The "Talk Up Your Pick 2 Draft Team" Thread

[PLamb]

Also Kirilenko hasn't ever played in the uptempo system that he is made for. T-Mac and Ginobili have never played with a pg the likes of Nash. Carter's best years were with Kidd and I expect him to play very well with Nash. Chandler showed that he is very useful as a running mate to a good pg (Cp3), I expect Nash will be able to get him the ball for Alleys and dunks just like cp3.

Again, all great stuff on offense

But your defense is terrible

Chandler is hurt and putting up only 6/6 and has been terrible for two years now

His team is almost 10 points better when he is off the court than when he is on and his PER is 9 something while the PER of his opponents against is over 18

Kirilenko, simply put is a SF and while he is having a bit of a rejuvenation this year his rebounding playing SF is atrocious at a rebounding rate of less than 10% and only getting 4.7 per game, AS A SF

What is he going to do as a PF

Not to mention he just doesn't block shots anywhere near where he used to which is what made him so effective as a defender

Manu, have you watched him recently

He's flopping more and more and playing tough hard nosed defense less and less

Listen, you have a really good team but your strength is going to be in outscoring teams not holding them down defensively

Nothing wrong with that

[Evantime34]

Also Kirilenko hasn't ever played in the uptempo system that he is made for. T-Mac and Ginobili have never played with a pg the likes of Nash. Carter's best years were with Kidd and I expect him to play very well with Nash. Chandler showed that he is very useful as a running mate to a good pg (Cp3), I expect Nash will be able to get him the ball for Alleys and dunks just like cp3.

Again, all great stuff on offense

But your defense is terrible

Chandler is hurt and putting up only 6/6 and has been terrible for two years now

His team is almost 10 points better when he is off the court than when he is on and his PER is 9 something while the PER of his opponents against is over 18

Kirilenko, simply put is a SF and while he is having a bit of a rejuvenation this year his rebounding playing SF is atrocious at a rebounding rate of less than 10% and only getting 4.7 per game, AS A SF

What is he going to do as a PF

Not to mention he just doesn't block shots anywhere near where he used to which is what made him so effective as a defender

Manu, have you watched him recently

He's flopping more and more and playing tough hard nosed defense less and less

Listen, you have a really good team but your strength is going to be in outscoring teams not holding them down defensively

Nothing wrong with that

See I think you just aren't giving Ak47 enough credit. His rebounding and shot blocking numbers are down because he's out on the wing guarding 3's instead of inside.
He is a natural 4 in an uptempo offense but he hasn't been able to play the position (like he did early in his career) because of Boozer and Milsap. He is a terrible fit for the Jerry Sloan and if he is ever able to move to an uptempo team you and Roy will have to take back all the bad things you've ever said about him ;-).

It's fair to say that I need to outscore teams to win. I just think my defense is currently better than the Phoenix suns and I have more offensive firepower.

[Evantime34]

Also Chandler is not in on a team that fits his skill set much like AK47 and he's not getting enough minutes (lately) to show what he can do. He is only 27 and is due for a Steve Nash induced Career revival.

[indeedproceed]

A biased look at the Atlantic Division:

Boston Celtics (RebusRankin)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Rajon Rondo, Jason Richardson, Richard Jefferson, Kevin Garnett, Joel Przybilla
Anthony Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Sam Young, JJ Hickson, Serge Ibaka, Quintin Ross, Nathan Jawai

Things I like: Rajon Rondo. The best PG in the East. I like but don't love the wing tandem of Richardson/Jefferson. Jefferson in particular just strikes me as a negative nancy, just the type of guy who thinks more highly of themselves than the rest of the team. Jason Richardson doesn't seem like the type of guy who will give you any more or any less than he does right now for the suns. Around 15 pts and 35%-ish from deep. I like the concept of Kevin Garnett and Joel Pryzbilla down low as theoretically the best defending big men in the league. I also like Sam Young JJ Hickson and Serge Ibaka as youngsters that will help now but really contribute in the future. Ibaka probably has the most potential, but Young and Hickson should at worst be solid rotation players.

Things I don't like: Kevin Garnett and Joel Pryzbilla as actual frontcourt players this year and going forward. I don't need to talk much about Garnett, we all know his story. To summarize: just in the past few real life games have we been seeing a Pryzbilla also is injured and out for the year. On paper on opening day this should've been a knockout tandem, but with these two guys' health history this season, I think this alone relegates this Boston team out of the playoffs. Serge Ibaka and JJ Hickson will compete valiantly, but they aren't good enough to be an every night player on a playoff team. Not yet anyway.

