2009 Celticsblog Draft: Voting Analysis : Team of the Future

[Rondo2287]

Toronto Raptors
Pg:Andre Miller/Aaron Brooks
SG:Arron Afflalo
SF:Ron Artest
PF:Kevin Garnett
C:Marcus Camby/Big Z

What do you all think?

I do recognize Afflalo is the weak point of my starting 5 however I think you can do alot worse than a defensive guy that can shoot threes

Don't think I'm missing the irony here, but who scores for your starting lineup? Only horrible things happen when Artest is asked to score every night, we've all seen how KG isn't the scoring dynamo he once was, and Camby/Miller are both less than talented scorers.

Not that I really want to comment on an in-division rival, but you might not need too much scoring when you're holding the opposing team to like under 80 points.  That Gilbert/Andre Miller trade was huge I think.  Andre Miller just fits so perfect with this group and Gilbert didn't fit at all (of course with Gilbert they would have that scorer people are saying they need now, go figure).

Last 2 minutes and you need someone to score, this team has no go to guy.  No one guy to count on, but I could see all 7 guys so far in double figures (or close to it), and that's not easy to defend against either when you don't know who to focus the defense on.

Also, dont you think KG will score more than 15 on a team with no other clear scorers.  We have seen his production go down since leaving Minny but how much of that is him deferring to Ray and Pierce.  Would you think it reasonable to guess on this team with Miller running the point KG could average close to 20 a game?

[KCattheStripe]

be's
You don't think they're even a contender?  I think that's a bridge too far.

I don't, I think this team is too old and brittle to play it through an 82 game season and through the playoffs at a high level without breaking down.

I think even if you assume that only one of Manu / Redd is there at the end of the year, we're still a contender.

Shaq / Miller
O'Neal / Turiaf
Rashard / Gomes
Manu / Delonte
Bibby / Delonte

Heck, even if you took Manu *and* Redd away, we're still a playoff team, in my eyes.

(Also, Manu and Redd are too  young to be "over the hill".)

Actually, my concerns weren't with your back court's injury history as much as it was with your front court's. In the past 5 years, Jermaine O'Neal has missed 98 games. Shaq, 96. Brad Miller, 44. You cannot win an NBA championship without a dominant big man, neither Shaq nor JO are dominant and they can't stay on the floor long enough to be an effective tandem.

But as long as we're on the subject of Manu and Redd. In the past 5 years Manu has missed 80+ games and is 32. Redd, in the past 4 has missed 89 and is 30 years old.

To paraphrase Yoda, " Too old. Too old to be contending." You're a playoff team of course.

[Roy Hobbs]

You cannot win an NBA championship without a dominant big man, neither Shaq nor JO are dominant and they can't stay on the floor long enough to be an effective tandem.

A few quibbles:

1) Detroit won a championship without a dominant big man.  Last season, I wouldn't call Pau Gasol "dominant", either;

2) Shaq is no less "dominant" now than he was when he played for Miami;

3) Shaq played 75 games last season, and has had a full summer to rest;

4) J.O. played 68 games last season, and sat out at least two of those games to rest for the playoffs;

5) Brad Miller played 70+ games in each of the last two seasons, and in three out of the last four.

6) Everyone's minutes will be limited to the 25 - 30 per game range.

Still, I understand taking a "wait and see" approach with the team.

[Kwhit10]

What are people concerned about regarding the 76ers?

C:  Bynum
PF: Okafor
SF: Melo
SG: Ronnie Brewer
PG: Baron Davis

Backup 2/3: Anthony Parker
Backup 3/4: Renaldo Balkman

Personally I really like the balance I was able to get with this group of players.  There are people who can defend, those who can shoot, I have a go to guy I have veterans and some young guys too.  I think the team fits together nicely, but of course I do it's my team. 

[RebusRankin]

What are people concerned about regarding the 76ers?

C:  Bynum
PF: Okafor
SF: Melo
SG: Ronnie Brewer
PG: Baron Davis

Backup 2/3: Anthony Parker
Backup 3/4: Renaldo Balkman

Personally I really like the balance I was able to get with this group of players.  There are people who can defend, those who can shoot, I have a go to guy I have veterans and some young guys too.  I think the team fits together nicely, but of course I do it's my team. 

The health of Bynum would be a concern. Also will he live up to his potential (its been flashes so far). The health and attitude of Baron is also a concern.

Overall though, you have a good balance of offense and defense. A go to scorer and superstar in Melo. I like this team.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

PG: TJ Ford / Jerryd Bayless
SG: Ben Gordon
SF: Thaddeus Young
PF: Tim Duncan / Brandon Bass
C: Thabeet / Duncan

Rip it apart gang haha if you dont mind...kwhit I like your team a lot to be honest. Parker and Balkman were huge pickups today for you.

[Rondo2287]

PG: TJ Ford / Jerryd Bayless
SG: Ben Gordon
SF: Thaddeus Young
PF: Tim Duncan / Brandon Bass
C: Thabeet / Duncan

Rip it apart gang haha if you dont mind...kwhit I like your team a lot to be honest. Parker and Balkman were huge pickups today for you.

Obviously you got some height issues in the back court which you have acknowledged.  I like the adittion of bass, I think he is a good young player.  My only real problem with the team is Thabeet.  I think he is a great talent, but for a win now team I would like to see him coming off the bench with a shot blocking center to mentor him.  I dont see him being able to play big minutes right away.  I see him getting into foul trouble early and often at the NBA level much like Perk and Oden.  I think he will develop very nicely, just needs some time

[Kwhit10]

PG: TJ Ford / Jerryd Bayless
SG: Ben Gordon
SF: Thaddeus Young
PF: Tim Duncan / Brandon Bass
C: Thabeet / Duncan

Rip it apart gang haha if you dont mind...kwhit I like your team a lot to be honest. Parker and Balkman were huge pickups today for you.

