Hawks Preseason Presser, 2002

[WigNosy]

(The door to the media room opens and a hairless cat backs into the room, calling down the hallway)

...no, no, no, send the donuts to MY suite. We all know Rider has had more than his share this off-season. Yes, I like the ring-like decorations. No, I'm not paying extra. Yeah, see the security guard on the way out.

(Wig closes the door and mutters into a radio)

Yeah, make sure that guy is escorted off the premises ASAP.

(Wig hops onto the table and eyes the assembled reporters)

I suppose you're here for another telling of the Grinch... or maybe a Zero Wing parody... or some story about my precious ring or maybe some other new hip thing that all the young kids are into with their intertrons.

Sorry to disappoint. The past couple of years have been fun... lots of fun in Atlanta. Of course, the best way to make sure it continues to be fun is to win. We've posted record winning seasons the last couple of years, but as everyone is aware, we've kept one eye on the luxury tax. We're still prepared to pay what it will take to win this season, but whether or not we can keep this up next season... that remains to be seen. But we'll deal with that when we come to it, I suppose.

As most of you know, we made the difficult decision this past off-season to part ways with one of our core players from our past two championship runs, Latrell Sprewell. We still feel Latrell has a lot of basketball left in him, but felt the opportunity to add Isaiah Rider's dynamic scoring and DerMarr Johnson's 3-and-D potential was too good to pass up. As we all know now, Rider decided to overindulge massively this offseason and came into camp slow and covered in donut glaze. At this point, he's probably still our starting Shooting Guard, but we will definitely be giving both DerMarr and Desmond Mason a look.

Speaking of DerMarr and Mason, we are very pleased with their off-season development. Both have stepped up and we think we may have a wing team of the future between the two of them.

Other than that, we've got more or less the same core that has taken us to two titles. You already know them and I'm sure their stories have been told enough times.

Our goal is simple this year... to win the title again. Anything less is a disappointment.

The floor is open for questions.

[logpmess]

No mention of your obvious superstar anfernee. Is it because he is nothing to be concerned with or because you know those other pieces is what will win you championships?


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[42PhD]

Dr. Rocker of the Cleveland Rocker:

With the intimation that this could be your last season keeping the super-team together, does that mean that you may start the wind down and that perhaps the Sprewell trade is a part of that, or does it mean that this is the last hurrah, the bender of all benders, and that you'll do whatever it takes to win?

In other words: Does this sense of mortality make you more dangerous or less dangerous?

[WigNosy]

No mention of your obvious superstar anfernee. Is it because he is nothing to be concerned with or because you know those other pieces is what will win you championships?


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Penny knows he's the biggest star on this team. He's secure in his position.

[WigNosy]

Dr. Rocker of the Cleveland Rocker:

With the intimation that this could be your last season keeping the super-team together, does that mean that you may start the wind down and that perhaps the Sprewell trade is a part of that, or does it mean that this is the last hurrah, the bender of all benders, and that you'll do whatever it takes to win?

In other words: Does this sense of mortality make you more dangerous or less dangerous?

The Sprewell trade was intended to bring depth (something hard to add when over the cap), which it did... however, Rider took a bigger hit in TC than I anticipated. We still think he can be effective, but it also means he - and some of our younger pieces - might be more available in the right deal than they otherwise would be.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: With Sprewell now gone and Rider starting to show his age, who are you looking towards to provide secodary scoring? Also, will your overall style of play change?

[WigNosy]

Random Reporter: With Sprewell now gone and Rider starting to show his age, who are you looking towards to provide secodary scoring? Also, will your overall style of play change?

Antonio McDyess and Grant Hill are both still very capable scorers. We'll just lean a little more heavily on them than we had to the last couple of seasons when we had extremely balanced scoring. Also, I think Desmond Mason showed some nice potential off the bench at the end of last year. We may experiment with him at some point if Rider can't carry the load.

[fearthebrow]

(The door to the media room opens and a hairless cat backs into the room, calling down the hallway)

...no, no, no, send the donuts to MY suite. We all know Rider has had more than his share this off-season. Yes, I like the ring-like decorations. No, I'm not paying extra. Yeah, see the security guard on the way out.

(Wig closes the door and mutters into a radio)

Yeah, make sure that guy is escorted off the premises ASAP.

(Wig hops onto the table and eyes the assembled reporters)

I suppose you're here for another telling of the Grinch... or maybe a Zero Wing parody... or some story about my precious ring or maybe some other new hip thing that all the young kids are into with their intertrons.

Sorry to disappoint. The past couple of years have been fun... lots of fun in Atlanta. Of course, the best way to make sure it continues to be fun is to win. We've posted record winning seasons the last couple of years, but as everyone is aware, we've kept one eye on the luxury tax. We're still prepared to pay what it will take to win this season, but whether or not we can keep this up next season... that remains to be seen. But we'll deal with that when we come to it, I suppose.

As most of you know, we made the difficult decision this past off-season to part ways with one of our core players from our past two championship runs, Latrell Sprewell. We still feel Latrell has a lot of basketball left in him, but felt the opportunity to add Isaiah Rider's dynamic scoring and DerMarr Johnson's 3-and-D potential was too good to pass up. As we all know now, Rider decided to overindulge massively this offseason and came into camp slow and covered in donut glaze. At this point, he's probably still our starting Shooting Guard, but we will definitely be giving both DerMarr and Desmond Mason a look.

Speaking of DerMarr and Mason, we are very pleased with their off-season development. Both have stepped up and we think we may have a wing team of the future between the two of them.

Other than that, we've got more or less the same core that has taken us to two titles. You already know them and I'm sure their stories have been told enough times.

Our goal is simple this year... to win the title again. Anything less is a disappointment.

The floor is open for questions.

Random Dallas Reporter: It seems like the Hawks took a step back this offseason. How confident do you feel about your team making the Finals again?

[Bowtothebill23]

Outside of the Raptors, is there any team you feel legitimately could give you a run for your money in a playoff series?

[WigNosy]

Random Dallas Reporter: It seems like the Hawks took a step back this offseason. How confident do you feel about your team making the Finals again?

Every year always comes with a risk of a key player getting injured as the Raptors did last year. Assuming we can avoid that, I think our chances of making the Finals are as good as anyone's. And rings are the expectation here.

[WigNosy]

Outside of the Raptors, is there any team you feel legitimately could give you a run for your money in a playoff series?

After the Spurs and Mavericks went to the Western Conference Finals as 7 and 8 seeds, I think we all know any team that makes the playoffs is dangerous. I don't want to overlook anyone.

[JNR]

GWR: You gave Grant Hill a five year deal. How many of those years do you see him being a positive contribution to the team?

[WigNosy]

GWR: You gave Grant Hill a five year deal. How many of those years do you see him being a positive contribution to the team?

I suspect he will be a plus at least another 4 seasons, which is why the 5th year was a team option.

[IamQuailman]

Awarded 5 pts!