We talked about all kinds of basketball stuff. was interesting to get his opinion on things.... He was not high on mark jacks at all. Said he worked out embiid and parker before the draft, is SUPER high on both of them. said they are the real deal. asked about wiggins, he said he didnt work him out, and said he cant tell from just watching games, he needs to like practice and be around the guys to evaluate them.
He said he is a huge J -kidd guy and was offered an assistant position in milwaukee. i asked about lionel hollins and he said he didnt know alot about him. asked him what he thought of billy king, said he was in a tough spot to make the team better and that alot more GMs are trying to win now instead of build and let the next GM take the credit.
we talked alot about coaches and systems. he says it has so much more of an impact then what you'd think and that team defense really comes down to buying in to it. he wasnt just spouting cliches, he talked about teams he was on where the top players didnt buy in and that really sets the tone. he said its more about the best players taking pride in defense much more so then the actual talent/defensive ability. he said thibs was the best coach he's ever played for, and has more value then the props he already gets.
I asked him about the cavs if/when they get love, he said that they are going to be an elite team. I brought up injury questions, he says players like love and kyrie on bad teams arent trying to play through injury, even i its something minor they are sitting out, but put them on a good team and they will be games and better defensively.
