Mavs 2006 Preseason Press Conference

[fearthebrow]

Six years ago, the Mavs then-young GM FearTheBrow made a franchise-changing trade that many questioned, criticized, and ridiculed. Three division championships and one Finals appearance later, trade rumors and questions swirl around the team's veteran core. Mavs GM FearTheBrow walks in and sits down at the standard 6x3 press room tables. He looks around to the sea of reporters with a content, dreamy look on his face, clears his throat, and begins talking into the microphone.

"Welcome back to our annual preseason press conference. Normally, I'd give you a brief rundown of what's going on with our team, answer a few questions, and get on with the rest of my day. Today, we're gonna do things a little differently."


Marcus Camby, Antawn Jamison, and Andre Miller walk in and sit down at the table next to GM FearTheBrow. The crowd of reporters stirs.


"I'm joined by Marcus Camby, Antawn Jamison, and Andre Miller. These guys have been together here for six years now. It's hard to find that kind of continuity around this league. I think it's special, and I want to recognize that today."

"Last season was a huge disappointment, getting swept by the Jazz in the second round of the playoffs. That was, maybe the most painful experience I've ever been a part of as a GM, but here's the deal...we still believe in our guys. Here with me today is one of the best players in the league, one of the savviest veteran centers in the league, and one of the best alpha dog distributors in this league. Think about them with our young group of role players...David West, Birdman, Jarvis Hayes and Malik Rose, Damien and Leandro...Jason, Chris, D.J. We like what we have going. We think we're still trending up. We're not giving up on our championship goals."

"This offseason, we lost Derek Fisher to the Pacers in free agency. Derek was a big part of what we've done here over the last four seasons, but we feel very confident about Damien Wilkins and Leandro Barbosa filling in the void. These young guys have matured very nicely over the past couple years, and they're chomping at the bit ready to take the next step. I think you'll see a fun, scrappy bunch this season that will give the best teams in the league a run for their money. I'm excited about what this group can accomplish."

"Finally, I want to address any trade rumors that have been swirling around the members of our team sitting with me here today. In the end this game is a business, anything can happen, and that's just part of the game. But these guys with me here are not only great on the court...this is an amazing group of men off the court, devoted to their families and communities, and I want to let the world know that before this season gets started. We've had a great run, and I'm real proud of this group and everything that we've accomplished. I'm lucky to be a part of this and want to thank you guys for everything that you've done."


FearTheBrow shakes hands with Andre Miller and Marcus Camby. Antawn Jamison gives his long-time GM a bear hug.


"We will continue to do what it takes to win night in and night out, and I look forward to another great season. We'll take questions now."

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: With both Jamison and Miller entering 30 in the last year of their contracts, as well as Camby's age starting to become a factor, is there a feeling that this could be the last run? Is there any pressure to win because of that?

[fearthebrow]

Random Reporter: With both Jamison and Miller entering 30 in the last year of their contracts, as well as Camby's age starting to become a factor, is there a feeling that this could be the last run? Is there any pressure to win because of that?

Look, we know that our window won't be open forever. But our guys are really good. They're not done yet, and we think there is still plenty left in the tank. Plus as our young guys continue to mature, we think that balance of veteran leadership and young contributors will translate to wins. We also have very strong cohesion that simply can't be bought or traded for.

[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker, The Cleveland Rocker: You have unpaid tax of 27 points over the 51 points you've earmarked, and an additional 64 point tax bill as it stands. The only first you can trade is for 2009. You had a nice preseason and say you are trending upward, but you also acknowledge the loss and the lack of ability to replace that loss in the latest of a rash of financial mismanagement. Additionally, we all the reports from camp that father time is indeed visiting your facility shortly after a stop at Taco Bell (TM).

Are you prepared to discuss facts today or just make-believe?

If facts, tell me what you really think about the Anderson signing and how that has gone. Are you holding out hope for a jump or does he possess a skill you value that highly?

If make-believe, please discuss how you felt when the pretend characters on Sesame Street (TM) found out that Mr. Snuffleupagus was pretendly real after they thought he was just Big Bird's (TM) imaginary imaginary friend.

You can pick.

[fearthebrow]

Dr. Rocker, The Cleveland Rocker: You have unpaid tax of 27 points over the 51 points you've earmarked, and an additional 64 point tax bill as it stands. The only first you can trade is for 2009. You had a nice preseason and say you are trending upward, but you also acknowledge the loss and the lack of ability to replace that loss in the latest of a rash of financial mismanagement. Additionally, we all the reports from camp that father time is indeed visiting your facility shortly after a stop at Taco Bell (TM).

