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**El Shaqtus** · 12-09-2011, 09:08 PM

Bernie sits down with Rick Majerus after the first 20 games

Quote:

Rick, nice of you to sit down with me at the quarter pole. It will be nice to get some of your insights on the season so far.

"Well Bernie, I'm not in the best of moods, but we'll see how it goes from here. I've been really impressed with Gerald Sidell. He's a real special player, and he's been great for the team so far. Without him, our bad record would be Spirits-esque. Mike Conley has been a nice point man for us as well. We're still looking for a rotation that works."

"You put James Johnson into the starting lineup, and the team played well at first. What happened from there?"

"James played OK, but he was not ready to log that many minutes. He'll be much more effective off the bench I think. It's not all James's fault though. That's not fair to him. Everyone is somewhat responsible for the erosion of defense in the last few games. Allowing 101 points per game is pathetic defense, and it's something we are working on."

"Anything else that bugs you?"

"I'm not one to call out players normally, but Donald Cooper has not played up to his skill set. 17/8/2/2 is a decent stat line, but we expect better from a guy who was billed as a franchise player. He'll get better as he learns the system. His defensive intensity and play has been pretty good. His offense will come. If he's the biggest problem, we're hoisting a trophy at the end of the year."

"What can we expect to see from the Warriors next time out?"

"Well, Wes Matthews is starting again, and he's back at the 2 guard. Cooper will go back to the SF spot, and we hope that our defense finally plays up to the level they're capable of. We also worked with our rotations and made sure that we were a little smarter on that end."

"Nobody's mentioned the record yet. The Warriors are well under .500. What do you think of the start?"

"9-11 is unacceptable by any metric. We've been horrible on the road at 3-6, and OK at home at 6-5. If anyone thinks that 6th in a 7 team division is acceptable, they need to find a new line of work. I think the latest round of changes should remedy some of that. Really not looking forward to the 10 game road trip coming up, but good teams don't care where they play. They come with it and win."

"Looking at the last set of games, what are your opinions on that 12 game stretch?"

"Umm...Bernie, 5-7 says it all. "Bad Losses" doesn't quite do it justice. These were abominations. 2 to Memphis (division), 2 to Milwaukee, and single setbacks against the Clippers, Bulls, and Knicks is inexcusable. There are some good teams in there for sure. But to be honest, dropping games at home is ridiculous. The defense disappeared in the last 3 games, and that's on me."

"Thanks Rick for your time, and good luck."

"Thank you Bernie. Time to whip these guys into shape."

**El Shaqtus** · 12-27-2011, 07:54 PM

Bernie and Bryan sit down with Rick Majerus

Quote:

We're here with Warriors head man Rick Majerus, who piloted his team to their first playoff appearance this year with a 43-39 regular season record. First up for the Warriors: the Los Angeles Clippers with their superstar trio of Westbrook/Durant/Griffin. The Warriors earned the 7th seed in the very tough Western Conference, and are just coming off the floor from practice.

"Rick, congrats on the playoff trip. Your guys really earned it down the stretch."

"Thanks Bryan. We kept fighting, and turned out the defense really stepped up their play when it mattered. This isn't about Rick Majerus. This is about the young men in that locker room that flat out refused to give up and kept fighting until we heard our name called."

"Rick, what do you think of your opponent in the first round?"

"Bernie, that team is insanely talented and well coached. They can score in bunches, so we have to be very smart in our assignments and make sure they have to work on both ends against us. If we give up easy buckets, we're in trouble. If you try to run with them, you may as well run back home. Russell, KD, and Blake are super players, and it's not like they start slugs in Hibbert/Harden at the other two spots. Aces is going to have a lot of help on defense, but he's ready for the challenge."

"Coach, you played a very tough game with the Clippers right before the end of the year. What do you take from that?"

"I take it that we gave up way too many points...but we did show a little more hop on the offensive end. We stuck around with them, and that's part of the plan for the series to be honest with you. You don't go in expecting to shut down that offense...but what you do want to do is keep yourself in it."

