Celticsblog Fantasy Roster Review

[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.

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".

Fair enough. My thinking was that as his case is different to that of Childress, Delfino, Boykins etc. that he (and Splitter and whoever else is under a similar contract) would be eligible to play in the NBA if his parent team decided to exercise that option.

What I understood about his situation was that the Blazers wanted to give him some experience in a professional league before putting him into the NBA, and that was a decision they made as opposed to him making it. Whereas they could just as easily have kept him in Portland.

[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.

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.

Well, I consider Calderon to be a top 5 point guard, and can see him averaging 15 points and 9 assists this year with stellar percentages yet again.  That's as close to MVP form Steve Nash as you'll find.  I also think Biedrins is ready to be a legitimate option in the offense, and Brewer will continue to improve.  So while I agree that there is no second "star" (as I mentioned, that is pretty impossible when your 2nd pick isn't until the 59th overall), I think that the brightness of LeBron's star would make Calderon an all star and Biedrins a 2nd tier center.  Can't ask for too much more than that around a player that is poised to take over the league.

[Gainesville Celtic]

Alright, I hadn't weighed in yet at any point. But I'm starting to put my thoughts together. Here's my top ten in alphabetical order for now, more notes to come:


Orlando Magic - Tim Duncan has never missed the playoffs, never not made it out of the first round. He and Miller are two of the best passing bigs. Billups is stalwart. Danny Granger is multi-faceted, and now puts up the numbers of a guy that probably ought to receive 3rd Team honors but doesn't. That's four-fifths of a championship contender with great ball movement, size, defense. But somewhat inexplicably there are no shooting guard to be found anywhere. Matt Harpring no longer plays the two; Dorrell Wright never played there; Delonte West is at his worst when asked to play both.

WW - thanks for the kind words!

About our 2-guard spot... i think you're being a bit rigid. I'll concede that Harpring probably belongs at the 3 more naturally -- and as I said that was how i was feeling that day. 

Delonte West will likely start the season at SG, backed up by Devin Brown and Dorell Wright and even Matt Barnes (see below). 

We're asking Delonte to play nothing but SG -- his role on this team will be clearly defined as a shooter, a secondary distrbutor (like Miller and Duncan) and to defend.  Billups is our starting PG and JWill has enough gas in the tank to play 15 mins/gm, leaving Delonte exclusively at his college Position.  Because we think that on most nights we'll be winning 2-3 positional battles (PF, PG, and SF or C) all we ask of Delonte is to play his man to a draw.

Delonte is a little smaller than some of the other SGs in our conference, but we think that guys like Maggette and Wince Carter will have a hard time staying with him running off of the endless screens we plan to set for him.

His backups will be Devin Brown --- a key reserve for CLE last year and for SAN ANTONIO during their 2004-05 NBA Championship.  He's unspectacular, but fits perfectly into our "Ubuntu Y'all" concept.

Dorell Wright may have played most of him minutes at SF for MIAMI but that as much due to a guy named DWade being the 2-guard there as anything.  Wright is the same size as Rip Hamilton and while he doesn't have the "Rat Faced Weasel's" shooting touch, his athleticism and size will give other SGs problems.

And while they may not be classical 2-guards on paper, Wright and even Matt Barnes will play some minutes at the 2 against some teams -- especially for their length defensively -- given the size of some of the other SGs in the Eastern Conference: Corey Maggette, Vince carter, Jason Richardson, Michael Redd, Mike Miller   

[Donoghus]

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.

Well, I consider Calderon to be a top 5 point guard, and can see him averaging 15 points and 9 assists this year with stellar percentages yet again.  That's as close to MVP form Steve Nash as you'll find.  I also think Biedrins is ready to be a legitimate option in the offense, and Brewer will continue to improve.  So while I agree that there is no second "star" (as I mentioned, that is pretty impossible when your 2nd pick isn't until the 59th overall), I think that the brightness of LeBron's star would make Calderon an all star and Biedrins a 2nd tier center.  Can't ask for too much more than that around a player that is poised to take over the league.

Love Calderon. 

[Kwhit10]

I concur, I'm really high on Calderon too.

