CB Draft '09 Mock Press Conference: Central Division

[riah32]

I think the Bulls are the team to beat in this division as long as there bench contributes just a little bit. I actually had Bogans and Armstrong on my bench before i traded both away. Bogans was playing have way decent last year before he got hurt so he should be a good asset to have off the bench. I think Indiana has a lot of question marks. Detroit and Cleveland are a close 2 and 3 I think right behind the Bulls.

[johnnyrondo]

Possible good news for startorien

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Spain-s-Rubio-trying-to-find-Minnesota-endorseme?urn=nba,180931

[The Walker Wiggle]

Yeah i think this is *the* question with your team.

Gainesville, I hope you'll concede me a shameless repost. But I'm still curious to get a response from some of the GMs critiquing Chicago's bench.

The Buffalo Braves are a team that's been thrown out a few times as an early favorite in the West, most recently by JR himself.

Here is Buffalo's bench versus Chicago's bench.

Linas Kleiza vs. Ryan Anderson
James Jones vs. James Johnson
Zaza Pachulia vs. Hilton Armstrong
Quentin Richardson vs. Deshawn Stevenson
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Jason Williams

Other than a clear advantage in the middle (the Braves also have Brian Skinner while Hilton Armstrong is headed out of the league) I just don't see the difference. In fact, after Bulls' deadline shuffling I give Chicago's backcourt the edge.

Thoughts?

[StartOrien]

Indiana:

1) Does having Gilbert at the 1 hurt your defense?

2) Kurt Thomas has really declined in recent years; can he be relied upon to be a starter, even for as few as 20 - 25 minutes per game?

3) Does Andre Igoudala need the ball in his hands to truly thrive?

4) What type of offense will you be running?

5) Is your team more focused on the present, or the future?

1. There's no question that Gilbert's D is probably going to slide, I actually started writing this in the press release but decided against it. I guess what we see from him on a defensive end is like a slower Rondo, anticipating passes, closing out passing lanes to try to get steals


2. I think he's up to the challenge, though I think you're right in saying that 20-25 minutes might be asking a little much on a day to day basis. He'll certainly be expected to play on the higher side of minutes (20-30) against the select "traditional centers" that I outlined before (I forgot Horford in my original statement), but I think there will be nights where he'll probably play between 10-15 with Aldridge and Frye getting the predominany portion of the minutes at the 5 spot.

3. I think Iggy's shot has progressed to the point where he no longer needs the ball, we'll be looking for a slashing style out of him and plan to capitalize on his midrange jumpers

4. Addmittedly, our offensive style will be somewhat dependent on a combination of Agent Zero's health and if Rubio comes to town. I'm a fun-n-gun kind of guy, and I think we could capitalize on this particularly with Aldridge's gazelle like speed, and Igoudala in the open court. Where I think this team benefits though is that we don't need to really play one way or another, as it's also a fairly strong half court offense. I guess in a perfect situation, we'd be fun n gun off of turnovers and a slower tempo off of stops and makes.

5. We're focused on winning, Roy. Both now, and in the future. We absolutely want to win right now, but we're not going to let go of our future plans which revolve around Rubio, Igoudala and Aldridge.

I touched upon it in the press conference. I don't think a 'team of the future' ever blossoms to its potential without winning experience. Which again, is why I really, really like my team.

[ChampKind]

Yeah i think this is *the* question with your team.

Gainesville, I hope you'll concede me a shameless repost. But I'm still curious to get a response from some of the GMs critiquing Chicago's bench.

The Buffalo Braves are a team that's been thrown out a few times as an early favorite in the West, most recently by JR himself.

Here is Buffalo's bench versus Chicago's bench.

Linas Kleiza vs. Ryan Anderson
James Jones vs. James Johnson
Zaza Pachulia vs. Hilton Armstrong
Quentin Richardson vs. Deshawn Stevenson
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Jason Williams

Other than a clear advantage in the middle (the Braves also have Brian Skinner while Hilton Armstrong is headed out of the league) I just don't see the difference. In fact, after Bulls' deadline shuffling I give Chicago's backcourt the edge.

Thoughts?

I think Buffalo has the advantage here.  While I like Anderson and Stevenson (though they are both questionable as well) for the Bulls, everyone else is a huge question mark.  At least Buffalo's got some veteran leaders, as well as an edge in talent, in my opinion.  Although with Kleiza possibly leaving the states, that could change things.

[StartOrien]

Possible good news for startorien

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Spain-s-Rubio-trying-to-find-Minnesota-endorseme?urn=nba,180931

I think its tough for me to sound unbiased, but I've been saying it a whole lot to my friends; there's not question in my mind that he's coming to the NBA. I'm shocked about how this hasn't been major news, DKV is in terrible shape financially, and Rubio has limitless marketing potential (besides the whole, he's in minny thing)

[StartOrien]

I think the Bulls are the team to beat in this division as long as there bench contributes just a little bit. I actually had Bogans and Armstrong on my bench before i traded both away. Bogans was playing have way decent last year before he got hurt so he should be a good asset to have off the bench. I think Indiana has a lot of question marks. Detroit and Cleveland are a close 2 and 3 I think right behind the Bulls.

I like Chi town, but I think we give them a real run for their money.

[johnnyrondo]

Anyone else excited about the press conference duo of Nick and GC tomorrow? I have a feeling each will give a good show.

