Poll

Which team is most likely to win the "fake" Northwest division in 2008-09?

Denver (Brand, Bibby, R. Jefferson, R. Bell,  Mutombo, etc.)
2 (6.9%)
Minnesota (Lebron, Calderon, R. Brewer, Amir Johnson, Biedrins, etc.)
5 (17.2%)
Oklahoma City (Beasley, Camby, Salmons, Crawford, Starbury, etc.)
0 (0%)
Portland (Amare, Iguodala, Gay, Horford, Ford, etc.)
22 (75.9%)
Utah  (Tmac, J.Johnson, Diop, Udrih, Aldridge, etc.)
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 29

Author Topic: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division  (Read 51349 times)

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Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« on: August 26, 2008, 12:02:04 AM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Here, each of the GMs representing a team in the Northwest Division will provide an introduction / summary of their team, draft strategy, etc.  Other members should ask questions (directed to one or more GMs), and those GMs should attempt to answer the questions as well as they can.

For those participating, the opening blurbs included some or all of the following:

1. Roster / depth chart
2. Statistics
3. Pictures
4. Statement regarding drafting philosophy (building for the future, contending now, etc.)
5. Toughest decision
6. Best move (trade, pick, etc.) / worst move
7. Your outlook for this coming season

It can be as substantial or as abbreviated as you want it to be.  These threads are open to all members, not just those posters who participated in the draft.  The more participation we get, the better.

==============================

Denver press conference
Minnesota press conference
Oklahoma City press conference
Portland press conference
Utah press conference
« Last Edit: August 26, 2008, 08:11:33 PM by Roy Hobbs »

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Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2008, 12:02:53 AM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
"Five players on the floor functioning as one single unit: team, team, team - no one more important that the other."







Roster:

C: Horford / Battie / Mourning
PF: Stoudemire / Haslem / B. Wright
SF: Gay / Webster
SG: Iguodala / Mobley / Ross
PG: Ford / Blake / Atkins / Ukic

Overseas: Pekovic, Asik, Erden, Arroyo, Barac, Diamantidis

Front office:

General Manager: Roy Hobbs
Head Coach: Norman Dale
Assistant Coaches: Wilbur "Shooter" Flatch, Jimmy Chitwood, Pete Carril, Dick Harter
Equipment Manager: Bobby Savoy


========================================================================================
PlayerPositionDraft PositionAgeHeightPointsReboundsAssistsBlocksStealseFG%
Amare StoudemirePF / C1st (9)256'10"25.29.11.52.10.8.590
Andre IguodalaSG / SF1st (26)246'6"19.95.44.80.62.1.495
Rudy GaySF / PF2nd (2)226'9"20.16.22.01.01.4.511
Al HorfordPF / C2nd (13)226'10"10.19.71.50.90.7.499
T.J. FordPG3rd (9)256'0"12.12.06.10.01.1.484
Udonis HaslemPF5th (4)286'8"12.09.01.40.40.8.467
Martell WebsterSG / SF6th (10)216'9"10.73.91.20.40.6.516
Steve BlakePG6th (29)286'3"8.52.45.10.00.7.502
Brandan WrightPF7th (3)206'9"4.02.60.20.60.2.554
Cuttino MobleySG9th (3)326'4"12.83.62.60.41.0.472
Tony BattiePF / C10th (2)326'11"6.15.20.50.50.4.489
Alonzo MourningCVia trade386'10"6.03.70.31.70.2.560
Quinton RossSG / SF10th (27)276'6"4.12.31.20.40.6.404
Chucky AtkinsPG13th (12)345'11"4.71.32.00.00.4.447
Roko UkicPG / SG14th (16)236'5"n/an/an/an/an/an/a
Nikola PekovicPF / C15th (7)226'11"n/an/an/an/an/an/a
Omer AsikC15th (12)227'0"n/an/an/an/an/an/a
Semih ErdenC15th (13)227'1""n/an/an/an/an/an/a
Carlos ArroyoPGFree agent296'2"6.91.83.50.00.4.493
Stanko BaracPF/CFree agent227'1"n/an/an/an/an/an/a
D.DiamantidisPG/SGFree agent286'5"n/an/an/an/an/an/a

========================================================================================

Highlights (may contain explicit lyrics):

Amare:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZjPnqzq_E0

Rudy Gay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCso8qP_Mm4

Andre Iguodala:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw3XoKs2PVI

Al Horford:

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

T.J. Ford:

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

Drafting philosophy / strategy:  Going into the draft, I wanted to build a team that was both good enough to "win now", and young enough to be a "team of the future", as well.  I also wanted to position myself as well as possible in the draft, by moving down in the draft to pick up additional draft picks.  The plan was to then use some (but not all) of those picks to move back up again, to target specific players.  Thus, the hope was that I'd be able to maintain depth *and* draft elite talent.  I also wanted to, if possible, build around a top-nine player in the draft, as I thought there were nine players a team could build a franchise around (the actual top ten drafted, minus Dirk).

