|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 13:55:36 GMT -6
 Charlotte Hornets Media Day- Welcome everyone and all to our annual Media conference held to the entire NBA and media from around the world. Last season was held with a tremendous amount of success. We did what most thought was impossible and climbed even higher from the season before that to challenge a very game, Boston Celtics squad in this past post season in the Eastern Conference Finals. We accomplished a lot and internally, we felt a lot of internal pressure to give the fans a product on the court a team that could contend night in and night out. We wanted to personally thank every contributing member of that team from last season with a lifetime guaranteed pass for free food to any sponsoring Bojangles or Shoney's restaurants.
- With that out of the way, we looked at this off-season with great difficulty. We had Tom Gugliotta, and 6 other players with 0 cap space to spend. We knew if we realistically wanted to contend, we would have to radically change the face of our club and the realistically face the possibility that if we had kept the team we had, that there would be no chance that we could retain our place atop the elite of the Eastern Conference. We knew we had to work the phones and place calls with every other general manager that wanted to entertain the idea of acquiring our best assets. We had a few possible deals on the table that we could have taken but weren't what we thought were enough to the talent and pick consideration that would have been appropriate to pull the trigger on a deal that would rock the very core of our team. Then the Milwaukee Bucks came along (and we had sent scouts out across the country during the season to gauge what we could acquire) and offered us a deal that we thought was enough to bite the bullet if you will and agree to a deal. Granted, it was met with great criticism but we felt it was a deal we had to make that both set us on the path for success. One would just get their quicker.
- It was a difficult decision to make but Tom truly enjoyed his time in Charlotte and expressed sincere gratitude to our staff's and coaches here within the organization for helping him grow as not just a player but also as a person. We recognized Patrick Ewing's crucial role to our club last season excelling in a lot of games that really called for him to step up and he did so, controlling a lot of the bigs that we have to deal with on a nightly basis with the likes of David Robinson and Benoit Benjamin and Rony Seikley. We knew how large his deal was and sent him off to the fine and extraordinary people of Vancouver and Memphis in a deal to acquire the very talented 7'0, Brad Daugherty. We're excited for what Brad brings in experience and ability to handle himself off the glass. Also, here in the Carolina region, we hear he's a huge Nascar fan and I'm sure he'll get to enjoy a lot of the races in the near future.
- The future is now folks. We're excited for what the future will bring and the floor is now yours for any fair and opportune questions. |
|
|
|
Post by JNR on Aug 25, 2014 14:49:30 GMT -6
GWR: You will have considerable cap space next offseason. What positions are you looking to upgrade after this season?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 15:04:47 GMT -6
GWR: You will have considerable cap space next offseason. What positions are you looking to upgrade after this season? Nick Malone: Glad you should ask that. We will have enough cap space to offer up a max contract and we will definitely use our resources to find the best value whether it'd be in the free agent market or trade. We acquired Scott Skiles and he will play an important role for our club but depending on what were to happen, there's alot of possibilities that could happen for next season for a new Point Guard. Either we'll look for that position or at the 4 to play next to Daugherty. We value what Brian Grant brings to our club as a cheap and young asset and he will be vital to our club. We like our chances now that we have all of this outcome to play with. |
|
|
|
Post by WigNosy on Aug 25, 2014 15:47:49 GMT -6
Some called the Gugliotta trade a "panic move." Did you see something in his play - or perhaps his offseason workouts - that everyone else missed that caused you to press the reset button this season?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 16:00:38 GMT -6
