Minnesota Timberpups Press Conference 2002-03

[JNR]

The lights go out and a projector whirs to life. The first video is Chris Webber dunking over Tim Duncan. Webber’s voice reads over the video.

“For nine years, Minnesota was my home. And while I’m excited to continue my career in Houston, I really want everyone to know how happy I was that Minnesota was my home.”


Now Webber, with his back to the basket, fakes a pass to Robert Pack and flips it over his head as Grant Hill drives to the lane, catches the pass, and dunks the ball.

“We never got to the top of the mountain, but we had great seasons and I have nothing but warm memories of my time as a Timberwolf.”

Webber shoots a 3 pointer, then strolls backwards down the court smiling.

“Thanks to JNR, coach, and everyone who supported me during my nine years in Minnesota. I’ll always be grateful.”

It ends with a still shot of Webber smiling.



The lights return and GM JNR wipes a tear from his eye.

JNR: Chris sent that package in a few days ago. I still can’t watch it without getting emotional.

He sighs.

JNR: It didn’t get the attention that it deserved, but the Webber trade was the hardest move I have ever made as a GM. Drafting him was the best thing we have done for this franchise, and he turned this team into a respectable franchise. Although Webber is no longer a member of this team, he’ll always hold a special place on this team.

JNR shakes his head quickly.

JNR: But enough. Moving forward.

Trading Webber did help us in our new goal: to rebuild. We brought in young players Tayshaun Prince and Jason Richardson.

We drafted Luis Scola out of Argentina. And we’ve continued to groom our young vet Raja Bell to be the leader of this squad. We don’t expect to blow the doors off the conference, but I do think this team will be a hell of a lot of fun.

As far as season goals, we anticipate our starting lineup to be:

PG: Howard Eisley
SG: Raja Bell
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Terry Mills
C: Zan Tabak

With Richardson, Vlad Rad, and Scola getting the most burn off the bench. Our strength appears to be an outside shooting team, and since we’re young we’re going to want to run.

If you have any questions about the team, the acquisitions, or our general team direction, please ask them now.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Word around the league is that Raja became expendable the minute the staff got a good look at Richardson in training camp, yet he's starting. What exactly is his role in Minnesota's future? Also, who is more likely to eventually start at PF, Radmanovic or Scola?

[JNR]

Random Reporter: Word around the league is that Raja became expendable the minute the staff got a good look at Richardson in training camp, yet he's starting. What exactly is his role in Minnesota's future? Also, who is more likely to eventually start at PF, Radmanovic or Scola?

JNR: Thanks for the question. While we'd never rule out trading anyone at this point, Raja is a better scorer, ball handler, and defender than JRich right now. I know that the rumors are out there because Raja is a few years older than the rest of the core here, but we love what he brings to this team.

As for your second question, until our trade this afternoon, Vlad was penciled in as the starter, and in fact played as such during the preseason. We think he will be the starter at some point this season, but Scola will eventually be a great player.

[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker from the Cleveland Rocker: You have your pick this season and three the following. That draft is right when Raja Bell goes into restricted free agency. Will you hit the gas then, or with you hard work gathering future picks done, will you consider trading a couple of them to fill out the roster sooner?

[JNR]

JNR: That's an excellent question. Everything about Cleveland has gotten much better over the past year.

I think it's important to have a plan and direction for your team, and we certainly have one. But at the same time it's also important to have flexibility and options. Possessing six draft picks over the next three years as well as having an asset like Bell gives us the desired flexibility to reach our goal in more than one way. If we see this team as ready next year, we will keep Raja and find the right players to contend. If we think we still need another year, we'll explore our options on the market. Our team is flexible, which makes my job pretty easy.

[NOLa.]

Why do you think no one responds to your trades? You traded arguably a top player in the game for a packge of young assets, but the league didn't even blink. You then acquired a pick for simply taking on Mills, but again no one seemed to GAF.

Your response to the GMs around the league?

Sent via Morse code

[Bowtothebill23]

In your rebuild so far, what do you feel you have so far in any of your players? Do you see a #1, 2, or 3 already on your team or do you think you still need to draft/trade for those pieces?

[JNR]

Why do you think no one responds to your trades? You traded arguably a top player in the game for a packge of young assets, but the league didn't even blink. You then acquired a pick for simply taking on Mills, but again no one seemed to GAF.

Your response to the GMs around the league?


Sent via Morse code

I'm hoping this reaction is simple: you don't send your friends an email when you see a dog bark. You don't reach for a camera if a person makes a perfect parking job. The expected isn't noteworthy, and I hope what's happening is that my great dealmaking is seen as typical and expected from me. I consider myself to be a top GM, and as I compile more moves in silence, I assume that silence is other GMs nodding in agreement.

[JNR]

In your rebuild so far, what do you feel you have so far in any of your players? Do you see a #1, 2, or 3 already on your team or do you think you still need to draft/trade for those pieces?

A curious thing happened during preseason. I essentially threw the ball out there, looked st my young core, and told them "one of you needs to be a leader." They promptly went out and played hot potato with it.

That was part of the reason behind Terry Mills. Terry has been in this league for a long time. He's been on good teams. He is going to bring a toughness to this team. And if I see throughout the season that these young men still struggle to be "the man," then I'm going to have to find another leader.

[coltsguy510]

One of the biggest surprises in the league coming out of Training Camp was the development of rookie PF Luis Scola. Can you tell us what you expect from him this season and beyond?

[JNR]

One of the biggest surprises in the league coming out of Training Camp was the development of rookie PF Luis Scola. Can you tell us what you expect from him this season and beyond?

Thanks for the question. After we acquired Mills, we realized that the minutes for Scola will be hard to come by. We think he'll be a great player in the future, without a doubt. He appears to have the tools to be a very good player in this league, and we will try to give him opportunity to show it this season.

[Soundwave]

Can Minny be the first team to get 3 #1 overall picks?

[NOLa.]

Can Minny be the first team to get 3 #1 overall picks?

Technically LoCo holds this infamous claim

Sent via Morse code

[JNR]

Can Minny be the first team to get 3 #1 overall picks?

Who knows? Maybe. I'd rather talk about this coming season than worry about ping pong balls before we've even tipped off.

[IamQuailman]

Awarded 5 pts!