Luckily, the plan worked out.  I was able to land five picks in the first 69 picks, including two first rounders and two second rounders.  With those first five picks, I drafted young, elite, athletic talent at each of the five starting positions.  I also tried to pick players who would fit alongside one another, rather than simply drafting the best talent.  Thus, why I "reached" for a player like Rudy Gay at the top of the second round; Rudy is perfectly willing to be a second fiddle, which is an important attribute on my team. 

I also wanted to draft versatile players who could play on both ends of the court.  Every player in my starting lineup can score outside the paint, including Amare and Horford.  Horford, Iguodala, and Gay are all good defenders (with Iggy at an elite level), and Ford isn't bad.  Amare is the weak link, but by playing power forward, a lot of his defensive lapses will be covered.  Furthermore, Amare makes up for any mistakes on defense by being by far the best offensive big man in basketball; nobody else even comes close. 

In constructing the bench, I wanted three things:  shooting, experience, and defense.  I was fortunate that players who fit into each of those categories fell to me.  I knew that I needed to pick up veterans, which is why I traded up in the fifth round to land Udonis Haslem.  The late round picks of Tony Battie, Cuttino Mobley and Chucky Atkins, and the trade for Alonzo Mourning, were also big in this regard.  In reference to shooting, Mobley, Martell Webster, and Steve Blake should all help space the floor.  Defensively, I drafted Quinton Ross, a defensive specialist, to go along with the elite defensive big men already on my bench.  I gambled on one potential "home run" pick in Brandan Wright, a player whom I love, but who hasn't shown a ton yet due to minutes limitations.   

Toughest Decision:
  My toughest draft decision was deciding between Rudy Gay and Michael Beasley.  To me, Michael Beasley has franchise player potential.  He would have been a steal with my first second round pick.  However, he just didn't fit my team very well.  A front line of Amare / Beasley would have gotten eaten alive.  Additionally, both Amare and Beasley have had some attitude problems; putting them both on the same team would have been a disaster.  I decided, then, to go with the player who is more willing to accept his role, and who is more likely to contribute on both ends of the court in the short term.  I'm happy with the choice, but it wasn't an easy one.

Drafting Amare over Dwyane Wade was a tough call, as well.  There, I decided that drafting an elite big man was more important than drafting an elite guard.  In hindsight, I'm very happy with how things worked out.

Best move:  The best trade I made was actually set up by a series of trades.  I started with the #8 pick, and continually moved back in the draft, until Jsaad (Houston) offered me the opportunity to move back up into the top-four using some of the additional draft picks I had picked up.  I jumped at the chance.  I then re-traded that top-four pick for a top-nine pick and additional choices.  Therefore, I achieved my twin goals of picking up depth *and* a top-nine player at the same time. 

The other move I was very happy with was the trade with Oklahoma City, wherein I sacrificed a lot of draft position in later rounds, but picked up an additional late first rounder.  Ultimately, the chance to draft one elite guy made up for the draft position I lost (I dropped a total of 105 draft positions in the trade, plus gave up two draft picks.) 

Roster breakdown:

Amare Stoudemire -- As said above, this guy is the best offensive big man in the NBA.  He can score inside and outside, with power or finesse.  He was second in the NBA in PER, and was a top-five scorer.  Defensively, he's weak, but will improve moving to power forward.

Andre Iguodala -- A great, great player that people need to watch to properly appreciate.  He is legitimately great on the defensive end, and he has an all-around offensive game.  He's an excellent slasher and finisher, is a decent shooter (although not great), and a superb passer.

Rudy Gay -- Perhaps the most explosive player on my team, on a team that's full of them.  Rudy isn't afraid to take clutch shots (as witnessed by his buzzer beater against the Celts two seasons ago), but he's also willing to defer to his teammates.  He's got great instincts on both ends of the court, and is a disruptive defender.  I only expect him to improve on both ends.

