A player has to commit to it. A player has to want to do it. You can't just rely on your athletic ability. You have to grow, you have to learn. You have to have a zeal to succeed. |
As part of our strategic plan, one of the top priorities to move this franchise forward has to be to get under the salary cap. I've never seen a team rebuild itself without starting from that point. This trade presents the opportunity for us to acquire $10 million in cap room. |
Cap room is very important to a franchise that's in transition. It's much easier to build because it gives you a lot of flexibility. |
Even last year when I came in here, I thought expectations were perhaps misjudged, |
I had to start over in Milwaukee and were able to build a (good) team. When I went to Cleveland (in 1985 as vice-president and GM) we did the same thing with a blend of young players and veterans. This franchise is in the same position. It's essential we blend youth in with veterans. We're going to continue that plan and I can see positive results. |
I look at this as similar to that situation, ... There's hope here. I feel hope. Chris Bosh is a future superstar. The kids drafted should blend in with him. That's something to build around, build together. |
I look at this as similar to that situation. There's hope here. I feel hope. Chris Bosh is a future superstar. The kids drafted should blend in with him. That's something to build around, build together. |
I think what's important for him to realize is what's first and foremost is we always protect the integrity of the organization, the city of Toronto and the game. That has to be the most important thing. |
I was cut in my rookie year, |
I'm the guy who traded Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. |
My experience with coaches over the years is that after games, after losses, or under the pressures of the job, they need to vent. Over the years, I guess I've developed good ears. |
No, no possibility at all. |
Sometimes you don't know where winning comes from. One year in Cleveland, we drafted Brevin Knight and Derek Anderson and I'll be damned if we didn't win 47 games. When you get young, enthusiastic energetic players, you can do some things. |
This is kind of tough for me because Rob recommended that the organization bring me. I'm very grateful for that. I will try to steer franchise towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Of course, that's a long way away, I realize that. But if we can make positive steps during my interim ? and in bold type interim ? role, I want to do everything I can possibly do to advance this franchise. We are in transition; I recognize that. |
To me, he's a terrific player. I had mixed emotions about that because I really liked Jalen as a person and a basketball player but this is the NBA, we've all been there before. |