CB Draft '09 Mock Press Conference: Atlantic Divison

[nickagneta]

So just one GM's view of the predicted order of the East and why:

1.) Toronto - defense and experience combined with enough youth and offense to take the title

2.) Boston - size, experience and talent 9 deep. If Jeffries can ever harness his talent and be what he always should have been, they could win the division

3.) Philadelphia - some are going to say I'm nuts for having them down this far but Bynum has to prove to me that he can not only make it through an entire season but that he can justify getting paid the money he does. Also, I worry that Davis may be taking a big step back and even if he doesn't he needs to be a facilitator not a producer like he prefers to be.

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

5.) New York - hard to put a team who's GM doesn't even try to make them better higher than last. The team was thrown together with little sense and the parts don't fit. A bad team that never had the chance to get better do to an absentee GM.

How does NY parts not fit?  


They have a top 3 PG.  A SG that is a top scorer.  A large SF that fits nicely as a third or 4th scorer.  A large defensive PF that can play C.  And of course, Perk.  


Strong defensive bench.  (that includes two players that are likely starters this year in Maxiell and Sefolosha)  

So, how does this team not fit?  Good defenders.  Two 20 point scorers, a 13 point scorer, we saw what Perk can do in the low post in the playoffs (10 points is not out of the question), Kristic, another double digit scorer.   (not to mention what Maxiell could be doing as a starter in the real NBA)


As for the lack of trades, what does that matter?  He made no trades last year (and did defend his team) and was one of the front runners in the East (along with NJ and Orlando)

For a person who was only supposed to be relaying someone else's picks you seem to be getting awfully defensive about my observation.

[wdleehi]

So just one GM's view of the predicted order of the East and why:

1.) Toronto - defense and experience combined with enough youth and offense to take the title

2.) Boston - size, experience and talent 9 deep. If Jeffries can ever harness his talent and be what he always should have been, they could win the division

3.) Philadelphia - some are going to say I'm nuts for having them down this far but Bynum has to prove to me that he can not only make it through an entire season but that he can justify getting paid the money he does. Also, I worry that Davis may be taking a big step back and even if he doesn't he needs to be a facilitator not a producer like he prefers to be.

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

5.) New York - hard to put a team who's GM doesn't even try to make them better higher than last. The team was thrown together with little sense and the parts don't fit. A bad team that never had the chance to get better do to an absentee GM.

How does NY parts not fit?  


They have a top 3 PG.  A SG that is a top scorer.  A large SF that fits nicely as a third or 4th scorer.  A large defensive PF that can play C.  And of course, Perk.  


Strong defensive bench.  (that includes two players that are likely starters this year in Maxiell and Sefolosha)  

So, how does this team not fit?  Good defenders.  Two 20 point scorers, a 13 point scorer, we saw what Perk can do in the low post in the playoffs (10 points is not out of the question), Kristic, another double digit scorer.   (not to mention what Maxiell could be doing as a starter in the real NBA)


As for the lack of trades, what does that matter?  He made no trades last year (and did defend his team) and was one of the front runners in the East (along with NJ and Orlando)

For a person who was only supposed to be relaying someone else's picks you seem to be getting awfully defensive about my observation.

I am bored and have a habit of defending my younger brother. 

[indeedproceed]

So basically Nick you're saying as long as Toronto's defense can keep it close coming into the final mins, KG will finish it off down the stretch with high % elbow jumpers?

So its not freezing Artest out of the game...its freezing him out of the last part of the third quarter.

You think he'll notice?

Kidding, kidding. I can't wait to see if you defend your own team as well as you just defended Rondo's. He was so perplexed by my perfect to the last drop analysis that he signed off rather than take a shot at engaging it.

[Roy Hobbs]

So just one GM's view of the predicted order of the East and why:

1.) Toronto - defense and experience combined with enough youth and offense to take the title

2.) Boston - size, experience and talent 9 deep. If Jeffries can ever harness his talent and be what he always should have been, they could win the division

3.) Philadelphia - some are going to say I'm nuts for having them down this far but Bynum has to prove to me that he can not only make it through an entire season but that he can justify getting paid the money he does. Also, I worry that Davis may be taking a big step back and even if he doesn't he needs to be a facilitator not a producer like he prefers to be.

