NBA x NBL Melbourne Series Press Conference | New Orleans Pelicans

Thanks everyone for your patience. Um, welcome to this history making event, the MBA MBL Melbourne series. We we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we meet on today, the Bunnerong people, and we acknowledge elders past, present, and emerging. We’re thrilled to have the New Orleans Pelicans here today, our guests in Melbourne, uh, represented by Coach Willie Green, Zion Williamson. We also have Melbourne United, Dean Vickerman, and Milton Doyle, Southeast Melbourne Phoenix, Josh King, and Jordy Hunter. Before we hear from the players and coaches today, we’re going to hear from from some very special people. MBL executive director and owner Larry Kessleman, the Minister for Sport, Steve Demopoulos, and Pelican’s chief executive uh sorry, chief executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumar. Sorry, Joe. After the conclusion of these formalities, we will do some standups out on the main court with the minister and Larry Kessleman if anyone wishes. But first, uh invite Mr. Larry Kessleman to the stage. Thank you. Thank you. Uh this is a super special moment for the sport of basketball in Australia. Uh for me personally, it’s been 15 years in the making. Uh a lot of conversations uh and a lot of people involved in in making this actually come to life. So first of all, I want to thank the NBA uh represented here by Michael Maher. I want to thank the Pelicans for making the journey here. Uh it’s always uh challenging but also super exciting to be first. So uh we couldn’t be more grateful. We’ve also got a huge amount of thanks to the Victorian government represented by Steve Donopoulos here uh who have backed this vision uh and have helped us bring it to life. Uh this is not just about the arrival of the Pelicans here. I think it’s the arrival of yet another milestone for the NBL and the sport of basketball. Uh it’s about the kids. It’s about the fans. It’s about Basketball Australia. It’s about our elite programs. When events like this happen, the whole ecosystem grows. Uh the NBA represented here will grow. NBL will grow. The sport will grow. So, couldn’t be more proud. Couldn’t be more excited for what’s going to come over the next few days. I know the people are excited to hear from others here who are the actual superstars. So, thank you again and a huge moment pride for myself, my family, and the sport of basketball. Thank you. Thank you, Larry. Mr. Demopoulos, thank you so much. Uh, I wanted to also acknowledge Larry Kessleman. Uh, we couldn’t do this without talent like this in Australia and happened to be a Melbourne boy. And I want to thank uh, Nicola, all the team at MBL. I want to thank the NBA, Michael Mah and Raja Chowra, who if without them, this would not have happened either. and the Pelicans, uh, Joe Dummer, um, Willie Green, Zion Williamson, and effectively the BA the Gail Benson, Benson family, and I was lucky enough to be at the training at the facility in New Orleans early this year for another purpose for the NFL. But it was fantastic to see uh, the home the home training facility. I want to thank and acknowledge Nina Taylor, my colleague here. uh just to say this is a historic moment for Australia, but it’s also historic for the NBA to play the first ever match uh right on Australian soil. And we know that it’s a big deal. You’ve trusted us with this enterprise. Such a special uh uh thing, the MBA to trust us to be able to play it here. And can I tell you, your trust is well placed. Melbourne and Victoria is not just a sports and major events capital of the country. is actually the sports and major events capital or one of the global capitals and it’s definitely the basketball capital of Australia. We have more people playing basketball in Melbourne and Victoria than the rest of Australia. So, we are really proud to host you here today and the Victorian government is very proud to have brought the NBA, the Pelicans to play their first ever match for the first time here for Victorians to enjoy. I can’t wait for the next few days and I want to thank everybody involved for making this happen. Thanks so much. Thank you, Mr. Demopoulos. Joe Dumas. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, first foremost, uh, want to thank Larry, uh, and the NBL for inviting us here. Um, it’s it’s been a long journey, but, you know, our team was looking forward to it. All the guys were excited, the coaches were excited. Uh the trip really wasn’t that bad. Uh now last night we were knocked out. We were dead tired last night. But uh the trip over was really uh was a really good trip. Uh no complaints at all. Everyone since we’ve been here has been wonderful to work with. Uh this this this facility here is a great facility for the players to practice. Uh everything has been done first class since we’ve gotten here. Um, I was telling Larry that I’ve done a lot of traveling with the NBA to Abu Dhabi and all different global games and um, Australia has done an excellent job of putting this on for us. So, we’re very excited to have happy to be here. Looking forward to the two games. Uh, it should be fun. And so, thank you guys again. We really appreciate being here. Thank you, Joe. So, we’re going to open up to questions. We have a roving mic. So, if the journals could just raise your hand and we’ll get the mic to you for questions and we’ll roll through. Thank you. Um, Coach Green, Zion, on behalf of Australian fans, thank you for for coming here. It’s