Al Horford -- I love this kid.  He's big, he's tough, he's a leader, he doesn't back down from vets.  Yet, he's also willing to co-exist in a team environment and survive doing the dirty work.  He's already a well-above-average defender, and on offense he has one of the sweetest jumpers in the NBA.

T.J. Ford -- If he's healthy, he's an elite point guard, no question.  He's one of the best pure passers in the NBA, and he's an elite finisher, as well.  He's got an excellent mid-range game, and his three point game is improving (although still far from refined).  His weaknesses are 1) defense (not terrible, but average at best) and 2) health.  Assuming his spine is okay -- and all indications are that it is -- he should be Portland's starting PG for years to come.

Udonis Haslem -- I couldn't ask for a better first big off the bench.  This guy is a good defender, is decent on offense, and has won a championship.  He's tough, and is a good leader.  He's also worked his way up in the league, starting out as an overweight, undrafted rookie, and eventually becoming a starter on a championship team.  Any guy who can lose 70 pounds in one year to reach his goals is a guy who I'd take on my team.

Martell Webster -- An excellent shooter and finisher.  He could use some work on his rebounding and defense, but he has made marked improvements in both areas.  This kid is going to get substantially better.

Steve Blake -- The perfect veteran backup point guard.  He doesn't worry about looking for his own offense; he sets up teammates, and takes open threes.  He's an adequate defender, and is by all indications a great teammate.

Brandan Wright -- A project, who can contribute as a "garbage man" right away.  He's too skinny, for sure, hurting his one-on-one defense.  In his rookie season, though, he showed the ability to score and to block shots as a help defender.  This kid has all-star potential (legitimately), but worse case should turn into the second coming of Tony Battie.  Early in the season, I expect him to get legit minutes, as Mourning will still be recovering, and Battie will be rested when possible.

Cuttino Mobley -- A good veteran backup for the bench.  He's getting old, and has declined a bit, but he can still shoot and create his own offense.  He was a steal in the ninth round.

Tony Battie -- Maybe my first "need" pick, Tony is a solid veteran defender at the center position.  Health is a concern; he missed last season with a rotator cuff injury.  All reports are that he's made a full recovery, so at this point, we're counting on big things.

Alonzo Mourning -- I traded for Zo to shore up the backup 5, and to bring some vet leadership.  Alonzo should be recovered by January, but I don't expect much of a regular season contribution from him except in the locker room.  The reason Alonzo is on this roster is for the playoffs.  I'm hoping for one healthy center between Zo and Battie; I like my chances.

Quinton Ross -- An all-defense, no-offense role player.  He can shut down opposing swing men and point guards.  I love him for a limited role.

Chucky Atkins -- Insurance.  Chucky isn't a bad third-string point guard, and is good insurance should Ford suffer another injury.  It's likely Atkins will be a starter for the "real" Denver Nuggets team this year, so having him deep on my bench isn't such a bad thing.  He knows how to distribute the ball, and can hit open jumpers.  That's all he needs to do in my offense.

Roko Ukic --  I doubt Ukic sees much playing time at all this season.  This is meant purely as a pick for the future; the guy is a 6'5" point guard who has experience running the point for some of the elite teams in Europe.  He's a better scorer than distributor right now, but having another guy who can create his own offense can't hurt.

Nikola Pekovic -- This guy will be stashed in Europe for a couple of years, as he says he's comfortable playing overseas right now.  He dominated his European competition this year, and will only continue to improve.  He's big, strong, and physical, and has legitimate starter potential in the NBA.

Omer Asik --  Another potential starter in the NBA, and a true 7-footer.  He's got great measurables (7'2" wing span, 9'4" standing reach), he's got good hands, a nice shooting touch, and is very good defensively.  Offensively, he could use a bit of work, but he's a nice overseas prospect.

Semih Erden --  As much as I'd love to say that I drafted him for his potential, the primary reason he's on the roster is because he's a Celtic.  However, he's also seven feet tall, and has shown a mean streak.  He's raw offensively, but could be a player in the enforcer / garbage man role.

Carlos Arroyo --  The guy is a legit NBA-level point guard.  He's probably a 8th or 9th round talent in our draft (if not higher), so to wait on him for a year or two while he's overseas isn't a problem.

Stanko Barac -- I love this guy, mostly because his name is "Stanko".  He's also a very skilled 7'1" power forward / center who has put up very good numbers in Europe.  The downside is that he has four years left on a long-term deal over there.  There upside is, when he comes over to the NBA, he'll only be 26, and will have four years of experience on a top-flight Euro team (TAU CerĂ¡mica).