Some called the Gugliotta trade a "panic move." Did you see something in his play - or perhaps his offseason workouts - that everyone else missed that caused you to press the reset button this season? Nick Malone: Some may see it that way and I'll admit that we put in a lot of time and into making the decision that we have. We were happy to see Gugliotta play to the abilities that we all know he is capable of. Reaching the starting position at the 4 of the All Star Game. Being All Star Game MVP. Helping to lead this club to an Eastern Conference finals and so on and so forth. He was our team leader last year and our team identity in a lot of ways. We were so proud of him that other GM's around the league I'm sure we're a bit jealous and mad at how much growth Gugliotta has gone through in such a short amount of time into becoming the dominant player that he is today.... With that all said, we looked at our roster and had 6-7 players on our roster with Gugliotta, Ewing and Blaylock and 0 cap space. We wanted to be flexible and we wanted to build a solid team. Before we went on our 11 glam winning streak into the post season, we were a team that barely made the playoffs and sat at 37-35 with 10 games left. We were very lucky and fortunate to have made it. It was a very difficult decision but we felt that the Bucks offer was the best one of the bunch compared to what we felt all other clubs were offering or low balling to what our expectations were to be on the trade market. We got rid of Ewing for a younger and more athletic Center, acquired a wing in Rick Fox who we feel can really develop as one of the cores to our club here and the assets we got back in changing up the basis for our team. Jalen Rose. Brian Grant. Theo Ratliff. 3 men that we all feel can have really productive careers in the NBA and grow as players as we have seen who have come into this organization and excelled at a high level and will be given the minutes to do so. Do we expect to struggle? Sure. But this deal with Milwaukee as I have expressed to other GM's around the league I felt has really put us on the path for success for the long term in this rebuilding process. Who knows, if the talent clicks right away, we could find ourselves in the Playoffs as early as this season despite what all the other pundits and other elder GM's around the league may think. We're committed to making this work in Charlotte and if it does, I'll be the one with the last laugh. |
|
|
|
Post by 78 on Aug 25, 2014 16:04:39 GMT -6
Did you have seller's remorse after the Gugs trade? How should the fans feel about this trade especially since he was a start player at nearby N.C. State and had become an elite player here in Charlotte?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 16:10:54 GMT -6
Did you have seller's remorse after the Gugs trade? How should the fans feel about this trade especially since he was a start player at nearby N.C. State and had become an elite player here in Charlotte? Nick Malone: I think anyone would have a hard time settling on the front of dealing your franchise star but if you're just settling for the middle of the pack even with your star player, it would have to make you rethink your strategy. I wasn't happy even with our success in the post season reaching where we did. Fans should understand that if the sandcastle gets undone because of the water from the ocean, that you don't give up and you can always rebuild a new one. We did what was best within our resources to field a competitive team and finding trade partners even within our own division to field a team that will be younger and more aggressive on the court. I really do believe that Jalen Rose will be a cornerstone to our squad here in Charlotte and with the cap space we have, there will be more work to be done. |
|
|
|
Post by IamQuailman on Aug 25, 2014 16:11:24 GMT -6
Will Maukie, Milwaukee Tribune. We in Milwaukee will surely miss Jalen Rose and is high ceiling. He could play the 1 through the 3 and be a constant mismatch on offense. With your biggest hole being at the point guard position, will you be using Jalen at the 1? How to do you plan to help train and further develop Jalen going forward?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 16:15:52 GMT -6
Will Maukie, Milwaukee Tribune. We in Milwaukee will surely miss Jalen Rose and is high ceiling. He could play the 1 through the 3 and be a constant mismatch on offense. With your biggest hole being at the point guard position, will you be using Jalen at the 1? How to do you plan to help train and further develop Jalen going forward? Nick Malone: Great question Wil. If we were going to trade Gugliotta, any trade scenario required a guy like Jalen to be dealt in return. We view Jalen as a guy who can do just about anything on the court and really has room to grow. He'll mostly get minutes at the 2 or the three and be a matchup nightmare for the yong forward vs. any team. We'll hopefully allow our coaches to focus a little less on his strengths but more on his weakness to make him more competent on the other side of the court also. We all know he can and will score, but if he can defend then we look at him as an unstoppable asset that will hopefully have a long career ahead here in Charlotte. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 16:24:51 GMT -6
