaper, walk down the street without hearing people buzzing about LeBron and the excitement he’s brought to the city will only make our team better. As for a move I could take back…I certainly don’t wanna put the cart before the horse here, but I’d say we played our cards right with the moves we’ve made recently. I wish I would’ve been more defensive minded with the moves I made in the creation draft, and I was pretty disappointed that Douglas Allen didn’t wanna stay on with the team after we traded for him, but I like our future so I feel no need dwelling on the past.
“This is a question for LBJ himself:
You are going to a once proud franchise, but who has struggled a lot lately. You have immense pressure on you to bring back success to New York and many expect you to takeover the team and be a superstar from day 1. How can the Knicks expect to incorporate you into a team with Steve Francis when both players are largely thought to be main ball handlers that need the rock to create and score?”
[The lights go off, the Triple H King of Kings theme starts blaring
LeBron air-dribbles his way to the podium]
LeBron is here! I’ma make this quick because I got dinner reservations with Spike Lee. First off, I think last year was a unique situation for the Knicks, I mean 2 seasons ago they were in contention for the last spot in the playoffs so things have been up and down, plus like you said this is a very proud franchise with lots of history, it’s not like we’re talking about a joke of an organization such as the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron expects LeBron to be a superstar from day 1 because its all LeBron knows. You see LeBron dunk on all those crackers in high school down in Ohio? Yeah that’s what LeBron thought. LeBron is not concerned with taking over the team because LeBron has much bigger goals, in particular building up my brand. The Knicks can incorporate me into the team by throwing me alley oops…lots of them. Just throw the ball up mayne, pshh….simple as that. Steve averages a lot of assists, so I’m definitely gonna get my fix. No doubt about that. I’ma get mine, trust me. I could lead the league in scoring every season if I really wanted to. And one last thing, to all those out there badmouthing the Knicks just know I’m making a mental list of all of you and I’m gonna get my revenge soon.
