Milwaukee Bucks Media Session
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 11:48 am
GM Quailmen: Welcome, welcome. Yet again, another new season is upon us, and I still have a job. I must be doing something right! Before to proceed with talking about our off-season and the upcoming season too, let's take a moment and reflect on last season. Halfway through the season, we took a high risk, high reward chance in acquiring Shaquille O'Neal from the Rockets. People might ask "Why would you consider that a risk?" We considered it a risk because we had to give up some good, young talent like Zydrunas and Ruben, along with some important depth like Greg Anthony, to move for him. Our team was playing very good ball up to that point, and to blow it up in a trade like that, who knows what it would've done to our team chemistry. But needless to say, Shaq came in hungry and brought the energy necessary for us to make it the furthest into the playoffs we've ever been: the NBA Finals. Quite ironic that the one player who helped get us there was the one we would lose in Game 1 to a Kevin Garnett headbutt cheap shot, thus losing the series 4-1. It was a heartbreaking loss for the team and a heartbreaking series for our fans.
GM Quailmen: We have quit slitting our wrists and have moved on, fortunately. Honestly, you have no choice; you either move on and look to the next season or you neglect your team and play Pokémon. Our primary goal this offseason was to open up cap space to make some moves, including our primary move of re-signing Shaq. We shipped out capable depth in Rex Chapman and Eric Murdock to open up an additional $10 million in cap space. Our plan was simple: "Get 1 or 2 pieces pre-draft, then pray that luck is on our side and someone signs a max offer before Shaq inevitably accepts his". Part 1 went alright; we acquired an underrated forward (Malik Rose) from the Hornets. Then we traded back into the draft, eventually to move up and draft Eddie House. Then packaging Eddie House and some cash considerations, we sent him along his way to the Atlanta Hawks (pre-Penny) for late-bloomer Howard Eisley. We've always been high on Howard since he played for the Bucks a couple seasons back.
GM Quailmen: Next we sent out a flurry of max contracts to about 7 players, in addition to Shaq. If we were lucky, one of those players would sign with Milwaukee first and then Shaq second. It was a long shot, especially since we sent Shaq a super-max; long story short, we got our guy back and that's all that matters. Filling some roster spots with talent, we added Hersey Hawkins and Nick Anderson to the squad, along with former champion Sam Cassell and a familiar face in Tim Legler.
GM Quailmen: We have the same goals as every season and will fight our way to the top once again. We know the Central is getting better each season, but we are not worried about the Hawks or the Raptors. We will take care of business on our end and see them in the playoffs.
GM Quailmen: Opening the floor to questions... hit me with your best ones.
GM Quailmen: We have quit slitting our wrists and have moved on, fortunately. Honestly, you have no choice; you either move on and look to the next season or you neglect your team and play Pokémon. Our primary goal this offseason was to open up cap space to make some moves, including our primary move of re-signing Shaq. We shipped out capable depth in Rex Chapman and Eric Murdock to open up an additional $10 million in cap space. Our plan was simple: "Get 1 or 2 pieces pre-draft, then pray that luck is on our side and someone signs a max offer before Shaq inevitably accepts his". Part 1 went alright; we acquired an underrated forward (Malik Rose) from the Hornets. Then we traded back into the draft, eventually to move up and draft Eddie House. Then packaging Eddie House and some cash considerations, we sent him along his way to the Atlanta Hawks (pre-Penny) for late-bloomer Howard Eisley. We've always been high on Howard since he played for the Bucks a couple seasons back.
GM Quailmen: Next we sent out a flurry of max contracts to about 7 players, in addition to Shaq. If we were lucky, one of those players would sign with Milwaukee first and then Shaq second. It was a long shot, especially since we sent Shaq a super-max; long story short, we got our guy back and that's all that matters. Filling some roster spots with talent, we added Hersey Hawkins and Nick Anderson to the squad, along with former champion Sam Cassell and a familiar face in Tim Legler.
GM Quailmen: We have the same goals as every season and will fight our way to the top once again. We know the Central is getting better each season, but we are not worried about the Hawks or the Raptors. We will take care of business on our end and see them in the playoffs.
GM Quailmen: Opening the floor to questions... hit me with your best ones.
