Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Season End Press Conference
Jun 13, 2017 21:57:28 GMT -5
billy, Paul Pierce, and 2 more like this
Post by Ben Wallace on Jun 13, 2017 21:57:28 GMT -5
Detroit Pistons Season End Press Conference
June 12, 2017
The Palace at Auburn Hills
Before we begin, I must express my disappointment with how the season ended, being swept is no way to lose, even if it was a competitive series. I want to thank Stan on his effort through this season of change, as well as our players for giving their 110%. *Nods to begin*
Aide: Yes, you in the front.
Old Reporter: So, you obviously stepped in as General Manager of the Pistons halfway through the season – what were some of the challenges? Give us a statement regarding the roster you took on and where you see the Pistons headed.
Wow, such a loaded question. To start with, I cannot be more thankful at the opportunity to work with the Pistons organization, and am excited to move into our new arena next year, Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons have been highly successful in our league’s short history, and I have some huge shoes to fill in that regard. While we have a lot of work to do to get back to those heights, we like our guys here in Detroit.
Female Reporter: Perhaps your most controversial move in your time here was trading away hometown favourite Pau Gasol. You received quite a bit of anger over it from our fanbase here, I just wanted to get a comment on that.
I’m a big fan of who Pau Gasol is and what he’s done in the league, and the decision to trade him away was not easy. I know that the fans here love him, and I absolutely understand why. But I took the deal thinking about both the present and future of our franchise, and with a lot of advice from our executive team here. Pau knows that he can always come back for a free slice of Caesars whenever he’s in town.
Asian Reporter: Do you have any thoughts about a coaching change or are you happy with staying with Stan Van Gundy?
We’re very happy with Stan, I have a huge amount of respect for him as an NBA coach, and I don’t think that there’s a better person for our team than Stan.
Large Reporter: I’ll keep this short, what are your plans on pending star free agent Harrison Barnes?
We’re definitely going to look to keep him in Detroit, we think that he’s a vital piece of our future going forward, and we’ll do everything in our power to convince him of that. We feel good, and have a great relationship with Harrison and his agent. Of course, he’s earned his status as a free agent, and you never know what will happen in free agency, but we’re confident.
Aide: We have time for one more…
Glasses Reporter: How do you envision this Pistons team winning a playoff series against the top teams in the East, such as the Westbrook-led Celtics you lost to, the Wall/Davis combo down in New Orleans or the triple threat lineup in Seattle? Do you feel like you have a shot? The Pistons roster seems rather disappointing compared to the real championship contenders.
Well, those are certainly formidable teams, and honestly, no, we don’t have the same amount of talent some of these other teams do. But we will, one day soon. That, and a little bit of luck, and I’m sure we’ll be celebrating our second championship here in Detroit sooner rather than later. Oh, and fuck you.
June 12, 2017
The Palace at Auburn Hills
Before we begin, I must express my disappointment with how the season ended, being swept is no way to lose, even if it was a competitive series. I want to thank Stan on his effort through this season of change, as well as our players for giving their 110%. *Nods to begin*
Aide: Yes, you in the front.
Old Reporter: So, you obviously stepped in as General Manager of the Pistons halfway through the season – what were some of the challenges? Give us a statement regarding the roster you took on and where you see the Pistons headed.
Wow, such a loaded question. To start with, I cannot be more thankful at the opportunity to work with the Pistons organization, and am excited to move into our new arena next year, Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons have been highly successful in our league’s short history, and I have some huge shoes to fill in that regard. While we have a lot of work to do to get back to those heights, we like our guys here in Detroit.
Female Reporter: Perhaps your most controversial move in your time here was trading away hometown favourite Pau Gasol. You received quite a bit of anger over it from our fanbase here, I just wanted to get a comment on that.
I’m a big fan of who Pau Gasol is and what he’s done in the league, and the decision to trade him away was not easy. I know that the fans here love him, and I absolutely understand why. But I took the deal thinking about both the present and future of our franchise, and with a lot of advice from our executive team here. Pau knows that he can always come back for a free slice of Caesars whenever he’s in town.
Asian Reporter: Do you have any thoughts about a coaching change or are you happy with staying with Stan Van Gundy?
We’re very happy with Stan, I have a huge amount of respect for him as an NBA coach, and I don’t think that there’s a better person for our team than Stan.
Large Reporter: I’ll keep this short, what are your plans on pending star free agent Harrison Barnes?
We’re definitely going to look to keep him in Detroit, we think that he’s a vital piece of our future going forward, and we’ll do everything in our power to convince him of that. We feel good, and have a great relationship with Harrison and his agent. Of course, he’s earned his status as a free agent, and you never know what will happen in free agency, but we’re confident.
Aide: We have time for one more…
Glasses Reporter: How do you envision this Pistons team winning a playoff series against the top teams in the East, such as the Westbrook-led Celtics you lost to, the Wall/Davis combo down in New Orleans or the triple threat lineup in Seattle? Do you feel like you have a shot? The Pistons roster seems rather disappointing compared to the real championship contenders.
Well, those are certainly formidable teams, and honestly, no, we don’t have the same amount of talent some of these other teams do. But we will, one day soon. That, and a little bit of luck, and I’m sure we’ll be celebrating our second championship here in Detroit sooner rather than later. Oh, and fuck you.
Miami Heat