Rank in Atlantic: 4th


New Jersey Nets (IndeedProceed)- LINK TO Roster Explanation
Devin Harris, Thabo Sefolosha, Omri Casspi, Luis Scola, Brook Lopez
Will Bynum, Eric Maynor, Wes Matthews, Dorell Wright, Ersan Ilyasova, Darius Songaila, David Andersen, Billy Thomas

Things I like: Front court very strong, can compete with any front court in the East, division and not be anything less than equal. Defensively very strong, well balanced. Versatile. Can hit the long ball as well as anyteam in the East. Lots of fresh legs.

Things I don't like: No "Hero" caliber player, so when things get tough, who shoulders the weight? No starting player that can consistently create their own shot. Very young.

Rank in Atlantic: 2nd (yeah. I said second.)

New York Knicks (PLamb)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Ty Lawson, Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Zach Randolph, Nene Hilario
George Hill, Anthony Parker, Quentin Richardson, Matt Barnes, Louis Amundson, Kenyon Martin

Things I like: Zach Randolph this season. Frontcourt is very solid. I like Kenyon Martin off the bench as the brute squad, and Amundson should sop up whats left. Good rotation. I like Ty Lawson's potential going forward, and this year he should be serviceable at least as the backup. I like Parker, Richardson, Barnes and Martin as solid vet players that should (and have in the past) do well off the bench.

Things I don't like: Zach Randolph every other season. Who is to say you'll get the same player? I'm not even talking about going forward, I mean what changed for this guy? Who says it would have gone even the same this year in New York again considering how incredibly poorly Z-Bo reacted to New York last time? I don't like a wing relying on Ray Allen and Grant Hill. I know, I know, they're both mostly consistent players and consummate professionals. Also we ought to be seeing Ray through rose colored glasses after the last few games, but he has noticeably declined this season. It's kind of like Boston's situation above, ideally it makes sense but after seeing the actual performance, it's not that ideal. Hill also is averaging less points and shooting worse over the same amount of minutes from this point last season. I don't like Hill as your (or anyone's) starting point, because he's simply not a very good passer. However both Ray and Hill should be able to help facilitate the offense.

Rank: 3rd in the Atlantic.

Philadelphia 76ers (riah32)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Jameer Nelson, Ben Gordon, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Robin Lopez
Earl Boykins, Jamal Crawford, Jerry Stackhouse, James Posey, Kris Humphries, Zydrunas Ilgauskus

Things I like about this team: I like the potential of a core of Gordon, Nelson, and Lopez. I like Jamal Crawford as a scoring machine off the bench. I like Posey's leadership with younger players. I like Jamison's production when he is healthy. I like Kirk Humpries as a player off the bench.

Things I don't like: I don't like that your 2 main backup guards (boykins, Crawford) are both scoring machines, but neither plays any defense. I do like Kris Humpries, but not as a 1st big off the bench, which he probably would be here. He's more of a 2nd or more likely 3rd big off the bench (or the 5th best big man on a team). Big Z is still useful, and he's still a player most nights, but he plays best against certain types of players..most noteably players like him. If you're facing a strong AND quick team like say New York (in our draft, not real life)..that front line is going to decimate yours. I think Robin Lopez's potential is very strong but his current production while decent is not really standout at all. Plus, he's only getting 25 mins per game as a starter now, you're going to ask more, especially as Big Z ages...I don't think his production (Robin's) will go anything but down.

Rank in Atlantic: 5th

Toronto Raptors (Lucky17)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Kirk Hinrich, JR Smith, Martell Webster, Chris Bosh, Kendrick Perkins
Mario Chalmers, Gilbert Arenas, Damien Wilkins, Jonas Jerebko, Andres Nocioni, Jason Thompson, Nazr Mohammed, Javale McGee

Things I like: Bosh/Perkins frontcourt. Very solid. Bench players Jerbko, THompson, and Nocioni are all good fits, although lacking somewhat in size will have every ounce of it in spirit. I like that between McGee and Mohammed you should be able to find some kind of rotation that makes sense. I like JR Smith's good nights as a scorer. On those nights he can be the scoring punch you need. I like Hinrich's defense, although I don't like him that much as the starting PG. I don't really like Martell Webster that much as the best option you've got at the 3, but he's the definition of serviceable. I like the Gilbert Arenas pickup and still believe he's going to be a menace next year, which means your future is brighter than your present.

