The JNR: Our season went better than most expected. After parting with Grant Hill and signing Jim Jackson, we pulled off a great trade to land Tom Gugliotta and form a trio of dominant players in Jackson, Gugliotta, and Webber. After signing Pooh Richardson mid-season to help guide the team, we ended up securing the 4th seed and improbably ending up in the Western Conference Finals. We lost to the Warriors for what seems like the 40th goddamn time, but for a team that had little expectations, we did pretty well.
This offseason has not been largely successful for us. We were able to grab a lot of depth that we think will be important going forward, and we are proud of signing Chris Smith, who will hold the starting PG spot quite comfortably – unless we need to move Tom there for playoff matchups, of course.
The biggest story of the offseason to us is Raja Bell’s continued development. He is dedicated to being not just a complementary piece to our trio of stars, but to join them in a Four Musketeers type way. He is actually at the gym training as we speak. We’re all excited for the new season, but Raja especially is pumped up. Look at your fleeces to see what I mean!
This is now Webber’s 9th season in Minnesota. We’ve had ups and downs, trade blocks and title hopes. And through it all, he’s been the consummate professional. We’d love to reward that with a title and a big fat contract at the end of the year. He’ll have at least one of those guaranteed, and hopefully both.
Over this offseason, it has come to our attention that people question our decision to draft Chris with the first pick of the draft, seeing that #2 pick Anfernee Hardaway just lifted his third PBSL Championship trophy. Make no mistake, we don’t regret our decision for a second. Chris has been an institution here, and we wouldn’t have done anything different along the way.
We now open up the floor for questions.