[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.

Well, I consider Calderon to be a top 5 point guard, and can see him averaging 15 points and 9 assists this year with stellar percentages yet again.  That's as close to MVP form Steve Nash as you'll find.  I also think Biedrins is ready to be a legitimate option in the offense, and Brewer will continue to improve.  So while I agree that there is no second "star" (as I mentioned, that is pretty impossible when your 2nd pick isn't until the 59th overall), I think that the brightness of LeBron's star would make Calderon an all star and Biedrins a 2nd tier center.  Can't ask for too much more than that around a player that is poised to take over the league.

I also rate Calderon as probably the fourth or fifth best PG in the NBA. I think he'll thrive in your team and could establish himself as that second "star" next to LeBron. Like I said, solid team that would be in playoff contention but not a dead-cert to make it. In a year or two is when I see this team peaking.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Following the Redd trade, and a couple of draft picks, this is how the Pistons look:

C:  Yao Ming/Jake Voskuhl/Jason Collins
PF: Shawn Marion/Carl Landry/PJ Brown
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Al Harrington/Steve Novak
SG: Michael Redd/Flip Murray/Gerald Green
PG: Earl Watson/Kyle Lowry/Steve Francis


The way I see it, we are contenders in the East for the next 3-5 years.

I got a slight logjam at PG, and not that many good back-up big guys. Stevie Franchise or Lowry could be available for a good big man.

But otherwise, I think my team is pretty darn good.


Most likely Green, Voskuhl, and Novak (injuries) inactive:

So minutes-wise:

Center: Yao 34, Brown 6, Landry 4, Harrington 4    (gonna play some small ball at times)
PF: Marion 35, Landry 10, Harrington 3
SF: Turkoglu 35, Harrington 13
SG: Redd 35, Murray 8, Francis 5
PG: Watson 28, Lowry 12, Francis 8


Total minutes:

Turkoglu 35
Marion 35
Redd 35
Yao 34
Watson 28
Harrington 20
Landry 14
Francis 13
Lowry 12
Murray 8
Brown 6


Plenty of rest for my starters and runs for the guys on my bench

[indeedproceed]

I guess now that its all done, I look something like this:

Perkins/Etan Thomas/
Nene/Channing Frye/Cheik Samb/Andre Brown
Caron Butler/Trevor Ariza/Donte Green/Demetris Nichols
Brandon Roy/Morris Almond/
Mike Conley Jr/Antonio Daniels/Mateen Cleaves

Overseas for one year/maybe the rest of his life: Taureen Green

I know it looks like Im think at the 2 and the 5, but I see Channing Frye playing a lot of minutes at the 5, Trevor Ariza playing minutes at the 4, Nichols at the 2, and Daniels at the 2. Also Brandon Roy at the 1.

[Donoghus]

Following the Redd trade, and a couple of draft picks, this is how the Pistons look:

C:  Yao Ming/Jake Voskuhl/Jason Collins
PF: Shawn Marion/Carl Landry/PJ Brown
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Al Harrington/Steve Novak
SG: Michael Redd/Flip Murray/Gerald Green
PG: Earl Watson/Kyle Lowry/Steve Francis


The way I see it, we are contenders in the East for the next 3-5 years.

I got a slight logjam at PG, and not that many good back-up big guys. Stevie Franchise or Lowry could be available for a good big man.

But otherwise, I think my team is pretty darn good.

Definitely one of the top contenders in the East. 

[indeedproceed]

Following the Redd trade, and a couple of draft picks, this is how the Pistons look:

C:  Yao Ming/Jake Voskuhl/Jason Collins
PF: Shawn Marion/Carl Landry/PJ Brown
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Al Harrington/Steve Novak
SG: Michael Redd/Flip Murray/Gerald Green
PG: Earl Watson/Kyle Lowry/Steve Francis


The way I see it, we are contenders in the East for the next 3-5 years.

I got a slight logjam at PG, and not that many good back-up big guys. Stevie Franchise or Lowry could be available for a good big man.

But otherwise, I think my team is pretty darn good.

