San Antonio Spurs 1986 Preseason Presser

[Eazy P]

Good morning everyone. Welcome to the 1986 San Antonio Spurs Preseason presser.

I see a lot of familiar faces, and I want to start by saying how genuinely excited I am to be standing here on the cusp of the 1986-87 season. The air in the city is already buzzing, and I can tell you, the air in our training facility is electric.

I know the question on every one of your minds, and on the mind of every player in that locker room, is last May. Seven games. A thrilling, brutal, hard-fought series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. I know you all remember it, and believe me, we certainly do. We stood on the precipice of the NBA Finals, going toe-to-toe with the Lakers and we came up one night short.

That loss is the fuel for this entire organization. We have not spent the summer trying to forget it. We have spent the summer internalizing it. That feeling of walking off the floor after Game 7, that sting of defeat, it doesn't go away. It is the fuel, the fire, and the driving force behind everything we have done since. We are not a team satisfied with almost. We are not a team content with a moral victory. We are a team with unfinished business.

The core of this team, the unit that proved it can compete with anyone in the league is back and they are hungrier than ever. Isiah Thomas spent the summer refining his game and his command of the court. Michael Jordan returns with the experience of a deep playoff run under his belt and I promise you his desire to win a championship is unmatched. He is driven by a desire to bring that first championship banner to this city.

We still have the deadly perimeter shooting of Kiki Vandeweghe and Byron Scott looking to bounce back this season and contribute even more. Down low we have the muscle, the defense, and the relentless work ethic of Mike Gminski and Mark West.

We just finished a training camp that was arguably the most intense and focused I have ever seen to date. This group has bonded, they have sacrificed, and they have pushed each other. They know what it takes to get to the dance, and they are now dedicated to taking that final, crucial step. This training camp was the most competitive I have ever witnessed. Our veterans Mark Aguirre, Mike Gminski, and the rising defensive force of Mark West pushed the pace every single day. There was no casual jogging. There were no light days. There was a singular focus.

We respect every opponent in this league. But make no mistake our goal is not just to make the playoffs. Our goal is not just to get back to the Western Conference Finals. Our goal, the only one that matters, is to bring a championship banner home to San Antonio. We have the team, we have the drive, and we have the burning motivation from last May. Hopefully it will finally translate on the court when it counts.

Thank you. We will now take your questions. As always we will answer as best as we can.

[greepleairport]

You're one of a handful of teams with MLE, and the only team not to spend it. Did you whiff on adding that one extra piece to push this team over, or do you believe this roster of 10 is ready to go all the way?

[Eazy P]

You're one of a handful of teams with MLE, and the only team not to spend it. Did you whiff on adding that one extra piece to push this team over, or do you believe this roster of 10 is ready to go all the way?

I tried to bring back Gervin at a cheaper rate but he decided to move on. I was only able to sign one player (Cliff Livingston), which seems to be the norm here in SA to a vet min contract. I threw a few bids out there but wasn't able to sign multiple players. I do think this roster on paper is ready but I am sure I will find a way to waste this talented roster.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Two Questions

1. You seemed to be active in trying to trade players during the draft, what was the thought process there?

2. Is your MJ best MJ in the league yet?

[RPF]

What magic potion did you give MJ?

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[BigDaddyd8720]

Picks Emmington, SLOE Gazette,

There's been talks about a potential expansion. Do you have any plans to try and keep this team intact or do you think this may be the time to start making some moves/changes?

[LazyTitanSmash]

Who the mostly to move this season?

[Eazy P]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Two Questions

1. You seemed to be active in trying to trade players during the draft, what was the thought process there?

2. Is your MJ best MJ in the league yet?

As far as trading guys, I was trying to get a star, get younger, get a young star for cap flexibility. Was packaging guys to get that person but it didn't work out. I know the situation that looms with my finances and potential tax bill but it'll all work out without having to trade a really good player for a poo poo plater.

I still think Magic is currently the best MJ in the league but our MJ when matched up with him in the WCF, limited him in some capacity.

[Eazy P]

What magic potion did you give MJ?

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[Eazy P]

Picks Emmington, SLOE Gazette,

There's been talks about a potential expansion. Do you have any plans to try and keep this team intact or do you think this may be the time to start making some moves/changes?

With expansion being a possibility we may have to keep this team together. It is hard for us to sign UFAs with the number of teams we currently have in the league. Adding another will make it even harder to get people to come to San Antonio. We see how thing shake but anything can happen if the right things come together at the right time.

[Eazy P]

Who the mostly to move this season?

The team to the Alamodome is the move that most likely to happen. If there's a fair trade proposal we like we may move into that direction with said player involved but if it continue to be one-sided trying to win the trade/get over type thing, I will take my chances keeping a player and go from there.

[Mike Lowry]

If there is a place your team could improve, where would that area be, and how are you intending on addressing it?

[Eazy P]

If there is a place your team could improve, where would that area be, and how are you intending on addressing it?

GM/Coaching needs improvement. We have to talented of a team to not have at least a Finals appearance. I may have to address it by quitting the league and maybe someone else can get this team where it needs to be.