Post by Tampa Bay Bull Sharks on Oct 26, 2010 11:24:34 GMT -5
Can’t You Feel ‘Em Circling, Honey?
August 9, 2019
There’s a storm brewing in the waters of Tampa Bay and it isn’t a summer hurricane. The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are back and they’ve made their intentions very clear: bring a fourth championship to the city.
Last season was an odd year for Tampa Bay. At times, the team seemed dedicated towards a soft rebuild - they had drafted Deandre Ayton and loaded up on one year rentals who we thought would be flipped for picks. But the Bull Sharks were competitive. They smelled blood in the water and the decision was to go all in and try to win the east.
The team made a flurry of deadline moves to acquire the likes of Jusuf Nurkic, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles, and Kyle Lowry. It was an arms race that Tampa appeared to have won and they looked like the team to beat going into the playoffs.
Their first round opponent were the up and coming and dangerous Boston Celtics. The Celtics were clicking on all cylinders until Joel Embiid went down with an injury. The Bull Sharks seized this opportunity and defeated a surging Boston team to make it to the next round.
Waiting for the Bull Sharks in the Eastern Conference Finals was a familiar foe: the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets had a deep team fueled by James Harden and Lebron James, but the Bull Sharks entered the matchup with confidence as they had beaten the Nets earlier in the season. However, Brooklyn’s star power proved to be too much for the Sharks and they did something they’ve never done before - they lost in the conference finals.
“It was a bittersweet moment,” GM Richardson said after the loss. “We’ve been here - in the conference finals - 3 times before and had never lost. We didn’t expect to lose this time. It seems like one way or another, it’s always us against Brooklyn at some point in the playoffs. The silver lining in this whole thing is that we realized our team wasn’t as far away from another championship as we originally thought before the season. If anything, I think this loss gave us momentum to go out and build an even better contender for the 2019-2020 season.”
And that they did. The Bull Sharks have had a busy offseason. One that has seen a transfer of assets in a short amount of time.
Tampa Bay elected to re-sign swingman Khris Middleton. They moved Gary Harris for the 11th pick in the draft. They made a bold move in trading the 6th pick in the draft for Cousins and Sexton, before flipping Sexton and Doumbouya (11th pick) for Zach Lavine.
“We knew we wanted Zach back,” Richardson said. “He was a key piece of our previous championship run and a guy we loved when we drafted him. He’s proved us right for seeing his potential and wrong for trading him away. But he’s here now and he’s signed long term and we feel like we didn’t have to sell the farm to bring him back.”
Lavine has quickly turned into one of the more dynamic guards in the NBA. He scores and gets to the rim at will and has developed his three point shooting over the last couple of seasons.
“After getting Middleton re-upped, we knew we had to target Zach,” Richardson went onto say. “There was so much money in the FA market and we thought Lavine fit our mold - with his age, production, and contract - better than a lot of guys on the market.”
Once the team got the deal done for Lavine, it was time for free agency. With so many teams having an abundance of money, the market was poised to be a bloodbath. That is, until Nikola Jokic was unsuccessfully re-signed and became an unrestricted free agent. That cleared out nearly $30 million in free agency dollars, but the Tampa Bay still faced an uphill battle.
“We had 7 spots to fill and a little over $16 million to do it,” Richardson said. “We’re good, but we recognized that we would have to be very deliberate with our strategy. We couldn’t get sucked into a bidding war and we could not commit to overpaying for future years. We needed to find a balance. We needed to find a diamond in the rough. Or we needed to get things done another way.”
The Bull Sharks zeroed in on veteran guys - signing Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, and Jeff Green to the tune of $750,000 total. The team also brought in Davis Bertans for the minimum and Jeff Teague on a one year deal.
“We wanted to focus on guys who we were comfortable in knowing what their roles would be, said Richardson. “Looking at these guys, the vets in particular, and you know what they’ll give you. And that production for the minimum will be key to future moves we make. It’ll be key to getting solid production without breaking the bank. When you’re strapped for cash, these are the signings you have to make. You just have to. And we feel damn good about these guys.”
As the free agency pool drained, there were only a few guys left in play for the Bull Sharks and their $10 million in the bank. However, the one thing you’ve got to remember is that a Bull Shark is a dangerous super predators. And dangerous super predators will attack when you least expect it. While there was money in the bank to go after the remaining free agents, the Bull Sharks has their sights set on someone else. Someone who could be a franchise centerpiece for years to come. A player who one rival GM described as “the best big man in the game.” A player by the name of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Tampa Bay shook the league when they traded Deandre Ayton and a draft pick for Towns, despite this being Towns last year under contract.
“We know he’s going to cost us, but he’s worth every penny,” Richardson told reporters. “Ayton is a phenomenal talent and player in his own right, but when you have an opportunity to get a guy like KAT, you have to do it. This is a star powered league. Stars win championships. And while we believe Ayton will be a star one day, we see where Towns is now - and he’s next level. We had room in the budget to make this deal work - thankfully we didn’t have it tied up in the market - and Towns is a guy who will come in and help us across the board in so many areas. I am excited to see what he does this year and we fully expect him to be even better this year. He’s only 23 for crying out loud!”
With the addition of Towns, the productive free agency, and the set-up trades earlier in the summer, the Bull Sharks look poised to not only compete for the East, but for their fourth championship as well.
However, it won’t be easy. Brooklyn and Boston are stronger too. The west is shaping up to be the most competitive it’s been I quite some time as well. As the season unfolds, look for these teams to make even more moves - and that includes the Bull Sharks.
“We’re playing for now and we’re playing for sustainability,” Richardson said. “The time for rebuilding, retooling, and reloading has passed. We’re ready for the challenges we will face this year and our goal is to compete at the highest level. I want other teams to feel pressure. I want them to know we are out here lurking. Can’t you feel us circling? Can’t you see us swimming around?”
Like the Movies, the Third Was the Worst
March 28, 2017
Three time champion. The most championships in league history. The reigning champions. Back to back reigning champions.
A goal to accomplish a feat that had only been attempted (unsuccessfully) by one other team before: 3-Peat.
That was what the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks focus going into the season. They were hungrier than ever, made some impactful moves, all with the mindset that getting this fourth championship in 6 years and third in a row, would be worth the sacrifices they had to make.
The team wanted to cement they're place in history as being the first team to ever win three consecutive championships. But that goal was smashed and the Bull Sharks failed to even make the NBA Finals. They didn't even get their chance at winning three in a row.
"I would like to start by saying congratulations to the Washington Wizards on putting together a great team. They earned and deserve their trip to the finals. Hats off to them and congrats to Houston as well," Bull Sharks GM Richardson told the Tampa Tribune.
"We knew that winning the third would be the most difficult, but we also felt like we had the deepest and most potent team of any of our championship runs," he went onto say.
The Bull Sharks, on paper, looked like the perennial favorite to win it all again. Notably, the acquisitions of Carmelo Anthony and Marcin Gortat seemed to be exactly the kind of moves the team should make.
One trade, however, came with a steep price. Tampa Bay traded young talent in Zach Lavine for one year of Anthony.
"Giving up Zach was hard. We were high on him since draft night. We knew his potential was through the roof, but we were hoping to squeeze a better year out of Melo." Richardson continued, "this franchise is aggressive. We always have been. We play for the now with an eye on the future. And sometimes we play for the future with an eye on the now."
The Bull Sharks will see several players become free agents this year - Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Marcus Morris, Marcin Gortat, Wes Matthews, and even Russell Westbrook. The team will ultimately re-sign Westbrook, but a decision will have to be made as to whether or not the team uses their final re-sign on Anthony.
"We will certainly sit down with Carmelo and find out where his interests lie. We will absolutely consider it. He's a hell of a player," Richardson said.
The Bull Sharks, who, at 14-2, finished first in the conference, never seemed to fully click this season.
"You can finish in first, but that doesn't mean shit," Westbrook said when asked whether he was surprised given the team's regular season success.
"How many teams had at least 13 wins? There was no favorite. You're not the favorite because you won it last year," he continued.
The Bull Sharks had all the right tools in all the wrong places this season. While the team was too heavy with points and rebounds, they didn't get the type of production they needed in other areas. Blocks and steals was a critical weakness for this team, as was their shoot percentage. High volume guys like Westbrook, Anthony, and Wiggins contributed in many of the categories, but they also swung the FG category at times too. The problem was compounded when guys like Pau Gasol and Marcin Gortat didn't garner the type of block production that the team had been counting on.
"We fell short in too many areas," Richardson said. "And while we had depth, we didn't have the right kind of depth. We had great three point shooters, guys who could rebound, and score the ball, but we didn't have the thieve and rim protector that we desperately needed. We brought in Bogut to be that force, but he seemed to get injured when he was signing his name on the contract, so we knew what the rest of the season had in store for us."
Another struggle that the Bull Sharks had was a reliable second option behind Russell Westbrook at the point guard position. The team signed Patty Mills and JJ Barea early in the season and it seemed like a solid platoon option at the time. However, Barea dealt with injuries all year and could not be relied on because of his health. After waiving Mills earlier in the year, the Bull Sharks brought in Jameer Nelson who played exceptionally well for the team, albeit sporadically.
"We were hoping to find a guy who could fill in and get us steals and assists. We got some of that from Jameer, but the backup point guard position was a huge weakness for us. You think that kind of talent is easy to find? Or cheap? You know anyone else who can get 5 or 6 assists per game for what we bid for the job? Because if you can I'd love to see them try," Richardson said as he sipped his can of Coke.
As frustration built throughout the season, the Bull Sharks made plays at some big targets in trade talks with other teams.
"We had a deal for a prominent big man that would have been an asset for us, but we couldn't come to terms on the price and the deal never really went anywhere. Had a very good point guard in our crosshairs too, but the price was just too much."
The Bull Sharks two losses this season came against Memphis and Las Vegas. The team led the league in points and rebounds, ranked second in assists, fifth in 3PMs, but fell to the middle of the pack in blocks, steals, and FT%. They were near the bottom in FG and TOs.
The Bull Sharks, who knew they'd be in this position after the season, win or lose, now have to figure out a direction from here.
You know the first team I ever built when I came down south from Ohio? It was a Flea Circus New Orleans. Really quite wonderful. We had a wee trapeze, and a merry-go... carousel and a seesaw. They all moved, motorized of course, but people would say they could see the fleas. "Oh, I see the fleas, mummy! Can't you see the fleas?" Clown fleas and high wire fleas and fleas on parade... But with this team, I wanted to show fans something that wasn't an illusion. Something that was real, something that they could see and touch. An aim not devoid of merit," Richardson said as he sat at the long table as the gallon of ice cream sat right in front of him.
The Bull Sharks will not have a draft pick, barring a trade, in this years draft. They'll be forced to rebuild around Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Andrew Wiggins. The lack of a pick didn't seem to bother the teams GM, though.
"Oh yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and um, screaming...if the pick doesn't work out."
The time to think about the future is already underway. "When you gotta go, you gotta go," Richardson said. "We've gotta go. Now. We can't wait until this big beast is in our side mirror, chasing us down a beaten path. That could kill us. Eat us alive. You take the sting of the loss, thank the team for a lovely season, and move on."
As the championship winds down and the offseason approaches, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are hoping to not have a sequel as bad as this season. They have a loyal fan base and plan to rejuvenate it with new faces and exciting look moving forward.
"Look folks," Richardson said standing from the table. "It's time to ride off into the sunset - even though I should probably drive east in the direction of my house - ah ok the details, details. Point is, we close this chapter. The credits are rolling and the music is playing. Let's just see if we can break free and find a way to bring the title back to Tampa. It won't be easy and it'll be met with challenges, but we will not be contained. We will do whatever we have to to make it happen and well, uh, well there it is."
TAMPA BAY WINS THE EAST TO REACH THE FINALS FOR THIRD TIME; SHOWDOWN WITH HOUSTON LOOMS
March 20, 2016
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are Eastern Conference Champs for the third time in team history after an impressive 7-2 win over the Brooklyn Nets in the Conference Finals. The Bull Sharks, who won the East last season before ultimately winning the NBA Championship, will be going to the Finals for a third time. Tampa Bay is 2-0 in their previous Finals appearances.
The Bull Sharks will face the West Conference Champions, and top seed of the West, Houston Rockets. This match-up will be a fitting end to what has been one of the most competitive seasons in league history. The Bull Sharks lost to the Rockets in the season opener. Since losing their first two games, the Bull Sharks have rattled off 16 straight wins and have their sights set on another league championship.
"I am so proud of our guys and very happy for our city," GM Richardson told the press Sunday night. "Our hats go off to the Brooklyn Nets. In the three years we've made the Finals, we've always had to battle their tough squad. Back in 2012, we had to go through them in the Semis. Last year, we went down to the wire in the Eastern Conference Finals, barley hanging on. They are one of the toughest, most respected teams in the league and to survive in the playoffs against them means a lot to this organization."
The Bull Sharks and Nets were both considered favorites, as they seem to be every year, to make the Finals. This year, however, with two mostly healthy squads, we finally got the series we had been wanting to see all season. The Sharks jumped out to an early lead in rebounds and blocks, locking up two categories within the first week. Behind strong performances from Russell Westbrook (20.7 PPG, 11.3 APG, 8.9 RPG), LaMarcus Aldridge (23.9 PPG, 55% FG), and Marvin Williams (17.3 PPG, 3.1 3PM), the Bull Sharks proved to be too much even for the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Rajon Rondo.
"They (Brooklyn) have a talented team. Lots of guys who can hurt you," said LaMarcus Aldridge. "We had to elevate our game and we did. We had guys step up and I am excited for another chance to play for the championship."
"We've got a deep team. Certainly our deepest team to ever reach the Finals," GM Richardson went onto say. "We're also facing some injuries. Pau and Faried are both banged up. We hope to have them back, but we have to be ready for life without them. That means Marvin staying hot and Omer Asik stepping up.The Finals are the longest series of the playoffs, so we have to overcome any obstacle that comes our way."
And the Bull Sharks must be ready. They will be battling a Houston squad led by MVP candidates Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard.
Houston comes in with an equally impressive resume. They won the Midwest Divison and went 13-3 in the regular season (losses to Portland, Cleveland, and Kansas City) and they will be hungrier than ever, having lost to Las Vegas 5-4 in the Western Conference Finals last season.
As GM Richardson concluded his press conference, he had one final message for his team and for the fans of Tampa Bay: "This moment features two of the best, hell, the two best teams in the league. This moment is a moment that 18 other teams wish they were a part of right now. But most importantly, this moment isn't big enough for two teams, so it calls for one team to rise up and take control. We cannot let this moment be bigger than us - we must be bigger than this moment."
As the Bull Sharks move forward in hopes of securing their third championship in team history and becoming the team with the most titles in league history, they face perhaps their most challenging opponent to date.
With their fans and the city of Tampa behind them, the Bull Sharks will take the court Monday night as they embark on yet another, championship quest. As we look onward, we hope to see the Bull Sharks cutting down the nets and hanging another banner in Tampa Bay once this is all said and done.
TAMPA BAY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: ONE ON ONE WITH THE NETS GM
March 9, 2016
Over the last five seasons, either Tampa Bay or Brooklyn have represented the Eastern Conference in the Finals. In a collaboration with the New York Times, we are bringing you this unique piece to shed some insight on the Bull Sharks - Nets match-up. The Brooklyn Nets GM sat down with the Tampa Tribune for an exclusive interview:
1. Describe the type of season you've had.
I realize how this is going to sound, but this has been absolutely the most tumultuous season we've had since the league started. For the first time, I wasn't sure if this team was good enough to make the playoffs. I certainly didn't think they were good enough to make the finals. When we lost to Kansas City in week 6, dropping us to 3-3, I really didn't think we'd get in. It seems silly now, given the nine straight wins, but there was legitimate concern. Big Al was hurt, Vasquez was hurt, CP3 was hurt, the role players were seriously underachieving and both KD and Harden were playing good, not great, basketball. We knew your guys were going to kick our ass in two weeks, and we'd likely head in to the back half of the schedule at 4-4.
If you looked at our schedule in the final 8 games at that point in the season, it wasn't easy. Golden State and Toronto were really damn good, and we also had to face Washington, Atlanta, Chicago and Memphis, all of whom were fighting for playoff spots. I figured we had to get to 10 wins to make the playoffs, and I honestly wasn't sure how we were going to get 6 wins in those 8 games. Two things really helped push us over the top. First, we made the move for Rondo and Dirk. Losing Paul was tough, but we were able to net those two which helped shore up some problem areas for us. Second, we somehow went up to Toronto and knocked off the Raptors, getting us to within one game of the division lead. Because of the tiebreaker, we'd essentially knotted up the division race with six games left. That seemed out of the questions two weeks prior, given that we were three out with 8 to go, and a loss to Toronto would have locked things up for them.
Once we won that game, the whole perception changed. We suddenly felt like we were gaining steam rather than limping along. We still had to get past Chicago and Atlanta, but we knew if we did that, we'd almost assuredly make the playoffs. Fortunately, Chicago stopped setting lineups and we had four games of Harden and Durant against Atlanta. When Toronto lost to Portland, and we took the inside track for the division, it almost became a pride thing for us. In the grand scheme of things, the division was meaningless. We were going to play Toronto in the playoffs no matter what. But we knew we'd never lost the division before, and we wanted to keep that streak intact.
2. What two players on your roster this year have surprised you the most? One good, one bad.
The most pleasant surprise... that's tough. It's a toss-up between Henderson, Tucker and Canaan. Henderson was doing nothing for most of the season due to injury, but we couldn't waive him because we didn't want to take on that cap hit for multiple years. Fortunately, he's gotten healthy at the right time. Canaan has had his ups and downs, but he's really come on as of late. And Tucker has given us big games when we've needed them. On the flip side, Big Al has definitely been the most disappointing. It's not really his fault though. He's just been hampered by injuries.
3. What are your thoughts on last year's Nets-Bull Sharks playoff series?
Arguably the most exciting series I've been a part of. By the end of it, I couldn't even be disappointed because we really shouldn't have kept it that close. It wasn't nearly as devastating as 2012, though it could have been knowing we would have trounced Las Vegas in the final. I was sitting there watching Portland/Dallas on League Pass hoping against hope that Aminu wouldn't get a steal. Then praying to the basketball gods for Dirk to get one back. I still wonder what would have happened had Durant been healthy. Hell, this team is really two free throws and a steal away from four straight titles, which is crazy when you think about it. The margin for error in the postseason is so minuscule, it's remarkable.
4. Talk about the Kevin Durant foot injury and how it has played a factor in both your team's performance and long term outlook.
Long story short: KD's foot cost us a title last year. Not just because of the lost production, but because it opened the door for Russell Westbrook to go for broke. That was the big killer. Long-term, it made us a little more cautious. We tried to avoid going for broke, because we didn't want to end up in a position where one injury derails our season. Now, the KD injury didn't stop us from making the conference finals, but the goal isn't to make the conference finals. It's to win it all. We want to be able to put stopgaps in place in case something went wrong. To be honest, I'm not sure if we've accomplished this or not.