Things I don't like: I hate JR Smith's bad nights as a scorer, because he kills a team. There are reasons why Arron Affalalo still starts in Denver. It's not because he's better. Despite his ability on the defensive end of the floor, JR Smith is still way better. The reason why Arron Afflalo starts is because JR Smith is immature, and he coasts and he plays without passion as much he plays with fire. I don't think JR Smith can be the main cannon on a team that has the potential to be as good as yours, and that needs to be addressed at some point.

Atlantic Rank: 1

My Atlantic Rankings:
1-Toronto
2-New Jersey
3-New York
4-Boston
5-Philadelphia

Explanation of the rankings:
I ranked Toronto first because I just like the pairing of Bosh and Perkins too much to ignore, and Hinrich will pick up the slack on the wing that JR Smith lets out. Even though I ranked Toronto first though, I don't think they're significantly ahead of either New Jersey or New York.

New Jersey I think will be the more consistent of the three teams in terms of the product put out there every night, but the ceiling in New Jersey for this season isnt higher than 2nd place in the Atlantic.

I do think however that New York and Toronto could easily switch places, especially Randolph gives everything he's giving in Memphis this season, and if Hill and Allen play to their ability last season. Kenyon Martin's response off the bench will be interesting too, as I don't think he'll take much kindly to sitting behind Z-Bo. If NY gels and stays healthy though, which I don't think will be the case, but if they do, they probably zip to the top of the division.

I ranked Boston 4th because I don't think Rondo/Richardson/Jefferson/Part-time Garnett gets it done. We've seen just how terrible Boston can be when Garnett is out, but now they'll be without Pierce and Allen's leadership too, which I think puts them below Toronto/NY/NJ for the top teams in the division. Couple that with Pryzbilla's injury history this season and prior, and I don't think this team ever gets healthy enough to get off the ground this season.

I ranked Philadelphia 5th because I don't really like the way the team sits together. Delfino to me makes a mid-level backup at the 3, not a starter. Ben Gordon has been injured this season, and even when he is not injured he's so up and down with his production that I wonder how much you can count on him. Jameer Nelson is a good point guard, but I don't know if we'd still be talking "All-Star" if he didn't play with someone of Dwight Howard's caliber, and no one on the sixers is that good. Also, Nelson missed significant time this season. 

So that's how I see my division, where I withhold the ability to be completely biased. Do you see it differently, feel free to state your case, I got nothing better to do today.

[slamtheking]

A biased look at the Atlantic Division:

Boston Celtics (RebusRankin)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Rajon Rondo, Jason Richardson, Richard Jefferson, Kevin Garnett, Joel Przybilla
Anthony Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Sam Young, JJ Hickson, Serge Ibaka, Quintin Ross, Nathan Jawai

Things I like: Rajon Rondo. The best PG in the East. I like but don't love the wing tandem of Richardson/Jefferson. Jefferson in particular just strikes me as a negative nancy, just the type of guy who thinks more highly of themselves than the rest of the team. Jason Richardson doesn't seem like the type of guy who will give you any more or any less than he does right now for the suns. Around 15 pts and 35%-ish from deep. I like the concept of Kevin Garnett and Joel Pryzbilla down low as theoretically the best defending big men in the league. I also like Sam Young JJ Hickson and Serge Ibaka as youngsters that will help now but really contribute in the future. Ibaka probably has the most potential, but Young and Hickson should at worst be solid rotation players.

Things I don't like: Kevin Garnett and Joel Pryzbilla as actual frontcourt players this year and going forward. I don't need to talk much about Garnett, we all know his story. To summarize: just in the past few real life games have we been seeing a Pryzbilla also is injured and out for the year. On paper on opening day this should've been a knockout tandem, but with these two guys' health history this season, I think this alone relegates this Boston team out of the playoffs. Serge Ibaka and JJ Hickson will compete valiantly, but they aren't good enough to be an every night player on a playoff team. Not yet anyway.

Rank in Atlantic: 4th


New Jersey Nets (IndeedProceed)- LINK TO Roster Explanation
Devin Harris, Thabo Sefolosha, Omri Casspi, Luis Scola, Brook Lopez
Will Bynum, Eric Maynor, Wes Matthews, Dorell Wright, Ersan Ilyasova, Darius Songaila, David Andersen, Billy Thomas

Things I like: Front court very strong, can compete with any front court in the East, division and not be anything less than equal. Defensively very strong, well balanced. Versatile. Can hit the long ball as well as anyteam in the East. Lots of fresh legs.