Are you prepared to discuss facts today or just make-believe?

If facts, tell me what you really think about the Anderson signing and how that has gone. Are you holding out hope for a jump or does he possess a skill you value that highly?

If make-believe, please discuss how you felt when the pretend characters on Sesame Street (TM) found out that Mr. Snuffleupagus was pretendly real after they thought he was just Big Bird's (TM) imaginary imaginary friend.

You can pick.

What was done was intentional, and we stand behind our decisions. We're going all in. We feel very comfortable with Wilkins and Barbosa taking over larger roles with Fisher departing. Birdman has been a great addition and is the exact type of player we want here. He's been a great complement to Marcus Camby and David West down low, and we expect that to continue. He adds a level of toughness to our team that we're very fortunate to have.

[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker, The Cleveland Rocker: You have unpaid tax of 27 points over the 51 points you've earmarked, and an additional 64 point tax bill as it stands. The only first you can trade is for 2009. You had a nice preseason and say you are trending upward, but you also acknowledge the loss and the lack of ability to replace that loss in the latest of a rash of financial mismanagement. Additionally, we all the reports from camp that father time is indeed visiting your facility shortly after a stop at Taco Bell (TM).

Are you prepared to discuss facts today or just make-believe?

If facts, tell me what you really think about the Anderson signing and how that has gone. Are you holding out hope for a jump or does he possess a skill you value that highly?

If make-believe, please discuss how you felt when the pretend characters on Sesame Street (TM) found out that Mr. Snuffleupagus was pretendly real after they thought he was just Big Bird's (TM) imaginary imaginary friend.

You can pick.

What was done was intentional, and we stand behind our decisions. We're going all in. We feel very comfortable with Wilkins and Barbosa taking over larger roles with Fisher departing. Birdman has been a great addition and is the exact type of player we want here. He's been a great complement to Marcus Camby and David West down low, and we expect that to continue. He adds a level of toughness to our team that we're very fortunate to have.

I think everyone knows this is a non-answer. That, in itself, is answer, of course, but I don't think it says what you think it says.

Have a day.

[NOLa.]

Winning the division is important out West, especially in a competitive division such as the current Midwest. Who do you think is your biggest rival in your division, and who do you think has the best chance of finishing ahead of your team?

Sent via Morse code

[fearthebrow]

Winning the division is important out West, especially in a competitive division such as the current Midwest. Who do you think is your biggest rival in your division, and who do you think has the best chance of finishing ahead of your team?

Sent via Morse code

It's tough to pinpoint our biggest division rival. The Midwest is always a dogfight. I expect the Nuggets and Jazz to be there at the end. I also expect the Spurs and Timberwolves to make noise this year.

[coltsguy510]

Do you plan on making any big moves this season to put your team on par with the likes of the perceived favorites in the Kings and Bucks? Or are you looking to stay put?

[fearthebrow]

Do you plan on making any big moves this season to put your team on par with the likes of the perceived favorites in the Kings and Bucks? Or are you looking to stay put?

We love our team. We feel like we stack up well against the "perceived favorites." But we're also exploring all options right now. If an opportunity to make a move comes our way and it makes sense, we are not afraid to pull the trigger.

[WigNosy]

Will David West ever be ready for primetime?

[fearthebrow]

Will David West ever be ready for primetime?

We expect West to score a couple more points per game this year...around 10 ppg. If we gave him more minutes, he'd be more productive. But he complements Camby and Birdman well in the post, so he's only expected to provide a strong 20-30 minutes per game. We're pleased with what he brings to the table.

[ballsohard]

A lot of people applaud you for the job you've done with the Mavs and the moves you've made. There's others who say you walked into the job with a full cupboard and what you've done isn't as impressive. I've heard one opposing GM basically comparing you to Donald Trump in making millions after starting with millions. What is your response ?

[fearthebrow]

A lot of people applaud you for the job you've done with the Mavs and the moves you've made. There's others who say you walked into the job with a full cupboard and what you've done isn't as impressive. I've heard one opposing GM basically comparing you to Donald Trump in making millions after starting with millions. What is your response ?

Apologies for the delay, just seeing this. Sounds like I walked into a catch 22. If I had kept Penny and continued to win, everyone would have said I won because I took over a team with Penny. If I turned the team into a loser, everyone would have bashed me for losing. Instead I decided to trade Penny and build my team around a young Antawn Jamison (and continued to win). No one knew back then that he would turn into the star that he is today.

If only I had been allowed to keep the Kings when I initially took over as their GM. But the truth is that I'm not overly concerned about what others think. All I care about is winning games, and that's what I've done since day one.