2010 CB Draft: Central Division Press Conferences

[action781]

My Rankings:

1.  Chicago (54 wins)*
2.  Milwaukee (54 wins)*
3.  Indiana (50 wins)*
4.  Cleveland (44 wins)
5.  Detroit (30 wins)

I think Lebron can just plow through teams in the regular season.  He doesn't have any buttons on him to turn down the speed.  He has destroyed regular seasons with crappy teams around him.  I think he has solid role players around him.

I think Miwaukee is a strong, well balanced, and deep team.  Dirk and J-Kidd are also players who have shown they can rack up high regular season win totals.

My team was built around the idea that I think Kobe can carry a team to the playoffs, so let's work on building a playoff contender.  That's why Derek Fisher is my starting point guard.  That's why my 11th round draft pick was on a player who I have barely even mentioned yet (Rasheeeeeeeeed).  If I get into the playoffs, I'm happy with my teams' chances.

EDIT:  I'm trying to be objective here, but I do think this is the strongest division in the CBNBA in terms of being top heavy and contender heavy.

[Roy H.]

When are you guys going to start ranking the teams? I gotta get out of here at 5pm, so I want to see what I'm working with!

1. Milwaukee

2. Chicago

3. Indiana

4. Cleveland

5. Detroit

Milwaukee beats you in the regular season due to depth.  Indiana lags behind because of a weak offense, in my book. 

I'm falling in line with this.

Milwaukee wins the division by a couple games. Chicago barely holds off Indiana for second and those three teams make the playoffs.

Yes with my prediction of 4 teams from the Southeast making the playoffs and 3 from the Central that does only leave one Atlantic division team making the playoffs. And sorry Redz and Edgar that team from the Atlantic does not rhyme with For Tonto.

I would be very surprised if a team with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, David Lee, and Jameer Nelson missed the playoffs, especially when playing in the weakest division in the East.

Of course you would.

Except that team has pathetic depth and will have to be playing 33 and 35 year old players 40+ MPG to be successful. That will lead to injuries and some of those older players not making it through the season. I would theorize that there is a better chance of Pierce and Ray Allen and Brad Miller getting injured and not making it through the season due to Toronto's lack of depth than there is players like Manu, Roy, and Arenas not making it through the season because of their previous injury woes.

But that's an argument for another thread.

Depth or not, I like the talent in Toronto, and the fit of that talent together.  I think Ellington and Poindexter will both help Toronto this year, and Brad Miller and Joel Anthony can hold down the fort defensively until Perk is back.

As you say, that's a discussion for another thread, but in terms of front line talent, Toronto is near the top of the league.

[StartOrien]

Though there's some pressers to go (I believe) here's how I sees it:

1. Chicago Bulls

I think IP has certainly made some well documented mistakes, and I think they somewhat cloud that at the end of the day it's still a pretty good team. Jennings-Lebron-Noah isn't the perfect trifecta, but I like the role players on the bench (even if you wouldn't label any of them 'great') and I think they've got enough to win the vision.

2. Milwakee Bucks

I wrestled with giving them the #1 slot, but I think there's too many 'ifs' and 'buts' to give them the top spot. I question what Hamilton's got in the tank, and I waiver on if Maggette is a good fit or a bad one. But if all goes to plan this not only a great starting unit, but a very useful and deep bench. I wouldn't be suprised come playoff time that I waffle on the top two seeds.

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3. Indiana Pacers

I think this team is relying too much on an aging Kobe Bryant. Kobe's still a great player, but I don't know if he can handle the point scoring load like he used to, and this team certainly calls for him to do so.

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4.Cleveland Cavaliers

I thought of putting them in the second tier, but I do think there's a dropoff here. They sure should be able to score in a variety of different ways, Ellis-Melo-Murphy-Shaq should put up crazy numbers. I worry about the lack of defense, and depth at the big. Shaq can't take crazy minutes, and where Pryzbila will be is certainly a huge question mark. Admittedly, I'm not nearly as high on Thompson as other people in this draft.


