Zanik Draft Press Conference

[NUMBERICA]

That last sentence is kind of a big deal. I wonder how long they feel they have before they need to prioritize winning in order to match Lauri's timeline.

I've been wondering if they see it as next season being a swing year, where they don't splurge too much and are prepared that they might take a step back, but will lean in whatever direction the momentum of the team is (if they're winning, they'll push; if they're losing, they'll pull). This is in large part due to the fact that this is the last year to have a year with flexible demands and expectations since Lauri's contract doesn't expire until next year.

I think everyone wants to win, though. But I think they are simultaneously keeping expectations for this season modest and still trying to be patient and diligent with building.

 

[sip]

I've said all along that the timeline to win is the 24-25 season. I think they see how insanely competitive the west is going to be next year and aren't in a hurry to speed up this re tool. This year it would be great to get all 3 rookies some rotation minutes as well as figuring out exactly what we have in Walker, Ochai, Sexton and THT. The ideal situation would be a lot of player development and staying competitive but once again being in the bottom 10 and keeping our pick.

 

[JazzFever]

Minus injuries, there is absolutely no way this team misses the playoffs.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

Minus injuries, there is absolutely no way this team misses the playoffs.

Of course there is.

 

[sip]

Minus injuries, there is absolutely no way this team misses the playoffs.

There is a very good chance that we miss the playoffs. I don't think you truly grasp how good the west is. All the teams that made the playoffs last year are still right there and I expect massive improvements from rockets, spurs, mavs and blazers. Not only could we miss the playoffs but we could have a solid season with great player development and still be in the bottom 3 of the west.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

There is a very good chance that we miss the playoffs. I don't think you truly grasp how good the west is. All the teams that made the playoffs last year are still right there and I expect massive improvements from rockets, spurs, mavs and blazers. Not only could we miss the playoffs but we could have a solid season with great player development and still be in the bottom 3 of the west.

The West is still probably mediocre as a whole.

We will see what Utah does, but they will probably be challenging for the 6-10 slots.

 

[Bawse Dawg]

Jazz over under will probably be right around their win total last year. Probably a bit lower.

 

[PresidioTrojan]

Interesting to me to explicitly say they had Hendricks 9, Keyonte 10, and Brice at 18 (can't remember if he actually said that about Hendricks or if I read that on twitter). Basically saying if anyone else had slipped at 9 they would've taken someone else, lol. But whatever. Welcome to all 3!

 

[whatthe]

Conley's leadership helped with the fast start last year. It was the glow effect of the previous year. It's going to be harder. We need that leadership from Dunn, Gay and Clarkson now to get everyone in line. Can they pull it of as well as Conley? Maybe, maybe not.

 

[sip]

The West is still probably mediocre as a whole.

We will see what Utah does, but they will probably be challenging for the 6-10 slots.

The west is going to be awesome next year. The most brutal that we have ever seen it from top to bottom.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The west is going to be awesome next year. The most brutal that we have ever seen it from top to bottom.

All depends on health again I guess, but I dont think it will be that tough. Obviously the NBA is at a pretty high point in terms of overall quality, but there aren't many teams who can just dominate night in and night out in the regular season in th West.

 

[infection]

Also it's clear that Justin really, really, really likes working with Ainge. Just effusive praise of him - and a slight shot at Dennis.

What was it?