Things I don't like: No "Hero" caliber player, so when things get tough, who shoulders the weight? No starting player that can consistently create their own shot. Very young.

Rank in Atlantic: 2nd (yeah. I said second.)

New York Knicks (PLamb)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Ty Lawson, Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Zach Randolph, Nene Hilario
George Hill, Anthony Parker, Quentin Richardson, Matt Barnes, Louis Amundson, Kenyon Martin

Things I like: Zach Randolph this season. Frontcourt is very solid. I like Kenyon Martin off the bench as the brute squad, and Amundson should sop up whats left. Good rotation. I like Ty Lawson's potential going forward, and this year he should be serviceable at least as the backup. I like Parker, Richardson, Barnes and Martin as solid vet players that should (and have in the past) do well off the bench.

Things I don't like: Zach Randolph every other season. Who is to say you'll get the same player? I'm not even talking about going forward, I mean what changed for this guy? Who says it would have gone even the same this year in New York again considering how incredibly poorly Z-Bo reacted to New York last time? I don't like a wing relying on Ray Allen and Grant Hill. I know, I know, they're both mostly consistent players and consummate professionals. Also we ought to be seeing Ray through rose colored glasses after the last few games, but he has noticeably declined this season. It's kind of like Boston's situation above, ideally it makes sense but after seeing the actual performance, it's not that ideal. Hill also is averaging less points and shooting worse over the same amount of minutes from this point last season. I don't like Hill as your (or anyone's) starting point, because he's simply not a very good passer. However both Ray and Hill should be able to help facilitate the offense.

Rank: 3rd in the Atlantic.

Philadelphia 76ers (riah32)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Jameer Nelson, Ben Gordon, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Robin Lopez
Earl Boykins, Jamal Crawford, Jerry Stackhouse, James Posey, Kris Humphries, Zydrunas Ilgauskus

Things I like about this team: I like the potential of a core of Gordon, Nelson, and Lopez. I like Jamal Crawford as a scoring machine off the bench. I like Posey's leadership with younger players. I like Jamison's production when he is healthy. I like Kirk Humpries as a player off the bench.

Things I don't like: I don't like that your 2 main backup guards (boykins, Crawford) are both scoring machines, but neither plays any defense. I do like Kris Humpries, but not as a 1st big off the bench, which he probably would be here. He's more of a 2nd or more likely 3rd big off the bench (or the 5th best big man on a team). Big Z is still useful, and he's still a player most nights, but he plays best against certain types of players..most noteably players like him. If you're facing a strong AND quick team like say New York (in our draft, not real life)..that front line is going to decimate yours. I think Robin Lopez's potential is very strong but his current production while decent is not really standout at all. Plus, he's only getting 25 mins per game as a starter now, you're going to ask more, especially as Big Z ages...I don't think his production (Robin's) will go anything but down.

Rank in Atlantic: 5th

Toronto Raptors (Lucky17)- LINK TO ROSTER EXPLANATION
Kirk Hinrich, JR Smith, Martell Webster, Chris Bosh, Kendrick Perkins
Mario Chalmers, Gilbert Arenas, Damien Wilkins, Jonas Jerebko, Andres Nocioni, Jason Thompson, Nazr Mohammed, Javale McGee

Things I like: Bosh/Perkins frontcourt. Very solid. Bench players Jerbko, THompson, and Nocioni are all good fits, although lacking somewhat in size will have every ounce of it in spirit. I like that between McGee and Mohammed you should be able to find some kind of rotation that makes sense. I like JR Smith's good nights as a scorer. On those nights he can be the scoring punch you need. I like Hinrich's defense, although I don't like him that much as the starting PG. I don't really like Martell Webster that much as the best option you've got at the 3, but he's the definition of serviceable. I like the Gilbert Arenas pickup and still believe he's going to be a menace next year, which means your future is brighter than your present.

Things I don't like: I hate JR Smith's bad nights as a scorer, because he kills a team. There are reasons why Arron Affalalo still starts in Denver. It's not because he's better. Despite his ability on the defensive end of the floor, JR Smith is still way better. The reason why Arron Afflalo starts is because JR Smith is immature, and he coasts and he plays without passion as much he plays with fire. I don't think JR Smith can be the main cannon on a team that has the potential to be as good as yours, and that needs to be addressed at some point.