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

5.) New York - hard to put a team who's GM doesn't even try to make them better higher than last. The team was thrown together with little sense and the parts don't fit. A bad team that never had the chance to get better do to an absentee GM.

I think that's about how I see it, too.  The crazy thing is, I like all five of these teams, and think they could all be playoff teams, depending on how things work out in the East.  It will be pretty interesting to review this division at the six month point.

[nickagneta]

So basically Nick you're saying as long as Toronto's defense can keep it close coming into the final mins, KG will finish it off down the stretch with high % elbow jumpers?

So its not freezing Artest out of the game...its freezing him out of the last part of the third quarter.

You think he'll notice?

Kidding, kidding. I can't wait to see if you defend your own team as well as you just defended Rondo's. He was so perplexed by my perfect to the last drop analysis that he signed off rather than take a shot at engaging it.

I just thought the answer was quite simple so I answered it. That really is the right offense to run with that personnel, IMHO anyway.

[The Walker Wiggle]

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

I rate the (Brooklyn?) Nets well above fourth. Not one of their rivals is as battle-tested. And assuming a healthy, hungry Brand, I love the team's core trio and offensive balance. Much has been made of Derrick Fisher, but he's a winner, clutch shooter, and, regardless, only the division-worst Knicks can press upon marked point guard advantage.

It's only the team's reserves that might hold them back. Outside of James and Beno - who likely benefits from a move back to the bench - I'm underwhelmed.

[Rondo2287]

I have one. Ron Artest.

We've talked about this before, but never really in depth. I think Ron Artest can succeed with teh Lakers next year because Kobe will dominate the ball. Kobe can do that because he's one of the most unguardable players in the NBA from the triple threat position. He can score, pass, or drive from the 3pt line in, and because of that the other team has to respect both his scoring ability and his passing ability..aka they have to pay lots and lots of attention to him.

Now Artest showed something with the Rockets...he showed he would be an offense killer only SOME of the time, as opposed to every game.

My question to you: Is dumping the ball off from Andre Miller pretty much your plan? Miller can't shoot, so he's either going to drive and kick or he's going to pass. Garcia can't (or doesn't) pass, so he's either going to drive or shoot. Pretty much if you want to get the ball to Garnett you're going to have to go through Artest more than a little.

So my question is: How do you keep him from being the player he has been his entire life? He has always, ALWAYS been a "get mine" offensive player, and when he sees a shot he likes for whatever reason, what his coaches, teammates, or FG% have to say about it has never mattered.

How do you stop Artest from killing you one out of every 5 games?

Again, I dont see this as an issue that you are making it out to be.  After watching the celtics, you know how good of a passer Garnett out of the post.  You know that Miller has the propensity to pass the ball.  Apparently you dont think Garcia can pass, I dont agree with that, but to each his own.  I think what we saw in Houston was that finally Artest was surrounded by other good players that could score and Artest started to defer.  Since there isnt a guy in my starting 5 and only one on my bench that scores under 10 points a game, Artest will not feel the need to dominate the ball.  And when you have two players that are as good as KG and Miller passing Artest the ball and getting him open looks he will be much more likely to pass the ball away when he doesnt have a good look.  Thats human nature.

[Rondo2287]

So just one GM's view of the predicted order of the East and why:

1.) Toronto - defense and experience combined with enough youth and offense to take the title

2.) Boston - size, experience and talent 9 deep. If Jeffries can ever harness his talent and be what he always should have been, they could win the division

3.) Philadelphia - some are going to say I'm nuts for having them down this far but Bynum has to prove to me that he can not only make it through an entire season but that he can justify getting paid the money he does. Also, I worry that Davis may be taking a big step back and even if he doesn't he needs to be a facilitator not a producer like he prefers to be.

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

5.) New York - hard to put a team who's GM doesn't even try to make them better higher than last. The team was thrown together with little sense and the parts don't fit. A bad team that never had the chance to get better do to an absentee GM.

How does NY parts not fit?  