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5. Detroit Pistons

Super talented squad, and I really, really like their guards. I just can't get my head around the Hibbert-Jefferson combination. If this team was able to score a top-defensive power foward or center with Hibbert or Jefferson they could've really been a contender.

[action781]

Where do you disagree, Roy, and think I will be weak on offense?

I think Fisher, Pietrus, and Thomas as all weak offensive players.  Also, I don't think it's a given that Gasol is going to improve his production like you and Who are projecting.  Right now in Memphis, he draws the other team's weaker big man, because defenses need to match up with Zach Randolph (along with Mayo and Gay, as you've pointed out).  When defenses now only have to key on stopping Gasol + Kobe, I think Gasol's numbers will either stay level, or decline slightly.  You and Who are basically projecting Pau Gasol production for Marc, and I don't think that's realistic.

Thus, I think your offense is going to be almost entirely reliant upon Kobe, a player who showed noticeable signs of decline last year (although he's still obviously an elite player).  On a lot of nights, I think opposing teams will outscore your starters head-to-head, and defensively, your bench won't be able to stop anybody to make up that gap.

In the end, I just don't think that Kobe + Marc Gasol + a bunch of below average players (and Pietrus, Fisher, and Thomas are all well below average at their positions) is good enough to place higher than third in this division.

On point 1, I think don't think we are projecting Pau numbers for Marc.  If Pau was on this team, he'd be scoring 24 ppg I think.  As you said, none of the other starters create much for themselves.  We're projecting LA Pau numbers, sure, but Pau scores less in LA because he plays alongside Bynum.  If Pau didn't share touches with Bynum, Pau would average 24 ppg in LA I think.  And I'm looking for 16-20 ppg from Marc in his 3rd NBA season on my Indiana Pacers as a #2 option.

You may say that Fisher, Pietrus, and Thomas are all "below average players" and that is fine and maybe would agree even to an extent.  But the reason why I drafted them is because I think they are above average at performing their designated roles.  Those roles being playing defense, 3 point shooting, and not turning the ball over for my guards and shotblocking/rebounding/defense for Thomas.  Also, I need them all to score opportunistically which I'm hoping for 10 ppg out of Thomas and Pietrus (not far fetched extensions) and 7 ppg from Fisher.

[Rondo2287]

Why is everyone writing off cleveland...I know they got question marks at the center spot they look like they got a deep and talented team.

I think all of these teams in this division have a question mark with their teams.

Bulls-depth issues

Bucks- Not a fan of either of their centers

Detroit-Young

Indiana-not a fan of your pf and sf

Cleveland-Center issues

Theses are not how I rank these teams just my thoughts about each.

My centers might not be great in fantasy basketball but in a land where defense matters, my centers are pretty darn good

Gortat is a career backup and Tauriaf cant seem to stay healthy so and I dont like ur back up PF's either. Who you going to play if Tauriaf gets hurt??

Ok well if my top two centers get hurt, your right im in bad shape.

[Roy H.]

You may say that Fisher, Pietrus, and Thomas are all "below average players" and that is fine and maybe would agree even to an extent.  But the reason why I drafted them is because I think they are above average at performing their designated roles.  Those roles being playing defense, 3 point shooting, and not turning the ball over for my guards and shotblocking/rebounding/defense for Thomas.  Also, I need them all to score opportunistically which I'm hoping for 10 ppg out of Thomas and Pietrus (not far fetched extensions) and 7 ppg from Fisher.

At it's root, it comes down to the fact that I don't think that a team with one great player, one good one, and 10 below average ones can win consistently in the NBA.  It's the same criticism that's been aimed at Atlanta and Chicago to some extent (although I think each of those teams has multiple above-average players to go with their great one).

I think Kobe gets you into the playoffs, and based on matchups, you may win a series.  I don't personally believe that you can go beyond the second round, however.  (I promise to listen to arguments and to stay open minded, though.)

[Fafnir]

Where do you disagree, Roy, and think I will be weak on offense?

