2010 CB Draft: Southeast Division Press Conferences

[Who]

Sorry, KC, for misplacing the new Seattle Supersonics.

Dock my arguments accordingly. (Although I still won't concede that Stoudemire is anything other than a mediocre-to-poor defender and wildly uneven rebounder.)

Poor defender + poor rebounder + non-passer

Amare Stoudemire's offensive game has declined too due to the injuries. He is nowhere near as dangerous in one-on-one situations than he was years ago. Not as explosive athletically, top defenders can limit him easier than they could years ago.

Who, Amar'e was injured last year and then came back this year and raised his ppg by 2. I don't think his offensive abilities have decreased at all neither has his athleticism. I'm not that concerned that my primary passing big isn't much of a passer, when I dump it to him I expect the ball to go in the hoop.

His TS% has gone down though, he got his 2 more PPG by using more possessions. (about 1.5 per game)

Which is fine, he's still a very efficient scorer.

I am more interested in Amare's playoff performance.

About how easily he was limited by Marcus Camby + Pau Gasol + Lamar Odom. How easily he has been limited by Andrew Bynum in the past.

A stark contrast to the Amare Stoudemire we saw five years ago when destroyed Tim Duncan (the best defender in the league at the time) for 35+ppg in the Conference Finals. His face up game was unguardable, his first step + leaping ability was extremely explosive. He doesn't have that same explosion any more ... he doesn't create separation from his defender in one-on-one situations as well as he did before the injuries hit.

[indeedproceed]

well, your phil jackson point is well taken, but if you want to get to the playoffs you have ti finish above likely 2 of your division rivals. who's it gonna be?

[celticpride07]

This is how i rank the southeast:
1.Magic
2.Sonics
3.Boxers
4.Hawks
5.Heat

I think the sonics have a more talented lineup and a better bench and less players to have to worry about injuries compared to the Boxers..just my opinion.

[The Walker Wiggle]

He's an above average PG defender, but he's not a good defensive shooting guard. He gives good effort and has an excellent understanding of what to do. Hence why coaches love him as a player. But he lacks the length, quickness, and strength to defend NBA 2s at a high level. He also gives up rebounds at that position.

He's being used as the primary defensive wing right now, you really think he's going to be all-nba defense in that role?

Well he played a quarter of the Bulls SG minutes that season. Just seems you're over-emphasizing athleticism. (Gay is a worse defender at the 2, even if more disruptive.) And, while, I'd agree that he's not an ideal primary defensive wing, what evidence that he's below average? And how important is rebounding from a SG? (Unless it's uncanny.)

If he's giving up a mere extra rebound a game, that's an extra possession for the other team. Its not a huge factor, but it matters.

He's a PG, do you think Rondo would make a good primary wing defender? He's a better defensive PG than Hinrich and did a credible job on Wade at times in one playoff series.

Defend your binkie to death, but I'm not going to try to prove that he can't do something he's never been asked to do.

Maybe not to the death. I don't have a horse in this race so we can let it drop, or pass the conversation on to KC. I was just surprised to find Hinrich described as a below average defender (and Amar'e as an above average defender...). So far the numbers seem to jibe with my perception. (Although they don't always - you opened my eyes to the Prince last week.)

Agree to disagree instead?

[Who]

Lamar Odom is a fine option at center for Miami. He would provide a Boris Diaw like presence (2005/06) only with more defensive ability + far more rebounding + more size/length.

He would do very well in that role on an uptempo team run by Steve Nash.

Some players would cause him a lot of difficulty but he could defend most starting fives well enough + Odom causes a major mismatch on the other end with his ball-handling, playmaking, driving ability.

[nickagneta]

Here's how I think the division ends up

1. Washington - simply put I think the Boxers have the best team defense and best interior defense in the division and the best chemistry, quality and "fit" in their first seven players. I would have preferred better rebounding but the Boxers have length and size and have above average rebounders at 4 starting positions. I wouldn't rule out the Boxers falling into second place in the regular season standings as the Boxers will sacrifice regular season wins for late season health but still feel they will be the best team in the division.

2. Atlanta - I know the nashville team is getting a lot of love as one of the top two teams in this division, but I just don't see it. I think Varejao is the best defensive PF in the league. I think Durant is the best scorer in the league. And though they don't have a pure point starting, Redick, Hinrich, Ridnour and Butler seem to have a little of everything in the back court and they have Elton Brand coming off the bench. I very good defensive team with a superstar. They might well win the regular season division title.

3/4. Seattle and Nashville - too close for me to call but I feel a step below Washington and Atlanta. Both teams will score lots of points but I question both teams ability to play defense at a high level or rebound at the rate that Washington and Atlanta will. Very similar teams. Both should make the playoffs. Yes the Southeast is that deep. I see four playoff teams coming from the division.

