CB Draft '09 Mock Press Conference: Southwest Division

[Rondo2287]

In all fairness to Houston though, Joe Johnson has averaged 5.8,5.8,4.4,6.5 assists over the past 4 years. 

But even in Atlanta, they didn't become a playoff team until they added a real PG (Bibby) that took that pressure of Johnson to be the PG on offense. 

Oh I know, but Im just saying in Houston's offense they probably wont be soley relying on monta to dish out all the assists

[wdleehi]

Wouldn't Houston be better starting Augustin at PG and using Ellis as a combo guard off the bench?


He did average 18 and 6 last year when starting. 

[Rondo2287]

I could definitly see that as a good option.  I think Monta could give Mo williams a run for his money for 6th man of the year as well

[johnnyrondo]

Wouldn't Houston be better starting Augustin at PG and using Ellis as a combo guard off the bench?


He did average 18 and 6 last year when starting. 

Houston definitely has some room to tinker with his starting line-up, some wiggle room if you may (I know I'm hilarious  )
I could also see Nocion1 starting at the 3 sometimes to add size to the front court.

[Roy Hobbs]

Wouldn't Houston be better starting Augustin at PG and using Ellis as a combo guard off the bench?


He did average 18 and 6 last year when starting. 

I like this idea.  Monta is much more of a "microwave" bench player than he is a starting point guard.  Augustin is young, but he's already a substantially better PG than Ellis will ever be.

[KCattheStripe]

Another one for Memphis:

You described yourself as the team of the future.  Denver has similar aspirations.  Which team will be more successful in 2 to 3 years, and why?

Us in 2 to 3 years, maybe denver in 5.

[KCattheStripe]

How long do you thin Diaw can hold onto his starting spot from Andrea Bargnani?


I would think his ability to shoot (which would open up more room for Parker to drive.  Think Bonner of Horry) would give him an advantage over Diaw.  You have enough playmaking in the starting lineup without him. 

Diaw is also a dagger 3 point shooter ( see press) so his play making ability is what poots him over Bargs. If Bargs starts lighting it up, I'm more than happy to put Diaw on the bench.

[KCattheStripe]

Memphis-I'd say you have a team that might do well in the regular season, even possibly as you say, winning the division. However due to your roster construction do you think you're going to flounder greatly in the playoffs?

DJ White and Brook Lopez can't possibly be expected to perform favorably as second year players, their first time in the playoffs, against the best offensive post players in the league (who are mostly in the West. Holla!). Once the pace slows down, and you need to re-evaluate whether or not Boris Diaw is helping or hurting you in the half court, it looks like you're going to be consistently out-rebounded.

Also, while I'm high on the potential of Chandler and Rudy F, I'm not as high on them right away. I actually like Mo Williams for you, and I think you're overlooking the benefits of running small with Mo AND Tony in the back court at the same time, and I do think that Tony Parker is capable of powering a team with flaws to the playoffs, as long as they can run (which yours can), I just don't know how far you're going to get if you get ot the post season.

And this is exactly what I was going for. i believe my team is a team of the future, who jus so happens to b good enough to make the playoffs this year. I agree, I think we'd be lucky to make it out of the first round, but thats no our goal this year.

[Edgar]

Memphis-I'd say you have a team that might do well in the regular season, even possibly as you say, winning the division. However due to your roster construction do you think you're going to flounder greatly in the playoffs?

DJ White and Brook Lopez can't possibly be expected to perform favorably as second year players, their first time in the playoffs, against the best offensive post players in the league (who are mostly in the West. Holla!). Once the pace slows down, and you need to re-evaluate whether or not Boris Diaw is helping or hurting you in the half court, it looks like you're going to be consistently out-rebounded.

Also, while I'm high on the potential of Chandler and Rudy F, I'm not as high on them right away. I actually like Mo Williams for you, and I think you're overlooking the benefits of running small with Mo AND Tony in the back court at the same time, and I do think that Tony Parker is capable of powering a team with flaws to the playoffs, as long as they can run (which yours can), I just don't know how far you're going to get if you get ot the post season.

And this is exactly what I was going for. i believe my team is a team of the future, who jus so happens to b good enough to make the playoffs this year. I agree, I think we'd be lucky to make it out of the first round, but thats no our goal this year.