5. You made a bold move in trading Chris Paul for Rajon Rondo. But, you also seemed to be ready to tear it down in the middle of the season. Are your surprised that your team is one win from the finals? Were you ever serious about a full rebuild?
I am absolutely surprised that this team is back in the ECF. It helps to have Durant and Harden, but the way the role players have stepped up has been beyond anything we could have imagined. And yes, at one point in time, we were dead serious about a full rebuild. There was a trade in place that would have put that rebuild into motion, but it fell apart. Had that gone down, a second move would have been made ending all playoff hopes and loading this team with picks. Looking back now, I'm glad the deal didn't happen.
6. What are your thoughts on this year's conference finals match-up?
I think Tampa Bay is easily the favorite. They've won 15 straight. They whooped us this season. Beat us last year. They're the defending champions for a reason. I think they'll have a games played advantage, barring injuries. We're so reliant on our role players stepping up that, if they don't, we're really in trouble. Frankly, the only way I see us pulling off this series is if KD and Harden play like they did in the last series. They were out of their minds against Toronto. It's funny, I think this is the first time we've played one another and Tampa Bay has been the favorite, even though they've won two of the three match-ups. Maybe this year will be different. The last time Tampa Bay beat us, then won the title, we came back and beat them the following year... and ended up winning the title.
7. Can you give us your thoughts on the rivalry between these two franchises?
It is, hands down, the best rivalry in the league. It's almost like the Celtics-76ers rivalry from the 80s. The similarities are frightening. Not to mention any time you have two teams facing one another that have been in the finals in each of the last 6 years... there's a lot more at stake than just a finals berth here. It's bragging rights. It absolutely is personal, but its respectful. You've seen quite a few players that have played for both teams. There's just a mutual respect for the other franchise, and I think a lot of the guys realize that, when it's all said and done, their legacies are going to be intertwined. You're not going to be able to put into context Duran't career, or Harden's career, or Dirk's career without including these Tampa Bay series'. It's just not possible. You know, when we won it all in 2014, went undefeated, I think the guys felt something was missing. It just wasn't the same getting to the playoffs and not seeing Tampa Bay in the bracket. To be the best, you want to beat the best. And Tampa Bay, to that point, had been our best challenger. It's good to see them back competing for, and winning championships. But you better believe we want to kick their ass.
Sharks Rattle Off 14 in a Row, Stage Set for Showdown with Atlanta
February 22, 2016
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are no stranger to the playoff party; they’ve safely reached the playoffs in all but one of the seven seasons since the league was formed. The Bull Sharks are also no stranger to success in the playoffs, twice hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy (2011-12 and 2014-15). The reigning champs come into this year’s playoffs winners of 14 in a row after starting the season 0-2. They have the deepest roster in team history and one of the deeper benches in the league, but will it be enough?
“Lots of good teams,” star point guard Russell Westbrook told the media at the team’s Monday morning shoot-around. “We get Atlanta again, this time at our place, but they just showed us last week that they won’t rollover. We have to be prepared for battle.”
The Bull Sharks play their division rival, the Atlanta Hawks, in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bull Sharks, who defeated the Hawks 6-3 in week 16, must be ready for round 2 against the team who has bounced them from the playoffs twice before – once in 2010 when Atlanta when on to win it all and again the following year in 2011.
While Atlanta, dominated the Bull Sharks in the early years, Tampa Bay has since become the aggressor. The Bull Sharks beat the Hawks in week 16 of last season in what was an all or nothing Southeast showdown. In week 16 of last season, the Bull Sharks entered the final day of play down 5-4 and lost LaMarcus Aldridge with a sprained thumb. However, somehow, someway, the Sharks prevailed, which sent them to the playoffs where they would successfully earn their second championship.
This year, Atlanta and Tampa Bay again squared off in week 16, but the stakes were not as dire for the reigning champs. Having already secured the top seed, their role was to play spoiler and prevent Atlanta from getting into the playoffs. For the Hawks, a win over Tampa Bay would put them in the final playoff spot. A loss, combined with either a Chicago or Cleveland win, would eliminate them. As it turned out, Atlanta, Chicago, and Cleveland all lost and the final spot was determined by tie-breaker in which Atlanta had the edge.
So if Tampa Bay is to defeat Atlanta and make it to the Eastern Conference finals, what must they do to ensure that they don’t falter along the way?
“It comes down to playing our game,” LaMarcus Aldridge said to reporters. “We all have to be focused. Most of us have been here before. I think everyone knows their job. It just comes down to execution.”
General Manager Richardson echoed these statements to the press: “I am proud of what our team has done this season. When we started 0-2, the players didn’t panic. We made a few moves and finished stronger than any team in the league. Winning the division and having a 14-2 record is impressive – no doubt it is impressive – but it doesn’t mean anything now. Our second season starts today and it starts against a team who has had our number before in the playoffs. This year, the road to the championship is harder than ever before. In the playoffs, you take it day by day. If you look ahead, you will lose. If you don’t take your opponent seriously, you will lose. In our previous title runs, we were the underdogs… The one’s struggling just to be a part of the playoff party. Now, Atlanta is that team and we have to be ready for them to come at us aggressively as we would come at them if the roles were reversed.”
We have the transcript of the message that Richardson delivered to the team after their final regular season victory:
“The stakes are higher than ever and we’ve come a long way to get to this point. The city and the fans are behind you. The regular season is behind you. But the path this franchise’s third championship is in front of you. The hard work and dedication that you’ve put into this season, into this city, will never be questioned. But with that being said, we have to be hungry. We have to go out there and want this more than any other team and the only way we will do that is by playing our style.”
In the video, Richardson can be seen taking a long break while intensely looking each player in the eye.
“Have fun, but stay focused. Play hard, but not careless. Play smart, but aggressive. Be the team that all other teams fear by what you do on the court and we will keep this championship in Tampa Bay.”
Bull Sharks Defeat Nets to Advance to Finals
March 23, 2015
For the second time in team history, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have been crowned Eastern Conference Champions and have advanced to the NBA Finals, where they will play Las Vegas for the championship.
Tampa Bay fought off a veteran Brooklyn team that just would not quit. The Brooklyn Nets entered the Eastern Conference Finals as back-to-back champions and were the only team to claim the championship since the Bull Sharks won back in 2012. Coming into the Conference Finals matchup, the Nets were without Kevin Durant, though they had beaten the Bull Sharks by the narrowest of margins (or what we thought was the narrowest of margins) in week 8 without their superstar forward. In that matchup, the Nets held on to the points category (489-488).
The Conference Finals matchup started out in Tampa Bay's favor. The team was consistently up 7-2 or 6-3 until the end of the first week when Brooklyn made a late surge to take a 5-4 lead going into week two. From there, it went back and forth. Tampa Bay secured their lead in points, rebounds, and FG%, but steals and blocks were still up in the air going into the final day of play. The Bull Sharks would enter with a two block lead, yet trailed by two steals. Facing a tough decision on who to play in their final spot (Aminu, Harris, Richardson, or LaVine), the Sharks opted for defensive specialist Al-Farouq Aminu. Already without big man, Omer Asik, the team took the chance on Aminu to come up with not only a block to extend the lead, but to also garner a couple of steals as well.
Going into the final game of the night it was Marcus Morris and Al-Farouq Aminu for Tampa Bay and Dirk Nowitzki for the Nets. Marcus Morris came to play and swiped three steals. Tampa Bay tied the category just before half time and thus forced a score of 4-4-1. Already owning the tie breaker in points, the Sharks had to hope that Nowitzki did not come up with another steal. However, because why wouldn't he, Dirk was handsy and grabbed his second steal of the game at the start of the second half. With 22 minutes left in the season, the Sharks had to hope that Aminu or Morris could come up with at least one more steal to force a tie.
And in the fourth quarter, it happened. Aminu came up with a steal and tie the category at 63. As the minutes ticked away, the entire city of Tampa Bay was holding its breath, waiting for the clock to hit 0. And as it did, confetti fell on the heads of the fans watching the game at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang was playing on the loudspeaker. Fans rejoiced, hugged, high fived, and celebrated their teams second run to the Finals.
When asked about how it feels to be in the finals for the second time in three years, GM Richardson said: "It feels great. Surreal. My nerves are fried after that game tonight. To beat the defending champs is huge. Hats off to Brooklyn... That may have been the greatest matchup in league history."
Since the inception of the league, the only season that one of these teams did not represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals was during the inaugural season. Brooklyn lost to Oklahoma City in 2011, Tampa Bay won in 2012, and Brooklyn won in 2013 and 2014. Now, it's back to the Sharks to keep the title in the Eastern Conference.
"We told our guys," he went onto say, "that the playoffs had the same feeling as it did back in 2012. We're a little banged up now, but we are here. We made it. If you had told me a year ago that we'd be here now, I would not have believed it."
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks finished a disastrous 0-16 last season. The team drafted Andrew Wiggins (2nd), Zach LaVine (8th), and Adreian Payne (19th) in last years draft and the rookies stepped up down the stretch.
"I just go out and try to execute... Play at a high level... Help the team win," said rookie Andrew Wiggins. "We played well enough to win, but we will need to be even better in the Finals. Vegas is tough. Probably the best team in the league this year."
The Bull Sharks enter the Finals with a few causes for concern. Star forward, LaMarcus Aldridge is battling a hand injury, Omer Asik has been sidelined with a calf strain, and Manu Ginobili has missed the last week with a sprained ankle.
"We're going to enjoy the moment," GM Richardson said. "But we have to stay in business mode. We need to figure out how to beat Las Vegas whether we are at 100% or not. It's going to take a monumental effort, but I believe in these guys. We believe in each other. The city believes in this team. Resilience is something that you cannot teach; it comes from within. These guys have it. They don't quit. I'd be lying if I said I was not a little concerned about the injuries, but we are faced with it. It happens. All we can do is play our best ball."
The future is bright for this Tampa Bay team, but the present is even brighter. The road to the playoffs has not been easy. The Sharks did not secure a playoff spot until the last day of the regular season. They took the Nets to the wire. Close calls appear to be part of the Sharks strategy. Perhaps a little luck is involved and if so, we'll take it.
As the team gears up for the final battle of the season, they are faced with their tallest task to date in a dominant Las Vegas team.
However, the Bull Sharks believe in themselves. They believe they can go toe-to-toe and beat any team in the league. The city is behind them. The fans are excited. And this roster mixed with both young and veteran players are hungrier than ever to bring the championship back to Tampa Bay!
March 9, 2015 - Bull Sharks Beat Boston; Will Battle Brooklyn in Conference Finals
Entering the season, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks faced uncertain expectations. After locking up Ty Lawson for four more years, the team took Andrew Wiggins with the second pick, and Zach LaVine and Adrien Payne with the 8th and 19th picks of the draft. The team was built around stars Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge, but still, questions remained as to whether this was a team on the cusp or a team that could compete.
The Bull Sharks swung and missed in free agency. Manu Ginobili proved he was nothing more than a role player, Shawn Marion never could get it together, Festus Ezeli did not see the floor, and the team cut Sebastian Telfair a month after signing him.
At the end of October the team signed Devin Harris and in late December, when the playoffs began looking like a real possibility, they traded for Wilson Chandler. At the beginning of February, the playoff noose tightened; Orlando and Atlanta were on Tampa Bay heals and the team cut ties with Perry Jones, Shawn Marion, and Festus Ezeli and brought in Al-Faroq Aminu, Jason Richardson, and Kosta Koufos. They were now ready for the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks defeated the Boston Celtics 5-4 in the first round of the Eastern Conference semis. They will now face the Brooklyn Nets on their quest to their second finals appearance.
"Brooklyn is a great team. They've won two championships in as many years. Don't let the Durant injury fool you; this team is tough" said GM Richardson after the team's press conference Sunday night. "We expect a fight. It was a fight in the regular season."
A fight it was. In week 8, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks 5-4. The Bull Sharks lost by one point (489-488).
The Bull Sharks and Nets have represented the Eastern Conference in the last 4 finals, with Tampa Bay accounting for only one of those appearances.
"I don't want to say this has the feel of our last championship run, but we are optimistic that we can hang with Brooklyn. Hell, any of the final four teams (Tampa Bay, Brooklyn, Houston, and Las Vegas) are capable of winning the whole thing. We've got Russ (Westbrook) playing at an absurd level. If he keeps it up, who knows what our ceiling is" Richardson went onto say.
This Eastern Conference Finals matchup is everything that is great in this league. The Brooklyn Nets are going for a 3-peat. The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks want to reclaim the throne. Even though the winner of this round will not be crowned the champion, it sure has a championship feel to it and we seem to be witnessing a great rivalry. Tampa Bay defeated Brooklyn in the semi-finals in 2012 on their way to their only championship. Brooklyn knocked off Tampa Bay a year later. Two years, and two championships later, the Brooklyn Nets find themselves facing a vicious Bull Sharks team. Only one can advance and as Brooklyn looks for their third title in as many years, the Bull Sharks are hungry to get to their second finals and, hopefully, earn their second championship.
February 23, 2015 --Sharks Survive Hawks, Claim Final Playoff Spot
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are heading to their 5th playoff appearance and first since the 2012-2013 season. The Bull Sharks bounced back from a tumultuous 0-16 season a year ago to claiming the top spot in the Southeast Division and finishing with a 10-6 record. Tampa Bay possesses a 4-3 record in the playoffs and are 1-0 in their only championship appearance (2011-12).
The Bull Sharks will face the Boston Celtics, who are making their first playoff appearance. The Celtics defeated the Bull Sharks 5-4 in their week 10 matchup.
"It was a close one," GM Richardson said at this mornings shoot-around. "We were short by two threes, led by 7 rebounds, led by 2 steals, and came up 20 points short. We didn't get the kind of production from Russ (Westbrook) or LaMarcus (Aldridge) that we have come to expect. I think we could be in for a similar dogfight this time. Boston is a well rounded team and are here for a reason. That franchise has battled and battled over the years. They took a long time to come together and if our run in 2012 showed one thing, it is that any team in the playoffs has a fighting chance."
"What we did in the past doesn't mean anything," said Manu Ginobili, the only remaining player from the 2012 championship team. "But I think that what you see here is a great testament to the organization. They know what it takes to build a contender. Sometimes, you need that down year, like the team had last year. When I saw what was being put together this season, I wanted to come back and try to get another championship for this city."
Rookie shooting guard, Andrew Wiggins, expressed his excitement this morning with the media. "Man, to be here man, it's just something special. I knew this team was headed in the right direction, but I didn't know if we would be here this year. I'm just happy to be here. To be wanted. To be a part of an organization that focuses on building something special."
Despite making the playoffs, the Bull Sharks had a tough road to get here. They had to hold off the Atlanta Hawks (9-7) and Orlando Magic (9-7) to make it. The biggest factor to another successful run will come down to consistency -- something that has eluded Tampa Bay this season. The team lost to Boston in week 10, only to lose a week later to the then 0-10 Hornets. They battled back to beat Orlando 5-4 in week 12, before losing to Cleveland and Las Vegas in consecutive weeks. The team sat at 8-6 going into their final two matchups with Portland and Atlanta.
Week 15 was favorable for the Bull Sharks who, behind a strong week from Russell Westbrook, prevailed 6-3 over the Trailblazers. Week 15 was a pivotal week not only for Tampa Bay, but also for the Hawks and the Magic who were each 8-6. The Magic had already lost to the Bull Sharks and the Hawks had not played either Tampa Bay or Orlando. The loser of this matchup would be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, while the winner would have to go on to win in week 16 if they were to have the hope of a postseason appearance. Atlanta came out on top and beat Orlando 5-3-1, meaning that the showdown with Tampa Bay would decide the fate of the Southeast Division champion.
The Bull Sharks went into Atlanta with as much momentum as they could have hoped. Winners of their last two, the team knew that winning on the road would not be easy. For either team -- win and go on. Lose and go home. After a back and fourth two week matchup, the Bull Sharks entered play on Sunday down 5-4 to Atlanta. The margins were tight in FG%, points, 3PM and TOs. A late scratch from the lineup was All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, who sat due to spraining his other thumb.
The writing was on the wall around 9:30 PM EST last night. Leading by .12 FG%, 40 points, 1 TO (58-59), and four 3PM (29-25), the Bull Sharks led 6-3 with Jeremy Lin taking the court as Atlanta's last hope. Short of Lin going off for more than 40 points and catching fire from three, the Sharks were close to clinching the division.
Lin did as much as he could for the Hawks. He shot 10-15 and put up 25 points, but in the end, the Sharks held on and won 5-4 in Atlanta.
"I couldn't believe it," said GM Richardson. "Lin shot lights out. I was worried he was going to have a huge game like the kind he used to have in New York. What a matchup. We've been in battles like this before where it comes down to one stat in a certain category. We lost to Brooklyn earlier this year by one basket, so yeah, we were nervous."
Around midnight, the nerves would calm as the Bull Sharks learned they were heading back to the playoffs. The new season starts today and the Bull Sharks better prove that they are even more hungry than the Boston Celtics. If the stars align, this team could be destined for another run at the Finals -- this season certainly has a similar feel as 2011-2012.
When asked what helped propel the team into the playoffs and what is needed moving forward, Russell Westbrook flatly said, "Good execution. We need good execution."
September 25, 2014 -- Sharks Set Sights on New Start
The 2013-2014 NBA season was a forgettable one for the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks. Two years removed from their championship season, the team had their worst year in franchise history. One rival GM described it as "organized chaos within the franchise."
There weren't many highlights to the dismal season experienced in Tampa. One highlight, however, was the acquisition of Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge from Oklahoma City. Tampa Bay shipped Kenneth Faried, Jrue Holiday, and veteran forward, Dirk Nowitzki out in the deal. The team also locked up Ty Lawson after the season ended and they entered the draft with the two top ten and one late first round pick. The Bull Sharks took Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) second overall, Zach LaVine (UCLA) eighth, and Adreian Payne (Michigan State) at the end of the first round.
Tampa Bay faces an exciting level of uncertainty going into the 2014-2015 season. The team has talent across the board, they have young players signed long-term, and they have financial flexibility to add some key pieces. Earlier this week, the team signed veteran guard, Manu Ginobili, to a one year deal. Ginobili was a part of the 2011-12 championship team. They are currently engaged on multiple fronts to add even more veteran pieces.
"We've got a window now," GM Richardson said at the press conference to announce the signing of Manu Ginobili.
"We have a window that we didn't have after we had to hit the reset button following our championship season. We have young players committed to this team for the long haul. We'll do everything we can to keep LaMarcus around too -- he is a big part of our future plans moving forward and he is just now getting into his prime. Wiggins, LaVine and Payne may take some seasoning, but we like their potential. Our fans should be excited for the future. While I won't sit up here and guarantee a championship this season -although you never know- I will confidently say that we will be in the thick of it in the very near future and we will stay in the thick of it for a while."
The waters are becoming less murky for the Bull Sharks and they have their sights set on a brighter future.
