Knicks · A Conversation with Leon Rose (page 1)

I don't get why Leon is so scared to talk to the media. Can't he just give the same bs answers? It just looks weak to me to keep hiding from them.

I also don't like that Thibs will have all the say in the minutes cause you know it means nothing is going to change.

SergioNYK wrote:I don't get why Leon is so scared to talk to the media. Can't he just give the same bs answers? It just looks weak to me to keep hiding from them.

I also don't like that Thibs will have all the say in the minutes cause you know it means nothing is going to change.

Don't coaches generally have the final say in minutes? Would you rather have a puppet coach?

I’m responding to this interview from the perspective of a journalist. Full disclosure. I have my bachelor’s in journalism and worked as an independent journalist for 2 years, some local sports but mainly in hip hop. With that said, there were some likes and dislikes about the Rose interview

Likes: Hahn asked most of the questions that the fan base wanted Rose to Answer. He asked about the tampering charges from signing Brunson, he asked about the players whose names were involved in the Mitchell trade and now they are back for training camp, he asked about the idea that the Knicks have too many chefs in the front office kitchen, etc. Although he is still a bit awkward, Rose was a bit more comfortable in front of the camera than in years past. The fact that he was being interviewed by an in-house employee could have had something to do with his comfort level.

Dislikes: When conducting an interview with an in-house employee, typically PR has a hand in formulating the questions or at least revising some and throwing out others. Also, the interviewee, in this case Rose, has access to the questions before hand and some of the responses come off rehearsed and the questions are worded in a way that it kind of gives the interviewee an out or doesn’t pin-him down. I hate the idea that the journalists who cover the knicks on a day-to-day bases and are in the trenches with this team, have been excluded from questioning Rose on the last 2 occasions. Guys like Steve Popper, Ian Begley, Chirs Herring, Stefan Bondy, etc should have the right to ask questions and the follow -up.

Speaking of Follow up questions, this is where Hahn did not do a good job. He may have been handcuffed, but there were some opportunities to ask follow up questions that the above-mentioned journalist would have certainly asked. For example, when Hahn asked about the tampering charges concerning Brunson, Rose’s answer was “No”. Journalism 101, never ask a question that will or can elicit a one-word answer. Hahn should have followed up with the Rick Brunson hire, front office members being courtside during the Mavs playoff game, etc. Rose could have been elusive with his answer but that’s beside the point. it should have been asked. He asked about Randle, the question was a bit of a soft-ball question. Hahn could have been more specific in terms of why Randle was such an emotionally wreck last season? Rose mentioned having off season conversations with Randle and Hahn could have followed up with what were some of the specifics of the convo. Again, Rose’s answer would have been elusive, but follow up questions are essential.

Would have liked Hahn to ask about the plan for Cam Reddish. The front office gave up a 1st for Cam, yet, he didn’t get into the rotation until RJ got injured. Was there some miscommunication between the front office and the head coach before they pulled the trigger on the trade? Speaking of the head coach, one of the local journalists with more insight than we the fans have, could have asked about the rumors of Thibs job being in jeopardy last season.

All in all, Hahn asked most of the questions we wanted answers for. Rose answered most, was elusive with some. I am not a fan of in-house interviews and not opening up this process to the local journalist.

I agree as I watched 22 minutes and learned essentially nothing new. Unfortunately I suspect Rose only agrees to the interview if Hahn follows his requests for softballs. That has almost always been the Knicks way as they like to operate in full control of information being shared. To play devils advocate - he prob can't say too much about Randle's situation last season as he may still be considering trading him and/or maybe there were personal issues last season impacting Randle. Would have appreciated Rose acknowledging some FO and Coach disconnect re: Cam while saying that everyone is now on the same page... but again maybe Cam is still headed out the door soon.

Lol. Q: “was there any tampering involved in getting Jalen Brunson” A: “Nah, nah”.

You got to sell it more Leon. You got be like, “Tampering, tampering, we talking about tampering. Who said we tampering? I am going to b—tch slap that fool. I will not dignify that question with a response. Read my lips, we did not tamper with nobody. You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth. End of discussion.”

TheGame wrote:Lol. Q: “was there any tampering involved in getting Jalen Brunson” A: “Nah, nah”.

You got to sell it more Leon. You got be like, “Tampering, tampering, we talking about tampering. Who said we tampering? I am going to b—tch slap that fool. I will not dignify that question with a response. Read my lips, we did not tamper with nobody. You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth. End of discussion.”

That was funny. Other than that I got nada out of that. He addressed the fans like an snl skit

BRIGGS wrote:

TheGame wrote:Lol. Q: “was there any tampering involved in getting Jalen Brunson” A: “Nah, nah”.

You got to sell it more Leon. You got be like, “Tampering, tampering, we talking about tampering. Who said we tampering? I am going to b—tch slap that fool. I will not dignify that question with a response. Read my lips, we did not tamper with nobody. You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth. End of discussion.”

That was funny. Other than that I got nada out of that. He addressed the fans like an snl skit

Does anyone get anything out of these types of FO interviews?

There have been several this year already, can someone point to something interesting?

martin wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

TheGame wrote:Lol. Q: “was there any tampering involved in getting Jalen Brunson” A: “Nah, nah”.

You got to sell it more Leon. You got be like, “Tampering, tampering, we talking about tampering. Who said we tampering? I am going to b—tch slap that fool. I will not dignify that question with a response. Read my lips, we did not tamper with nobody. You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth. End of discussion.”

That was funny. Other than that I got nada out of that. He addressed the fans like an snl skit

Does anyone get anything out of these types of FO interviews?

There have been several this year already, can someone point to something interesting?

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

TheGame wrote:Lol. Q: “was there any tampering involved in getting Jalen Brunson” A: “Nah, nah”.

You got to sell it more Leon. You got be like, “Tampering, tampering, we talking about tampering. Who said we tampering? I am going to b—tch slap that fool. I will not dignify that question with a response. Read my lips, we did not tamper with nobody. You want the truth, you can’t handle the truth. End of discussion.”

That was funny. Other than that I got nada out of that. He addressed the fans like an snl skit

Does anyone get anything out of these types of FO interviews?

There have been several this year already, can someone point to something interesting?