Kane West L.A. Times, Nick, it sure seems like you took you've really drank the Koolaid on the trading Gugs was the best move for your franchise mantra. With everyone knowing it was a God awful deal, do you feel like you're crazy or everyone else is? Have you gone to see someone about the stages of grief? I can break them down for you. There are 5 stages:
1. Denial and Isolation [This is where you're at]
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
We just want you to know as a group we will help you get through these stages.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 16:32:22 GMT -6
Kane West L.A. Times, Nick, it sure seems like you took you've really drank the Koolaid on the trading Gugs was the best move for your franchise mantra. With everyone knowing it was a God awful deal, do you feel like you're crazy or everyone else is? Have you gone to see someone about the stages of grief? I can break them down for you. There are 5 stages: 1. Denial and Isolation [This is where you're at] 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance We just want you to know as a group we will help you get through these stages. Nick Malone: I've probably gone through all of those stages one time or another in my life but Nobody was biting on a Patrick Ewing AND Gugliotta deal. At least not one where it met the both of our needs. We did what we had to do and this wasn't the first time either thinking that a deal had to be made to move Gugliotta either. I don't think the deal was GOD-AWFUL as you described it but as I've said to others prior to this presser, this was a deal that put the both of us on a road to success. One would just get their quicker even if it meant carrying a cross on my back as the "Worst Trade EVER" on my back the season after winning the GMOY award. |
|
kucoach7
Junior Member
Portland Trail Blazers
Posts: 268 
|
Post by kucoach7 on Aug 25, 2014 16:40:49 GMT -6
Some may call your team starless. Who do you envision emerging as an on the court leader on this squad?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 17:07:09 GMT -6
Some may call your team starless. Who do you envision emerging as an on the court leader on this squad? Nick Malone: While Gugs was the unquestioned star to my squad last season, I think you can have a lot of leaders step up on any given of nights but I expect great play out of guys who have "been there before" like Daugherty and also Derek harper who we're bringing back to the team after an absence of 5 + years. I expect great play out of Rick Fox and Jalen Rose who can definitely shoot the lights out of the ball. |
|
|
|
Post by TrayWithAnA on Aug 25, 2014 19:10:56 GMT -6
Are you the favorite in the Central?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 19:16:11 GMT -6
Are you the favorite in the Central? Nick Malone: I wouldn't say that I'm the favorite by any such stretch. I think that honor is now held by Milwaukee but after that, I think you guys in Detroit can possibly get a spot, Indiana is always a tough team to play and everything is else in the division is up in the air. I won't count us out though since we'll be playing for a playoff spot also. |
|
|
|
Post by bowtothebill23 on Aug 25, 2014 19:43:52 GMT -6
How would you compare this team to your team last year? Is this maybe a long term move or are you still gunning for the Celtics?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 25, 2014 22:39:11 GMT -6
How would you compare this team to your team last year? Is this maybe a long term move or are you still gunning for the Celtics? Nick Malone: I think last years squad was different in the sense that we lived and died off the production of one player. Which isn't a bad thing if you're winning. Winning makes everything else seem secondary. I think we will win again this year but possibly at a slower clip. I can see this years team getting contributions from multiple players and we will be ready to fire them off night in and night out. I think it'd be early to predict us to go toe to toe with this current incarnation of clubs but I can still see this club competing for a playoff spot. All depends on whether the ball wants to go into the basket or not. |
|
J2
Junior Member
Washington Wizards
Posts: 955
|