Richardson went onto say "These were dark times, there is no denying. We were at a crossroads and had to make a critical decision to not just our direction, but also to our identity. We will get back on top soon."
January 6, 2014 -- What Lies Ahead for the Bull Sharks?
On paper, this season has been nothing short of a disappointment for the players, coaches, and fans of the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks. Tampa Bay, a team with the third highest winning percentage in the history of the league, is on the verge of the kind of season that has never been experienced in the history of the franchise.
"There are two ways to look at this," GM Richardson said Sunday night after the teams tenth loss of the season, causing them to fall to 0-10 on the year. "If we take a macro approach, sure you want your overall, historical winning percentage to be high. It indicates how you've done throughout history and can be a good evaluator of how a staff has performed. While we certainly strive to maintain a competitive edge and finish near the top every year, we also have to look at things at a micro level and see how we are affected on a year to year basis and how our decisions affect the our team in the short and long-term. As we've said before, we were, no pun intended, in unchartered waters this offseason and hell, even at the end of last year. We had an older roster, were spending a lot of money, and it brought us a championship. But it also taxed us financially and we had to sell of assets to stabilize the budget."
And the team has done just that. For one, the Bull Sharks are committed to only $21,925,000 in salary beyond this season. Secondly, they have a spot left to re-sign emerging point guard, Ty Lawson. Third, they've acquired superstars Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge this season in a trade with OKC. Finally, they have three draft picks in the upcoming draft and one of those picks is, in all likelihood, going to be a top 5 pick.
"It's something that we've thought about," Richardson went onto say. "You never go into a season expecting to lose. This year was no different. However, after careful consideration, we would be doing the city a disservice by crippling our team financially when we know that we wouldn't be able to build a competitive team with the lack of assets that we had. We are in a tough spot. We don't want to spend the money that was tossed around in free agency and we have a nice core of guys with Russ (Westbrook), LA (Aldridge), Ty (Lawson) and Asik. If we can land one of the top prospects in the draft and continue to build through free agency next year, we won't mind spending the money since we will have a competitive team on the court."
Richardson's views seem to be shared by the fans in Tampa as well. Attendance has not taken a severe hit and fans seem very excited in the direction the team is headed.
"There's confidence in the ownership and management," said star forward, LaMarcus Aldridge. "Things are going in the right direction. We hate losing, but we know that this is only a temporary setback for what is going to be a fun ride into the future."
How things pan out in Tampa will be interesting. The team has never been in a situation like this before, but it seems to be something that GM Richardson has handled in a calm, cool, and collective manner. He's performed the difficult task that many owners face of slashing the budget while improving the team and setting up the franchise for long-term, championship success.
"2011-2012 was a great year. It gave us a taste of what we can accomplish. It was great to get that one, but now we want more. We to put a team in place that can go out for three or four years and give us a shot at another championship celebration," Richardson concluded.
As we get deeper into the second half of the season, look for the Bull Sharks to be engaged on all fronts and to pull the trigger on a deal that helps make them better. Exciting things are happening in Tampa, even in a down year.
October 30, 2013 -- Tampa Bay Completes Trade for Westbrook, Aldridge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks and Oklahoma City Thunder have completed a trade that sends Dirk Nowitzki, Jrue Holiday, and Kenneth Faried to Oklahoma City in exchange for superstars, Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge. The two teams, which had previous negotiations involving Westbrook, reached a deal Monday night that would be the biggest blockbuster trade of the offseason. It happened the one day prior to the start of the NBA season and has left many NBA GM executives shocked.
"Wow. That is a fantastic deal (for Tampa Bay)" said one NBA GM League executive.
The Bull Sharks continue their complete overhaul of their team. They have now parted with everyone from their championship roster of two seasons ago and are looking toward the future.
"We are continually looking for ways to improve our club," GM Richardson said in a call with The Tampa Tribune. "We had an amazing opportunity to get two top 20 players in this deal. Russell will be back soon from his injury and we expect him to be that same caliber player he has been. And LaMarcus, wow. this is a guy who we have wanted to get for a very long time. The best part of this deal is that both of these guys do everything well. They are really going to statistically balance our team as we continue to build for next season. It's hard to trade a guy like Dirk who has been around for a long time. Dirk helped put this franchise on the map and win a championship. He will always be a hero to this organization and we wish him well in Oklahoma City."
And a valid point by GM Richardson. The Sharks are not built to win this year and are certainly playing for 2014, though this addition would say otherwise.
"Like I said, we are always evaluating moves for our team. We knew this year that it would be a recission type year for our team. That's not to say we are taking a step backward. No, that's not it at all. We are continuing to move forward and rebuilding our team as a championship contender next season.You have your Brooklyn's and Utah's out there that seem to be in a position every year because of how they manage their club. That's where we expect to get. The way the cards fell the two years leading up to our championship run, we had no choice but to make aggressive decisions. Decisions that, to some, seemed preposterous. Instead of signing young talent that we didn't have, we kept guys like Ginobli, Pierce, and Dirk around. It worked out for us. We wouldn't have made those moves if we didn't think it would bring a title to this city. It was a huge risk and it paid off," said GM Richardson.
He continued, "Right now, you look at our team and we have two guys signed beyond this season and they are the two that we just traded to get. We've got one re-sign spot left and if the season ended tomorrow, we'd keep Ty (Lawson) around and continue to move forward. I won't sit here and blow smoke to the people of Tampa; we probably won't be a very good team this year. We are trying to bring a few guys in, but we aren't going to have a championship caliber team this year. What we do have? Great talent and two superstars who are going to be fun to watch. And we also have a couple draft picks in what should be a loaded draft class. Call it the silver lining, but the good thing about being on the bottom when the seasons over puts you at the top of the draft board."
While the team isn't playing for a draft pick, they are building something fun in Tampa.
April 13th-- Sharks' Search for Second Title Sunk: Brooklyn Claims the Prize
In what was anything but an easy season, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks came up short in their quest for a second consecutive title. Injuries plagued the team to start the season and just as things started clicking on all cylinders, the playoffs started and the Nets happened.
"We were ready for them," GM Richardson said from his condo in Sarasota, Florida. "Both teams went in healthy and it was a hard fought battle. There was no shame in losing to Brooklyn; we have a great rivalry with them. One of the better rivalries in this league. We beat them last year in our title run and this year they knocked us out."
The highly anticipated matchup, that many had hoped to see in the Eastern Conference Finals, turned out to be a very entertaining first round series.
The Nets and their dynamic roster, led by Kevin Durant and former Bull Shark, Chris Paul, proved to be too much for the Sharks to take on this time in the playoffs.
In the 2012 series, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks hung on to win a tightly contested matchup. Brooklyn's hopes last season came down to Kevin Durant needing to make just one of two free throws in the Easter Conference Finals. One make from one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA and the Nets would have been playing in the finals and, perhaps, would have been looking at a repeat this season. As it turned out, Durant failed to connect on both attempts, sending the Bull Sharks to the finals where they would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz.
This season, in a series that ended in a score of 5-4, the Bull Sharks weren't really all that close to pulling off another upset.
"Of the areas we lost, we were closest in blocks," Richardson went on to say. "We didn't have a chance at free throw percentages this season. Same for steals and assists. It's funny, because people have said to me that this is what would happen if I traded Chris Paul. You have to put it in context. While Chris was a huge asset and piece to our organization, we probably wouldn't have been able to ride on his back all the way to the playoffs. We were a team in disarray, floundering as other teams passed us. If we didn't trade Chris, we probably would not have even made the playoffs. It was a calculated move that had to be done."
And now, the Sharks are left to pick up the pieces of what was a magical run to cap off a season plagued by injuries and under-performance. We here at the Tribune don't even know which direction GM Richardson is going to take the team.
"That's what keeps it fun," said Richardson. "We have a lot invested here and we have a lot of money to spend. It's my job to develop a team so astounding that it will capture the attention of the entire league... A team so astounding that it will drive kids out of their minds."
So as we wind down the 2012-13 season, we are left wondering what is going to happen next. We believe that the Bull Sharks will be back in the swing of things next season, but only time will tell.
For now, it's time to put the blemishes of this season in the rear view mirror, congratulate the new champions of the league, the Brooklyn Nets and their GM. The Nets have pioneered this league from day one and it's about damn time they got what they deserve.
On behalf of the city of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks organization, we all say, CONGRATULATIONS BROOKLYN!!
Sharks Clinch Playoff Berth -- 2/11/2013
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks secured their spot in the playoffs with a 5-4 win over Las Vegas last week. It was the fifth win in a row for the team that started the season 0-2 and currently sits at 10-5.
"We battled all year" said GM Richardson. "We made a lot of different moves to get to where we are now. It's never easy trading a guy like Chris Paul, but we have young man named Jrue Holiday who we will try to re-sign next season. He's a rising star in this league and we like what he brings to the table."
All season, Tampa Bay was aggressive in the trade market. The deal that involved long-time franchise centerpiece Chris Paul, had reciprocating results that, when the dust settled, brought Ty Lawson, Shawn Marion, and DeAndre Jordan to Tampa Bay and provided significant depth to a team that had a lackluster bench all season.
The train didn't stop there; no quite the opposite. After trading star center, Pau Gasol for Spencer Hawes, Marcus Thornton, and a 2014 draft pick, Tampa Bay seemed all but playing for the future. However, Hawes has stepped up and Gasol has gone down. This move brought more depth to the Bull Sharks and has made them one of the deepest teams in the playoffs.
"Their team is hard to figure out," said one NBA GM League executive. "They don't have that big name, like Chris Paul, anymore. But, they do have a very productive group of guys. When you have a backcourt of Holiday and Lawson, and a frontcourt of Pierce, Nowitzki, Marion, not to mention guys like DeAndre, Kofus, Hawes, and Manu, and this team is scary. The biggest thing will be whether or not this hybrid group of youth and vets can stay healthy throughout the playoffs."
GM Richardson resonated these comments in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
"It comes down to health and productivity. I'd like to think we have the bodies readily able to fill a void if a guy goes down, but the one caveat to our team is that we do have guys that are good, but streaky players. I don't mind streaky players, as long as their on a hot streak in the playoffs... And as long as their on my team," Richardson said.
When asked about their potential first round match-up against Houston or Brooklyn, Richardson said that he would "feel confident against either team, but both teams pose different challenges."
"We have generally not had great success against Brooklyn," Richardson said. "We got lucky against them a few weeks ago, because CP was out. We beat them in the playoffs during our title run last season, but they aren't the same team. I know their record doesn't necessarily reflect it, but quite honestly, I think that Brooklyn has the best team in this league. Hands down. Top to bottom, that team is stacked."
A "stacked" team or not, Tampa Bay has a tough challenge ahead whether it is Brooklyn or South Division rival, Houston.
"We've been here before," said star forward, Dirk Nowitzki. "Last year, we barely made it into the playoffs. We limped through the season last year, but turned it on come playoff time. We're ready to step up again."
The team will need to play their best basketball to date, because this year, there is no clear front-runner that is in the playoffs. There is no one team that seems to have a great advantage over another.
"It's going to be interesting," Nowitzki said. "Stay tuned."
Sharks Make Splash, Land Jordan and Marion -- 12/18/12
After the Bull Sharks traded franchise centerpiece, Chris Paul, last week to Brooklyn, many executives around the NBA though that this was the beginning of a small rebuilding project for the team.
However, just days after the blockbuster deal involving the games best point guard, Tampa Bay has flipped two of the assets they received in that deal (Thomas Robinson and BRK 2014 pick) in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and Shawn Marion.
GM Richardson confirmed the trade by phone this morning:
"We told the people of Tampa that we would rebuild and remain competitive and I still think we are doing that. DeAndre (Jordan) is under contract until 2016. He is young, talented, and helps us with our rebounding, FG percentage, and blocks. We liked his future more than we liked Robinson's. We still think Thomas (Robinson) has a bright future ahead of him, but when you have a team that is on the cusp like ours is right now, you owe it to the guys who are playing hard and we owe it to our fans to try and win a second straight championship."
When asked if he truly believes he has one of the best teams in the league and can compete against the 7-0 teams like Brooklyn, Houston, and Utah, Richardson gave the following response:
"I absolutely think we can. What we have to remember is that we have not had Dirk Nowitzki all season. He's close to returning and will be a HUGE boost for us. We've also got Pau (Gasol) coming back and we even though we lost Chris Paul, we improved our bench, which improves our team as a whole. The moves we made were methodically thought out and we executed them so that we would be primed to make another run."
"It's still early in the season," Richardson continued. "We hope to stay healthy all year, but we can't know that now. That's part of the reason we wanted to bring some depth in here. Our starting 7 is lethal when healthy and I do mean lethal. Holiday, Lawson, Pierce, Dirk, Gasol, Ginobli, and DeAndre or Marion. Coupled with our strong bench made up of Stuckey, Shannon Brown,E'Twaun, Barnes, Gooden, and Koufos... We have a deep and dangerous line up."
And though things appear to be shaping up for the Bull Sharks right now, don't expect them to pump the brakes anytime soon. Richardson hinted that while "no deals were imminent," things can come together quickly and if the Sharks find a deal they like, expect them to pursue it.
For now, we must wait and see if this new unit can mesh and hopefully stay healthy so that the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks can keep the championship in this Gulf Coast city.
Bull Sharks Pull Trigger, Trade Franchise Player --- 12/13/2012
In a move that caught many off guard, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have traded franchise player, Chris Paul to the Brooklyn Nets.
The deal is pending league approval.
Paul, who was the first player signed by the Bull Sharks back in 2009 (then known as the New Orleans Hornets), was the focal point of this team for the past three plus years and was a pivotal piece to their title run last season.
In exchange for the All-NBA point guard, the Sharks got a young PG/SG in Ty Lawson, Thomas Robinson (#4 overall pick in last years draft), and a 2014 pick from Brooklyn.
Chris Paul was in the final year of his deal with the team that had such high aspirations entering the season, Tampa Bay felt it was best to retool with additional assets.
"It wasn't easy to move Chris Paul," GM Richardson said in a press conference after the trade was announced.
"We had the number one point guard in the game. One of the best NBA players in the game. But we had to be realistic with our expectations moving forward. We would have used our last re-sign on CP and it would have taken a substantial amount of money to retain him. We have been in an awkward spot all season. We haven't been where we need to be as a team and our record reflects that," Richardson went onto say as he placed both hands on the podium and drew a deep breath.
"We talked with [him] about it and he knew that being traded was a possibility. We spoke with a few different teams, tried all sorts of different combinations that would bring us assets for future success. After failed talk after failed talk, we talked with Brooklyn, who, at first, did not seem like a potential trade partner. When Ty Lawson and Thomas Robinson were brought to the table, we had to really stop and think about the direction of our team. My promise to the fans has always been that I will put a competitive product on the floor. Trading Chris (Paul) does not make us non-competitive. If you look at the numbers, Ty (Lawson) produces numbers that are slightly below Paul's averages. Coupled with the fact that we are going to experience significant financial savings and that we got a young big man and a draft pick...I'd say we did OK.
Are we in a better place than we were to start the season? You tell me. We have Lawson under contract through next season and Robinson is in his rookie year. I think that we will be just fine."
The Bull Sharks have also been rumored to shopping Pau Gasol.
"Listen," Richardson said, "Pau is still an important piece to our organization. We consider him necessary to another title run. We just need him to get healthy. His numbers will bounce back. He will be fine."
Before leaving the stage, one report asked the General Manager if this was the last move we will see out of the Bull Sharks for a while. Richardson smirked and said, "I highly doubt that."
Nowitzki Still Sidelined, Return Possible in Mid-December --- 11/21/2012
Tampa Bay Bull Sharks star power forward, Dirk Nowitzki, announced that he is still a couple of weeks away from returning to the court. Nowitzki, recovering from knee surgery, said that he still needs a couple of weeks before he can resume basketball activities. Once that occurs, he will condition for two more weeks and could return to the court come mid-December.
The Sharks have been anxiously awaiting Nowitzki's return since they found out he was going to undergo a procedure in the offseason.
"It's always in the back of your mind," GM Richardson said as he addressed the press on Wednesday morning. "We want Dirk back healthy and for the entire season. If that means he needs to take a little more time to heal, then we are just fine with that."
Richardson was also asked if he was worried about the schedule and is team falling into too big of a hole while Nowitzki remains sidelined. "Of course," he said. "We said it from the start. We need this guy on the floor. We have nothing except for divisional games until he gets back. Atlanta this week, back to backs against Houston, Orlando, Memphis. It is going to be very, very difficult to win all of those games. We are going to have to play our best basketball and as equally important, stay healthy during this run. Our hope is that by the time that Dirk gets back that we are at or near the top of the division. The absolute worst case scenario is that we are hanging on by a thread when he gets back. If that's the case, we will have some serious re-evaluating to do."
We remain around 4 weeks until the German star will take the floor for the Bull Sharks. The team is going to have to play their best ball while they await Nowitzki's return.
Sharks Break Through, Win First of Season -- 11/19/2012
It took two weeks, but the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are on the board, getting their first win of the season against the Toronto Raptors. It came down to the final hours of Sunday night, but the Sharks fought hard to hang on to a 5-4 win.
"It's nice to see one in the other column," GM Richardson said about the team's first win. "We knew we'd struggle early on. We are not even close to where we want to be as a team. We've got guys still not playing their best ball, guys sidelined with injuries. We'll get there."
GM Richardson's optimism is not unwarranted, but is the team being too casual with their slow start? After all, they started 0-2 last season and look what happened. But this year feels different. There is more angst and uncertainty with the team this season.
"Again, we didn't expect Drew (Gooden) to ride the pine. We also expected a health Chandler. That is why we brought these guys in. We are playing beaten and battered, but once things turn around, we should be just fine," Richardson went onto say.
Tampa Bay is in a unique situation where they will have to decide how much water the ship can take, before it begins to sink. For now, they're above water, but just barely.
Richardson was asked if he expects any moves to be made in the near future.
"You never know," he said. "If an opportunity comes up and we think it can improve us now and moving forward, we'll certainly consider it. I don't think anyone on our team is untouchable, but that doesn't mean that they are available."
The Bull Sharks have a tough battle against division rival Atlanta this week. The teams have battled it out over the past few seasons and we expect a brawl this week.
Sharks Stumble in Season Opener -- 11/5/12
In what was a very big, week 1 matchup, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks fell 5-4 to the Orlando Magic.
"We take it with a grain of salt," GM Richardson said in a press conference Monday morning. "Listen, it's the first week of the season. Neither team was playing their best game. I expect that will change going forward, but it just wasn't our week."
But is there cause for concern in Tampa?
"No. Absolutely not," Richardson said. "We started the season plagued with injuries. Dirk is out (knee), Manu played in one game, and Stuckey is battling migraines. We are also easing Wilson (Chandler) back into the rotation and there's been a drop in the minutes for Gooden. If Manu plays an extra quarter or half, we probably get the 6 points it would have taken to win this match-up. If we can compete at this level being this short-staffed, I am excited to see what we do when our team is healthy."
