New Orleans Pelicans Presser

[NickMalone77]

Time for a Move

Jim Gray: Good evening everyone! Tonight, we sit down for an in depth conversation with 4 time All Star and NBA All Leaguer, Kyrie Irving, and the General Manager of the New Orleans Pelicans, Nick Malone, at an undisclosed location. Gentlemen, thank you for your participation in advance.



Nick Malone: No Problem, Jim. Glad to be here.

Kyrie Irving: Same. Fire away.

Jim Gray: So, before we begin Kyrie, lets get to how the New Orleans Pelicans began their offseason… Fresh off a sweep of the Van Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of last years playoffs, what led into the decision to strip the entire foundation of the team down to just Aaron Gordon?

Nick Malone: If we didn’t make any wholesale changes, we were looking at 4 guys on the roster and over the cap by some 3-4 million dollars. Even with the new cap changes and exceptions made for Free Agency, we could’ve ran the team back but the directive from ownership was to try and avoid the luxury tax for a third straight year in a row. So, with that being said, we asked around the league and found holes for which other teams needed to be filled. It was difficult breaking up with the core of our group. Damian had been with this team since he was drafted some 8-9 years ago. Blake helped bring us our first even championship after he was acquired. Brandon is an excellent point guard but we knew the holes we had couldn’t all be filled.

Jim Gray: So you made trades with Boston, Philly and Denver. All drastically cutting the cap hits and brought in a new younger feel to the group to originally surround Aaron Gordon. Is that right?

Nick Malone: Of course, after all the trades, we now had the third most cap to spend heading into free agency. We put bids out in Restricted Free Agency and struck out. No harm or foul. We then approached UFA with a goal in mind and that was to surround the likes of Aaron, Buddy, and Jason with other vets that they could all learn and grow from. We kept a close eye on everything happening around the league. We made our pitches to a few various FA’s and struck up a report that we were glad convinced them to sign with New Orleans. And that leads us to the man of the hour and the leader of this Pelicans squad, Kyrie Irving.

Jim Gray: Indeed it does! So Kyrie….How does it feel?

Kyrie Irving: It’s Interesting. You think you’re gonna be in one place forever and then the next moment, you’re traded. My journey started in Milwaukee for 5 great years and then I find out I got traded to Charlotte last year. The journey itself molds and shapes you as a man. I got the chance to play for some unbelievable coaches and great players during my time in both places.

Jim Gray: Speaking of some unbelievable players, you got to play with the likes of Klay Thompson, Lavar Ball, and John Wall, while with Charlotte. A lot of people had Charlotte down as a possible Eastern conference favorite last year for the playoffs. What do you think happened that led to that quick first round exit?

Kyrie Irving: I’m not really here to speak on the failures of others. I know I came to play. I did my best and Brooklyn was just the superior team. Buddy Pedraza and Russell Westrbook are amazing players. It’s disappointing what ended up happening but what happened, happened. Can’t really change that much like you can’t change how the Earth is flat.

Jim Gray: Alright. So moving on…

Kyrie Irving: On second thought…I kept hearing from their front office how Charlotte was going to spend more than any other team and openly flaunted how they were going to amass the biggest taxes amongst the entire league. How they were going to win the championship with the greatest roster ever assembled. They paid Klay. They acquired DeAndre Jordan and Rudy Gobert. They kept John Wall. They basically acted like they owned me and that it was a foregone conclusion that I would stay in Charlotte forever.

Nobody owns Kyrie Irving…. So I just grew tired of the charade and games. I wanted to go where I would feel loved and appreciated.

Jim Gray: Is that why you chose, New Orleans?

Nick Malone: You don’t have to answer that, Kyrie.

Kyrie Irving: It’s ok, Nick. I got this.

Nick Malone: Ok.

Kyrie Irving: A lot of teams contacted my agent and I as soon as the UFA period hit. A lot of teams showed the love. A lot of teams had a lot of great power point presentations. Some even wanted to name villages after me, as crazy as that sounds. But, New Orleans just spoke to me. They showed me around the city, the people practically wanted to show me all the finest restaurants and great sights and it was an experience I’ll cherish forever. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come here and lead this team back to glory.