Atlantic Rank: 1

My Atlantic Rankings:
1-Toronto
2-New Jersey
3-New York
4-Boston
5-Philadelphia

Explanation of the rankings:
I ranked Toronto first because I just like the pairing of Bosh and Perkins too much to ignore, and Hinrich will pick up the slack on the wing that JR Smith lets out. Even though I ranked Toronto first though, I don't think they're significantly ahead of either New Jersey or New York.

New Jersey I think will be the more consistent of the three teams in terms of the product put out there every night, but the ceiling in New Jersey for this season isnt higher than 2nd place in the Atlantic.

I do think however that New York and Toronto could easily switch places, especially Randolph gives everything he's giving in Memphis this season, and if Hill and Allen play to their ability last season. Kenyon Martin's response off the bench will be interesting too, as I don't think he'll take much kindly to sitting behind Z-Bo. If NY gels and stays healthy though, which I don't think will be the case, but if they do, they probably zip to the top of the division.

I ranked Boston 4th because I don't think Rondo/Richardson/Jefferson/Part-time Garnett gets it done. We've seen just how terrible Boston can be when Garnett is out, but now they'll be without Pierce and Allen's leadership too, which I think puts them below Toronto/NY/NJ for the top teams in the division. Couple that with Pryzbilla's injury history this season and prior, and I don't think this team ever gets healthy enough to get off the ground this season.

I ranked Philadelphia 5th because I don't really like the way the team sits together. Delfino to me makes a mid-level backup at the 3, not a starter. Ben Gordon has been injured this season, and even when he is not injured he's so up and down with his production that I wonder how much you can count on him. Jameer Nelson is a good point guard, but I don't know if we'd still be talking "All-Star" if he didn't play with someone of Dwight Howard's caliber, and no one on the sixers is that good. Also, Nelson missed significant time this season. 

So that's how I see my division, where I withhold the ability to be completely biased. Do you see it differently, feel free to state your case, I got nothing better to do today.

TP for the effort!  Obviously put a lot of time and thought into your review.  good rationale.  I don't agree on every single point but what I disagree with is so minor it's not worth going into. 

Hope you take a look at the other divisions---be interesting to see what you have to say.

Kudos by the way for drastically improving the Nets roster. May not win the division  but won't miss by much

[Roy Hobbs]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

[indeedproceed]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

Says the guy who "has no patience for knuckleheads".

I might have made up that quote but you totally could have said it.

[Roy Hobbs]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

Says the guy who "has no patience for knuckleheads".

I might have made up that quote but you totally could have said it.

For a guy with talent on both ends of the floor, I'm willing to make an exception. 

[KCattheStripe]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

I seem to remember someone very smart making the argument that all Blatche needed was to get permanently out of Jamison's shadow to really flourish, two summers ago. Hmmmm, who was that?

[PLamb]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

You should

Greg Oden's stats for the last month

0 points  0 rebounds  0 assists   0 blocks

 

When this season is over Oden will have missed 164 out of 246 NBA games

Andray Blatche better be a hell of a starter

Greg Oden's history shows that he can be relied upon to start NBA games on a regular basis

  ;

[Roy Hobbs]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

You should

Greg Oden's stats for the last month

0 points  0 rebounds  0 assists   0 blocks

 

When this season is over Oden will have missed 164 out of 246 NBA games

Andray Blatche better be a hell of a starter

Greg Oden's history shows that he can be relied upon to start NBA games on a regular basis

  ;

Eh...  Oden is a gamble, but if he gets healthy, he's still got franchise player potential.

Plus, a lineup of:

Brand / (Blatche)
Blatche / Villanueva / Wright
Durant / (Garcia) / Clark
Morrow / Garcia
Westbrook / Beaubois

... is still pretty darn good, even if Oden never plays another game in the NBA.  Which, of course, he will.