going to be a great thrill. Coach, how much can we expect to see your main rotation guys in these two games? And Zion, what do you got in store for the Australian fans and the guys on court with you? this. Um, you know, we’re still working on our rotations right now and how many minutes, but our guys get out there, they’re excited to get on the floor. Um, we’re excited for this opportunity and, um, you know, we want to make the fans proud of of having a moment like this. Uh, I’m just excited. You know, basketball has brought, you know, the Pelicans to Australia and, you know, we’re looking to go out there, compete, and just have a great time. And as far as what I’m going to do, if I get a fast break, I might I might have fun with it or I might play. We don’t know. Uh Zion and coach, welcome to Australia as well. Thanks so much for being here. Uh one to both of you. What um what do you expect uh being here in Australia? What would you like to get from the trip? And can you tell us a bit about the reputation of Australian players? You played with some over in the NBA. What is the reputation like over there for for some of our homegrown talent? Um, two teammates pop up in mind for me when I think of Australia. My college teammate Jack White and then my former teammate who’s now with the Hawks, Tyson Daniels. Both guys are dogs, competitors. And, you know, when I had conversations with them about the culture of basketball over here, you know, it was similar to the United States. Uh, you know, basketball is global and you know, the rules I know are a little bit different from the NBA, but all the same, uh, I’m just excited. I’m excited to learn the culture on and off the court Australia, and it’s just a blessing to be here. Yeah, I I I echo, uh, Z on that. Just, you know, the history of of Australian basketball players. I mean, even going back, uh, Luke Longley, you know, Patty Mills, um, one of my teammates in New Orleans, David Anderson, I get a chance to see him here. Dyson, I mean, we can go on and on. But, um, it’s tremendous competition here. And because of guys like that and and the work that you all do, the game is is is definitely more global. So, we’re grateful for this opportunity. Zion, you uh, you um you’re about to enter your seventh season. You’ve said that this is the best shape you’ve been in since college, obviously this year. And can you talk a little bit as well about the early chemistry with Jordan Pool and what his arrival means for the team? Um, in terms of the leadership uh role, you know, my teammates and, you know, my coaches, they they trust me to step into that role, that position as a leader. And as far as my chemistry with Jordan Pool, uh I don’t know if you guys saw the video when we’re at the airport, but you know, he’s a good dude. Uh he’s a competitor and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun on the court. It’s going to be exciting to watch. Z, um I take it that was the longest flight you’ve been on. How’s how was the travel and you know, touching down in Melbourne sort of 24 hours ago. Are you going to see much of the city while you’re here? Uh I have plans on seeing uh a lot of the city uh with the free time we have. Uh, the flight itself wasn’t that bad. Uh, I was watching an anime called Solo Leveling the whole time, so that kind of kept me occupied. Uh, one for Coach Green. Um, the people to your right and to your left are already started their season. You’re just starting season. How do you approach these games in terms of getting something out of it and knowing that these guys are going to come out really competitive? Yeah, I think it just goes back down to, you know, continuing to go out, compete each and every game. Uh we we had some good practice time in New Orleans before we got here. We had a couple days here, uh since we’ve been in Australia. So, um again, we’ll get to the floor. We we know these guys have been playing uh but we want to um start our games extremely competitive, sharing the basketball and really, you know, have a great time doing that on the floor. Sorry, Zion. One for you as well. Um, your former teammate Dyson, his younger brother is now playing for Melbourne Dash. What have you heard about Dash? Have you spoken to Dyson about him? And, uh, are you going to give him a little something extra on the court? Uh, no. I haven’t had a chance to speak to Dyson about him yet, but from the film I saw on him, uh, they’re almost they’re very similar, especially defensively. some of the deflections he’s able to get when he’s defending. Uh it’s simply incredible. Uh stuff that like I used to tell Dyson, I’m going to try to take some of that from his game and try to add it into mine. And as my coach said, uh you know, we look we’re looking to compete. We respect our opponents and whatever whatever knowledge we can take away from these games, take back to the NBA, we will definitely do. I’ve just got a question for anyone from the NBL. Um, what do you think this means for Australia and more importantly for for Melbourne statesman? Um, yeah, you know, firstly to to the MBL and Victorian government um to give us the opportunity to, you know, to play this game in in Melbourne. Um, obviously we’ve I think this might be a sixth game for Melbourne United playing NBL NBA and so um long time to get to 82, but um you know to have this opportunity and it’s going to be the best basketball experience for so many of our players and our coaching staff is all from um from Victoria and so just to have