PG Conley Foye Collins
SG Pietrus Azubuike
SF Green Wright
PF Haslem Love Scali
C Oden Boone
INJ/Future trade bait for big time scorer: Ming
Okay, here's the team we're debating. Obviously, the biggest factor in determining how good they'll be is the development of Greg Oden. That's a given.
I think, basement, Oden turns into Kendrick Perkins with more athleticism. That's a good player.
From there, you've got Conley, who has good chemistry with Oden. Conley was excellent in the second half of last season.
Green and Foye are good young wings. Love is already a dominant rebounder and amazing passer.
Pietrus, Azuibuke, and Haslem are all young veterans who are doing great things with their teams. Josh Boone and Mardy Collins are good role players. Brandan Wright has a ton of upside, although time will tell with his development.
Then, of course, there's Yao. If he becomes healthy, the team either has a dominant center, or a huge trading chip.
I really like the team, and it's roster construction. It has post players, shooters, defenders, slashers, etc. Maybe I shouldn't say it's "the best" without examining every other team, but I think Denver is a strong, strong contender.
The other point people might be missing is that all that talent on the team isn't necessarily going to be the talent in 2 years.
Yao will bring back a huge return. He will be someone "final piece". Well, he will be a few teams "final piece" at the beginning of the offseason when he is healthy. Then again, I could end up with the biggest "twin towers" in NBA history. Imagine trying to stop Yao in the high post, Oden in the low post.
This season, there will also be a lot of time spent on finding who actually fits around Oden. Those that do, get their spots. Those who don't, get packaged in trades. Unlike Chicago a few years ago when they could of had KG, I will not be afraid to pull the trigger on a big trade. (and like Ainge showed, having a large stock of good young players is very helpful in trades)
Other teams will have young players that are very hyped right now. But few will have both the high potential (Oden) and the talent depth that Denver has right now.
And I know, no one else has Scali.