It's true. This is a scary team when healthy, but when will that be? And for how long? Nowitzki should be back in a couple of weeks and Ginobli appears to be fully healed, but the health of others, such as Chandler and Stuckey are equally as important for this Bull Sharks team.
"We lost the first two last season. We weren't healthy. We finished 6-4 and got into the playoffs. We won a championship, because we got healthy at the right time. Let's just play out the season and see what happens," concluded Richardson.
For now, the Sharks start 0-1 for only the second time in the team's existence. The last time they started 0-1, they won a championship. If this team can get healthy and play their game, we don't expect to see them hovering near the .500 margin. This team is a sleeping giant and it's just a matter of time before things start to click for the reigning champs.
Bull Sharks Looking to Reload for Repeat 7/10/12
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have had a busy offseason. After winning the 2011-12 NBA Championship, the Bull Sharks decided to retool and make a run for another title.
Tampa Bay picked up the 2013 option of star point guard, Chris Paul, and re-signed veteran forward, Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki was the teams' only re-sign this offseason.
The Sharks made a huge splash by trading big men, Amare Stoudemire and Andrew Bogut, in a three-team deal that sent Rodney Stuckey and Pau Gasol to Tampa Bay. However, Tampa Bay wasn't done with just this move.
Today, the team traded their 2013 draft pick (acquired from GS) in exchange for Wilson Chandler and Drew Gooden. This acquisition was "pivotal" for the organization, according to GM Richardson.
"We lobbied over that pick, knowing we wanted to have it in our back pocket as a contingency in the event things didn't pan out for us. But, to be honest, we have so much confidence in this team, that we are ready to mortgage future picks if it means acquiring valuable assets that could lead to a repeat."
Richardson spoke emphatically as he addressed the media at the team's practice facility in St. Petersburg, Florida.
"We brought in two guys who are consistent, on favorable contracts, and can contribute in categories where we need help. Drew (Gooden) and Chan (Wilson Chandler) will play big roles on this team. They are a part of something special and without them, we probably wouldn't have a great shot at repeating. As long as everyone stays healthy, I would call our most recent move the most critical move we've made so far" Richardson concluded before exiting the gym for the locker room.
Richardson's statements echo what the rest of the organization believes and that is that health is the biggest factor if this team is going to repeat. As for now, Tampa Bay has a few more moves to make before filling out their roster. Expect the team to be aggressive once player's can start signing. If the Bull Sharks make a couple of correct moves in Free Agency, this team is going to arguably be the most dangerous team in the league.
Lockout Ends; Sharks Start Season
In what seemed to be a never ending battle between the players and owners, the NBA lockout has ended after nearly 6 months of negotiations, criticisms, and stubborness. Having the NBA back means that it is time for the Bull Sharks to get back to work.
The Sharks elected not to pick up the option of Vince Carter and have decided to let Nazr Mohammed, JR Smith, and Delonte West test the free agent market. The Sharks, however, have decided to re-sign veteran and reliable scorer, Paul Pierce. Pierce said in a statement early Thursday morning, "I am excited to be back. We came close last year. Too close. This team was built to win last year, we are built to win now and we are built to win in the future. And that, my friends, is the TRUTH."
With nine of their fourteen roster spots full and right around $8 million to spend in free agency, teams around the league wonder how the Sharks will be able to add to what is already a potent lineup.
"We've got to be aggressive," GM Richardson said in a phone call with NBA TV. "It started by moving Charlie. He was massively overpaid, and that was our fault, for the little production we got from him. Having Matt (Bonner) come in and do the little things that help win a championship will be huge to our success this season." Richardson was referring to the trade that brought Matt Bonner to Tampa and sent Charlie Villanueva and a 2013 pick to Chicago.
"We've got to be careful in free agency this season. We are a critical point for our franchise. We have a lot of guys under contract for the next one to two years, so our time to make an impact on the league is now. We are all in. We've been all in. Now is the time to see how we can perfect our team going into the season, while also sitting back and watching what other teams do. Either way, this will be an interesting, though be it short, season."
Fans are certainly excited to have the NBA back and we here in Tampa are looking forward to the product that GM Richardson will be putting on the court this season. In the minds of many, this could be the year that Tampa Bay gets the title they have been chasing the past two seasons.
Round Two: Sharks Survive
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks had a late season scare as they hung on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 5-4. The two teams were tied 4-4-1 going into the final game Sunday night. Both teams had one player going; the Sharks, recently acquired, Amare Stoudemire and Al Horford for Atlanta. Horford had a poor showing with only 6 points and 4 rebounds. Stoudemire, on the other hand, exploded for 16 points and 10 rebounds.
This was a battle of the two perennial powers of the South Division. Tampa Bay won the previous match-up 6-3 and that too was one that went down to the wire.
Tampa Bay enters the final two weeks of the season with the South Division locked up and have assured themselves of a top 2 seed in the East. The Sharks are now battling for the best record in the East and the best record in the league. They remain among the top 4 teams with a 15-1 record (Brooklyn, Oklahoma City, Utah). The Sharks have Memphis and Orlando remaining and are hoping to enter the playoffs at an astounding 17-1 (1 loss to Brooklyn).
"We could easily be undefeated at this point," GM Richardson said. "We didn't have Brandon (Jennings) or Dirk (Nowitzki) when we played Brooklyn. Those are two important guys to our success. On the other hand, we could have two, maybe three losses. Atlanta played us tough, Kansas City played us tough; we've had some luck."
Lucky or not, the Sharks have made some big moves over the past week. The acquisitions of Amare Stoudemire and Paul Pierce are moves that GM Richardson is hoping will pay off. "We get two elite, established players with these guys. I'd say we upgraded. If you look at our lineup top to bottom, I don't think that any other team has a better top 7." And he may be right. The Sharks top 7 consists of Chris Paul, Manu Ginobli, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut.
Tampa Bay has made serious move to put them in the best possible spot to win a championship this year. "I think we're done," Richardson said when asked if there would be any other moves. "But you never know. If something catches our eye and we think it makes us better, we'll definitely take a look at it."
Tampa Stays Busy, Despite All-Star Festivities
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks, a team that has stated since the season started that they want to win a championship this season, made some big moves over the All-Star Break weekend. Tampa traded David Lee and Kyle Lowry to inter-division rival, Orlando in exchange for superstar, Amare Stoudemire and cash considerations. The move, which came as a surprise to many Shark fans, is a move that stabilizes a Tampa team for years to come.
"Any time you can get Amare Stoudemire and only give up one long-term guy and one expiring contract, a contract that would not have been re-signed, it's a no brainer -- you have to do it," said GM Richardson at the Stoudemire press conference. "We liked what David (Lee) did for us these past two season; he was one of our most consistent guys and is responsible for the success we have experienced since joining the league," Richardson went onto say.
It comes with little surprise that this was a hard move for Tampa Bay to make. Lowry, who is arguably playing at an All-Star level, has been a bright spot in the Tampa Bay rotation this season. However, having little desire to re-sign a point guard when Chris Paul and Brandon Jennings are locked up long-term, the team was ready to let Lowry walk at the end of the season. It then came down to who would you rather have: Amare Stoudemire or David Lee? The team elected Stoudemire and look for Amare's MVP caliber season to continue in the second half.
The Bull Sharks also received Lou Williams in exchange for Marvin Williams and a 2012 draft pick (via Brooklyn). The Sharks saved $1.8 million in this deal and get a PG/SG in Lou Williams.
Tampa Bay seems to have put themselves in a great position for a championship run this season. If they can stay healthy and get production from their deep lineup, they will be a very difficult to beat in the playoffs.
BREAKING NEWS: Sharks Closing in on Stoudemire
SI.com is reporting that the Bull Sharks have agreed to trade Kyle Lowry and David Lee to the Magic in exchange for Amare Stoudemire and cash considerations. GM Richardson could not be reached for comment. The Tampa Tribune will continue to bring you updates as they come in.
Sharks Continue to Make Waves
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks defeated the playoff bound Kansas City Knights 7-2 this week. This victory marked the Sharks fourth win in a row, since losing to Brooklyn in week nine. However, more important than the victory this week were the moves that Tampa Bay made to their roster.
Brandon Jennings returned to action on Saturday and though he did not post an eye popping stat line, the return of his presence to the Sharks lineup is certainly welcomed. The other noteworthy roster move is the trade that Tampa Bay made with Minnesota. The Sharks traded the under-performing Anthony Parker and a 2011 draft pick for JR Smith and cash considerations. The move seems to have been a wise move by GM Richardson, as JR Smith posted 23 points and 9 boards in his first game with the team.
"We felt that it was a move we had to make," said GM Richardson in a phone call with the Tampa Tribune. "Anthony has not been healthy, his minutes have been limited, and we simply like the production and potential of JR more than we did for AP."
And potential is right. JR Smith brings that game changing potential that Anthony Parker does not have. "He can go off on any given night," said Head Coach Detlef Schrempf. "He'll be a great guy to play behind Vince (Carter) and Manu (Ginobli)."
The Sharks continue their red hot streak and we wouldn't be surprised if they make another move or two in the near future to solidify the roster and make their playoff push.
Nets Stop Sharks Surge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks suffered their first loss of the season last week, losing 6-2-1 to the Brooklyn Nets. The Sharks and Nets provided an intriguing match-up and a possible sneak peak at what the Eastern Conference Finals match-up might look like. Despite the loss, the Sharks personnel remain upbeat about the team's chances of making a strong playoff run this year.
"Look at who was missing this week," Coach Detlef Schrempf said. "We only got one quarter out of Dirk this week. He missed four and three quarters worth of games this week. Dirk is a critical part of our team, hell, he could be our MVP up to this point and to not have his production hurts. That's 30 rebounds and 4 blocks that we lose during the week. Not to mention that we lose almost 100 (referring to Nowitzki's average PPG) over the week."
The Sharks were also missing point guard Brandon Jennings. Jennings, a guy who averages 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, has been a big contributor to the Sharks offense and defense this season.
"It was a rough week to get hit with injuries," GM Richardson said. "I'm not making excuses for our loss, nor am I saying we would have won had Dirk, Jennings and Marvin (Williams) played. All I am saying is that it would have been an entirely different match-up."
And he is right.
"We are right where we want to be. We are always looking to improve our team and if we can find a piece that fits into what we are trying to do, then we will make a move. If you asked me today if I felt comfortable going into the playoffs with our roster, I would say, you're damn right I do. We'll see how it shakes out over the next few weeks."
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are looking to bounce back this week against a tough Washington Wizards (6-2) team. If they can right the ship and get back on track, then the Sharks will have a legitimate shot at obtaining the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sharks Stay Unbeaten
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks improved to 8-0 on the season with a victory over the Boston Celtics this past week. However, the Sharks were not as dominant in this victory as they have been recently.
"We had a short week," Coach Schrempf said in his Sunday press conference. "Brandon was out and our guys did not play all that well. It's something that happens during the season; guys get banged up, you get weeks with fewer games, and you get stretches where our stars struggle a little bit. It's just one of those things you have to push through and do your best to secure the victory."
The Sharks are undoubtedly a top three team in this league, but with Brooklyn's rout of Houston this past week, the team is in for perhaps its biggest test of the season next week. Brooklyn (7-1) was the preseason favorite to win the Eastern Conference and will provide the biggest obstacle for Tampa Bay to emerge out of the Eastern Conference. The Nets seem to be clicking on all cylinders and if the Sharks plan on coming out victorious, they will have to bring a better game than they did this week.
Tampa Rolls; Jennings Out
The Bull Sharks won their seventh game of the season this week, improving to 7-0 on the season. They stand only with OKC as the only undefeated teams left in the league.
The Sharks led the league in points, steals, assists, rebounds, and 3pm in week 7. They have clearly proven that they can win and win handily.
The mid-week acquisition of Anthony Parker -- and consequent waiver of Will Bynum -- was a move that GM Richardson thought could payoff down the stretch.
"We needed to bring in a guy who could produce. Will was not getting the job done for us. Anthony is a guy who we can rotate in for Manu and Vince when they need nights off."
The release of Will Bynum leaves the Sharks with three active point guards (Paul, Jennings and Lowry). However, the team took a devastating blow when Brandon Jennings went down last week with a fractured metatarsal in his left foot. He will be out 4-6 weeks.
Sharks Stay Hot
In one of their most anticipated early season match-ups, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks held off the Toronto Raptors, winning 6-3. The Sharks had a balanced attack, getting big performances from somewhat unexpected players like Kyle Lowry and Vince Carter.
The Sharks trailed until late Thursday evening, when they made their push against the Raptors. Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh and Kris Humphries made the rebound battle difficult for the Sharks, as they lost that category by 5.
"Well, they've got guys that can flat out clean the boards," Coach Detlef Schrimpf said in a post-game interview. "We've got guys that can go get it, but with the way Pau cleans the glass, you know you are in for a battle with a team like that."
The Sharks, now 6-0, are one of two undefeated teams left in the league (Oklahoma City Thunder). The Tampa Bay win, coupled with the Atlanta loss now gives the Sharks a 3 game lead in the South Division. The Sharks seem to be clicking on all cylinders and will do battle this week against the Charlotte Bobcats, followed by a trip to Boston in week 8.
Arguably, the most anticipated and intriguing match-up comes in week 9 when the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks take on the Brooklyn Nets (5-1). These two teams were considered early front runners for the Eastern Conference Finals, with the winner being the early favorite for the NBA Finals. However, there have been many surprising teams that are fighting every week and will pose challenges to these two powerhouse clubs.
Only time will tell what the season has in store for this Tampa team, but one thing is for sure, they play hard and have taken care of business every week so far this season.
Sharks Continue Surge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks picked up their fourth win of the season this week as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 7-2. Dirk Nowitzki and Manu Ginobli had huge weeks to help keep the team perfect on the season.
The Bull Sharks did not have two of their prominent big men: Andrew Bogut or David Lee this week. "It's tough," said head coach Detlef Schrimpf. "We lose all those rebounds those guys get us, not to mention the blocks that Andrew gets us and the points the David is capable of putting up."
GM Richardson chimed in on the teams undefeated start. "It's a good way to get out of the gate-- winning these divisional games that we need and are supposed to win. If we can continue to take care of business week by week our team is scary. We've been banged up--David and Vince haven't been healthy in a few weeks, now Bogut is banged up-- but we are still winning. We are constantly looking at how we can make our team better via Free Agency and Trades, but the way I see it is that when we get a healthy David and a healthy Vince, a healthy Bogut, those are like making trades. We've got Orlando next week and it's about that time I wrap this press conference up so I can get to Universal and ride Jurassic Park before we get down to business."
The Bull Sharks will do battle against the 1-3 Orlando Magic next week. The Magic have a capable team, but have struggled this season. Regardless, it should be an interesting matchup to watch.
Sharks Survive Against Hawks
In a battle that was an early season showdown, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks took down the defending league champion Atlanta Hawks.
Tampa Bay got out to a slow start early in the week as they trailed 5-4 going into Friday. However, big weeks from Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Jennings helped seal the Hawks fate as Tampa Bay took care of them, winning 6-3.
"It's never easy playing a division rival," GM Richardson said. "Atlanta arguably has the best team in the league. They are the defending champs and while this is a huge win for our club, it's just one win. We've got to focus on Memphis this week and we've got to make sure that we keep playing good basketball and continue to fight and take it one game at a time."
Things should get easier for the Bull Sharks this week if David Lee gets cleared to return to the court. Lee, who has missed time for the past two weeks due to surgery to remove an elbow infection, is eager to return to the court.
"It hurts. It definitely hurts," GM Richardson said about not having Lee in this past match-up. "We got lucky that D Wade missed a game last week. That made things a little easier. It would have been good to have seen both teams at full strength so that we could better judge where our team is right now. I'm happy though. We didn't play our best ball, but we found ways to win and that is all you can ask for in this league."
The Bull Sharks return home to take on interdivision rivals, Memphis Grizzles (1-2) and the Orlando Magic (1-2) over the next two weeks.
"These next two match-ups are critical to our season. We could really separate ourselves from the pack if we can take care of business in these series," Richardson went onto say. "It's exciting where our team is. As long as we stay healthy, we are can compete with anyone. And how knows, maybe we have a few tricks up our sleeve."
TAMPA'S TIME SEEMS TO BE NOW
The city of Tampa is buzzing about the revamped Bull Sharks team that GM Richardson and Coach Detlef Schrempf are putting out on the court this season. The team, which might seem similar to last season, has undergone drastic changes since the playoff series loss to the Hawks last year.
Core players, such as Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, David Lee and Brandon Jennings are still around, however, the pieces around them have changed considerably. The team re-signed Manu Ginobli this past offseason and elected not to bring back Louis Scola. Of the 14 players on the roster at the end of last season, only 6 remain this season.
GM Richardson got aggressive this offseason. He went out and traded for Vince Carter (whose contract expires at the end of this season). He traded David West, a key contributor last year, to acquire a dominant center in Andrew Bogut. Richardson strengthened the bench when he traded the disappointing Hedo Turkoglu for DeJuan Blair and then moved Blair in the deal to acquire the consistent veteran, Tayshaun Prince. Richardson proceeded to swap his old, unproductive bench players for new pieces. Through free agency, the Bull Sharks signed Charlie Villanueva, Will Bynum and Rasual Butler.
On paper, it seems as if Tampa Bay is much stronger this season in comparison to last year. "We had a good year, not a great year," said GM Richardson when asked about his thoughts on last season. "We are always looking to improve," he went onto say, "whether you can bring in a young kid that is ready to break through or whether it means bringing in proven veterans, which is what we have done here. You try to put the best team on the court night in and night out. People were calling for my head when they saw that I brought Vince in here. They said he was old, injured, done. Well, Vince did a great job last season and we are paying less than twenty-five percent of his salary this year. So you tell me who won."
Richardson is undoubtedly confident entering this season, but it won't be a smooth ride for the seemingly powerhouse lineup.
"Absolutely not," Richardson said when asked if they were the team to beat in the South and in the overall Eastern Conference. "As far as I am concerned, as far as we're concerned, we have to first get through our division. Atlanta won it last year, so it is their spot to lose. We have the two best point guards (Paul and Williams) in our division. Atlanta moved some key pieces this offseason and getting Deron was a huge move for their club. We also look at all the other teams--Memphis has young talent and could see multiple guys breakout this year. And we cannot overlook teams like Houston and Orlando. Hell, if we even get out of the division, teams like Brooklyn seem all but poised to make the finals this year. Regardless, we are going to go out and play our kind of ball on a nightly basis and we believe the rest will take care of itself. I think we are right where we need to be and if we aren't, well then we will make adjustments. It just seems like if we want to get a title, we have to do it sooner rather than later since our team is getting up there in age. So, uh, there it is."
Richardson's confidence gives the city of Tampa hope and this franchise could bring a title to the west coast of Florida this season. The season is here and the players are ready. The only question is whether the pieces will fit and if they do, watch out for this team.