the opportunity to play this game and as as you get a little older the the first don’t come around as often and so to be the first game in um in our state and in Melbourne and we were super excited about it. And then, you know, for the basketball itself, just the, you know, the per what’s what kids are going to see. And I’m looking at Joe Dumar’s and like I’m I’m Joe Dumar’s in the backyard. I’m a, you know, I’m copying him when I’m when I’m a a kid and uh I love the bad boys and and people are going to see these guys and, you know, and want to be them. And I think that’s what basketball is all about. And so, um, yeah, going to be amazing experience for for everybody involved. One for Zion and then one for one of the Phoenix guys. Zion, a lot has been said about the the shape that you’ve come into camp with. What What how does that translate onto the court? What what does that actually mean for you playing basketball? Uh, it it means a lot for my game. Um, I’m able to stay on the court longer. Uh, all my movements are faster and swifter and I said it a few times in some of my press conferences last season. Honestly, it just feels good to feel good. Like I feel really good. One for Jordy. Uh, a lot has been also said about the fact that this is the first of a thing. What’s it like to be a part of that and be being able to represent the MBL and your team in a first for for this country? You don’t have to feel obligated to ask us questions as well. It’s uh it’s incredibly exciting. We’re um super honored to be a part of it. There’s so many hoop fans in this country that it’s just exciting for fans and kids to just be a part of this and have this in their own backyard is couldn’t couldn’t imagine it when I was a kid. So, um amazing that we’re a part of it. I’ve got that many people so excited to try and get to the game. I don’t know if that’s possible, but we’re um just the excitement around it has been tangible. So stoked to be a part of it. Boys will be excited. A question for for Dean and Josh. How are you going to go about trying to stop that man in the middle there? I I guess I I’ll go first here. Um No, we have huge huge respect for uh Zion and the entire team. Uh I don’t think we’re going to be able to put a game plan together to necessarily stop him. We’re just going to kind of try to play our game and and work on some things that we need to improve upon and and uh and just have fun with it. And hopefully we both teams stay injuryfree. Uh we may get called for illegal defense. We may try and build a wall there somewhere to try and stop him getting to the rim. But um no um our guys are looking forward to it, especially the guys that in scout today that were talking about matching up on him and and you know how we try and slow him down or contain him in in any way. So great challenge. Just one for Willie as well. Is is the trip here too far to play a regular season game? Like could you ever see that happening here given enough time to prepare, recover, and head back? Um I I don’t think it’s too far at all. But um the focus for us is is that extremely grateful to be here, extremely grateful to have this opportunity. Um this is what basketball is about. Bringing people together. um the fans, the kids, uh big-time sports fans getting an opportunity to see um you know, two really good games. Um that’s up for, you know, the guys up top to make those decisions, but we’re excited about this opportunity once again. Just one for Z and Willie. Again, here in Australia, we like to rate ourselves against the rest of the world and try and place ourselves in terms of the second best league in the world. Obviously, the NBA is number one. Where would you say the NBL sits in in that conversation if you if you know much about our league in terms of where where we are and how we compare? I mean, feel free to say we’re the second best uh league in the world. I feel like I’ve been pretty embraced here, so I have no problem saying the NBL is the second best. There you go. There you go. NBL for Coach Green and Zion. Um, have you heard from your former teammates Dave Anderson, Jack White, even um, Zylon playing in Adelaide? Have you heard from him? Maybe with any Australian recommendations while you’re here? That’s a great question. No, I haven’t heard from those guys. Uh, so if they do see this, please send a recommendation, send activities to do. Uh, I’m trying to take as much culture from Australia as I can when I go back home. I’ve I’ve heard from David. Um, he recommended a coffee shop called Loom. So, I tried that out yesterday and um, we we’ll probably get together I think Thursday night. He he and his wife and myself and my wife can go to dinner. So, pretty cool. Yep. um for the Phoenix guys again. Um this is going to be broadcast onto the NBA League Pass which goes to more than 180 countries. How does that feel knowing um I guess the the the breadth of where this is going to be shown? Uh it’s an awesome opportunity. We’re um it’s not the same crowd that we always play in front of, but um if there’s a chance for the Phoenix to be on the big stage on, you know, a great platform like League Pass, then that’s a excellent opportunity for our boys to show what they can do. Zion, um one of your old college teammates, Cam Reddish, has headed overseas um to Lithuania. Have you had a chance to speak to him at all? Um and what’s your hopes for him over there? Um, no. I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet. Uh, I’ve seen some of the clips, his highlights. Um, the