2010 CB Draft: Northwest Division Press Conferences

[Lucky17]

Another quick ranking.

Not as competitive, top to bottom, as the SE Division. Overall, good teams, but three clear tiers here.

1A. Denver has the best PG/C combo in the division, and a nice supporting cast in terms of overall defense. I wonder if the team will struggle to score at times, especially their second unit. I am not sold on Thornton yet, especially against starting caliber and defensive-minded SGs (I'd like to see how he does vs. Casspi and Sefolosha within the division). Also, how does Darko Milicic handle being a backup C again? He nearly quit the league a year ago.

1B. Utah obviously has tremendous talent and depth at the frontcourt. Gasol/Yao is a formidable duo, and Smith and Lopez offer bruising bulk off the bench. Lack of proven backcourt depth is a serious issue, however, especially if Calderon's minutes need to be managed. Also, as has been said, some questions about the wing rotation. Johnson may be the only true SG on the roster.

3A. I think Oklahoma's depth puts them just ahead here. As with Thornton, Collison needs to prove it to me that he is a bona fide starter in the league and not just a flash in the pan. Great talent on the wings, even if there is little flexibility offered in terms of mixing and matching. The frontcourt also seems a bit dicey; a lot rides on Speights being ready to start, and what JO has left in the tank.

3B. Minnesota has the division's best PG, but Williams' only real option at backup is playing in the starting lineup at SG. Beaubois played alongside Kidd for a few minutes last season, but is he ready for a starting gig? While talented, Howard, Smith, and Haywood aren't known for being good teammates/employees. Rookies, question marks, and career underachievers round out the bench; very little here can be called a sure thing. If everything goes perfectly, Minnie could challenge Denver and Utah for the division, but I think low playoff seed is probably more realistic.

I forget what Portland has, but I do remember they were years from competing in the division.

[Donoghus]

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

 

[The Walker Wiggle]

Here are my early - somewhat scattered - thoughts on how the Northwest shakes out. I do endeavor to keep an open mind.

1. Denver Nuggets – Playoff fixture Tim Duncan bring his winning ways to Denver to mentor a young and able team in right-way basketball. Great, great depth at the wings. Top three perimeter defense and tough inside. Lack of depth and experience at the 4. Mediocre front court rebounding? Savvy late acquisitions Thornton, Blake, and Daniel Gibson bring badly needed perimeter scoring – elevating the team to middle of the road shooting. But Denver remains a poor free throw shooting team (74%-ish). Complementary point guard rotation. High effort, high character squad almost without exception (stoic Tim meet sulky Darko). P.S. Easy to love Russell Westbrook is in danger of becoming overrated.

2. Minnesota Timberwolves – Strength, size, and speed epitomized by the team’s dynamic duo - Williams and Smith. Great finishers. Strong – if not elite – defense. Solid rebounding. Team will force turnovers and make momentum changing blocked shots. Undisciplined? Expect a mile long highlight reel. An x-factor  young, scrambling second unit. Josh Howard may be sorely missed while he rehabs his left knee, though Wolves certainly have intriguing wing talent behind him in a pair of high upside lottery picks (Hayward & Henry) and a pair of still-have-it-but –for-how-long? vets (Daniels and Stackhouse). Not sure how far Minnesota gets but I would definitely tune in.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder – Held back by a lack of talent at the top? Great complimentary pieces. Championship caliber role players. Another strong – if not elite – defense.  A team with a great midrange game and plenty of slashing scorers. Will need a balanced offensive attack.  Deep front court. Skilled, athletic, plus defenders on the wings. Some nights this team is going to over dribble and take a lot of poor shots in isolation. Is there enough three point shooting? Ainge could start any of his foursome of jump shooting big men. Pressure is on February phenomenon Collison if this team is to overachieve.

4. Utah Jazz – The World’s team? Pau Gasol tips off opening night as league’s best big man but teamed with a quartet that started 137 total games in 2009-2010 on four lottery teams.  Frontcourt built to counter all comers – low and high post scoring, rebounding, shot blocking, small ball - will have to cover night in and night out. The thinnest backcourt in the league is defensively limited and ill equipped for even short term injuries. Team lacks either a rotation worthy backup 2 or 1? Only makes the playoffs if Yao returns to 20,10,2 form quickly and is available for more than the 47 appearances he’s average over the past five seasons. A well balanced mix of playoff proven, winning-ways vets and high upside young talent. Yet, top two head coach Greg Popovich has his work cut out for him to minimize injuries and cover up on court mismatches. Too many question marks.

5. Portland – The team of tomorrow. More to come once the presser goes up.

[JSD]

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.

Sorry for the hold up guys. I'll be on in a little bit to present my team.

[action781]

My rankings:

1.  Utah (50 wins) - I think Yao will miss time, but i put them above denver because if he stays healthy, they will win much more.
2.  Denver (50 wins) - Great team for 28 minutes per game, but where does the offense come from for the other 20?
3.  Minnesota (47 wins) - A pretty overall solid team.  I think DWill can carry teams on his back to strong regular season win totals.
4.  OKC (42 wins) - Lots of "good" players, none great, and not sure how well they all fit together.
5.  Portland (25 wins) - too young.

Title contender definitely could come out of this division.

[nickagneta]

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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

[Roy H.]

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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

Also, in nick's defense, this isn't a new argument made up just for the draft.  He's been touting it at least since the plamb days.

[indeedproceed]

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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

Also, in nick's defense, this isn't a new argument made up just for the draft.  He's been touting it at least since the plamb days.

ah, were we ever so young?

