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Today the Brooklyn Nets reintroduced the newly-signed duo of Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young to the media during a morning press conference and introduced the newly-acquired Shane Larkin and Thomas Robinson.
The foursome took the subway to the Barclays Center, had a nice photo op and then answered some questions from the media.
Arriving in style. #Nets #Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/WhLLGbwGaK
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 9, 2015
There was nothing too earth-shattering in the press conference, other than a few nuggets from Billy King and Brook Lopez. King presaged the day's later signing of Willie Reed when he spoke about what he wanted to do before ending free agency...
"We need to add another big," Billy King said. "Maybe one or two more."
He also spoke about rumored deals with Cleveland and Memphis, seemingly putting more credence in the Grizzlies rumors, a trade of Joe Johnson for a number of Grizz role players.
"I think people are still saying I’m talking to Cleveland, I haven’t talked to Cleveland in four to five days," King said. "Chris Wallace, (Memphis GM). We had one conversation and there was never an official offer, but there was discussions with Memphis. But I think that’s what you have to do. I’ll call somebody and ask: would you move this guy, and they’ll say no. It’s not really a discussion, you probe."
As for long-term prospects for Johnson and Deron Williams, King was less than definite as to how long they will be with the club.
"I do expect these guys to be on the roster next year," King said. "Will they be there all year? I don’t know. Will all these guys be here next year? I don’t know. But the goal is to try to get together, mold it, and if we’ve gotta make moves, we’ll make moves."
King also joked about how Larkin, the former Knick, hadn't really played in the city yet, just Westchester (the home of the Nets training facility.)
Lopez mentioned that, yes, he was contacted by Jason Kidd about playing for the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, however he went on to say that there were no real serious considerations about leaving the Nets.
Brook Lopez says Jason Kidd contacted him in FA for Bucks. "But I'm here now."
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) July 9, 2015
Brook: "There weren't any other serious destinations."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) July 9, 2015
He did admit to Fred Kerber that he did think about going home.
"I thought for a split second it might be nice to go to California and go home but then I thought about it. I’ve been here for so long, this is home," Lopez said
Lopez was asked about his brother, who signed with the New York Knicks this summer and, well, had this to say about him:
"I'm not sure where he is right now," Brook Lopez said when asked if he had spoken to his brother Robin.
— Andrew Keh (@andrewkeh) July 9, 2015
@sarahkustok asked Brook if Robin will live w/ him. Brook said maybe he will let him live in a cupboard under the stairs "like Harry Potter"
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 9, 2015
Shane Larkin and Thomas Robinson will wear these numbers:
The real numbers pic.twitter.com/dX5lKYRcJE
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) July 9, 2015
Shane Larkin is excited to be here:
Shane: "I talked to Billy and Lionel, getting it done was a great thing. I'm excited for the opportunity." #Nets pic.twitter.com/RAGGWd8xPj
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 9, 2015
Thomas Robinson talked about how he feels destiny had brought him to Brooklyn.
Thomas: "I know the path that has led me here, it's all about getting comfortable and I belong here." #Nets pic.twitter.com/8B9fTaDtpA
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 9, 2015
Thaddeus Young, um, doesn't want to ride the subway again:
#Nets Thaddeus Young on taking subway: "it was cool..don't think I'll do it again"
— Fred Kerber (@FredKerber) July 9, 2015
But, more importantly, he wants to win a championship:
Thaddeus: "For me it was a mutual feeling. We can help this team get to a championship one day." #Nets pic.twitter.com/Efs4EyG2HM
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 9, 2015
The press conference was a far cry from the last Nets free agency presser. In July 2013. Back then, the Nets were heralding the arrival of Andrei Kirilenko, 32; Paul Pierce, 34; Jason Terry, 35 and Kevin Garnett, 37. Thursday, the players were a decade younger and a lot less expensive. And whereas Mikhail Prokhorov flew into the 2013 press conference aboard a Boeing Business Jet (and flew out that night), this year, it was the players and Billy King.
So welcome, Nets gents, both old and new. This team is really starting to take shape. Now, hopefully they can get at least one Summer League victory. You can catch a rewind of the conference by clicking below.
- Live Stream - Brooklyn Nets Press Conference - Brooklyn Nets
- For Brook Lopez, just another reason Brooklyn is home - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- With his role on Nets established, Young is ready to be a leader - Fred Kerber - New York Post
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Lopez, Young happy to stay with Nets - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Nets have Lopez back, trying to find diamonds in rough - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
- Nets' Shane Larkin says Knicks triangle wasn't a good fit - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
- Nets Brook Lopez has first diss for twin, new Knicks center - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
- Brook Lopez is locked down, but Nets' roster could change - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
- Is New York big enough for the Lopez twins? - Ohm Youngmisuk - ESPN New York
- From the First Round to a Last Chance for Thomas Robinson - Andrew Keh - New York Times
- New-look Nets could be dealing Joe Johnson - Rod Boone - Newsday
- Nets next goal: Trim payroll - Scott Fontana - amNY
- Nets introduce newest players, sign Ellington - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner
- Brook Lopez was contacted by Jason Kidd for Bucks, but never considered leaving - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- Nets GM Billy King: Nets not done making moves - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- With free agency moratorium lifted, Nets officially sign Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Thomas Robinson, Shane Larkin - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game