Celticsblog Fantasy Roster Review

[indeedproceed]

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?

That's a good defense. I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

[Big Ticket]

Minnesota Timberwolves

PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Ronnie Brewer
SF - LeBron "The King" James
PF - Reggie Evans
C  - Andris Biedrins

Reserves:

PG - Keyon Dooling
SG - Anthony Parker
SF - Nicolas Batum
PF - Amir Johnson / Joey Dorsey
C - Aaron Gray / Javale McGee

Inactive:

SG - Sonny Weems
SF - Mickael Gelabale


This has quickly turned into a team of the future with young prospects like Amir Johnson, Nicolas Batum, Aaron Gray, Javale McGee, Joey Dorsey, Sonny Weems, and Mickael Gelabale, as well as our team's flagship players LeBron James, Andris Biedrins, Jose Calderon, and Ronnie Brewer.  We are confident, however, that while young, 3 of our starters around LeBron are each poised for breakout years. 

Jose Calderon will benefit from being given the co-reigns of the offense along with LeBron, and in his past has proven to be one of the most efficient points in the league when given the responsibility.  Andris Biedrins has focused his early years on cleaning up around the basket and being a beast on the boards.  In this offense, he'll continue to do more of the same, while also being a prime dump off target for the basket crashing Calderon and James.  We expect him to set career marks in PPG without suffering a drop in his league best FG%.  Ronnie Brewer was one of the most improved player from his rookie to sophomore seasons, and we expect more improvement going into his third campaign.  While remaining his teams 4th option on offense, he will benefit from several open looks created by LeBron and Jose Ole, and be able to give maximum effort on both ends of he court, as he will be spelled by the Wolves' best and most well rounded reserve - Anthony Parker. 

Reggie Evans has gracially accepted a short term starters role while the freak-on-training Amir Johnson gets a few more months of NBA experience under his belt.  Evans has vowed to work harder than ever on the boards and on the defensive side.  He has acknowledged that having rebounding around LeBron is key, because the more possessions you give to the best player in the world, the better.  As you can imagine, we are ecstatic to have clearly two of the league's top rebounders on our frontline. 

Aaron Gray will provide tireless effort, great size, and promising skills while building upon his 19 point, 22 rebound rookie season finale performance.  Calderon will be spelled by one of the 3 best defensive point guards in the game, and a player who knows his role, distributes, and will knock down open shots when necessary. 

LeBron's backup is the supremely young, supremely athletic Nicolas Batum.  His one weakness is creating for himself, but he will mostly be called upon to finish on the break, hit open shots, and stretch the defense.  Early workouts leave us fully confident that he can achieve those goals in his 8-10 MPG.

Our last two men off the bench include Joey Dorsey, a mature bull that will specialize in hustle, rebounding, and physical defense and rebounding.  He will never be an all star, but he knows his strengths and utilizes them to the fullest.  Our third center is the young Javale McGee, a player bursting with potential and skills.  At 7'0", 250 lbs and with room for another 20 pounds of muscle, McGee is a great shooter, athletic finisher, and big man that can beat most guards up and down the court.  With a couple years of strength and post skills training, McGee could become a bonafide star in the pivot.

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. 

___

(Sorry, this was supposed to be short, but turned into a primer for the Wolves official statement upon the completion of the draft.)

So is anyone buying this or am I just blowing smoke?

[celticmaestro]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

[Lucky17]

I will say this Roy, I don't think Ford is better than Rondo. He is too easily injured, not as creative with the ball (that's not a knock on Ford but a compliment to Rondo), not as natural a facilitator, and not as good a defender. Ford has a better jump shot, but doesn't get to the hoop any better than Rondo does.

But then again, I think he's a nice fit for your team.

I disagree with the creativity and facilitator points.  Ford is one of the better "floor general" point guards in the entire NBA, in my opinion.  Rondo definitely has him in health and defense, but I think Ford is a better passer.

Also, head-to-head, Ford has absolutely dominated Rondo.  Link. 

