Official Discuss your CB Draft team

[nickagneta]

And also 1,000 words and one lousy response? Well the response wasn't lousy, but one response? Last favor I do the Northwest division!

The Southwest is here for you, IP.

The Southwest is the best division in the game. That one I'm gonna need 2,000 words for.

You heard it hear first, folks.

I believe he meant Southeast.

Agree..TP

[Roy H.]

My eight favorite teams, in no particular order:

Toronto
New York
Milwaukee
Washington
Atlanta
Chicago
Denver
Utah

Who am I slighting?  Who am I overrating?

(Also, I think that when people actually look at the West, those who are calling Sacramento a borderline playoff team are going to be very surprised.)

[action781]

For starters, IP, you need a real backup SF.  Tony can't cut it there on a nightly basis.

Noted, and I thought about that. But, do you think I have to go reliable or can I gamble on a younger guy here?

Given James is going to play 40 minutes - 42 in the postseason - can't Miller ably fill 6-10 minutes at the 3? If so, I have no problem with Chicago's depth at the 2.

Whatever position - the Bulls could benefit from an old head. It's a young locker room as is.

Miller can certainly fill 6-10 minutes at the 3.  He will probably only play about 36 mpg in the postseason though.  So that leaves 20+ minutes that need to be played by a backup wing.  I think Tony + Wafer can fill those.

I think a big problem with your team is it will be offensively challenged when Bron goes to the bench.  You can expect 38 mpg out of Jennings in the playoffs.  So Does Jennings play the 10 minutes when Bron is sitting for some offense?  Or do they only play together for 30-32mpg?

[action781]

Denver Nuggets         Gainsville Celtic
-Guards: Russell Westbrook, Ronnie Brewer, Terrance Williams, Steve Blaek
-Forwards: Trevor Ariza, Drew Gooden, Taj Gibson, Josh Childress
-Center: Tim Duncan, Darko Milicic

PG Westbrook/Blake
SG Brewer/Williams
SF Ariza/Childress/
PF Gibson/Gooden/
C Duncan/Milicic

100 Words:
I think that Westbrook is a good person to run this backcourt as long as Ariza manages to regain his shooting form. The thing that worries me is that without a premier scorer at the 2/3 (the traditional 1st or 2nd scorer on a team), who is going to take the burden off of Ariza, who wilted under the pressure this past season? Duncan/Gibson/Gooden/Milicic Is as good a bigs rotation as there is probably, from top to bottom. Other teams have better starters, but 1-4 is one of the best. Childress could surpass Ariza for the starting minutes, but I think Ariza starting will be as much about his own ego (compared with Childress's own balanced temperment) as anything else. I like Blake behind Westbrook and I see Blake playing a lot of minutes at the 2 also, unless Terrance Williams finds some consistency.


Utah Jazz              Donoghus
-Guards: Jose Calderon, Omri Casspi, Danilo Gallinar
-Forwards: Pau Gasol, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Wesley Johnson, Craig Smith
-Centers: Yao Ming, Robin Lopez

PG: Calderon,
SG Omri Casspi/ Gallinari
SF Luc Mbah A Moute/Wesley Johnson
PF Pau Gasol/Craig Smith
C Yao Ming/Robin Lopez

100 Words:
I am no longer a big Calderon fan. I know he can pass the ball, and I know he doesn't turn the ball over, but he doesn't play good defense, and he just can't seem to improve at all. That said, I love Casspi, Gallinari, and Mbah a Moute. In my own vision for this team, Wesley Johnson would start over Mbah a Moute but this isn't my squad. Pau Gasol and Yao Ming as the top starting 4,5 in the division, if not the conference, if not the league. They're going to be a little slow, but that's mostly on Ming's shoulders, not Gasol's. These guys while in the game together will dominate every facet of the post. Casspi, Gallo, Johnson, and Calderon should keep the opposing teams' post defenders honest with their ability from deep. Also love Robin Lopez behind Ming. If Yao isn't ready for training camp, which is a possibility, Lopez can easily start and play as a tough  defender in the post. 