"Rick, what do you think your game plan is on the offensive end?"

"Not sure yet. We've got film to break down to see what we want to do."

"Congrats again, Coach. Good luck in the first round."

"Thanks guys, I'm happy to be here, and want to be around awhile."

**El Shaqtus** · 01-01-2012, 12:42 AM

Autopsy of a Season: Warriors 2015. 43-39, 1-4

Quote:

Rick Majerus is here today after the season ended last night in Los Angeles. We're here to ask him a few questions about this season.

"Rick, tough playoff series against a good team. What are your thoughts?"

"Well, Bernie, I'm disappointed that we didn't play our game in the playoffs. That's a damn fine team over there, and their GM is to be commended for assembling it. They were really good, and we didn't do what we wanted. That's the breaks when you're playing the best teams though. The guys gave it their all, but I didn't do a very good job of coaching them. 112 points a game is on me."

"Still, it was a good year for the Warriors in the fact that you did get them into the playoffs, right?"

"Yeah, after a few days I'll be able to reflect on this year. Some guys really played well, and they are the reason we got to play an extra week. Coaching only takes you so far; players win and lose. These guys fought hard, and they should be proud of the effort they gave, no matter how bad the result in the end. Donald Cooper put this team on his back, but he's not going to beat an All-Star team on his own. Landon and Victor grew up a lot in this series as well."

"You didn't mention Mike Conley or Gerald Sidell. What do you think of their play?"

"Mike was decent. His defense, however was not. 21 PPG by his matchup is not up to his standards, or mine. Westbrook is a great player, but Mike is better than that. He knows it too. Gerald completely and totally disappeared. I talked to him after the series, and he was despondent. I told him he's better than that, and he'll be back. He really took his performance hard. That's the sign of a competitor. Whether he does it here or somewhere else remains to be seen, but he's a proud guy and will work his butt off to get better for next time."

"Any bench players step up?"

"Not really. Harlan Oliver is getting there, but he's a work in progress. Don Simmons may play his way into a rotation spot as well."

**El Shaqtus** · 01-20-2012, 11:43 AM

Set 2 Preview and Set 1 Retrospective with Rick Majerus

Quote:

This is Bernie with the latest from ScottTrade Center, where Rick Majerus is here to discuss the St. Louis Warriors season so far, and what it looks like going forward.

"Rick, tough first set there."

"Yeah, Bernie, it was. Lot of good teams that set, and we didn't play up to standards. Offensively, we're not getting the ball to our playmakers enough, and without Mike, it will continue to be difficult. Chuckie Conway is starting at the point, and Taylor Hart will back him up. I've talked to both of them about how we want the offense to work, and I think we'll be OK. We really need to get a consistent flow on both ends of the floor."

"Looking forward, you've got 14 games this set. What are your expectations?"

"To compete till the end in all 14 of them. That's all."

"Thanks for your time, Rick. Good luck."

**El Shaqtus** · 02-09-2012, 06:05 PM

The Warriors Digest -- The Draftermath

Quote:

Using the draft as the "end" of a year cycle, this one was a tough one for the Warriors. Injuries destroyed the team this year, putting them in the lottery after a playoff trip the year before. Then, to make things worse, a major mixup in the front office led the Warriors to take Sam Sagan with the 7th overall pick. Rick Majerus was named interim GM/VP of player personnel after president Jeff Cooper fired the entire scouting staff for their performance at this year's draft. President Cooper said, "I don't mind taking a guess with second rounders, because they can turn into nice players. But to reach twice in the first round is inexcusable. I don't like doing what I have been forced to do, but I fired the entire front office except for Rick. There will be coaching news at the end of this memo."

