So apparently Friday and Saturday media sessions were all about NY reporters fishing for a "big name FA will consider [NYK or BRK] in FA" stories and they asked every possible FA what they thought of NY and if they'd consider playing for the Knicks. Paul Millsap was the one who seems to be quoted the most often across the interwebz. The money quote for the media has been this:
One of several sources[Millsap on the welcoming ATL fan base]It’s a good thing, but I’m not one to base my decision off emotions. I base my decisions off of everything else. Where our team is at, can I grow with this team, how’s the coach, how’s the community? There’s a lot of things that factor into it besides emotions. It’s a good place. I consider myself a guy who could fit in anywhere.“
On the one hand, it encourages teams to bid on him since he isn't likely to give a hometown discount but will give a discount based on the right situation; on the other, it makes it clear that we're the overwhelming favorite unless we completely cr@p the bed. In every factor listed, we are obviously a huge positive already - situation? we're competing for a 1 seed in the East and possibly a ring; growth? we made you into an AS; coach? he's on the short list for CotY in his 2nd season; community? just talked about a welcoming fan base.
Now, I didn't expect Millsap to be particularly media savvy. He came from a small(-ish) town in Louisana and played at a small college there. He's 1st real exposure to the media was playing for UTH where Salt Lake City isn't exactly a media Mecca. Still, it's hard to parse that quote and say that there's a real shot right that he would leave ATL but also that he wouldn't either. Kudos to Millsap's doublespeak!