August 9, 2019
There’s a storm brewing in the waters of Tampa Bay and it isn’t a summer hurricane. The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are back and they’ve made their intentions very clear: bring a fourth championship to the city.
Last season was an odd year for Tampa Bay. At times, the team seemed dedicated towards a soft rebuild - they had drafted Deandre Ayton and loaded up on one year rentals who we thought would be flipped for picks. But the Bull Sharks were competitive. They smelled blood in the water and the decision was to go all in and try to win the east.
The team made a flurry of deadline moves to acquire the likes of Jusuf Nurkic, Khris Middleton, Joe Ingles, and Kyle Lowry. It was an arms race that Tampa appeared to have won and they looked like the team to beat going into the playoffs.
Their first round opponent were the up and coming and dangerous Boston Celtics. The Celtics were clicking on all cylinders until Joel Embiid went down with an injury. The Bull Sharks seized this opportunity and defeated a surging Boston team to make it to the next round.
Waiting for the Bull Sharks in the Eastern Conference Finals was a familiar foe: the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets had a deep team fueled by James Harden and Lebron James, but the Bull Sharks entered the matchup with confidence as they had beaten the Nets earlier in the season. However, Brooklyn’s star power proved to be too much for the Sharks and they did something they’ve never done before - they lost in the conference finals.
“It was a bittersweet moment,” GM Richardson said after the loss. “We’ve been here - in the conference finals - 3 times before and had never lost. We didn’t expect to lose this time. It seems like one way or another, it’s always us against Brooklyn at some point in the playoffs. The silver lining in this whole thing is that we realized our team wasn’t as far away from another championship as we originally thought before the season. If anything, I think this loss gave us momentum to go out and build an even better contender for the 2019-2020 season.”
And that they did. The Bull Sharks have had a busy offseason. One that has seen a transfer of assets in a short amount of time.
Tampa Bay elected to re-sign swingman Khris Middleton. They moved Gary Harris for the 11th pick in the draft. They made a bold move in trading the 6th pick in the draft for Cousins and Sexton, before flipping Sexton and Doumbouya (11th pick) for Zach Lavine.
“We knew we wanted Zach back,” Richardson said. “He was a key piece of our previous championship run and a guy we loved when we drafted him. He’s proved us right for seeing his potential and wrong for trading him away. But he’s here now and he’s signed long term and we feel like we didn’t have to sell the farm to bring him back.”
Lavine has quickly turned into one of the more dynamic guards in the NBA. He scores and gets to the rim at will and has developed his three point shooting over the last couple of seasons.
“After getting Middleton re-upped, we knew we had to target Zach,” Richardson went onto say. “There was so much money in the FA market and we thought Lavine fit our mold - with his age, production, and contract - better than a lot of guys on the market.”
Once the team got the deal done for Lavine, it was time for free agency. With so many teams having an abundance of money, the market was poised to be a bloodbath. That is, until Nikola Jokic was unsuccessfully re-signed and became an unrestricted free agent. That cleared out nearly $30 million in free agency dollars, but the Tampa Bay still faced an uphill battle.
“We had 7 spots to fill and a little over $16 million to do it,” Richardson said. “We’re good, but we recognized that we would have to be very deliberate with our strategy. We couldn’t get sucked into a bidding war and we could not commit to overpaying for future years. We needed to find a balance. We needed to find a diamond in the rough. Or we needed to get things done another way.”
The Bull Sharks zeroed in on veteran guys - signing Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley, and Jeff Green to the tune of $750,000 total. The team also brought in Davis Bertans for the minimum and Jeff Teague on a one year deal.
“We wanted to focus on guys who we were comfortable in knowing what their roles would be, said Richardson. “Looking at these guys, the vets in particular, and you know what they’ll give you. And that production for the minimum will be key to future moves we make. It’ll be key to getting solid production without breaking the bank. When you’re strapped for cash, these are the signings you have to make. You just have to. And we feel damn good about these guys.”
As the free agency pool drained, there were only a few guys left in play for the Bull Sharks and their $10 million in the bank. However, the one thing you’ve got to remember is that a Bull Shark is a dangerous super predators. And dangerous super predators will attack when you least expect it. While there was money in the bank to go after the remaining free agents, the Bull Sharks has their sights set on someone else. Someone who could be a franchise centerpiece for years to come. A player who one rival GM described as “the best big man in the game.” A player by the name of Karl-Anthony Towns.
Tampa Bay shook the league when they traded Deandre Ayton and a draft pick for Towns, despite this being Towns last year under contract.
“We know he’s going to cost us, but he’s worth every penny,” Richardson told reporters. “Ayton is a phenomenal talent and player in his own right, but when you have an opportunity to get a guy like KAT, you have to do it. This is a star powered league. Stars win championships. And while we believe Ayton will be a star one day, we see where Towns is now - and he’s next level. We had room in the budget to make this deal work - thankfully we didn’t have it tied up in the market - and Towns is a guy who will come in and help us across the board in so many areas. I am excited to see what he does this year and we fully expect him to be even better this year. He’s only 23 for crying out loud!”
With the addition of Towns, the productive free agency, and the set-up trades earlier in the summer, the Bull Sharks look poised to not only compete for the East, but for their fourth championship as well.
However, it won’t be easy. Brooklyn and Boston are stronger too. The west is shaping up to be the most competitive it’s been I quite some time as well. As the season unfolds, look for these teams to make even more moves - and that includes the Bull Sharks.
“We’re playing for now and we’re playing for sustainability,” Richardson said. “The time for rebuilding, retooling, and reloading has passed. We’re ready for the challenges we will face this year and our goal is to compete at the highest level. I want other teams to feel pressure. I want them to know we are out here lurking. Can’t you feel us circling? Can’t you see us swimming around?”
Like the Movies, the Third Was the Worst
March 28, 2017
Three time champion. The most championships in league history. The reigning champions. Back to back reigning champions.
A goal to accomplish a feat that had only been attempted (unsuccessfully) by one other team before: 3-Peat.
That was what the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks focus going into the season. They were hungrier than ever, made some impactful moves, all with the mindset that getting this fourth championship in 6 years and third in a row, would be worth the sacrifices they had to make.
The team wanted to cement they're place in history as being the first team to ever win three consecutive championships. But that goal was smashed and the Bull Sharks failed to even make the NBA Finals. They didn't even get their chance at winning three in a row.
"I would like to start by saying congratulations to the Washington Wizards on putting together a great team. They earned and deserve their trip to the finals. Hats off to them and congrats to Houston as well," Bull Sharks GM Richardson told the Tampa Tribune.
"We knew that winning the third would be the most difficult, but we also felt like we had the deepest and most potent team of any of our championship runs," he went onto say.
The Bull Sharks, on paper, looked like the perennial favorite to win it all again. Notably, the acquisitions of Carmelo Anthony and Marcin Gortat seemed to be exactly the kind of moves the team should make.
One trade, however, came with a steep price. Tampa Bay traded young talent in Zach Lavine for one year of Anthony.
"Giving up Zach was hard. We were high on him since draft night. We knew his potential was through the roof, but we were hoping to squeeze a better year out of Melo." Richardson continued, "this franchise is aggressive. We always have been. We play for the now with an eye on the future. And sometimes we play for the future with an eye on the now."
The Bull Sharks will see several players become free agents this year - Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Marcus Morris, Marcin Gortat, Wes Matthews, and even Russell Westbrook. The team will ultimately re-sign Westbrook, but a decision will have to be made as to whether or not the team uses their final re-sign on Anthony.
"We will certainly sit down with Carmelo and find out where his interests lie. We will absolutely consider it. He's a hell of a player," Richardson said.
The Bull Sharks, who, at 14-2, finished first in the conference, never seemed to fully click this season.
"You can finish in first, but that doesn't mean shit," Westbrook said when asked whether he was surprised given the team's regular season success.
"How many teams had at least 13 wins? There was no favorite. You're not the favorite because you won it last year," he continued.
The Bull Sharks had all the right tools in all the wrong places this season. While the team was too heavy with points and rebounds, they didn't get the type of production they needed in other areas. Blocks and steals was a critical weakness for this team, as was their shoot percentage. High volume guys like Westbrook, Anthony, and Wiggins contributed in many of the categories, but they also swung the FG category at times too. The problem was compounded when guys like Pau Gasol and Marcin Gortat didn't garner the type of block production that the team had been counting on.
"We fell short in too many areas," Richardson said. "And while we had depth, we didn't have the right kind of depth. We had great three point shooters, guys who could rebound, and score the ball, but we didn't have the thieve and rim protector that we desperately needed. We brought in Bogut to be that force, but he seemed to get injured when he was signing his name on the contract, so we knew what the rest of the season had in store for us."
Another struggle that the Bull Sharks had was a reliable second option behind Russell Westbrook at the point guard position. The team signed Patty Mills and JJ Barea early in the season and it seemed like a solid platoon option at the time. However, Barea dealt with injuries all year and could not be relied on because of his health. After waiving Mills earlier in the year, the Bull Sharks brought in Jameer Nelson who played exceptionally well for the team, albeit sporadically.
"We were hoping to find a guy who could fill in and get us steals and assists. We got some of that from Jameer, but the backup point guard position was a huge weakness for us. You think that kind of talent is easy to find? Or cheap? You know anyone else who can get 5 or 6 assists per game for what we bid for the job? Because if you can I'd love to see them try," Richardson said as he sipped his can of Coke.
As frustration built throughout the season, the Bull Sharks made plays at some big targets in trade talks with other teams.
"We had a deal for a prominent big man that would have been an asset for us, but we couldn't come to terms on the price and the deal never really went anywhere. Had a very good point guard in our crosshairs too, but the price was just too much."
The Bull Sharks two losses this season came against Memphis and Las Vegas. The team led the league in points and rebounds, ranked second in assists, fifth in 3PMs, but fell to the middle of the pack in blocks, steals, and FT%. They were near the bottom in FG and TOs.
The Bull Sharks, who knew they'd be in this position after the season, win or lose, now have to figure out a direction from here.
You know the first team I ever built when I came down south from Ohio? It was a Flea Circus New Orleans. Really quite wonderful. We had a wee trapeze, and a merry-go... carousel and a seesaw. They all moved, motorized of course, but people would say they could see the fleas. "Oh, I see the fleas, mummy! Can't you see the fleas?" Clown fleas and high wire fleas and fleas on parade... But with this team, I wanted to show fans something that wasn't an illusion. Something that was real, something that they could see and touch. An aim not devoid of merit," Richardson said as he sat at the long table as the gallon of ice cream sat right in front of him.
The Bull Sharks will not have a draft pick, barring a trade, in this years draft. They'll be forced to rebuild around Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Andrew Wiggins. The lack of a pick didn't seem to bother the teams GM, though.
"Oh yeah. Oooh, ahhh, that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and um, screaming...if the pick doesn't work out."
The time to think about the future is already underway. "When you gotta go, you gotta go," Richardson said. "We've gotta go. Now. We can't wait until this big beast is in our side mirror, chasing us down a beaten path. That could kill us. Eat us alive. You take the sting of the loss, thank the team for a lovely season, and move on."
As the championship winds down and the offseason approaches, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are hoping to not have a sequel as bad as this season. They have a loyal fan base and plan to rejuvenate it with new faces and exciting look moving forward.
"Look folks," Richardson said standing from the table. "It's time to ride off into the sunset - even though I should probably drive east in the direction of my house - ah ok the details, details. Point is, we close this chapter. The credits are rolling and the music is playing. Let's just see if we can break free and find a way to bring the title back to Tampa. It won't be easy and it'll be met with challenges, but we will not be contained. We will do whatever we have to to make it happen and well, uh, well there it is."
TAMPA BAY WINS THE EAST TO REACH THE FINALS FOR THIRD TIME; SHOWDOWN WITH HOUSTON LOOMS
March 20, 2016
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are Eastern Conference Champs for the third time in team history after an impressive 7-2 win over the Brooklyn Nets in the Conference Finals. The Bull Sharks, who won the East last season before ultimately winning the NBA Championship, will be going to the Finals for a third time. Tampa Bay is 2-0 in their previous Finals appearances.
The Bull Sharks will face the West Conference Champions, and top seed of the West, Houston Rockets. This match-up will be a fitting end to what has been one of the most competitive seasons in league history. The Bull Sharks lost to the Rockets in the season opener. Since losing their first two games, the Bull Sharks have rattled off 16 straight wins and have their sights set on another league championship.
"I am so proud of our guys and very happy for our city," GM Richardson told the press Sunday night. "Our hats go off to the Brooklyn Nets. In the three years we've made the Finals, we've always had to battle their tough squad. Back in 2012, we had to go through them in the Semis. Last year, we went down to the wire in the Eastern Conference Finals, barley hanging on. They are one of the toughest, most respected teams in the league and to survive in the playoffs against them means a lot to this organization."
The Bull Sharks and Nets were both considered favorites, as they seem to be every year, to make the Finals. This year, however, with two mostly healthy squads, we finally got the series we had been wanting to see all season. The Sharks jumped out to an early lead in rebounds and blocks, locking up two categories within the first week. Behind strong performances from Russell Westbrook (20.7 PPG, 11.3 APG, 8.9 RPG), LaMarcus Aldridge (23.9 PPG, 55% FG), and Marvin Williams (17.3 PPG, 3.1 3PM), the Bull Sharks proved to be too much even for the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Rajon Rondo.
"They (Brooklyn) have a talented team. Lots of guys who can hurt you," said LaMarcus Aldridge. "We had to elevate our game and we did. We had guys step up and I am excited for another chance to play for the championship."
"We've got a deep team. Certainly our deepest team to ever reach the Finals," GM Richardson went onto say. "We're also facing some injuries. Pau and Faried are both banged up. We hope to have them back, but we have to be ready for life without them. That means Marvin staying hot and Omer Asik stepping up.The Finals are the longest series of the playoffs, so we have to overcome any obstacle that comes our way."
And the Bull Sharks must be ready. They will be battling a Houston squad led by MVP candidates Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard.
Houston comes in with an equally impressive resume. They won the Midwest Divison and went 13-3 in the regular season (losses to Portland, Cleveland, and Kansas City) and they will be hungrier than ever, having lost to Las Vegas 5-4 in the Western Conference Finals last season.
As GM Richardson concluded his press conference, he had one final message for his team and for the fans of Tampa Bay: "This moment features two of the best, hell, the two best teams in the league. This moment is a moment that 18 other teams wish they were a part of right now. But most importantly, this moment isn't big enough for two teams, so it calls for one team to rise up and take control. We cannot let this moment be bigger than us - we must be bigger than this moment."
As the Bull Sharks move forward in hopes of securing their third championship in team history and becoming the team with the most titles in league history, they face perhaps their most challenging opponent to date.
With their fans and the city of Tampa behind them, the Bull Sharks will take the court Monday night as they embark on yet another, championship quest. As we look onward, we hope to see the Bull Sharks cutting down the nets and hanging another banner in Tampa Bay once this is all said and done.
TAMPA BAY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: ONE ON ONE WITH THE NETS GM
March 9, 2016
Over the last five seasons, either Tampa Bay or Brooklyn have represented the Eastern Conference in the Finals. In a collaboration with the New York Times, we are bringing you this unique piece to shed some insight on the Bull Sharks - Nets match-up. The Brooklyn Nets GM sat down with the Tampa Tribune for an exclusive interview:
1. Describe the type of season you've had.
I realize how this is going to sound, but this has been absolutely the most tumultuous season we've had since the league started. For the first time, I wasn't sure if this team was good enough to make the playoffs. I certainly didn't think they were good enough to make the finals. When we lost to Kansas City in week 6, dropping us to 3-3, I really didn't think we'd get in. It seems silly now, given the nine straight wins, but there was legitimate concern. Big Al was hurt, Vasquez was hurt, CP3 was hurt, the role players were seriously underachieving and both KD and Harden were playing good, not great, basketball. We knew your guys were going to kick our ass in two weeks, and we'd likely head in to the back half of the schedule at 4-4.
If you looked at our schedule in the final 8 games at that point in the season, it wasn't easy. Golden State and Toronto were really damn good, and we also had to face Washington, Atlanta, Chicago and Memphis, all of whom were fighting for playoff spots. I figured we had to get to 10 wins to make the playoffs, and I honestly wasn't sure how we were going to get 6 wins in those 8 games. Two things really helped push us over the top. First, we made the move for Rondo and Dirk. Losing Paul was tough, but we were able to net those two which helped shore up some problem areas for us. Second, we somehow went up to Toronto and knocked off the Raptors, getting us to within one game of the division lead. Because of the tiebreaker, we'd essentially knotted up the division race with six games left. That seemed out of the questions two weeks prior, given that we were three out with 8 to go, and a loss to Toronto would have locked things up for them.
Once we won that game, the whole perception changed. We suddenly felt like we were gaining steam rather than limping along. We still had to get past Chicago and Atlanta, but we knew if we did that, we'd almost assuredly make the playoffs. Fortunately, Chicago stopped setting lineups and we had four games of Harden and Durant against Atlanta. When Toronto lost to Portland, and we took the inside track for the division, it almost became a pride thing for us. In the grand scheme of things, the division was meaningless. We were going to play Toronto in the playoffs no matter what. But we knew we'd never lost the division before, and we wanted to keep that streak intact.
2. What two players on your roster this year have surprised you the most? One good, one bad.
The most pleasant surprise... that's tough. It's a toss-up between Henderson, Tucker and Canaan. Henderson was doing nothing for most of the season due to injury, but we couldn't waive him because we didn't want to take on that cap hit for multiple years. Fortunately, he's gotten healthy at the right time. Canaan has had his ups and downs, but he's really come on as of late. And Tucker has given us big games when we've needed them. On the flip side, Big Al has definitely been the most disappointing. It's not really his fault though. He's just been hampered by injuries.
3. What are your thoughts on last year's Nets-Bull Sharks playoff series?
Arguably the most exciting series I've been a part of. By the end of it, I couldn't even be disappointed because we really shouldn't have kept it that close. It wasn't nearly as devastating as 2012, though it could have been knowing we would have trounced Las Vegas in the final. I was sitting there watching Portland/Dallas on League Pass hoping against hope that Aminu wouldn't get a steal. Then praying to the basketball gods for Dirk to get one back. I still wonder what would have happened had Durant been healthy. Hell, this team is really two free throws and a steal away from four straight titles, which is crazy when you think about it. The margin for error in the postseason is so minuscule, it's remarkable.
4. Talk about the Kevin Durant foot injury and how it has played a factor in both your team's performance and long term outlook.
Long story short: KD's foot cost us a title last year. Not just because of the lost production, but because it opened the door for Russell Westbrook to go for broke. That was the big killer. Long-term, it made us a little more cautious. We tried to avoid going for broke, because we didn't want to end up in a position where one injury derails our season. Now, the KD injury didn't stop us from making the conference finals, but the goal isn't to make the conference finals. It's to win it all. We want to be able to put stopgaps in place in case something went wrong. To be honest, I'm not sure if we've accomplished this or not.
