Celticsblog Fantasy Roster Review

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Going back to Portland, I respect the way Roy drafted. But when I look at how the draft turned out, and how Roy decided to go young, I realize he could have had a starting lineup like this:

Amare
J O'Neal
T-Mac
Joe Johnson
Tony Parker

While I think that line-up is full of headcases that couldn't work together, I think it would be much better and more ready to win than what you actually drafted.

[Big Ticket]

This is no offense meant toward Edgar, I think he's been one of the most entertaining managers thus far... but I agree that his team is getting too much credt.

Gasol and Boozer is a solid frontline, very solid, but both players took pretty major hits this past postseason for being soft or struggling against size (Boozer) and athleticism (Gasol).  They are both highly skilled players that can finish with either hand and can rebound the ball well.  But their defense is spotty and I don't consider either as being anywhere close to a superstar on a championship team.  Then outside of those two?  I really don't like Jameer Nelson, Dunleavy developed this year but I think is still mostly a shooting specialist, and Francisco Garcia is nothing more than a very good role player.  Both Boozer and Gasol are #2 guys on their real team (Williams over Boozer is maybe debateable, but I really don't think it is anymore) and I can't see either of them thriving as the #1 on this team.  The top bench players are all regular injury risk, waiting to develop, or just not that good.  Having Boozer and Gasol makes this team a 5-8 seed in my opinion, but I see their ceiling as battling to escape the 1st round, and if they do, getting demolished in the 2nd round.

[Big Ticket]

Going back to Portland, I respect the way Roy drafted. But when I look at how the draft turned out, and how Roy decided to go young, I realize he could have had a starting lineup like this:

Amare
J O'Neal
T-Mac
Joe Johnson
Tony Parker

While I think that line-up is full of headcases that couldn't work together, I think it would be much better and more ready to win than what you actually drafted.

I've questioned Roy about the shot distribution on his current team.... but the one you just proposed would be a nightmare.  I am a firm believer that you can have TOO much talent in a starting line, when specifically talking about putting the ball in the basket.  It's likely because teams like Roy's Blazers don't really exist in the NBA, but think about the last several title teams (Boston, San Antonio, Detroit, Miami, etc)... they all had starters who rarely needed to score and could play tough defense (Rondo, Perk, Bowen, Ben Wallace, Haslem).  The team you proposed has nobody close to that.

[Big Ticket]

It is rumored that the Wolves are working with a 1-2 year window of mid playoff spots, 3-7 year championship window, and are more than ready to pull a major trade in a later offseason if and when their young reserves develop into players of starter potential.  Early rumors have them planning on making a major move after Chris Bosh if and when Amir Johnson, Nicolas Batum, and/or Javale McGee develop as valuable trade bait.

I don't know why Minnesota should have such low expectations. I think the Timberwolves as currently constituted are better than the ECF championship Cavaliers of 06-07.

Although, I wouldn't be surprised if Evans holds off Amir Johnson all season.

Roy, I think he was referring to the previous exchange about Dallas and Detroit being overrated.

Yeah, thanks Big Ticket (TP), I was; and trying to explain some of my hesitation in including them in my top 10, though there's a lot to like about both squads. Sorry for the confusion.

I agree that my team is better than any LeBron has had... and maybe I'm not giving him enough credit for how much he's been able to carry otherwise garbage teams.  However, part of the reason I have "low" expectations (I don't think they're all that low) is because some of the teams in this league have more talent than the real NBA teams that the 06-07 Cavs beat out for the ECF.

Nonetheless, nice to know that someone likes what I've done.  I'll tell you this much, it's tough when you don't have your 2nd pick until the 59th overall.  Same reason I hate getting a top 3 pick in fantasy drafts.

[Roy Hobbs]

Going back to Portland, I respect the way Roy drafted. But when I look at how the draft turned out, and how Roy decided to go young, I realize he could have had a starting lineup like this:

Amare
J O'Neal
T-Mac
Joe Johnson
Tony Parker

While I think that line-up is full of headcases that couldn't work together, I think it would be much better and more ready to win than what you actually drafted.

That team is substantially worse than the one I drafted, in my opinion.  I think you need to think about how players fit into a team together, as Big Ticket mentioned.  J.O., Amare, T-mac, and Joe Johnson all in the same lineup is an absolute nightmare.  Not only is there not a clear "go to" guy, but all of those guys have been known to complain when things aren't going their way.  You then throw in a point guard who looks for his own offense.

Additionally, that team's window of opportunity is a couple of years, whereas I think my current team can contend for 6 to 8 seasons.  I respect your opinion, but no thank you. 

