CB Draft '09 Mock Press Conference: Central Division

[Rondo2287]

Except no offense JR I think peoples main contention here is that your bench does matter.  so i guess thats where the difference in opinion is coming from

[johnnyrondo]

Except no offense JR I think peoples main contention here is that your bench does matter.  so i guess thats where the difference in opinion is coming from

I've tried to answer those questions. Fit is a big thing. For example your backup 1,2,3, would not play on my team. Big Z might, but it would be an odd pairing with our style. warrick we like, but not more than Anderson. We like the athletic 4 type like warrick, but I think Anderson is a better player and Johnson should turn into a Warrick like player at the minimum. We have the luxury of using Johnson as an 11th man and bringing him along slowly.
http://www.mouthpiecesports.com/blog/2009/07/16/james-johnson-owns-bulls-first-summer-league-game/

David Thorpe of ESPN is in Vegas and has been tweeting his face off. He had these things to say:

    -James Johnson with the best hesitation move of the week for a bucket.
    -Johnson has scored on a great dribble move, a sweet jumper, and a post flash to the middle of the paint. Very, very nice.
    -I understand why the Bulls drafted Johnson. But not Gibson.
    -I think Ben Gordon taught Johnson how to shoot before jetting up the road. His arc is pro perfect.

[The Walker Wiggle]

1. To sustain a run. Probably not. I think at best were probably talking 2 playoff series and probably bowing out in maybe 6 games in the 2nd series.

For what little it's worth, I love Milwaukee's front court.

As a starter last season, Millsap averaged 16 points on 55% shooting and 10.3 rebounds. He’s a boon on defense and one of the league’s best offensive rebounders. He’s a fierce competitor, savvy and still developing. I love him alongside Durant, who’ll create space for Paul to operate on the block and the glass, and on the other end balance the power forward’s lack of height.

Haywood rounds out the starting lineup as the vocal, veteran defensive anchor. He’s a mobile, legit 7 footer, a strong on the ball defender, and solid shot blocker. His running mates will carry the scoring load but as the team’s 5th option he'll at least finish open looks around the basket.

Off the bench, Moon and Hansbrough should be exhausting to score against and to cover. I love both as reserves. Wallace is the x-factor here. Still may retire? Otherwise he should shore up the defense as he did in Cleveland despite struggling to adjust to spot duty. Or I love Tony Battie in his stead. (And Sean May is a worthwhile late draft signing who could prove to be a steal.)

And worth pointing out that Hansbrough measured out well against Blake Griffin at the NBA combine.

[RebusRankin]

To all the GMS, How do you feel your team matches up against some of the perceived contenders (Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo Houston and Orlando)?

Speaking of GM "spin."

Well played Buffalo. I hope you don't mind that I made one correction.

I said perceived contenders based on what others have said. I do see my team as a contender but I see many others as being contenders as well. I merely stated the teams that others have mentioned continually as being top teams. I am curious how the Central GMs think their teams stack up?

[johnnyrondo]

It was a pretty gutsy move the Bucks taking Durant. He's a pretty unique super talent. I'm curious what others think his ceiling is. I think he'll be at a minimum an All-Star this year

[Rondo2287]

I would say If I have to rank
1a Detroit
1bChicago
3Cleveland
4Milwaukee

[StartOrien]

Question for all five GMs:

Who is your biggest division rival, and why won't they win the division?

I think I'd go with Chi Town.

It's been heavily discussed, but I think the difference is the bench, particuarly when you keep in mind that Al Horford has had some serious health issues in the past year. Similar case with Detroit (but with Chandler).

I like my team idendity, and I think using the Houston model will get us very, very far. I'm surprised to see that we've been so overlooked judging by already listed rankings.

[Gainesville Celtic]

Indy -- it will be interesting to see where you end up in the midseason vote.

The 2 issues I see are uncertainty at PG (u could be great or you could be starting quincy douby) and your frontcourt.

Thomas and Magliore are 10 mpg guys at best now ( I like the idea of covering for that by playing frye/aldridge together rather than simply insisting it KTs age won't be an issue...

But that's a small, offensively challenged front court.

I also like the gamble on arenas -- again as opposed to just sayin curry was gonna be a star.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm going to have a hard time voting for this division in the conference seeding, so I'll let the GMs in the division make up my mind:

I think Chicago is probably the best team, despite its poor bench.  However, I don't think the team will hold up over the course of a season, as I think any sort of injury (10 games or more) to any of the starters could sink this team.  If that happens, I see Cleveland or Detroit winning the division.

If, however, Chicago makes it to the playoffs intact, I think it would win a series against any of the other four teams.

So, how do I vote?  Do I vote for the best team, or do I vote for the team that I project will be there at the end?

[Roy Hobbs]

To all the GMS, How do you feel your team matches up against some of the perceived contenders (Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo Houston and Orlando)?

Speaking of GM "spin."

Well played Buffalo. I hope you don't mind that I made one correction.

I said perceived contenders based on what others have said. I do see my team as a contender but I see many others as being contenders as well. I merely stated the teams that others have mentioned continually as being top teams. I am curious how the Central GMs think their teams stack up?

For whatever it's worth at this stage, I think Buffalo is a legit contender.

[johnnyrondo]

I'm going to have a hard time voting for this division in the conference seeding, so I'll let the GMs in the division make up my mind:

I think Chicago is probably the best team, despite its poor bench.  However, I don't think the team will hold up over the course of a season, as I think any sort of injury (10 games or more) to any of the starters could sink this team.  If that happens, I see Cleveland or Detroit winning the division.

