Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Southeast Division

[Roy Hobbs]

Orlando:

1) Canning the "GM speak", do you have any concerns about your bench?  I like Harpring, but that's about it.  Also, any concern that nobody in your second unit hit even 30% of their threes last year?

2) How do you match up specifically with New Jersey, New York, and Detroit? 

3) Others -- not myself -- seem to think you need a clear hierarchy in who takes the "last shot".  Is this a problem with Chauncey and Duncan sharing that role?

[KCattheStripe]

We will now open the floor for questions, comments, praise and ridicule.

Your team smells funny.

[wdleehi]

Matt Barnes, SG? 


Isn't he a slow SF / small PF? 

[Lucky17]

Atlanta:

1) Okay...  explain the Redd trade.  You knew it was going to be unpopular, but what did you see in it?

2) Zach Randolph -- isn't this guy a complete bum and locker room cyanide?

1. Yes, the Redd trade. One that I did not enter into lightly without some soul-searching.

I felt OK with trading Redd, Harrington, and filler for Gordon, Hibbert, and Terry for a couple reasons. Firstly, I knew that Gordon, despite his flaws, would attract some interest around the league; I was confident I'd be able to spin him in another deal that would address some other needs, and even if I couldn't, he didn't represent a huge downgrade in terms of offensive production from Redd. Second, I wanted to acquire a veteran backcourt player, one who could score and shoot (thus providing a complementary skill-set to Rondo). Thirdly, I also wanted Hibbert, either as my C for the future, or as a chip to use in another deal.

In short, I saw the trade as a swap of Harrington for Terry--a trade of 6th men that addressed my team's greater need for backcourt depth--and a trade of Redd for Gordon and Hibbert: a return that allowed me to either make another deal or continue looking to the future.

2. Re: Randolph, yes, I have to admit his conduct and attitude is a legitimate concern. He's immensely talented, and I'd like to think that his reputation stems from the fact that he's been on teams that struggled to win, coupled with a perceived lack of touches within the offense. I don't think either of these situations will come into play: we're going to win more games than we lose, and Randolph will be a big part of the offense (perhaps the second option to Richardson, if not the first). But I also think that Richardson and Terry both have the kind of strong, alpha-dog personality that can keep Randolph from getting out of hand.

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.
 

[Roy Hobbs]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

[KCattheStripe]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

No way, that's half a sandwich of good eatin'!

[Gainesville Celtic]

Matt Barnes, SG? 

Isn't he a slow SF / small PF? 

As our mascot Gob Bluth might say "COME ON!"..... The only reason he'd be a PF is if he had a whack-job of a coach like Don Nelson who has an aversion to playing big men at big men positions... oh wait.

At 6-7, 230 most might say Barnes is a prototypical SF. We see him as an old-time G/F, like Reggie Lewis (positionally... i'm not comparing Barnes to Lewis talentwise).  Is he Marcus Banks fast, no, but i don't know anyone who'd call him slow. 

We think that off the bench the distinction between SF and SG is much smaller. We're slotting him there b/c of the tremendous size at the SG position throughout the Eastern Conference (Kobe, Redd, Carter, Maggette, Mike Miller, Jason Richardson).  Barnes is going to be asked to defend these guys and his lenght and size is key in that assignment.

(i'm getting to your questions roy... got another press approval.)

[Lucky17]

Atlanta - I think you'll surprise a lot of teams this year. Despite having 16 players (!!) I really like your team. A weakness will be your lack of shooters with only J-Rich springing to mind as a good shooter while Deng and Terry are very much average behind the arc.

Terry's actually not bad from behind the arc: his numbers last year compare favorably to Michael Redd (better percentage and more attempts). I also selected Hayes for his shooting. When game situations (such as the end of quarters) call for shooters on the floor, I can send out a five of Terry/J-Rich/Hayes/Deng/Randolph.

[Lucky17]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

What color are the socks? And is there mayo, or mustard, on that sandwich?

[Roy Hobbs]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

What color are the socks? And is there mayo, or mustard, on that sandwich?

Purple and yellow.  And mayo, but it's been sitting out in the sun.

[KCattheStripe]

 When game situations (such as the end of quarters) call for shooters on the floor, I can send out a five of Terry/J-Rich/Hayes/Deng/Randolph.

Don't say things like that, it makes Tim Duncan drool. 

[celticmaestro]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

What color are the socks? And is there mayo, or mustard, on that sandwich?

Purple and yellow.  And mayo, but it's been sitting out in the sun.

Purple, yellow and Mayo said 5 words apart.

The Lakers are clearly on your mind, Roy.

[Roy Hobbs]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

What color are the socks? And is there mayo, or mustard, on that sandwich?

Purple and yellow.  And mayo, but it's been sitting out in the sun.

Purple, yellow and Mayo said 5 words apart.

The Lakers are clearly on your mind, Roy.

Well, I was trying to think of things that I had no use for. 

[Lucky17]

 When game situations (such as the end of quarters) call for shooters on the floor, I can send out a five of Terry/J-Rich/Hayes/Deng/Randolph.

Don't say things like that, it makes Tim Duncan drool. 

Doesn't he always? Timmy has that deadpan look that sometimes borders on the catatonic. Either that, or like he's been zombified.

[celticmaestro]

All that said, if someone were to make me a legitimate offer for Randolph, I'd certainly consider it.

How about a pair of dirty socks and a half-eaten bologna sandwich? 

What color are the socks? And is there mayo, or mustard, on that sandwich?

Purple and yellow.  And mayo, but it's been sitting out in the sun.

Purple, yellow and Mayo said 5 words apart.

The Lakers are clearly on your mind, Roy.

Well, I was trying to think of things that I had no use for. 

Well yeah, once we dispose of you it's best to get any memory of it as far away as possible, to help erase the pain.