2058 Brooklyn Nets Press Conference

[RPF]

2058 Brooklyn Nets Press Conference

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. Before we begin, I want to acknowledge that last season fell far short of expectations for all of us here at the Brooklyn Nets organization, and most importantly, for our fans. We didn't deliver on the court, and we take full responsibility for that.

That said, we used the offseason to make significant changes, and we're here today with a renewed sense of optimism about the upcoming season. What excites me most about this group is the hunger and determination they've shown from day one of camp.

We have a core of young talent that's hungry to prove themselves. Fly Williams, Bones Hyland, Supreme Cook – these guys are putting in the work, and it's showing. They're pushing each other, learning from each other, and most importantly, they're having fun.

We've also been very impressed with the development of Jordan Hawkins. He's a smart player with a high basketball IQ, and he's a natural leader on the court. And of course, anchoring the paint, we have Malcom Urbina. He brings size, energy, and a defensive presence that will be crucial for our success.
Overall, the vibe in this training camp has been fantastic. There's a real sense of camaraderie and a collective belief that we can achieve something special this season.

That concludes our opening statement. We appreciate your time and look forward to a successful season. We will now open to floor to questions from the media.

[Mike Lowry]

That was quite an impressive training camp.
How long do you feel it will take this group to mature into a title contender?
And do you intend to keep them together that long, or might you trade a piece or two in order to accelerate your timeline?

[RPF]

That was quite an impressive training camp.
How long do you feel it will take this group to mature into a title contender?
And do you intend to keep them together that long, or might you trade a piece or two in order to accelerate your timeline?

That's a great question. Predicting a timeline for championship contention for a young team is tricky. There are a lot of factors at play – player development, staying healthy, navigating a tough league. However, what I can tell you is that we believe in the core we have. Fly, Bones, Supreme – these guys are young, talented, and hungry. They're coachable, and they're putting in the work ethic to get better every single day.That said, we're also not afraid to be aggressive in the market if the right opportunity arises. We'll always be looking to improve the roster.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: While Malcolm Urbina had a good camp in his UFA contract year, the Nets have had bad luck with big men as Dick Bavetta, Primo Spears, and Jason Edelstein all have had setbacks, and once Fly, Bones, and Cook are ready to compete, what's the plan to bring in a frontcourt that is ready to compete with them? Are there any players on the free agent market next year (including Urbina) that you're targeting, or are there a players you'd be willing to cash in Hawkins for if his timeline is a little behind?

[RPF]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: While Malcolm Urbina had a good camp in his UFA contract year, the Nets have had bad luck with big men as Dick Bavetta, Primo Spears, and Jason Edelstein all have had setbacks, and once Fly, Bones, and Cook are ready to compete, what's the plan to bring in a frontcourt that is ready to compete with them? Are there any players on the free agent market next year (including Urbina) that you're targeting, or are there a players you'd be willing to cash in Hawkins for if his timeline is a little behind?

That's a very astute observation. Building a championship team requires a strong presence down low, and unfortunately, injuries and bad training camps have plagued us in the front court in recent years. Malcolm has impressed us in camp, and we're hopeful he can be a part of the solution. He brings size, energy, and a defensive presence we desperately need. However, we understand the importance of having a reliable center, and we're actively exploring all our options.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With Bones and Urbana both set to hit FA next season. Is there a concern that you will go into the tax earlier then your team is ready to compete?


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[MexicanMamba]

After spending 7 great years in Brooklyn, how did you feel about Ron Harper Jr. getting a championship ring last season? And did you ever consider trying to bring him back in this off-season while he was available to help give the kids you currently have some veteran leadership?

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[RPF]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: With Bones and Urbana both set to hit FA next season. Is there a concern that you will go into the tax earlier then your team is ready to compete?


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Retaining both Bones Hyland and Malcolm Urbina is certainly a priority for us, and their free agency status adds a layer of complexity to our financial planning. However, we're confident we can navigate this situation strategically. We have a talented young core on affordable contracts, which provides us with some flexibility. Our primary focus is on developing this young core organically. We want them to earn their stripes, learn from their mistakes, and grow together as a unit. We'll be smart with our resources. We'll explore all options, including using veteran minimum contracts and creative trades to bolster the roster without going into the luxury tax prematurely.

[RPF]

After spending 7 great years in Brooklyn, how did you feel about Ron Harper Jr. getting a championship ring last season? And did you ever consider trying to bring him back in this off-season while he was available to help give the kids you currently have some veteran leadership?

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That's a great question, and one I understand fans might be curious about. First off, let me say nothing but good things about Ron Harper Jr. He was a fantastic player for us here in Brooklyn for seven seasons. He brought hustle, energy, and a winning mentality to the court every night. So, to see him get a championship ring last season with the Los Angles Lakers, honestly, I was thrilled for him. He put in the work, he deserves the recognition, and it was a great accomplishment for him. Now, regarding bringing him back this offseason, it was definitely a conversation we had. Ron is a proven winner, and his veteran leadership would have been valuable for our young core. However, there were a few factors at play. We value Ron's experience and leadership, but we also have to consider where this team is in its development. We're committed to giving our young players significant minutes. Bringing Ron back, while tempting, might have limited some of those opportunities for growth. We believe in the upside of Fly Williams, Bones Hyland, and Supreme Cook, and we want them to learn by experience. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, we fell it is more important to prioritize the development of our young core. We believe they have the potential to be the foundation of a championship team here in Brooklyn for years to come. That's not to say we've closed the door on Ron entirely. He's a valuable player, and depending on how things progress, there could be future opportunities down the line. But for now, we're focused on giving our young guys the reins and watching them grow.

[greepleairport]

Fly and Bones are somewhat similar players. Bones was pushed to the bench during preseason in favor of Jacob McNulty. How do you see their chemistry developing as teammates over the years? Is one preferred over the other, or do you see them as distinctly different players?

[RPF]

Fly and Bones are somewhat similar players. Bones was pushed to the bench during preseason in favor of Jacob McNulty. How do you see their chemistry developing as teammates over the years? Is one preferred over the other, or do you see them as distinctly different players?

We see Fly as our primary scoring option. He can initiate the offense, drive to the basket, and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Bones will be a perfect complement alongside him. Imagine this: Fly draws the defense in the paint, kicking the ball out to a wide-open Bones for a three. Or, Bones uses his shooting threat to create space for Fly to attack the rim. The key is to utilize their strengths and minimize their overlaps. We're confident that with their talent and the right coaching, they can develop a strong on-court chemistry. We're not looking to replace them with each other, but rather empower them to play to their strengths and work together. Their competitive fire will push each other to improve, and ultimately, that will benefit the entire team. As for Jacob McNulty, he had a strong preseason and earned significant playing time. That doesn't mean one player is preferred over the other. We have a deep roster with talented players at every position. The competition for minutes will be fierce, and that's a good thing. It will keep everyone sharp and focused on contributing to winning basketball.

[Eazy P]

Are you looking to make any major moves to make a push for a post season run?