So here was the 911 on the trade:
First I'm surprised no one mentioned that after our very brief spat the other day that j.r. and I could hug and makeup and come up with the blockbuster deal of the late round deals. Just goes to show that we have to realize that although we are playing in a competitive game, we are still all a part of the same Green-loving brotherhood and should always remember that. In that regard, love and TP's go out to Gomesfan as well as j.r.
Second, as I mentioned yesterday, I think there will definitely be a LeBron vote bias when it comes to the open vote. being in the same division I had two options, Future Team or build to beat Lebron. I tried the Future Team route and because of a couple of really bad trades starting off the trade season, I was left with three great pieces, one good piece and very little else. I wasn't winning Future Team.
So, I switched gears and decided to keep the best defensive player and best all around and experienced player of my "Big Three" and trade the rest for a defensive minded team that could still score and would be built around smothering team defense and wings that could shut leBron down so I could win the division.
So here's the team
Starting Team:
Center: Joel Przybilla - he leaves something to be desired offensively but defensively he is a very good, very big inside presence and a good shot blocker. My last line of defense.
Power Forward: Luis Scola - an international star and a defensive, hustling, intelligent player that fills what was easily my previous squad's biggest weakness. In a small ball running lineup, he is an awesome 5 as evidenced by last year's playoff run covering for an injured Yao.
Small Forward: Gerald Wallace - a tremendous defensive SF that has a solid offensive game and is great in transition
Shooting Guard: Stephen Jackson - a third straight athletic, defensive minded SG that can easily flow into a SF game due to his size(6-8) and length. The leader of this club and it's captain, he is one of the extremely very few players in the league to have 20+ PPG, 5+ RPG and 6+ APG.
Point Guard: Raymond Felton - fast, tough, good defender on PGs his size who can run an offense and run the break. He is a lot better and puts up better numbers than most people realize. Good all-around PG that has to work on his shooting.
Sixth Man: Travis Outlaw - who will be used much the same way James Posey was for the 2008 Champion Celtics he is very good defensively, a good rebounder for his position and can score. He has the ability to guard agile PFs and all SFs. He and Jackson and Wallace will drive LeBron nuts as he will never see a moment where he has someone who isn't a plus defender at that position on him.
Back Up Big: Darko Milicic - Darko will be used as the first big off the bench and is versatile enough to guard both centers and power forwards. I'm expecting rebounding and shot blocking from Darko. Any offense will be a plus.
Backup Backcourt: George Hill and Wally Szczerbiak - Hill is a great prospect that showed unbelievable maturity last year in Tony Parker's absence and could be a starter in a year or two. He's that good a prospect. Wally is the savvy vet that gives this team the 3 point threat it needs off the bench.
Others:
Aaron Gray - huge, young center with a knack for establishing good position and being able to convert his down low moves. He is a slow, poor defender.
James Singleton - Long power forward who is young and developing and will give this team solid production when used.
Tyronne Lue - bench warming vet minimum PG that gives the team options
Anthony Carter 3rd PG that gives a good strong veteran presence and is a good passer.
I think in both trades I made I gave up the best talented player but I think the depth and quality of the parts I brought in and kept makes the overall team stronger and gives me one of the better defensive teams not only in the East but maybe the league.
Topic: 2009 Celticsblog Draft: Draft Thread (Read 1266075 times)