San Antonio Spurs PreSeason Press Conference

[wms02a]

Welcome to the San Antonio Spurs 2022 - '23 Pre Season Press Conference. Coming to the Podium is Spurs VP/Assistant General Manager RC Buford.

Thank you for coming out today as we open up a new season here in San Antonio. We have made a lot of moves this offseason to put the Franchise in a better position long term to compete in the CSL. I am here to answer your questions about the Franchise...

[Cleasby]

Please update your signature with your current roster :p

What will be Frank Ntilikinas best position and why?

[KW]

18-20 points per game for Bertans this season?

[wms02a]

Please update your signature with your current roster :p

What will be Frank Ntilikinas best position and why?

Will update later today!

Long term we see him more as a shooting guard offensively. His handles have already improved this offseason, but he has a lot of work ahead of him to become a CSL caliber offensive point guard.

Defensively, he is set up to be elite at both positions. He has the size to guard two guards but has the defense and swiping ability to keep up with elite PGs already

This year we plan on playing him solely at PG based upon our current roster make up, but long term we expect him to play more two guard

[wms02a]

18-20 points per game for Bertans this season?

The sky is the limit for Bertan this year. We see him complimenting both Hamilton and Okafor very nicely offensively. If Bertans can stay on the court defensively, 18 -20 PPG is well within reach.

[Stockton12]

I’m puzzled why u moved Livingstone after one year ..was it because he’s older

[Rizzo]

I’m puzzled why u moved Livingstone after one year ..was it because he’s older

And why not to Brooklyn?!?

[emplep7]

I’m puzzled why u moved Livingstone after one year ..was it because he’s older

And why not to Brooklyn?!?

I can handle this one...

I heard that Denzel threatened to retire if traded to the Nets, but I warned you about Hezonja - hes a hard individual to be around. Even Ayton refused to practice in TC so that he wouldn't be around him anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if thats the reason that Free Agents we're turning down 10s of millions of dollars...

[Marcos_Beck]

I like Okafor’s pickup. Him, Hamilton and Frank are a nice trio.

That said, isn’t it time to move Harris and capitalize on future assets for him?

[hardenwithnod]

What is your projected starting five this season?

[wms02a]

I’m puzzled why u moved Livingstone after one year ..was it because he’s older

I needed front court help and w frank and Harris on board already Livingston was nice to have but I had bigger holes I needed to fill

[wms02a]

I’m puzzled why u moved Livingstone after one year ..was it because he’s older

And why not to Brooklyn?!?

Okafor filled the role I wanted to fill more than poetl

[wms02a]

What is your projected starting five this season?

PG: Frank
SG: Harris
SF: Bertans
PF: Hamilton
CE: Okafor

[wms02a]

Bump... mid offseason bordem

[Rizzo]

After a big season last year where expectations weren't all that high, what do you do now to put yourself among the top Western Conference teams?

[wms02a]

After a big season last year where expectations weren't all that high, what do you do now to put yourself among the top Western Conference teams?

We are bringing back the majority of core with the exception of Waitors and Harkless, but our starting five should remain roughly the same. A lot of our success next year will lie on Davis Bertans and whether or not he can become an elite scorer in the new engine. If he can, than I think we will have 2 elite scorers in Bertans and Terry, the top defensive backcourt in the league with Terry and FrankyN, and an efficient Front court who can do all the dirty work too in Mo and Harrell. Excited to add Adams, another elite defender and Capela who can add more offense from the paint... Super excited about the new season but like every other team, there are a lot of unknowns with the new engine