Agree with Dons, one of the better in the East, and one of the better in the league. Your team falls apart if Yao is injured, but if you can get 70+ game out of him (which hasn't happened since 2005), you're in the playoffs with at least one series at home. If Yao is 85% or better for the playoffs, you've got as good a chance as anyone of making it out of the East to face the Suns.

[Roy Hobbs]

Following the Redd trade, and a couple of draft picks, this is how the Pistons look:

C:  Yao Ming/Jake Voskuhl/Jason Collins
PF: Shawn Marion/Carl Landry/PJ Brown
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Al Harrington/Steve Novak
SG: Michael Redd/Flip Murray/Gerald Green
PG: Earl Watson/Kyle Lowry/Steve Francis


The way I see it, we are contenders in the East for the next 3-5 years.

I got a slight logjam at PG, and not that many good back-up big guys. Stevie Franchise or Lowry could be available for a good big man.

But otherwise, I think my team is pretty darn good.

Agree with Dons, one of the better in the East, and one of the better in the league. Your team falls apart if Yao is injured, but if you can get 70+ game out of him (which hasn't happened since 2005), you're in the playoffs with at least one series at home. If Yao is 85% or better for the playoffs, you've got as good a chance as anyone of making it out of the East to face the Suns.

Haha.  Very subtle, IP. 

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, I guess it's time to post the finished product:

Horford / Battie / Mourning
Amare / Haslem / Wright
Gay / Webster
Iguodala / Mobley / Ross
Ford / Blake / Atkins / Ukic

Overseas:  Pekovic, Asik, Erden, Arroyo

I think that team can compete with anybody.  It's got elite talent, depth, role players, shooters, defenders...  And the great thing is, nobody in the core is older than 25, yet four of the starters have serious playoff experience.

[indeedproceed]

Following the Redd trade, and a couple of draft picks, this is how the Pistons look:

C:  Yao Ming/Jake Voskuhl/Jason Collins
PF: Shawn Marion/Carl Landry/PJ Brown
SF: Hedo Turkoglu/Al Harrington/Steve Novak
SG: Michael Redd/Flip Murray/Gerald Green
PG: Earl Watson/Kyle Lowry/Steve Francis


The way I see it, we are contenders in the East for the next 3-5 years.

I got a slight logjam at PG, and not that many good back-up big guys. Stevie Franchise or Lowry could be available for a good big man.

But otherwise, I think my team is pretty darn good.

Agree with Dons, one of the better in the East, and one of the better in the league. Your team falls apart if Yao is injured, but if you can get 70+ game out of him (which hasn't happened since 2005), you're in the playoffs with at least one series at home. If Yao is 85% or better for the playoffs, you've got as good a chance as anyone of making it out of the East to face the Suns.

Haha.  Very subtle, IP. 

Its the subtle things you gotta watch for. They get inside your mind without you even seeing them, then set up shop.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Well, I guess it's time to post the finished product:

Horford / Battie / Mourning
Amare / Haslem / Wright
Gay / Webster
Iguodala / Mobley / Ross
Ford / Blake / Atkins / Ukic

Overseas:  Pekovic, Asik, Erden, Arroyo

I think that team can compete with anybody.  It's got elite talent, depth, role players, shooters, defenders...  And the great thing is, nobody in the core is older than 25, yet four of the starters have serious playoff experience.

 I wouldn't say Horford has 'serious' playoff experience.

[Roy Hobbs]

Well, I guess it's time to post the finished product:

Horford / Battie / Mourning
Amare / Haslem / Wright
Gay / Webster
Iguodala / Mobley / Ross
Ford / Blake / Atkins / Ukic

Overseas:  Pekovic, Asik, Erden, Arroyo

I think that team can compete with anybody.  It's got elite talent, depth, role players, shooters, defenders...  And the great thing is, nobody in the core is older than 25, yet four of the starters have serious playoff experience.

 I wouldn't say Horford has 'serious' playoff experience.

He played in an intense seven game series against the eventual champs, and thrived.  He averaged a double-double and had very respectable shooting and passing numbers.  To me, that's serious experience.

EDIT: And as Donoghus points out, Horford won two national championships at Florida.