2009 Celticsblog Draft: Voting Analysis : Team of the Future

[Kwhit10]

Also when we are on Defense Melo may not be the one guarding LeBron, Brewer is 6-7, Anthony Parker is 6-6, Balkman is 6-8 and I think is underrated as a defender.  Melo won't have to take all the burden.

[Kwhit10]

I know there are people here that want to vote in the East.  I just know it!

I'll be voting.  I'm giving Orlando and Philly a chance to address their matchup.  Mostly, I'm concerned about how Orlando's supporting cast does.

Ditto... I want to hear why Orlando would win if LeBron didn't dominate Carmelo Anthony, because I'm not sure they would.

I'll let my former GM colleague do most of the heavy lifting here, but will say a few things about our matchup with Philly.

I don't see how Philly can win a seven game series against Orlando, given the Magics' frontcourt strength. Bynum and Okafor need to play major, major minutes for the Sixers to have a chance in this series, and I don't see how Bynum can consistently stay on the court without racking up fouls against a physical center like Gasol, or his backups. Sixers' bench seriously lacks physicality, size, and skill at the PF/C positions (Elson and Joe Smith vs. Foster and Varejao is a clear win for the Magics).

Also, what will Diddy have left in the tank after a 90-game season? Hinrich and Afflalo shouldn't have too much difficulty keeping him in check.

Throw in HCA for Orlando, and I see the Magics moving on to the next round.

You have depth in the front court yes, but those players aren't ones you go to offensively.  Who else besides LeBron is going to do any significant scoring?

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

I think Seattle is overemphazing the bench issue.

Bayless hasn't proven he's a rotational player yet. As for having him pg, he averaged almost as many turnovers as assists last year. He also shot the ball poorly (36%). He states Corey Brewer will see extended time in this series but Brewer is coming off a serious injury and didn't exactly light it up when he did play. I feel Richardson and Jones match-up well there. Heck, for all the knocking QRich gets he can score and I think its fair to say he's a better and more proven scorer than any player off Seattle's bench.

Howard also outrebounded Duncan last year by 4 per game when their teams played so I don't think Duncan will hold Howard to a stalemate on the boards.

Corey Brewer is getting situational minutes to specifically handle Al Thornton when Thaddeus Young is matched up with Antwan Jamison. He will bring nothing offensively to the table, except for perhaps a single three pointer per game, and that is fine, because he defensively enables Thaddeus Young to shut down Antwan Jamison. Brewer offensively is not good, but he only has to play defense, something he does extremely well even by NBA standards. Bayless will get backup minutes to hound the smaller and not as quick Duhon. Also, Bayless and Rodriguez were both with Portland. Rodriguez was traded, while the Blazers kept Bayless. That says alot to me. Dahntay can take good care of Quentin Richardson, and is likely to play against Ray Allen for stretches as well.

Howards going to get some boards, but the matchup works out fine for Seattle. Duncan brings Howard away from the paint because if he doesn't, Tim will hit 15-18 footers all day long. That will not work out well for Howard and Buffalo, as Howard is rendered almost useless that far outside the paint.

[Lucky17]

You have depth in the front court yes, but those players aren't ones you go to offensively.  Who else besides LeBron is going to do any significant scoring?

From our bench, or starters? I think our starting five outscores the Sixers', so our bench only needs to play even or slightly outscore the opposition. Despite Varejao's and Foster's reps as defenders, I see both of them cleaning up the boards and scoring their fair share on putbacks and foul shots, enough to keep us even or ahead.

I'll wait to hear GC's thoughts on the matter, but another option would be to start Foster or Varejao on Okafor, and bring CV off the bench for 2nd unit firepower.

[Rondo2287]

Vote Toronto!



BTW thats me up there

[RebusRankin]

Buffalo would counter by putting Jamison on Duncan and having Howard guard Martin.

Jones is to small to guard Richardson.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Buffalo would counter by putting Jamison on Duncan and having Howard guard Martin.

Jones is to small to guard Richardson.

