2010 CelticsBlog Draft: Southwest Division Press Conferences

[The Walker Wiggle]

Please note: that the GM of the New Orleans Buccaneers actually fully expects Lou Amundson to sign in the NBA.

On an unrelated note:



Points allowed per possession in the post (courtesy of Synergy Sports).

Let me know if there's interest in players 21 through 40-ish.

[nickagneta]

Please note: that the GM of the New Orleans Buccaneers actually fully expects Lou Amundson to sign in the NBA.

As do I.

But when it gets this late one never knows especially if the player is looking at a minimum contract and some overseas team is willing to shell out bucks for a year.

I can't understand the Suns stance on not bringing this guy back right away. If the C's sign him for the min and could trade Baby for a back up small forward, I would be all for that.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'm a big fan of Jrue Holiday, but does he have the experience to lead a team deep into the playoffs?

Raja Bell played 6 games last year, and is 34 years old.  How much does he have left?  

Similarly, Antonio McDyess is old (36) and his game has been declining.  How big a contributor can he be?

Oof. Simultaneously too young and too old?

Holiday only needs to continue to produce in post All-Star break fashion. (Though ideally he would also cut down on his turnovers to a degree and draw more FTA.) By all accounts he's more than up to the task. There's certainly precedent for teams to succeed with second year point guards (Most recently Boston and San Antonio). And on those occasions he falters, the Bucs have a more than capable back up in Beno Udrih.

McDyess has shown great durability in the later half of his career, played in 77 games last season, started 50, and had enough left that both his minutes and production increased in the postseason. He remains, in 18-20 mpg, a committed rebounder and solid defender; and in recent years has developed into a fairly deadly mid-range shooter who can pick and pop, screen and roll, and catch and move.

As for Bell, he's made a full recovery from a operation on his left wrist (his non-shooting hand). He's averaged 77 games played in the three previous seasons and the Jazz certainly appear confident that he'll be able to contribute. (He's currently penciled in as that team's starting shooting guard.)

Kevin O'Connor lauded Bell for being "as competitive and as caring about wins and losses as our head coach is." The Jazz GM also claimed Bell fills two immediate Jazz needs: outside shooting and perimeter defense. Bell is not only a career 41.1 percent 3-point shooter, but he's also twice been named to the NBA's All-Defensive Team, including a first team honor in 2006-07.

"We feel like we got two-in-one," O'Connor said. "And we're greatly relieved, to be honest with you, to fill that position and fill it with the guy that we've got in Raja."

[KCattheStripe]

Please note: that the GM of the New Orleans Buccaneers actually fully expects Lou Amundson to sign in the NBA.

On an unrelated note:



Points allowed per possession in the post (courtesy of Synergy Sports).

Let me know if there's interest in players 21 through 40-ish.

Dear\ 2009 CBNBA Memphis Grizzlies, you were way better than anyone gave you credit for.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'm also happy to give otherwise scare spot minutes to my other promising young big man Timofey Mozgov.

Mosgov is a very nice third string center. I don't think you included him in your press release anywhere. You should add him into the depth chart there.

Useful bench player even if not a regular rotation guy because of his size. Offers something different to McDyess, Kleiza and Najera. He'll be useful against tall talented front lines.  

Thank you Who. Good looking out. (TP.) Pressed for time today, and rushed through the team's end of the bench. Added Mozgov to the rotation.

I also have high hopes for my double Ls Ws, Elliot Williams and Dorell Wright.

Is it harder to believe Wright is a seventh year veteran or still only 24? He developed an effective three point shot (38.9) that helped to make 2009-2010 his most efficient season (56.7 TS%) and improved his defense to the point that he was often the Heat's best SF. Though the focus on perimeter play also equaled a decline in rebounding and shot blocking.

And Elliot Williams:

According to those within the Blazers organization who have scouted him for years, Williams is an exceptional athlete, versatile defender and intelligent player. He needs to improve his jump shot and ball-handling, but the Blazers believe they landed a player who is perfectly suited for the NBA.

"Elliot is a freaky athlete," said Chad Buchanan, the Blazers' director of college scouting. "He's got to learn some tricks at his position and tighten up his handle a little bit. But he's ready to step in and make some plays from Day 1. For certain guys, the NBA game comes easier for them than the college game. Elliot's that type of guy."

The Blazers were so high on the 6-foot-5 combo guard, they rated him the second-best athlete in last month's NBA draft behind only No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall. Before the draft, during an individual workout in Santa Monica, Calif., Williams registered a 48-inch vertical leap.

The highest mark measured at this year's NBA draft combine was 40 inches.

[Lucky17]

This division is really a two team race between Houston and New Orleans. I just don't like any of the other three teams.

1. New Orleans - I know I am going to catch flak for going against what I have been preaching about rookies in this game for the past 4-5 days but I am a huge believer in Cousins and think he will be a 15/9 guy right out of the box. His team defense won't be great but his strength and length will be an effective deterrent in the low post and Horford will help pick up the slack in what Cousins misses in rotational defense. While I don't love the PGs here I don't think they will be such a draw back given the quality of Gordon, WQalace, Horford, Cousins, Kleiza and Bell.

2. Houston - again going to take some flak for wanting JJ Hickson to prove it too me while I give the benefit of the doubt to rookie DeMarcus Cousins, I just haven't seen anything from Hickson to believe he has the ability to take the next step many are projecting. I also am not a huge Dalambert fan unless he has a top 10-15 PF in front of him. As I have said elsewhere though, I love the Parker, Afflalo, Mayo, Granger combo which I think will help to overcome what I see as weakness in the frontcourt for this team.  

3. San Antonio - really don't want to put them here because I feel they will implode and fall apart but I have too

4. Memphis - I love Love, Morrow, Dudley and Evans and not a lot more about this team

5. Dallas - self destruction of a team that was probably the best constructed team in the division before the trades means they go to the bottom of the division.

I don't recall seeing a Memphis presser. Who have they got?

Trying to sort out my conference rankings, and realized I never assessed my own division.

[WeMadeIt17]

No love for San Antonino? Really New Orleans better lineup then

Harris
Harden
Artest
Bosh
Ibaka?

[KCattheStripe]

No love for San Antonino? Really New Orleans better lineup then

Harris
Harden
Artest
Bosh
Ibaka?

Yes.

[nickagneta]

No love for San Antonino? Really New Orleans better lineup then

Harris
Harden
Artest
Bosh
Ibaka?

No question

[The Walker Wiggle]

Better luck next time Greg.