[Bahku]

Here are the teams I've completed updated rosters on ... and they're ALL HERE!! (Please let me know about mistakes via PM):




Charlotte Bobcats - Crownsy

Atlanta Hawks - Jsaad

Detroit Pistons - Redz

Cleveland Cavaliers - Kwhit

Denver Nuggets - Bahku

Sacramento Kings - Truck Lewis

New Jersey Nets - Indeed Proceed

Oklahoma City Thunder - Roy Hobbs

Los Angeles Lakers - Wdleehi

Los Angeles Clippers - Atzar

Orlando Magic - Edgar

Toronto Raptors - Lucky 17

Indiana Pacers - Slugger

Philly Sixers - Riah32

Phoenix Suns - GomesFan

San Antonio Spurs - CelticsClay

Chicago Bulls - KCattheStripe

New York Knicks - PLamb

Milwaukee Bucks - Gainesville Celtic

Washington Wizards - Evantime34

Boston Celtics - RebusRankin

Houston Rockets - Rondo2287

Golden State Warriors - BassThumper

Portland Trailblazers - PosImpos

Utah Jazz - SlamTheKing

Miami Heat - WalkerWiggle

Minnesota Timberwolves - Fafnir

Memphis Grizzlies - ChampKind

New Orleans Hornets - FairWeatherFan

Dallas Mavericks - GreenFaith




http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=35077.15


Yes, I'm finally done! You can find the link to your updated team roster on the "Roster Write-Ups" thread. I apologize - I would have had these done sooner but life and it's realities intervened. Again, thanks for your patience ... hope it was worth the wait!

[indeedproceed]

NIcely done sir. THank you.

[PLamb]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

You should

Greg Oden's stats for the last month

0 points  0 rebounds  0 assists   0 blocks

 

When this season is over Oden will have missed 164 out of 246 NBA games

Andray Blatche better be a hell of a starter

Greg Oden's history shows that he can be relied upon to start NBA games on a regular basis

  ;

Eh...  Oden is a gamble, but if he gets healthy, he's still got franchise player potential.

Plus, a lineup of:

Brand / (Blatche)
Blatche / Villanueva / Wright
Durant / (Garcia) / Clark
Morrow / Garcia
Westbrook / Beaubois

... is still pretty darn good, even if Oden never plays another game in the NBA.  Which, of course, he will.

Gotta admit, I really like Blatche as a player though I wonder if you will receive as much criticism of his abilities to help a team as I do with Zach Randolph given both players propensity for knuckleheadedness

BTW, I think Oden comes back big and finally does become a player

I just think he might be a late bloomer and still be years away

He has all the tools but is, IMO, still years away from developing an ability not to foul, a decent low post game, the ability to defend the pick and roll, the ability to pass out of the double team and a better handle on the ball to stop the turnovers

Right now he's Perk on steroids

Maybe that's all he ever becomes

But years from now when he's hitting 27-28 years old, that's when I think he puts it all together and becomes a franchise player, not anytime soon

[Roy Hobbs]

Andray Blatche's last 4 games (all starts):

25 points, 11 rebounds
24 points, 6 rebounds
18 points, 11 rebounds
33 points, 13 rebounds

I'm feeling pretty good about sliding in Blatche between Oden and Durant.

You should

Greg Oden's stats for the last month

0 points  0 rebounds  0 assists   0 blocks

 

When this season is over Oden will have missed 164 out of 246 NBA games

Andray Blatche better be a hell of a starter

Greg Oden's history shows that he can be relied upon to start NBA games on a regular basis

  ;

Eh...  Oden is a gamble, but if he gets healthy, he's still got franchise player potential.

Plus, a lineup of:

Brand / (Blatche)
Blatche / Villanueva / Wright
Durant / (Garcia) / Clark
Morrow / Garcia
Westbrook / Beaubois

... is still pretty darn good, even if Oden never plays another game in the NBA.  Which, of course, he will.

Gotta admit, I really like Blatche as a player though I wonder if you will receive as much criticism of his abilities to help a team as I do with Zach Randolph given both players propensity for knuckleheadedness

BTW, I think Oden comes back big and finally does become a player

I just think he might be a late bloomer and still be years away

He has all the tools but is, IMO, still years away from developing an ability not to foul, a decent low post game, the ability to defend the pick and roll, the ability to pass out of the double team and a better handle on the ball to stop the turnovers

Right now he's Perk on steroids

Maybe that's all he ever becomes

But years from now when he's hitting 27-28 years old, that's when I think he puts it all together and becomes a franchise player, not anytime soon

If Oden develops into Perk on steroids, though, that's a pretty good fit for a team that has Durant and Westbrook as focal points, right?

My team could use more "dirty work" players, and maybe Charlie V eventually gets moved for one.  In terms of talent, athleticism, and energy, though, I think OKC is probably the team to watch in 2012.