Thanks.

Thabeet shouldn't be asked to do too much, I think you should find another veteran to start.  I like Bass especially behind Duncan, I thought he was going to break out last year as someone else had mentioned so I still have hope for him.  Gordon can score but that's about it.  I like Bayless as an up and comer, but I'm still not sold on Ford, but we will see wwhat he is made of this year.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

PG: TJ Ford / Jerryd Bayless
SG: Ben Gordon
SF: Thaddeus Young
PF: Tim Duncan / Brandon Bass
C: Thabeet / Duncan

Rip it apart gang haha if you dont mind...kwhit I like your team a lot to be honest. Parker and Balkman were huge pickups today for you.

Obviously you got some height issues in the back court which you have acknowledged.  I like the adittion of bass, I think he is a good young player.  My only real problem with the team is Thabeet.  I think he is a great talent, but for a win now team I would like to see him coming off the bench with a shot blocking center to mentor him.  I dont see him being able to play big minutes right away.  I see him getting into foul trouble early and often at the NBA level much like Perk and Oden.  I think he will develop very nicely, just needs some time

Everything you said makes sense. Using Perk as an example, I would say Perkins needed 4 years to get to the level where he's a legitimate asset, and 2 or 3 to be a just plain serviceable center. Everyone on my team has those 2 or 3 years to spend, except maybe Duncan which is a major problem. I'm not quite finished yet, but I see and agree with your holes.

[Scribbles]

PG-Chauncey Billups
SG-Mike Dunleavy
SF-C.J. Miles
PF-Dirk Nowitzki
C-Chirs Kaman
---------------
Nick Collison


Obviously a lot is going to depend on how healthy Dunleavy will be, but their are still a bunch of quality players on my board at the guard position that can fill in.  Also took a gamble with Miles...he started in Utah last year, but only played around 22-25 minutes a game.  However he did average 9 points and is a decent defender, plus he's 22 years old and I think he will improve.  Collison can play both post spots for me.  

I'm not a championship team yet, but I think I'm a playoff team even if Dunleavy plays half a season.  Feel free to comment.  

[wdleehi]

The Nuggets

PG  Conley    Foye
SG  Peitrus   Azubuike
SF  Green     B. Wright
PF  Haslem    Love
C   Oden


injury reserve (and major future trade bait)  Ming



Now only one position is set entering camp.  Oden is the starting C.  All other positions have to be earned (meaning play defense)

[Roy Hobbs]

The Nuggets

PG  Conley    Foye
SG  Peitrus   Azubuike
SF  Green     B. Wright
PF  Haslem    Love
C   Oden


injury reserve (and major future trade bait)  Ming



Now only one position is set entering camp.  Oden is the starting C.  All other positions have to be earned (meaning play defense)

I like your youth model quite a bit.  I think it could use a little additional veteran seasoning, but Haslem and Pietrus are good role models, and I love Azubuike in the seventh round.  Your team's future depends upon Oden, obviously, but if your team develops like it could, you could be a major contender in 2 to 4 years.

[wdleehi]

PG-Chauncey Billups
SG-Mike Dunleavy
SF-C.J. Miles
PF-Dirk Nowitzki
C-Chirs Kaman
---------------
Nick Collison


Obviously a lot is going to depend on how healthy Dunleavy will be, but their are still a bunch of quality players on my board at the guard position that can fill in.  Also took a gamble with Miles...he started in Utah last year, but only played around 22-25 minutes a game.  However he did average 9 points and is a decent defender, plus he's 22 years old and I think he will improve.  Collison can play both post spots for me.  

I'm not a championship team yet, but I think I'm a playoff team even if Dunleavy plays half a season.  Feel free to comment.  

Switch Miles and Dunleavy's positions. 


Miles is the weak point right now.  I would want to add some good experience at that spot on the bench. 

[Roy Hobbs]

What are people concerned about regarding the 76ers?

C:  Bynum
PF: Okafor
SF: Melo
SG: Ronnie Brewer
PG: Baron Davis

Backup 2/3: Anthony Parker
Backup 3/4: Renaldo Balkman

Personally I really like the balance I was able to get with this group of players.  There are people who can defend, those who can shoot, I have a go to guy I have veterans and some young guys too.  I think the team fits together nicely, but of course I do it's my team. 

I like your team, and think you're the co-favorites in the Atlantic (and maybe the favorites, period).  That being said, I'd like to see you improve your shooting.  Bynum and Okafor are both "lane cloggers", and neither Brewer nor Davis is a world-beater from deep.  Anthony Parker helps a bit, but not enough.

(It's hard to judge most teams after only 7 rounds).

[wdleehi]

The Nuggets

PG  Conley    Foye
SG  Peitrus   Azubuike
SF  Green     B. Wright
PF  Haslem    Love
C   Oden


injury reserve (and major future trade bait)  Ming



Now only one position is set entering camp.  Oden is the starting C.  All other positions have to be earned (meaning play defense)

I like your youth model quite a bit.  I think it could use a little additional veteran seasoning, but Haslem and Pietrus are good role models, and I love Azubuike in the seventh round.  Your team's future depends upon Oden, obviously, but if your team develops like it could, you could be a major contender in 2 to 4 years.

I just want everyone to think about what type of offensive player I will be able to add to this team in a year when Yao is healthy.  You know that there is only one champ, and a bunch of close teams.  I think those teams will fall all over each other to add the 'last piece' Yao.