2010 CB Draft: Northwest Division Press Conferences

[nickagneta]

Here's my take on the division:

1. Denver - I think they are the class of this division though only barely. The have a strong starting five, deep depth at wing and guard positions and the second best center in the league with a decent pack up. Their weakness is at the power forward position which to me is extremely weak. Gibson could prosper. Gibson could hit the sophomore skids. But the Nuggets have Tim Duncan and enough talent o probably make it to the WCFs.

2. Utah - I'm giving Yao the benefit of the doubt that he we be ready to play come opening night. I am not giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will be his normal 19 PPG, 9 RPG self for a while. This is one of those teams where I wish we had a re-vote at mid season because depending on Yao, Utah could be looking at a deep playoff run or missing the playoffs and I rank Yao, Oden, Perkins and Przybilla as the four biggest injury question marks in the league. I also am not a Calderon fan and think defense at the wing is a big problem for this club.

3/4.  Minnesota/Oklahoma City - two very young clubs with good PGs but seriously flawed or too young and experiences parts elsewhere. It is clubs like these why I have the philosophy not to draft PGs so high in this draft. Once you do, you are catching up in trying to find the difference making talent that you are passing by. Unless your PG is Magic Johnson, PG is not the position I would try to build a team around. I don't see either club making the playoffs.

5. Portland - Jsaad knows this is where his team will be finishing and I am sure he is okay with that as his real fight will be for "Team of the Future" where I think he has a legitimate shot at winning. Though I do have to ask, Jsaad, with a pick in the top ten in the first round, whatever made you decide to instantly go for "Team of the Future"?  

Thanks for the analysis Nick. TP.

Just wondering what serious flaws my team has. I think they are pretty well balanced but lacking true superstar power.

1. Any type of offense from your SG position, which unfortunately, is fairly significant because it will allow most SGs in the league((most who are some of the leagues very best athletes) to sag down into the paint to prevent penetration from you PG and allow constant double teams on you second best offensive option, Kaman.

2. The quality of depth and lack of superstars. Deron Williams is a superstar but this team is constructed much like last years Hornets with a worldbeater PG and very little else to make that PG meaningful. You simply can not build a team with a superstar PG as your franchise player. Can't do it. I'm convinced of that. Your starters and 6th and 7th men are okay but then your quality of depth falls of the edge. There's just not enough on this team for Deron to elevate to playoff status.

[Roy H.]

. . . I rank Yao, Oden, Perkins and Przybilla as the four biggest injury question marks in the league.

Don't tell my man Gomesfan that:  I tried to get Pryzbilla from him, and he valued him like Dwight Howard.

[Fafnir]

Josh Smith is not a good P&R player IMO. He is not a good enough shooter.

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Pick and pop and pick and roll aren't the same.

Sure you want a guy who can do both, but there is nothing wrong with cutting to the hoop strong everytime.

Howard is pretty good at the P&R game but he is bigger than 99% of the NBA. He can jump literally over every one. Smith is super athletic but a P&R game centering on Josh Smith rolling to the hoop can be neutralized by length.

Dwight Howard is only 6'9" or 6'10".

He is 6 11 with a huge wingspan. No way is he 6 9.

He's really not, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant are the same height without shoes. Perkins also has a similar wingspan, but isn't half the athlete.

[Greenbean]

Josh Smith is not a good P&R player IMO. He is not a good enough shooter.

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Pick and pop and pick and roll aren't the same.

Sure you want a guy who can do both, but there is nothing wrong with cutting to the hoop strong everytime.

Howard is pretty good at the P&R game but he is bigger than 99% of the NBA. He can jump literally over every one. Smith is super athletic but a P&R game centering on Josh Smith rolling to the hoop can be neutralized by length.

Dwight Howard is only 6'9" or 6'10".

He is 6 11 with a huge wingspan. No way is he 6 9.

He's really not, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant are the same height without shoes. Perkins also has a similar wingspan, but isn't half the athlete.

I have never measure any of those guys nor have I seen them measured live. See my post with the picture for the answer to the debate.

[Evantime34]

Here's my take on the division:

1. Denver - I think they are the class of this division though only barely. The have a strong starting five, deep depth at wing and guard positions and the second best center in the league with a decent pack up. Their weakness is at the power forward position which to me is extremely weak. Gibson could prosper. Gibson could hit the sophomore skids. But the Nuggets have Tim Duncan and enough talent o probably make it to the WCFs.

2. Utah - I'm giving Yao the benefit of the doubt that he we be ready to play come opening night. I am not giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will be his normal 19 PPG, 9 RPG self for a while. This is one of those teams where I wish we had a re-vote at mid season because depending on Yao, Utah could be looking at a deep playoff run or missing the playoffs and I rank Yao, Oden, Perkins and Przybilla as the four biggest injury question marks in the league. I also am not a Calderon fan and think defense at the wing is a big problem for this club.