5. You made a bold move in trading Chris Paul for Rajon Rondo. But, you also seemed to be ready to tear it down in the middle of the season. Are your surprised that your team is one win from the finals? Were you ever serious about a full rebuild?
I am absolutely surprised that this team is back in the ECF. It helps to have Durant and Harden, but the way the role players have stepped up has been beyond anything we could have imagined. And yes, at one point in time, we were dead serious about a full rebuild. There was a trade in place that would have put that rebuild into motion, but it fell apart. Had that gone down, a second move would have been made ending all playoff hopes and loading this team with picks. Looking back now, I'm glad the deal didn't happen.
6. What are your thoughts on this year's conference finals match-up?
I think Tampa Bay is easily the favorite. They've won 15 straight. They whooped us this season. Beat us last year. They're the defending champions for a reason. I think they'll have a games played advantage, barring injuries. We're so reliant on our role players stepping up that, if they don't, we're really in trouble. Frankly, the only way I see us pulling off this series is if KD and Harden play like they did in the last series. They were out of their minds against Toronto. It's funny, I think this is the first time we've played one another and Tampa Bay has been the favorite, even though they've won two of the three match-ups. Maybe this year will be different. The last time Tampa Bay beat us, then won the title, we came back and beat them the following year... and ended up winning the title.
7. Can you give us your thoughts on the rivalry between these two franchises?
It is, hands down, the best rivalry in the league. It's almost like the Celtics-76ers rivalry from the 80s. The similarities are frightening. Not to mention any time you have two teams facing one another that have been in the finals in each of the last 6 years... there's a lot more at stake than just a finals berth here. It's bragging rights. It absolutely is personal, but its respectful. You've seen quite a few players that have played for both teams. There's just a mutual respect for the other franchise, and I think a lot of the guys realize that, when it's all said and done, their legacies are going to be intertwined. You're not going to be able to put into context Duran't career, or Harden's career, or Dirk's career without including these Tampa Bay series'. It's just not possible. You know, when we won it all in 2014, went undefeated, I think the guys felt something was missing. It just wasn't the same getting to the playoffs and not seeing Tampa Bay in the bracket. To be the best, you want to beat the best. And Tampa Bay, to that point, had been our best challenger. It's good to see them back competing for, and winning championships. But you better believe we want to kick their ass.
Sharks Rattle Off 14 in a Row, Stage Set for Showdown with Atlanta
February 22, 2016
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are no stranger to the playoff party; they’ve safely reached the playoffs in all but one of the seven seasons since the league was formed. The Bull Sharks are also no stranger to success in the playoffs, twice hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy (2011-12 and 2014-15). The reigning champs come into this year’s playoffs winners of 14 in a row after starting the season 0-2. They have the deepest roster in team history and one of the deeper benches in the league, but will it be enough?
“Lots of good teams,” star point guard Russell Westbrook told the media at the team’s Monday morning shoot-around. “We get Atlanta again, this time at our place, but they just showed us last week that they won’t rollover. We have to be prepared for battle.”
The Bull Sharks play their division rival, the Atlanta Hawks, in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bull Sharks, who defeated the Hawks 6-3 in week 16, must be ready for round 2 against the team who has bounced them from the playoffs twice before – once in 2010 when Atlanta when on to win it all and again the following year in 2011.
While Atlanta, dominated the Bull Sharks in the early years, Tampa Bay has since become the aggressor. The Bull Sharks beat the Hawks in week 16 of last season in what was an all or nothing Southeast showdown. In week 16 of last season, the Bull Sharks entered the final day of play down 5-4 and lost LaMarcus Aldridge with a sprained thumb. However, somehow, someway, the Sharks prevailed, which sent them to the playoffs where they would successfully earn their second championship.
This year, Atlanta and Tampa Bay again squared off in week 16, but the stakes were not as dire for the reigning champs. Having already secured the top seed, their role was to play spoiler and prevent Atlanta from getting into the playoffs. For the Hawks, a win over Tampa Bay would put them in the final playoff spot. A loss, combined with either a Chicago or Cleveland win, would eliminate them. As it turned out, Atlanta, Chicago, and Cleveland all lost and the final spot was determined by tie-breaker in which Atlanta had the edge.
So if Tampa Bay is to defeat Atlanta and make it to the Eastern Conference finals, what must they do to ensure that they don’t falter along the way?
“It comes down to playing our game,” LaMarcus Aldridge said to reporters. “We all have to be focused. Most of us have been here before. I think everyone knows their job. It just comes down to execution.”
General Manager Richardson echoed these statements to the press: “I am proud of what our team has done this season. When we started 0-2, the players didn’t panic. We made a few moves and finished stronger than any team in the league. Winning the division and having a 14-2 record is impressive – no doubt it is impressive – but it doesn’t mean anything now. Our second season starts today and it starts against a team who has had our number before in the playoffs. This year, the road to the championship is harder than ever before. In the playoffs, you take it day by day. If you look ahead, you will lose. If you don’t take your opponent seriously, you will lose. In our previous title runs, we were the underdogs… The one’s struggling just to be a part of the playoff party. Now, Atlanta is that team and we have to be ready for them to come at us aggressively as we would come at them if the roles were reversed.”
We have the transcript of the message that Richardson delivered to the team after their final regular season victory:
“The stakes are higher than ever and we’ve come a long way to get to this point. The city and the fans are behind you. The regular season is behind you. But the path this franchise’s third championship is in front of you. The hard work and dedication that you’ve put into this season, into this city, will never be questioned. But with that being said, we have to be hungry. We have to go out there and want this more than any other team and the only way we will do that is by playing our style.”
In the video, Richardson can be seen taking a long break while intensely looking each player in the eye.
“Have fun, but stay focused. Play hard, but not careless. Play smart, but aggressive. Be the team that all other teams fear by what you do on the court and we will keep this championship in Tampa Bay.”
Bull Sharks Defeat Nets to Advance to Finals
March 23, 2015
For the second time in team history, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have been crowned Eastern Conference Champions and have advanced to the NBA Finals, where they will play Las Vegas for the championship.
Tampa Bay fought off a veteran Brooklyn team that just would not quit. The Brooklyn Nets entered the Eastern Conference Finals as back-to-back champions and were the only team to claim the championship since the Bull Sharks won back in 2012. Coming into the Conference Finals matchup, the Nets were without Kevin Durant, though they had beaten the Bull Sharks by the narrowest of margins (or what we thought was the narrowest of margins) in week 8 without their superstar forward. In that matchup, the Nets held on to the points category (489-488).
The Conference Finals matchup started out in Tampa Bay's favor. The team was consistently up 7-2 or 6-3 until the end of the first week when Brooklyn made a late surge to take a 5-4 lead going into week two. From there, it went back and forth. Tampa Bay secured their lead in points, rebounds, and FG%, but steals and blocks were still up in the air going into the final day of play. The Bull Sharks would enter with a two block lead, yet trailed by two steals. Facing a tough decision on who to play in their final spot (Aminu, Harris, Richardson, or LaVine), the Sharks opted for defensive specialist Al-Farouq Aminu. Already without big man, Omer Asik, the team took the chance on Aminu to come up with not only a block to extend the lead, but to also garner a couple of steals as well.
Going into the final game of the night it was Marcus Morris and Al-Farouq Aminu for Tampa Bay and Dirk Nowitzki for the Nets. Marcus Morris came to play and swiped three steals. Tampa Bay tied the category just before half time and thus forced a score of 4-4-1. Already owning the tie breaker in points, the Sharks had to hope that Nowitzki did not come up with another steal. However, because why wouldn't he, Dirk was handsy and grabbed his second steal of the game at the start of the second half. With 22 minutes left in the season, the Sharks had to hope that Aminu or Morris could come up with at least one more steal to force a tie.
And in the fourth quarter, it happened. Aminu came up with a steal and tie the category at 63. As the minutes ticked away, the entire city of Tampa Bay was holding its breath, waiting for the clock to hit 0. And as it did, confetti fell on the heads of the fans watching the game at the Amalie Arena in Tampa. "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang was playing on the loudspeaker. Fans rejoiced, hugged, high fived, and celebrated their teams second run to the Finals.
When asked about how it feels to be in the finals for the second time in three years, GM Richardson said: "It feels great. Surreal. My nerves are fried after that game tonight. To beat the defending champs is huge. Hats off to Brooklyn... That may have been the greatest matchup in league history."
Since the inception of the league, the only season that one of these teams did not represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals was during the inaugural season. Brooklyn lost to Oklahoma City in 2011, Tampa Bay won in 2012, and Brooklyn won in 2013 and 2014. Now, it's back to the Sharks to keep the title in the Eastern Conference.
"We told our guys," he went onto say, "that the playoffs had the same feeling as it did back in 2012. We're a little banged up now, but we are here. We made it. If you had told me a year ago that we'd be here now, I would not have believed it."
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks finished a disastrous 0-16 last season. The team drafted Andrew Wiggins (2nd), Zach LaVine (8th), and Adreian Payne (19th) in last years draft and the rookies stepped up down the stretch.
"I just go out and try to execute... Play at a high level... Help the team win," said rookie Andrew Wiggins. "We played well enough to win, but we will need to be even better in the Finals. Vegas is tough. Probably the best team in the league this year."
The Bull Sharks enter the Finals with a few causes for concern. Star forward, LaMarcus Aldridge is battling a hand injury, Omer Asik has been sidelined with a calf strain, and Manu Ginobili has missed the last week with a sprained ankle.
"We're going to enjoy the moment," GM Richardson said. "But we have to stay in business mode. We need to figure out how to beat Las Vegas whether we are at 100% or not. It's going to take a monumental effort, but I believe in these guys. We believe in each other. The city believes in this team. Resilience is something that you cannot teach; it comes from within. These guys have it. They don't quit. I'd be lying if I said I was not a little concerned about the injuries, but we are faced with it. It happens. All we can do is play our best ball."
The future is bright for this Tampa Bay team, but the present is even brighter. The road to the playoffs has not been easy. The Sharks did not secure a playoff spot until the last day of the regular season. They took the Nets to the wire. Close calls appear to be part of the Sharks strategy. Perhaps a little luck is involved and if so, we'll take it.
As the team gears up for the final battle of the season, they are faced with their tallest task to date in a dominant Las Vegas team.
However, the Bull Sharks believe in themselves. They believe they can go toe-to-toe and beat any team in the league. The city is behind them. The fans are excited. And this roster mixed with both young and veteran players are hungrier than ever to bring the championship back to Tampa Bay!
March 9, 2015 - Bull Sharks Beat Boston; Will Battle Brooklyn in Conference Finals
Entering the season, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks faced uncertain expectations. After locking up Ty Lawson for four more years, the team took Andrew Wiggins with the second pick, and Zach LaVine and Adrien Payne with the 8th and 19th picks of the draft. The team was built around stars Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge, but still, questions remained as to whether this was a team on the cusp or a team that could compete.
The Bull Sharks swung and missed in free agency. Manu Ginobili proved he was nothing more than a role player, Shawn Marion never could get it together, Festus Ezeli did not see the floor, and the team cut Sebastian Telfair a month after signing him.
At the end of October the team signed Devin Harris and in late December, when the playoffs began looking like a real possibility, they traded for Wilson Chandler. At the beginning of February, the playoff noose tightened; Orlando and Atlanta were on Tampa Bay heals and the team cut ties with Perry Jones, Shawn Marion, and Festus Ezeli and brought in Al-Faroq Aminu, Jason Richardson, and Kosta Koufos. They were now ready for the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks defeated the Boston Celtics 5-4 in the first round of the Eastern Conference semis. They will now face the Brooklyn Nets on their quest to their second finals appearance.
"Brooklyn is a great team. They've won two championships in as many years. Don't let the Durant injury fool you; this team is tough" said GM Richardson after the team's press conference Sunday night. "We expect a fight. It was a fight in the regular season."
A fight it was. In week 8, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks 5-4. The Bull Sharks lost by one point (489-488).
The Bull Sharks and Nets have represented the Eastern Conference in the last 4 finals, with Tampa Bay accounting for only one of those appearances.
"I don't want to say this has the feel of our last championship run, but we are optimistic that we can hang with Brooklyn. Hell, any of the final four teams (Tampa Bay, Brooklyn, Houston, and Las Vegas) are capable of winning the whole thing. We've got Russ (Westbrook) playing at an absurd level. If he keeps it up, who knows what our ceiling is" Richardson went onto say.
This Eastern Conference Finals matchup is everything that is great in this league. The Brooklyn Nets are going for a 3-peat. The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks want to reclaim the throne. Even though the winner of this round will not be crowned the champion, it sure has a championship feel to it and we seem to be witnessing a great rivalry. Tampa Bay defeated Brooklyn in the semi-finals in 2012 on their way to their only championship. Brooklyn knocked off Tampa Bay a year later. Two years, and two championships later, the Brooklyn Nets find themselves facing a vicious Bull Sharks team. Only one can advance and as Brooklyn looks for their third title in as many years, the Bull Sharks are hungry to get to their second finals and, hopefully, earn their second championship.
February 23, 2015 --Sharks Survive Hawks, Claim Final Playoff Spot
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are heading to their 5th playoff appearance and first since the 2012-2013 season. The Bull Sharks bounced back from a tumultuous 0-16 season a year ago to claiming the top spot in the Southeast Division and finishing with a 10-6 record. Tampa Bay possesses a 4-3 record in the playoffs and are 1-0 in their only championship appearance (2011-12).
The Bull Sharks will face the Boston Celtics, who are making their first playoff appearance. The Celtics defeated the Bull Sharks 5-4 in their week 10 matchup.
"It was a close one," GM Richardson said at this mornings shoot-around. "We were short by two threes, led by 7 rebounds, led by 2 steals, and came up 20 points short. We didn't get the kind of production from Russ (Westbrook) or LaMarcus (Aldridge) that we have come to expect. I think we could be in for a similar dogfight this time. Boston is a well rounded team and are here for a reason. That franchise has battled and battled over the years. They took a long time to come together and if our run in 2012 showed one thing, it is that any team in the playoffs has a fighting chance."
"What we did in the past doesn't mean anything," said Manu Ginobili, the only remaining player from the 2012 championship team. "But I think that what you see here is a great testament to the organization. They know what it takes to build a contender. Sometimes, you need that down year, like the team had last year. When I saw what was being put together this season, I wanted to come back and try to get another championship for this city."
Rookie shooting guard, Andrew Wiggins, expressed his excitement this morning with the media. "Man, to be here man, it's just something special. I knew this team was headed in the right direction, but I didn't know if we would be here this year. I'm just happy to be here. To be wanted. To be a part of an organization that focuses on building something special."
Despite making the playoffs, the Bull Sharks had a tough road to get here. They had to hold off the Atlanta Hawks (9-7) and Orlando Magic (9-7) to make it. The biggest factor to another successful run will come down to consistency -- something that has eluded Tampa Bay this season. The team lost to Boston in week 10, only to lose a week later to the then 0-10 Hornets. They battled back to beat Orlando 5-4 in week 12, before losing to Cleveland and Las Vegas in consecutive weeks. The team sat at 8-6 going into their final two matchups with Portland and Atlanta.
Week 15 was favorable for the Bull Sharks who, behind a strong week from Russell Westbrook, prevailed 6-3 over the Trailblazers. Week 15 was a pivotal week not only for Tampa Bay, but also for the Hawks and the Magic who were each 8-6. The Magic had already lost to the Bull Sharks and the Hawks had not played either Tampa Bay or Orlando. The loser of this matchup would be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, while the winner would have to go on to win in week 16 if they were to have the hope of a postseason appearance. Atlanta came out on top and beat Orlando 5-3-1, meaning that the showdown with Tampa Bay would decide the fate of the Southeast Division champion.
The Bull Sharks went into Atlanta with as much momentum as they could have hoped. Winners of their last two, the team knew that winning on the road would not be easy. For either team -- win and go on. Lose and go home. After a back and fourth two week matchup, the Bull Sharks entered play on Sunday down 5-4 to Atlanta. The margins were tight in FG%, points, 3PM and TOs. A late scratch from the lineup was All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, who sat due to spraining his other thumb.
The writing was on the wall around 9:30 PM EST last night. Leading by .12 FG%, 40 points, 1 TO (58-59), and four 3PM (29-25), the Bull Sharks led 6-3 with Jeremy Lin taking the court as Atlanta's last hope. Short of Lin going off for more than 40 points and catching fire from three, the Sharks were close to clinching the division.
Lin did as much as he could for the Hawks. He shot 10-15 and put up 25 points, but in the end, the Sharks held on and won 5-4 in Atlanta.
"I couldn't believe it," said GM Richardson. "Lin shot lights out. I was worried he was going to have a huge game like the kind he used to have in New York. What a matchup. We've been in battles like this before where it comes down to one stat in a certain category. We lost to Brooklyn earlier this year by one basket, so yeah, we were nervous."
Around midnight, the nerves would calm as the Bull Sharks learned they were heading back to the playoffs. The new season starts today and the Bull Sharks better prove that they are even more hungry than the Boston Celtics. If the stars align, this team could be destined for another run at the Finals -- this season certainly has a similar feel as 2011-2012.
When asked what helped propel the team into the playoffs and what is needed moving forward, Russell Westbrook flatly said, "Good execution. We need good execution."
September 25, 2014 -- Sharks Set Sights on New Start
The 2013-2014 NBA season was a forgettable one for the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks. Two years removed from their championship season, the team had their worst year in franchise history. One rival GM described it as "organized chaos within the franchise."
There weren't many highlights to the dismal season experienced in Tampa. One highlight, however, was the acquisition of Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge from Oklahoma City. Tampa Bay shipped Kenneth Faried, Jrue Holiday, and veteran forward, Dirk Nowitzki out in the deal. The team also locked up Ty Lawson after the season ended and they entered the draft with the two top ten and one late first round pick. The Bull Sharks took Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) second overall, Zach LaVine (UCLA) eighth, and Adreian Payne (Michigan State) at the end of the first round.
Tampa Bay faces an exciting level of uncertainty going into the 2014-2015 season. The team has talent across the board, they have young players signed long-term, and they have financial flexibility to add some key pieces. Earlier this week, the team signed veteran guard, Manu Ginobili, to a one year deal. Ginobili was a part of the 2011-12 championship team. They are currently engaged on multiple fronts to add even more veteran pieces.
"We've got a window now," GM Richardson said at the press conference to announce the signing of Manu Ginobili.
"We have a window that we didn't have after we had to hit the reset button following our championship season. We have young players committed to this team for the long haul. We'll do everything we can to keep LaMarcus around too -- he is a big part of our future plans moving forward and he is just now getting into his prime. Wiggins, LaVine and Payne may take some seasoning, but we like their potential. Our fans should be excited for the future. While I won't sit up here and guarantee a championship this season -although you never know- I will confidently say that we will be in the thick of it in the very near future and we will stay in the thick of it for a while."
The waters are becoming less murky for the Bull Sharks and they have their sights set on a brighter future.
Richardson went onto say "These were dark times, there is no denying. We were at a crossroads and had to make a critical decision to not just our direction, but also to our identity. We will get back on top soon."
