2010 CB Draft: Northwest Division Press Conferences

[StartOrien]

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.

But could you imagine if one of those players, say Baron Davis, was put aside an elite defensive center like, I don't know.... Dwight Howard

[Roy H.]

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.

But could you imagine if one of those players, say Baron Davis, was put aside an elite defensive center like, I don't know.... Dwight Howard

According to recent reports, Davis currently weighs about as much as Dwight Howard.

[KCattheStripe]

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.

But could you imagine if one of those players, say Baron Davis, was put aside an elite defensive center like, I don't know.... Dwight Howard

You'd still have Antwan Jameson.  

[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.

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.

I have issue with your list, first of all Chris Paul are young and still have plenty of time. Steve Nash won two mvps but I don't think I would put him as a top 15 pg all time. Stockton wins several if the best player ever isn't in his prime at the same time. Baron Davis should not be on that list, KJ got hurt and Mark Jackson is debatable. Payton is the best of that group.
There are a fair amount of great wing players that don't win championships.
Deron Williams is a top 10 player in the league and has never missed the playoffs.

[jgod213]

C'mon Nick, you can't just select players with no rings and use it to support your argument.  How many rings do Magic/Isiah/Cousy/Hondo have? 20 something?  How many rings do the Malones/Walton/Barkley/Garnett have? like 4?  Two can play at that game

[Evantime34]

C'mon Nick, you can't just select players with no rings and use it to support your argument.  How many rings do Magic/Isiah/Cousy/Hondo have? 20 something?  How many rings do the Malones/Walton/Barkley/Garnett have? like 4?  Two can play at that game

JGOD dropping bombs of knowledge.

[StartOrien]

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.

But could you imagine if one of those players, say Baron Davis, was put aside an elite defensive center like, I don't know.... Dwight Howard

You'd still have Antwan Jameson.  

OMG guys, I just realized my mistake. I just picked one of the names of those elite PG's and paired it with a top flight center. I completely forgot they were on my team! What a misunderstanding!

[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.

Measurements from draft express:

Howard:
Height w/ shoes: 6 10.25
Standing Reach: 9 3.5

Smith:
Height w/ shoes: 6 8.25
Standing reach: 8 10.2

Howard's height plus reach gives him a 5+ inch advantage over smith.

How many teams utilize a pick and roll effectively with a guy with a shaky jumper? The Magic might be the only team.

[KCattheStripe]

C'mon Nick, you can't just select players with no rings and use it to support your argument.  How many rings do Magic/Isiah/Cousy/Hondo have? 20 something?  How many rings do the Malones/Walton/Barkley/Garnett have? like 4?  Two can play at that game

Magic+ Kareem
Isiah+ Lambier+Rodman
Cousy+ Russell +Heinsohn
Hondo+ Russell or Cowens

Moses+ no elite PG
Walton( on the blazers) + no elite PG
Garnett+ Second year Rondo, not elite yet.

Much more important to have an All-NBA calibre big than it is to have an all NBA calibre PG

[StartOrien]

What is Dwight Howard's height when wearing Antoine Walker's shoe? 7'9?  Adidas Real Deal (i think).

[Fafnir]

How many teams utilize a pick and roll effectively with a guy with a shaky jumper? The Magic might be the only team.

A lot of teams do. The Cavs used it with AV and LeBron plenty.

You don't need to be able to pick and pop to run the pick and roll.

[Lucky17]

Jsaad isn't going to bother with a presser, is he?

[Roy H.]

Jsaad isn't going to bother with a presser, is he?

He PM'd me, and indicated that he was swamped and had been hoping to be assigned a time later in the week.  He said, however, that he'd try to put something together.

[Evantime34]

Jsaad isn't going to bother with a presser, is he?

He PM'd me, and indicated that he was swamped and had been hoping to be assigned a time later in the week.  He said, however, that he'd try to put something together.

I'll save him the time, he told me that my teams wins the title and he finishes last. No need for a press conference.

[Roy H.]

Jsaad isn't going to bother with a presser, is he?

He PM'd me, and indicated that he was swamped and had been hoping to be assigned a time later in the week.  He said, however, that he'd try to put something together.

I'll save him the time, he told me that my teams wins the title and he finishes last. No need for a press conference.

Haha.  He might not dispute finishing last, at least this season.  I think he's more concerned with the future.