3/4.  Minnesota/Oklahoma City - two very young clubs with good PGs but seriously flawed or too young and experiences parts elsewhere. It is clubs like these why I have the philosophy not to draft PGs so high in this draft. Once you do, you are catching up in trying to find the difference making talent that you are passing by. Unless your PG is Magic Johnson, PG is not the position I would try to build a team around. I don't see either club making the playoffs.

5. Portland - Jsaad knows this is where his team will be finishing and I am sure he is okay with that as his real fight will be for "Team of the Future" where I think he has a legitimate shot at winning. Though I do have to ask, Jsaad, with a pick in the top ten in the first round, whatever made you decide to instantly go for "Team of the Future"?  

As to your opinion on my team we have a fundamental difference in basketball opinion. In my opinion point guard is the most important position on the floor thus the best one to build around. This is followed a close second by Center.

Is it a coincidence that all the elite point guards make the playoffs? Point guards make the players around them better. You will see this year what Amare does without Nash.

[Fafnir]

Josh Smith is not a good P&R player IMO. He is not a good enough shooter.

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Pick and pop and pick and roll aren't the same.

Sure you want a guy who can do both, but there is nothing wrong with cutting to the hoop strong everytime.

Howard is pretty good at the P&R game but he is bigger than 99% of the NBA. He can jump literally over every one. Smith is super athletic but a P&R game centering on Josh Smith rolling to the hoop can be neutralized by length.

Dwight Howard is only 6'9" or 6'10".

He is 6 11 with a huge wingspan. No way is he 6 9.

He's really not, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Durant are the same height without shoes. Perkins also has a similar wingspan, but isn't half the athlete.

I have never measure any of those guys nor have I seen them measured live. See my post with the picture for the answer to the debate.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?page=&year=All&source=All&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=

They have been measured, you can look them up. Howard's an amazing athlete but just because he can jump high and has long arms doesn't make him 6'11".

[Who]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

Edit: Ah, linked to in the post above.

[Roy H.]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

That's "in shoes", correct?

I suppose it's plausible that he grew .75" since then, as he was 18 when drafted, I think.

[Fafnir]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

That's "in shoes", correct?

I suppose it's plausible that he grew .75" since then, as he was 18 when drafted, I think.

Plausibly, basketball players are touchy about their height.

But he and Perkins measured at the same size and wing span. My main point stands Howard's size isn't what makes him devasting in the P&R. Its his size and athleticism. Josh Smith has enough of both to be a very effective P&R option.

[Greenbean]

Here's my take on the division:

1. Denver - I think they are the class of this division though only barely. The have a strong starting five, deep depth at wing and guard positions and the second best center in the league with a decent pack up. Their weakness is at the power forward position which to me is extremely weak. Gibson could prosper. Gibson could hit the sophomore skids. But the Nuggets have Tim Duncan and enough talent o probably make it to the WCFs.

2. Utah - I'm giving Yao the benefit of the doubt that he we be ready to play come opening night. I am not giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will be his normal 19 PPG, 9 RPG self for a while. This is one of those teams where I wish we had a re-vote at mid season because depending on Yao, Utah could be looking at a deep playoff run or missing the playoffs and I rank Yao, Oden, Perkins and Przybilla as the four biggest injury question marks in the league. I also am not a Calderon fan and think defense at the wing is a big problem for this club.

3/4.  Minnesota/Oklahoma City - two very young clubs with good PGs but seriously flawed or too young and experiences parts elsewhere. It is clubs like these why I have the philosophy not to draft PGs so high in this draft. Once you do, you are catching up in trying to find the difference making talent that you are passing by. Unless your PG is Magic Johnson, PG is not the position I would try to build a team around. I don't see either club making the playoffs.

5. Portland - Jsaad knows this is where his team will be finishing and I am sure he is okay with that as his real fight will be for "Team of the Future" where I think he has a legitimate shot at winning. Though I do have to ask, Jsaad, with a pick in the top ten in the first round, whatever made you decide to instantly go for "Team of the Future"?  

Thanks for the analysis Nick. TP.

Just wondering what serious flaws my team has. I think they are pretty well balanced but lacking true superstar power.

1. Any type of offense from your SG position, which unfortunately, is fairly significant because it will allow most SGs in the league((most who are some of the leagues very best athletes) to sag down into the paint to prevent penetration from you PG and allow constant double teams on you second best offensive option, Kaman.

2. The quality of depth and lack of superstars. Deron Williams is a superstar but this team is constructed much like last years Hornets with a worldbeater PG and very little else to make that PG meaningful. You simply can not build a team with a superstar PG as your franchise player. Can't do it. I'm convinced of that. Your starters and 6th and 7th men are okay but then your quality of depth falls of the edge. There's just not enough on this team for Deron to elevate to playoff status.

