Conference Semi-Finals GM Interview Series: Scottie Pippen
Jun 10, 2017 15:59:52 GMT -5
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Post by Adrian Wojnarowski on Jun 10, 2017 15:59:52 GMT -5
After Steve Jobs, Scottie Pippen and the Cleveland Cavaliers were my next target for an interview. I've been intrigued with them since the start of Scottie's time with the team because of all the trades he's made to get to where he is now, supplementing Giannis' ability to do everything at an elite level with Jrue Holiday's playmaking, Khris Middleton's shooting, and Serge Ibaka's rim protection. Thanks to his surprise wins in game 1 and 2 against the New York Knicks, I couldn't wait to sit down with him.
Woj: You have a very talented team, but it didn't start the season the way it looks now. It really took some effort on your part to acquire all this talent. Starting from the beginning of your tenure this season, give me your perspective on how things played out. Did you have any set plan for how to move forward, or did you just kind of play it by ear?
Scottie: When I joined the league at the end of March I took a long look at what assets I had and where I wanted to go. I decided with some solid players headlined by the Greek Freak, I knew we had to make a playoff push. I decided to make some trades to improve our chances and a big one was obtaining Khris Middleton and Alex Len for Dejounte Murray, Julius Randle, and Derrick Rose. I think amnestying Chandler Parsons so we would be able to trade Hezonja for Jrue Holiday also had a very large impact.
Woj: How happy are you with where you're at now? If you weren't able to accomplish the goals you had in mind, how do you think things would be different?
Scottie: If I was not able to make these deals I think I would have stayed the course to see what could happen in the playoffs. I’m very pleased with how the season, and postseason thus far, has played out.
Woj: So now that hard work at team building has paid off, and you're competing in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in the playoffs. You find yourself in a pretty great position - up 2-1 in the Semi-Finals against the top seed Knicks. With one more game on your home court before heading back to New York, that could mean you take a 3-1 lead into the home stretch.
Scottie: I believe we match up very well against the Knicks which is why we had some success in games 1 and 2 on the road.
Woj: But then game 3 was a bit of a statement game for the Knicks, with a stunning 49-point blowout of 143-94. What is your strategy from here on out? Do you feel confident about your chances through the rest of the playoffs?
Scottie: First I have to say the New York Knicks have an impressive team, and that I was a little worried coming into this matchup. Kemba Walker, Nikola Jokic, and DeAndre Jordan are a scary big 3. On top of that, they have a great bench. Our strategy is going to remain the same: utilize our defensive players to negate their offensive punch in Jokic + Walker. I feel very confident if we can win game 4, that will give us a very high chance to come out of this series as the victor.
Woj: Do you have some final thoughts on facing the Knicks, and other teams you might encounter going forward?
Scottie: I was worried about the Knicks the most and the Supersonics; If Seattle loses I think we have a real shot at a championship. We will still have to win the East and go through some tough teams in the West, but I feel confident for sure. I’ll be watching the Boston – Orlando series very closely. Both are great teams and will present a challenge. I’ll also be watching the West matchups and have to say the Pelicans are looking very formidable after taking the lead over the presumed favorite Supersonics.
Woj: So let me ask you about the future. Win or lose, what are your goals this offseason?
Scottie: Win or lose the plan is going to be the same: Be competitive every year. I have certain players that I view as untouchable, mainly Giannis Antetokounmpo. If there is a deal that makes us better I’ll always consider it. However, as a GM I do not believe in mortgaging the future.
Woj: Do you plan to be active in free agency? If not, how do you plan to improve between now and then?
Scottie: I hope to retain both Jrue Holiday and Serge Ibaka, but will most likely have to make some moves in order to do so. I plan to keep our core together and fill out the roster with cheaper veterans. We are doing well with this group so far, so hopefully we can do the same next year...
I was glad to talk with Scottie about his team, and my main takeaway is that he's not in any rush to build a championship contender, but he's also not afraid of remaining competitive despite some of the super teams that have developed in the league. I look forward to sharing my interviews with the rest of the GMs from the Semi-Finals competition over the next few days.
Woj: You have a very talented team, but it didn't start the season the way it looks now. It really took some effort on your part to acquire all this talent. Starting from the beginning of your tenure this season, give me your perspective on how things played out. Did you have any set plan for how to move forward, or did you just kind of play it by ear?
Scottie: When I joined the league at the end of March I took a long look at what assets I had and where I wanted to go. I decided with some solid players headlined by the Greek Freak, I knew we had to make a playoff push. I decided to make some trades to improve our chances and a big one was obtaining Khris Middleton and Alex Len for Dejounte Murray, Julius Randle, and Derrick Rose. I think amnestying Chandler Parsons so we would be able to trade Hezonja for Jrue Holiday also had a very large impact.
Woj: How happy are you with where you're at now? If you weren't able to accomplish the goals you had in mind, how do you think things would be different?
Scottie: If I was not able to make these deals I think I would have stayed the course to see what could happen in the playoffs. I’m very pleased with how the season, and postseason thus far, has played out.
Woj: So now that hard work at team building has paid off, and you're competing in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in the playoffs. You find yourself in a pretty great position - up 2-1 in the Semi-Finals against the top seed Knicks. With one more game on your home court before heading back to New York, that could mean you take a 3-1 lead into the home stretch.
Scottie: I believe we match up very well against the Knicks which is why we had some success in games 1 and 2 on the road.
Woj: But then game 3 was a bit of a statement game for the Knicks, with a stunning 49-point blowout of 143-94. What is your strategy from here on out? Do you feel confident about your chances through the rest of the playoffs?
Scottie: First I have to say the New York Knicks have an impressive team, and that I was a little worried coming into this matchup. Kemba Walker, Nikola Jokic, and DeAndre Jordan are a scary big 3. On top of that, they have a great bench. Our strategy is going to remain the same: utilize our defensive players to negate their offensive punch in Jokic + Walker. I feel very confident if we can win game 4, that will give us a very high chance to come out of this series as the victor.
Woj: Do you have some final thoughts on facing the Knicks, and other teams you might encounter going forward?
Scottie: I was worried about the Knicks the most and the Supersonics; If Seattle loses I think we have a real shot at a championship. We will still have to win the East and go through some tough teams in the West, but I feel confident for sure. I’ll be watching the Boston – Orlando series very closely. Both are great teams and will present a challenge. I’ll also be watching the West matchups and have to say the Pelicans are looking very formidable after taking the lead over the presumed favorite Supersonics.
Woj: So let me ask you about the future. Win or lose, what are your goals this offseason?
Scottie: Win or lose the plan is going to be the same: Be competitive every year. I have certain players that I view as untouchable, mainly Giannis Antetokounmpo. If there is a deal that makes us better I’ll always consider it. However, as a GM I do not believe in mortgaging the future.
Woj: Do you plan to be active in free agency? If not, how do you plan to improve between now and then?
Scottie: I hope to retain both Jrue Holiday and Serge Ibaka, but will most likely have to make some moves in order to do so. I plan to keep our core together and fill out the roster with cheaper veterans. We are doing well with this group so far, so hopefully we can do the same next year...
I was glad to talk with Scottie about his team, and my main takeaway is that he's not in any rush to build a championship contender, but he's also not afraid of remaining competitive despite some of the super teams that have developed in the league. I look forward to sharing my interviews with the rest of the GMs from the Semi-Finals competition over the next few days.