main thing I hope he takes away is that I just want him to be happy wherever he’s at. NBA, non NBA, I hope he’s just happy and he gets just gets to have fun with the game of basketball. Williams on. Um, obviously not, you know, the most uh outstanding season last year. You guys are obviously hoping to bounce back. How confident are you that you can sort of get back up the ladder and back into playoff contention? Uh we’re extremely confident. Um you know, we we’ve had a really good start to our summer. Um not just training camp, but it started in the summer already. Um getting competitive guys on the floor. Um getting healthy is important for us. And so, you know, just turning the page, turning the page. And you know, it’s it’s some excitement in our building and we look forward to building on that. zone for you as well. How important is it to play for a winner as well? Obviously, you signed on for a couple more years, but playing for a winning franchise, I assume that’s important for you. That’s been my goal since day one. Um, you know, anybody who’s won, uh, their message and advice to me is it’s never easy. So, you know, with guys like P L who have experienced winning a championship, I think that’s just great pieces for us to have on the team. you know, in certain moments, they’ll be able to give us advice, words of wisdom on what to look for in certain situations or how to go about it. Josh King, uh, this is a team that has Jose Alvarado, Grand Theft Alvarado. The I don’t know if you, the Pelicans guys, know the way that the Phoenix play, they play up and in, they pick up 94 ft. And if you haven’t seen Josh on the sideline, he’s also very engaged and into it. Do you look at someone like Jose Alvarado as someone who you might want on the Phoenix one day the way he plays basketball? I have a lot of respect for Jose ever since he was at Georgia Tech. Uh watched him when he was in high school in New York City. Uh he would definitely fit our style of play and uh we’re at least going to try to throw it out there and see see what it looks like. Everyone always says you can’t press uh in the NBA, but we’re at least going to try it like once or twice, coach, just to just to see what it looks like. My assistants tell me not to do it, but we we’re going to we’re going to try it. There’s our game plan. Milton, what excites you most about this opportunity to play up against these guys and and do it in Melbourne? Yeah, I think just um the guys that we have we in the league that um it’s guys that’s played in the NBA, guys trying to get there. This is a a global aspect of guys jumping from this league going into the NBA. You see it with all the young guys. So, um I’m excited for them to get the opportunity guys like Dash to showcase his talent and put the NBA talent on a global aspect. That’s yeah, pretty much it. And Coach Green Zion spoke about being able to play differently because of the shape he’s come in with. What’s it like for you to be able to coach him and coach Zion at this level of of fitness that he’s in? Does it change things for you? you know, he’s been arguably one of the best players um in the NBA. Um his talent is a is is second to none. Um and so he understands the responsibility that comes with that. He it’s a pleasure uh to have an opportunity to coach somebody like Zion. Um you know, I can do a lot of different I can throw a lot of different concepts on the floor when he’s on when he’s playing. And um the biggest thing is is he he just wants to continue to build, continue to build, continue to grow and um step on the floor and help our team win as many games as possible. Take one more question. Question for for Zion and for Jordan Hunter. Um Zion, the Phoenix did a social media video. What are you gonna do if Zion’s coming down the lane? And different players said they said some of them said they’ll stand there, some of them said they get out the way. Jordan’s a shot blocker. He said he’s going to stand there. Um, is that good advice or would you tell me to just I’m trying to contest at least instead of stand. Sorry, Jordan. I would expect nothing less. Uh, you know, watch film on a lot of these guys. You know, both teams are competitors. Uh, you know, I know we’re having a good time joking up here, but I know once we step on the court, both teams, you know, are going to go at each other, you know, try to make something happen. So, if I if I’m going up the middle of the lane, I don’t expect nobody to move out the way. Um, quick one for Milton. I hear you’ve got a little baby on the way. Um, how how how is that to know this game’s coming up and you’ve got a baby so close? Yeah, I’m just taking it day by day. So, just waiting to see. There’s nothing I can do about that. Yeah, just uh just waiting to see. So, hopefully she stays in there for a little bit so I can play this game. Awesome. Thumbs up for that one. Okay, just stand there, guys. And then we’ll just get uh Larry Raj the minister um up the front. Thank you. Uh Joe Dumas as well. If he’s still in the room. Joe left. He’s left. Okay. That’s okay.

New Orleans Pelicans players and staff speak at the NBA x NBL Melbourne Series press conference ahead of their games against Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix during the 2025 NBA Preseason. Hear from Pelicans Exec. VP of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, Head Coach Willie Green, and forward Zion Williamson plus representatives from the NBL.
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