2011 CB draft: How does my team look?/division rankings

[celticpride07]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

[Roy H.]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Yeah, there's a ton to still be sorted out.  I like Denver and Portland more due to fit.  I think there will be nights when your team is absolutely unbeatable.  Other nights, though, I think there will be very real defensive issues that hold your team back.  Also, Kaman / Hickson is a weak big man duo, and I think lots of teams are going to kill you up front.  So, defense + rebounding are areas I'd love to see you improve.

Right now, I see OKC as a playoff team, but I don't see it as a contender.  However, there's obviously still plenty of time to change that perception.

[indeedproceed]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball.  

Hickson is at his best when he's put in a position to succeed around the rim. Melo is at his best (and worst) when he's in an iso against a mismatch (which is basically 95% of the SF's in teh NBA), Kobe is at his best when he plays a more versatile game, but for that he's got to trust his teammates.

Plus, both Hickson and Kaman are average (Kaman) to well below average (Hickson) defenders. Pair that with Melo at the 3 (inconsistent defender), and it becomes a very serious problem.

[celticpride07]

hickson had the 9th best rebounding rate in the league at pf.  He is very talented and possibly underrated. and melo had the 2nd best rebounding rate for starting sf behind gerald wallace.

[indeedproceed]

hickson had the 9th best rebounding rate in the league.  He is very talented and possibly underrated.

Yeah his rebounding got significantly better this year.

[Who]

hickson had the 9th best rebounding rate in the league.  He is very talented and possibly underrated.

Yeah his rebounding got significantly better this year.

Looking forward to seeing whether Hickson can maintain that rebounding prowess next season.

Personally, I doubt it. He played a lot more minutes at the five (more rebounding opportunities) + was playing on a team that was getting killed on the boards (fourth worst in the league in rebounding differential). So I think Hickson was padding his stats (rebounds) a bit. And prior to last season, he hadn't shown much effort in his rebounding.

I hope he does though. I hope he keeps up that effort. Even if he falls off a little bit, keep up the effort and be a 10 per 36 guy at PF. That's well within his reach if he continues to focuses on his rebounding.

[indeedproceed]

hickson had the 9th best rebounding rate in the league.  He is very talented and possibly underrated.

Yeah his rebounding got significantly better this year.

Looking forward to seeing whether Hickson can maintain that rebounding prowess next season.

Personally, I doubt it. He played a lot more minutes at the five (more rebounding opportunities) + was playing on a team that was getting killed on the boards (fourth worst in the league in rebounding differential). So I think Hickson was padding his stats (rebounds) a bit. And prior to last season, he hadn't shown much effort in his rebounding.

Plus with Varejao out (better rebounder), James out (one of the best rebounders at the 3) and Shaq gone (best rebounder on CLE last year), someone had to get some of those boards.

[celticpride07]

hickson had the 9th best rebounding rate in the league.  He is very talented and possibly underrated.

Yeah his rebounding got significantly better this year.

Looking forward to seeing whether Hickson can maintain that rebounding prowess next season.

Personally, I doubt it. He played a lot more minutes at the five (more rebounding opportunities) + was playing on a team that was getting killed on the boards (fourth worst in the league in rebounding differential). So I think Hickson was padding his stats (rebounds) a bit. And prior to last season, he hadn't shown much effort in his rebounding.

Plus with Varejao out (better rebounder), James out (one of the best rebounders at the 3) and Shaq gone (best rebounder on CLE last year), someone had to get some of those boards.

hickson should start for the kings so he has a good chance to keep those numbers up.

[indeedproceed]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball. 

You know what might be a nice trade is with Lucky. Hickson for Haslem + picks.

Lucky's got Noah and other plus defenders to hide Hickson's deficiencies, and he's got Nash to exploit his strengths. Haslem's got that money jumper, great defense and good work ethic Kobe would respect, and he's really going to help your ability to defend the pick and roll, as well as matchup with more talented power forwards within the division (see Bosh, and STAT).