Do you have only 12 players or your sig is wrong?

[KCattheStripe]

This question is for Memphis.


But how is Lopez, Diaw, Bargnani and White going to survive out West with these combos?

Oden/Love/Green/Haslem
Duncan/Toung/Martin/Bass Ratliff
Shaq/Jermaine/Miller/Turiaf/Lewis
Dirk/Kaman/Lopez/Songalia/Collison
Marion/Smith/Lee/Harrington/Dalembert
Okur/Boozer/Diop/Udoka
Big Al/Biedrins/Smith/Oberto
Howard/Jamison/Thornton/Pachulia

I just think you are going to be outrebounded on a nightly basis.

Here are some teams that got outrebounded regularly last year:

New York
Indiana
Clippers
Sacramento
Golden State
Memphis
New Jersey
Toronto
Washington

See a pattern?

As for the pattern, yes I see a group of teams that lack the playoff experience and firepower that my team has.

Of the list you gave me, I saw three excellent rebounding frontcourts, and those would give anyone fits. What a lot of the real NBA teams you mentioned lacked was rebounding from the 5 and/ or a 4 pull opposing rebounders away from the bucket. Is Jermaine O'neal going to be a great rebounder from the three point line? Is Kenyon Martin? Because thats where they have to be.

[johnnyrondo]

Question for Dallas

I could see Dallas, Portland, and Buffalo having solid regular season records. If you matched up with Buffalo in the playoffs, who wins and why? If you matched up with Portland in the playoffs who wins and why?

[KCattheStripe]

Memphis-I'd say you have a team that might do well in the regular season, even possibly as you say, winning the division. However due to your roster construction do you think you're going to flounder greatly in the playoffs?

DJ White and Brook Lopez can't possibly be expected to perform favorably as second year players, their first time in the playoffs, against the best offensive post players in the league (who are mostly in the West. Holla!). Once the pace slows down, and you need to re-evaluate whether or not Boris Diaw is helping or hurting you in the half court, it looks like you're going to be consistently out-rebounded.

Also, while I'm high on the potential of Chandler and Rudy F, I'm not as high on them right away. I actually like Mo Williams for you, and I think you're overlooking the benefits of running small with Mo AND Tony in the back court at the same time, and I do think that Tony Parker is capable of powering a team with flaws to the playoffs, as long as they can run (which yours can), I just don't know how far you're going to get if you get ot the post season.

And this is exactly what I was going for. i believe my team is a team of the future, who jus so happens to b good enough to make the playoffs this year. I agree, I think we'd be lucky to make it out of the first round, but thats no our goal this year.

Do you have only 12 players or your sig is wrong?

Sig is wrong, had to save room for that Green lantern sig. Check the presser.

[jgod213]

Question for Dallas

I could see Dallas, Portland, and Buffalo having solid regular season records. If you matched up with Buffalo in the playoffs, who wins and why? If you matched up with Portland in the playoffs who wins and why?

Well before i get much into Buffalo i'll allow them to release their press statement.  To quickly answer that we would run our agenda and see how the game progressed.  If we can get Howard to fall into foul trouble Buffalo just doesn't have the depth to compete.  If not then we will utilize Dalembert and probably employ the hack-a-dwight model w/ Singleton and Madsen using up their 5.  Again, i see depth as an issue here for this team, Zaza is a great sub, but Kleiza is going overseas and he's their best off the pine.

Portland i believe would be a terrific matchup, a battle of wills.  Their strong halfcourt presence vs. our up-and-down model.  Both teams are very deep.  i would say our focal point of attack would be with Smith/Marion against O'Neal/Lewis.  if we can get either of them in foul trouble i think they'd be most vulnerable at those positions.

[RebusRankin]

Question for Dallas

I could see Dallas, Portland, and Buffalo having solid regular season records. If you matched up with Buffalo in the playoffs, who wins and why? If you matched up with Portland in the playoffs who wins and why?

Buffalo 

[johnnyrondo]

Question for Dallas

I could see Dallas, Portland, and Buffalo having solid regular season records. If you matched up with Buffalo in the playoffs, who wins and why? If you matched up with Portland in the playoffs who wins and why?

Buffalo 

lol  I was hoping to get an answer on who wins each series.