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In a special warriors.com exclusive, Warriors draft picks Mickael Pietrus and Derrick Zimmerman met with the media at a press conference on July 7. The following is it's transcript: |
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Garry St. Jean This is a special day, we are thrilled to have selected these two draft picks (Mickael Pietrus # 11 overall & Derrick Zimmerman #40). We feel that they have a bright future with our team. After our press conference they are going down to Long Beach to play in our Summer League for 10 days. They will be down there with our entire staff and cast of second year players, Mike Dunleavy and Jiri Welsch. I know that they both are going to have a special and positive experience. Mickael has been busy. He has had a wonderful year. His team won the Championship in France. He had a long season, they just finished this past week. He got a few days off and then he flew over. It’s kind of a world-wind occasion. The Warriors are extremely happy to add Mickael Pietrus to our club. We are trying to acquire as many young, talented players that we possibly can. I think Mickael fits that mold with his athleticism. You will notice that he can get up and down the floor. He has hops and is blessed with real good feet, which should allow him to be an exceptional defensive player. I think the NBA game will be really fun for him. I am excited about this young man (Derrick Zimmerman). He really opened up everyone’s eyes during the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp. He had an outstanding career at Mississippi State. What stuck out about Derrick at the camp was that he is a real special athlete. Eric Musselman, who’s phenomenal with stats, shared with me this morning: When they did all of the testing, Derrick rated as one of the top seven in the entire 60-plus players in Chicago. It’s really a wonderful experience to go down to summer league as a rookie. It’s your first taste and it gives you that first feel of what it’s all about, the speed and quickness, while other guys are competing for jobs and I think it’s a good atmosphere. They are going to be learning a lot and interacting with our coaches. Mickael requested his hat because he didn’t have the opportunity to go to the NBA Draft in New York, because his team (Pau-Ortez) was still playing for the Championship in France. He wanted the hat that each player got when they were selected in the draft in New York as they went up to shake David Stern’s hand. |
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Mickael Pietrus I hope to give my best to this team. My first goal is to help this team win as many games as possible and to make the playoffs. This is my first time being in Oakland and I think that this is a nice town, but my main focus is on basketball. I just want to be ready for the season and help the Warriors improve to the next level. Then I will get a chance to see the city. |
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Derrick Zimmerman I want to say that I am happy to be here. I want to thank Garry St. Jean and the entire Warriors organization for drafting me with the 40th pick. I know a lot of you didn’t really know about me coming from Mississippi State, but I think you will get a chance to see some positive things from me. I am anxious to get things going in summer league and with the organization. I know the Warriors are one of the top young teams right now and in two or three years down the road they are going to be one of the best teams in the conference and I am looking forward to being a part of that. On the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp |
