1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport Podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:14,627 Speaker 2: What a pleasure to welcome in one of our best 4 00:00:14,707 --> 00:00:19,627 Speaker 2: ever basketballers and now one of the world's foremost sporting executives. 5 00:00:19,867 --> 00:00:22,027 Speaker 2: He was the first New Zealand born player to play 6 00:00:22,067 --> 00:00:25,147 Speaker 2: in the NBA and had time with the Toronto Raptors, 7 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:29,107 Speaker 2: the Miami Heat, the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, New 8 00:00:29,227 --> 00:00:33,747 Speaker 2: Orleans Hornets, and Portland Trailblazers. He won the NBA Championship 9 00:00:33,787 --> 00:00:36,547 Speaker 2: as a player with San Antonio in two thousand and 10 00:00:36,707 --> 00:00:40,587 Speaker 2: five and then as an assistant coach in twenty fourteen. 11 00:00:40,667 --> 00:00:43,747 Speaker 2: He played thirty three times for the Tall Blacks, went 12 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:47,107 Speaker 2: to two Olympic Games, and was an integral part of 13 00:00:47,147 --> 00:00:50,067 Speaker 2: the New Zealand team that finished fourth at the two 14 00:00:50,107 --> 00:00:54,787 Speaker 2: thousand and two Feber World Championship. Since twenty sixteen, he 15 00:00:54,907 --> 00:00:58,187 Speaker 2: has been general manager of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. 16 00:00:58,347 --> 00:01:01,267 Speaker 2: Who else, of course, but Sean Marks. Welcome in, Shawn, 17 00:01:01,347 --> 00:01:03,627 Speaker 2: and thank you for joining us across New Zealand this afternoon. 18 00:01:04,107 --> 00:01:05,947 Speaker 3: Pleasure great to talk. Thanks Jason. 19 00:01:06,427 --> 00:01:08,427 Speaker 2: Start with the upcoming season for the Brooklyn Nets. You 20 00:01:08,467 --> 00:01:11,027 Speaker 2: brought in five rookies in the draft. You already had 21 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:14,107 Speaker 2: a young roster, it's probably the youngest in the NBA. 22 00:01:14,187 --> 00:01:17,027 Speaker 2: How do you balance success with development? 23 00:01:18,347 --> 00:01:20,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, it's a great one. I think we have 24 00:01:20,227 --> 00:01:21,667 Speaker 3: to categorize success. 25 00:01:21,667 --> 00:01:23,427 Speaker 4: For us, it's going to be how these young guys 26 00:01:24,667 --> 00:01:26,627 Speaker 4: develop over the course of the year. I mean, we're 27 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:28,947 Speaker 4: developing young men both on and off the court. When 28 00:01:28,947 --> 00:01:32,427 Speaker 4: you have four nineteen year olds at the draft now 29 00:01:32,467 --> 00:01:35,107 Speaker 4: on your roster, that's exciting to me when you sort 30 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:37,027 Speaker 4: of trying to predict what are they going to look 31 00:01:37,067 --> 00:01:39,427 Speaker 4: like in a year, two three years down the road 32 00:01:39,467 --> 00:01:41,947 Speaker 4: here and what are you putting around them for them 33 00:01:41,987 --> 00:01:45,587 Speaker 4: to have success both individually and at that point that's 34 00:01:45,627 --> 00:01:49,187 Speaker 4: where team success comes as well. So for us, I 35 00:01:49,187 --> 00:01:51,947 Speaker 4: don't know that we're going to be overly wrapped up 36 00:01:51,987 --> 00:01:54,387 Speaker 4: in the wins and the losses in the record. I mean, 37 00:01:55,427 --> 00:01:58,307 Speaker 4: that's going to be what it is, and hopefully we 38 00:01:58,347 --> 00:02:00,147 Speaker 4: can prove a lot of people wrong and where the 39 00:02:00,187 --> 00:02:03,667 Speaker 4: pundits have us picked. But at the same time, having 40 00:02:03,707 --> 00:02:06,547 Speaker 4: patients and looking down the road at how these young 41 00:02:06,587 --> 00:02:08,427 Speaker 4: young men can develop over the next two or three 42 00:02:08,467 --> 00:02:10,907 Speaker 4: years is going to be really important for the franchise 43 00:02:10,907 --> 00:02:11,387 Speaker 4: as a whole. 44 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:14,587 Speaker 2: Your head coach, Jordy Finnandez is regarded as one of 45 00:02:14,627 --> 00:02:18,507 Speaker 2: the best talent nurturers in the NBA, So how can 46 00:02:18,507 --> 00:02:21,227 Speaker 2: you best support him as you as you go through 47 00:02:21,227 --> 00:02:22,147 Speaker 2: this period. 48 00:02:23,267 --> 00:02:23,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, I. 49 00:02:23,947 --> 00:02:26,267 Speaker 4: Think both of us need to have the same vision 50 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:27,907 Speaker 4: for like, you know, how are we going to do this? 51 00:02:27,987 --> 00:02:30,747 Speaker 4: I mean, Jordie is incredibly competitive. I think the sweet 52 00:02:30,747 --> 00:02:32,947 Speaker 4: equity of the coaching staff for second to none. 53 00:02:33,827 --> 00:02:35,987 Speaker 3: The development has proven over the last year. 54 00:02:36,867 --> 00:02:39,547 Speaker 4: It's certainly an exciting time and a great opportunity for 55 00:02:40,347 --> 00:02:43,707 Speaker 4: him to showcase continue to showcase the development of him 56 00:02:43,747 --> 00:02:45,907 Speaker 4: and his coaching staffs, but for him to try and 57 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 4: continue to put our players in places to have success, right, 58 00:02:49,907 --> 00:02:52,067 Speaker 4: and to support him and realize like, look, you know, 59 00:02:52,587 --> 00:02:56,387 Speaker 4: we're building this and it's the goal of us of 60 00:02:56,467 --> 00:02:59,387 Speaker 4: the Nets franchise is to have sustainable success. So that's 61 00:02:59,427 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 4: what we want to do. We don't want to no 62 00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:06,627 Speaker 4: knee jerk reactions to how do we win the couple 63 00:03:06,667 --> 00:03:08,747 Speaker 4: more games than we maybe should have it, but it 64 00:03:08,947 --> 00:03:11,747 Speaker 4: comes to the detriment of long term success here. So 65 00:03:12,227 --> 00:03:13,707 Speaker 4: we do have to have a bit of patience, but 66 00:03:13,707 --> 00:03:15,427 Speaker 4: at the same time. It's exciting to go out there 67 00:03:15,467 --> 00:03:16,987 Speaker 4: and hopefully prove some people wrong. 68 00:03:17,227 --> 00:03:19,587 Speaker 2: Do you have a patient ownership group? And I guess 69 00:03:19,587 --> 00:03:21,427 Speaker 2: as importantly a patient fan base. 70 00:03:22,707 --> 00:03:26,347 Speaker 4: Well, I think from an ownership standpoint, Joe Si is 71 00:03:26,467 --> 00:03:30,907 Speaker 4: privy to every conversation and every deal and the trajectory 72 00:03:30,907 --> 00:03:34,267 Speaker 4: of the team. He knows exactly what the objective here 73 00:03:34,267 --> 00:03:36,107 Speaker 4: and how we're going to do it. You know, I 74 00:03:36,147 --> 00:03:40,027 Speaker 4: think being in our fan base in New York specifically, 75 00:03:40,147 --> 00:03:43,187 Speaker 4: you know, I would not say that they're exactly patient. 76 00:03:43,267 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 3: But I don't think any fans are patient. 77 00:03:44,787 --> 00:03:46,907 Speaker 4: I mean, I think they want to see they want 78 00:03:46,947 --> 00:03:49,227 Speaker 4: to see a team making the right strides. They want 79 00:03:49,267 --> 00:03:50,867 Speaker 4: to be able to get behind a team playing the 80 00:03:50,947 --> 00:03:52,107 Speaker 4: right brand of basketball. 81 00:03:52,107 --> 00:03:53,467 Speaker 3: And I think that's what they're going to see with 82 00:03:53,507 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 3: the Nets. 83 00:03:53,907 --> 00:03:57,467 Speaker 4: These guys are scrappy, they play hard, they exhibit that 84 00:03:57,507 --> 00:04:00,307 Speaker 4: Brooklyn grit, which is what we talk about here, and 85 00:04:00,387 --> 00:04:03,147 Speaker 4: if they're playing the right way, and I think our 86 00:04:03,227 --> 00:04:05,827 Speaker 4: fan base can see okay, like I can see a 87 00:04:05,867 --> 00:04:08,907 Speaker 4: few a couple of future Nets on this roster, and 88 00:04:08,947 --> 00:04:11,707 Speaker 4: I can see them building. I think that our fan 89 00:04:11,747 --> 00:04:14,627 Speaker 4: base will get behind us. And they've been incredibly great 90 00:04:14,827 --> 00:04:17,987 Speaker 4: thus far for not only myself, but for the entire 91 00:04:18,027 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 4: team and the entire organization. 92 00:04:19,627 --> 00:04:22,667 Speaker 2: So you've settled now on a draft and developed strategy 93 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:26,867 Speaker 2: as opposed to a superstar acquisition philosophy. 94 00:04:28,187 --> 00:04:31,667 Speaker 4: Well, I think you have to keep all your avenues 95 00:04:32,227 --> 00:04:34,707 Speaker 4: wide open because you never know what's going to happen, 96 00:04:34,947 --> 00:04:36,547 Speaker 4: you know. I mean, I don't want to predict that 97 00:04:36,587 --> 00:04:38,547 Speaker 4: this is how it's going to play out and it's 98 00:04:38,547 --> 00:04:41,187 Speaker 4: going to be a long build because I you know, 99 00:04:41,547 --> 00:04:45,187 Speaker 4: I'm patient and I want to build patiently, but I 100 00:04:45,227 --> 00:04:46,947 Speaker 4: want to build with the right players, and you never 101 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:48,947 Speaker 4: know when those right players are going to come about. 102 00:04:48,987 --> 00:04:52,267 Speaker 4: I mean, players can develop sooner and quicker than you 103 00:04:52,267 --> 00:04:54,547 Speaker 4: may have expected. But you can also, you know, certain 104 00:04:54,587 --> 00:05:00,067 Speaker 4: trades come along quicker and maybe unforeseen at this particular juncture. 105 00:05:00,187 --> 00:05:02,467 Speaker 4: So I wouldn't want to predict that we're going to 106 00:05:02,507 --> 00:05:04,987 Speaker 4: do a certain thing. And then I think the best 107 00:05:04,987 --> 00:05:07,187 Speaker 4: thing we can do is prepare for every thing, but 108 00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:10,467 Speaker 4: prepare that ultimately we want to have sustainable success and 109 00:05:10,747 --> 00:05:14,987 Speaker 4: ultimately we want to be competing you know, in this 110 00:05:15,347 --> 00:05:16,067 Speaker 4: in this market. 111 00:05:16,467 --> 00:05:18,787 Speaker 2: You've been at the Nates for nearly a decade now. 112 00:05:18,867 --> 00:05:21,187 Speaker 2: During your time there, you've dealt with some of the 113 00:05:21,227 --> 00:05:24,427 Speaker 2: biggest names in the sport Alexa Kariyev and Kevin Durant, 114 00:05:24,707 --> 00:05:28,627 Speaker 2: James Harden. How do you deal seoran with such big stars? 115 00:05:30,507 --> 00:05:32,907 Speaker 4: You know, I think with everybody, it's about being honest 116 00:05:32,947 --> 00:05:35,027 Speaker 4: and transparent. I think if you can sit there and 117 00:05:35,067 --> 00:05:37,387 Speaker 4: have an honest conversation with guys is like how we're 118 00:05:37,427 --> 00:05:40,107 Speaker 4: trying to do things. I don't think anybody wants surprises. 119 00:05:40,147 --> 00:05:41,907 Speaker 4: I don't like to be surprised, and I don't think 120 00:05:41,987 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 4: big stars like to be surprised. 121 00:05:43,587 --> 00:05:44,987 Speaker 3: And I think when you're talking. 122 00:05:44,747 --> 00:05:48,307 Speaker 4: About guys like you just did, you know, they're the 123 00:05:48,347 --> 00:05:52,467 Speaker 4: ones that you know, their legacy is at stay at stake. 124 00:05:52,587 --> 00:05:54,427 Speaker 4: They want to win, and they want to win now, 125 00:05:54,707 --> 00:05:56,827 Speaker 4: right And I think that was the timeline of what 126 00:05:56,867 --> 00:05:58,707 Speaker 4: we were on then, and we did everything we possibly 127 00:05:58,747 --> 00:06:01,227 Speaker 4: could to put out a team and a roster that 128 00:06:01,387 --> 00:06:04,147 Speaker 4: was capable of doing just that. You know, our focus 129 00:06:04,227 --> 00:06:07,467 Speaker 4: right now is on developing these young men that we 130 00:06:07,547 --> 00:06:10,667 Speaker 4: have right here, and that's just as exciting. I mean, 131 00:06:11,067 --> 00:06:14,787 Speaker 4: perhaps some different expectations, but the goal here is to 132 00:06:14,827 --> 00:06:17,227 Speaker 4: build them up to where this this burrow and this 133 00:06:17,387 --> 00:06:21,067 Speaker 4: market is excited to watch the next iteration. 134 00:06:20,707 --> 00:06:23,227 Speaker 2: Of the nets Sean, have you been able to get 135 00:06:23,267 --> 00:06:27,907 Speaker 2: the same buzz from coaching and now general management as 136 00:06:27,987 --> 00:06:29,587 Speaker 2: you did as a basketball player? 137 00:06:31,387 --> 00:06:34,427 Speaker 3: Great question. I think it comes at different times in 138 00:06:34,467 --> 00:06:35,027 Speaker 3: your life. 139 00:06:35,267 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 4: And you know, at now fifty years old, I would 140 00:06:38,867 --> 00:06:42,227 Speaker 4: not be getting the same buzz out of playing. I 141 00:06:42,267 --> 00:06:44,987 Speaker 4: would be I'd be getting hurt. So that's that's not 142 00:06:45,027 --> 00:06:47,427 Speaker 4: what That's not what I would want to do. But look, 143 00:06:47,467 --> 00:06:51,507 Speaker 4: I loved I love competition. I think we're a fiercely 144 00:06:51,547 --> 00:06:54,907 Speaker 4: competitive group here as that fits you know, Jordi and 145 00:06:54,947 --> 00:06:58,147 Speaker 4: I well, you know, so you want to have that 146 00:06:58,227 --> 00:07:02,827 Speaker 4: competitive spirit whether you're playing, whether you're coaching, whether you're 147 00:07:02,827 --> 00:07:05,387 Speaker 4: in the front office, and you want all groups to 148 00:07:05,507 --> 00:07:08,947 Speaker 4: feel like we're all in sync together. There's nothing worse 149 00:07:08,987 --> 00:07:12,227 Speaker 4: than feeling like you're in a silo and it's one 150 00:07:12,387 --> 00:07:12,947 Speaker 4: versus an. 151 00:07:13,307 --> 00:07:16,147 Speaker 3: I think we need to be in aligned with ownership. 152 00:07:16,187 --> 00:07:17,467 Speaker 4: We need to be aligned and how we're going to 153 00:07:17,507 --> 00:07:20,827 Speaker 4: build this thing and play the right way, the right system, 154 00:07:20,867 --> 00:07:22,987 Speaker 4: with the right cast of characters. 155 00:07:22,667 --> 00:07:24,827 Speaker 2: And amongst all the basketball that you played, and it 156 00:07:24,907 --> 00:07:28,587 Speaker 2: is a glittering CV. Where does the Tall Blacks fourth 157 00:07:28,587 --> 00:07:31,587 Speaker 2: place finish at the World Champs in two thousand and two. 158 00:07:31,667 --> 00:07:37,547 Speaker 3: Sit. You know, I've said it several times. 159 00:07:37,667 --> 00:07:43,147 Speaker 4: I think wearing your country's uniform, your jersey and New 160 00:07:43,227 --> 00:07:46,467 Speaker 4: Zealand on the front of edges, there's nothing like that. 161 00:07:46,067 --> 00:07:49,787 Speaker 3: Is that is top of the top, you know. 162 00:07:49,907 --> 00:07:52,587 Speaker 4: And I, by the way, I loved winning championships with 163 00:07:52,627 --> 00:07:54,147 Speaker 4: San Antonio without a doubt. 164 00:07:54,267 --> 00:07:56,347 Speaker 3: But you know, as a young kid and. 165 00:07:57,147 --> 00:08:01,067 Speaker 4: Tor Bay, I don't know that I ever could have predicted, 166 00:08:01,427 --> 00:08:03,227 Speaker 4: you know, playing for your country and playing at the 167 00:08:03,267 --> 00:08:05,267 Speaker 4: Olympics and playing in the World Champs. So I think 168 00:08:05,307 --> 00:08:07,587 Speaker 4: that's that's the of the crop right there, to be 169 00:08:07,587 --> 00:08:10,707 Speaker 4: able to say you represent your country as a second. 170 00:08:10,507 --> 00:08:12,747 Speaker 2: To none special group of players. You look at the roster, 171 00:08:12,907 --> 00:08:15,907 Speaker 2: just generational talent in there is there a dynamic in 172 00:08:15,907 --> 00:08:17,667 Speaker 2: that group which means that if you happen to get 173 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:19,707 Speaker 2: together now, even just with a couple of those guys, 174 00:08:19,787 --> 00:08:21,627 Speaker 2: will it just be like old times, you'd slip into 175 00:08:21,627 --> 00:08:22,947 Speaker 2: the same conversations. 176 00:08:23,907 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 3: I'm sure we would. I mean it was a great group. 177 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:29,707 Speaker 4: I mean we're all still on WhatsApp channels together and 178 00:08:29,947 --> 00:08:33,507 Speaker 4: several of them have come through here pretty regularly a visit. 