5. Miami - still a very good team and probably a second place team in one Western Conference division and a third place finisher in a different Eastern Conference division. In the Southeast, unfortunately, they will be pulling up the rear and not making the playoffs. I like the Nash/Jackson pairing but the team is weak at two positions and will be playing the triangle under Phil and Nash doesn't fit that system.

[Who]

Miami should fire Phil Jackson and hire Alvin Gentry.

[action781]

SG/SF

Rasual Butler
12PPG, 3RPG, 1BPG, 36%3FG

Butler is an above average defender on the wing, who excels at hitting the corner 3.

FWIW, Rasual Butler was a 33% 3pt shooter last season.

[Roy H.]

Here's how I think the division ends up

1. Washington - simply put I think the Boxers have the best team defense and best interior defense in the division and the best chemistry, quality and "fit" in their first seven players. I would have preferred better rebounding but the Boxers have length and size and have above average rebounders at 4 starting positions. I wouldn't rule out the Boxers falling into second place in the regular season standings as the Boxers will sacrifice regular season wins for late season health but still feel they will be the best team in the division.

2. Atlanta - I know the nashville team is getting a lot of love as one of the top two teams in this division, but I just don't see it. I think Varejao is the best defensive PF in the league. I think Durant is the best scorer in the league. And though they don't have a pure point starting, Redick, Hinrich, Ridnour and Butler seem to have a little of everything in the back court and they have Elton Brand coming off the bench. I very good defensive team with a superstar. They might well win the regular season division title.

3/4. Seattle and Nashville - too close for me to call but I feel a step below Washington and Atlanta. Both teams will score lots of points but I question both teams ability to play defense at a high level or rebound at the rate that Washington and Atlanta will. Very similar teams. Both should make the playoffs. Yes the Southeast is that deep. I see four playoff teams coming from the division.

5. Miami - still a very good team and probably a second place team in one Western Conference division and a third place finisher in a different Eastern Conference division. In the Southeast, unfortunately, they will be pulling up the rear and not making the playoffs. I like the Nash/Jackson pairing but the team is weak at two positions and will be playing the triangle under Phil and Nash doesn't fit that system.

I basically agree with nick, except that I have Washington and Atlanta inverted.  That's due, in part, to a risk assessment of Bynum's likelihood of injury, etc.  I do agree, though, that Atlanta and Washington are fairly close, followed by a gap to Nashville and Seattle, who are basically tied for 3rd.  Also like nick, I feel bad for ranking Miami so low, as I like a lot of what they did.

[nickagneta]

Dang. My third best player, Luis Scola went for 32 points and 8 rebounds today at the FIBA WC.

[nickagneta]

Here's how I think the division ends up

1. Washington - simply put I think the Boxers have the best team defense and best interior defense in the division and the best chemistry, quality and "fit" in their first seven players. I would have preferred better rebounding but the Boxers have length and size and have above average rebounders at 4 starting positions. I wouldn't rule out the Boxers falling into second place in the regular season standings as the Boxers will sacrifice regular season wins for late season health but still feel they will be the best team in the division.

2. Atlanta - I know the nashville team is getting a lot of love as one of the top two teams in this division, but I just don't see it. I think Varejao is the best defensive PF in the league. I think Durant is the best scorer in the league. And though they don't have a pure point starting, Redick, Hinrich, Ridnour and Butler seem to have a little of everything in the back court and they have Elton Brand coming off the bench. I very good defensive team with a superstar. They might well win the regular season division title.

3/4. Seattle and Nashville - too close for me to call but I feel a step below Washington and Atlanta. Both teams will score lots of points but I question both teams ability to play defense at a high level or rebound at the rate that Washington and Atlanta will. Very similar teams. Both should make the playoffs. Yes the Southeast is that deep. I see four playoff teams coming from the division.

5. Miami - still a very good team and probably a second place team in one Western Conference division and a third place finisher in a different Eastern Conference division. In the Southeast, unfortunately, they will be pulling up the rear and not making the playoffs. I like the Nash/Jackson pairing but the team is weak at two positions and will be playing the triangle under Phil and Nash doesn't fit that system.

I basically agree with nick, except that I have Washington and Atlanta inverted.  That's due, in part, to a risk assessment of Bynum's likelihood of injury, etc.  I do agree, though, that Atlanta and Washington are fairly close, followed by a gap to Nashville and Seattle, who are basically tied for 3rd.  Also like nick, I feel bad for ranking Miami so low, as I like a lot of what they did.

And as I said, I could see Atlanta finishing in front of the Boxers in the regular season. But if healthy entering the playoffs, I like the Boxers championship and playoff experience in important areas.

[KCattheStripe]

Dang. My third best player, Luis Scola went for 32 points and 8 rebounds today at the FIBA WC.

Yup, he sure dominated his match up with noted FIBA player That Angolan Guy.