Dimitris Diamantidis -- An extremely good passer, shooter, and defender.  Diamantidis could start for several teams in the NBA right now.  Of course, he's got no current desire to join the NBA, but I'm happy to have his rights in case he ever decides to change his mind.

Coaching staff -- Come on.  It's Norman Dale. "I've seen you guys can shoot but there's more to the game than shooting. There's fundamentals and defense"; "Stick with your man. Think of him as chewing gum. By the end of the game, I want you to know what flavor he is."; "My team is on the floor".  If Norman Dale can get Jimmy Chitwood and six scrubs to beat Oscar Robertson, I think he can handle the Orlando Magics.  Seriously, if he can't get these guys to buy into a team concept, nobody can.

Outlook for the 2008-09 season and beyond:  I fully expect my team to seriously contend this season.  I think I have the best team in my division, and should be one of the clear-cut favorites in my conference.  I think my team matches up well with any team in the league, including the New Jersey and Orlando powerhouses in the East.  With my blend of experienced vets and battle-tested youth, a championship this season is a realistic possibility. 

The real fun for this team will be in the future, though.  My entire starting lineup is age 25 or below, and nobody in my "core" is over 28.  Of those players, three of them have scored at or near the 20 points per game level.  Al Horford was great as a rookie, and he's only going to get better, while T.J. Ford is going to look like Steve Nash with so many options at his disposal.  Martell Webster should make major strides this year, and Roko Ukic is a 6'5" point guard prospect who can create his own shot and set up others.  Brandan Wright could -- and in my view, *should* -- eventually be an all-star.  This team has the best collection of young talent in the league; while other teams rely upon young players with "upside", this team is built around young guys who are already getting it done in a big way.  In terms of team goals, four championships in six years is a realistic possibility.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

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Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2008, 12:07:34 AM »

Offline Big Ticket

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Minnesota Timberwolves

LeBron James. 

Whaaat uppppp?!


"It ain't about me.  It's about us."  - KG, interview with John Thompson, 2005 All Star Game.

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2008, 12:17:59 AM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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Couple of questions:

1. Do you really think that Horford and and Amare can stop Tim Duncan and Brad Miller down low this year? Also, is TJ Ford going to be able to keep up with Chauncey Billups? Basically, how do you plan on beating the Magic if you both make it to the finals?

2. Are you worried about Amare being able to/wanting to pass out of the double teams in the post to Horford. Also, because you have two low post scorers, why didn't you try to compliment Amare with a center like, LaMarcus Alridge?

3. If TJ Ford goes down for the season, how much trouble is your team in? I think Blake is a great first guard off the bench, or on a young inexperienced team a grounding starting point guard. But is he going to be able to direct the traffic on this team when the pressures on?

4. Who takes the last shot? Who is the go to guy? Amare seems to like the second bannana position, as does AI, as does Rudy, and TJ is not someone I would trust to take over a game. Who has the switch that will go off when you need it to?

5. Are you ready for the 2013 finals against the Wizards?

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2008, 12:34:28 AM »

Offline kw10

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Question to the Portland Trail Blazers:

1. Roy, you've mentioned one of the things you were looking for in players was shooting. Looking at your roster, you've got some decent shooters, however do you think you lack the dead-eye sniper from 3? Sure Mobley can shoot some 3s, however he's been underperforming in recent years and so will he be on the floor enough to utilise his strength when Amare kick it out of double-teams?

2. Coach Dale, what kind of offence/defence will you be running with this group of intriguing young talents? Most of them are young and athletic, with a point like TJ, would you be considering run and gun? However that might mean less defence? If not then wouldn't you be not utilising your players to their strength?

Now to the Timberwolves:

1. Big Ticket, do you consider LeBron James good enough to beat ... Don't worry, I don't have a question, I think you've told us enough about your team.
Anything is possible!!!

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2008, 12:41:50 AM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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Minnesota Timberwolves

LeBron James. 

Whaaat uppppp?!

Attendance?

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2008, 12:45:04 AM »

Offline Big Ticket

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Couple of questions:
2. Are you worried about Amare being able to/wanting to pass out of the double teams in the post to Horford. Also, because you have two low post scorers, why didn't you try to compliment Amare with a center like, LaMarcus Alridge?

