2010 CB Draft: Northwest Division Press Conferences

[JSD]

I like what you've done, but do any of your guys have "elite superstar" potential?  If so, which ones?

This is very opinion based, but who's to say Rubio, Turner and Lopez can't be my big 3? I think they all have that potential. Lopez has all the tools and size to be the best Center in the league. Offensively he's already much better than Dwight Howard. I love a big guy that shoots over 80% from the line too.

The thing is, even if Lopez is more a #2 or #3, this team is built to consolidate and trade young talent ala "07" Celtics and to take advantage of teams in economic binds.

Portland isn't exactly a hot spot so the options are:

1. Build through the draft
2. Trade youth for experience
3. Absorb talent through teams in tough financial situations.

We're in good shape for all 3.

Why take Lopez so early, rather than trading down somewhat in the first round?

I thought about it, I projected Lopez to be a top 20 pick that could go anywhere between 7 - 20. I decided he was a very important piece to any Team of the Future and I didn't want to lose out on that.

[nickagneta]

Portland...why with such a great position in the draft, a top 10 pick, did you decide to go "Team of the Future". Just drafting at your spot and making no trades but taking guys that were available at that spot you could have ended up with a team of

Dirk Nowitzki
Manu Ginobili
Andre Miller
Brandon Haywood
Martell Webster
JaVale Mcgee
Leandro Barbosa
Brandon Bass
Will Bynum
Dorell Wright
Jason Kapono
Ian Mahinmi
and a scrub

And you know what, you would have had one hell of a team.

Why team of the future with such a great first pick?

[JSD]

Certainly love Lopez and Turner.  I think Favors will turn out to be a very solid ball player, also.  If Rubio comes back overseas, this will be a very entertaining team to watch for years to come. 

Can't necessarily say I'm a big fan of your depth, though.  None of your bench guys really do it for me although I do like Hawes. 

Still, way to draft a very solid "Team of the Future" candidate.

But wouldn't too many young players stagnate growth? The depth on my team isn't designed to win games, it's designed to allow the inexperienced players to get time on the court and learn.

[JSD]

Portland...why with such a great position in the draft, a top 10 pick, did you decide to go "Team of the Future". Just drafting at your spot and making no trades but taking guys that were available at that spot you could have ended up with a team of

Dirk Nowitzki
Manu Ginobili
Andre Miller
Brandon Haywood
Martell Webster
JaVale Mcgee
Leandro Barbosa
Brandon Bass
Will Bynum
Dorell Wright
Jason Kapono
Ian Mahinmi
and a scrub

And you know what, you would have had one hell of a team.

Why team of the future with such a great first pick?

TP for the effort that went into your question. It's really as simple as it being something I hadn't done in previous drafts and wanting to give it a shot.

I'm a nerd with this in 2k10. I take over a franchise, trade for young players, picks and cap space and then simulate season after season to try and win a title through GM mode.

It's real fun.

[Donoghus]

Certainly love Lopez and Turner.  I think Favors will turn out to be a very solid ball player, also.  If Rubio comes back overseas, this will be a very entertaining team to watch for years to come. 

Can't necessarily say I'm a big fan of your depth, though.  None of your bench guys really do it for me although I do like Hawes. 

Still, way to draft a very solid "Team of the Future" candidate.

But wouldn't too many young players stagnate growth? The depth on my team isn't designed to win games, it's designed to allow the inexperienced players to get time on the court and learn.

I'm just to get this straight.  So what exactly is the role of the bench here?  How many minutes are you going to be playing guys like Turner and Favors?  Are they going to be 35+ because of the bench just so they get experience on their young legs?  I'm a bit confused here.

[JSD]

Certainly love Lopez and Turner.  I think Favors will turn out to be a very solid ball player, also.  If Rubio comes back overseas, this will be a very entertaining team to watch for years to come. 

Can't necessarily say I'm a big fan of your depth, though.  None of your bench guys really do it for me although I do like Hawes. 

Still, way to draft a very solid "Team of the Future" candidate.

But wouldn't too many young players stagnate growth? The depth on my team isn't designed to win games, it's designed to allow the inexperienced players to get time on the court and learn.

I'm just to get this straight.  So what exactly is the role of the bench here?  How many minutes are you going to be playing guys like Turner and Favors?  Are they going to be 35+ because of the bench just so they get experience on their young legs?  I'm a bit confused here.

Anywhere between 30 and 35 minutes, sure. The bench is made up of fairly high character veterans that have been role players on good/championship teams. Their role is to do their job, which is to practice and be ready when they're called upon.

[nickagneta]

Portland...why with such a great position in the draft, a top 10 pick, did you decide to go "Team of the Future". Just drafting at your spot and making no trades but taking guys that were available at that spot you could have ended up with a team of

Dirk Nowitzki
Manu Ginobili
Andre Miller
Brandon Haywood
Martell Webster
JaVale Mcgee
Leandro Barbosa
Brandon Bass
Will Bynum
Dorell Wright
Jason Kapono
Ian Mahinmi
and a scrub

And you know what, you would have had one hell of a team.

Why team of the future with such a great first pick?

TP for the effort that went into your question. It's really as simple as it being something I hadn't done in previous drafts and wanting to give it a shot.

I'm a nerd with this in 2k10. I take over a franchise, trade for young players, picks and cap space and then simulate season after season to try and win a title through GM mode.

It's real fun.

TP back to you. Being a fan of the forever rebuilding Celtics of the 90's and 00's, I can see where that could entice someone to try that.

For what it's worth, in a year or so Lopez will be the second best center in the league in real life and Rubio has all the makings of a superstar PG. Turner has great #3 star and offensive option potential. I think your core young group might be the best in the league.

[StartOrien]

I like what you've done, but do any of your guys have "elite superstar" potential?  If so, which ones?

This is very opinion based, but who's to say Rubio, Turner and Lopez can't be my big 3? I think they all have that potential. Lopez has all the tools and size to be the best Center in the league. Offensively he's already much better than Dwight Howard. I love a big guy that shoots over 80% from the line too.

The thing is, even if Lopez is more a #2 or #3, this team is built to consolidate and trade young talent ala "07" Celtics and to take advantage of teams in economic binds.

Portland isn't exactly a hot spot so the options are:

1. Build through the draft
2. Trade youth for experience
3. Absorb talent through teams in tough financial situations.

We're in good shape for all 3.

Why take Lopez so early, rather than trading down somewhat in the first round?

I thought about it, I projected Lopez to be a top 20 pick that could go anywhere between 7 - 20. I decided he was a very important piece to any Team of the Future and I didn't want to lose out on that.

I think you're selling Favors short. To me, he'll have a significantly better career than Turner.

[Greenbean]

Okay i didnt know where topost this but feel I need to.

I had a dream about the CB draft last night which is scary.

I dreamt that I traded Chris Kaman for Dirk straight up. I should have known I was dreaming when my girlfriend was legitimately as thrilled as I was.

I woke up very sad this morning.

[thirstyboots18]

Okay i didnt know where topost this but feel I need to.

I had a dream about the CB draft last night which is scary.

I dreamt that I traded Chris Kaman for Dirk straight up. I should have known I was dreaming when my girlfriend was legitimately as thrilled as I was.

I woke up very sad this morning.

Funny stuff!   

[Roy H.]

James Singleton has signed in China, meaning that Denver will unfortunately be without his services this year.

I think that's our first post-draft defection.

[Gainesville Celtic]

James Singleton has signed in China, meaning that Denver will unfortunately be without his services this year.

I think that's our first post-draft defection.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!