Celticsblog Mock GM Press Conferences: Pacific Division

[celticmaestro]

A distinct advantage for us is the lack of an out and out superstar in your team - Amare included - and the fact we have potentially 2 in ours in Bosh and Durant.
...
Overall, I'd think we match up well together, not much to choose between the two but I'd give myself the edge due to having two certified superstars in Durant and Bosh.

See, I just don't agree with this.  If Amare isn't a "superstar", Bosh certainly isn't.  Amare scores more points, shoots a higher percentage, and rebounds more.  He blocks substantially more shots, although Bosh is a better one-on-one defend.  They're roughly the same age, and Bosh has missed at least 12 games in each of the last three seasons, meaning he isn't exactly a picture of health (whereas Amare has only missed two games, total, in the last two years).

What's your thinking in labeling Bosh a "superstar" and Amare as something less than that?  I just don't see it.

As for Durant, he has the *potential* to be a star, but he's not there yet.  I would say that the same applies to Rudy Gay, though; I think a lot of people are sleeping on how good he's going to be.  Durant will probably be a better player, but I don't think the gap is going to be as wide as you're implying.

I think the rest of the Portland vs. Las Vegas debate can be left for another thread (when we vote for "team of the future").  However, I do want to get your thoughts on this "superstar" thing.

I think there's not much to choose between the 2, Amare is more athletic but Bosh is a better all-round player, more of a leader and younger. I think he has all the attributes needed to be a superstar, whereas Amare still has some questions.

Like I said, not much between the two, but I'm giving Bosh an edge.

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

[Roy Hobbs]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

[Evantime34]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

[celticmaestro]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

I think the drop off from Nash to Ford is bigger than the drop off from Ford/Calderon to Duhon. Not that much bigger, but bigger nonetheless.

[Roy Hobbs]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

I think the question of "how much will Nash help Howard's game?" is a very good one.  I think Dwight's issue is that he has shown absolutely zero ability to score away from the hoop, unlike Bosh or Amare.  Because of that, I'm not sure if his stats will take a *huge* jump playing with Nash.  I do think, though, that they'll improve.

[Evantime34]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

I think the question of "how much will Nash help Howard's game?" is a very good one.  I think Dwight's issue is that he has shown absolutely zero ability to score away from the hoop, unlike Bosh or Amare.  Because of that, I'm not sure if his stats will take a *huge* jump playing with Nash.  I do think, though, that they'll improve.

I disagree, I think Nash will get Howard between 2-5 dunks/layups a game that he would not have otherwise got in Orlando. Especially when Dwight can dunk from anywhere within 5 feet of the hoop with authority. Amare gets a huge benefit of passes from Nash that lead to layups that he wouldn't otherwise get. Who's to say this is the year Dwight doesn't start to develop a post game or at least a jump shot. He's only 22 if he had went to a four year school he would be a rookie this year. I think it is safe to say if he doesn't develop into a better scorer this year he will in the next 3 years.

[Gainesville Celtic]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

I think the question of "how much will Nash help Howard's game?" is a very good one.  I think Dwight's issue is that he has shown absolutely zero ability to score away from the hoop, unlike Bosh or Amare.  Because of that, I'm not sure if his stats will take a *huge* jump playing with Nash.  I do think, though, that they'll improve.

That may be true that D-Ho can't score very far from the hoop but he's approaching Shaq unstopability around it (complete with horrible free throw shooting  )

IMO, Nash will get Howard 3-4 more EASY looks a game at least, which i think will (a) boost his scoring (b) add to other teams' foul problems and (c) make him a little fresher on defense (b/c he doesn't have to work as hard on Offense for looks).

Honestly, I was not sold on Howard before last year as a great big man, but he took his game up a notch or 2 last season and is now as elite as you can get physically in the paint. He may be one of my favorite non-celtics --- which sucks b/c i only get to see him play in person vs... THE CELTICS (in Orlando to boot). IMO he's a better all-around player than Amare, by a tiny bit.

[jgod213]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

I think the question of "how much will Nash help Howard's game?" is a very good one.  I think Dwight's issue is that he has shown absolutely zero ability to score away from the hoop, unlike Bosh or Amare.  Because of that, I'm not sure if his stats will take a *huge* jump playing with Nash.  I do think, though, that they'll improve.

