How is my Pick 2 team?

[StartOrien]

I recognize that Ariza's become a poor shooter in NO;

His career stats show him to be a pretty poor shooter. He was extremely efficient in the playoffs with the Lakers, but his stats show that to be more of an abberation.

Still, I like the fit.

[Lucky17]

I recognize that Ariza's become a poor shooter in NO;

His career stats show him to be a pretty poor shooter. He was extremely efficient in the playoffs with the Lakers, but his stats show that to be more of an abberation.

Still, I like the fit.

Ha, I should have written "worse" instead of "poor."

[StartOrien]

Updated Minute Breakdown:

C: Demarcus Cousins (35) / Taj Gibson (13)
PF: Taj Gibson (19) / Andrea Bargnani (22) / Patrick Patterson (6)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (35) / Andre Bargnani (13)
SG: Andre Iguodala (38)/ Kyle Korver (12) / Toney Douglas (8 )
PG: Kirk Hinrich (30) / Toney Douglas (18)

Bargnani would only play 3 w/ a lineup of

Cousins
Gibson
Bargnani
Iguodala / Douglas
Hinrich / Douglas

Thoughts?

[Who]

Updated Minute Breakdown:

C: Demarcus Cousins (35) / Taj Gibson (13)
PF: Taj Gibson (19) / Andrea Bargnani (22) / Patrick Patterson (6)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (35) / Andre Bargnani (13)
SG: Andre Iguodala (38)/ Kyle Korver (12) / Toney Douglas (8 )
PG: Kirk Hinrich (30) / Toney Douglas (18)

You should play Bargnani at the five and Gibson at the four when they are on the court together.

That is the best use of their defensive attributes.

Taj Gibson's quick feet makes him an effective individual and team defender at the four whereas Bargnani's lack of quickness makes him a liability.

Bargnani's best defensive talent is his ability to defend the low post, post scorers, where he uses his size and length fairly well ... In contrast to Gibson who doesn't really have the girth to defend most centers.

[StartOrien]

Updated Minute Breakdown:

C: Demarcus Cousins (35) / Taj Gibson (13)
PF: Taj Gibson (19) / Andrea Bargnani (22) / Patrick Patterson (6)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (35) / Andre Bargnani (13)
SG: Andre Iguodala (38)/ Kyle Korver (12) / Toney Douglas (8 )
PG: Kirk Hinrich (30) / Toney Douglas (18)

You should play Bargnani at the five and Gibson at the four when they are on the court together.

That is the best use of their defensive attributes.

Taj Gibson's quick feet makes him an effective individual and team defender at the four whereas Bargnani's lack of quickness makes him a liability.

Bargnani's best defensive talent is his ability to defend the low post, post scorers, where he uses his size and length fairly well ... In contrast to Gibson who doesn't really have the girth to defend most centers.

Ya, either way the plan is to try and limit the amount of time that Cousins & Bargnani are together as the 4 and 5.

[KCattheStripe]

I think what Roy and I are getting at is that these players score well in the roles they're in on their current teams because they are surrounded by superior scorers. Landry Fields gets open looks because defense's have to account for Amar'e, Gallo, Felton and Chandler with double teams and quick shifts.Ibaka scores because of the attention Durnat, Westbrook and Green attract. On this team I don't see many offensive threats that cause a defensive team to rotate or double team.

Well, for arguments sake (before addressing your next post), I'd say that you're really underestimating Andrew Bogut. The best scorer he's had around him has been injured most of the year (John Salmons), with other guys being out extended time (Drew Gooden, Carlos Delfino) that should have contributed on the offensive end, and on top of that Brandon Jennings was attempting to take up the slack (still shooting poorly), but even he went down injured.

Through that Bogut has managed to shoot 50% (well, 49.7%), and score 13.5 points, despite often facing double teams and facing a slow recovery from the arm injury he suffered last April. I don't see how Bogut doesn't score significantly better next to guys like Pierce, Fields and Lowry, who are better distributors than anyone Milwaukee has at their positions, as well as a very good scorer in Pierce to take the pressure off him.

