Boston Celtics 2005 Media Day

[Conroy]

GM Roy: Well another offseason in the books and this slow build is starting to take shape. After being swept out of the playoffs in the first round two years in a row we finally got over the hump and won a playoff series. Things were even shaping up for us to make a deep run we thought, but the hot shooting Magic prematurely ended what was a wide open race to the title. The 76ers stepped up and we want to congratulate them on their championship.

RFA came and we signed Vlad Radmonovic and he was on our roster for about 2 and a half seconds before Xist and the Wizards matched. Hunter received a max offer that her deserved and we basically instantly matched it. During UFA we had our sights on bringing Zo back on a reasonable deal and picking up a point guard. Zo chose a large one year offer which we can't blame him for accepting and wish him the best. Rafer was someone we've been targeting since last year he's lightning fast has a great handle and plays defense.

We had another solid TC, Boozer and Salmons appear to have made the leap. Our rookie Charlie V looks to become a very promising stretch 4. Diaw continues to become good at everything, and it appears nobody took any major steps backward.

We really like our rotation. We may start Rafer at the 1, Terry at the 2, Salmons the 3, Booze and Hunter at 4 and 5. With Francis being our 6th man combo guard and Diaw and Charlie V finishing up the rotation.

I'll open it up to questions

[IamQuailman]

Hunter received a max offer that her deserved

Did Steven Hunter get the sex change before or after TC?

[WigNosy]

What role, if any, does J.R. Smith have on this team? Are you concerned he might lose his focus without minutes?

[logpmess]

A lot of talent is going into free agency next year. Are you in win now or bust for the season, or is this a team that you think that you can keep together for years to come?

[Soundwave]

So there were no thoughts at all of moving Hunter?

[Conroy]

Hunter received a max offer that her deserved

Did Steven Hunter get the sex change before or after TC?

Before

[Conroy]

What role, if any, does J.R. Smith have on this team? Are you concerned he might lose his focus without minutes?

JR is a 19 year old kid that we are trying to let him figure out this league. He will fight for backup mins at the 2 and the 3 he is raw and athletic and if he can find some consistency from outside his role will continue to grow on this team.

[coltsguy510]

Do you have any plans to trade for an elite guard at some point or are you gonna in to stick with the current guards you have?

[78#]

Alonzo Mourning was let go for a 2nd time by the franchise. Is there any hard feelings between the two of you? Was he hoping to retire as a Celtic?

[Conroy]

A lot of talent is going into free agency next year. Are you in win now or bust for the season, or is this a team that you think that you can keep together for years to come?

We definitely feel we can win now but we've purposely stayed out of the tax to avoid the repeaters penalty and we are on track to stay under the tax this year too. That should allow us to keep the core of Boozer Hunter and Salmons together for quite some time.

[Conroy]

So there were no thoughts at all of moving Hunter?

We extended a courtesy message to the Raptors but we really never had any thoughts about moving Hunter. He's been in our long term plans ever since he burst onto the scene about two seasons ago.

[Conroy]

Do you have any plans to trade for an elite guard at some point or are you gonna in to stick with the current guards you have?

I feel like I've been searching for a point guard for a decade now. So yes the search continues. We were close to having one this offseason but couldn't close the deal. We like our 3-4 guard rotation they just aren't very conventional which is something we are more used to.

[Conroy]

Alonzo Mourning was let go for a 2nd time by the franchise. Is there any hard feelings between the two of you? Was he hoping to retire as a Celtic?

Yeah he was, and we've hated it both times. Zo is a first ballot hall of famer and when that time comes he will be wearing a Celtic hat and everyone from our front office will be there. He made this organization what it is. He had an opportunity to get a large contract and at this point in his career he should do what is best for him. There are absolutely no hard feelings we offered him a multi year deal with the money we could afford and when his playing days are over he had a job waiting for him here in Boston.