But instead of the Tim Miles standup comedy routine that entertained writers for seven years, the focus this time was on the new guy as Fred Hoiberg made his first appearance at the event in the Chicago suburbs.
Not all that far from where he was coaching the Chicago Bulls less than a year ago, Hoiberg deadpanned that he didn't much miss the annual media gatherings from his days with Iowa State in the Big 12.
Then he got down to the business of trying to explain just how all this — 14 new players and an almost entirely new coaching staff — will work this season.