January 6, 2014 -- What Lies Ahead for the Bull Sharks?
On paper, this season has been nothing short of a disappointment for the players, coaches, and fans of the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks. Tampa Bay, a team with the third highest winning percentage in the history of the league, is on the verge of the kind of season that has never been experienced in the history of the franchise.
"There are two ways to look at this," GM Richardson said Sunday night after the teams tenth loss of the season, causing them to fall to 0-10 on the year. "If we take a macro approach, sure you want your overall, historical winning percentage to be high. It indicates how you've done throughout history and can be a good evaluator of how a staff has performed. While we certainly strive to maintain a competitive edge and finish near the top every year, we also have to look at things at a micro level and see how we are affected on a year to year basis and how our decisions affect the our team in the short and long-term. As we've said before, we were, no pun intended, in unchartered waters this offseason and hell, even at the end of last year. We had an older roster, were spending a lot of money, and it brought us a championship. But it also taxed us financially and we had to sell of assets to stabilize the budget."
And the team has done just that. For one, the Bull Sharks are committed to only $21,925,000 in salary beyond this season. Secondly, they have a spot left to re-sign emerging point guard, Ty Lawson. Third, they've acquired superstars Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge this season in a trade with OKC. Finally, they have three draft picks in the upcoming draft and one of those picks is, in all likelihood, going to be a top 5 pick.
"It's something that we've thought about," Richardson went onto say. "You never go into a season expecting to lose. This year was no different. However, after careful consideration, we would be doing the city a disservice by crippling our team financially when we know that we wouldn't be able to build a competitive team with the lack of assets that we had. We are in a tough spot. We don't want to spend the money that was tossed around in free agency and we have a nice core of guys with Russ (Westbrook), LA (Aldridge), Ty (Lawson) and Asik. If we can land one of the top prospects in the draft and continue to build through free agency next year, we won't mind spending the money since we will have a competitive team on the court."
Richardson's views seem to be shared by the fans in Tampa as well. Attendance has not taken a severe hit and fans seem very excited in the direction the team is headed.
"There's confidence in the ownership and management," said star forward, LaMarcus Aldridge. "Things are going in the right direction. We hate losing, but we know that this is only a temporary setback for what is going to be a fun ride into the future."
How things pan out in Tampa will be interesting. The team has never been in a situation like this before, but it seems to be something that GM Richardson has handled in a calm, cool, and collective manner. He's performed the difficult task that many owners face of slashing the budget while improving the team and setting up the franchise for long-term, championship success.
"2011-2012 was a great year. It gave us a taste of what we can accomplish. It was great to get that one, but now we want more. We to put a team in place that can go out for three or four years and give us a shot at another championship celebration," Richardson concluded.
As we get deeper into the second half of the season, look for the Bull Sharks to be engaged on all fronts and to pull the trigger on a deal that helps make them better. Exciting things are happening in Tampa, even in a down year.
October 30, 2013 -- Tampa Bay Completes Trade for Westbrook, Aldridge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks and Oklahoma City Thunder have completed a trade that sends Dirk Nowitzki, Jrue Holiday, and Kenneth Faried to Oklahoma City in exchange for superstars, Russell Westbrook and LaMarcus Aldridge. The two teams, which had previous negotiations involving Westbrook, reached a deal Monday night that would be the biggest blockbuster trade of the offseason. It happened the one day prior to the start of the NBA season and has left many NBA GM executives shocked.
"Wow. That is a fantastic deal (for Tampa Bay)" said one NBA GM League executive.
The Bull Sharks continue their complete overhaul of their team. They have now parted with everyone from their championship roster of two seasons ago and are looking toward the future.
"We are continually looking for ways to improve our club," GM Richardson said in a call with The Tampa Tribune. "We had an amazing opportunity to get two top 20 players in this deal. Russell will be back soon from his injury and we expect him to be that same caliber player he has been. And LaMarcus, wow. this is a guy who we have wanted to get for a very long time. The best part of this deal is that both of these guys do everything well. They are really going to statistically balance our team as we continue to build for next season. It's hard to trade a guy like Dirk who has been around for a long time. Dirk helped put this franchise on the map and win a championship. He will always be a hero to this organization and we wish him well in Oklahoma City."
And a valid point by GM Richardson. The Sharks are not built to win this year and are certainly playing for 2014, though this addition would say otherwise.
"Like I said, we are always evaluating moves for our team. We knew this year that it would be a recission type year for our team. That's not to say we are taking a step backward. No, that's not it at all. We are continuing to move forward and rebuilding our team as a championship contender next season.You have your Brooklyn's and Utah's out there that seem to be in a position every year because of how they manage their club. That's where we expect to get. The way the cards fell the two years leading up to our championship run, we had no choice but to make aggressive decisions. Decisions that, to some, seemed preposterous. Instead of signing young talent that we didn't have, we kept guys like Ginobli, Pierce, and Dirk around. It worked out for us. We wouldn't have made those moves if we didn't think it would bring a title to this city. It was a huge risk and it paid off," said GM Richardson.
He continued, "Right now, you look at our team and we have two guys signed beyond this season and they are the two that we just traded to get. We've got one re-sign spot left and if the season ended tomorrow, we'd keep Ty (Lawson) around and continue to move forward. I won't sit here and blow smoke to the people of Tampa; we probably won't be a very good team this year. We are trying to bring a few guys in, but we aren't going to have a championship caliber team this year. What we do have? Great talent and two superstars who are going to be fun to watch. And we also have a couple draft picks in what should be a loaded draft class. Call it the silver lining, but the good thing about being on the bottom when the seasons over puts you at the top of the draft board."
While the team isn't playing for a draft pick, they are building something fun in Tampa.
April 13th-- Sharks' Search for Second Title Sunk: Brooklyn Claims the Prize
In what was anything but an easy season, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks came up short in their quest for a second consecutive title. Injuries plagued the team to start the season and just as things started clicking on all cylinders, the playoffs started and the Nets happened.
"We were ready for them," GM Richardson said from his condo in Sarasota, Florida. "Both teams went in healthy and it was a hard fought battle. There was no shame in losing to Brooklyn; we have a great rivalry with them. One of the better rivalries in this league. We beat them last year in our title run and this year they knocked us out."
The highly anticipated matchup, that many had hoped to see in the Eastern Conference Finals, turned out to be a very entertaining first round series.
The Nets and their dynamic roster, led by Kevin Durant and former Bull Shark, Chris Paul, proved to be too much for the Sharks to take on this time in the playoffs.
In the 2012 series, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks hung on to win a tightly contested matchup. Brooklyn's hopes last season came down to Kevin Durant needing to make just one of two free throws in the Easter Conference Finals. One make from one of the best free throw shooters in the NBA and the Nets would have been playing in the finals and, perhaps, would have been looking at a repeat this season. As it turned out, Durant failed to connect on both attempts, sending the Bull Sharks to the finals where they would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz.
This season, in a series that ended in a score of 5-4, the Bull Sharks weren't really all that close to pulling off another upset.
"Of the areas we lost, we were closest in blocks," Richardson went on to say. "We didn't have a chance at free throw percentages this season. Same for steals and assists. It's funny, because people have said to me that this is what would happen if I traded Chris Paul. You have to put it in context. While Chris was a huge asset and piece to our organization, we probably wouldn't have been able to ride on his back all the way to the playoffs. We were a team in disarray, floundering as other teams passed us. If we didn't trade Chris, we probably would not have even made the playoffs. It was a calculated move that had to be done."
And now, the Sharks are left to pick up the pieces of what was a magical run to cap off a season plagued by injuries and under-performance. We here at the Tribune don't even know which direction GM Richardson is going to take the team.
"That's what keeps it fun," said Richardson. "We have a lot invested here and we have a lot of money to spend. It's my job to develop a team so astounding that it will capture the attention of the entire league... A team so astounding that it will drive kids out of their minds."
So as we wind down the 2012-13 season, we are left wondering what is going to happen next. We believe that the Bull Sharks will be back in the swing of things next season, but only time will tell.
For now, it's time to put the blemishes of this season in the rear view mirror, congratulate the new champions of the league, the Brooklyn Nets and their GM. The Nets have pioneered this league from day one and it's about damn time they got what they deserve.
On behalf of the city of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks organization, we all say, CONGRATULATIONS BROOKLYN!!
Sharks Clinch Playoff Berth -- 2/11/2013
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks secured their spot in the playoffs with a 5-4 win over Las Vegas last week. It was the fifth win in a row for the team that started the season 0-2 and currently sits at 10-5.
"We battled all year" said GM Richardson. "We made a lot of different moves to get to where we are now. It's never easy trading a guy like Chris Paul, but we have young man named Jrue Holiday who we will try to re-sign next season. He's a rising star in this league and we like what he brings to the table."
All season, Tampa Bay was aggressive in the trade market. The deal that involved long-time franchise centerpiece Chris Paul, had reciprocating results that, when the dust settled, brought Ty Lawson, Shawn Marion, and DeAndre Jordan to Tampa Bay and provided significant depth to a team that had a lackluster bench all season.
The train didn't stop there; no quite the opposite. After trading star center, Pau Gasol for Spencer Hawes, Marcus Thornton, and a 2014 draft pick, Tampa Bay seemed all but playing for the future. However, Hawes has stepped up and Gasol has gone down. This move brought more depth to the Bull Sharks and has made them one of the deepest teams in the playoffs.
"Their team is hard to figure out," said one NBA GM League executive. "They don't have that big name, like Chris Paul, anymore. But, they do have a very productive group of guys. When you have a backcourt of Holiday and Lawson, and a frontcourt of Pierce, Nowitzki, Marion, not to mention guys like DeAndre, Kofus, Hawes, and Manu, and this team is scary. The biggest thing will be whether or not this hybrid group of youth and vets can stay healthy throughout the playoffs."
GM Richardson resonated these comments in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
"It comes down to health and productivity. I'd like to think we have the bodies readily able to fill a void if a guy goes down, but the one caveat to our team is that we do have guys that are good, but streaky players. I don't mind streaky players, as long as their on a hot streak in the playoffs... And as long as their on my team," Richardson said.
When asked about their potential first round match-up against Houston or Brooklyn, Richardson said that he would "feel confident against either team, but both teams pose different challenges."
"We have generally not had great success against Brooklyn," Richardson said. "We got lucky against them a few weeks ago, because CP was out. We beat them in the playoffs during our title run last season, but they aren't the same team. I know their record doesn't necessarily reflect it, but quite honestly, I think that Brooklyn has the best team in this league. Hands down. Top to bottom, that team is stacked."
A "stacked" team or not, Tampa Bay has a tough challenge ahead whether it is Brooklyn or South Division rival, Houston.
"We've been here before," said star forward, Dirk Nowitzki. "Last year, we barely made it into the playoffs. We limped through the season last year, but turned it on come playoff time. We're ready to step up again."
The team will need to play their best basketball to date, because this year, there is no clear front-runner that is in the playoffs. There is no one team that seems to have a great advantage over another.
"It's going to be interesting," Nowitzki said. "Stay tuned."
Sharks Make Splash, Land Jordan and Marion -- 12/18/12
After the Bull Sharks traded franchise centerpiece, Chris Paul, last week to Brooklyn, many executives around the NBA though that this was the beginning of a small rebuilding project for the team.
However, just days after the blockbuster deal involving the games best point guard, Tampa Bay has flipped two of the assets they received in that deal (Thomas Robinson and BRK 2014 pick) in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and Shawn Marion.
GM Richardson confirmed the trade by phone this morning:
"We told the people of Tampa that we would rebuild and remain competitive and I still think we are doing that. DeAndre (Jordan) is under contract until 2016. He is young, talented, and helps us with our rebounding, FG percentage, and blocks. We liked his future more than we liked Robinson's. We still think Thomas (Robinson) has a bright future ahead of him, but when you have a team that is on the cusp like ours is right now, you owe it to the guys who are playing hard and we owe it to our fans to try and win a second straight championship."
When asked if he truly believes he has one of the best teams in the league and can compete against the 7-0 teams like Brooklyn, Houston, and Utah, Richardson gave the following response:
"I absolutely think we can. What we have to remember is that we have not had Dirk Nowitzki all season. He's close to returning and will be a HUGE boost for us. We've also got Pau (Gasol) coming back and we even though we lost Chris Paul, we improved our bench, which improves our team as a whole. The moves we made were methodically thought out and we executed them so that we would be primed to make another run."
"It's still early in the season," Richardson continued. "We hope to stay healthy all year, but we can't know that now. That's part of the reason we wanted to bring some depth in here. Our starting 7 is lethal when healthy and I do mean lethal. Holiday, Lawson, Pierce, Dirk, Gasol, Ginobli, and DeAndre or Marion. Coupled with our strong bench made up of Stuckey, Shannon Brown,E'Twaun, Barnes, Gooden, and Koufos... We have a deep and dangerous line up."
And though things appear to be shaping up for the Bull Sharks right now, don't expect them to pump the brakes anytime soon. Richardson hinted that while "no deals were imminent," things can come together quickly and if the Sharks find a deal they like, expect them to pursue it.
For now, we must wait and see if this new unit can mesh and hopefully stay healthy so that the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks can keep the championship in this Gulf Coast city.
Bull Sharks Pull Trigger, Trade Franchise Player --- 12/13/2012
In a move that caught many off guard, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have traded franchise player, Chris Paul to the Brooklyn Nets.
The deal is pending league approval.
Paul, who was the first player signed by the Bull Sharks back in 2009 (then known as the New Orleans Hornets), was the focal point of this team for the past three plus years and was a pivotal piece to their title run last season.
In exchange for the All-NBA point guard, the Sharks got a young PG/SG in Ty Lawson, Thomas Robinson (#4 overall pick in last years draft), and a 2014 pick from Brooklyn.
Chris Paul was in the final year of his deal with the team that had such high aspirations entering the season, Tampa Bay felt it was best to retool with additional assets.
"It wasn't easy to move Chris Paul," GM Richardson said in a press conference after the trade was announced.
"We had the number one point guard in the game. One of the best NBA players in the game. But we had to be realistic with our expectations moving forward. We would have used our last re-sign on CP and it would have taken a substantial amount of money to retain him. We have been in an awkward spot all season. We haven't been where we need to be as a team and our record reflects that," Richardson went onto say as he placed both hands on the podium and drew a deep breath.
"We talked with [him] about it and he knew that being traded was a possibility. We spoke with a few different teams, tried all sorts of different combinations that would bring us assets for future success. After failed talk after failed talk, we talked with Brooklyn, who, at first, did not seem like a potential trade partner. When Ty Lawson and Thomas Robinson were brought to the table, we had to really stop and think about the direction of our team. My promise to the fans has always been that I will put a competitive product on the floor. Trading Chris (Paul) does not make us non-competitive. If you look at the numbers, Ty (Lawson) produces numbers that are slightly below Paul's averages. Coupled with the fact that we are going to experience significant financial savings and that we got a young big man and a draft pick...I'd say we did OK.
Are we in a better place than we were to start the season? You tell me. We have Lawson under contract through next season and Robinson is in his rookie year. I think that we will be just fine."
The Bull Sharks have also been rumored to shopping Pau Gasol.
"Listen," Richardson said, "Pau is still an important piece to our organization. We consider him necessary to another title run. We just need him to get healthy. His numbers will bounce back. He will be fine."
Before leaving the stage, one report asked the General Manager if this was the last move we will see out of the Bull Sharks for a while. Richardson smirked and said, "I highly doubt that."
Nowitzki Still Sidelined, Return Possible in Mid-December --- 11/21/2012
Tampa Bay Bull Sharks star power forward, Dirk Nowitzki, announced that he is still a couple of weeks away from returning to the court. Nowitzki, recovering from knee surgery, said that he still needs a couple of weeks before he can resume basketball activities. Once that occurs, he will condition for two more weeks and could return to the court come mid-December.
The Sharks have been anxiously awaiting Nowitzki's return since they found out he was going to undergo a procedure in the offseason.
"It's always in the back of your mind," GM Richardson said as he addressed the press on Wednesday morning. "We want Dirk back healthy and for the entire season. If that means he needs to take a little more time to heal, then we are just fine with that."
Richardson was also asked if he was worried about the schedule and is team falling into too big of a hole while Nowitzki remains sidelined. "Of course," he said. "We said it from the start. We need this guy on the floor. We have nothing except for divisional games until he gets back. Atlanta this week, back to backs against Houston, Orlando, Memphis. It is going to be very, very difficult to win all of those games. We are going to have to play our best basketball and as equally important, stay healthy during this run. Our hope is that by the time that Dirk gets back that we are at or near the top of the division. The absolute worst case scenario is that we are hanging on by a thread when he gets back. If that's the case, we will have some serious re-evaluating to do."
We remain around 4 weeks until the German star will take the floor for the Bull Sharks. The team is going to have to play their best ball while they await Nowitzki's return.
Sharks Break Through, Win First of Season -- 11/19/2012
It took two weeks, but the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are on the board, getting their first win of the season against the Toronto Raptors. It came down to the final hours of Sunday night, but the Sharks fought hard to hang on to a 5-4 win.
"It's nice to see one in the other column," GM Richardson said about the team's first win. "We knew we'd struggle early on. We are not even close to where we want to be as a team. We've got guys still not playing their best ball, guys sidelined with injuries. We'll get there."
GM Richardson's optimism is not unwarranted, but is the team being too casual with their slow start? After all, they started 0-2 last season and look what happened. But this year feels different. There is more angst and uncertainty with the team this season.
"Again, we didn't expect Drew (Gooden) to ride the pine. We also expected a health Chandler. That is why we brought these guys in. We are playing beaten and battered, but once things turn around, we should be just fine," Richardson went onto say.
Tampa Bay is in a unique situation where they will have to decide how much water the ship can take, before it begins to sink. For now, they're above water, but just barely.
Richardson was asked if he expects any moves to be made in the near future.
"You never know," he said. "If an opportunity comes up and we think it can improve us now and moving forward, we'll certainly consider it. I don't think anyone on our team is untouchable, but that doesn't mean that they are available."
The Bull Sharks have a tough battle against division rival Atlanta this week. The teams have battled it out over the past few seasons and we expect a brawl this week.
Sharks Stumble in Season Opener -- 11/5/12
In what was a very big, week 1 matchup, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks fell 5-4 to the Orlando Magic.
"We take it with a grain of salt," GM Richardson said in a press conference Monday morning. "Listen, it's the first week of the season. Neither team was playing their best game. I expect that will change going forward, but it just wasn't our week."
But is there cause for concern in Tampa?
"No. Absolutely not," Richardson said. "We started the season plagued with injuries. Dirk is out (knee), Manu played in one game, and Stuckey is battling migraines. We are also easing Wilson (Chandler) back into the rotation and there's been a drop in the minutes for Gooden. If Manu plays an extra quarter or half, we probably get the 6 points it would have taken to win this match-up. If we can compete at this level being this short-staffed, I am excited to see what we do when our team is healthy."