I think Fisher, Pietrus, and Thomas as all weak offensive players.  Also, I don't think it's a given that Gasol is going to improve his production like you and Who are projecting.  Right now in Memphis, he draws the other team's weaker big man, because defenses need to match up with Zach Randolph (along with Mayo and Gay, as you've pointed out).  When defenses now only have to key on stopping Gasol + Kobe, I think Gasol's numbers will either stay level, or decline slightly.  You and Who are basically projecting Pau Gasol production for Marc, and I don't think that's realistic.

Thus, I think your offense is going to be almost entirely reliant upon Kobe, a player who showed noticeable signs of decline last year (although he's still obviously an elite player).  On a lot of nights, I think opposing teams will outscore your starters head-to-head, and defensively, your bench won't be able to stop anybody to make up that gap.

In the end, I just don't think that Kobe + Marc Gasol + a bunch of below average players (and Pietrus, Fisher, and Thomas are all well below average at their positions) is good enough to place higher than third in this division.

On point 1, I think don't think we are projecting Pau numbers for Marc.  If Pau was on this team, he'd be scoring 24 ppg I think.  As you said, none of the other starters create much for themselves.  We're projecting LA Pau numbers, sure, but Pau scores less in LA because he plays alongside Bynum.  If Pau didn't share touches with Bynum, Pau would average 24 ppg in LA I think.  And I'm looking for 16-20 ppg from Marc in his 3rd NBA season on my Indiana Pacers as a #2 option.

Pau averaged 18.8 points per game when he played with the Lakers without Bynum in 2007-2008.

[action781]

Pau averaged 18.8 points per game when he played with the Lakers without Bynum in 2007-2008.

While that sounds like a great point, I think the sample size is too small too long ago, or due to being brought in midseason. 

Pau averaged 18.3 ppg this season WITH Bynum.  Would Pau really only score .5 ppg more if Bynum were gone?

[Lucky17]

Another competitive division. No team without serious flaws, however.

1. Chicago takes the division, thanks to the transcendent play of James, and a very nice supportive cast in the starting lineup. But aside from Amundson, and perhaps Tony Allen, there's little to depend on from the bench. Redd will be a welcome addition, if he is healthy. LBJ hoists another flawed roster onto his shoulders and into the playoffs--but not very far.

2. Milwaukee is next, thanks to another very strong starting five. Unfortunately, there is no frontcourt depth whatsoever. Wright has done little since joining the league, and Turiaf is a huge question mark because of his lingering knee injury. Toughness at the guard and wing positions. Legit chemistry between Kidd and Dirk, slashing from Maggette, and shooting from Rip will make this a fun lineup to watch, at least until the bench comes in, and tries to grind its opponents down. This team will be on Chicago's heels all season, and could take the division if Noah is forced to deal with a relapse of plantar fasciitis.

3A. Indiana has the prolific scoring of Bryant, but little other dependable scoring among its starting five. Gasol may have skills, but what happens when opposing defenses key in on him as the second scoring option? Gunners Belinelli and Korver will provide some scoring punch off the bench, at the expense of the starters' defensive intensity. Nice backups in Maxiell and Krstic, but Foster and Alston are nonentities at this point in their careers.

3B. Cleveland will be a competitive team in this league, but the issues at C (a geriatric Shaq and a rehabbing Pryz) will hold this team back a bit. A smallball lineup of Posey or JT at the 4 and Murphy at the 5 might be the best lineup for this squad. Still, the scoring duo of Ellis and Anthony (best 1-2 combo in the division) will make this team a playoff bubble contender.

5. Detroit, for a team of the future, will surprise some folks. Wall, Jefferson, and Hibbert should develop some nice chemistry. Williams will coast along in his non-descript way, and chip in here and there. Major question mark in whether Azubuike will bounce back from multiple knee surgeries to be the high-flier he once was. If not, Gordon is poised to step in, and jack up his customary 20 shots a night. The team will give up a lot of points on a nightly basis, though.

[Fafnir]

Pau averaged 18.8 points per game when he played with the Lakers without Bynum in 2007-2008.

