2010 CelticsBlog Draft: Atlantic Division Press Conferences

[Roy H.]

Here, each of the GMs representing a team in the Atlantic Division will provide an introduction / summary of their team, draft strategy, etc.  Other members should ask questions (directed to one or more GMs), and those GMs should attempt to answer the questions as well as they can.

For those participating, the opening blurbs can include some or all of the following:

1. Roster / depth chart
2. Statistics
3. Pictures
4. Statement regarding drafting philosophy (building for the future, contending now, etc.)
5. Toughest decision
6. Best move (trade, pick, etc.) / worst move
7. Your outlook for this coming season

It can be as substantial or as abbreviated as you want it to be.  These threads are open to all members, not just those posters who participated in the draft.  The more participation we get, the better.

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Boston Celtics press conference: Pending

New Jersey Nets conference: Pending

New York Knicks press conference: Pending

Philadelphia 76ers press conference:  Pending

Toronto Raptors press conference: Pending

[Roy H.]

I'm worried that there won't be a lot of activity in this thread; a lot of the GMs seem to have gone somewhat AWOL after the draft, and Edgar said his press conference may not be complete today.

[Fafnir]

Those GMs who don't post a press conference will not be allowed to vote.

[StartOrien]

...and they called the East the better conference...

[Fafnir]

I think the East is still better StartOrien. More top tier teams in the conference.

[StartOrien]

I think the East is still better StartOrien. More top tier teams in the conference.

Ha, I agree, just having some fun. East to me seems a lot like it does in real life, a few real contenders, and a couple pretty bad teams.

[Edgar]

Get ready to be Blown by the ALL MIGHTY TORONTO ANGRYCROTORPICKELS!!!!!!!
Theres no need for more Threads in this conference
they already give up to us!

[riah32]

I'm done with my other than I gotta play with it to make the pictures show up.

[Fafnir]

I think the East is still better StartOrien. More top tier teams in the conference.

Ha, I agree, just having some fun. East to me seems a lot like it does in real life, a few real contenders, and a couple pretty bad teams.

I think there are many more just "good" teams in our fake east than the real life one.

[riah32]

still have difficulties pry wont have mine up till later in the day. Unless someone wants to make it so the pictures show up in my presser.

[Fafnir]

still have difficulties pry wont have mine up till later in the day. Unless someone wants to make it so the pictures show up in my presser.

Throw it up sans pictures so we can talk about something!

Honestly the pictures just clog things up.

[Roy H.]

still have difficulties pry wont have mine up till later in the day. Unless someone wants to make it so the pictures show up in my presser.

Where are the pictures hosted?

I'd say just post what you have so people can start asking questions, and we'll help you with the pics.

[riah32]

Here it is without the pictures....

Boston Celtics:



Coach: Pat Riley

 



Pg:Rajon Rondo

  

2009-20010 stats: Pts 13.7 Reb 4.4 Ast 9.8
Rondo will be expected to run the offense like he currently does with the Celtics which is run first and then run pick and roll with Bogut/Landry. He will Run pick and Pop with Jason Kapono at times as well.


Sg: Brandon Rush

 


Pts 9.4 Reb 4.2 Ast 1.4

Brandon will be used to space the floor and should see incresase numbers playing alongside Rondo. He has never played with a guard as good as Rondo in the NBA. Brandon also shot 41% from three point land last year.

SF: Travis Outlaw

 

Pts 9.1 Reb 3.6 Ast 1.0

Outlaw will mainly be counted on for his defense and 3pt ability. He will not be asked to contribute more than he normal does but should see increase in his numbers as well playing with Rondo and Bogut.

PF Carl Landry

 

Pts 16.8 Reb 5.8 Ast 0.8


Carl was a productive member of the Houston Rockets when they were in the playoffs a few years back. I also think it is important that he is back at PF instead of C. I believe him and Bogut will make a nice 2 headed monster down low.


