Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division

[KCattheStripe]

Scribbles,

Have you toyed with the idea of having Joe Johnson playing point, T-Mac at the 2 and Diaw at the Three?

[RebusRankin]

Redz,

Are you worried at all about defense? In particular your back court and Beasley?

[zerophase]

I didn't realize I was in this division... opps. (I don't follow west basketball) Though my press conference will not be as detailed as Roy's, here it goes:

Depth/Roster Chart:

PG: Bibby/Gibson/Ivey
SG: R. Bell/Daniels/Reddick
SF: R. Jefferson/Moon/Nachbar (Overseas)
PF: Brand/Millsap/M. Allen/J. Howard
C:  Mutombo/O'Bryant/J. Collins

First of all, I must say that there seems to be some perspective of players where potential is overvalued. I don't believe in unproven players that will take many years to develop. Potential just screams Gerald to me. Next I must say that players reach there primes just before 30 and move out of their prime as they approach their mid 30's.

Now, if you would look at my team, I have playoff tested players. May people undervalue Bibby due to last year's playoff's against the Celtics. This is ridiculous. He was injured for most of the year and still learning the Hawks system (example is the failure of Jason Kidd). When healthy next year, he is absolutely a playoff caliber team's starting point guard.

Next we look at Raja Bell. All NBA 2nd Defensive team. This is crucial when there are so many 2 guards around to league that are near all-star, if not all-star talent. His past has taught him what it takes to be a true NBA player as he has had to work from nothing, being a water boy, until a starter. He also ranks #7 in 3 pointers this previous season. Solid.

Richard Jefferson is near all-star talent. Still young, I think that he can flourish in the Nugget's fast pace offense. His slashing and athleticism screams Pierce to me.

Now Elton Brand... Mr. do it all. What can't this guy do? Although he was injured last season, he is healthy now and is a true franchise caliber player. He is not only an all-star player at the PF position, he can play the center effectively as well. If you look at his all star appearance history, you realize that he's only been an all star twice. It's quite difficult to be on a 12 man roster when Yao gets voted in every year and you have to compete with Dirk, Duncan, and previously KG. That will change now.

People question my center position. However, center by committee is not a bad thing. Remember that Mutumbo was the starting center during Houston's 22 game win streak. He still is a great shot blocker and a solid center. Plus, Brand can play center as he sits.

Next the bench. Gibson is a great shooter and will be a good point guard in the feature. He got the lucrative contract with the Cavs for a reason. Anyone remember the rookie/soph challenge?

Moon has the highest vertical leap in the NBA today. Excellent rebounder for a forward and has a jump shot too. He is a very capable starter.

Millsap has had some brilliant moments under the limited minutes he's gotten.  With Brand playing center, he can play the PF effectively. O'Bryant never got a chance either. I am willing to let the man play. Allen, Howard, and Collins are just an added insurance.

Ivey and Reddick are for insurance as well. Ivey can easily step in and play point guard for a few minutes a night and no one doubts Reddick's shooting.

Nachbar is overseas currently but will join the team next year. He wouldn't get playing time right now anyways, so he can be developed for the future not having to play here.

My team is of proven vets but also has young talent for the future. Overall the ownership is very happy with the draft results.

[Redz]

Redz,

Are you worried at all about defense? In particular your back court and Beasley?

Defense?  What's that?

Clearly not a strength of much of my squad.  If there's going to be any success for the Angry Pickles this season we're going to need to average about 120 a night.  Camby will get his blocks but I don't see a real stopper on my team.

[Roy Hobbs]

Interesting team, zerophase.  I'm a big Brand fan, and Jefferson is going to score a ton of points.  Some questions to get you started:

1) Any concerns that you don't have a "true", pass first point guard?

2) Any worries that Raja is on the downward slope?

3) Where do you see yourself in the Conference?  Are you a playoff team?

[zerophase]

Interesting team, zerophase.  I'm a big Brand fan, and Jefferson is going to score a ton of points.  Some questions to get you started:

1) Any concerns that you don't have a "true", pass first point guard?

2) Any worries that Raja is on the downward slope?

3) Where do you see yourself in the Conference?  Are you a playoff team?

Well in the half court, I intend on giving the ball to Brand in the post and having him either attack or dish to shooters (much like the Celtics). Bibby, although not a pass first point guard can still run the point efficiently and has made some beautiful passes before.

Raja Bell is a solid player. He's not the flashiest or the best player on the team but if definitely a good sg, who I can trust on the wing. He is on the downward slope, but then again, so is our Big 3. Hell, Iverson is a old geezer now and still plays well. With the close monitoring of the players and the stricter rules, player's careers are extended by many years.

My team is definitely a playoff team. The seeding might be low, but I predicted it to be one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrYtLq5uZsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ogtc-rnd8&feature=related

[Redz]

zero,

Any concerns that Mutombo might not want to return to where he started in Denver?

In a real sense, what do you post as odds that Dikembe returns for another season.  I love Dikembe and he has shown some amazing flashes of bygone years during Yao's extended lost time the last couple of years, but is he "good to go" for `08-`09? 

If not can O'Bryant & Collins offer enough to get by with?

[zerophase]

zero,

Any concerns that Mutombo might not want to return to where he started in Denver?

In a real sense, what do you post as odds that Dikembe returns for another season.  I love Dikembe and he has shown some amazing flashes of bygone years during Yao's extended lost time the last couple of years, but is he "good to go" for `08-`09? 

If not can O'Bryant & Collins offer enough to get by with?

Mutombo is definitely ready. If some odd reason he decides to retire, I would place Brand at the center and use the added depth at the PF spot to my advantage.

Why wouldn't Mutombo want to come back to Denver? Players love to retire with the team that first drafted them. Its like a completion of their full circle journey. Anyone watch the closings of the Olympics? Full circles are good luck.

[Redz]

Why wouldn't Mutombo want to come back to Denver? Players love to retire with the team that first drafted them. Its like a completion of their full circle journey. Anyone watch the closings of the Olympics? Full circles are good luck.

So you're saying there's a chance Antoine will come back to the Celts!

[RebusRankin]

Zerophase

Are you worried at all about your 5 spot or your depth behind Brand at the 4? Brand is coming off a major injury.

[zerophase]

what brand did is basically what pierce did. got severely injured came back and saw there was no point to play, and shut it down. i'm confident he's fully healthy. I answered you question about the 5 spot before when i mentioned center by committee with Brand playing many minutes there.

[RebusRankin]

If Brand plays major minutes at the 5, do you have enough at the 4?

[bdm860]

[2) As such, I personally think desirability of location and market size are thrown out the door... otherwise you create a huge built-in advantage for the GMs that were given a big market team in a better location.  So to answer your question about LeBron leaving for big money.... no, that will not happen. 

Everyone please pay no attention to what Big Ticket is saying.  I fully expect to lure Lebron away to play with his buddy Jay-Z in Brooklyn.  So far my team is one of the favored teams, so they may have won a championship or two by the time Lebron's contract is up.  Lebron will gladly leave the TWolves to play on either a championship team, or at least a team with alot of talent (that may be on the decline) but that Lebron could reviatilize with his signing.  Whoops, is this considered tampering?

Lol, somehow I feel Big Ticket will sign Lebron to a 20 year, $500 million extension before I ever get the chance to sign him.

[zerophase]

If Brand plays major minutes at the 5, do you have enough at the 4?

millsap is stud and howard and allen can share as backup vets. yes i feel i have enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6gDVmXTF0&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=millsap&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=

[Roy Hobbs]

Okay, who are the two comedians who think Denver can beat Portland?