I do not at all mean to hijack Roy's podium here... but I'm honestly just hoping you can clarify.  Is Horford the 2nd low post scorer you are referring to?  I'm just curious, becomes he seems like 10 times the rugged interior defender type that LaMarcus Aldridge is or could be.  To me Aldridge is definitely score first, defend second.


"It ain't about me.  It's about us."  - KG, interview with John Thompson, 2005 All Star Game.

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2008, 12:47:13 AM »

Offline Big Ticket

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Question to the Portland Trail Blazers:
Now to the Timberwolves:

1. Big Ticket, do you consider LeBron James good enough to beat ... Don't worry, I don't have a question, I think you've told us enough about your team.

Don't worry... I'll have a little more for this tomorrow.  I've been busy lately and somewhat discouraged about how much this thing has become 'whoever's on CB the most has the best chance to win'.  I mostly wanted to create an interesting juxtaposition between Roy's press conference and the easiest two words to sum up my team.


"It ain't about me.  It's about us."  - KG, interview with John Thompson, 2005 All Star Game.

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2008, 12:49:05 AM »

Offline KCattheStripe

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Couple of questions:
2. Are you worried about Amare being able to/wanting to pass out of the double teams in the post to Horford. Also, because you have two low post scorers, why didn't you try to compliment Amare with a center like, LaMarcus Alridge?

I do not at all mean to hijack Roy's podium here... but I'm honestly just hoping you can clarify.  Is Horford the 2nd low post scorer you are referring to?  I'm just curious, becomes he seems like 10 times the rugged interior defender type that LaMarcus Aldridge is or could be.  To me Aldridge is definitely score first, defend second.


I was talking about offensively, defensively I understand it. I was just wondering if he was concerned that Horford and Amare would create a logjam in the post.

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2008, 12:53:09 AM »

Offline Lucky17

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Very nicely done, Roy. I think your frontcourt will terrorize the league well into the next decade.

Kw and KC have already raised a couple questions I would pose, so I won't repeat them. Instead, I'll ask some others:

1. Many of your bench players seem to belong to one of two extremes: veterans on their last legs/returning from serious injuries (Battie, Mourning, Atkins) or unproven young players who have yet to reach anywhere close to their potential (Wright, Webster, Ukic). Are you at all concerned about getting consistent production from your bench over the course of an 82-game season, and beyond?

2. Which 3 of your 15 players will you sit on a night-by-night basis? [Fair warning to the rest of the league: this is a question I'll ask of virtually everyone.] How will minutes be divided?

3. Whom do you feel is your team's most important player?
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Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2008, 12:58:26 AM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Couple of questions:

1. Do you really think that Horford and and Amare can stop Tim Duncan and Brad Miller down low this year? Also, is TJ Ford going to be able to keep up with Chauncey Billups? Basically, how do you plan on beating the Magic if you both make it to the finals?

I think we match up well with any team in the league.  Historically, Duncan has certainly got the best out of Amare, but this team has more help on its front line than Amare had in Phoenix.  Horford is a very good defender, and I'm really not all that concerned about shutting down Brad Miller. 

The Magic are certainly a very good team, and I'm not going to insult them, or posture.  I think it would be a close series; they present problems for Portland in a half-court set, and they'd struggle to keep up with Portland in transition.  That doesn't mean that my team can't play in the half court -- of course they can -- or that Orlando can't play in transition (they can, as well).  The teams, though, have opposite strengths.

If my greatest concern is how do I match up with a potential Finals opponent, I feel okay about my chances.

Quote
2. Are you worried about Amare being able to/wanting to pass out of the double teams in the post to Horford. Also, because you have two low post scorers, why didn't you try to compliment Amare with a center like, LaMarcus Alridge?

Horford actually has quite a bit of range on his jumper, as does Amare.  These two can very easily play a high-low game; it's not as if we're playing Shaq and Big Al together.  This isn't a concern for me at all, and I in fact think that Amare and Horford complement each other very well.

Quote
3. If TJ Ford goes down for the season, how much trouble is your team in? I think Blake is a great first guard off the bench, or on a young inexperienced team a grounding starting point guard. But is he going to be able to direct the traffic on this team when the pressures on?

I think this is a very easy team to run, and a guy like Blake is actually pretty perfect for it.  Essentially, he's a poor man's Calderon; he gets the team into its sets, distributes the ball, and hits open shots at a very high percentage.  I'm also very happy with Chucky Atkins as a third point guard; should anything happen to Ford, Atkins has plenty of experience as both a starting and backup point guard, and he could step in without missing a beat.

