Suns preseason press conference

[MESSI_2.0]

Good morning, and welcome to the Phoenix Suns preseason press conference.

I'd like to open the conference addressing last season. Last season, I was gifted with a talented but underachieving team. We had the team known as "The Initials". Great talent such as AI, KVH, and JO. We began immediately making roster moves upon my arrival. We traded away Steve Nash shortly after taking over. With Nash gone, we acquired a nice young center with what we feel was a good contract who could be our guy at that position for the next 3 years minimum. We felt at the end of the season, we did not reach our full potential despite not being a part of the organization for the whole season. This brought us to the off-season.

This off-season was done to reduce our long term cap space while getting some veteran leadership. We decided to part ways with all of our initials. First, we traded away AI for Damon Stoudamire. We feel that Stoudamire is a better fit at a better price than AI. He is only one year older, so age is not an issue. We also received some players we feel can contribute off the bench, specifically El-Amin and Nachbar. Next, we made a deal to get Shawn Bradley and Allan Houston for KVH and JO. With this deal, we weren't actively shopping KVH, but we feel like with two draft picks with the deal, it would be difficult to not make the trade. We knew we were taking a risk short term with these aging stars, but we know we need to take risks.

This season's expectations. We are going to go with a big roatation in the frontcourt with Bradley starting at the center and Cato starting at the PF. We know that with Booth coming off the bench that these are 3 big guys to solidify the middle and give opposing frontcourts trouble defensively and rebounding. This big line-up will also allow our rookie draft choice, Udonis Haslam, to work his way into the rotation slowly. Our SF position Will start with Joe Johnson, who moved to SG last season. We will move Houston to the SG and keep Stoudamire at the PG.

We feel like a weakness I've had in the past in another organization was depth. We have plently of players who will see playing time this year to help us reach our goal of making the playoffs in the strong Western Conference and see what happens when we get there.

We now open it up to questions.

[logpmess]

With a new team and completely new players, do you think you can actually make a push in the western conference? I don't see a player on your team to hide your weaknesses as a GM that Terry Mills did for you in Los Angeles.

Also, I found a leak of the giveaways for the fans this season. What game are you planning to give away the stuffed animal that looks like a slimmed down version of you as seen here?




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[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Now that all your previous franchise players are gone, is Joe Johnson now the franchise? If so, do you feel as if that's not too much pressure for a second-year player?

[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker of the Cleveland Rocker:

This team was last in the division, third to last in the conference last season. Your outlook for next season is very bright compared to what it was this season.

If you have not moved the needle enough to get close to the 8th seed, will you liquidate further?

[NickMalone77]

Do you feel that the veteran presence will slow down the game of your franchise cornerstone, Joe Johnson and also limit his touches and shots with the likes of Damon and Allan Houston around?

[aburns211]

Damon Stoudamire has been traded all over the place in his 7 year career. He is the final year of his deal. How has he fit in with the team? Has he given you any indication that he wants to be with the team long term?

[MESSI_2.0]

With a new team and completely new players, do you think you can actually make a push in the western conference? I don't see a player on your team to hide your weaknesses as a GM that Terry Mills did for you in Los Angeles.

Also, I found a leak of the giveaways for the fans this season. What game are you planning to give away the stuffed animal that looks like a slimmed down version of you as seen here?




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We feel like given the right matchups, we can do well in the playoffs this year if we can get there.

Those giveaways were supposed to be kept secret for the home opener. Who released the to you? Was Vinny involved?

[MESSI_2.0]

Random Reporter: Now that all your previous franchise players are gone, is Joe Johnson now the franchise? If so, do you feel as if that's not too much pressure for a second-year player?

We feel Joe Johnson is a guy who can play two positions at a high level for us. He showed through the preseason games that he has the ability to score. With our veteran additions, there won't be as much pressure for him because when there is a game he struggles(everyone has them), we have other guys.

[MESSI_2.0]

Dr. Rocker of the Cleveland Rocker:

This team was last in the division, third to last in the conference last season. Your outlook for next season is very bright compared to what it was this season.

If you have not moved the needle enough to get close to the 8th seed, will you liquidate further?

We will do whatever is necessary to better the team, but I like my team and my players.

[MESSI_2.0]

Do you feel that the veteran presence will slow down the game of your franchise cornerstone, Joe Johnson and also limit his touches and shots with the likes of Damon and Allan Houston around?

We do not feel that the veterans will slow down his growth and development. He had a guy in Allan Houston who will be a great mentor for him. Will he be limited in shots? At times, yes he will, but in meeting with him, he is comfortable taking shots when needed, and comfortable passing when needed.

[MESSI_2.0]

Damon Stoudamire has been traded all over the place in his 7 year career. He is the final year of his deal. How has he fit in with the team? Has he given you any indication that he wants to be with the team long term?

We have not talked any long term options with Damon. He knows his rolrole on the team is to be a distributor first and scorer second. After our last preseason game, we spoke with him, and he is excited for the upcoming season. He has shown the ability to gel quickly with all the guys on our team.

[WigNosy]

Do you hope Shawn Bradley will be able to mentor Cato and Booth during his time in Phoenix? Also, what role do you foresee long-term for Haslem?

[MESSI_2.0]

Do you hope Shawn Bradley will be able to mentor Cato and Booth during his time in Phoenix? Also, what role do you foresee long-term for Haslem?

We feel like Shawn Bradley will be a vital part to BOTH Cato and Booth's success. Haslem will have to grow a little before he will see himself in the starting line up. It could happen quickly or slowly. We feel like he will be a great asset for our team in the future. With Haslem and Johnson, we like how our team is shaping up for the future.

[IamQuailman]

Awarded 5 pts!