Charlotte Bobcats Pre-season Presser 26-27

[Darth Vegito]

Darth Vegito: Welcome ladies and gentleman! Thank you for all coming out today. It is a bright and beautiful day out in Charlotte and the future is even brighter. This has indeed been a long and perilous journey but the fans stick by us. We aren't going to dive back into the causes and decisions made that plunged us far into the tax. But let's talk about this exciting news:

We have 39 points left before we pay the tax off and will definitely be debt free at some point this season!!!

This is very exciting news and we are ecstatic to be able to plan UFA and RFA bidding into our future plans again. We can start training our players again probably next year which is also very exciting. Over the course of the last 6 seasons we have made tons of moves, making plans, scrapping said plans, making new plans, trying to win, selling to farm to collect assets, and then tried to win more. It's very difficult to actually team build when you are restricted from so many options to build. So for many years we just collected assets, drafted players with no true direction. Now, going forward we can put together a plan and get this team back on track.

I'll briefly talk about the players we currently are moving forward with this season and how we see the season playing out. Our two core young players being Grayson Allen and Mike Piazza have progressed well and we are excited to see how they contribute this season. Although Charlotte has been a kind of revolving door for rookie contract players over the last few years, I do not see these 2 players being moved in any way. I believe in both of these guys and would like to see them both fulfill their potential. We hope for great things for both of them.

We saw an opportunity to bring Pulley in for practically nothing. Pulley is a walking double/double and with the exorbitant contracts in this league we thought an opportunity to get him in on a 5 year deal at this price was a steal. We also wanted to compete this season being we don't have our own pick. Which is why we thought it a good idea to bring in a player like Wiggins who we know will keep us out of the lotto. Ramsey is expiring and could see himself on the trade at some point this season.

We are excited about this season and hope to make some small waves finally in this league. Proceed with any questions!

[false9]

Rich Paul had a nice training camp- what are your expectations for him this season and in the future?

Also, please tell him to stop DMing Bronny.

[NickMalone77]

A lot of people will focus on Andrew Wiggins and Timothy Pulley powering the Bobcats this season and for good reason, both are extremely talented players in this league and for their position. Do you forsee needing to acquire a point guard of some skill to get you over the hump and surpass a team like Orlando and the Heat in the standings this year?

[Darth Vegito]

Rich Paul had a nice training camp- what are your expectations for him this season and in the future?

Also, please tell him to stop DMing Bronny.

You draft a guy like that expecting to put a lot of points into him. Usually you end up putting points into a players quickness or jump, but he has that foundation already. He simply needs some boosts in his potentials and he could be a great player. That mostly depends on me and the points in able to put into him and his TCs of course. He's a project, but a fun one.

And as far as him DMing Bronny...I gots nothing to do with that. Somehow I have a feeling Bronny will be in Charlotte in the coming years

[Darth Vegito]

A lot of people will focus on Andrew Wiggins and Timothy Pulley powering the Bobcats this season and for good reason, both are extremely talented players in this league and for their position. Do you forsee needing to acquire a point guard of some skill to get you over the hump and surpass a team like Orlando and the Heat in the standings this year?

I do and that is one of the main reasons I will be limited. The lack of PGs in this league is a huge problem to be honest. No one is trying to remedy it and I guess ppl really don't understand how this problem is simply snowballing every year. Maybe it's noticed soon and someone pumps a few PGs into the draft finally.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Ramsay Bolton looks like a very athletic shooting guard who can score and defend well, but he's been around the league a bit as teams have had trouble fitting him into a successful lineup. Where do you see him figuring into this Bobcats team?

[Xist2Inspire]

Was the realization that you were finally close to paying off the tax the fuel for your recent acquisitions and push to compete?

[Darth Vegito]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Ramsay Bolton looks like a very athletic shooting guard who can score and defend well, but he's been around the league a bit as teams have had trouble fitting him into a successful lineup. Where do you see him figuring into this Bobcats team?

Yeah he is weird case indeed. He was better than I thought he'd be last year. He's not amazing at anything in particular, but he's a really solid all around player. So honestly I'm not sure what his future in Charlotte, but he's a really good player either way.

[Darth Vegito]

Was the realization that you were finally close to paying off the tax the fuel for your recent acquisitions and push to compete?

While I'm excited I can finally participate in ufa and rfa and train my players, most of my moves are due to boredom. I'll compete but I'm far from contending. Until I find a PG I won't be close.

[Eazy P]

How does it feel to be a few articles, perfect DC attendance and Wiggins awards away from paying off the tax? it has to be a great feeling for you and your organization.

[JNR]

GWR: What has Wiggins told you about his expectations for this team? He has had a history of winning wherever he goes.

[Soundwave]

Pineapple on Pizza?

[WigNosy]

Last season you seemed ready to compete behind the Donald/Ellinger tandem, but blew it up quickly. How much time are you going to give this group to figure it out before they have to worry about being blown up?

[IamQuailman]

What will your first act be once you get out of the tax?