RealGM

hsf09 wrote:MV: Hows it going?

SR: Good, you's?

MV: Good. Getting a lot of love on the texts. Your primary job?

SR: Working with the players, offensive skills development. Been great working with Rick, Jack, etc. Make sure guys like Chase, Jordan transition into the NBA so they can maximize their NBA careers

JL: I'd tell guys to go talk to Shawn Respert.

SR: Life is so short, they have a great opportunity. The opportunity is there for them. In a blink of an eye, it could be gone. I enjoy having fun with it. They earned it. Have fun, enjoy it.

MV: Take us through it when you had cancer, please.

SR: Short verson, end of rookie year, lump in abdominal area. Trainer did tests, came back positive. Had to do radiation. When I wrapped up, flew out to LA and played. Ive been ok. Only 1 relapse. Since then, I've been ok. Full credit to my staff during that time.

JL: You know about recovering and getting back on the court. Talk about Yao?

SR: Yao has been very good. Almost had to pull him back some. Our guys trying to feed him a little at a time. 100% is our goal to get him back at. Dont want to rush anything. He's on the court, a little shooting and post work. No contact, no 1-1, no cuts, no hard jumping. Dropped a good 15-20 pounds. His body readjusting

MV: Bullet points on Brooks, Martin, future for Scola

SR: Such a young guy like Aaron continues to evolve his game. I wanna see him physically stronger. Has speed, agility, can shoot the ball. Wanna see him challenge next tier guys like Williams amd Paul. Luis is hardest worker. He is a machine. Still in the gym 4 days a week. Pumping weights and conditioning. I think the organization will reward him. Kevin Martin a natural scorer. Gotta challenge him to become better defender though you sometimes can't change a guy. Perhaps learn some things from Shane. Jordan and Jermaine have been in the gym the most. Jordan will be a integral part. He is gonna be impact player early. Jermaine will be like Shannon Brown for LA and Wes Matthews for Utah. He'll be in the picture next year when we get things going.

MV: Thoughts on Lakers & Suns, Magic & Celtics series?

SR: LA intrigues me. Boston too. Both playing well for 5-6 game stretch. Now ORL and PHX have busted back. LA has superior talent and size but with Bynum and injuries, its not the same team. LA gotta prove to shoot the ball from outside. PHX mix some things up. I think LA is too good overall and will pull it out. Boston looks tired and old. LA & Boston Finals. Boston will I think pull it out. Tougher and play defense. Have guys who really want to win. Guys on their last legs.

MV: You go back to Big 10. What you think about expansion?

SR: Always about trying to improve. Big 10 will always be Big 10. The more the merrier. Any new teams we can beat up on is good.(laughing)

MV: Thanks for the time

SR: Alright, thanks for the time.