Jim Gray: Spoken like a true leader.

Kyrie Irving: I mean every word I say. I’m not one to mince words. I wanted to feel valued and play for a team I could call my home and that’s what New Orleans meant to me.

Jim Gray: You think you can win that elusive Championship with New Orleans?

Kyrie Irving Without a doubt, I do.

Jim Gray: Do you have anything to say to the people of Charlotte?

Kyrie Irving: I wish them nothing but the best of luck in their future endeavors. I hope they do great things. I've got nothing more to say about that team.

Jim Gray: So how do you feel about your new team?

Kyrie Irving: I'm really excited. I'm excited to get to work and learn from these coaches and my new teammates and play hard for this new fan base that I know will appreciate me. Roy Hibbert is an excellent option in the paint. Aaron Gordon and Robert Covington do all the little things you need to win games in critical moments. I'm also excited to teach all the young guys like Buddy Hield and Jason Fisher all the important things of what to do off screens and curls. I don't care if I have to run the point or play more off the ball, I'm ready to play and win games and eventually championships for the Pelicans.

Jim Gray: Nick, Any other thoughts as you get set and gear up for the regular season?

Nick Malone: Jim, I just wanted to thank you for the time to speak on today's important matters. Given the state of the Western Conference, I think this team can contend if everything breaks right. It's gonna take some time to adjust I believe and maybe some tinkering at some point maybe towards the trade deadline but I really like the way this roster shaped out. Of course, some guys took some lumps but we have enough cap flexibility and are actually out of the tax hell this team had been in the last few years. It feels reinvigorating in a way being able to examine the details of the deals and have that cap space. I like adding new variety to make it work. It makes my job fun and that's all I try to stress out of the guys and the season ahead. If we have fun then everyone else has fun too. With Kyrie at the helm, I feel confident that out team can accomplish great things and looking forward to the season ahead.

[false9]

Given your competition in the Southwest, would you consider yourself the favorite for the Division crown?

[NickMalone77]

Given your competition in the Southwest, would you consider yourself the favorite for the Division crown?

I definitely think it'll be between the Mavericks and I. Mavs have some great pieces and I definitely expect them to make a move also at some point to address that front court. Spurs and Rockets both have one great player that can power them at any point on any given night. Grizzlies look to tank for the draft due to the tax restrictions. I like how our team looks but I definitely think some changes will need to be made probably around Day 60 or the Trade Deadline to keep this team afloat and in playoff contention.

[garbageman]

A question for Kyrie. Knowing that GM Nick Malone is one of the most active traders in the league going into New Orleans' pitch, do you really believe the Earth is flat?

[NickMalone77]

A question for Kyrie. Knowing that GM Nick Malone is one of the most active traders in the league going into New Orleans' pitch, do you really believe the Earth is flat?

Kyrie Irving: I believe enough in his view and presentation to come to New Orleans and be apart of the Pelicans organization. The Earth is flat to me but seeing how Nick is active, I believe he will do what he can to make this team better. The world is better off flat anyways that way the sun can revolve around me, on planet earth.

[NOLa.]

Do you think Kyrie and Buddy Hield will work well together, and do you envision a future of these two leading the backcourt of the Pelicans?

[ballsohard]

Be a coach for a second:
The Pelicans last year with Griffin, Lillard, and Jennings versus this squad.

Who wins and why?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Conroy]

What role do you envision for former Celtics Jason Fisher and Mevlin McCall?

[IamQuailman]

Rumor has it that Kyrie was shipped out of Milwaukee because he showed signs of disloyalty and was a flight risk. This off-season basically confirmed it. Is Kyrie aware of the Pelicans front office addiction to trading and that he signed in New Orleans under the misleading pretense of long term...? Was he aware that LONG TERM in Nick-speak is like Day 60 to Trade Deadline?

[WigNosy]

The Rockets, Grizzlies, and Spurs are all currently in luxury tax misery. Has seeing this sort of carnage up close changed your view of cap management and how you manage your team at all?

[NickMalone77]

Do you think Kyrie and Buddy Hield will work well together, and do you envision a future of these two leading the backcourt of the Pelicans?