I think the injury concerns to Ford are overblown, though.  He suffered a freak injury last year, due to falling on his head from a very high height.  That's not something likely to recur.  The spinal cord injury from earlier in his career hasn't been an issue, either.  Again... a freak occurrence.  Last season, he performed extremely well once he came back; it's not like he has a knee injury where there's going to be pressure on the joint every time he makes a cut or a jump.

Quote
4. Who takes the last shot? Who is the go to guy? Amare seems to like the second bannana position, as does AI, as does Rudy, and TJ is not someone I would trust to take over a game. Who has the switch that will go off when you need it to?

Amare, Iggy, and Gay all ranked quite highly in "clutch" stats last year according to 82games.com.  The last shot will be determined in most cases by matchups; Gay and Ford have a history of hitting clutch shots / game winners, and Iggy, Horford, and Amare all possess that ability.  If I had to pick one guy to take a shot, though, it would be Gay.

Quote
5. Are you ready for the 2013 finals against the Wizards?


Haha.  I think a lot of teams are going to be asking that question, but yes, I'm very confident about my team, both now and five years from now.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

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Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2008, 01:00:46 AM »

Offline indeedproceed

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To build on what Kwit is saying:

Not a single starter for the Blazers shot better that 35% from beyond the line last season. Of his reserves, Martell Webster and Steve Blake (who doesn't really even attempt contested shots) were the only ones to top that number. Having slashers is good and everything, but a point guard who shot less than 30% from 3 pt land has to concern you. Also between Iggy and Gay, neither is really a natural 2. They're both 3's, and neither is a 'good' outside shooter.

Defensively I like your team a lot. You've done a very good job there.

I like your bench a lot too. Steve Blake could start in the NBA much in the same way as Jeff Garcia starts in the NFL. he does't make a lot of mistakes. I don't know how much time Chucky Atkins will see, but he's 34 anyways. I really like Mobley and I can live with Webster.

Stoudamire only played 51 mins on the court last season while Steve Nash was not there with him. That lineup gave up more points than it scored. My question: How much of STAT's well...'stats' are a product of a one a decade talent at the point guard in Steve Nash? TJ Ford is a lot of things with the ball in his hand but he's not within the same tier of offensive player as Steve Nash. He might as well not even be playing the same game. How effective will Amare be without a Hall of Fame PG feeding him the ball?

Horford: He fouls too much, he's a little undersized at the 5, and he's a more natural 4. He's a leader yes, but how would he deal with known ego men like Amare and TJ Ford? There are 4 leaders on the starting lineup for you. Whos gonna be the man? Will there be a man?

Thats all I got. I don't think this squad is invincible, and Im far from convinced they're a Finals shoe-in, but talent-wise its probably the best there is out there right now.

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2008, 01:03:22 AM »

Offline Roy Hobbs

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Question to the Portland Trail Blazers:

1. Roy, you've mentioned one of the things you were looking for in players was shooting. Looking at your roster, you've got some decent shooters, however do you think you lack the dead-eye sniper from 3? Sure Mobley can shoot some 3s, however he's been underperforming in recent years and so will he be on the floor enough to utilise his strength when Amare kick it out of double-teams?

I think Martell Webster is that guy.  He hit more threes at a higher percentage than James Posey last season.  He's an exceptional shooter, as is Steve Blake.  We like Mobley off our bench as both a slasher and a shooter, but Martell is the guy we're definitely the most excited for.

Quote
2. Coach Dale, what kind of offence/defence will you be running with this group of intriguing young talents? Most of them are young and athletic, with a point like TJ, would you be considering run and gun? However that might mean less defence? If not then wouldn't you be not utilising your players to their strength?

We will mix styles.  We intend to run a motion offense that thrives in the half-court (Pete Carril will be helping to implement that), but we're also going to run every chance we get.  This team is designed to be extraordinarily versatile on offense; we can play a high-low game, a traditional post game, an iso game, or pretty much any other style.  I don't think there's a team out there that can match up athletically with our five starters.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

Portland CrotoNats:  2009 CB Draft Champions

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2008, 01:06:51 AM »

Offline kw10

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To build on what Kwit is saying:
There's a Kwhit10 and a kw10....just making sure you don't confuse us because we represent different teams ;D
Anything is possible!!!

Re: Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Northwest Division
« Reply #14 on: August 26, 2008, 01:08:27 AM »

Offline indeedproceed

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it was kw10. you were right. sorry.

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner