re: Pelicans End of Season Presser

Dumars just confirmed Borrego is a candidate in the coaching search.

Dumars said we need to add more toughness. Felt the team was inconsistent showing up every night.

Was asked about his engagement ie. sitting court side and in the stands... Said he's always watched the game from the suite during his 15 years. That has never changed and it allows him to focus on the game.

He said all the player trades and coaching list he saw out there was far fetched. Called out all the people you said he'd hire someone just because he knew them.

On Zion. Proud of him for playing 62 games. Went on about a story where he was sick and was throwing up and went and tried to play the first half of a game earlier in the season. Talked about him making an effort to show up on days where he wasn't feeling well etc.

Wants to be like the Boston system where the players can play regardless of personnel.

Shamit asked about the two timeline that developed this season. Dumars said it lines up very well because it allows the rookies to come in with less pressure to win while the vets take on that responsibility. Said it isn't like we have a bunch of 30-35 year olds. The age gap is only 5 years or so.

Talked about us having a lot of close games and games that we should have won. It's different when a team loses because they don't know how to close games vs getting blown out every game. This is in reference on how to turn the team into a winner and it's easier because those are things they can teach and add to the roster.

Talked about Jordan and his veteran presence and how much he pours on his guys. Dumars said he never seen it at that level before and really praised him for it.

Feels the team has good contract situations and good age group of players and it gives them flexibility moving forward.

On shooting and rebounding, plug in whenever possible. If you can add a big-time rebounder and a big time shooter, you have to do it. When the opportunity comes, you have to go and get it.

On Murray. When he came back, it was exactly what we needed at the time. Toughness, moxie, and he was the lead guard we needed. Helped Fears a lot because Murray was a guy Fears could watch and learn from.

Talked about the Poole trade. Said Bey stalled the trade. So it sounds like they were adamant about Washington including him.

Talked about Tanking and he said we wouldn't even be tanking even if we had the pick. Sounds like they will never tank under him.

Dumars on Zion trade possibilities. We have no intention in doing that.