[Roy Hobbs]

This is no offense meant toward Edgar, I think he's been one of the most entertaining managers thus far... but I agree that his team is getting too much credt.

Gasol and Boozer is a solid frontline, very solid, but both players took pretty major hits this past postseason for being soft or struggling against size (Boozer) and athleticism (Gasol).  They are both highly skilled players that can finish with either hand and can rebound the ball well.  But their defense is spotty and I don't consider either as being anywhere close to a superstar on a championship team.  Then outside of those two?  I really don't like Jameer Nelson, Dunleavy developed this year but I think is still mostly a shooting specialist, and Francisco Garcia is nothing more than a very good role player.  Both Boozer and Gasol are #2 guys on their real team (Williams over Boozer is maybe debateable, but I really don't think it is anymore) and I can't see either of them thriving as the #1 on this team.  The top bench players are all regular injury risk, waiting to develop, or just not that good.  Having Boozer and Gasol makes this team a 5-8 seed in my opinion, but I see their ceiling as battling to escape the 1st round, and if they do, getting demolished in the 2nd round.

You're probably right, but I like Edgar too much to criticize his team.

(Plus, I really like Boozer, Gasol, and Dunleavy.)

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Going back to Portland, I respect the way Roy drafted. But when I look at how the draft turned out, and how Roy decided to go young, I realize he could have had a starting lineup like this:

Amare
J O'Neal
T-Mac
Joe Johnson
Tony Parker

While I think that line-up is full of headcases that couldn't work together, I think it would be much better and more ready to win than what you actually drafted.

That team is substantially worse than the one I drafted, in my opinion.  I think you need to think about how players fit into a team together, as Big Ticket mentioned.  J.O., Amare, T-mac, and Joe Johnson all in the same lineup is an absolute nightmare.  Not only is there not a clear "go to" guy, but all of those guys have been known to complain when things aren't going their way.  You then throw in a point guard who looks for his own offense.

Additionally, that team's window of opportunity is a couple of years, whereas I think my current team can contend for 6 to 8 seasons.  I respect your opinion, but no thank you. 

I agree Roy, I would much rather have your team. Like I said in my post, this team would be a nightmare. I'm just pointing out talent-wise. But you did a great job putting together guys that could work togheter. But no matter how much better your team is, that team would destroy you in a pick-up game. Just pointing out.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Tracy McGrady is the go to the guy, I'm sure about that much.

[Roy Hobbs]

Tracy McGrady is the go to the guy, I'm sure about that much.

Who is going to tell that to the other four starters?

(Plus...  the idea of having a "go to" guy who has never won a playoff series in 11 seasons doesn't bode well.)

[Roy Hobbs]

But no matter how much better your team is, that team would destroy you in a pick-up game.

Maybe.  I'd take my team in an NBA game, though.

[Scribbles]

Utah Jazz roster as of now:

PG: Udrih/Bell/Barea     
SG: Johnson/Bellineli/Weaver     
SF: McGrady/Kapono   
PF: Aldrige/Diaw/Simmons   
 C: Diop/Nesterovic/Sene

Also I have a few possible moves coming that would reshape my roster.  So we'll see but otherwise this is my team. Could use upgrade at Point and Center positions but I like the middle of my lineup.  I think I have 3 solid scoring options and a bunch of role players that should be able to fit into the system.  Plus the team is pretty young...all mid twenties with the exception of Rasho and Charlie Bell.  I think I'm a playoff team in the west but how far I go I don't know.       
 

[celticmaestro]

I like what you're doing. Very Portland Trailblazers. Some of your guys (Devean George, Rasual Butler, Speedy Claxton, Donyell Marshall) don't make a lot of sense considering you're admitting you're atleast a year away from the playoffs.

Durant is a sure fire top tier player, Bosh already is one of the best forwards in the league. Personally I'm of two minds about how good Darko Milicic is, and how good he could be, but I could easily see playing him as a starting 5, especially on a young team.

Jawal has gotten good reviews, he could be a decent player someday. Same with Kopponen. I'm not sure how i feel about OJ Mayo. He's one of those guys where if I'd managed to get him, I'd be a believer, but since he's not mine, he's easy to criticize. Duhon I don't believe in.

I really hate McCants as your sixth man. He's just not that good, and he's one dimensional.

Overall i think its very easy to see why you're optimistic about your squad in the future. You did a good job here. Durant and Bosh are obviously the center of the team, but that cast, if they come along, they could be special. Its just a matter of throwing each against the wall and seeing which one sticks.

