Post by DiamondThief on Jul 9, 2014 22:01:08 GMT -8
This interview took place a couple of hours prior to the start of the NBA draft two weeks ago. Blazers guard and Lehigh University journalism graduate CJ McCollum had an opportunity to interview NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
The two also took a selfie:
I am going to give you a couple of excerpts here, but click the link which follows them. It is a pretty decent read.
To read the entire interview, click: CJ sits down with the Commish
The two also took a selfie:
I am going to give you a couple of excerpts here, but click the link which follows them. It is a pretty decent read.
CJ McCollum: I was going to ask you about big markets versus small markets. Earlier in the season I visited New York and you were talking about a small market like Portland and San Antonio versus an L.A. or New York. Do you think the league in five or 10 years will trend toward building a team the way the Spurs do opposed to a mega team up of superstar players?
Adam Silver: I support a player’s right to go where he wants and I think that is part of what free agency is. It has been something bargained for by your union, and hopefully players are in the position to make decisions to play in cities they want to be in or to play with other players they want to be with. I have also learned that players want to win and that they are going to be attracted to winning situations. I think that is regardless of market sizes.
Adam Silver: I support a player’s right to go where he wants and I think that is part of what free agency is. It has been something bargained for by your union, and hopefully players are in the position to make decisions to play in cities they want to be in or to play with other players they want to be with. I have also learned that players want to win and that they are going to be attracted to winning situations. I think that is regardless of market sizes.
CJ McCollum: So, we’re going to change the pace a little bit and talk about the Draft. Tell me a little bit about how you’re feeling about going out there for the first round for the first time. Are you expecting cheers? Boos? What is it going to be like to switch roles a little bit here?
Adam Silver: I’m excited. I’m not sure exactly what to expect. I realize it’s a little bit of a tradition, booing the commissioner. I’ll tell you a funny story from last year. I did my usual second-round selections, and afterwards, I came offstage and a few of my colleagues said to me, “What did it feel like to be booed?” I said “Oh, I didn’t realize I was booed. I thought they were cheering.”
Adam Silver: I’m excited. I’m not sure exactly what to expect. I realize it’s a little bit of a tradition, booing the commissioner. I’ll tell you a funny story from last year. I did my usual second-round selections, and afterwards, I came offstage and a few of my colleagues said to me, “What did it feel like to be booed?” I said “Oh, I didn’t realize I was booed. I thought they were cheering.”