I had a longer response that was lost as I tried to post it, but it boiled down to this: a sample size of only 5 games, really four, since Rondo only played 2.5 minutes in their first meeting during his rookie year. In only one game, a road game during the first week of last season, did Ford statistically dominate Rondo, a game that the Celtics won (Rondo's teams are 3-2 vs. Ford's).

Even so, the head-to-head comparison shows Rondo has a better TO/A ratio, better rebounding, and comparable shooting percentages (except 3s). Ford is clearly a better shooter than Rondo, but otherwise, right now, it's a push.

Going forward, I take Rondo, for Ford's aforementioned durability issues, but also because Rondo has room for improvement.

[celticmaestro]

Big Ticket, I think that Biedrins, Calderon and Brewer could all be primed for break-out years, but regardless of that this team wont make the playoffs this season. I think in the future, it could be very interesting to see what they could do. With a player like LeBron in your team, anything is possible, and that core certainly has a chance to be better than the lot LeBron took to the finals with the Cavs in 2007. Definitely a lot of projects in your team (as with mine, and most re-building teams).

[indeedproceed]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

I don't know, but my inference is that every one of these contracts follows that they play the upcoming season, and have an opt out next season.

[celticmaestro]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

I don't know, but my inference is that every one of these contracts follows that they play the upcoming season, and have an opt out next season.

I thought the Koponen case was different. Anyone else care to give a ruling on it?

Also, if I can weigh in on the Rondo-Ford debate, I take Rondo near enough 100% of the time.

[Big Ticket]

Big Ticket, I think that Biedrins, Calderon and Brewer could all be primed for break-out years, but regardless of that this team wont make the playoffs this season. I think in the future, it could be very interesting to see what they could do. With a player like LeBron in your team, anything is possible, and that core certainly has a chance to be better than the lot LeBron took to the finals with the Cavs in 2007. Definitely a lot of projects in your team (as with mine, and most re-building teams).

Hmmm... thanks for the comment.  I never thought even those most down on my team would predict they miss the playoffs this season though.

[indeedproceed]

I like Rondo going forward and immediately. Better team guy, and whatever talent Ford has the edge on now, I like Rondo's character and potential

[celticmaestro]

Big Ticket, I think that Biedrins, Calderon and Brewer could all be primed for break-out years, but regardless of that this team wont make the playoffs this season. I think in the future, it could be very interesting to see what they could do. With a player like LeBron in your team, anything is possible, and that core certainly has a chance to be better than the lot LeBron took to the finals with the Cavs in 2007. Definitely a lot of projects in your team (as with mine, and most re-building teams).

Hmmm... thanks for the comment.  I never thought even those most down on my team would predict they miss the playoffs this season though.

You'd be there in contention, but other than LeBron I don't see a star this year. Maybe Calderon. I don't think that's enough right now to bring you deep in the playoffs. As I said though, in a few years down the line this team could easily challenge the Lakers and Blazers for Western Supremacy.

[Roy Hobbs]

I like Rondo going forward and immediately. Better team guy, and whatever talent Ford has the edge on now, I like Rondo's character and potential

I like Rondo, as well, but I think Ford is a better passer and scorer right now.  I wasn't sure by your comment if you were implying that Ford *doesn't* have good character and potential.

I've heard nothing but good things about T.J. Ford the person; of the two, the only one I've heard having issues with his teammates is Rondo (although those don't really bother me, either.) 

In terms of potential (somebody above pointed this out as a criticism) I don't see any reason Ford can't get better.  He's 25 years old.  His shooting has steadily improved in each of his four seasons in the league, and his turnover percentage has gone down in each of his four seasons.  His PER has gone up four years in a row.  This is all despite being sidetracked by injuries.  I see no reason to think that Ford won't continue his steady climb upward.

Again, I love Rondo.  I wonder, though, how much this current debate is biased by the fact that we're Boston fans, and people just don't have any clue how good T.J. Ford is.  He's got injury concerns, which don't effect his game or mobility in any way.  That's it.  Other than that, the kid is an elite young point guard.

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

I don't know, but my inference is that every one of these contracts follows that they play the upcoming season, and have an opt out next season.

I thought the Koponen case was different. Anyone else care to give a ruling on it?