Post by J2 on Aug 26, 2014 16:14:52 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: This team looks suspiciously like the old Milwaukee Bucks...and those teams were anything but playoff teams. With your firsts in other teams' hands until the year 1999, do you foresee making moves involving the guys you just acquired in order to win now if things go sour, or are you prepared to take your lumps and slowly re-acquire talent?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 26, 2014 20:55:55 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: This team looks suspiciously like the old Milwaukee Bucks...and those teams were anything but playoff teams. With your firsts in other teams' hands until the year 1999, do you foresee making moves involving the guys you just acquired in order to win now if things go sour, or are you prepared to take your lumps and slowly re-acquire talent? Nick Malone: Why? Because I acquired three notable Bucks in the Gugliotta deal? As I've, I'm looking at every angle, every possibility, every which way and constantly in contact with other GM's around the league on which moves could bolster this roster and make a difference for the following season ahead. I think we have our core and we'd be stupid not to make a serious attempt at making the playoffs. I think this could be a squad that makes it, maybe not. But I want this team to succeed. Even if that means our picks are in the hand of others while we have others. |
|
|
|
Post by IamQuailman on Aug 26, 2014 22:05:53 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: This team looks suspiciously like the old Milwaukee Bucks...and those teams were anything but playoff teams. With your firsts in other teams' hands until the year 1999, do you foresee making moves involving the guys you just acquired in order to win now if things go sour, or are you prepared to take your lumps and slowly re-acquire talent? Johnny Junior spittin' Buck hate today! |
|
J2
Junior Member
Washington Wizards
Posts: 955
|
Post by J2 on Aug 26, 2014 22:37:30 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: This team looks suspiciously like the old Milwaukee Bucks...and those teams were anything but playoff teams. With your firsts in other teams' hands until the year 1999, do you foresee making moves involving the guys you just acquired in order to win now if things go sour, or are you prepared to take your lumps and slowly re-acquire talent? Johnny Junior spittin' Buck hate today! Cut me some slack brah, I was running out of things to ask people!  |
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 26, 2014 22:41:07 GMT -6
Johnny Junior spittin' Buck hate today! Cut me some slack brah, I was running out of things to ask people! And that's what you two choose to get into a slap fight about in my Presser no less?!?! J2, you're losing your nicest guy crown really quickly. You're better than this. Ask questionssss. |
|
J2
Junior Member
Washington Wizards
Posts: 955
|
Post by J2 on Aug 26, 2014 22:46:14 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: With all the moves you've made, do you have a Starting 5 already set, or will preseason play a large role in determining who goes where? Also, who out of your fresh young squad do you foresee assuming the "leader" role?
|
|
|
|
Post by Nick Malone 77 on Aug 26, 2014 22:57:40 GMT -6
Johnny Junior, Washington Post: With all the moves you've made, do you have a Starting 5 already set, or will preseason play a large role in determining who goes where? Also, who out of your fresh young squad do you foresee assuming the "leader" role? Nick Malone: Great question. That's why I always enjoy you coming to these pressers J2. You always know how to ask great questions. Anyways. I do have a starting 5 pretty much planned out on paper already with the likes of Daugherty and Brian Grant in the front court. Scott Skiles, Jalen Rose and Rick Fox will be in the backcourt and I think we will look for big contributions this season from the likes of Chris Child's and Theo Ratliff. Also getting impact, we will e looking to see how Corie Blount and Jerome Williams does with backup minutes. We really like their games and see what they can do here. We will change up the minutes a bit when the regular season starts but we are energized and ready to go. PS: Jalen will be a fundamental leader on the court and we are looking forwards to seeing him develop for many wars to come in Charlotte Teal. |
|
|
|
Post by DarthVegito on Aug 27, 2014 9:22:53 GMT -6
Some may call your team starless. Who do you envision emerging as an on the court leader on this squad? Nick Malone: While Gugs was the unquestioned star to my squad last season, I think you can have a lot of leaders step up on any given of nights but I expect great play out of guys who have "been there before" like Daugherty and also Derek harper who we're bringing back to the team after an absence of 5 + years. I expect great play out of Rick Fox and Jalen Rose who can definitely shoot the lights out of the ball. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News: You say "been there before" when speaking about Daugherty and Harper. Where have they been? Bad teams? I mean Harper was on one good team being the Mavericks, but he's been on 8 teams in 6 years. How will that help? And have you explained to Daugherty that you want him to actually try and win games? Please make sure you explain that, I don't think he's used to actually trying. |
|