I disagree, I think Nash will get Howard between 2-5 dunks/layups a game that he would not have otherwise got in Orlando. Especially when Dwight can dunk from anywhere within 5 feet of the hoop with authority. Amare gets a huge benefit of passes from Nash that lead to layups that he wouldn't otherwise get. Who's to say this is the year Dwight doesn't start to develop a post game or at least a jump shot. He's only 22 if he had went to a four year school he would be a rookie this year. I think it is safe to say if he doesn't develop into a better scorer this year he will in the next 3 years.

I have to agree with Roy here.  Although i agree that Dwight will certainly benifit in the switch from Jameer Nelson to Steve Nash, the reason why Amare is so effective with Nash is because Amare has TREMENDOUS footwork and driving ability for a man of his size, while also able to keep defenders honest with a reliable jump shot.  Howard, when his back is not to the basket, has a lot of work to do with the ball in his hands.  Nash will get Howard the ball under the basket more than Nelson can or has, which is why he will be more effective, but the same dynamic that Nash and Amare have won't be there with Howard because Howard isn't as well versed offensively.

[wdleehi]

Where are the other teams? 

[Evantime34]

One more question, how will Amare fair without Nash - the best PG of the last 10 years? Ford is not on Nash's level, and should he go down Blake certainly isn't.

I don't want to take over your press conference, so I'll just ask a question in return:  is the gap between Nash and Ford really that much larger than the gap between Ford/Calderon and Duhon? 

I'm of the opinion that neither Amare nor Bosh is *overly* reliant upon their point guards, although playing with top-tier guys certainly helps both (with Nash, of course, being at the very top tier possible).

The better question is how will Dwight fare with Nash on his team. The answer is probably close to 30 a game.

I think the question of "how much will Nash help Howard's game?" is a very good one.  I think Dwight's issue is that he has shown absolutely zero ability to score away from the hoop, unlike Bosh or Amare.  Because of that, I'm not sure if his stats will take a *huge* jump playing with Nash.  I do think, though, that they'll improve.

I disagree, I think Nash will get Howard between 2-5 dunks/layups a game that he would not have otherwise got in Orlando. Especially when Dwight can dunk from anywhere within 5 feet of the hoop with authority. Amare gets a huge benefit of passes from Nash that lead to layups that he wouldn't otherwise get. Who's to say this is the year Dwight doesn't start to develop a post game or at least a jump shot. He's only 22 if he had went to a four year school he would be a rookie this year. I think it is safe to say if he doesn't develop into a better scorer this year he will in the next 3 years.

I have to agree with Roy here.  Although i agree that Dwight will certainly benifit in the switch from Jameer Nelson to Steve Nash, the reason why Amare is so effective with Nash is because Amare has TREMENDOUS footwork and driving ability for a man of his size, while also able to keep defenders honest with a reliable jump shot.  Howard, when his back is not to the basket, has a lot of work to do with the ball in his hands.  Nash will get Howard the ball under the basket more than Nelson can or has, which is why he will be more effective, but the same dynamic that Nash and Amare have won't be there with Howard because Howard isn't as well versed offensively.

After watching USA play I believe that Dwight can fill the lane running up the court as good as Amare can but he's a better finisher. Everyone will see a lot of pick and roll from these two.

[Evantime34]

Where are the other teams? 

The important teams have already went, right Maestro? ;-)

[crownsy]

Where are the other teams? 

cant do the write up i want at work, mine will be up at 430ish once i get a chance to sit down at home and write.

[celticmaestro]

Where are the other teams? 

The important teams have already went, right Maestro? ;-)

Spot on

[celticmaestro]

So the biggest concern people have for my young team is whether Darko can perform?

I've got to say, I'm satisfied if that's the biggest concern.

[Evantime34]

So the biggest concern people have for my young team is whether Darko can perform?

I've got to say, I'm satisfied if that's the biggest concern.

Well since you asked here are my concerns.
1. The youth of your wings. That's suffering through a lot of mistakes from young players, especially when they are your 2nd and 3rd best players.
2. The love of the jump shot, Durant sometimes likes to take ill advised threes, Mayo did that in college. Even Bosh sometimes takes some jumpers when he should go to the hoop.
3. Defense, Mayo and Durant aren't the greatest defenders. Darko sometimes doesn't try, and Duhon might not be fast enough to run with the elite points.
4. As far as within the division your biggest concern is guarding Nash and Amare. Just as mine is to make sure your wings don't go off, I think Bowen can bother one of them but clearly not both. Hopefully Hughes can return to his top steal form of his Washington days.