Wayne Embry Quotes (14 Quotes)

Even last year when I came in here, I thought expectations were perhaps misjudged,

We are a team in transition and need to play our young guys. Out of respect to Aaron, I thought it best for him to be with a team where he has a chance to play and that is in a playoff hunt.

We looked at this team and where we were and knew it was time to rebuild. We were the sixth oldest team in the league. We needed youth, enthusiasm and potential ... I've been involved with teams like this a few times. We did it in Milwaukee. We did it in Cleveland. We can do it here.

We're going into February and Aaron hasn't played much. And we're committed to a youth movement. It was only right and respectful for him, to give him a chance to play elsewhere if he can.

My experience with coaches over the years is that after games, after losses, or under the pressures of the job, they need to vent. Over the years, I guess I've developed good ears.

We're trying to bring in young players, not older players. We're on a youth movement.

A player has to commit to it. A player has to want to do it. You can't just rely on your athletic ability. You have to grow, you have to learn. You have to have a zeal to succeed.

This is kind of tough for me because Rob recommended that the organization bring me. I'm very grateful for that. I will try to steer franchise towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Of course, that's a long way away, I realize that. But if we can make positive steps during my interim and in bold type interim role, I want to do everything I can possibly do to advance this franchise. We are in transition I recognize that.

I had to start over in Milwaukee and were able to build a (good) team. When I went to Cleveland (in 1985 as vice-president and GM) we did the same thing with a blend of young players and veterans. This franchise is in the same position. It's essential we blend youth in with veterans. We're going to continue that plan and I can see positive results.

To me, he's a terrific player. I had mixed emotions about that because I really liked Jalen as a person and a basketball player but this is the NBA, we've all been there before.

I think what's important for him to realize is what's first and foremost is we always protect the integrity of the organization, the city of Toronto and the game. That has to be the most important thing.

Sometimes you don't know where winning comes from. One year in Cleveland, we drafted Brevin Knight and Derek Anderson and I'll be damned if we didn't win 47 games. When you get young, enthusiastic energetic players, you can do some things.

As part of our strategic plan, one of the top priorities to move this franchise forward has to be to get under the salary cap. I've never seen a team rebuild itself without starting from that point. This trade presents the opportunity for us to acquire 10 million in cap room.

We'll listen and explore some things, yes.