Well Westbrook had no problem penetrating with Sefolosha as his backcourt mate on the real Thunder. I can also counter with Butler at the 2 and Thornton at the 3, giving me more firepower out of the 2 position.

Besides that, there are 4 quality offensive options on the floor with him. I think it can be overcome especially when you factor in the plus plus plus he provides on the defensive end.

[Greenbean]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

That's "in shoes", correct?

I suppose it's plausible that he grew .75" since then, as he was 18 when drafted, I think.

Plausibly, basketball players are touchy about their height.

But he and Perkins measured at the same size and wing span. My main point stands Howard's size isn't what makes him devasting in the P&R. Its his size and athleticism. Josh Smith has enough of both to be a very effective P&R option.

I guess I just dont see Smith being as effective. I see him smaller but either way, have the hawks ever tried to use him like this?

Does anyone have a synergy account? They break down production of P&R plays as well as frequency of involvement in P&R plays.

[Who]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

That's "in shoes", correct?

I suppose it's plausible that he grew .75" since then, as he was 18 when drafted, I think.

Yep, easily could have grown to 6-11 ... although I think he looks closer to 6-10 when he is standing alongside players of similar heights (6-9 to 7-0).

[Fafnir]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

Dwight measured in at 6-10 and a quarter inch prior to the draft.

That's "in shoes", correct?

I suppose it's plausible that he grew .75" since then, as he was 18 when drafted, I think.

Yep, easily could have grown to 6-11 ... although I think he looks closer to 6-10 when he is standing alongside players of similar heights (6-9 to 7-0).

He and Perkins always look to be exactly the same height to me when I see them next to each other.

Scary thing is LeBron looks almost as tall as both of them.

[nickagneta]

Here's my take on the division:

1. Denver - I think they are the class of this division though only barely. The have a strong starting five, deep depth at wing and guard positions and the second best center in the league with a decent pack up. Their weakness is at the power forward position which to me is extremely weak. Gibson could prosper. Gibson could hit the sophomore skids. But the Nuggets have Tim Duncan and enough talent o probably make it to the WCFs.

2. Utah - I'm giving Yao the benefit of the doubt that he we be ready to play come opening night. I am not giving him the benefit of the doubt that he will be his normal 19 PPG, 9 RPG self for a while. This is one of those teams where I wish we had a re-vote at mid season because depending on Yao, Utah could be looking at a deep playoff run or missing the playoffs and I rank Yao, Oden, Perkins and Przybilla as the four biggest injury question marks in the league. I also am not a Calderon fan and think defense at the wing is a big problem for this club.

3/4.  Minnesota/Oklahoma City - two very young clubs with good PGs but seriously flawed or too young and experiences parts elsewhere. It is clubs like these why I have the philosophy not to draft PGs so high in this draft. Once you do, you are catching up in trying to find the difference making talent that you are passing by. Unless your PG is Magic Johnson, PG is not the position I would try to build a team around. I don't see either club making the playoffs.

5. Portland - Jsaad knows this is where his team will be finishing and I am sure he is okay with that as his real fight will be for "Team of the Future" where I think he has a legitimate shot at winning. Though I do have to ask, Jsaad, with a pick in the top ten in the first round, whatever made you decide to instantly go for "Team of the Future"?  

As to your opinion on my team we have a fundamental difference in basketball opinion. In my opinion point guard is the most important position on the floor thus the best one to build around. This is followed a close second by Center.

Is it a coincidence that all the elite point guards make the playoffs? Point guards make the players around them better. You will see this year what Amare does without Nash.

Making the playoffs does not equate to championships. Tell me how many combined championships do these players have, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, John Stockton, Baron Davis, Kevin Johnson, Marc Jackson and Gary Payton? Answer = 1. 1 ring. That's a list that might be probably 9 of the 15 greatest PGs in the history of the game and yet the only championship amongst them came when Gary Payton rode Shaq and Wade's coat tails to a ring years and years after his prime.

When I build teams, I'll go for the rebound bigs and can play defense and score first and foremost every time unless the guy is a transcendent talent like Wade or LeBron or Kobe or Durant.

[Roy H.]

Tell me how many combined championships do these players have, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, John Stockton, Baron Davis, Kevin Johnson, Marc Jackson and Gary Payton? Answer = 1. 1 ring.

In fairness to those guys, Kidd, Stockton, Johnson, Jackson, and Payton all made it to the NBA Finals.  Each of them were buzz-sawed by either Jordan/Pippen or Kobe/Shaq, but in a different era those guys all could have rings.

I don't necessarily agree that point guards can't be the best player on a championship team.  I still believe in the traditional method of building inside-out, but in the end, elite talent at any position can lead a team to a title.