Kings
New general manager Scott Perry says his first priority in Sacramento is setting the tone. Perry told Mark Haynes of SacObserver.com that he wants the organization to be defined by six core values — competitive, tough, team-oriented, professional, accountable and disciplined — and that everyone will be held to those standards.
“I want the community, opposing teams, media, and everyone to know what you can expect from us, win, lose or draw,” Perry said.
Perry also explained why he hired B.J. Armstrong as assistant GM. The two have known each other since their teenage years, and Perry believes Armstrong’s blend of playing, agent, and front-office experience will be invaluable as the Kings try to establish a new identity.
As one of the NBA’s few Black general managers, Perry added that representation is important to him.
“I want kids who look like me to dream and aspire, and say, ‘He’s doing it, I can do it too.’ I want to succeed for others just as much as I want to for myself,” he said.
Warriors
Steve Kerr isn’t rushing into a contract extension. Appearing on The TK Show with Tim Kawakami, Kerr explained why both sides are comfortable taking a wait-and-see approach.
“I just want to make sure everything feels right, for me, for the players, for them,” Kerr said. “In sports, there’s kind of an expiration date on coaching jobs. If you feel as a coach that it’s not clicking anymore, then it’s time to go. I don’t think that’s the case here.”
Kerr also shot down the idea that this is the “last dance” for the Stephen Curry–Draymond Green–Jimmy Butler core.
“This is different,” he said. “This is more of a traditional NBA situation where you’ve got some aging stars and you’re just trying to be good for as long as you can. None of us have any idea if that’s one year, two more, three more. This definitely is not the last dance.”
Trail Blazers
Portland big man Robert Williams still hasn’t been cleared for contact, head coach Chauncey Billups told reporters.
Williams continues to do non-contact work, and the team is “very happy” with his progress, per Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report.
Health issues have limited Williams to just 26 total games since he was traded to the Blazers two years ago.
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