Hawks 2009 Presser
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:30 pm
Wig eyes the reporters gathered in the Atlanta Media Room.
"Another year, another lost season. We had a great regular season only to flame out in the first round of the playoffs to the Hornets. I think it probably had more to do with a lack of ability to make coaching adjustments than a lack of talent, though. I felt our core was still good and so I decided to bring them back for another shot this season."
"That said, I did want to make a change. It was clear to me last season that leaguewide the talent at the wing positions has really improved and we needed someone next to Rudy Gay to give us two quality wings (Jason Terry did great as an undersized 2 last season, but we needed more and weren't able to procure that via trade). We had hope that Danny Granger might be the answer in restricted Free Agency, but unfortunately for us, the Wizards elected to match his offer sheet. Looking at the unrestricted Free Agent market, we felt Shane Battier offered the best fit. Even with his athletic ability on the wane (which was quite noticeable when we measured vertical leaps in training camp), he's a quality 3-and-D wing with a championship pedigree. We may have overpaid a bit to get him, but I have never had a problem paying the tax when I feel we have a championship shot."
"While we have a couple of key cogs on our team that are getting a little older, we also have a couple of players that are improving with seasoning every year. The expectation is that Tim Duncan will offload some of the heavy load he carried last year on to Pau Gasol on offense and Joakim Noah on defense. Rudy Gay will be asked to step up his production as well - we've been patient with him and think he's now ready to be a primary offensive option. Devin Harris may not be the most spectacular point guard in the league, but he's efficient and he's steady. Zoran Planinic will be asked to take a bigger role this year at backup SF with the departure of Lamar Odom and Ramon Sessions should continue to see minutes behind Harris - we trust this year he will be even better than he was last season."
"Of course, the Hawks never rest. We're always on the lookout for ways to improve the team, and our players understand that. We'll be active talkers in the trade market and if we think there's something out there we will be ready to pull the trigger. That said, the East looks tough this season with the Kings bringing back the #SendThemEast battle cry... and that doesn't even consider the fact the defending champs are in our division."
"Our work is cut out for us, but I think we're ready to face up to the challenge. Any questions?"
"Another year, another lost season. We had a great regular season only to flame out in the first round of the playoffs to the Hornets. I think it probably had more to do with a lack of ability to make coaching adjustments than a lack of talent, though. I felt our core was still good and so I decided to bring them back for another shot this season."
"That said, I did want to make a change. It was clear to me last season that leaguewide the talent at the wing positions has really improved and we needed someone next to Rudy Gay to give us two quality wings (Jason Terry did great as an undersized 2 last season, but we needed more and weren't able to procure that via trade). We had hope that Danny Granger might be the answer in restricted Free Agency, but unfortunately for us, the Wizards elected to match his offer sheet. Looking at the unrestricted Free Agent market, we felt Shane Battier offered the best fit. Even with his athletic ability on the wane (which was quite noticeable when we measured vertical leaps in training camp), he's a quality 3-and-D wing with a championship pedigree. We may have overpaid a bit to get him, but I have never had a problem paying the tax when I feel we have a championship shot."
"While we have a couple of key cogs on our team that are getting a little older, we also have a couple of players that are improving with seasoning every year. The expectation is that Tim Duncan will offload some of the heavy load he carried last year on to Pau Gasol on offense and Joakim Noah on defense. Rudy Gay will be asked to step up his production as well - we've been patient with him and think he's now ready to be a primary offensive option. Devin Harris may not be the most spectacular point guard in the league, but he's efficient and he's steady. Zoran Planinic will be asked to take a bigger role this year at backup SF with the departure of Lamar Odom and Ramon Sessions should continue to see minutes behind Harris - we trust this year he will be even better than he was last season."
"Of course, the Hawks never rest. We're always on the lookout for ways to improve the team, and our players understand that. We'll be active talkers in the trade market and if we think there's something out there we will be ready to pull the trigger. That said, the East looks tough this season with the Kings bringing back the #SendThemEast battle cry... and that doesn't even consider the fact the defending champs are in our division."
"Our work is cut out for us, but I think we're ready to face up to the challenge. Any questions?"