This is interesting though:

Petteri Koponen, the 6-5 Finnish point guard who was a 2007 first-round pick of the Portland Trail Blazers, has signed a four-year deal with Virtus Bologna of Italy.

His agent, Marc Cornstein, says the deal has buyouts every summer which would make it possible for Koponen to return to the NBA. The Blazers can continue to hold Koponen's rights until 2011, although it will cost them some flexibility under the salary cap to do so.

In Bologna, the 20-year-old Koponen will compete for minutes at the point guard spot with Earl Boykins.

Koponen (who wants you to know that saunas and Santa Claus are from Finland) is something of an unknown. Although he has played twice as a Blazer in summer league, he has played regular seasons only in the lightly regarded Finnish league, where he was dominant.

Points taken, and appreciate the write-up IP.

With regards to the old guys who don't make sense, I needed some vets with no real mental concerns to go around the young guys. George brings hustle, outside shooting, and defense, Butler is a certified bomber from outside, so is Marshall and they'll be needed to stretch the floor at times. Speedy is a massive gamble, but from reading what he, his doctor and team has had to say it looks as though he's going to give it one last shot. If it pays off, for a selection in the 14th round it's an absolute steal - 30 year old championship winning PG back-up.

I've got no worries about Darko whatsoever. He's known for his defense and in a line-up next to Bosh, Durant and Mayo he doesn't need to score, all he needs to do is defend. This is a perfect opportunity for him.

Jawai and Koponen are projects that will get minutes this year (same with Fazekas). I think they have tremendous upside and we'd be looking to get that out of them. As for Mayo, I'm convinced is going to be a star in this league. In a team like this he can play to his strengths and not have to worry about being "the man" instead he'll part of a championship core down the road.

Duhon is a proven facilitator on offense. He reads the game well, is young and can rebound well for a PG. He's being given a chance to show his worth.

I think for the upcoming season, McCants is a great sixth man. He will fill in for Mayo if/when things aren't going well, he has a good arsenal on offense and has tough defense too. If he under performs, which I don't anticipate, then the following season we have Carlos Delfino coming back who can easily fill his shoes. Rashad McCants will probably never start on a championship team, but he sure as hell can be a great sixth man for one.

As for the Koponen to Italy thing, I saw that before I got him and I'm under the impression that I can just recall him now and have him for the upcoming season, no?

[JSD]

Houston Rockets-

Starting:
C - Andrew Bogut
PF - Lamar Odom
SF - Gerald Wallace
SG - Kevin Martin
PG - Tony Parker

Bench:
C - Shaquille O’neal.
PF - Troy Murphy
SF - Tim Thomas
SG - Michael Finley
PG - Luke Ridnour


C - Robert Swift
PF -  Melvin Ely
SF - Yakhouba Diawara
SG - Roger Mason Jr
PG - Damon Stoudamire


PG - Lindsey Hunter

[celticmaestro]

Houston Rockets-

Starting:
C - Andrew Bogut
PF - Lamar Odom
SF - Gerald Wallace
SG - Kevin Martin
PG - Tony Parker

Bench:
C - Shaquille O’neal.
PF - Troy Murphy
SF - Tim Thomas
SG - Michael Finley
PG - Luke Ridnour


C - Robert Swift
PF -  Melvin Ely
SF - Yakhouba Diawara
SG - Roger Mason Jr
PG - Damon Stoudamire


PG - Lindsey Hunter

I'm not sure if that team will win a championship this year, but it's definitely deep enough to go deep into the playoffs. I think it's a solid squad, but lacking one superstar to take you to the promised land.

[Big Ticket]

Going back to Portland, I respect the way Roy drafted. But when I look at how the draft turned out, and how Roy decided to go young, I realize he could have had a starting lineup like this:

Amare
J O'Neal
T-Mac
Joe Johnson
Tony Parker

While I think that line-up is full of headcases that couldn't work together, I think it would be much better and more ready to win than what you actually drafted.

That team is substantially worse than the one I drafted, in my opinion.  I think you need to think about how players fit into a team together, as Big Ticket mentioned.  J.O., Amare, T-mac, and Joe Johnson all in the same lineup is an absolute nightmare.  Not only is there not a clear "go to" guy, but all of those guys have been known to complain when things aren't going their way.  You then throw in a point guard who looks for his own offense.

Additionally, that team's window of opportunity is a couple of years, whereas I think my current team can contend for 6 to 8 seasons.  I respect your opinion, but no thank you. 

Personally, I think that team's window is longer than a couple years, and in fact would not even begin for a couple years (after trading TMac for some great draft picks + role players and trading JO for a young Perk-type center).  Parker, Johnson, and Amare with some top tier support players would be amazing.