If, however, Chicago makes it to the playoffs intact, I think it would win a series against any of the other four teams.

So, how do I vote?  Do I vote for the best team, or do I vote for the team that I project will be there at the end?

Roy, I know your into the misinformation thing, but do you honestly believe if Raja Bell was sidelined for 10 games and Deshawn started those ten games that the Bulls would sink? I mean KG missed ten games, while Powe or Baby was out and the C's didn't sink. And as much as I like Raja, he's no healthy KG. Hyperbole much?  And I will say again my team has 5 reserves that last year were either starters or spot starters (well for J-will that would be 2 yrs ago, but again playing limited mins as the backup for the best pg in the league is not a worry)

I feel like Roy you asked a ton of questions and they were answered, but then you want to just continue over and over.

[johnnyrondo]

To all the GMS, How do you feel your team matches up against some of the perceived contenders (Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo Houston and Orlando)?

Speaking of GM "spin."

Well played Buffalo. I hope you don't mind that I made one correction.

I said perceived contenders based on what others have said. I do see my team as a contender but I see many others as being contenders as well. I merely stated the teams that others have mentioned continually as being top teams. I am curious how the Central GMs think their teams stack up?

For whatever it's worth at this stage, I think Buffalo is a legit contender.

Agreed. A team with D12 and Ray Allen and Jamison (basically his Rashard) is tough.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm going to have a hard time voting for this division in the conference seeding, so I'll let the GMs in the division make up my mind:

I think Chicago is probably the best team, despite its poor bench.  However, I don't think the team will hold up over the course of a season, as I think any sort of injury (10 games or more) to any of the starters could sink this team.  If that happens, I see Cleveland or Detroit winning the division.

If, however, Chicago makes it to the playoffs intact, I think it would win a series against any of the other four teams.

So, how do I vote?  Do I vote for the best team, or do I vote for the team that I project will be there at the end?

Roy, I know your into the misinformation thing, but do you honestly believe if Raja Bell was sidelined for 10 games and Deshawn started those ten games that the Bulls would sink? I mean KG missed ten games, while Powe or Baby was out and the C's didn't sink. And as much as I like Raja, he's no healthy KG. Hyperbole much?  And I will say again my team has 5 reserves that last year were either starters or spot starters (well for J-will that would be 2 yrs ago, but again playing limited mins as the backup for the best pg in the league is not a worry)

I feel like Roy you asked a ton of questions and they were answered, but then you want to just continue over and over.

Obviously, Bell is the most dispensable of your starters, but him going down would hurt.  However, the other four -- especially CPs, Gasol, or Martin -- would be pretty devastating, in my opinion.

It's something I'm legitimately debating.  I honestly don't know how to vote, as it's a philosophical thing.  Also, I'm not sure why it's "misinformation"; if your team is healthy, without anybody having sustained long-term injuries, at the six month mark, I'm sure I'll be voting them #1 without hesitation.  I think that's a significant amount of respect for your team.  However, the team's shallowness is a concern for me, and most other GMs.

[The Walker Wiggle]

To all the GMS, How do you feel your team matches up against some of the perceived contenders (Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo Houston and Orlando)?

Speaking of GM "spin."

Well played Buffalo. I hope you don't mind that I made one correction.

I said perceived contenders based on what others have said. I do see my team as a contender but I see many others as being contenders as well. I merely stated the teams that others have mentioned continually as being top teams. I am curious how the Central GMs think their teams stack up?

Ok, how about this?

To all the GMS, How do you feel your team matches up against some of the perceived contenders (Portland, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia, Buffalo Houston Buffalo and Orlando Golden State)?

[bucknersrevenge]

1. To sustain a run. Probably not. I think at best were probably talking 2 playoff series and probably bowing out in maybe 6 games in the 2nd series.

For what little it's worth, I love Milwaukee's front court.

As a starter last season, Millsap averaged 16 points on 55% shooting and 10.3 rebounds. He’s a boon on defense and one of the league’s best offensive rebounders. He’s a fierce competitor, savvy and still developing. I love him alongside Durant, who’ll create space for Paul to operate on the block and the glass, and on the other end balance the power forward’s lack of height.

Haywood rounds out the starting lineup as the vocal, veteran defensive anchor. He’s a mobile, legit 7 footer, a strong on the ball defender, and solid shot blocker. His running mates will carry the scoring load but as the team’s 5th option he'll at least finish open looks around the basket.

Off the bench, Moon and Hansbrough should be exhausting to score against and to cover. I love both as reserves. Wallace is the x-factor here. Still may retire? Otherwise he should shore up the defense as he did in Cleveland despite struggling to adjust to spot duty. Or I love Tony Battie in his stead. (And Sean May is a worthwhile late draft signing who could prove to be a steal.)

And worth pointing out that Hansbrough measured out well against Blake Griffin at the NBA combine.

Appreciate the kind words. After reading through this thread and further deliberating I do realize my team right now is probably closer to the bottom of the division than the top but that's life. Once I made the decision to draft Durant I knew I knew what direction I wanted to go in. I think from a talent standpoint it's set up well for the future though. Much depends on the development of Stuckey though.

In other news I'm goin Chi-town for this division as well. I love their starting 5. The pieces fit together so well and the late acquisitions of Bogans and Stevenson deepened the team a bit more. Besides, any Boston Celtics fan knows you don't need a great bench to win a division.