[indeedproceed]

I will say that in a pre-season "power rankings", washington would be first, but I was gauging it more on final record entering the playoffs.

the atlanta/charlattle/nashlando/wash is hard to judge because where one team falters, another excels. if atlanta had one or two upgrades, especially at the point with another guy who could create his own shot, the jump ahead. if charlattle had a competent pg (in my eyes..some believe in the duhon), they'd jump ahead, and so on...

I do think wash has the most complete team, but with bynum and ginobli's issues, wash would probably be more happy just getting to the party healthy with a 4 or 5 seed than winning a division that is going to spend an awful lot of time beating up on each other.

[KCattheStripe]

Here's how I think the division ends up

1. Washington - simply put I think the Boxers have the best team defense and best interior defense in the division and the best chemistry, quality and "fit" in their first seven players. I would have preferred better rebounding but the Boxers have length and size and have above average rebounders at 4 starting positions. I wouldn't rule out the Boxers falling into second place in the regular season standings as the Boxers will sacrifice regular season wins for late season health but still feel they will be the best team in the division.

2. Atlanta - I know the nashville team is getting a lot of love as one of the top two teams in this division, but I just don't see it. I think Varejao is the best defensive PF in the league. I think Durant is the best scorer in the league. And though they don't have a pure point starting, Redick, Hinrich, Ridnour and Butler seem to have a little of everything in the back court and they have Elton Brand coming off the bench. I very good defensive team with a superstar. They might well win the regular season division title.

3/4. Seattle and Nashville - too close for me to call but I feel a step below Washington and Atlanta. Both teams will score lots of points but I question both teams ability to play defense at a high level or rebound at the rate that Washington and Atlanta will. Very similar teams. Both should make the playoffs. Yes the Southeast is that deep. I see four playoff teams coming from the division.

5. Miami - still a very good team and probably a second place team in one Western Conference division and a third place finisher in a different Eastern Conference division. In the Southeast, unfortunately, they will be pulling up the rear and not making the playoffs. I like the Nash/Jackson pairing but the team is weak at two positions and will be playing the triangle under Phil and Nash doesn't fit that system.

I basically agree with nick, except that I have Washington and Atlanta inverted.  That's due, in part, to a risk assessment of Bynum's likelihood of injury, etc.  I do agree, though, that Atlanta and Washington are fairly close, followed by a gap to Nashville and Seattle, who are basically tied for 3rd.  Also like nick, I feel bad for ranking Miami so low, as I like a lot of what they did.

And as I said, I could see Atlanta finishing in front of the Boxers in the regular season. But if healthy entering the playoffs, I like the Boxers championship and playoff experience in important areas.

I honestly don't think there's a way that the boxers stay healthy enough to finish first in this division or win a championship.

[jgod213]

well, your phil jackson point is well taken, but if you want to get to the playoffs you have ti finish above likely 2 of your division rivals. who's it gonna be?

Well the SE division is probably the strongest in the CBNBA, and could potentially have 4 playoff teams.  In respect to that i'll touch briefly upon the matchups between my competitors and i (order based upon your initial rankings)...


Orland - a very talented team but i don't think the combo of Johnson/Terry is as solid as the Nash/Jax combo.  Joe Johnson hasn't lead a team anywhere yet.  Does VC take huge advantage of Moon? I'm not so sure.  Why is he any different then what he was the last time we saw him play?  I'll take Odom's experience and rings over Aldridge.  Bench is an advantage but i'm not sure these teams are seperated by 4 others in the Divisional standings.

Washington - if this team stays healthy it is a very good team; but that's a legit "IF."  You would have to imagine that, out of the combo of Bynum/Ginobili, one of the two is bound to miss SOME time.  I know it's a hypothetical, but how much time could either of them miss in a division this good?  Miami's big two of Nash/Jax do not have those concerns.

Charlotte - another really talented team, but Chris Duhon cannot lead a championship team.  He relented the job to Toney Douglas in NY and he would do so eventually on this team.  Despite that, this is a very good team - if a leader emerges.  Who gets the ball in crunch time? these are reasons why teams lose games early on...trying to find their identity.

Atlanta - Durant is the best player in the Division - hands down.  But who else can score on their own?  Maybe no one other than Brand.  This is not exactly a recipe for success.  If a team can't make us pay on the interior then they are in trouble.



All of this review done without coaching analysis.  The coaches in this division are as follows: Kevin Stallings, Rudy T, Eric Spoelstra, Jim O'brien, and Phil Jackson.  That's a huge HUUUUGE advantage for Miami.  I'm getting the impression that people will not be considering this factor much during voting, which is too bad since i sacrificed a bit of my team in order to work around what he brings to the table.  My pure talent doesn't match up evenly with some teams in the Division/Conference, but i have a huge coaching advantage that i hope voters consider when ballots are cast.