Antwan Jamison would get absolutely destroyed by Tim Duncan. Howard can stick in the lane with Martin and watch Duncan abuse Jamison, who gives up 2 inches and 25 pounds to Duncan, never mind the fact that Jamison hasn't been an even average defender since UNC and Duncan can take him off the dribble, on the block, back to the basket, or face up. That would be a major Seattle victory.

Dahntay Jones is 6'6. Quentin Richardson is 6'6. And he's Quentin Richardson.

[indeedproceed]

Buffalo would counter by putting Jamison on Duncan and having Howard guard Martin.

Jones is to small to guard Richardson.

But Duncan is such an inside out threat, that it would be tough for Jamison to matchup. If he gets him outside, TD backs him down or shoots over him. If he gets him inside, Howard has to double anyways, and TD is a good enough passer to make you pay for that eventually.

I think the best shot you have is Howard on Duncan. There is no question that he can get him at 15ft as well as anyone in the league, but as KG has shown the Eastern confernece, its impossible to block a 7fter's turnaround midrange J.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

I'm interested in hearing from those who voted Buffalo. I am curious to know the reasons. TPs for legit responses.

[nickagneta]

I think what is missing here in the Lebron versus Melo debate is the non statistical, observational, intangible arguments.

1. In the playoffs, LeBron is agressive and thrives on pressure. The more pressure you apply to Melo, the more he plays outside. LA ratched up the defense and the pressure and Melo hung outside shot 40% and 25% from 3 point land. melo has played in 8 playoff series and had 3 good ones and his shooting has really struggled in the others because he's playing a tougher brand of ball. leBron has no such problems.

2. LeBron's going to get all the calls in the playoffs. We all know that. I don't care that Melo is a star he doesn't get the treatment from the refs that LeBron does.

3. LeBron, in my estimation from observations, makes his team mates better and Melo doesn't. Put good players around LeBron anf he would have won 2 championships already. Cleveland has had some not so great talent around him but the talent he has had he has made much better. AV is average at best on a non LeBron team. Boobie Gibson would never be open to hit threes on another team. West is at his best when playing with LeBron.

4. LeBron has an unbelievable effect on his home court crowds creating a great home court advantage. His ability to get hot at home and turn a quiet crowd into a raucous riot is game changing. Orlando has the home court.

[Lucky17]

I'm interested in hearing from those who voted Buffalo. I am curious to know the reasons. TPs for legit responses.

I voted Seattle. Buffalo really has no reliable bench play beyond Zaza. Jones is a poor man's Kapono, QRich and Rodriguez are way too mercurial, and while Skinner is a fine player, he's not a rotation guy (best in spot minutes).

[indeedproceed]

I'm interested in hearing from those who voted Buffalo. I am curious to know any reasoning, if possible. TPs for reasons.

I think the biggest thing that would put buffalo over the top here is if Howard really put together an average to above average NBA post game. TD has too much skill to be dunked on all day, but like Al Jefferson proved this past season against traditional low post guys he doesn't always fare well. With Howard's strength and agility, he'd be able to do some damage.

[Rondo2287]

Oh and for the record since the East won the All-star game we get home court advantage in the finals..

[indeedproceed]

Oh and for the record since the East won the All-star game we get home court advantage in the finals..

Is that how that works now?

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

I'm interested in hearing from those who voted Buffalo. I am curious to know any reasoning, if possible. TPs for reasons.

I think the biggest thing that would put buffalo over the top here is if Howard really put together an average to above average NBA post game. TD has too much skill to be dunked on all day, but like Al Jefferson proved this past season against traditional low post guys he doesn't always fare well. With Howard's strength and agility, he'd be able to do some damage.

That's the problem though. Al Jefferson has a very refined and polished low post game, thanks to years with Clifford Ray and Kevin McHale. Howard has sheer athleticism and strength, with a jump hook from one side in one particular spot. He has no other moves or game. He hasn't done it yet and has shown no signs of being able to do it in such a small time frame if he hasn't already.