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Angry Black Man
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: A Pyramid in Nubia
Posts: 6,125
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Bernie & Higgins speak
Saw this posted on the Bobcats website and thought I'd post it here for those who may have missed it. Its basically an interview from yesterday with Rod Higgins & Bernie Bickerstaff speaking on the upcoming draft & the latest news out of 333 East Trade St.
Quote:
Bickerstaff: Let me start off by saying this is something I haven’t missed.
(On the large number of prospects that have worked out)
Bickerstaff: I think that’s probably why we don’t have any decision. We’ve brought in 30 or more guys, so we’re probably more confused now than we were when we started.
(On who has been the most impressive in workouts)
Higgins: We’ve had some interesting guys – (Joakim) Noah, (Al) Thornton, (Corey) Brewer, (Javaris) Crittenton. All of those guys are going to warrant some attention once we look at pick number eight. Then obviously number 22, we will have an opportunity to draft or choose from some of the guys that we’ve brought in. Like Bernie said, I don’t think we can pinpoint a guy right now. We’ve talked about best athlete, best player, but we also know that those picks can come and go because of trade possibilities.
(On the possibility of there being a lot of trades on draft day)
Bickerstaff: There are a lot of rumors and we would like to start some (laughter).
(On if he thinks that ultimately, the Bobcats will be picking at eight and 22)
Bickerstaff: At this point, there is a possibility that we won’t be.
(On if he has heard about the Phoenix Suns trying to trade into the lottery)
Bickerstaff: Yeah, but do you know what, when you look at pick number 24, there are probably 12 teams in the league that say they can get that pick. So, that should tell you something right there.
(On if the trade talks are focused on draft picks or if they involve existing players)
Bickerstaff: Our philosophy is that if you trade the picks, then it has to make you immediately better in those situations. Those are some of the scenarios that we have on the table. Right now, it is all talk until you actually agree to something. There are scenarios that are out there that look good to us and we like because they make us better. There are some out there that are good, but they are picks, and you just add young players and talent to the mix.
(On how many teams have contacted the Bobcats about trade possibilities)
Bickerstaff: We’ve had a significant amount of inquiries about both picks. No one has really insulted as, and that happens in this league. Everybody seems to know what is best for their team.
(On if the main focus coming out of this draft is to acquire two quality players that will help the team win)
Bickerstaff: There is no doubt about it. We feel really good about the draft. After one and two (Greg Oden and Kevin Durant), Atlanta is really the turning point in the draft, because they’ve got picks three and 11. There are going to be some terrific players in this draft, going right on down to 30 and into the second round.
(On if they would be happy drafting at eight and 22)
Higgins: There’s no question we would. Like Bernie stated, there are terrific players that can come in from one to probably 20 that can get minutes for you right away. We’re going to be fortunate enough to get a player, particularly at eight, that will come in and contribute, and we will develop him. So, we’re particularly looking forward to that pick. We’ll see how it plays out. Who knows though, if we’re not calling at eight, that means we got a pretty good player that we’ve traded for.
Bickerstaff: The fear is if you look at this draft, it’s not a draft of big players who have an impact on the block. It’s more filled with wing players. The way that the game is being played now, everybody is going small, and everybody is going to try to emulate what they did in Golden State this year, what Phoenix had done, and how Gerald (Wallace) was utilized. Everybody that we talk to now wants to be (Kevin) Garnett or one of those guys that play out on the perimeter anyway, so the game has changed in terms of the post-up stuff. Gerald (Wallace) is 6-5/6-6 and he’s a pretty good post-up player.
(On Gerald Wallace and other free agents on the team)
Bickerstaff: We won’t speak about those guys until July 1.
(On if there is anything specific that they are looking for from their summer league players)
Bickerstaff: That’s up to Sam (Vincent) and how he does that. I gave up coaching. That’s Sam’s responsibility, and he’s got it. Obviously what we want to see is improvement in the basketball team. We want to see improvement in our players. It doesn’t necessarily have to happen in this span of the summer league, it’s an ongoing process. What we want is the work ethic and the application of trying to get better.
(On if it says a lot that players like Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison want to compete in the summer league)
Higgins: There’s no question that it says a lot when the young guys want to come in and improve and prove to their new coach that they want to be a part of success. Coach Vincent is going to come in and is going to demand certain things from these young players and you have to give them a lot of credit for wanting to do that. A lot of guys want to enjoy their summers, and I’m sure they’re no different. They will be guys that we will lean on a lot, but at the end of the day, we’re going to try to develop these guys and encourage them and help them as much as we possibility can. They are both terrific ball players.
(On the new hirings and how everything will work together)
Bickerstaff: I don’t think anything has changed. Since I have been in the National Basketball Association, the protocol has been the same. We make recommendations to the owners and the owners either approve it or say no and move in a different direction. So, there has been no change in terms of when Ed (Tapscott) was here or Bob (Johnson) is here. Our responsibility is to go to Michael (Jordan) or Bob (Johnson) and say, here’s the due-diligence that we’ve done, here’s what we recommend, and we go with it. The Adam Morrison situation last year was a consensus. Everybody had a part in it, and the consensus was unanimous. It would be a lack of respect to not listen to the opinions and input of guys like Kenny Williamson, Frank Ross and (Rick) Weitzman, that are out on the road every day, putting their time in at different venues.
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