Portland Trailblazers  Jsaad
-Guards: Evan Turner, Goran Dragic, Ricky Rubio, Jason Williams
-Forwards: Derrick Favors, Thaddeus Young, Maurice Evans
-Centers: Brook Lopez, Spencer Hawes, Matt Bonner

PG Dragic, Jason WIlliams
SG Turner
SF Thad Young, Evans
PF Favors, Bonner
C Lopez, Hawes

100 Words: This is obviously not a playoff caliber team, and really can't be honestly evaluated until next season (or the season after) when Rubio comes over.  Favors should be inconsistent at best this season, and while Turner should be better, he won't be an all-star or anything close.  I also don't like Young as a SF, I think he's proven that he's more of a tweener with a leaning to 4 than a tweener with a leaning towards the 3. That's the bad news. The good news is that there isn't a younger core in the league that is head and shoulders above this one, and with the addition of Rubio a very good case could be made for team of the future. Brook Lopez is a straight out stud at the center, and Favors/Turner should compliment him well. The record won't look good this season, but the lottery pick could become their starting SF.


Oklahoma City Thunder  Greenbean
-Guards: OJ Mayo, Darren Collison, Thabo Sefolosha, DeMar DeRozan
-Forwards: Jermaine O'Neal, Glen Big Baby Davis
-Center: Chris Kaman, Marreese Speights


PG Darren Collison
SG Sefelosha
SF Butler
PF O'Neal
C Kaman

100 Words:
This team should start Speights. There is no way that Jermaine O'Neal can consistently start at the 4 with that team. Too slow, and honestly too versatile to waste him playing major minutes at the 4. I love Darren Collison, like Thabo Sefelosha, and have cooled a bit on Butler.  I worry about the shooting with Darren Collison being the only consistent shooter out there, I don't know if there will be enough room for Kaman and Speights to operate. The defense on the wings should be excellent, and O'Neal can hold his own. BBD should provide a good burst off the bench, and DeMar Derozan should supplant Thabo as the starter at the 2 within 2 years.

Minnesota Timberwolves Evantime34/Lip413
Guards: Deron Williams, Rodrigue Beaubois, Marquis Daniels
Forwards: Josh Howard, Gordon Hayward, Josh Smith, Brandon Bass
Centers: Brandon Haywood, JaVale McGee

PG Deron Williams/Beaubois
SG Rodrigue Beaubois/Hayward
SF Josh Howard/Hayward
PF Josh Smith/Brandon Bass
C Brandon Haywood/McGee


I like Deron Williams as the reigning "Best PG In the League". Chris Paul might very well steal that honor back this season, but Williams has it now. I also like Roddy B, but not as the starting 2 here. One reason being, he won't be ready for the start of the season. I think Hayward is talented enough now to be a role player at the 2 for a team that should get close to 20 ppg from its PG as it is now anyways. In the frontcourt, I like the idea of Josh Smith on other peoples' teams. I don't quite get him enough to get behind him, but he'll keep your team moving end to end, he'll create a lot of turnovers (and probably commit a fair amount too), and he'll take some ill advised shots. In the end, he'll bring more to the party than he takes away, so that's what really counts. Brandon Bass is a terrific traditional backup to have behind him. I also love McGee behind Haywood, and I think after this year, McGee might be the better player. Josh Howard has a LOT to prove this year. I think he's still got a fair amount of run left in him, and I think he can turn it around. We'll see. It'll be interesting to see if anything happens when knucklehead A (Josh Smith) meets knucklehead B (Josh Howard)

End Judgment:

1) Utah: I like the versatility, and I love the frontcourt. I think Yao's health is a major enough concern though that it keeps them from having HC in the playoffs.
2) Denver: Top to bottom the most talented team in the division, but even Tim Duncan can't compensate for Utah's frontcourt. I love Westbrook here too, especially with long athletic players like Brewer, Williams, Childress, and Ariza.
3) Minny: Deron Williams is the best thing going for this team, and it'll be up to him if they can leapfrog Utah or Denver. If Howard returns to form and Beaubois can quickly return to health to develop a rapport with Deron Williams, this team could concievably move ahead of both the #1 and #2 team, especially in terms of regular season wins.
4) OKC: I love Collison here, but he doesn't really compare to Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook. I also love Sefolosha, but I don't know how much his defensive ability will count 1)in a division without powerhouse SG's, and 2) on a team without a premier scorer on the wing.
5) Portland: A good team two years from now. Maybe a great one in 5. Portland will eat it up though and this is certainly a team that will be fun to watch if they gel. 

