I know everyone worked pretty hard on their drafts and press conferences so I want people to know I didn't do any of this haphazardly.
What I looked for in a team: More than anything, I want it to fit into a place I think they're work in a night in, night out basis. I was looking for a clear rotation strategy, and obvious contruction maximizing the talent they had. I'm a big believer that just smushing talent together on a 15 man roster ends poorly. With that said, the rankings.
1(Southeast Division): Orlando
-Lebron has shown he's capable of carrying a team to the playoffs. I don't nessecarily have this team leaving the East behind for the finals, but with the very well constructed supporting cast and big man depth they're a clear choice for #1 for me.
2(Atlantic Division): Toronto
-I didn't want to do this for consistency's sake, in part because I have been fairly critical of this team. In the end though I believe in a roster that fits, and with big depth to rival Orlando's, their roster fits. They've got the depth, the experience, and the defense and that can't be discounted.
3(Central Division): Chicago
-Chris Paul gets this team to the playoffs. That much is clear. Pau Gasol, Al Horford, and Kevin Martin gets them the division. I don't like the way the wings fit, I don't like the reserves on the wings, I don't like most of the bench, but Paul Martin Horford and Gasol is too much talent that works together to ignore.
4: Detroit
-Great starting 5, decent bench. I think they're a better 'fit' team than Chicago, but they're not as talented. I would be surprised to see the two teams records separted by more than 2 or three wins.
5: Boston
-I believe in: Wade, Nene, Chris Andersen, Prince as a bench player; I don't believe in: Barbosa, R Butler, Jeffries, Hayes, Stackhouse, or Miles. I like the Alston fit. I don't think they're better than Toronto.
6: Philadelphia
-Another Atlantic team. I think Baron Davis would give it his all here, and between B Diddy and Melo there is enough for the 8th seed. Okafor, Brewer, Parker, Joe Smith, Hunter, and Elson make me bump them up a couple of spots.
7: Washington
-This team was hard. Honestly, it came down to depth at the 3, and Stephen Jackson's fit at the 2. I think this team will face mismatches on a daily night. Ironically one of them won't be Orlando. If Washington gets Orlando in the first round of the playoffs, I might not go with Lebron. This team was constructed to beat Lebron.
8: New Jersey
-I didn't want to put any team that started Sheed and Brand in the front court too high. I think in the end NJ bet on the wrong grey mares. I also didn't think any team with Sheed, Brand and Pierce could possibly miss the playoffs.
9: New York
-blah blah blah press conferences. I voted NY out of the playoffs because they start Nenad Krstic and Marvin Williams. They just missed the playoffs though because they have a the most complete 10 in the conference. I think if Krstic plays like NY's GM thinks he can play this team will make the playoffs, but I'm skeptical. Well constructed team, but in the end I didn't buy the talent.
10: Cleveland
-I really wanted to put these guys in the playoffs. Like WD said, something about them stands out. Maybe its the talent. In the end I dont think they have the tall guys to compete with consistency every night, and I think David West is a Chris Paul product, not a David West talent, if that makes sense.
11: Indiana
-If they had parlayed Ricky Rubio into a better talent that works starting now, and Von Wafer wasn't playing over seas, this team could be as high as 7 or 8. I'm not down on them from 2-4, but starting Kurt Thomas hurts.
12: Milwaukee
-I don't beleive in Stuckey or JR as starters, and I think the bench is a little too weak. I love Durant but I couldn't put them higher.
13: Atlanta
-10 players, 3 of which hurt their team more than they help their team, or they saw exactly zero mins last season despite being healthy. Can't win that many games this way, no matter how good the starting 5 is, and I don't know how the whole Iverson deal works.
14: Miami
-Lots of young players, exactly one guy who has a NBA proven identity. Hint: its not Tyrus Thomas. Not this year, maybe next year.
15: Charlotte
-See above.
Easiest: Orlando. WD summed it up well
Toughest: Cleveland, Washington and NY. They could all be conference contenders, or not. Hard teams to really predict.
Team most likely to make me look foolish: New Jersey. If Sheed and Brand really come to play this year and both stay healthy this is a top 3 team.
That's it. If you're happy, consider it a favor. If you're not, don't take it personally.
Topic: 2009 Celticsblog Draft: Voting Analysis : Team of the Future (Read 672492 times)