Media Conference Call

A media teleconference with Byron Scott, coach of the New Jersey Nets, about the upcoming NBA finals. Questions were asked by various media members.

NBA Finals 2003 Media Conference Call Friday, May 30, 2003 BYRON SCOTT New Jersey Nets Opening Statement: We’re looking forward to it. We’ve been waiting around to find out who our opponent was going to be. We found out last night. We’re excited, but we also know we have a very big challenge ahead of us. We also feel pretty comfortable and confident that we’re up for the challenge. We’re looking forward to it.

Q: What are some of the drawbacks of having such a long lay-off before the Finals?

Byron Scott: I think it’s only a physical drawback if you have a bunch of guys injured and you’re trying to get your guys as healthy as possible. You also run the risk of guys getting hurt, as Magic Johnson and myself did in 1989 after a long lay-off before the Finals. It’s one of the toughest things to do as a coach, to really try to judge and gauge what you need to do, because your guys don't want to be inactive. They need that activity to stay sharp and stay focused, and so far we’ve been very lucky.

Q: What do you feel is driving Jason Kidd at this point?

Byron Scott: Sheer determination. The fact that he sees we have a chance to win a championship is the thing that drives J-Kidd. It has nothing to do with money and numbers. It’s all about winning with him, and it’s always been that way. Each series, he’s gotten better and better. I think the higher the stakes, the better he gets. He’s always been a money-type player and this is the time you want to be playing your best basketball, and we have a few guys that are doing that.

Q: What are some of the weaknesses you see in San Antonio?

Byron Scott: I don’t see a whole lot of weaknesses in San Antonio. I think they’re a terrific basketball team, definitely one of the best in the league, as we are. They have one of the best players, if not the best player in Tim Duncan. I think with every great team, you have periods of complacency, but I don’t see many weaknesses. They have great inside play with Tim, and they have great outside guys that can knock down shots. They’re a tough, physical-minded team with a great coach. I don’t see a whole lot of holes in that team?

Q: Who, besides Duncan, do you expect to play well?

Byron Scott: Tony Parker is the second guy for them right now. He’s proven over this season that he can be a go-to-guy, he’s making shots on a consistent basis, pushes it up and down the floor as well as anybody. Stephen Jackson’s another guy that’s played extremely well. Manu Ginobili is a guy we didn’t know a whole lot about, but I think he’s really the sparkplug off their bench along with Malik Rose. Those two guys give a tremendous amount of energy on both ends of the court. Ginobili is a guy who can stretch defenses because he makes shots. He’s had a terrific first year.

Q: Can you talk a little more about Tony Parker’s development?

Byron Scott: I think Tony’s playing great. I thought last year he did a terrific job, for a 19-year-old to come in a starting for a team that was vying for a championship. He’s even better than he was last year. Just the fact that he has another year under his belt, more experience being with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, and a bunch of other veterans, he was blessed to be with a team that has veterans that have been successful, especially a guy like Steve Kerr. I think that really helped his development. He’s only going to get better.

Q: Can you talk about what you do with the lay-off?

Byron Scott: Now that we have an opponent, we need to focus in on what San Antonio does on both ends of the court and try to find some cracks in their armor. We really only have four more days to really prepare for them, which is enough time. We had a very good practice today. Our guys are looking forward to it; they’re excited about it. Before you know it, it will be here.

Q: What are the chances of you resurrecting Dikembe Mutombo for this series, and can you also talk about the head coaching prospects for Eddie Jordan?

Byron Scott: As far as Dikembe is concerned, my thoughts haven’t changed with regard to how we’re going to play. But obviously in certain game situations, things change because guys get in foul trouble, you want to find other guys. We’re not going to just play one guy on Tim Duncan. Even as good as Kenyon Martin is, he’s gonna need some help. We have four other guys in Dikembe, Rodney Rogers, Jason Collins and Aaron Williams who will probably all get a shot at him. As far as how much Dikembe will play, I can’t answer that now. I’m gonna stick with the same rotation I’ve stuck with throughout the playoffs, but there’s a chance he could play.

As far as Eddie Jordan is concerned, is he ready? Without a doubt he’s ready. He’s one of the brightest coaches I’ve ever been around. I think he’s done an unbelievable job here. We have an unbelievable relationship. I obviously don’t want him to leave, but I also understand, having been an assistant coach myself, you want the opportunity to be a head coach. He had that opportunity once and he’s definitely deserving of it again. I’m all for him doing what’s best for his family.

Q: What did you learn from dealing with Shaq last year, as far as handling the double-teaming of a superstar, and how will you go about defending Duncan?

Byron Scott: I don’t think you can really compare the two. As good as Tim is, he’s not as overpowering as Shaq. He’s a strong guy, but Shaq’s a different beast as far as having to deal with him. Tim Duncan is probably the best big man, as far as his footwork and using the fundamentals. I’m definitely not going to wait for Game 3 to start changing up on him if I had to. But for Game 1, you can’t give him a steady diet of one thing.


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