And also 1,000 words and one lousy response? Well the response wasn't lousy, but one response? Last favor I do the Northwest division!

Wow, that was a ton IP.  Crazy good work.  My interest faded though not because of your writing, but I think because it's one of the lesser interesting divisions in my mind.

I think Denver has TOO many solid rotational players and won't have enough minutes to go around.  I see 10 guys here that should average over 15 minutes per game.  They should really work to consolidate a couple of them into one better player.  But then again, they don't have too many players who can play multiple positions.  Hmmm... something like a Josh Childress/Ariza + Brewer for Stephen Jackson would be my goal.  You could play Jackson at either positions and you still have Childress/Ariza at the 3 and T-Will at the 2 (who I really like as a bench player). 

[StartOrien]

I'm looking for some advice on my squad:

Baron Davis -
Wesley Matthews - Rudy Fernandez
John Salmons - Hedo Turkoglu
Antawn Jamison - Al Harrington - Ed Davis
Dwight Howard - Greg Monroe

2 points:
1. When Davis isn't in I expect Hedo and Rudy to do the bulk of the ball handing.
2. I am shopping Antawn Jamison & Al Harrington for different types of players. I'm aware that their skillsets are very similar.

[Who]

I'm looking for some advice on my squad:

Baron Davis -
Wesley Matthews - Rudy Fernandez
John Salmons - Hedo Turkoglu
Antawn Jamison - Al Harrington - Ed Davis
Dwight Howard - Greg Monroe

2 points:
1. When Davis isn't in I expect Hedo and Rudy to do the bulk of the ball handing.
2. I am shopping Antawn Jamison & Al Harrington for different types of players. I'm aware that their skillsets are very similar.

Start Ed Davis. He is a better player than Antawn Jamison and/or Al Harrington.

John Salmons is a two guard and not a small forward. His lack of rebounding at the three is very problematic. You can get away with it if you start Davis but it would be more of an issue with Jamison or Harrington.

Your team would be best off trading Rudy Fernandez or Wes Matthews for a small forward. Possibly in combination with Hedo Turkoglu for an upgrade there.

If Ed Davis was starting and Salmons remained as the three, I would move Rudy Fernandez into the starting lineup ahead of Wes Matthews. More shooting ability and offensive effectiveness.

[Roy H.]

I'm looking for some advice on my squad:

Baron Davis -
Wesley Matthews - Rudy Fernandez
John Salmons - Hedo Turkoglu
Antawn Jamison - Al Harrington - Ed Davis
Dwight Howard - Greg Monroe

2 points:
1. When Davis isn't in I expect Hedo and Rudy to do the bulk of the ball handing.
2. I am shopping Antawn Jamison & Al Harrington for different types of players. I'm aware that their skillsets are very similar.

I think a lot will come down to how you market your squad.  You need to sell people on the fact that Jamison is still a very good power forward.

Also, I don't know how much success you'll have, but it's at least arguable that your team matches up well with the 2009 Orlando Magic:

Howard
Jamison
Turkoglu
Matthews
Davis

vs.

Howard
Rashard
Turkoglu
Lee
Alston

At his best, Jamison is just as good -- if not better -- than Rashard offensively, and he's a better rebounder.  It's arguable about whether Hedo suddenly lost a step, or whether Toronto was just a terrible destination.  Matthews and Lee are fairly equivalent, and Baron is a step up from Alston.  Salmons is probably better than Pietrus coming off the bench.

Of course, that's not the only way to sell your squad, but I think it appeals to people's logic. 

As mentioned, though, I'd look to move Harrington.

