San Antonio Spurs 2008 Preseason Presser

[Eazy P]

Thank you everyone for attending the San Antonio preseason press conference. We are excited about this upcoming year. Last year was a bad year for our team and fans. we had to do a little bit of retooling of the roster and kinda set us back. This year is promising for our youthful team. I hope the fans are ready for a exciting brand of basketball this year. Crazy thing is that going into the draft we were prepared to pick Derrick Rose at the #3 position not thinking we will jump 1 spot. though he would be a great fit. Then the lotto happened and we jumped to the number 2 spot. We as a organization had to go in a different route. It was between Love and Westbrook. whoever was leftover we were picking and ended up being Westbrook. We think he is a great addition to our young roster and will lead this team for years to come. We are excited about our other 2 picks Batunm and Mo Buckets. Theses guys will play a major role on our team along with the acquisition of Luis Scola via trade.

We are thrilled with how hard the guys worked this past TC to get better and compete this year. We as a team will try our best to make the post season this year. Not saying it will be easy but we going to do our best and with the team we have right now I think we can reach those goals. If anyone have questions I will answer the best to my ability. Again thank you for joining us here today.

[RPF]

Mr. Nets: What went behind the decision to go for a refresh instead of a reset?

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: What is it about the Spurs training staff that has led to a revitalization to many a players careers. Including most notably, Emeka Okafor rediscovering his form?

[JNR]

GWR: How early are you going to trust Westbrook with the reins?

[IamQuailman]

Looking at your team, you seem to be poised for greatness again. In fact I went into the future and saw what became of your team.



Any comments?

[Eazy P]

Mr. Nets: What went behind the decision to go for a refresh instead of a reset?

Well I feel resting is kinda boring waiting around for 3-4 seasons accumulating draft picks and waiting for them to develop. Ducangate kinda helped too. I feel like refreshing gives us a better chance to compete sooner than just sitting around and hoping a draft pick is great and don't die cause of TC down the line. Hope that answered your question.

[Eazy P]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: What is it about the Spurs training staff that has led to a revitalization to many a players careers. Including most notably, Emeka Okafor rediscovering his form?

I just think these players enjoy the work environment. We try and make them feel as comfortable as possible but at the same expect them to give their all. We treat our players like family.


Now the real answer to your question Mr. Melon is "Big Ol Blubber tities." We find some and shove it in their faces. we have actual Fatheads of BOBTs. Those tits gets riled up and ready to work.

[Eazy P]

GWR: How early are you going to trust Westbrook with the reins?

Westbrook is our starter. We told him draft night that we are going to roll with him as our starter and trust that he will not disappoint us. He replied by thanking us and told us we will never regret this decision.

[ballsohard]

What do you think Louis Scola brings to your team that puts them over the top?

[Eazy P]

Looking at your team, you seem to be poised for greatness again. In fact I went into the future and saw what became of your team.



Any comments?

Well we hope our team will become great down the line and finish the deal but it will take some time and hard work by the players and staff. We like our young core and the future of the spurs is promising.

[WigNosy]

Do you worry that Russell Westbrook will pick up any of Agent Zero's bad habits?

[Eazy P]

What do you think Louis Scola brings to your team that puts them over the top?

His willingness to work hard and improve. every year he's been in the league he has got better. He can score and rebound. Initially I was going to play him at center but now that Oak manned up and got better IDK know where to play him but that's a good problem to have with a player like Scola and his talents. I felt we needed to make a big move to sure up our front court and he fit the criteria. I wanted to also team him up Josh Smith too. I think they will compliment each other well.

[Eazy P]

Do you worry that Russell Westbrook will pick up any of Agent Zero's bad habits?

Not really. I think he is poised to be a great team player. I think Russell is a different type of player than Gilbert is and if he reach his full potential he will do great things for our organization. I love his upside and athleticism. I hope a few years down the line he will be that triple double guy.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Where do you think you stand in the Midwest Division, and the Western Conference playoff picture as a whole? Some would say that you're in the mix for a division title.

[Eazy P]

Random Reporter: Where do you think you stand in the Midwest Division, and the Western Conference playoff picture as a whole? Some would say that you're in the mix for a division title.

I still think we got a lot of work to do. I see this team competing in the midwest this year and hopefully we can make the post season. I hope we are in the mix for a division title and if we are or even win it that would be a big accomplishment for our organization.

[Bowtothebill23]

How many years away do you think Westbrook is from being the dominant force he was tabbed as leading up to the draft? He was very raw coming into the league, how long before he is competing for All-League teams?

[Darth Vegito]

Seattle Beat writer: Are these your underwear and do you ever wash them?

[78#]

Henry Gates, Houston Chronicle

The Rockets owner mentioned your team in his press conference yesterday. He said and I quote, "the Spurs are tired of trying to win and coming up short" in a discussion about the Midwest division. Do you feel it was a slight and if so, how do you respond to it?