On Sam Sagan and Jimmy Sanders:
"They are great young men who were both very well spoken. I just don't believe that we made the right selections. Sam is solid, but does nothing great. Jimmy is going to be in a fight for backup minutes, and maybe he gets there. I just feel that with the situations in the front office we looked to draft a player we needed instead of a player that offered a little more. I hope I'm wrong about Sam and Jimmy because they are fine kids. I just think we need to do better with the draft. If anyone needs a refresher course on our history, this team just won 31 (expletive) games last year, so there's nowhere to go but up. Big mistakes like this could set the franchise back. Much like the fans in Philadelphia who got Donovan McNabb instead of Ricky Williams, the fans here are upset. Hopefully, the result is the same too."

On Next Year
"I'd love to say this team is going to be a contender, but last year showed that we're a long way away. Right now, we're looking at a starting lineup of Mike Conley, Griffin DeAngelis, Tyrone Williams, Tyrone Tate, and Sam Sagan. The bench we will figure out as we go. Yes, it's disappointing that our lineup looks like this, and taking risks in the trade market hasn't worked out all that well."

On Coaching
"The new head coach will be named sometime next week when we finalize the rest of the front office. There will be other changes to come."

**El Shaqtus** · 03-04-2012, 07:42 PM

The Mourning After: Rick Pitino sits down with Bryan Burwell

Quote:

Here with Rick Pitino at ScottTrade Center. Probably not the best time to talk to a competitive man, but Rick is gracious enough to sit down with me and break down this season. I realize that he would rather be breaking down game film.

"Rick, what a tough end to the season."

"Bryan, you're telling me. I feel for the guys. I've lost before and will lose again. I didn't do my job at the end of the year, and we came up 2 games short of post-season. These guys gave me everything they had...and it's on the front office and I to get the job done. We didn't, and that's what I feel the worst about."

"You set a St. Louis modern franchise record for wins at 46. Is there any positives you can say about this season?"

"Bryan, maybe later. At this time, we're sitting here as one of the 12 worst teams in the league, and that burns me. The talent was here, but it just quite didn't get the job done. I'm not questioning anything about those young men. They left it all on the floor, and won 2 very difficult games against playoff competition to give us a chance."

"What do you see for the future, Rick?"

"Well, I'm really not sure. We have 6 players currently under contract, so we've got work to do. A lot of people blame Rick Majerus for the failures after the Deron Williams deal. I ask those critics, do you make that deal? If they say no, I question their intelligence. Locally, Rick Majerus is an icon here, and 2 trades that backfired shouldn't be his legacy. Sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you're the windshield. I was in Jeff Cooper's office after the Spurs game, and he said he figured we were done and all his work went to waste. Hard to console a billionaire, that's for sure. In terms of returning talent, we have a D-League team for next year before free agency."

"Rick, any final thoughts on this season?"

"Good luck to the playoff teams in both conferences. This should be a very entertaining post-season."

**El Shaqtus** · 08-03-2012, 09:05 PM

Anatomy of a Miracle: The Warriors' Title Run

Quote:

This is Bernie Miklasz from outside ScottTrade Center in St. Louis, where the Warriors 2023 victory parade and celebration is in full swing. Coach Leon Porter is gracious enough to take time out from the celebration to give us his first interview as a KVBL Champion head coach.

"Coach P, congratulations on an amazing run through the KVBL playoffs!"

"Wow, Bernie, it hasn't sunk in yet. At halftime of Game 7, I just told the guys to imagine what it'd be like in a parade down Market Street with the KJ Trophy. Then, it got quiet. Jaxon Blake stood up and asked everybody who wanted to be a champion for the next 24 minutes. That's all it took. We were down at the half, but it seemed like we were in good shape. So I pretty much let the players take over. We ended up taking the lead in Game 7 with Rondo/Jefferton/Baranov/Lowell/Perkins on the floor. I call it either great coaching or dumb luck. I'll let all these people decide which one it was."

"Coach, your team really turned it up on the road in the post-season. Were there any changes?"