It's true. This is a scary team when healthy, but when will that be? And for how long? Nowitzki should be back in a couple of weeks and Ginobli appears to be fully healed, but the health of others, such as Chandler and Stuckey are equally as important for this Bull Sharks team.
"We lost the first two last season. We weren't healthy. We finished 6-4 and got into the playoffs. We won a championship, because we got healthy at the right time. Let's just play out the season and see what happens," concluded Richardson.
For now, the Sharks start 0-1 for only the second time in the team's existence. The last time they started 0-1, they won a championship. If this team can get healthy and play their game, we don't expect to see them hovering near the .500 margin. This team is a sleeping giant and it's just a matter of time before things start to click for the reigning champs.
Bull Sharks Looking to Reload for Repeat 7/10/12
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks have had a busy offseason. After winning the 2011-12 NBA Championship, the Bull Sharks decided to retool and make a run for another title.
Tampa Bay picked up the 2013 option of star point guard, Chris Paul, and re-signed veteran forward, Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki was the teams' only re-sign this offseason.
The Sharks made a huge splash by trading big men, Amare Stoudemire and Andrew Bogut, in a three-team deal that sent Rodney Stuckey and Pau Gasol to Tampa Bay. However, Tampa Bay wasn't done with just this move.
Today, the team traded their 2013 draft pick (acquired from GS) in exchange for Wilson Chandler and Drew Gooden. This acquisition was "pivotal" for the organization, according to GM Richardson.
"We lobbied over that pick, knowing we wanted to have it in our back pocket as a contingency in the event things didn't pan out for us. But, to be honest, we have so much confidence in this team, that we are ready to mortgage future picks if it means acquiring valuable assets that could lead to a repeat."
Richardson spoke emphatically as he addressed the media at the team's practice facility in St. Petersburg, Florida.
"We brought in two guys who are consistent, on favorable contracts, and can contribute in categories where we need help. Drew (Gooden) and Chan (Wilson Chandler) will play big roles on this team. They are a part of something special and without them, we probably wouldn't have a great shot at repeating. As long as everyone stays healthy, I would call our most recent move the most critical move we've made so far" Richardson concluded before exiting the gym for the locker room.
Richardson's statements echo what the rest of the organization believes and that is that health is the biggest factor if this team is going to repeat. As for now, Tampa Bay has a few more moves to make before filling out their roster. Expect the team to be aggressive once player's can start signing. If the Bull Sharks make a couple of correct moves in Free Agency, this team is going to arguably be the most dangerous team in the league.
Lockout Ends; Sharks Start Season
In what seemed to be a never ending battle between the players and owners, the NBA lockout has ended after nearly 6 months of negotiations, criticisms, and stubborness. Having the NBA back means that it is time for the Bull Sharks to get back to work.
The Sharks elected not to pick up the option of Vince Carter and have decided to let Nazr Mohammed, JR Smith, and Delonte West test the free agent market. The Sharks, however, have decided to re-sign veteran and reliable scorer, Paul Pierce. Pierce said in a statement early Thursday morning, "I am excited to be back. We came close last year. Too close. This team was built to win last year, we are built to win now and we are built to win in the future. And that, my friends, is the TRUTH."
With nine of their fourteen roster spots full and right around $8 million to spend in free agency, teams around the league wonder how the Sharks will be able to add to what is already a potent lineup.
"We've got to be aggressive," GM Richardson said in a phone call with NBA TV. "It started by moving Charlie. He was massively overpaid, and that was our fault, for the little production we got from him. Having Matt (Bonner) come in and do the little things that help win a championship will be huge to our success this season." Richardson was referring to the trade that brought Matt Bonner to Tampa and sent Charlie Villanueva and a 2013 pick to Chicago.
"We've got to be careful in free agency this season. We are a critical point for our franchise. We have a lot of guys under contract for the next one to two years, so our time to make an impact on the league is now. We are all in. We've been all in. Now is the time to see how we can perfect our team going into the season, while also sitting back and watching what other teams do. Either way, this will be an interesting, though be it short, season."
Fans are certainly excited to have the NBA back and we here in Tampa are looking forward to the product that GM Richardson will be putting on the court this season. In the minds of many, this could be the year that Tampa Bay gets the title they have been chasing the past two seasons.
Round Two: Sharks Survive
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks had a late season scare as they hung on to beat the Atlanta Hawks 5-4. The two teams were tied 4-4-1 going into the final game Sunday night. Both teams had one player going; the Sharks, recently acquired, Amare Stoudemire and Al Horford for Atlanta. Horford had a poor showing with only 6 points and 4 rebounds. Stoudemire, on the other hand, exploded for 16 points and 10 rebounds.
This was a battle of the two perennial powers of the South Division. Tampa Bay won the previous match-up 6-3 and that too was one that went down to the wire.
Tampa Bay enters the final two weeks of the season with the South Division locked up and have assured themselves of a top 2 seed in the East. The Sharks are now battling for the best record in the East and the best record in the league. They remain among the top 4 teams with a 15-1 record (Brooklyn, Oklahoma City, Utah). The Sharks have Memphis and Orlando remaining and are hoping to enter the playoffs at an astounding 17-1 (1 loss to Brooklyn).
"We could easily be undefeated at this point," GM Richardson said. "We didn't have Brandon (Jennings) or Dirk (Nowitzki) when we played Brooklyn. Those are two important guys to our success. On the other hand, we could have two, maybe three losses. Atlanta played us tough, Kansas City played us tough; we've had some luck."
Lucky or not, the Sharks have made some big moves over the past week. The acquisitions of Amare Stoudemire and Paul Pierce are moves that GM Richardson is hoping will pay off. "We get two elite, established players with these guys. I'd say we upgraded. If you look at our lineup top to bottom, I don't think that any other team has a better top 7." And he may be right. The Sharks top 7 consists of Chris Paul, Manu Ginobli, Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut.
Tampa Bay has made serious move to put them in the best possible spot to win a championship this year. "I think we're done," Richardson said when asked if there would be any other moves. "But you never know. If something catches our eye and we think it makes us better, we'll definitely take a look at it."
Tampa Stays Busy, Despite All-Star Festivities
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks, a team that has stated since the season started that they want to win a championship this season, made some big moves over the All-Star Break weekend. Tampa traded David Lee and Kyle Lowry to inter-division rival, Orlando in exchange for superstar, Amare Stoudemire and cash considerations. The move, which came as a surprise to many Shark fans, is a move that stabilizes a Tampa team for years to come.
"Any time you can get Amare Stoudemire and only give up one long-term guy and one expiring contract, a contract that would not have been re-signed, it's a no brainer -- you have to do it," said GM Richardson at the Stoudemire press conference. "We liked what David (Lee) did for us these past two season; he was one of our most consistent guys and is responsible for the success we have experienced since joining the league," Richardson went onto say.
It comes with little surprise that this was a hard move for Tampa Bay to make. Lowry, who is arguably playing at an All-Star level, has been a bright spot in the Tampa Bay rotation this season. However, having little desire to re-sign a point guard when Chris Paul and Brandon Jennings are locked up long-term, the team was ready to let Lowry walk at the end of the season. It then came down to who would you rather have: Amare Stoudemire or David Lee? The team elected Stoudemire and look for Amare's MVP caliber season to continue in the second half.
The Bull Sharks also received Lou Williams in exchange for Marvin Williams and a 2012 draft pick (via Brooklyn). The Sharks saved $1.8 million in this deal and get a PG/SG in Lou Williams.
Tampa Bay seems to have put themselves in a great position for a championship run this season. If they can stay healthy and get production from their deep lineup, they will be a very difficult to beat in the playoffs.
BREAKING NEWS: Sharks Closing in on Stoudemire
SI.com is reporting that the Bull Sharks have agreed to trade Kyle Lowry and David Lee to the Magic in exchange for Amare Stoudemire and cash considerations. GM Richardson could not be reached for comment. The Tampa Tribune will continue to bring you updates as they come in.
Sharks Continue to Make Waves
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks defeated the playoff bound Kansas City Knights 7-2 this week. This victory marked the Sharks fourth win in a row, since losing to Brooklyn in week nine. However, more important than the victory this week were the moves that Tampa Bay made to their roster.
Brandon Jennings returned to action on Saturday and though he did not post an eye popping stat line, the return of his presence to the Sharks lineup is certainly welcomed. The other noteworthy roster move is the trade that Tampa Bay made with Minnesota. The Sharks traded the under-performing Anthony Parker and a 2011 draft pick for JR Smith and cash considerations. The move seems to have been a wise move by GM Richardson, as JR Smith posted 23 points and 9 boards in his first game with the team.
"We felt that it was a move we had to make," said GM Richardson in a phone call with the Tampa Tribune. "Anthony has not been healthy, his minutes have been limited, and we simply like the production and potential of JR more than we did for AP."
And potential is right. JR Smith brings that game changing potential that Anthony Parker does not have. "He can go off on any given night," said Head Coach Detlef Schrempf. "He'll be a great guy to play behind Vince (Carter) and Manu (Ginobli)."
The Sharks continue their red hot streak and we wouldn't be surprised if they make another move or two in the near future to solidify the roster and make their playoff push.
Nets Stop Sharks Surge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks suffered their first loss of the season last week, losing 6-2-1 to the Brooklyn Nets. The Sharks and Nets provided an intriguing match-up and a possible sneak peak at what the Eastern Conference Finals match-up might look like. Despite the loss, the Sharks personnel remain upbeat about the team's chances of making a strong playoff run this year.
"Look at who was missing this week," Coach Detlef Schrempf said. "We only got one quarter out of Dirk this week. He missed four and three quarters worth of games this week. Dirk is a critical part of our team, hell, he could be our MVP up to this point and to not have his production hurts. That's 30 rebounds and 4 blocks that we lose during the week. Not to mention that we lose almost 100 (referring to Nowitzki's average PPG) over the week."
The Sharks were also missing point guard Brandon Jennings. Jennings, a guy who averages 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, has been a big contributor to the Sharks offense and defense this season.
"It was a rough week to get hit with injuries," GM Richardson said. "I'm not making excuses for our loss, nor am I saying we would have won had Dirk, Jennings and Marvin (Williams) played. All I am saying is that it would have been an entirely different match-up."
And he is right.
"We are right where we want to be. We are always looking to improve our team and if we can find a piece that fits into what we are trying to do, then we will make a move. If you asked me today if I felt comfortable going into the playoffs with our roster, I would say, you're damn right I do. We'll see how it shakes out over the next few weeks."
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks are looking to bounce back this week against a tough Washington Wizards (6-2) team. If they can right the ship and get back on track, then the Sharks will have a legitimate shot at obtaining the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
Sharks Stay Unbeaten
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks improved to 8-0 on the season with a victory over the Boston Celtics this past week. However, the Sharks were not as dominant in this victory as they have been recently.
"We had a short week," Coach Schrempf said in his Sunday press conference. "Brandon was out and our guys did not play all that well. It's something that happens during the season; guys get banged up, you get weeks with fewer games, and you get stretches where our stars struggle a little bit. It's just one of those things you have to push through and do your best to secure the victory."
The Sharks are undoubtedly a top three team in this league, but with Brooklyn's rout of Houston this past week, the team is in for perhaps its biggest test of the season next week. Brooklyn (7-1) was the preseason favorite to win the Eastern Conference and will provide the biggest obstacle for Tampa Bay to emerge out of the Eastern Conference. The Nets seem to be clicking on all cylinders and if the Sharks plan on coming out victorious, they will have to bring a better game than they did this week.
Tampa Rolls; Jennings Out
The Bull Sharks won their seventh game of the season this week, improving to 7-0 on the season. They stand only with OKC as the only undefeated teams left in the league.
The Sharks led the league in points, steals, assists, rebounds, and 3pm in week 7. They have clearly proven that they can win and win handily.
The mid-week acquisition of Anthony Parker -- and consequent waiver of Will Bynum -- was a move that GM Richardson thought could payoff down the stretch.
"We needed to bring in a guy who could produce. Will was not getting the job done for us. Anthony is a guy who we can rotate in for Manu and Vince when they need nights off."
The release of Will Bynum leaves the Sharks with three active point guards (Paul, Jennings and Lowry). However, the team took a devastating blow when Brandon Jennings went down last week with a fractured metatarsal in his left foot. He will be out 4-6 weeks.
Sharks Stay Hot
In one of their most anticipated early season match-ups, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks held off the Toronto Raptors, winning 6-3. The Sharks had a balanced attack, getting big performances from somewhat unexpected players like Kyle Lowry and Vince Carter.
The Sharks trailed until late Thursday evening, when they made their push against the Raptors. Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh and Kris Humphries made the rebound battle difficult for the Sharks, as they lost that category by 5.
"Well, they've got guys that can flat out clean the boards," Coach Detlef Schrimpf said in a post-game interview. "We've got guys that can go get it, but with the way Pau cleans the glass, you know you are in for a battle with a team like that."
The Sharks, now 6-0, are one of two undefeated teams left in the league (Oklahoma City Thunder). The Tampa Bay win, coupled with the Atlanta loss now gives the Sharks a 3 game lead in the South Division. The Sharks seem to be clicking on all cylinders and will do battle this week against the Charlotte Bobcats, followed by a trip to Boston in week 8.
Arguably, the most anticipated and intriguing match-up comes in week 9 when the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks take on the Brooklyn Nets (5-1). These two teams were considered early front runners for the Eastern Conference Finals, with the winner being the early favorite for the NBA Finals. However, there have been many surprising teams that are fighting every week and will pose challenges to these two powerhouse clubs.
Only time will tell what the season has in store for this Tampa team, but one thing is for sure, they play hard and have taken care of business every week so far this season.
Sharks Continue Surge
The Tampa Bay Bull Sharks picked up their fourth win of the season this week as they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 7-2. Dirk Nowitzki and Manu Ginobli had huge weeks to help keep the team perfect on the season.
The Bull Sharks did not have two of their prominent big men: Andrew Bogut or David Lee this week. "It's tough," said head coach Detlef Schrimpf. "We lose all those rebounds those guys get us, not to mention the blocks that Andrew gets us and the points the David is capable of putting up."
GM Richardson chimed in on the teams undefeated start. "It's a good way to get out of the gate-- winning these divisional games that we need and are supposed to win. If we can continue to take care of business week by week our team is scary. We've been banged up--David and Vince haven't been healthy in a few weeks, now Bogut is banged up-- but we are still winning. We are constantly looking at how we can make our team better via Free Agency and Trades, but the way I see it is that when we get a healthy David and a healthy Vince, a healthy Bogut, those are like making trades. We've got Orlando next week and it's about that time I wrap this press conference up so I can get to Universal and ride Jurassic Park before we get down to business."
The Bull Sharks will do battle against the 1-3 Orlando Magic next week. The Magic have a capable team, but have struggled this season. Regardless, it should be an interesting matchup to watch.
Sharks Survive Against Hawks
In a battle that was an early season showdown, the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks took down the defending league champion Atlanta Hawks.
Tampa Bay got out to a slow start early in the week as they trailed 5-4 going into Friday. However, big weeks from Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Jennings helped seal the Hawks fate as Tampa Bay took care of them, winning 6-3.
"It's never easy playing a division rival," GM Richardson said. "Atlanta arguably has the best team in the league. They are the defending champs and while this is a huge win for our club, it's just one win. We've got to focus on Memphis this week and we've got to make sure that we keep playing good basketball and continue to fight and take it one game at a time."
Things should get easier for the Bull Sharks this week if David Lee gets cleared to return to the court. Lee, who has missed time for the past two weeks due to surgery to remove an elbow infection, is eager to return to the court.
"It hurts. It definitely hurts," GM Richardson said about not having Lee in this past match-up. "We got lucky that D Wade missed a game last week. That made things a little easier. It would have been good to have seen both teams at full strength so that we could better judge where our team is right now. I'm happy though. We didn't play our best ball, but we found ways to win and that is all you can ask for in this league."
The Bull Sharks return home to take on interdivision rivals, Memphis Grizzles (1-2) and the Orlando Magic (1-2) over the next two weeks.
"These next two match-ups are critical to our season. We could really separate ourselves from the pack if we can take care of business in these series," Richardson went onto say. "It's exciting where our team is. As long as we stay healthy, we are can compete with anyone. And how knows, maybe we have a few tricks up our sleeve."
TAMPA'S TIME SEEMS TO BE NOW
The city of Tampa is buzzing about the revamped Bull Sharks team that GM Richardson and Coach Detlef Schrempf are putting out on the court this season. The team, which might seem similar to last season, has undergone drastic changes since the playoff series loss to the Hawks last year.
Core players, such as Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, David Lee and Brandon Jennings are still around, however, the pieces around them have changed considerably. The team re-signed Manu Ginobli this past offseason and elected not to bring back Louis Scola. Of the 14 players on the roster at the end of last season, only 6 remain this season.
GM Richardson got aggressive this offseason. He went out and traded for Vince Carter (whose contract expires at the end of this season). He traded David West, a key contributor last year, to acquire a dominant center in Andrew Bogut. Richardson strengthened the bench when he traded the disappointing Hedo Turkoglu for DeJuan Blair and then moved Blair in the deal to acquire the consistent veteran, Tayshaun Prince. Richardson proceeded to swap his old, unproductive bench players for new pieces. Through free agency, the Bull Sharks signed Charlie Villanueva, Will Bynum and Rasual Butler.
On paper, it seems as if Tampa Bay is much stronger this season in comparison to last year. "We had a good year, not a great year," said GM Richardson when asked about his thoughts on last season. "We are always looking to improve," he went onto say, "whether you can bring in a young kid that is ready to break through or whether it means bringing in proven veterans, which is what we have done here. You try to put the best team on the court night in and night out. People were calling for my head when they saw that I brought Vince in here. They said he was old, injured, done. Well, Vince did a great job last season and we are paying less than twenty-five percent of his salary this year. So you tell me who won."
Richardson is undoubtedly confident entering this season, but it won't be a smooth ride for the seemingly powerhouse lineup.
"Absolutely not," Richardson said when asked if they were the team to beat in the South and in the overall Eastern Conference. "As far as I am concerned, as far as we're concerned, we have to first get through our division. Atlanta won it last year, so it is their spot to lose. We have the two best point guards (Paul and Williams) in our division. Atlanta moved some key pieces this offseason and getting Deron was a huge move for their club. We also look at all the other teams--Memphis has young talent and could see multiple guys breakout this year. And we cannot overlook teams like Houston and Orlando. Hell, if we even get out of the division, teams like Brooklyn seem all but poised to make the finals this year. Regardless, we are going to go out and play our kind of ball on a nightly basis and we believe the rest will take care of itself. I think we are right where we need to be and if we aren't, well then we will make adjustments. It just seems like if we want to get a title, we have to do it sooner rather than later since our team is getting up there in age. So, uh, there it is."
Richardson's confidence gives the city of Tampa hope and this franchise could bring a title to the west coast of Florida this season. The season is here and the players are ready. The only question is whether the pieces will fit and if they do, watch out for this team.