2010 CB Draft: Northwest Division Press Conferences

[Donoghus]

Some of the units being trotted out there by Sacramento where Casspi was playing the SG position were pretty atrocious and I really thinks its unfair to point too much blame in Casspi's direction.  I mean Evans/Casspi/Nocioni/Thompson/Hawes isn't really a unit that is going to be the envy of too many GMs, especially on the defensive end. 

[StartOrien]

Josh Smith is one of my 5 favorite non-Celtics in the league, but to compare his ability to score in a half court set to Amare Stoudemire's is downright silly.

You don't think that Amare playing with an elite pg his entire career has made a difference in that opinion? I was saying that Smith can can a pass in the pick and roll and finish similarly to Amare, and I stand by that.

Finishing off the pick and roll isn't the only issue, though.  Amare is a much better shooter and a much better post player than Smith.

What I meant my original point to be, was that my team can score in the half court and they will do so in a similar style to Phoenix. Will they be as efficient as Phoenix? Of course not. Although, We don't need to be, because we have good defensive players who actually want to and have played defense in the past. If the other team slows the ball down they have to deal with a very tough defensive team when they are on offense. That being said we will force the tempo at every turn.

It's a good team, don't kid me. But I don't think your defense makes up for the deficincies I think you'd have in the half court offense. That's why I think you're just outside of an elite team.

[Greenbean]

Josh Smith is one of my 5 favorite non-Celtics in the league, but to compare his ability to score in a half court set to Amare Stoudemire's is downright silly.

You don't think that Amare playing with an elite pg his entire career has made a difference in that opinion? I was saying that Smith can can a pass in the pick and roll and finish similarly to Amare, and I stand by that.

Finishing off the pick and roll isn't the only issue, though.  Amare is a much better shooter and a much better post player than Smith.

What I meant my original point to be, was that my team can score in the half court and they will do so in a similar style to Phoenix. Will they be as efficient as Phoenix? Of course not. Although, We don't need to be, because we have good defensive players who actually want to and have played defense in the past. If the other team slows the ball down they have to deal with a very tough defensive team when they are on offense. That being said we will force the tempo at every turn.

It's a good team, don't kid me. But I don't think your defense makes up for the deficincies I think you'd have in the half court offense. That's why I think you're just outside of an elite team.

I am curious to why you put me below Minny which you think has a flaw such as half court offense.

The only negative you mention is that I do not have an alpha male type but I would counter that this is a plus for a team. A balanced attack like European b-ball.

The Thunder can run, can post, can defend the perimeter, block shots, provide scoring depth at almost every position. Just sayin...

Thanks for the analysis by the way.

[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"?  

[Greenbean]

Here's how I sees it:

1. Denver

I really like the talent on this team. My concerns here would be chemistry (a lot of fast tempo players to surround Tim Duncan with), perimiter scoring in a half court set, and to a lesser degree shooting. Still, there's enough talent for me to take them at the 1 spot.

2. Utah

I just don't think under any circumstances you can expect anything more than a half a season out of Yao Ming. Missing a year and a half is enough for me, but he also has had a long history of missing 35+ games a season. In the event he was healthy for a full season, I think you could still argue that Denver's combo of Duncan and Darko would be enough to atleast slow Gasol & Yao down enough. I think under these circumstances you'd go with Utah, but still, in my opinion there's no way Yao makes it.

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3. Minnesota

Minnesota would be my favorite team to watch in the division no doubt. And I also really like their flexibility. Unfortunately, I think lack of scoring in a half court set separates them from the elite. You can push, and push and push, at some point the game slows down.

4. OKC
I really like the collection of talent on this team, and I think they really run deep. Unfortunately, I think this team lacks the alpha-male they'd need in order to compete.

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5. Portland
Too young to compete right now. But I think people don't realize just how good they should be in the future. IMO, no question about it, this is the team of the future, and I don't think there's an argument about it.

I think I can consistently score with Josh Smith rolling to the hoop on a pick and roll with Deron Williams, when the defense collapses Roddy can shoot 3's and Howard can hit mid range jumpers. Pretty much the exact same way Phoenix scored in the half court.

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

[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.

[StartOrien]

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Probably the greatest in the history of the game.

[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.

[Fafnir]

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Probably the greatest in the history of the game.

KG, Tim Duncan, and Amar'e are all confused by your statement.

[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.

[StartOrien]

Is Dwight Howard a good pick and roll player?

Probably the greatest in the history of the game.

KG, Tim Duncan, and Amar'e are all confused by your statement.

In my opinion, if you want to run the perfect pick and roll, it starts with Baron Davis and it ends with Dwight Howard. Thats followed up by a Kosta Koufos dance

[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".

[StartOrien]

6'11 according to ESPN & basketball reference

[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.

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



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".

[Greenbean]

The point is he can do this...



IMO no one else in the NBA can