Draftees Press Conference Quotes
June 26, 2009 by kingsconnect
Geoff Petrie Opening Statement:
“He (Tyreke Evans) was the best freshman in college last year. He’s just a tremendous prospect. And Jon (Brockman)… One of my favorite Van Morrison songs is a song called “Cleaning Windows.” There’s a line in there: “I’m just a working man in my prime cleaning windows.” So I hope he cleans some glass down here for the Kings. It’s great to have him. He was the leading rebounder the last two years in the Pac-10. He brings a tremendous work ethic with him.”
Gavin Maloof Opening Statement:
“It’s a great day for the Kings organization, for our family, for Geoff and the community. We feel that we are on the right track and we have nothing but upside for the Sacramento Kings. You have a great couple of athletes up here in Jon and Tyreke that can really turn this franchise around. I think I got a little too excited yesterday because I got an ulcer. Literally. So, I am going to have to just take it easy for a little while. I told Tyreke, I really got excited. The whole town is on fire. No pressure though. He said he could handle it. Again, welcome to the Kings organization, it is a great day for all of our fans and we are glad to have you.”
Paul Westphal Opening Statement:
“Well I just echo what Geoff and Gavin said. I don’t have any Van Morrison to quote, but that was good one, I liked that. Yesterday was a really good day. We had four players who we feel can help make things just tougher and give a no-nonsense approach to basketball. That is the tone that we want to set and these two guys are going to be a big part in setting that tone. Just want to welcome you to town, fellas.”
Tyreke Evans Opening Statement:
“I just want to say that I am glad to be here and to get a chance to play for Coach. I hear they have some good fans here, so I am ready to get started.”
Jon Brockman Opening Statement:
“It is a dream come true to be able to hold up that jersey with your name on the back of it and smile. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone here in Sacramento, getting to know the team and the rest of the people in the organization.”
On what was it like to have your name called:
Tyreke: “I was a little nervous, but at the same time I was excited. I heard David Stern say with the fourth pick and then heard my name. I got up and hugged my family and thanked God that I had the opportunity to get picked fourth.”
On his rebounding:
Jon: “Rebounding is a lot of using your body and reading where the ball is coming off. You just have to have a nose for it. I have been playing against some pretty tall guys in college and seemed to be able to get the rebounds there. I think it is more strategy and having the knack to get to the ball along with the desire to go and get it. I think 90 percent of it is desire and wanting to get it and go get it through elbows, bodies and do whatever it takes.”
On the past 24 hours:
Tyreke: “It was crazy. I caught the train up to New York by myself and then I was at the hotel hanging out with my family. We were just talking about the Draft and where I might go. We were just excited when we got to the green room. It was pretty small, but I was excited to be there and happy to get drafted.”
On Tyreke’s second workout with the other guards and if it was what sealed the deal:
Coach Westphal: “Usually you don’t over-value those types of workouts. However, we did use that as some extra measuring. Tyreke was just so dominant. He was defending the quicker guys and they couldn’t get around him. He not only could get around them in the open court, he was able to post-up and pretty much have his way inside. They didn’t even think about posting him up. It was a very impressive display and if there was any doubt in anyone’s mind that he would be able to match up with NBA quickness, they were completely erased in that workout.”
On where he sees himself fitting in:
Tyreke: “It’s a young team and we have a chance to be really good. I am pretty good friends with Donté (Greene), so I am looking forward to going out there and playing with those guys and have a good time and just try to win. I don’t know what position I am going to be playing yet, either at the point or the two. I think I will help a lot. With Kevin Martin in the backcourt with me I think that we will be really good.”
On his conversations with Spencer Hawes:
Jon: “We have talked about 20 times since being drafted. He actually called me about five seconds before my name got picked and told me I was his rookie. He is the one that broke the news to me. I am excited. I have known Spencer since middle school. We played on the same AAU team and the same college team, so we pretty much talk every day since we became best friends. I am really excited for the opportunity to play with him and be here in Sacramento with him.”
On Spencer’s encouragement for the Kings to draft Jon:
Gavin: “Yes, it did make a difference. Well, I think we had already had Jon on our radar. I know Geoff did. We chose the best player available at that spot that we picked. Spencer kept saying, ‘you have got to get this guy.’ He was definitely an influence. Spencer is a sharp guy and he knows basketball. We picked the right guy.”
On all three players’ toughness:
Geoff: “I think in general it was, in addition to trying to address different positions and different skill sets. The overall mentality of the players, there is a type of attitude they bring to the court everyday. We want to have a tougher mentality. On the court previously we have not been a good defensive team. To be better defensively you have to be more aggressive than the other team, and stronger-minded than the other team. You have to compete and I think all three of these guys embody these qualities.
Coach Westphal: “I actually like combo guards. The more versatile a player is, the better in my mind. Tyreke isn’t going to be the only player on our team that is allowed to dribble. We want other people to dribble too. We also want him to go without the ball sometimes to be able to post up and be a complete player. The more players we have that are the compete package, the harder we will be to defend. I don’t expect him to be Bob Cousy; I expect him to be Tyreke Evans. If there is someone open they will get the ball. I have no doubt that he has the ability to share the ball. If he has a chance to drive to the hoop or if he has an open shot then he’ll make that play. I do not have any doubt that he can fulfill that role.”
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