How is Koponen a distinction?  (Legitimate question.) 

My thought is, once a player elects to play overseas this season (for whatever reason) he's ineligible for our rosters this year.  If Koponen hasn't elected to do so yet, and there's a chance he plays in the NBA, then he could still be eligible. 

[celticmaestro]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

I don't know, but my inference is that every one of these contracts follows that they play the upcoming season, and have an opt out next season.

I thought the Koponen case was different. Anyone else care to give a ruling on it?

How is Koponen a distinction?  (Legitimate question.) 

My thought is, once a player elects to play overseas this season (for whatever reason) he's ineligible for our rosters this year.  If Koponen hasn't elected to do so yet, and there's a chance he plays in the NBA, then he could still be eligible. 

The fact that it's a team decision and not a players decision. The team has the option to bring him to the NBA, which is the opposite to the Childress case.

[indeedproceed]

I like Rondo going forward and immediately. Better team guy, and whatever talent Ford has the edge on now, I like Rondo's character and potential

I like Rondo, as well, but I think Ford is a better passer and scorer right now.  I wasn't sure by your comment if you were implying that Ford *doesn't* have good character and potential.

I've heard nothing but good things about T.J. Ford the person; of the two, the only one I've heard having issues with his teammates is Rondo (although those don't really bother me, either.) 

In terms of potential (somebody above pointed this out as a criticism) I don't see any reason Ford can't get better.  He's 25 years old.  His shooting has steadily improved in each of his four seasons in the league, and his turnover percentage has gone down in each of his four seasons.  His PER has gone up four years in a row.  This is all despite being sidetracked by injuries.  I see no reason to think that Ford won't continue his steady climb upward.

Again, I love Rondo.  I wonder, though, how much this current debate is biased by the fact that we're Boston fans, and people just don't have any clue how good T.J. Ford is.  He's got injury concerns, which don't effect his game or mobility in any way.  That's it.  Other than that, the kid is an elite young point guard.

You know, I used to be a big Ford fan, but I soured after last season, watching him jack up shots after he came back from injury, and complaining.

"The great Toronto Raptors hostage crisis of 2008 is in its third month now, and shows no sign of abating. Well, it could cease having an impact on the court three days from now, should the Raptors get swept out of the playoffs. The central figure in this hostage crisis is T.J. Ford, the man who controls the offence to begin games, which you may have noticed the Raptors are having a touch of trouble with. ... Sam Mitchell could start Jose Calderon and go back to Ford. But when Ford was shoved into a backup role after missing eight weeks due to another neck injury this season, he turned toxic. He dominated the ball, shot too much, poisoned the waters. Eventually, Calderon volunteered to go back to the bench to help the team. You can be sure that Ford will not do the same."

That was from the playoffs, and I don't know if its an issue when he's a starter, but it kind of concerned me.

I loved him before last season though, so maybe this is an isolated incident.

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't think you can recall Koponen THIS season though. Next for sure, but this season he's under contract. Next season he has a buyout though.

Is that definite? I'd have thought that because he's able to be bought out every summer I could just buy him out now and bring him in? It doesn't say anything about him having to play there this season.

I don't know, but my inference is that every one of these contracts follows that they play the upcoming season, and have an opt out next season.

I thought the Koponen case was different. Anyone else care to give a ruling on it?

How is Koponen a distinction?  (Legitimate question.) 

My thought is, once a player elects to play overseas this season (for whatever reason) he's ineligible for our rosters this year.  If Koponen hasn't elected to do so yet, and there's a chance he plays in the NBA, then he could still be eligible. 

The fact that it's a team decision and not a players decision. The team has the option to bring him to the NBA, which is the opposite to the Childress case.

Under your interpretation, would that make every Euro player with an option (Splitter, etc.) eligible to play this year?  In the case of Koponen, it's more than just the Blazers saying "sure, he can come over", isn't it?  I'm just not familiar enough with his circumstances.

My thought is that it's cleaner to have a bright line rule; if a player plays in Europe, he's not eligible to play for our league this year.  That's just my common sense thought, and isn't anything "official".