[WeMadeIt17]

The spurs are really starting to round out.

PG - Devin Harris/Jose Barea
SG - James Harden/Dahntay Jones/Daequan Cook
SF - Ron Artest/Chris Douglas-Roberts
PF - Chris Bosh
 C - Serge Ibaka/Chuck Hayes

[action781]

I'm looking for some advice on my squad:

Baron Davis -
Wesley Matthews - Rudy Fernandez
John Salmons - Hedo Turkoglu
Antawn Jamison - Al Harrington - Ed Davis
Dwight Howard - Greg Monroe

2 points:
1. When Davis isn't in I expect Hedo and Rudy to do the bulk of the ball handing.
2. I am shopping Antawn Jamison & Al Harrington for different types of players. I'm aware that their skillsets are very similar.

I think a lot will come down to how you market your squad.  You need to sell people on the fact that Jamison is still a very good power forward.

Also, I don't know how much success you'll have, but it's at least arguable that your team matches up well with the 2009 Orlando Magic:

Howard
Jamison
Turkoglu
Matthews
Davis

vs.

Howard
Rashard
Turkoglu
Lee
Alston

At his best, Jamison is just as good -- if not better -- than Rashard offensively, and he's a better rebounder.  It's arguable about whether Hedo suddenly lost a step, or whether Toronto was just a terrible destination.  Matthews and Lee are fairly equivalent, and Baron is a step up from Alston.  Salmons is probably better than Pietrus coming off the bench.

Of course, that's not the only way to sell your squad, but I think it appeals to people's logic.  

As mentioned, though, I'd look to move Harrington.

x

[StartOrien]

Moving Harrington has been a little more difficult than I had expected when I originally acquired him.

I think he's one of those guys where we talk so much about all his deficincies here (and there's plenty) that it kinda blinds what he does bring to the game.

[Evantime34]

My eight favorite teams, in no particular order:

Toronto
New York
Milwaukee
Washington
Atlanta
Chicago
Denver
Utah

Who am I slighting?  Who am I overrating?

(Also, I think that when people actually look at the West, those who are calling Sacramento a borderline playoff team are going to be very surprised.)

I feel slighted.

[KCattheStripe]

My eight favorite teams, in no particular order:

Toronto
New York
Milwaukee
Washington
Atlanta
Chicago
Denver
Utah

Who am I slighting?  Who am I overrating?

(Also, I think that when people actually look at the West, those who are calling Sacramento a borderline playoff team are going to be very surprised.)

SLIGHTED!

[action781]

My eight favorite teams, in no particular order:

Toronto
New York
Milwaukee
Washington
Atlanta
Chicago
Denver
Utah

Who am I slighting?  Who am I overrating?

(Also, I think that when people actually look at the West, those who are calling Sacramento a borderline playoff team are going to be very surprised.)

Indiana Pacers are terribly slighted

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'm looking for some advice on my squad:

Baron Davis -
Wesley Matthews - Rudy Fernandez
John Salmons - Hedo Turkoglu
Antawn Jamison - Al Harrington - Ed Davis
Dwight Howard - Greg Monroe

Phoenix is in contention. Jamison has gone from overrated to underrated here so quickly it's left my head spinning. For proof, look back at the tenor of discussion when Cleveland first acquired him. (But then we all watched his playoff humiliation at the hands of KG and we already underrate KG.)

Howard has had great success playing alongside stretch 4s and you have two of the league's best, as well as a promising more defensive-minded lottery pick.

I do like Roy's marketing advice.

[Roy H.]

My eight favorite teams, in no particular order:

Toronto
New York
Milwaukee
Washington
Atlanta
Chicago
Denver
Utah

Who am I slighting?  Who am I overrating?

(Also, I think that when people actually look at the West, those who are calling Sacramento a borderline playoff team are going to be very surprised.)

I feel slighted.

Your team is above-average, I just can't envision a circumstance where it wins a title.  The same is true of Indiana.

As for Seattle, I'm not sure if your roster was updated, KC.  The rankings are 1) off the cuff, and 2) based upon the rosters listed in the Transactions thread.