[nickagneta]

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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

Also, in nick's defense, this isn't a new argument made up just for the draft.  He's been touting it at least since the plamb days.

Actually been touting it since coaching youth ball and some parent didn't understand why I didn't pick his kid with the 2nd pick in the draft when he was the leagues best ball handler.

Ahh, coaching youth sports. The single most rewarding thing I might have ever done yet the thing that made me want to commit murder on parents as much as anything I have ever done.

[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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

Also, in nick's defense, this isn't a new argument made up just for the draft.  He's been touting it at least since the plamb days.

Actually been touting it since coaching youth ball and some parent didn't understand why I didn't pick his kid with the 2nd pick in the draft when he was the leagues best ball handler.

Ahh, coaching youth sports. The single most rewarding thing I might have ever done yet the thing that made me want to commit murder on parents as much as anything I have ever done.

You mean you didn't enjoy being asked "Hey coach, do you mind if we have a talk about my son's playing time?" a billion times a season?

[nickagneta]

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

Of course I can play that game. Magic, Thomas and Cousy were transcendent PGs. I don't see the group I put above as being that way. They are great point guards. Some of the best ever. But very little in the way of championships.

Heck Oscar Robertson was a transcendent PG as was Tiny Archibald but both got their championship late after teaming up with a top ten player of all time.

You build championship teams from the inside out. If you are starting your team by picking your star PG first, you are doomed to lose, especially in this game.

Sorry guys, that's my philosophy. I apologize if it doesn't fit with your idea of building winning teams but I just do not see PG as that important a position to championship winning basketball.

Also, in nick's defense, this isn't a new argument made up just for the draft.  He's been touting it at least since the plamb days.

Actually been touting it since coaching youth ball and some parent didn't understand why I didn't pick his kid with the 2nd pick in the draft when he was the leagues best ball handler.

Ahh, coaching youth sports. The single most rewarding thing I might have ever done yet the thing that made me want to commit murder on parents as much as anything I have ever done.

You mean you didn't enjoy being asked "Hey coach, do you mind if we have a talk about my son's playing time?" a billion times a season?

The one I hated the most was "Hey coach why did you play that kid(supposed really bad player) instead of my kid during _______(Pick a critical juncture of the game). You lost us the freaking game." 

Lost US. I didn't know this 35 year old guy was on the team and playing. And I thought youth ball was about having fun, learning the game, having fun learning about team dynamics, having fun and getting in better physical condition.

What did I know.

[Rondo2287]

Writing up my presser right now.  Its a ton of work, but its gonna be good!

[JSD]

Coach:

Jerry Sloan


Starters:

C- Brook Lopez (35 MPG)


PF - Derrick Favors (31 MPG)


SF - Thaddeus Young (34 MPG)


SG - Evan Turner (35 MPG)


PG - Goran Dragic (25 MPG)


Sixth Man:

C - Spencer Hawes (30 MPG)


Veteran Bench:


Tony Battie - Matt Bonner - Luke Walton - Renaldo Balkman - Maurice Evans - Jason Williams.

The Rights To:

Ricky Rubio

What's that sound I hear?  It's either KC weeping about the Matthews pick, or the sound of victory after Jsaad took over the "team of the future" lead.

With the 10th pick of 6th round, the Portland Trailblazers select: The rights to Ricky Rubio


I feel the "Rubio looks like the real deal!" thread forced me to take him a little earlier than I wanted.

Brilliant pick, in my mind.

Sergio Rodriguez


Total Payroll:

$33.783 Million -- With such a low payroll, the Blazers maintain the financial flexibility to take advantage of teams giving away talent for economic reasons.



Philosophy/Decisions/Moves/Outlook:

The last two CB drafts I attempted to build a championship team, but to no avail. So this year I decided to change things up and try something new by going future. From that standpoint, Brook Lopez was a no brainier with the #10 pick. At age 22 and as a legitimate 7 Footer, he has all the tools to be a top big man in the league if he isn't already considered one by all. From there it was a matter of acquiring young talent that can grow along side Lopez or be a major chip in a trade that surrounds him.

Drafting Rubio early in the 6th was a tough decision because I thought it was early and I was preparing to get smashed on the draft board for it. But through the reactions of people, I think it turned out to be the best decision I made in the draft. The worst decision may have been taking Thadeus Young in the 3rd round to be my starting SF. I only say this because of some negative reaction. As a tweener 3/4, a lot of people aren't sold that he can start and be productive at the 3. However, considering the outlook of a season that is about making mistakes, learning and gaining experience for a young team, the 25 - 30 wins will equate to another lottery pick and flexibility to have Young to join Spencer Hawes on the bench, or combine and move him for someone that might fit better. He's still young and can help this team win the future in some capacity.

Thanks for everyone's patience. I hope you share the same optimism that I do for a team going up against a CelticBlog NBA that has a lot of talent spread out.

Kudos to Fafnir, Roy H., IP and the other moderators that help make this draft so fun.

[Donoghus]

Certainly love Lopez and Turner.  I think Favors will turn out to be a very solid ball player, also.  If Rubio comes back overseas, this will be a very entertaining team to watch for years to come. 

Can't necessarily say I'm a big fan of your depth, though.  None of your bench guys really do it for me although I do like Hawes. 

Still, way to draft a very solid "Team of the Future" candidate.

[Roy H.]

Questions for Portland:

I like what you've done, but do any of your guys have "elite superstar" potential?  If so, which ones?

Why take Lopez so early, rather than trading down somewhat in the first round?