Golden State Warriors 1999-2000 Preseason Presser

[Bowtothebill23]

2-time champion GM Bow Bill steps to the podium.

GM Bow Bill: Welcome to the Golden State Warriors championship/preseason press conference. Thanks for coming. We'd like to spend some time talking about last season before we move into this offseason and this upcoming season.

GM Bow Bill: Last season was incredibly successful and was a great time for our terrific fans. Although we lost the Pacific division, we more than made up for it, winning our second ever NBA Championship! This means much more than just simply a championship. It thrusts this team and this franchise into the upper echelon of the all-time great teams, becoming only the 4th franchise to win multiple titles. It also cemented our superstar, Shawn Kemp's legacy as the greatest sim league player of all time. Shawn won his 7th straight MVP award this past season, and added a second ring to his finger, disproving all his critics that called him a one hit wonder. To me personally, this championship was also special. Although I became bored and lost a lot of interest midseason, the 1-1 start vs the Nuggets woke me up, and I was able to get back into the game, which was crucial in winning the championship. Why is the second title so important to me? I can no longer be called a one hit wonder. Whether people discount to some extent these titles because of Kemp, my resume stands that I should be considered one of the best GMs in this game. Finally, this means a lot because it gives me more than my 2 rivals, the Lakers and Kings, combined, which is personally satisfying.

GM Bow Bill: This offseason, we wanted to add some more star power. With Cedric and Shawn slowly getting older, we wanted to make sure we had firepower to compete with the top teams. We signed Eric Snow, Arvydas Sabonis, and Jerry Stackhouse in Restricted Free Agency. Unfortunately, the Orlando Magic decided to match Jerry's contract immediately, so we missed out on a potential offensive stud. Fortunately, we were able to keep the 2 guys who actually showed up to training camp this season. In Sabonis, we have the best center to ever put on a Warrior uniform for an entire season. In Snow, we have Randy Brown to the max. We feel Eric will give us even more than Randy on defense, while providing the facilitating we've been lacking ever since we let Muggsy walk 6 years ago. In free agency, we first set our sights on the biggest piece in the NBA, re-signing the GOAT, Shawn Kemp. We also swung for the fences, trying to team up long time friends Kemp and Gary Payton. Unfortunately for us, the Heat rewarded Payton with a supermax contract, and our efforts simply weren't enough. Without much cap room, we signed quality players to minimum deals. While our team doesn't look great now, we'll take our top 4 vs anyone else's. We look forward to this season as another chance to field a championship contending team. With the Lakers and Kings, we have a fun 3 way race for the Pacific title. I think we may struggle a bit in the regular season, but I think this team can shine in the playoffs. We are very excited, and we will now open the floor to questions.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: While Sabonis & Snow are really sweet signings for you guys, there's still the familiar issue of depth, especially at the SG spot. History has proven that you guys aren't contenders when you have big holes like this, despite the efforts of Da Man. Which of your "other" guys are you hoping to see step up?

[WigNosy]

Do you think Cedric's huge dropoff last year was simply a fluke, or are you concerned that age and all those playoff minutes may be catching up with him?

[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: you were a huge player in Restricted Free Agency and managed to nab 2 of your 3 targets. Being as skilled as your team has been the last few years, how do you think Sabonis and Eric Snow will play along with the monster that is Shawn Kemp?

[Bowtothebill23]

Random Reporter: While Sabonis & Snow are really sweet signings for you guys, there's still the familiar issue of depth, especially at the SG spot. History has proven that you guys aren't contenders when you have big holes like this, despite the efforts of Da Man. Which of your "other" guys are you hoping to see step up?

Looking at one of my favorite stats for this, EWA. Kemp will put up 35-40. Ceballos consistently is around 15. Sabonis should be a little less than 10. I expect Snow to be around 5. That's 60-65 right there. That means I just need our other guys just need to stay on the positive end of contributing. If we can add some depth at the trade deadline, this can be another championship team.

[Bowtothebill23]

Do you think Cedric's huge dropoff last year was simply a fluke, or are you concerned that age and all those playoff minutes may be catching up with him?

I don't think he'll ever be the force he was for the first couple years he was in Oakland. But I think with more legit scoring options and a better passer at pg, he'll improve.

[Bowtothebill23]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: you were a huge player in Restricted Free Agency and managed to nab 2 of your 3 targets. Being as skilled as your team has been the last few years, how do you think Sabonis and Eric Snow will play along with the monster that is Shawn Kemp?

Sabonis is the best center to ever play for us for a whole season. We haven't had a center who could score, defend, and rebound since Vlade for those few games. In Snow, we get super Randy Brown. We have to go through Penny, Kidd, and other great pgs to get to a championship. We need a lockdown guy at the pg position.

[kucoach7]

You just committed to a massive contract with Kemp. History has shown than big men decline quickly. What is your expectations for Kemp 5 years from now when you'll be paying him $18 million?