Scott Perry's first job in an NBA front office left an indelible mark on him. The Knicks' new general manager takes some of the things he learned from former Pistons president Joe Dumars wherever he goes.
Dumars looked for certain kinds of people and players when he ran the Pistons, and made sure everyone checked their agendas at the door. That last part is very important to Perry.
Those Pistons teams from the 2000s, that Perry had a hand in putting together as Detroit's director of player personnel, reached six straight Eastern Conference championships, two consecutive NBA Finals and won the title in 2004.
Perry has been looking for that kind of success as his NBA journey has taken him to Seattle, back to Detroit, Orlando, Sacramento and now New York. But this is the first time he's the lead voice in the basketball department and what he learned from Dumars will be just some of what he brings to the Knicks.
"One of Joe's lines was 'No Agendas,' " Perry said during an appearance on the BJ and Bucher NBA podcast in the spring. "The only agenda is winning. That's something I've carried with me throughout my career in the NBA and that's what I hope to carry with me in my next spot when I get an opportunity to run one of these teams."
Perry spoke to the podcast's host, former Bull B.J. Armstrong and longtime NBA reporter Ric Bucher, shortly after he was fired by the Magic in April. Days later, Perry was hired by the Kings, but he left them this week to join the Knicks.