As far as 21 yr old Ibaka, 22 yr old Fields, and 24 yr old Lowry goes, I think telling these guys what they can and can't do is hazardous to your health. They're all under 25 and established starters, 2 of them for playoff teams, and all 3 scoring in double digits. I think as much as you say "they couldn't score, because they wouldn't have all the open looks", there isn't a guy on my team that is the volume scorer Stoudemire or Durant are...I don't see why they won't be able to score more with more shots.

For example with my Grizz, I'd have Marc Gasol man up against Bogut and the only person I'd consider doubling would be Pierce and even then I'd be okay with Deng and Gay Isoed on him. Offensively this team reminds me of the 2007 Celtics in that It's Pierce playing with solid low post threat but facing great difficulty getting everyone else open. But far superior defensively.

Gasol on Bogut would be interesting. I know that Gasol destroyed him the last time they faced each other, but I'd like to see how the teams work together.

They'd get more shots, but they'd be far tougher shots.

[Who]

I recognize that Ariza's become a poor shooter in NO;

His career stats show him to be a pretty poor shooter. He was extremely efficient in the playoffs with the Lakers, but his stats show that to be more of an abberation.

Still, I like the fit.

Trevor Ariza was also efficient in Houston after they acquired Kevin Martin.

Ariza is an efficient offensive player in offenses that rely on cutting and ball movement. It keeps him involved, gets him regular touches and he is more comfortable shooting in rhythm from those opportunities.

Ariza is an inefficient player when asked to create his own shot and/or to be a stand still shooter.

Alongside a guy like Nash, Ariza is going to be a stand still shooter most of the time so he is likely to repeat his NO's scoring efficiency numbers. 

[indeedproceed]

They'd get more shots, but they'd be far tougher shots.

A penetrating point guard, a feared scorer, a post man with excellent moves and decent passing skills and a 2 guard that always makes the smart pass and is one of the best in the league at getting the entry pass to the big man (although I can't vouch for that...that's just too much basketball, I read that here)...I don't think they're going to be paralyzed by suffocating defense as often at it might look..and that's just the starting 5.

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/02/08/tbj-positional-power-rankings-nba-shooting-guards-february-2011/

[fairweatherfan]

Sixers:

PG: Holiday/Maynor/T Evans
SG: T Evans/T Allen/E Turner
SF: M Williams/E Turner/T Allen
PF: Odom/Ed Davis/Pachulia
C: Varejao/K Brown/Pachulia/Ed Davis

It's probably true of everyone but I am a fan of my team.  Varejao and Pachulia were destined to play together and get under the skin of every big in the league.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Miami Heat:

Josh Smith/ Austin Daye
Lebron James/ Paul George
Boris Diaw/ Timofey Mozgov
Dwyane Wade
Jason Terry/ Ty Lawson

Coach: Ron Swanson

The Miami Heat - har, har, IP - my first and chief challenge was replacing the team's third All-Star, Chris Bosh. Bosh has ideal size at the four, and is far better suited to a role as the first or even second scoring option. But as the third option to a pair of ball-dominating swingmen, the difference between Bosh and Smith is negligible. Meanwhile, Smith is the better rebounder (9.2 REB per 36 versus 8.1 and 15 REB% vs. 9.4), a more willing passer, and a difference maker on the defensive end.

Terry starts, and largely plays off the ball. He's both a real perimeter threat, unlike Chalmers or Arroyo, and a more gifted 1 than House. He also sees most of the minutes at the 2 behind Wade. Lawson gives the team an aggressive on-ball defender and penetrator, who'll look great in transition, running alongside James, Wade and Smith.

Diaw reprises his Suns role as a small ball center. He's no worse off than 6'9" Joel Anthony. And while he's not a shot blocker he's otherwise a better defender, and unlike Joel actually has to be accounted for on the offensive end. I like what his passing out of the post gives a team with so many great slashers.

I also like the idea of playing Daye as a stretch 4 alongside Lebron and switching on defense.

