Chicago Bulls 1980 Press Conference

[logpmess]

Good morning, everyone,

Welcome to a new year and fresh faces. In an unprecedented happening, the entire league redrafted all players, which means everyone has a chance at a new home. We are a team of a very specific work ethic. We will not be taking it easy in practice. We will not be taking it easy in games.

First, we are happy to introduce the cornerstone of the franchise going forward, Michael Cooper. With great size at the shooting guard position, we believe he can be the catalyst to bring in a new future around the jump shot. In addition to his scoring, we look for Mike to be the cornerstone of the defense. His job is to get the ball as much as possible on both sides of the court.

We like the combination of Cooper with Kyle Macy in our backcourt. Those two have the ability to move the ball around and get up some good shots.

Our other positions are built to support our stars. Riley Reid, Edgar Jones, and Marvin Webster were brought in to be the glue for our rotations. They will be the day in and day out hustlers of our team. Creating havoc on the glass and plucking steals will be the forte of these players.

Our bench has some bright spots in it that we are really excited about. Expect Don Buse to be our spark off of the bench with our two bigs, Kevin Kunnert and Rick Robey to hold down the paint when asked.

With that, we will open up the forum to any questions that you may have.

[greepleairport]

Moses Malome, Bay Area News Group: Let me get this straight. Riley Reid will bring the glue (eww), hustler for everyone (ok), day in AND out (the ol in out, innit).

Or did you mean Robert Reid? Robert won't father Riley for another decade plus I reckon, but a few decades after that you damn right Riley brings the glue (eww).

...Sorry, what is it exactly Robert Reid is doing for the Chicago Bulls??

[logpmess]

Moses Malome, Bay Area News Group: Let me get this straight. Riley Reid will bring the glue (eww), hustler for everyone (ok), day in AND out (the ol in out, innit).

Or did you mean Robert Reid? Robert won't father Riley for another decade plus I reckon, but a few decades after that you damn right Riley brings the glue (eww).

...Sorry, what is it exactly Robert Reid is doing for the Chicago Bulls??

I was planning to do a spotlight on our player Robert Reid, but I guess I will just do it here.

As a new GM, I've tried to go into the lives of our players and really get to know them well. I have had the opportunity to meet with some of the families as well. As far as the Reids, this is what I've learned.

Every generation for the last 8 has had a daughter born of the family Reid, and that daughter has always carried on the name Riley. Unfortunately, Robert did not have any female siblings, so the name was thought to be lost. However, as a locker room does, the guys learned of this and started to refer to him with the name Riley. It has been a really fun joke for the guys and Rob has taken it in stride.

I learned a weird thing when I continued looking into the family history of Riley. Apparently, they were super popular with men around town, but I couldn't get details as to why. And somehow, a previous generation of Riley was in the room when the camera was invented. It is a weird thing, but they always find a way to be on film.

Anyway, I forgot I was no longer in the locker room and should not be using nicknames. But Riley Robert will be our steady rock. He will thrust into the opposing team and really expose their weaknesses. He will explode all over the stat sheet and will really give the guys the business.

Thanks for your question that really allowed me to give an expose for one of our players. Does anyone else have a question?

[PaulyP]

Scoring was a struggle for your team in the preseason, when you selected Cooper in the 1st round of the draft were your expectations of him to carry the main scoring load?

[logpmess]

Scoring was a struggle for your team in the preseason, when you selected Cooper in the 1st round of the draft were your expectations of him to carry the main scoring load?

I did wish for more production from him in the preseason. He played a larger amount of time at the small forward position this preseason, so we are going to transition him back to the shooting guard spot in hopes that he can put up more shot attempts. He was shooting 51% from the field, so we would like to see a slight uptick in that efficiency, but really we need him to increase the volume.

[digiskunk]

Brian "10 Beers Deep" Bologna: You were able to draft the infamous Michael Cooper in round 1 of the draft, an exceptional player with a ceiling so high, it touches the clouds. How many other players were you considering during that very first pick in the draft, and what made you ultimately choose Cooper?

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Bruce Wayne, The Gotham Gazetteer

Tough offensive numbers out of the gate. If this continues into the regular season, will you be looking to make some moves quickly to imporve scoring or let the new team build character and hope for a shiny new toy in next years draft?

[logpmess]

Brian "10 Beers Deep" Bologna: You were able to draft the infamous Michael Cooper in round 1 of the draft, an exceptional player with a ceiling so high, it touches the clouds. How many other players were you considering during that very first pick in the draft, and what made you ultimately choose Cooper?

It was a very short list of players we were considering. We liked his combination of age and offensive ability. I know that the league in the current state is primarily focused on the big man, but we looked to make a combo of SG and PG that can not only score, but also defend the wings to hopefully give us an advantage.

[logpmess]

Bruce Wayne, The Gotham Gazetteer

Tough offensive numbers out of the gate. If this continues into the regular season, will you be looking to make some moves quickly to imporve scoring or let the new team build character and hope for a shiny new toy in next years draft?

I'm not rushing this team at all. I knew I drafted a younger team. I have a solid core with my three wing starters, I do have some pieces that may be moved for draft capital if this season does not start as I hope it will, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I am not looking to move any draft capital for current players.