While that sounds like a great point, I think the sample size is too small too long ago, or due to being brought in midseason. 

Pau averaged 18.3 ppg this season WITH Bynum.  Would Pau really only score .5 ppg more if Bynum were gone?

In all three seasons with the Lakers Pau Gasol has averaged 18.8, 18.9, and 18.3.

He's also averaged in the playoffs when playing bigger minutes (often without Bynum playing much at all) 16.9, 18.3, and 19.6 per game.

You really are projeting Marc Gasol to score like his brother.

[Who]

Pau averaged 18.8 points per game when he played with the Lakers without Bynum in 2007-2008.

While that sounds like a great point, I think the sample size is too small too long ago, or due to being brought in midseason. 

Pau averaged 18.3 ppg this season WITH Bynum.  Would Pau really only score .5 ppg more if Bynum were gone?

While playing three minutes less per game - 34mpg in the half a season without Bynum + 37mpg in the two seasons since then.

Per 36 minutes, Pau was scoring 20ppg in that half a season and 18ppg in the two years since.

[Fafnir]

Pau averaged 18.8 points per game when he played with the Lakers without Bynum in 2007-2008.

While that sounds like a great point, I think the sample size is too small too long ago, or due to being brought in midseason. 

Pau averaged 18.3 ppg this season WITH Bynum.  Would Pau really only score .5 ppg more if Bynum were gone?

While playing three minutes less per game - 34mpg in the half a season without Bynum + 37mpg in the two seasons since then.

Per 36 minutes, Pau was scoring 20ppg in that half a season and 18ppg in the two years since.

That's largely my point, that projected Marc to score 20 PPG you're basically saying he'll score at the same rate as his brother.

I'm not sure I see that happening.

[indeedproceed]

Central Rankings:

Chicago (56-26) LeBron's had two 60-win seasons with worse teams, despite what Nick says

Milwaukee (52-30) Dirk and Kidd along made this is a playoff team. Everything else is details.

Indiana (48-34) Most nights, Kobe is going to be enough, with around 16-20 from Marco Polo. Some nights though Kobe is going to be off, and is Kobe is off Gasol will suffocate.

Cleveland (40-42) Not enough defense, and Ellis isn't a shooting guard. Still, they'll score points and ought to keep teams from getting second chances.

Detroit (34-48) Love the team, don't love the way Wall will be handcuffed to 2 slow post players. I'd love to have the team in NBA 2k, a lineup of Wall-Ben Gordon-Babbit-Ryan Andersen-Al Jefferson would be a world beater...in a year or 2.

[indeedproceed]

1. Chicago takes the division, thanks to the transcendent play of James, and a very nice supportive cast in the starting lineup. But aside from Amundson, and perhaps Tony Allen, there's little to depend on from the bench. Redd will be a welcome addition, if he is healthy. LBJ hoists another flawed roster onto his shoulders and into the playoffs--but not very far.

Just had to add that last sentence, didn't you? Just had to.

We'll see. Oh, we'll see.

[action781]

You may say that Fisher, Pietrus, and Thomas are all "below average players" and that is fine and maybe would agree even to an extent.  But the reason why I drafted them is because I think they are above average at performing their designated roles.  Those roles being playing defense, 3 point shooting, and not turning the ball over for my guards and shotblocking/rebounding/defense for Thomas.  Also, I need them all to score opportunistically which I'm hoping for 10 ppg out of Thomas and Pietrus (not far fetched extensions) and 7 ppg from Fisher.

At it's root, it comes down to the fact that I don't think that a team with one great player, one good one, and 10 below average ones can win consistently in the NBA.  It's the same criticism that's been aimed at Atlanta and Chicago to some extent (although I think each of those teams has multiple above-average players to go with their great one).

I think Kobe gets you into the playoffs, and based on matchups, you may win a series.  I don't personally believe that you can go beyond the second round, however.  (I promise to listen to arguments and to stay open minded, though.)

Well, thank you for promising to stay open minded.  And remember to keep in mind Miami Heat 2006.