2003 Chicago Bulls Press Conference

[PrepP]

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CHICAGO BULLS PRESEASON MEDIA DAY

Thank you all for joining us. It's great to have you here. We are joined by 5 year Bulls Sharp shooter Tim Thomas, High Riser Stephen "S-Jax" Jackson, and fan favorite 4 time All Star Kobe Bryant to answer any questions.

I'll start off with a brief word and then open it up for questions.

Well......Here we are. It's been just 3 years since I was brought in as GM to turn around a 16 win team sitting in last place. To change the history of such a historic franchise that looked to be heading in the wrong direction. I promised improvement and you have seen steady improvement each year. In just a few years we have turned this franchise around and last year finished with 45 wins and our 3rd straight playoff appearance.

We won't stop there. Our sights are set on bigger goals but we also understand its a process to get there. We must keep the goal in focus and keep making progress.

Our goal this year is to look at opportunities to improve our roster and get further in the playoffs. I am very impressed with the development of our young guys and the leadership of Kobe Bryant. He pushes these guys daily and leads by example. Tim Thomas has turned into solidified star and Stephen Jackson has improved his game tremendously over a short period of time. We know that there are teams that some refer to as "dominant" in our conference but that's just how we like it. You can overlook us. Call us the "underdog". But I'll assure you my guys are up for the challenge.

Any Questions?

[Eazy P]

I have to say your team and all of those colors look really good right now. Do you think you can win the division title and maybe contend for an NBA championship? With The last 3 champs being from your division do you think your team is poised to become the 4th.

[RPF]

With the age of the Hawks and now the brutal training camp for Elton Brand, do you think you can win the division this year?

[JNR]

GWR: It seems that there is a new training camp darling for you every year. At first it was Kobe Bryant, then Tim Thomas made strides; now it's Stephen Jackson who is looking to be your team's best player. Is he going to become the leader for the team, or will you still rely on players like Kobe and Tim to motivate the squad?

[PrepP]

I have to say your team and all of those colors look really good right now. Do you think you can win the division title and maybe contend for an NBA championship? With The last 4 champs being from your division do you think your team is poised to become the 5th.

Thanks for the question. We love the talent we have right now but feel like we may need to tweak our starting 5 some via trade and add some depth before we can contend for a championship. But these guys are fighters and if the cards dealt favor us I wouldn't put it past these guys to exceed expectations.

[PrepP]

With the age of the Hawks and now the brutal training camp for Elton Brand, do you think you can win the division this year?

Thanks for the question. I'd be lying if I said I haven't been waiting for the day to see the Hawks fold (and they aren't there yet). I respect their GM for building such a talented roster but not these other GM's who continue to help them stay relevant. While we feel we can compete with these teams on a good day we want to continue to look at improving our roster to be up there in the discussion with them. It's a very top heavy division but that's where are toughness comes from. We look forward to the challenge.

[PrepP]

GWR: It seems that there is a new training camp darling for you every year. At first it was Kobe Bryant, then Tim Thomas made strides; now it's Stephen Jackson who is looking to be your team's best player. Is he going to become the leader for the team, or will you still rely on players like Kobe and Tim to motivate the squad?

Great question. Kobe has been the heart of this team since he came to Chicago. He was here pushing guys and carrying this team when I got here and they had only won 16 games. His fire and will to win is incredible. He has taken it upon himself to push his teammates to reach the level of play you are seeing from them now. He's also smart enough to know that basketball isn't a one man show. It takes a team to win. He's ok if he's not the leading scorer as long as the W's are adding up. We are blessed to have such a great young core of guys on this squad. So while Kobe is the leader as far as pushing us forward, guys like Tim and Stephen have taken that challenge and will often lead us on the court. It's a team effort.

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: With the roster you currently have and the cap being what it is, you've been vocal about addressing needs for the front court. Are you not sold on the talents of Bibby and Miller? Have there been deals that have just fallen through or do you still see them being long term fixtures like Kobe has.

[PrepP]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: With the roster you currently have and the cap being what it is, you've been vocal about addressing needs for the front court. Are you not sold on the talents of Bibby and Miller? Have there been deals that have just fallen through or do you still see them being long term fixtures like Kobe has.

We actually are high on Brad Miller and Mike Bibby which is why we haven't pulled the trigger on a trade yet. We want value in return that is going to be an improvement for us at one of those positions. Unfortunately that deal just hasn't come along yet. We aren't going to send off 2 proven starting caliber young guys who have improved every year in the league unless it's for a deal that helps us compete for a championship now. Those guys are out there. We just need the right deal to come along.

[kucoach7]

Nathan Sliver, sevenfortyseven.com: You've been shopping Miller and Bibby like you want them gone yesterday. You are well known for keeping a lean roster. If you do manage to ship them off for an upgrade at C or PG do you see Blake, who had a nice-ish camp, stepping into a starting role or will you look outside for a 5th starter.

[PrepP]

Nathan Sliver, sevenfortyseven.com: You've been shopping Miller and Bibby like you want them gone yesterday. You are well known for keeping a lean roster. If you do manage to ship them off for an upgrade at C or PG do you see Blake, who had a nice-ish camp, stepping into a starting role or will you look outside for a 5th starter.

If we move miller, bibby or both together it will be for an impact player at either of those positions from that point we will look at the best way to fill the remaining hole. Steve could be asked to take on that role as a temporary solution or he could be moved in a package also to bring in the player we really need to fill that position and make a deep playoff run.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: While you've had a killer starting 5 that has carried you to the playoffs in the last few years, your bench depth has flitted between "lacking" and "nonexistent." Do you think a stronger bench might be the key to taking this team to another level? Are there currently any plans to acquire more depth?

[PrepP]

Random Reporter: While you've had a killer starting 5 that has carried you to the playoffs in the last few years, your bench depth has flitted between "lacking" and "nonexistent." Do you think a stronger bench might be the key to taking this team to another level? Are there currently any plans to acquire more depth?

As GM, part of my job is to balance pay roll. I haven't felt the past two years that we needed to go over the cap and pay the tax which can get expensive for repeat offenders if we weren't ready to compete. We feel we can add the depth needed via trade(s), minimum vet deals, and the draft.

[WigNosy]

Have you been in contact with the Celtics about trading for Steven Hunter to make the Steve trifecta happen in Chicago?

[PrepP]

Have you been in contact with the Celtics about trading for Steven Hunter to make the Steve trifecta happen in Chicago?

Best question yet. Steven would be a great fit for our team but we haven't reached out to Celtics GM Conroy to discuss trades. We've found that they generally want you to over pay for their players in past negotiations. But we are open to discussions if they are. The more Steve's the better

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[IamQuailman]

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