http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/mullin_tr...ipt-022405.html February 24, 2005 Chris Mullin Transcript Chris Mullin sits down with the Bay Area media following the trade deadline How concerned are you about Baron Davis' overall health? Chris Mulin: You're always concerned about any athlete's health. All trades are contingent on physicals, so we'll do that tomorrow and go from there. You're guaranteeing a lot of money to a guy who basically hasn't played at all this season. Do you have any concerns that these injuries might be lingering? Chris Mulin: We're going to clear that up tomorrow. Baron's 25 and we feel that we're getting him in his prime years. Was there an extensive checking into of his medical history before agreeing to the trade? Chris Mulin: To a degree. And like I said, tomorrow we have an extensive physical set up and we?ll clear up all questions. What do you feel was your biggest upgrade today? Chris Mulin: We got an all-star point guard who?s 25 years old and who makes players around him better. I feel like our team has shown improvement, more than our record has shown. We?ve played a lot of close games. A player like Baron can contribute not only to winning those games, but also to catapult the young players that we were able to retain to new heights as well. It seemed like you were in a position of strength in that you did not have to make a deal whereas New Orleans was almost desperate to do something with Baron. Did that help your situation? Chris Mulin: I think New Orleans felt that Dale [Davis] was attractive, and I felt that if we could add a difference-maker, it was something I was going to go for. If not, I was content to see it through. Because Baron Davis is a difference-maker, we went ahead and did the deal. What do you think the potential is for Baron and [Jason] Richardson in the backcourt? Chris Mulin: I think it's a good tandem, and more importantly, the guys around them can have their games expand and improve. I look forward to watching that grow. What would you say to the people who are concerned about how poorly [Baron] Davis has played this season? Chris Mulin: I don't think he's played that poorly, I just don't think he's played that much. When he starts playing for us, that's all we're concerned about. What reservations, if any, did you have going into this deal? How long did it take and what held things up until it was complete? Chris Mulin: I don't think anything held it up. This is the first trade deadline I've been through. The deadline is set and people take advantage of it. Can you take us through the last 24 hours since this is the first time you've been involved in these negotiations? Chris Mulin: It was another new experience. I think I have to go through another one to compare. Did you get up today thinking these two deals were going to get done? Chris Mulin: These were the deals we wanted to get done. I wasn't 100% sure until right before the deadline if they were going to get done, but I'm happy they did. You said Baron Davis would improve the games of others around him. Could you be specific? Chris Mulin: He's a pure point guard with size. He has all parts of the game down. He has a three-point shot, he can post up, he has a midrange game, he runs the break well. He takes pressure off a lot of other guys. He has the ability to take over a game or dominate a quarter. Mike Montgomery was an assistant on the 2002 World Championships team that Baron was on. What kind of influence was he on this deal? What kinds of talks did you have with him? Chris Mulin: We spoke extensively about Baron, not only coaching him on that team, but also coaching against him in the Pac-10. We're all looking forward to it. Is it possible Baron could become your go-to-guy? Chris Mulin: It depends on the situation. A go-to-guy isn't always a guy who scores the ball. A lot of times it's a defensive stop or it's a pass that leads to a pass that leads to a shot. I think those are things he's done over the course of his career. Were you at all considering parting with Mike Dunleavy? Chris Mulin: No. How happy are you to get a player of this caliber without having to give up someone as good as Dunleavy? Chris Mulin: It was a huge part of the deal. It made the deal that much better. My mindset always has been keeping our young core together and adding as much talent around it that makes sense. To be able to get a player this talented and keep those young players together is a very good feeling. Were you at all involved in any Webber talks? Chris Mulin: No. What does it say about Davis that his team has made the playoffs every season before this one? Chris Mulin: I think it's a team game, but he has that experience. There's a winner there. He played with some good players there as well, but I think there's an expectation, and that's what we're looking to do here. Do you think the Baron Davis-Jason Richardson backcourt can remind you of a couple guys you played with [Tim Hardaway-Mitch Richmond]? Chris Mulin: Yes I could see that. How long did it take you to get these two deals done? Chris Mulin: We've probably been steadily working on these