[Rondo2287]

Yeah i think this is *the* question with your team.

Gainesville, I hope you'll concede me a shameless repost. But I'm still curious to get a response from some of the GMs critiquing Chicago's bench.

The Buffalo Braves are a team that's been thrown out a few times as an early favorite in the West, most recently by JR himself.

Here is Buffalo's bench versus Chicago's bench.

Linas Kleiza vs. Ryan Anderson
James Jones vs. James Johnson
Zaza Pachulia vs. Hilton Armstrong
Quentin Richardson vs. Deshawn Stevenson
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Jason Williams

Other than a clear advantage in the middle (the Braves also have Brian Skinner while Hilton Armstrong is headed out of the league) I just don't see the difference. In fact, after Bulls' deadline shuffling I give Chicago's backcourt the edge.

Thoughts?

Jason Williams didnt play last year,
Deshawn is coming off a major back injury
James Johnson wasnt the most dominant player on wake forest last year
Hilton Armstrong is as you said on his way out of the league.
Ryan Anderson is good

[johnnyrondo]

Bogans is ahead of Johnson on the depth chart fwiw. I know this game doesn't look fondly on rookies, so though i think Johnson and Buddinger will contribute for the real life Bulls and rockets respectively, I went out and got Stevenson AND Bogans as backup wings.

[riah32]

Yeah i think this is *the* question with your team.

Gainesville, I hope you'll concede me a shameless repost. But I'm still curious to get a response from some of the GMs critiquing Chicago's bench.

The Buffalo Braves are a team that's been thrown out a few times as an early favorite in the West, most recently by JR himself.

Here is Buffalo's bench versus Chicago's bench.

Linas Kleiza vs. Ryan Anderson
James Jones vs. James Johnson
Zaza Pachulia vs. Hilton Armstrong
Quentin Richardson vs. Deshawn Stevenson
Sergio Rodriguez vs. Jason Williams

Other than a clear advantage in the middle (the Braves also have Brian Skinner while Hilton Armstrong is headed out of the league) I just don't see the difference. In fact, after Bulls' deadline shuffling I give Chicago's backcourt the edge.

Thoughts?

Jayson Williams didnt play last year,
Deshawn is coming off a major back injury
James Johnson wasnt the most dominant player on wake forest last year
Hilton Armstrong is as you said on his way out of the league.
Ryan Anderson is good

Wish I was headed out of the league like Hilton Armstron.....o wait he isnt he started 29 games last year and played in 70 and has played in 191 games in his 3 year career and started in 37. So someone want to explain to me how he is headed out of the league

[nickagneta]

I'm sorry j.r., I like your starting five probably more than any other. But I can't get my mind wrapped around the thought that a bench of Jason Williams(who is still officially retired), DeShawn Stevenson(coming off severe back problems and shooting woes and fighting a losing battle to stay in front of Mike Miller and Randy Foye on the depth chart), 4 rookies in the worst draft since the Kenyon Martin Draft, a washed up Chris Mihm, Hilton Armstrong(a turnover machine) and Ryan Anderson is going to be able to provide your starters what they are going to need over the course of a season to be fresh and successful come the playoffs.

[johnnyrondo]

I'm sorry j.r., I like your starting five probably more than any other. But I can't get my mind wrapped around the thought that a bench of Jason Williams(who is still officially retired), DeShawn Stevenson(coming off severe back problems and shooting woes and fighting a losing battle to stay in front of Mike Miller and Randy Foye on the depth chart), 4 rookies in the worst draft since the Kenyon Martin Draft, a washed up Chris Mihm, Hilton Armstrong(a turnover machine) and Ryan Anderson is going to be able to provide your starters what they are going to need over the course of a season to be fresh and successful come the playoffs.

Your granted to your opinion. I think I answered those questions earlier though. If Jason Williams stays retired and Crittendon becomes our backup pg, we can live with that. we do have the best pg in the game starting. We'd also go and sign another pg. I can't see J-Will staying retired. Also you forgot Bogans.

[nickagneta]

Possible good news for startorien

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Spain-s-Rubio-trying-to-find-Minnesota-endorseme?urn=nba,180931

I think its tough for me to sound unbiased, but I've been saying it a whole lot to my friends; there's not question in my mind that he's coming to the NBA. I'm shocked about how this hasn't been major news, DKV is in terrible shape financially, and Rubio has limitless marketing potential (besides the whole, he's in minny thing)

I still am not convinced Rubio is going to be anything special. Until anyone in this draft proves to me they are any good, my assumption is going to be they are at best mediocre. Only after they start producing will I give any credence to anyone in this year's draft.

[riah32]

I'm sorry j.r., I like your starting five probably more than any other. But I can't get my mind wrapped around the thought that a bench of Jason Williams(who is still officially retired), DeShawn Stevenson(coming off severe back problems and shooting woes and fighting a losing battle to stay in front of Mike Miller and Randy Foye on the depth chart), 4 rookies in the worst draft since the Kenyon Martin Draft, a washed up Chris Mihm, Hilton Armstrong(a turnover machine) and Ryan Anderson is going to be able to provide your starters what they are going to need over the course of a season to be fresh and successful come the playoffs.

Why does everyone keep forgetting Keith Bogans he can put up double digit numbers any night of the week just with his three point shooting ability.