GM Ian Quailmen: Welcome to the Annual Pre-Season Press Conference, everyone! Standing back at this podium last season, we had high hopes for the season. Little did we know what highs and lows would be in-store for our organization. We again stand here today looking forward at a bright future for this team, with our cornerstones of Gilbert Arenas and Brian Grant leading us to another successful season.
GM: First things first, before moving on to new acquisitions, I would like to make a couple statements. I would like to thank all players who dawned the colors of Milwaukee last season, those still present and those who have moved on to new endeavors. I would especially like to express my best wishes to Gerald Wallace on his future with our rival, the Detroit Pistons. While it is disappointing that we were not able to retain Gerald, I personally want to ensure the fans that we made a concerted effort to let him know he was more than welcome to rejoin this team at almost any cost. We appreciate his dedication to defensive excellence and look forward to testing his prowess four times a season. We also would like to state that while we appreciate his enthusiasm for our team we do not endorse the actions of Buck Nation's Will Maukie against Gerald Wallace at the Pistons press conference. We, as an organization, would like to highly discourage any kind of physical actions towards any player any time, despite their displeasure with said player's decision.
GM: Last season, we made many moves in order to try to compete now. We regret no move, as every signing and acquisition... regardless the turnout... is a learning experience. However, I truly do believe that every transaction made last year will greatly impact our future in a positive way. For example, Tony Allen has been working extensively in the offseason with 4-time All-Defensive 1st Team-er Joe Dumars on his defense, and it clearly shows. He could easily be pushing for the starting shooting guard spot.
GM: Another couple of moves made last offseason and mid-season were acquiring Marc Jackson and Rasheed Wallace, while also having to part ways amicably with Vlade Divac. Deciding to move in a different direction, we opted to not re-sign Rasheed, and made a move for one of the best up-and-coming defensive centers through a sign-and-trade: Tyson Chandler. We expect Tyson to be the defensive anchor of our team; he's also been known to make some of those highlight reel plays you see on SportsCenter Top 10. Nothing wrong with a small market getting some exposure, am I right? But I digress... Tyson came in and has instantly developed a raport with his front court mate Brian Grant and the man feeding them those alley-oops, Gilbert Arenas.
GM: Another player we have high hopes for is Channing Frye. We moved back into the draft when we saw Channing dropping lower and lower. We couldn't resist the opportunity to get such great value in such a promising young prospect like Channing. He'll be coming in to provide some offense off the bench behind both Tyson and Brian. With his training camp, it would be hard to keep him on the bench.
GM: With the departure of Gerald Wallace and trading Latrell Sprewell for future cap relief, we were in immediate need of depth at the 2 and 3. Our options were pretty limited with only having our MLE at our disposal, and we were fortunate to have Mike Miller see enough promise in this franchise to play for us. Mike brings outside shooting to our wing positions, as he can play both the shooting guard spot and small forward spot. We haven't decided as to who will start at the 3 between Mike and incumbent bench-glue guy Corliss Williamson. However, regardless who starts, the will both be logging heavy minutes as we see both Mike and Corliss as both bringing something viable to the table.
GM: Additional depth was brought in, in the form of Larry Johnson, the ageless Charlie Ward, Scott Pollard, and Milt Pilacio. We look forward to all the experience these veterans bring to the organization.
GM: That said, we like to shift to the part of the session we like to call "Open Season", where we open the podium up to you guys. Any questions?
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Originally Posted by Conroy
