Spurs 1983 Preseason Presser

[Eazy P]

Good morning everyone and welcome to the San Antonio Spurs preseason presser. As you know the Spurs missed the playoffs for a 2nd consecutive season. During that season we traded Kevin McHale to the Bucks and acquired Eddie Johnson. Our team's lack of defense is one of the main reasons we loss games. The results were a reflection of that glaring problem. As a result we ended up a lotto team but this time we had our own pick. After finishing 5th in the hotdog eating contest we drafted Byron Scott to the team with that pick. We were looking to get Sampson but he was drafted the pick before us by the Celtics. We decided to go BPA and we felt it was Scott. With our second of the 1st round we were able to kinda address our need for a big by drafting Mark West. We are hoping he can become a force on the boards and defensively.

Our organization was happy with the draft and were on to UFA. We were excited because of our cap space and was ready to throw out money to free agents but just like the year before we struck out again. Hopefully one day we can get someone to sign. As of now we will just have to wait until it to happens if ever. With another UFA failure behind us we moved on to TC with the guys who want to be here and they worked their behinds off. I was happy the results and hopefully this is the start of a positive TC trend.

As far as what I expect this season, I honestly don't know. I just hope it is entertaining and fun.

Now that I am finished with rambling, if there are any question you can ask now. I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

[JNR]

GWR: This team is really starting to build young talent. But it seems that it needs veteran leadership. Are you going to look into acquiring that this season or is it an offseason plan?

[RPF]

Scoot in the afternoon, Net Nation: Can you please explain to the rest of us what goes on in Spurs training camp? Year in and year out the team comes out much better than when they started training camp?

[Eazy P]

GWR: This team is really starting to build young talent. But it seems that it needs veteran leadership. Are you going to look into acquiring that this season or is it an offseason plan?

My plan was to bring in some vet this pass off season but failed. Depending on what's out there and the price I may look into it this season but most likely stick with the guys I have and let them grow. I may wait for the offseason to make moves if possible. I am always open to listen to any proposals during the season.

[Eazy P]

Scoot in the afternoon, Net Nation: Can you please explain to the rest of us what goes on in Spurs training camp? Year in and year out the team comes out much better than when they started training camp?

We treat players like family. We also want them to work hard to reach their full potential or add to their potential in other areas. We showed them video from a the other league's timeline. Show them how players like Glenn Robinson, Shareef worked hard to become real good. Then we showed them how hard 12 years a Spur great Josh Smith became who he was and started that tradition. They saw that and strive to do what it takes to become great and maybe even 12 years a spur material.

[WigNosy]

Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beat writer for the Oregonian...

How quickly do you intend to integrate rookie Mark West with your team? And what did you see in him that made you go after him rather than pursue another player (either in the draft or in a trade)?

[BigDaddyd8720]

Picks Emmington for the SLOE Gazette,

While Thomas and Aguirre are both still young, is there any fear of them walking away in FA when their contracts are up? Is there any sense of urgency to get veteran help sooner rather than later or do you still plan to be patient for a little while longer?

[Mike Lowry]

There was quite a dust-up post UFA about how your team performed, or failed to do so, and how that may or may not have implications around the league.
Can you share what it was like in the San Antonio war room during free agency?
And can we have a final take on the prospect of being forced to sign players you don't want to bad contracts to remain in good standing with the league office?

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: first off Mouf. Secondly, do you plan to move one of your wing players to find a big?


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[Eazy P]

Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beat writer for the Oregonian...

How quickly do you intend to integrate rookie Mark West with your team? And what did you see in him that made you go after him rather than pursue another player (either in the draft or in a trade)?

He will be a day 1 starter. He was the only other big I thought that could fill in the role at the moment. Did not think he would still be there at 15. As far as trading for someone, I only had my Big 3 and Scott at the time before picking West and wasn't really ready to move on from any of them. I am kinda patient when it comes to certain things and it has worked out because now Johnson got a nice bump raising his value.

[Eazy P]

Picks Emmington for the SLOE Gazette,

While Thomas and Aguirre are both still young, is there any fear of them walking away in FA when their contracts are up? Is there any sense of urgency to get veteran help sooner rather than later or do you still plan to be patient for a little while longer?

I am going to be patient. The good thing about those guys is that they will be apart of the 1st RFA class. I will be able to match any offer thrown at them to retain them even if they decline my supermax offers. Hopefully this upcoming offseason I can bring in a seasoned vet to help get this team into the post season. Until I find defense I will be losing games because I wont be able to stop anyone.

[Eazy P]

There was quite a dust-up post UFA about how your team performed, or failed to do so, and how that may or may not have implications around the league.
Can you share what it was like in the San Antonio war room during free agency?
And can we have a final take on the prospect of being forced to sign players you don't want to bad contracts to remain in good standing with the league office?

Our plan here in San Antonio was to use our cap space to bring in some heavy hitters. Sending out max contracts in hopes that at least 1 or 2 players would join the squad but as we know that didn't happen. Maybe those players do not like the thought living in SA. Who knows but it is what it is at this point. We'll keep trying.

My honest felling is that this proposal to penalize teams under the cap is ridiculous. It takes the fun out of the game. It's already shitty not to be able to sign anyone and then pile on with a punishment. I don't need a bullshit penalty cause I could not sign anyone. Whether it's a cap hold or paying points. I am already penalized by missing out on prized free agents. And forcing someone to sign a shitty contract is dumb too. There's no competitive advantage being under the cap.

Shit ain't broke and doesn't need to be fixed. I will tell you this, if it goes up for vote and passes I will consider being the farm team for the Bucks and/or Nets. Sending them all of my great players there for pennies.

[Eazy P]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: first off Mouf. Secondly, do you plan to move one of your wing players to find a big?


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I do not plan on moving any of those guys at the moment but If there's a proposal that I like, I may consider. I also want to see what West can do this season.

[Mike Lowry]

Shit ain't broke and doesn't need to be fixed. I will tell you this, if it goes up for vote and passes I will consider being the farm team for the Bucks and/or Nets. Sending them all of my great players there for pennies.

Bruh!
How do I keep getting left off this list????

[Eazy P]

Shit ain't broke and doesn't need to be fixed. I will tell you this, if it goes up for vote and passes I will consider being the farm team for the Bucks and/or Nets. Sending them all of my great players there for pennies.

Bruh!
How do I keep getting left off this list????

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