They have a top 3 PG.  A SG that is a top scorer.  A large SF that fits nicely as a third or 4th scorer.  A large defensive PF that can play C.  And of course, Perk.  


Strong defensive bench.  (that includes two players that are likely starters this year in Maxiell and Sefolosha)  

So, how does this team not fit?  Good defenders.  Two 20 point scorers, a 13 point scorer, we saw what Perk can do in the low post in the playoffs (10 points is not out of the question), Kristic, another double digit scorer.   (not to mention what Maxiell could be doing as a starter in the real NBA)


As for the lack of trades, what does that matter?  He made no trades last year (and did defend his team) and was one of the front runners in the East (along with NJ and Orlando)

For a person who was only supposed to be relaying someone else's picks you seem to be getting awfully defensive about my observation.

I am bored and have a habit of defending my younger brother. 

I appreciate you defending your younger brother as im sure most of us would do the same, but I think you have to understand that its hard for any of us to vote for somebody that we have never interacted with never took the time to put together a press conference.  Personally after seeing the time and effort everybody else in the atlantic put into their press conferences I wouldnt vote for NY just out of respect for the work that the other GM's did

[Kwhit10]

Also I don't remember him defending his team at all in the press conference thread at all?  He stopped posting before the draft was even over.

[Rondo2287]

And I understand that KG doesnt go to the post very often but 28% of his FG attempts come inside the paint and of that 28% he makes 75% of his shots which is up there with anybody in the league.  So you can say that he may not like to play in the post, but when he does, he is highly effective

[Rondo2287]

So basically Nick you're saying as long as Toronto's defense can keep it close coming into the final mins, KG will finish it off down the stretch with high % elbow jumpers?

So its not freezing Artest out of the game...its freezing him out of the last part of the third quarter.

You think he'll notice?

Kidding, kidding. I can't wait to see if you defend your own team as well as you just defended Rondo's. He was so perplexed by my perfect to the last drop analysis that he signed off rather than take a shot at engaging it.

I guess this should be on the back of a molson bottle, but IP which would you prefer?  A great offensive team in the final 2 minutes or a Great defensive team that is also good on the offensive end.  I would rather have the great defensive team

[nickagneta]

I have one. Ron Artest.

We've talked about this before, but never really in depth. I think Ron Artest can succeed with teh Lakers next year because Kobe will dominate the ball. Kobe can do that because he's one of the most unguardable players in the NBA from the triple threat position. He can score, pass, or drive from the 3pt line in, and because of that the other team has to respect both his scoring ability and his passing ability..aka they have to pay lots and lots of attention to him.

Now Artest showed something with the Rockets...he showed he would be an offense killer only SOME of the time, as opposed to every game.

My question to you: Is dumping the ball off from Andre Miller pretty much your plan? Miller can't shoot, so he's either going to drive and kick or he's going to pass. Garcia can't (or doesn't) pass, so he's either going to drive or shoot. Pretty much if you want to get the ball to Garnett you're going to have to go through Artest more than a little.

So my question is: How do you keep him from being the player he has been his entire life? He has always, ALWAYS been a "get mine" offensive player, and when he sees a shot he likes for whatever reason, what his coaches, teammates, or FG% have to say about it has never mattered.

How do you stop Artest from killing you one out of every 5 games?

Again, I dont see this as an issue that you are making it out to be.  After watching the celtics, you know how good of a passer Garnett out of the post.  You know that Miller has the propensity to pass the ball.  Apparently you dont think Garcia can pass, I dont agree with that, but to each his own.  I think what we saw in Houston was that finally Artest was surrounded by other good players that could score and Artest started to defer.  Since there isnt a guy in my starting 5 and only one on my bench that scores under 10 points a game, Artest will not feel the need to dominate the ball.  And when you have two players that are as good as KG and Miller passing Artest the ball and getting him open looks he will be much more likely to pass the ball away when he doesnt have a good look.  Thats human nature.

Personally Rondo, I think you're making a mistake if you are forcing KG into the post in your offensive sets. He has never really been that type of back-to-the-basket player. he is most effective being given the ball 15-20 feet from the basket and allowing him open look jumpers. Camby is another big that is better outside than trying to force an inside game.