I definitely think they can grow together. We traded Blake away because of how highly we viewed Buddy as a prospect that can come and develop overtime and be apart of our core.

Kyrie is one of the best guards in the game right now and I really do think Buddy can learn a lot about the ins and outs and the game between the game. Kyrie as a leader on and off the court honestly is what we will depend on. Maybe big bro-little bro connection for guards.

[NickMalone77]

Be a coach for a second:
The Pelicans last year with Griffin, Lillard, and Jennings versus this squad.

Who wins and why?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I definitely think this team will be a lot deeper than what we were able to utilize last year. The individual talents of Blake and Lillard and Brandon are probably better than what’s assembled this year but long term, I think this years squad has the ability to do just as well and maybe better than last years.

Reason being that this squad I think has the makeup of a scrappy team that will fight and do what they need to win. TC took a lot out of guys that would’ve looked upon as important contributors but overall, it’ll be really close. Maybe a 2 point game.

[NickMalone77]

What role do you envision for former Celtics Jason Fisher and Mevlin McCall?

Jason Fisher will likely be one of our first guards off the bench. Jason’s a great spot up shooter whereas Melvin has a great inside game that can help second units also. We will definitely look to best utilize their attributes in a way that can positively impact our club on the second unit.

[NickMalone77]

Rumor has it that Kyrie was shipped out of Milwaukee because he showed signs of disloyalty and was a flight risk. This off-season basically confirmed it. Is Kyrie aware of the Pelicans front office addiction to trading and that he signed in New Orleans under the misleading pretense of long term...? Was he aware that LONG TERM in Nick-speak is like Day 60 to Trade Deadline?

Kyrie isn’t going anywhere. He is our team. That’s why we signed him. And we will look to find the best assets to put around him and he values that.

[NickMalone77]

The Rockets, Grizzlies, and Spurs are all currently in luxury tax misery. Has seeing this sort of carnage up close changed your view of cap management and how you manage your team at all?

Well, the tax situation combined with the sweep at the hands of the Grizzlies told me the longevity of the core group had run its course. I didn’t want to be a 3time repeater of the tax and be put into a position where I wouldn’t have been able to pay it so it forced me to rebuild in a way and still be competitive.

I think the rest of the teams in our division realized that also and decided to retool through the draft for the next few years. When there’s competitive tankers, that leaves spots open to compete and fight for the playoffs. I really do believe this team can win. They just have to go out and do it.

[Eazy P]

Who do you think is the leader in the Pelicans locker room? Hield, Gordon or Kyrie?

Did Hoodie Nick play a role in Kyrie being in the Pelicans uniform, if so in what way?

[NickMalone77]

Who do you think is the leader in the Pelicans locker room? Hield, Gordon or Kyrie?

Did Hoodie Nick play a role in Kyrie being in the Pelicans uniform, if so in what way?

It’s definitely Kyries team. I’m just hoping Gordon and Fisher and Hield can grow to learn from Irving and rise to the level of his play soon enough.

I can’t really speak to the tactics and bidding process of other teams. We gave him a contract we felt that was what he earned through his play on the court. We also felt that every other team gave him a similar enough contract and were just fortunate he chose us. Kyrie can have his own Pels hoodie if he wants.

I can’t make that clear enough. Just because he signed with us doesn’t mean it was out of hatred or spite. It’s what we wanted to do and sign for the betterment of our team and if people have an issue with that then they should focus on their own team instead of worrying about what others do.

[digiskunk]

Acquiring Kyrie Irving was huge for you. Now that he's essentially the face of the franchise, can you tell us a little bit about what you expect out of him this upcoming season? Perhaps give us some stat predictions?

[NickMalone77]

Acquiring Kyrie Irving was huge for you. Now that he's essentially the face of the franchise, can you tell us a little bit about what you expect out of him this upcoming season? Perhaps give us some stat predictions?

Expect him to lead by example on the court, run the offense, hit clutch shots, and really pull the community together. As you said, Kyrie is a face of the franchise type talent and his leadership qualities is monumental is what it'll mean to our younger guys on the roster.