NBA media day is all hype. Coaches, entrance workplace members, gamers and media all play into the hype cycle that makes the NBA social media engine run. Nobody has performed a recreation but, and the alternatives for a brand new season are infinite. Youthful gamers might imagine they’ll win all of it, whereas veteran gamers might take a extra measured and seasoned strategy on the press podium.
The San Antonio Spurs hosted its media day on Monday, September thirtieth. One of many largest questions on everybody’s minds is the expectations for the crew this season. There was a distinction in solutions from the gamers and the teaching workers.
“Our expectations are the identical as they’ve been from the primary yr that I coached – we need to be the absolute best crew we might be,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich mentioned. “That’s individually, so far as growth goes. That’s clearly been an enormous issue within the final couple of years. Then crew sensible, (it’s studying) methods to play and what it takes to win.”
He continued to say: “I need everybody to get higher. I’ve nice expectations for each participant, that’s individually and team-wise… we would like everybody to enhance in all sides of the sport.”
Popovich mentioned that even when the Spurs had been championship contenders, there have been by no means conversations about what number of video games they wanted to win. That hasn’t modified this season.
His gamers didn’t sing the identical tune.
“Playoffs, that’s it. That’s all I see,” mentioned Spurs wing Devin Vassell when requested what the crew’s expectations are this season.
Newly acquired level guard, Chris Paul, is on the sting of 40. He didn’t signal an $11 million contract with the Spurs this summer season to lose video games.
“If I’m gonna be away from my household, then I need it to be significant,” Paul mentioned. “I need to play and compete. This was the most effective alternative to do this. I felt like this is able to be the most effective match.”
Popovich was fast to name Paul a mentor, and seemed ahead to what his expertise can deliver to the crew.
“He’s gonna be a terrific mentor for our younger guys,” Popovich mentioned. “These guys haven’t actually had that. I can’t even quantify how essential that will probably be.”
Paul echoed that sentiment in his presser.
“The most important factor I hope to deliver is competitiveness,” he mentioned. “Enjoying laborious is a expertise, nevertheless it’s not sufficient. This crew can play laborious, however now we gotta work out methods to translate that to wins.”
There was an attention-grabbing battle in solutions from the Spurs at media day. Clearly the gamers are prepared for the brand new season to begin, really feel assured and are able to push for the playoffs. It’s and comprehensible feeling after two straight seasons of dropping 60 video games. Popovich’s quotes got here throughout as measured, and don’t essentially point out something aside from an unwillingness to place much more highlight and strain on the younger crew. It’s extra of an indication of the eagerness to compete from the gamers than anything.
They’ll get the possibility to get again to work, and start a push for the playoffs on Tuesday when coaching camp formally begins.
