Kupchak post season interview

[Captain Morgan]

James PlowrightFlag of United KingdomBasketball
@British_Buzz
·
4m
Kupchak "We want to make the playoffs and advance in the playoffs, not just lose in the first round, we want to make something sustainable where we can advance each year."

 "We still need to add talent, our margin of error is still not good enough" (If there were injuries etc)

"We expect to provide us with about $29 million plus, that doesn't take into account CAP holds for free agents and our 1st round pick"

"Out of the block this team over achieved and delivered more than we expected"

 "Our margin of error this year was not that large that we could sustain multiple injuries and compete at the same level"

"We have to look to sure up our frontcourt with a center or several centers... You would love to get some rim protection, better rebounding"

Kupchak on the team's biggest need "We need to sort through our existing free agents (Referring to Malik/Graham/Zeller/Biz/Wanamaker)... It's way too early, we have not started the process"

"I thought Miles really made tremendous growth, I thought the Martin brothers gave what we thought we expected, I thought Jalen (McDaniels) made a step up, I don't think anyone took a step backwards"

Kupchak summarises that the team had assistant coaches and video coordinators on court to help the young players get playing time in 5 on 5 action before games due to the lack of G League throughout the year to help aid development

 "Thanks god for the Bubble, the G League in Atlanta, it really helped our young players"

"Our coach, players and medical (staff) did a great job navigating their way through the season (Due to challenge of Covid restrictions)

 

James PlowrightFlag of United KingdomBasketball
@British_Buzz
·
6m
Kupchak on the Play In Game and how it affects his opinion going forward "Lack of experience had a lot to do with how that game went"

Edited May 20, 2021 by Captain Morgan

[Captain Morgan]

some player quotes

Cody Martin said the perception that he and his twin brother Caleb have interchangeable skill sets is flat wrong. People who say that "don't watch the game."

Will Palaszczuk
@WilliePStyle
·
3h
LaMelo Ball's shooting struggles explained: He told me he still can't get full range of motion with his previously-injured wrist so he couldn't follow through.

Says once that returns, it should look more like the form pre-injury.

[Captain Morgan]

James PlowrightFlag of United KingdomBasketball
@British_Buzz
·
23m
Kupchak on Hayward "He hasn't had an offseason in a few years where he can work on his game for two months"

 

Kupchak on Melo "He needs to get stronger, his skill level is pretty good, I don't worry about his shooting, that's something we felt very comfortable with before the draft"

Kupchak on Melo "He is a gym rat, he loves the game and loves to work, nothing makes him happier than being in the gym"

Kupchak "If we spend our money, we need to be careful to keep our eye on the next two, three years and not focus on next year"

Kupchak "We are not trying to put off winning, everyone on this call knows we have an owner who is very competitive"

Kupchak "I a year ago I would have said we need to just add talent and not worry about position... I do think we are good at the wing, Knock on wood (Hayward) and we're good at the guard position too with LaMelo."

Kupchak "We are not in a position in terms of talent to just look at position in terms of draft and free agency"

Kupchak "I don't know why players wouldn't want to come here to play with him (Melo)" Also mentions how he feels differently in terms of attracting free agents to Charlotte than he did a year ago

Kupchak when asked about if he's comfortable with Borrego going onto the last year of his contract "I think he's done a great job"

Sounds like it will be unlikely Melo plays in summer league, but the decision hasn't been made yet. Kupchak suggests it's more for players who didn't have the opportunity to play this year

James PlowrightFlag of United KingdomBasketball
@British_Buzz
·
 

 

[frankw]

Lack of experience wasn't the issue against Indiana that was just putrid basketball and barely even pro level in some aspects. The last thing the franchise needs to do is rest on the hollow accomplishments made earlier in the season. I will trust that Mitch knows what he is looking at but there should be no excuses for the effort in the final game that's what people remember that's the last image of the 2020-21 Hornets.

[Scott12345]

Like hearing talk about rebounding and inside play...has to be a priority 

he also notes several times we need more talent period

 

[Shocker]

Stevie Wonder can see we need help at center.  Nothing new here, confirmation really

Edited May 21, 2021 by Shocker

[bLACKpANTHER]

17 hours ago, Captain Morgan said:

Kupchak on Melo "He needs to get stronger, his skill level is pretty good, I don't worry about his shooting, that's something we felt very comfortable with before the draft"

If Melo can add some bulk - WOW - he will be a force going to the basket.. I love his body control and the way he would not shy away from the contact - but rather lean into the defenders, bounce off them and still have the control to finish.. it wasn't bully-ball LeBron move - more like a PG13 strong-finesse move.. and even if he didn't finish, he can knock down clutch FTs (76%)..
 

Quote

Kupchak "If we spend our money, we need to be careful to keep our eye on the next two, three years and not focus on next year"

that is music to my ears.. it's why I always say "In Mitch I Trust"..
as frustrating as a season this was and pissed that we didn't obtain a center at the deadline - or truly make the playoffs - I understand that there is ZERO possibility we'll be a legit title contender for at least 2-3 more seasons.. shortsighted teams that have been bad for a long time, get a sniff of success and make a quick move to get them over the hump but forfeit long term success..

Giannis, Embiid and Brooklyn aren't going anywhere.. if we really want to compete with them, we have to think long term.. adding an Allstar Big to this roster will help a lot, but the roster needs more than just a quick fix.. the fact is we are a lottery team that overachieved OR at best 6-8 seed that had a tough time with injuries.. 

we still need to make 2-3 perfect roster moves and I think we can contend - if we make 1 bad roster move - we right back in the lottery..

Quote

Kupchak on the Play In Game and how it affects his opinion going forward "Lack of experience had a lot to do with how that game went"

we are one of the youngest teams in the league and have a lot of upside.. but i agree we do need vet players - and not the Wanamaker/Biz type who have just been journeymen.. legit players we can turn to in crunchtime and down the stretch of a season.. obviously, in that way, Hayward was so sorely missed..

[rippadonn]

"We have to look to sure up our frontcourt with a center or several centers... You would love to get some rim protection, better rebounding"

"Several"

[rippadonn]

If Malik decides to move on there may be a guy in New Orleans who might want to play here for one reason or another. I wouldn't mind that. 

We would probably be the only NBA team with two sets of brothers.

Mitch is talking multiple centers though. Music to my ears Mitch. Music to my ears...

[bLACKpANTHER]

13 hours ago, Trainwreck said:

Go get Myles Turner. Not friggin hard. These guys act like they have a difficult job.

Turner would be a great 'get' but we would have to give up assets to get him.. probably PJ and a 1st.. I would much rather grab one of the Bigs in FA - Holmes is the one I salivate over.. then we are just throwing Zeller's expiring salary at him.. He supposedly wants a $20m @ year contract but I don't know if teams are willing to go that high.. $13-15m is doable for me and should be for the Hornets

[KatsAzz]

On 5/20/2021 at 4:34 PM, frankw said:

Lack of experience wasn't the issue against Indiana that was just putrid basketball and barely even pro level in some aspects. The last thing the franchise needs to do is rest on the hollow accomplishments made earlier in the season. I will trust that Mitch knows what he is looking at but there should be no excuses for the effort in the final game that's what people remember that's the last image of the 2020-21 Hornets.

 

 I will trust that Mitch Kupchak too.