With any draft there are the draft rumors, and there have already been varying reports about what the Clippers intend to do with the coveted number one pick. Do you envision the Clippers keeping the selection, or trading it?
AR: "I just cannot envision any scenario where we will trade this pick. We do not want to trade the pick, we like the players that will be available to us in this draft, and we intend to hold on to the selection."
What can you say about who the Clippers will select with the number one pick?
AR: "Throughout the draft process, there certainly has developed a pretty clear, consensus number one player amongst basically all NBA personnel and observers. We definitely agree with that consensus. We are going to take the best player available to us, a player who is going to be able to have an impact on our team and the league next season, and a player who I guarantee will make all of our fans happy and excited for the upcoming season."
Since securing the number one pick, what has the atmosphere been like around the organization?
AR: "I think energized would be the best word. Everyone here is extremely excited about this opportunity and the chance to add a top-flight, big-time player to a team that we feel is already talented. From the top, beginning with Coach Dunleavy all the way through Baron Davis and the rest of our staff and amongst all of our fans, I think the excitement really is building as we look forward to the prospect of adding the number one pick to a lineup that we feel, when healthy, will be very successful."
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