Post by Boston Celtics on Jul 31, 2007 16:37:01 GMT
Hi Memphis, I'd like to conduct an interview with you, if you're willing?
Of course. Hit me with your best shot.
Q: You've come in for some criticism for some of the trades you've made so far, but do you believe the Grizzlies lineup is much worse than it was when the season began?
MEM: I think my line-up now is tons better than it was when the season began, and I think that this team has a very bright future. I started with Stromile Swift, Pau Gasol, Rudy Gay, Mike Miller, and Damon Stoudamire. I liked Swift, but thing he was not the kind of player I wanted in the starting line-up. Thus, I obtained Erick Dampier, who is very underated and can play both defense and offense with only minor flaws. After that, I traded away my best player, Gasol. This is where the criticism came pouring in. I ended up trading for Baron Davis and then Carlos Boozer. All in all, I took my best players and traded them for quantity instead of superior quality, which made my team deeper and deeper with young, cheap talents.
My current line-up is Dampier, Boozer, Luke Walton, Devean George, and Jameer Nelson. Hakim Warrick, Damon Stoudamire, Etan Thomas, Nate Robinson and Craig Smith fill out the second stringers. To me, this line-up is better suited to win in the future, not to mention the fact that it allows me to have a good draft position and tons of money for free agents.
Q: Are there any trades you've regretted?
MEM: No, not really. People bashed me for trading Baron Davis for Carlos Boozer because the game is so point guard oriented, but when you think about it, that's exactly why I did it. Point guards in the game play better than any position, so Damon Stoudamire was contributing just as much to my team Davis was. Therefore I traded Davis and his huge contract [for] a great big man, who will have a much larger role in next year's game. Maybe I should have kept Gasol, but my team wouldn't have been nearly as deep as it is now and Boozer isn't that much of a downgrade.
Q: Your team have struggled and have found themselves in bottom place in the West. Do you see your losing ways changing? Or are you looking forward to the offseason?
I think that we will be a bottom two team this year, but considering that I started with the worst team in the league, I'm really not surprised. I never thought I would make the playoffs and my main goal was to prepare this team for next year. I'm looking forward to the off-season alot, as that is where I am able to make the most improvements to my team. I see alot of improvement coming after this year, and I am gauranteeing the playoffs to all Memphis fans in the 07/08 season.
Q: After making many trades, how do you feel the new lineup is meshing? Has anyone emerged as a team-leader since Pau Gasol's departure?
Boozer has turned into a great team leader. He showed that he was a leader in Utah, and he brought that leadership with him here. He is the undoubted leader in the lockeroom and all of the players look up to him. Damon Stoudamire and Devean George have also emerged as leaders, as their experiance in the NBA allows them to relate with alot of the young guys. And despite not getting any playing time, Bo Outlaw energizes the team and makes practices fun for everyone. I think there is alot of chemistry brewing with these guys.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I think you covered everything, but I wanted to reiterate the confidence I have this team for years to come. I really think that these guys, combined with offseason acquisitions, can do alot of damage next year and will definately open some eyes around the league.
Of course. Hit me with your best shot.
Q: You've come in for some criticism for some of the trades you've made so far, but do you believe the Grizzlies lineup is much worse than it was when the season began?
MEM: I think my line-up now is tons better than it was when the season began, and I think that this team has a very bright future. I started with Stromile Swift, Pau Gasol, Rudy Gay, Mike Miller, and Damon Stoudamire. I liked Swift, but thing he was not the kind of player I wanted in the starting line-up. Thus, I obtained Erick Dampier, who is very underated and can play both defense and offense with only minor flaws. After that, I traded away my best player, Gasol. This is where the criticism came pouring in. I ended up trading for Baron Davis and then Carlos Boozer. All in all, I took my best players and traded them for quantity instead of superior quality, which made my team deeper and deeper with young, cheap talents.
My current line-up is Dampier, Boozer, Luke Walton, Devean George, and Jameer Nelson. Hakim Warrick, Damon Stoudamire, Etan Thomas, Nate Robinson and Craig Smith fill out the second stringers. To me, this line-up is better suited to win in the future, not to mention the fact that it allows me to have a good draft position and tons of money for free agents.
Q: Are there any trades you've regretted?
MEM: No, not really. People bashed me for trading Baron Davis for Carlos Boozer because the game is so point guard oriented, but when you think about it, that's exactly why I did it. Point guards in the game play better than any position, so Damon Stoudamire was contributing just as much to my team Davis was. Therefore I traded Davis and his huge contract [for] a great big man, who will have a much larger role in next year's game. Maybe I should have kept Gasol, but my team wouldn't have been nearly as deep as it is now and Boozer isn't that much of a downgrade.
Q: Your team have struggled and have found themselves in bottom place in the West. Do you see your losing ways changing? Or are you looking forward to the offseason?
I think that we will be a bottom two team this year, but considering that I started with the worst team in the league, I'm really not surprised. I never thought I would make the playoffs and my main goal was to prepare this team for next year. I'm looking forward to the off-season alot, as that is where I am able to make the most improvements to my team. I see alot of improvement coming after this year, and I am gauranteeing the playoffs to all Memphis fans in the 07/08 season.
Q: After making many trades, how do you feel the new lineup is meshing? Has anyone emerged as a team-leader since Pau Gasol's departure?
Boozer has turned into a great team leader. He showed that he was a leader in Utah, and he brought that leadership with him here. He is the undoubted leader in the lockeroom and all of the players look up to him. Damon Stoudamire and Devean George have also emerged as leaders, as their experiance in the NBA allows them to relate with alot of the young guys. And despite not getting any playing time, Bo Outlaw energizes the team and makes practices fun for everyone. I think there is alot of chemistry brewing with these guys.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I think you covered everything, but I wanted to reiterate the confidence I have this team for years to come. I really think that these guys, combined with offseason acquisitions, can do alot of damage next year and will definately open some eyes around the league.