Boston Celtics 1998-1999 Media Days

[Conroy]

GM Roy: With the expectations of the upcoming season low, I'm unfortunately going to have to keep this years media days session simple. Time is limited with the front office analyzing the upcoming draft and free agent class as well as potential trade targets. We made the finals yet again (5th time in 6 years but who's counting?) but came up short against OPenny and the Mavs. With that we felt it was time for a change, we had been rolling out the same roster with the same lineup for nearly 5 seasons, I think the certain players were tired of us and I'd be lying if I said we didn't tire of them. Yes I'll address the rumors, I'll try not to call out anyone by name but at one point we were so frustrated with a former All-League level player who for whatever reason was not playing to the best of his abilities that we put Alonzo Mourning in at his position to remind him what it was like to have an elite player playing at an elite level at his position. It was an odd experiment but it did help us win the Eastern Conference. This also helped us determine it was time to part ways with our veterans. It was tough to part with Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway, and Derrick Coleman. We didn't even put bids on these players, but they were simply too old and we had to make a decision to go in a different direction. After we decided we would not retain their services we knew it was time to send Toni to a contender. We then decided the current FA class was poor and to roll over our cap space until next year. Yes this will be a rough season, but we think with a couple of picks and a ton of cap space we will be right back on top of the Eastern Conference in no time. I mean really who's gonna stay on top in the East, the Bucks? the Raptors?...glol

[coltsguy510]

Are you "tanking" and if so, with so little young talent, how long do you plan to rebuild? Also, do you have any plans to move Zo?

[IamQuailman]

What would it take to move a guy like Zo to complete the tank?

[cprej]

What type of team are you looking to rebuild? Will it be all vets and one rookie? How long do you think it will take to rebuild?

[IamQuailman]

(will circle back to award points upon answering)

[Conroy]

Dec 22, 2014 9:36:52 GMT -6 coltsguy510 said:

Are you "tanking" and if so, with so little young talent, how long do you plan to rebuild? Also, do you have any plans to move Zo?

There's that ugly word tanking. I had a couple of options, I could have matched Donyell and tried to resign probably Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, that would have kept me in contention for the East. Had I done that I would have been in the neighborhood of 6-7 million over the cap with 3 players over 30 on longterm deals and been going on about the 7 yr repeater tax. OR I could let all those guys walk trade Toni for a pick and not sign any longterm deals setting me up great for the future. I think I chose the obvious choice. I will do my best to win games with the players on this roster, but I was not going to handicap my future, it may cost a year of Zo's prime, but in the end I think it'll be worth it.

[Conroy]

Dec 22, 2014 10:00:16 GMT -6 IamQuailman said:

What would it take to move a guy like Zo to complete the tank?

I'll answer this as honestly as I can, a young player on a rookie contract already playing at an all-star level, a near guaranteed top 5 pick, and a vet on a great contract.

[Conroy]

Dec 22, 2014 10:03:37 GMT -6 cprej said:

What type of team are you looking to rebuild? Will it be all vets and one rookie? How long do you think it will take to rebuild?

I love a great mix, I'm hoping to land a starter and role player in the draft, and sign some key guys in FA. I don't mind spending money on older guys, but I like a good mix of rookies, young guys, and vets.

[IamQuailman]

AWARDED 5 POINTS