George and Mozgov are a pair of high-upside rookies with all the physical tools.

[nickagneta]

Miami Heat:

Josh Smith/ Austin Daye
Lebron James/ Paul George
Boris Diaw/ Timofey Mozgov
Dwyane Wade
Jason Terry/ Ty Lawson

Coach: Ron Swanson

The Miami Heat - har, har, IP - my first and chief challenge was replacing the team's third All-Star, Chris Bosh. Bosh has ideal size at the four, and is far better suited to a role as the first or even second scoring option. But as the third option to a pair of ball-dominating swingmen, the difference between Bosh and Smith is negligible. Meanwhile, Smith is the better rebounder (9.2 REB per 36 versus 8.1 and 15 REB% vs. 9.4), a more willing passer, and a difference maker on the defensive end.

Terry starts, and largely plays off the ball. He's both a real perimeter threat, unlike Chalmers or Arroyo, and a more gifted 1 than House. He also sees most of the minutes at the 2 behind Wade. Lawson gives the team an aggressive on-ball defender and penetrator, who'll look great in transition, running alongside James, Wade and Smith.

Diaw reprises his Suns role as a small ball center. He's no worse off than 6'9" Joel Anthony. And while he's not a shot blocker he's otherwise a better defender, and unlike Joel actually has to be accounted for on the offensive end. I like what his passing out of the post gives a team with so many great slashers.

I also like the idea of playing Daye as a stretch 4 alongside Lebron and switching on defense.

George and Mozgov are a pair of high-upside rookies with all the physical tools.

One of the two best teams put together in this draft. Of course, that's kind of difficult to not be when starting with 2 of the 3 best players on the planet. But I really like what you've done with the team, especially defensively.

[Who]

I also like the idea of playing Daye as a stretch 4 alongside Lebron and switching on defense.

I'd play LeBron at the four defensively and keep Daye at the three.

LeBron is more able to battle power forwards in the paint than Daye is.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I also like the idea of playing Daye as a stretch 4 alongside Lebron and switching on defense.

I'd play LeBron at the four defensively and keep Daye at the three.

LeBron is more able to battle power forwards in the paint than Daye is.

Yeah, that's what I'd envisioned. And thanks for the much earlier tip on starting Terry. Do you buy Diaw at the 5?

One of the two best teams put together in this draft. Of course, that's kind of difficult to not be when starting with 2 of the 3 best players on the planet. But I really like what you've done with the team, especially defensively.

My motto: "It was like that when I got here."

[nickagneta]

I also like the idea of playing Daye as a stretch 4 alongside Lebron and switching on defense.

I'd play LeBron at the four defensively and keep Daye at the three.

LeBron is more able to battle power forwards in the paint than Daye is.

Yeah, that's what I'd envisioned. And thanks for the much earlier tip on starting Terry. Do you buy Diaw at the 5?

One of the two best teams put together in this draft. Of course, that's kind of difficult to not be when starting with 2 of the 3 best players on the planet. But I really like what you've done with the team, especially defensively.

My motto: "It was like that when I got here."

Touche. And congrats on robbing whoever gave you Smith and a pick for Millsap and Bell. I was surprised to find Bell was actually still playing ball. 

[nickagneta]

Sixers:

PG: Holiday/Maynor/T Evans
SG: T Evans/T Allen/E Turner
SF: M Williams/E Turner/T Allen
PF: Odom/Ed Davis/Pachulia
C: Varejao/K Brown/Pachulia/Ed Davis

It's probably true of everyone but I am a fan of my team.  Varejao and Pachulia were destined to play together and get under the skin of every big in the league.

This is definitely a "Not Ready for Prime Time" edition of an NBA team with Varejao hurt and soooooooooooooooo much youth. But in Holiday, Maynor, Turner, Davis and AV you have a team that can grow together and only get better. I really like Turner's game and think in another year or two he will break out to be a star. Not a superduper star but one on the level of say Andre Iguodala or Brandon Roy.