"Bernie, not really. The changes that were needed were actually made before the trade deadline. Jerry Andrews turned this team around in a big hurry. That, and the bench roles became more defined."

"What's the outlook for next year?"

"Man, the gang's all here in terms of starters. We've got another deep, deep run in us."

**El Shaqtus** · 10-01-2012, 08:51 PM

Another Post-Mortem: Warriors Gameless in Seattle

Quote:

Coach Leon Porter hobbled to the bench on crutches, and saw both his starting wings sitting next to him. Game 7 of the playoffs was about 10 minutes from starting, and he was starting little-used reserve Shawn Burroughs against All-Star Walker Gilchrist, and reinserting Thomas Vermlarr into the lineup.

"I feel bad for the City of St. Louis for our performance this season. Inexcusable to put the weight of the series on a guy who barely played this year. Shawn should have been inactive for that game, but instead he's guarding a superstar who goes off for nearly 50. I tried to get released, but the doctors weren't having it. Playoff MVP from our title run is sitting next to me, and our best wing defender is sitting next to him. Seattle is too good to put that lineup out there, and the final score showed it. I tip my cap to Answer...he put a hell of a squad together. Best of luck to Seattle as they continue their run."

"What's next for the Warriors?"

"I'm gonna hold off answering that. I don't know what the front office is thinking. The owner said it was his fault he left us with such a shallow bench. When an owner steps to the mic at a press conference and takes the blame for a hard-fought series loss, that shows me something. I know my player contract is up after this year, but I'd love to come back to St. Louis for another go as the head coach. I think there's still some hope for this franchise, as Blake/Byers is a solid starting point. I think we're good enough to be in the playoff mix next year."

"Coach, what are your memories of the Warriors?"

"Well, the first thing I remember is when I came in from Portland. They didn't have a PG, and within a couple days, they had a bunch. I knew my time was short as a player, so I worked with Rick Majerus about how to coach. Rick taught me enough to take over for Matt Painter, and things took off...all the way to that Game 7 in Brooklyn. The last two years have been tough on me personally. With the high expectations coming off a championship, we went out in a non-competitive Round 2 against the Lakers. This year, we never were able to get any momentum after the first month of the year. I honestly didn't think this was even a playoff team from December on. We got the 6th seed, and knew it would be an uphill battle. Turns out, it was roster construction that did us in."

kevinblazer · 10-02-2012, 03:36 AM

Ha, brilliant!

**El Shaqtus** · 11-07-2012, 11:10 PM

Meet Your New Warriors

Coach: Leon Porter
1 KVBL Championship, 2 Finals Appearances

#00 PG Jim Richards
# 1 PG Benny Jett
# 3 Retired (Leon Porter)
# 5 SF Jaxon Blake*
#10 SF Eugene Foster
#12 C Keenan Hammond
#14 PG Jeff Thomson
#20 SG Travis Owens
#23 SG Bart Higgins
#30 SG Paul George
#32 PF Dre Byers
#33 PG Teddy Moss III
#40 PF Donny Bell
#50 Jericho
#55 Eric Rogers
#99 Chaz Penninton

MemphisX · 11-07-2012, 11:54 PM

...

**El Shaqtus** · 11-20-2012, 04:02 PM

File this under Totally Expected

Quote:

The End of an Error – St. Louis Warriors (2014-2027)

Born: 2014 KVBL Season
Died: 11/20/2012 Real Time

As death notices go, this one is pretty tame and very much expected. After this train wreck, I believe that it's time. The St. Louis Warriors were born with no picks, and they die much the same. As one of the league's lesser G.M.s, the league doesn't lose much either way. As a failing franchise, the team is no better than it was when I got the team from KJ many seasons ago.

I would love to say that I don't have time for the league anymore, but many of the owners make the time to be competitive. Hell, I put probably as much time into my team as anyone (look at the DC pages for proof). But it isn't working anymore. Kenneth was right about something he said, but not about who he mentioned. I don't really have the heart to take on another rebuilding effort like the one I rode to stealing a championship from Brian. The mismanagement I've perpetrated on the league this season is inexcusable, and should never be tolerated.