the last three or four days. We were talking for longer than that. Have you spoken with Baron at all about the deal? Chris Mulin: I spoke to him today and he?s really excited. The first thing he asked me was who?s still here and who was in the deal. He was really excited that we were able to retain the guys we were. Is it important for you to do something for the fans? Chris Mulin: Anytime there's a deal that gives us the opportunity to win more games, I'm going to do that. We won't do it just to do it, but if I feel it's really going to impact our team in a positive way. I think this is going to make it exciting for the fans and let them know that we're never going to be satisfied. We're always going to try and improve this team. I don't think that will ever stop. What was your immediate response after completing the deal? Chris Mulin: It was a relief, really, because it?s been a long 24 hours. I didn?t have that much energy left. For me, my mind goes to practice tomorrow. How do we make this thing better and straightened out as soon as we can? Was there a deal that did not get done that you wanted to get done? Chris Mulin: No. Are we looking at [Andris] Biedrins maybe getting some time at center? Chris Mulin: I think it is time for him to start getting out there. He's been training extensively and we're looking forward to seeing him out on the floor. Any idea what Baron's role will be on Sunday? Chris Mulin: We have to get him in here for his physical. We have to see where he's at physically. Can you explain why you made the deal with Denver? Chris Mulin: We like these two players. Rodney White and Nikoloz Tskitishvili are both young, talented players and they both score the ball well. We want to get a good look at them. Was it hard to trade the first round draft pick? Chris Mulin: I think the fact that we were able to retain some of the young players on our roster made it easier. How do you grade yourself for your first trade deadline? Chris Mulin: A "T" for tired. Because you have a relationship with Speedy, did that make the deal difficult? Chris Mulin: Yes, very. Speedy's a great guy, and I thought he played his tail off here. It is tough, but when you get a chance to get a player like Davis, I thought it was the right move.h
Looks like Mullin wants Biedrins to get out there. Although it might hurt the overall confidence, I don't think they should rush Davis out there if he's still having any problems with his injury. Not asking him to shut it down, but he has been hit by some serious injuries, and only recently returned from his achilles injury. I also think, that at 16-38, the team should let more of the younger "25 & under" guys play. Aside from the issue of having a poor record, there's nothing to lose (already having a ton of ping-pong balls for the draft). I doubt Monty will start letting all the young guys play more often all of a sudden because Monty is against that, but we should at least see Biedrins out a bit more.
I think I have like three thoughts about this transcript thing. I think it's odd that there wasn't a physical done before the trade, I am pretty sure they are done in other sports leagues before trades are done. But then again maybe there wasn't enough time to do one, or maybe it just isn't a consern. "Chris Mulin: I think it's a team game, but he has that experience. There's a winner there. He played with some good players there as well, but I think there's an expectation, and that's what we're looking to do here." I am disturbed that after all of those offseason moves he is only now conserned about bringing in a winning attitude. But I guess it's always better, later than never. I guess they are seperating from the "learning" and "teaching" roads. I wonder if Montgomery can instil that winning attitude and expectation as well, since that is not why he was hired; unfortunately. "Chris Mulin: It was a huge part of the deal. It made the deal that much better. My mindset always has been keeping our young core together and adding as much talent around it that makes sense. To be able to get a player this talented and keep those young players together is a very good feeling." I wonder if he has concerns of this young core not working well(enough) together? I mean can Dunleavy and Murphy on the same court really be productive? Couldn't trading Dunleavy had brought in a SF that fit the team better or maybe another post player that could have helped the team more? I hope he at least gave it 2 seconds of thought, because I know I have my doubts, about that young group working the best together. Interesting...But nice deal Mullin, if things go right, health wise which is probably a fruitless hope in Warriorland...
^ As far as I gather, the trade is still dependent on all parties passing physicals (unless NO waives Dale's physical). Unless they have some serious crackpot doctors over there with the Hornets, Baron should pass his physical here.
We check out Baron, and they will check out Speedy and maybe Dale if they don't buy him out right away. Mullin was joking around with Tolbert last night and said that Baron was going to have "about a 20 hour physical" today.