C Andrew Bogut:

 

Pts 15.9 Reb 10.2 Ast 1.8

The Celtics feel Andrew is a superstar in the making. We are not concerned about his arm injury either as the reports were getting back are all good. We also feel we have capable backups in the frontcourt to limit his mintues at the start of the season. He should also make a nice pick and roll partner for Rondo and those two should create lots of headaches for teams.

Sixth Man:
G/F J. R. Smith

 

Pts 15.4 Reb 3.1 Ast 2.4

We think and hope Pat Riley will be able to keep him under control. We expect JR Smith to play big mintues off the bench in a similar role to the role he has with Denver. We are also not concerned about his choking of another player either. We believe he may be come a valueable trade asset come trade deadline.

Key Reserves:

Juwan Howard
-savoy vet presence when on the court and a productive year for Portland last year.

Kris Humphries
-good rebounded and defender, contributes enough on the offensive end

Will Bynum
-instant spark of the bench

Devin Ebanks
-excellent defender in college who can guard multiple positions. Will be a main defensive stopper.

Jason Kapono-
3pt specialist nothing more nothing less

Nazr Mohammad
-defensive Center who scores occasionally

Jordan Crawford
-young rookie who can flat out score

Draft Strategy:

Well I decided to grab Rondo as the 9th pick overall with the plan on picking up a center with my second pick of the 1st round hence the pick of Bogut. I then tried to move my 4th round pick for some extra picks but settled on dropping back a few spots and grabbing an extra 10th rounder.  I then tried to shape a team around Bogut and Rondo.

Lineups:

I played to use Rondo and Bogut anywhere from 35-38 minutes a game maybe more for Rondo if it was needed. I think we have a fair deep bench and can run a bunch of seasoned vets on there along with some Rookies and young bodies. I feel this mixture will allow us to create mismatches. Nazr Muhammad will probably see 10-15 minutes a night with Juwan Howard splitting time with Humphries at PF and Mohammad at backup center.  One of my secret weapons I feel is Jason Kapono who will spend most of his time out on the court when Rondo is out on the court do to the fact Kapono will get a lot of open looks.  

Offensive Lineup:

Pg: Rondo
SG: Rush or Smith-depends on whose got the hot hand going
Sf:Kapono
PF:Landry
C:Bogut

Defensive:
Pg: Rondo
SG: Rush -possibly Ebanks if he can prove to be as good a defender as he was in college
Sf: Outlaw
Pf: Landry
C: Bogut
I feel are rebound ability will help us in a big way especially with Rondo’s ability to rebound as well.


Toughest Decision:

Trading Corey Maggette away because I like that fact that he was a scoring machine. I think an equally tough decision was taking Rondo when I did.

Outlook:
This team can be very dangerous imo I think we can make some noise in the playoffs make it to the ECF and win it all if we get the right matchups along the way. I think we have a ton of depth and some nice trade assets that come trade deadline time we could use to acquire a missing piece if needed. This team kind of reminds me of a mix of last years Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. I think Rondo and Bogut make the players around them better.

Not sure how fast i'll answer questions. You can tell were I had by pictures by the caps in my starting 5 and 6th man

[Roy H.]

This isn't a question so much as it's an observation:  I really like Pat Riley as coach of this roster.  I think he'll be able to get the most out of the players here.

In terms of questions:

1.  What's Bogut's current health look like?

2.  Why is your team better than division rivals in Toronto and New York?

3.  Travis Outlaw's development has seemed to stagnate a bit over the past couple of seasons, and Brandon Rush has developed slower than expected.  Are you confident that they can both be starters?

4.  Carl Landry's stats were probably a bit inflated because he played on two teams without great big men, in Houston and Sacramento.  What type of production will Landry put up next to Bogut?

[Rondo2287]

Boston,
I see three of your starters Being question marks, Bogut's Health, I think Rush is still a couple years away from being a dependable starter for a contender, and Outlaw has only started 32 games in his 7 year career.  Why should these not be glaring questions for voters?