The core of owners here is awesome, and those who aren't fully invested are not helping the league. I'm squarely in that camp (just look at my record). KJ has handled the league with class. Hell of a job sir. Year to year, there are certain guys who just keep winning. If you're not one of those guys (and not the genius running this league), I don't know how teams stay active.

I've never been involved in a league where I don't genuinely dislike somebody...except for KVBL. That's a credit to...well...everybody. What other league can you log onto AIM and see a good percentage of owners on at any time of day or night? There ain't many.

The Warriors are preceded in death by the Spirits of St. Louis and leave no dependents behind. Funeral arrangements will happen live at the Tuesday sim session.

I think KJ had to realize something was up when I didn't even S.R.C. during the sim.

scdn · 11-20-2012, 04:05 PM

Booooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

**King Joseus** · 11-20-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scdn

Booooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

I concur. I've kept you from leaving in the past, maybe I can do it again. Got class in a bit though, so now's not the time.

Byers with anybody but Timmy is criminal.

Drizzy · 11-20-2012, 04:56 PM

Dislike.

10-02-2012, 03:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
kevinblazer fsrl blazers kvbl nuggets Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: portland Posts: 1,334 Rep Power: 151605	Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Ha, brilliant!

11-07-2012, 11:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
El Shaqtus KVBL's Resident Old Fart Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Louis Metro Posts: 6,277 Rep Power: 1817431	Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Meet Your New Warriors Coach: Leon Porter 1 KVBL Championship, 2 Finals Appearances #00 PG Jim Richards # 1 PG Benny Jett # 3 Retired (Leon Porter) # 5 SF Jaxon Blake* #10 SF Eugene Foster #12 C Keenan Hammond #14 PG Jeff Thomson #20 SG Travis Owens #23 SG Bart Higgins #30 SG Paul George #32 PF Dre Byers #33 PG Teddy Moss III #40 PF Donny Bell #50 Jericho #55 Eric Rogers #99 Chaz Penninton __________________ Mom, thanks for everything. RIP Coach Rick Majerus 12/1/12. You were the one that said it was OK to think big at SLU. You were right. KVBL Lexington Kings 2023 KVBL Champions: St. Louis Warriors (El Shaqtus) 2026 KVBL First Loser

11-07-2012, 11:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
MemphisX Welcome to the Grindhouse! Join Date: Sep 2002 Age: 18 Posts: 14,885 Rep Power: 8161675	Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch ... __________________ Los Angeles Clippers HQ KVBL L.A. Clippers Team Page 2016 Western Conference Finalist 2017 Western Conference Finalist 2027 KVBL Finalist 2028 KVBL Champions PG Anibal Levrino \| SG DJ Alexander \| SF Sky Johnson \| PF Henry Torre \| C Frank Weiland(MVP) \| 6th Man Nikolai Koznyshev 2018 FRSL Champion L.A. Clippers

11-20-2012, 04:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
scdn History will repeat after 20 years Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 3,531 Rep Power: 1626404	Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Booooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! __________________ KVBL Owner, San Antonio Spurs Quincy McCall/Bo Roberts Mikel Opoku/Willie Worsley Norberto Rosas Harry Kingsley Casey Schuler/Richard Osborn

11-20-2012, 04:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
Drizzy Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,186 Rep Power: 597426	Re: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Dislike. __________________ KVBL Lions/FRSL Pacers/BBBL Heat 2016 FRSL Champions: Indiana Pacers (Drizzy) Lineup - PG Rajon Rondo \| SG Jared Dudley \| SF Nicolas Batum \| PF J.J. Hickson \| C Dwight Howard \| 6th man SG/SF Wesley Matthews Finals MVP: Dwight Howard #55 Shaun Jacobs (Lions)

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