Artest on the other hand can post up most other SFs and can hit threes. Everything else, those 6-22 footers, he is the worst in the league at. Don't try to play an inside out game with Miller and KG hoping for Artest open jumpers. I think the efficacy of you offense will suffer greatly playing your personnel that way

[Rondo2287]

I have one. Ron Artest.

We've talked about this before, but never really in depth. I think Ron Artest can succeed with teh Lakers next year because Kobe will dominate the ball. Kobe can do that because he's one of the most unguardable players in the NBA from the triple threat position. He can score, pass, or drive from the 3pt line in, and because of that the other team has to respect both his scoring ability and his passing ability..aka they have to pay lots and lots of attention to him.

Now Artest showed something with the Rockets...he showed he would be an offense killer only SOME of the time, as opposed to every game.

My question to you: Is dumping the ball off from Andre Miller pretty much your plan? Miller can't shoot, so he's either going to drive and kick or he's going to pass. Garcia can't (or doesn't) pass, so he's either going to drive or shoot. Pretty much if you want to get the ball to Garnett you're going to have to go through Artest more than a little.

So my question is: How do you keep him from being the player he has been his entire life? He has always, ALWAYS been a "get mine" offensive player, and when he sees a shot he likes for whatever reason, what his coaches, teammates, or FG% have to say about it has never mattered.

How do you stop Artest from killing you one out of every 5 games?

Again, I dont see this as an issue that you are making it out to be.  After watching the celtics, you know how good of a passer Garnett out of the post.  You know that Miller has the propensity to pass the ball.  Apparently you dont think Garcia can pass, I dont agree with that, but to each his own.  I think what we saw in Houston was that finally Artest was surrounded by other good players that could score and Artest started to defer.  Since there isnt a guy in my starting 5 and only one on my bench that scores under 10 points a game, Artest will not feel the need to dominate the ball.  And when you have two players that are as good as KG and Miller passing Artest the ball and getting him open looks he will be much more likely to pass the ball away when he doesnt have a good look.  Thats human nature.

Personally Rondo, I think you're making a mistake if you are forcing KG into the post in your offensive sets. He has never really been that type of back-to-the-basket player. he is most effective being given the ball 15-20 feet from the basket and allowing him open look jumpers. Camby is another big that is better outside than trying to force an inside game.

Artest on the other hand can post up most other SFs and can hit threes. Everything else, those 6-22 footers, he is the worst in the league at. Don't try to play an inside out game with Miller and KG hoping for Artest open jumpers. I think the efficacy of you offense will suffer greatly playing your personnel that way

Dont get me wrong Im not forcing KG anywhere, I dont think anybody can for KG anywhere.  But when you look at the numbers, KG in the post makes 75% of his shots, West, Boozer, Gasol, and Howard all make between 60-65%.  But thats not the point I really just meant that when KG gets the ball no matter where he is on the court, he is going to demand the defenses attention at which point we know he is a superior passer, and should create open looks for Artest.  Or anybody on the team for that matter

[Kwhit10]

So just one GM's view of the predicted order of the East and why:

1.) Toronto - defense and experience combined with enough youth and offense to take the title

2.) Boston - size, experience and talent 9 deep. If Jeffries can ever harness his talent and be what he always should have been, they could win the division

3.) Philadelphia - some are going to say I'm nuts for having them down this far but Bynum has to prove to me that he can not only make it through an entire season but that he can justify getting paid the money he does. Also, I worry that Davis may be taking a big step back and even if he doesn't he needs to be a facilitator not a producer like he prefers to be.

4.) New Jersey - they probably finish 3rd if they were in either of the other divisions in this conference. No fear though as the Nets should still probably make the playoffs as they play in the East's toughest division.

5.) New York - hard to put a team who's GM doesn't even try to make them better higher than last. The team was thrown together with little sense and the parts don't fit. A bad team that never had the chance to get better do to an absentee GM.

After raving about SG's I'm surprised you think Toronto has enough to get a title...

[Rondo2287]

I think he meant Atlantic title, Not "Title" Title dunno though