Post by w6602876 on Jul 23, 2008 21:03:13 GMT -5
Q & A were done on July 9th. [/i][/u]
Magic: When you first took over the franchise and saw the available players in the field, what did you decide to do, was it rebuild or contend?
Bobcats: Good players were being made available as a way for teams to dump cap. The rest were bench players. I could either be old and try to win or take all bench players and build around three lottery picks over a two year span. I hated the second idea. I can't say I liked my draft position to get an ideal player at #6 overall either. Much less #15 overall.
What made my decision was the trade opportunities. Dexter Strickland and Joel Smith were acquirable. Patrick Patterson and Deron Lamb, well actually Billy Garrett, and a lot of good bench players were available. The way I saw it that was better than unreliability of rebuilding.
Magic:Where do you see yourself as a team, five seasons from now, rebuilding or competing?
Bobcats: Well, it's up in the air. I think that was the cool thing about the players I got. They are old but their contracts are short term. Frankly I should be competing either way. It won't take more than three years to rebuild if I go that route any time soon. The only thing I can say for sure is most of the players I have now will not be on the team.
Magic: If the season ended now, July 9th 2008, you wouldn't make the playoffs, what moves would you look to make to improve your team?
bobcats:I don't know that moves need to be made. I'm always looking for a good deal here and a bargain there.
I think the one thing about the current record is that I didn't play this as a 35 day season. I've tinkered with the point guard and center position which is no small deal. Crater was acquired in the midst of it all. If I don't make the playoffs in 120 days then no excuses. I do believe I have a playoff team and my goal is the championship regardless.
Magic: Is there is one player you regret getting in the expansion draft?
Bobcats: No not really. If you look at the list there really were no risks involved. The contracts were short as mentioned. Most of the picks were bench players. Nobody has really disappointed me. I didn't come away with any holes that I didn't expect to have.
Magic: If there is one position you want to improve in, what would it be and why?
Bobcats: Definitely starting point guard. I have all the talent I need at the other four starting positions and backup positions. The biggest weakness on this team is a point guard who can control the game. It's too bad nobody will give me one. For now I'm semi content with Strickland's offense, defense, and efficiency. Especially his defense.
Magic:
What is the most difficult part of running an expansion team?
Bobcats:
There's not much. I would say the biggest difference is not getting a star player. Most regular teams have one. I haven't had a big opportunity to get one. It makes it harder to get wins when you don't deserve to. Other than that it's very fun. You get more options than most situations and a lot of assets are available to you.
Magic: Speaking of stars, which star would you have that would fit your starting lineup and make you a championship contender?
bobcats: You can't go wrong with most stars. Given my situation and the importance of the point guard position I would have to say Ricky Rubio. He's a true point. He's a true scorer. He's efficient. He has lock down defensive ability. He has size. Even as good as LeBron James and Michael Beasley are you can give me the elite point guard any day.
Magic: Final question, which franchise would you like to emulate and why?
bobcats: Boy Seattle sure looks good. According to their GMs profile they're competing for their 10th division title in a row now? They have the best point guard and power forward. They don't seem to be lacking in any necessary or unnecessary aspect of the game. They have a championship. If I fail they have my pick
. I'll go with them!
Magic: When you first took over the franchise and saw the available players in the field, what did you decide to do, was it rebuild or contend?
Bobcats: Good players were being made available as a way for teams to dump cap. The rest were bench players. I could either be old and try to win or take all bench players and build around three lottery picks over a two year span. I hated the second idea. I can't say I liked my draft position to get an ideal player at #6 overall either. Much less #15 overall.
What made my decision was the trade opportunities. Dexter Strickland and Joel Smith were acquirable. Patrick Patterson and Deron Lamb, well actually Billy Garrett, and a lot of good bench players were available. The way I saw it that was better than unreliability of rebuilding.
Magic:Where do you see yourself as a team, five seasons from now, rebuilding or competing?
Bobcats: Well, it's up in the air. I think that was the cool thing about the players I got. They are old but their contracts are short term. Frankly I should be competing either way. It won't take more than three years to rebuild if I go that route any time soon. The only thing I can say for sure is most of the players I have now will not be on the team.
Magic: If the season ended now, July 9th 2008, you wouldn't make the playoffs, what moves would you look to make to improve your team?
bobcats:I don't know that moves need to be made. I'm always looking for a good deal here and a bargain there.
I think the one thing about the current record is that I didn't play this as a 35 day season. I've tinkered with the point guard and center position which is no small deal. Crater was acquired in the midst of it all. If I don't make the playoffs in 120 days then no excuses. I do believe I have a playoff team and my goal is the championship regardless.
Magic: Is there is one player you regret getting in the expansion draft?
Bobcats: No not really. If you look at the list there really were no risks involved. The contracts were short as mentioned. Most of the picks were bench players. Nobody has really disappointed me. I didn't come away with any holes that I didn't expect to have.
Magic: If there is one position you want to improve in, what would it be and why?
Bobcats: Definitely starting point guard. I have all the talent I need at the other four starting positions and backup positions. The biggest weakness on this team is a point guard who can control the game. It's too bad nobody will give me one. For now I'm semi content with Strickland's offense, defense, and efficiency. Especially his defense.
Magic:
What is the most difficult part of running an expansion team?
Bobcats:
There's not much. I would say the biggest difference is not getting a star player. Most regular teams have one. I haven't had a big opportunity to get one. It makes it harder to get wins when you don't deserve to. Other than that it's very fun. You get more options than most situations and a lot of assets are available to you.
Magic: Speaking of stars, which star would you have that would fit your starting lineup and make you a championship contender?
bobcats: You can't go wrong with most stars. Given my situation and the importance of the point guard position I would have to say Ricky Rubio. He's a true point. He's a true scorer. He's efficient. He has lock down defensive ability. He has size. Even as good as LeBron James and Michael Beasley are you can give me the elite point guard any day.
Magic: Final question, which franchise would you like to emulate and why?
bobcats: Boy Seattle sure looks good. According to their GMs profile they're competing for their 10th division title in a row now? They have the best point guard and power forward. They don't seem to be lacking in any necessary or unnecessary aspect of the game. They have a championship. If I fail they have my pick
. I'll go with them!