179 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:34,427 Speaker 3: Which you know, I love. 180 00:08:35,587 --> 00:08:38,827 Speaker 4: You know, we shared, you know, obviously some great, great memories, 181 00:08:38,827 --> 00:08:42,027 Speaker 4: some common bonds and so forth, and some memories that 182 00:08:42,067 --> 00:08:44,747 Speaker 4: are going to last us us a lifetime together, for sure, 183 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:45,547 Speaker 4: without a doubt. 184 00:08:45,827 --> 00:08:47,827 Speaker 2: Earlier this year our junior Tall Blacks were fourth at 185 00:08:47,867 --> 00:08:50,867 Speaker 2: the Under nineteen World Cup. Last year our seventeen's fourth 186 00:08:50,907 --> 00:08:52,947 Speaker 2: at their World Cup. Are you aware of the new 187 00:08:52,987 --> 00:08:55,747 Speaker 2: wave of young Kiwi basketballers coming through? 188 00:08:56,667 --> 00:08:59,667 Speaker 4: I am very aware, actually, and I think that's just 189 00:09:00,267 --> 00:09:03,907 Speaker 4: I could not be more proud of of those, you know, 190 00:09:03,987 --> 00:09:06,187 Speaker 4: young men and women to be quite frank, that are 191 00:09:06,387 --> 00:09:08,427 Speaker 4: presenting the country at all different age groups. 192 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:09,587 Speaker 3: I think it's. 193 00:09:09,387 --> 00:09:13,667 Speaker 4: Inspiring and hopefully and helps inspiring another generation after them 194 00:09:13,707 --> 00:09:16,907 Speaker 4: to continue to grow. And you know, guys like Piro 195 00:09:17,187 --> 00:09:20,747 Speaker 4: and Kirk and Steven Adams and the guys that have 196 00:09:21,307 --> 00:09:24,027 Speaker 4: played over here and or represented the country at the 197 00:09:24,107 --> 00:09:27,867 Speaker 4: highest levels, hopefully they inspired this group to you know, 198 00:09:27,987 --> 00:09:29,667 Speaker 4: come and come and do better than the ones that 199 00:09:29,707 --> 00:09:30,347 Speaker 4: came before them. 200 00:09:30,387 --> 00:09:32,267 Speaker 3: I think that's that's the only thing we can hope. 201 00:09:32,027 --> 00:09:35,387 Speaker 2: For, just to finish. Can you watch a game of 202 00:09:35,427 --> 00:09:38,707 Speaker 2: basketball now, just for the pleasure of watching a game 203 00:09:38,747 --> 00:09:39,867 Speaker 2: of basketball or not? 204 00:09:43,027 --> 00:09:46,147 Speaker 4: I can probably watch my kids games at that level 205 00:09:46,267 --> 00:09:50,067 Speaker 4: but yeah, not not not, not really. If I'm going 206 00:09:50,107 --> 00:09:52,507 Speaker 4: to watch a game or something for just the sake 207 00:09:52,547 --> 00:09:56,187 Speaker 4: of just mindless TV or something, it's it's probably not basketball. 208 00:09:56,227 --> 00:09:57,387 Speaker 3: It's probably a different sport. 209 00:09:57,427 --> 00:10:00,907 Speaker 4: But I will say I continue to critique those as well. 210 00:10:00,907 --> 00:10:02,747 Speaker 3: It's just it just comes with the territory. 211 00:10:02,947 --> 00:10:05,387 Speaker 2: Really appreciate your time, Sean. That's a great pleasure to 212 00:10:05,427 --> 00:10:07,067 Speaker 2: catch up. All the best for the the NBA season 213 00:10:07,067 --> 00:10:08,187 Speaker 2: ahead with the Brooklyn Nets. 214 00:10:08,827 --> 00:10:09,387 Speaker 3: Suis Jackson. 215 00:10:09,427 --> 00:10:11,347 Speaker 2: All the best, mate, Now, all the best to you too, Sewn. 216 00:10:11,387 --> 00:10:14,067 Speaker 2: Sean Mark's there, the one and only general manager Brooklyn 217 00:10:14,067 --> 00:10:16,707 Speaker 2: Nets and one of our absolute greats when it comes 218 00:10:16,707 --> 00:10:20,707 Speaker 2: to basketball and now basketball general management management, one of 219 00:10:20,707 --> 00:10:24,467 Speaker 2: our truly one of the foremost sporting executives around the world, 220 00:10:24,747 --> 00:10:25,867 Speaker 2: flying the Kiwi flag. 221 00:10:26,467 --> 00:10:29,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 222 00:10:29,747 --> 00:10:33,147 Speaker 1: to news Talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 223 00:10:33,187 --> 00:10:34,707 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.