[Lucky17]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball. 

You know what might be a nice trade is with Lucky. Hickson for Haslem + picks.

Lucky's got Noah and other plus defenders to hide Hickson's deficiencies, and he's got Nash to exploit his strengths. Haslem's got that money jumper, great defense and good work ethic Kobe would respect, and he's really going to help your ability to defend the pick and roll, as well as matchup with more talented power forwards within the division (see Bosh, and STAT).

Interesting idea. I'm not so bullish on Hickson, though. I like Haslem for the same reasons: grit, defense, and that mid-range jumper.

[indeedproceed]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball. 

You know what might be a nice trade is with Lucky. Hickson for Haslem + picks.

Lucky's got Noah and other plus defenders to hide Hickson's deficiencies, and he's got Nash to exploit his strengths. Haslem's got that money jumper, great defense and good work ethic Kobe would respect, and he's really going to help your ability to defend the pick and roll, as well as matchup with more talented power forwards within the division (see Bosh, and STAT).

Interesting idea. I'm not so bullish on Hickson, though. I like Haslem for the same reasons: grit, defense, and that mid-range jumper.

You know, you might be right.

Look at Hickson's shot location success:

http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=J.J.%20Hickson

32% on all shots outside the rim area isn't probably the guy you want to pair next to Noah.

[nickagneta]

Atlantic:

1. Philly*
2. Nets*
3. Boston*
4. Knicks*

Central:

1. Pawnee*   
2. El Salvador*
3. Detroit
4. Chicago

Southeast:

1. Washington*
2. Orlando*
3. Miami
4. Atlanta

=================================================

Southwest:

1. Memphis*
2. Cleveland*
3. Dallas
4. San Antonio

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2.(tie) Portland*
2. (tie)OKC*
4. Utah

Pacific:

1. Sacramento*
2. Phoenix*
3. Golden State*
4. Los Angeles


My divisional rankings aren't all that different than Roy's except in the Atlantic which I see as a very close division from top to bottom.

I left the playoff teams the same as I really couldn't disagree with them but think that Dallas and San Antonio are right on the heals of the 7 and 8 spots in the West. In the east there are probably right now three playoff teams that wouldn't make the playoffs if they were out west.

I will say we are only through the first week and trades and drafting surprises and talented players dropping farther down the draft will happen and anything is still possible and teams could get a lot better and a lot worse. So take this as a very preliminary look.

At this time I think there are 7 clear title contenders, 2 in the East and 5 out West. But once again, that could all change.

I think there are two clear teams that have separated themselves for Team of the Future and one is clearly in the lead.

Again, this is just my opinion and not that of the Sacramento Kings as the Kings vote will be a collaborated combined vote so please do not associate these ranking as those belonging to the Kings. Rondo and I will confer and may have a very different view on things as a team.

[celticpride07]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball. 

You know what might be a nice trade is with Lucky. Hickson for Haslem + picks.

Lucky's got Noah and other plus defenders to hide Hickson's deficiencies, and he's got Nash to exploit his strengths. Haslem's got that money jumper, great defense and good work ethic Kobe would respect, and he's really going to help your ability to defend the pick and roll, as well as matchup with more talented power forwards within the division (see Bosh, and STAT).

Interesting idea. I'm not so bullish on Hickson, though. I like Haslem for the same reasons: grit, defense, and that mid-range jumper.

You know, you might be right.

Look at Hickson's shot location success:

http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=J.J.%20Hickson

32% on all shots outside the rim area isn't probably the guy you want to pair next to Noah.

hicksons more productive when hes not the main guy look at his numbers with and without lebron.  hickson would not be taking alot of shots with a kobe/melo team and he can focus on rebounding which is a strength for him.

2009 fga  6.4 fg% 55%
2010 fga  11.9 fg% 45%

[nickagneta]

Northwest:

1. Denver*
2. Portland*
------------------ (gap)
3. OKC*
4. Utah

Denver has put together a heck of a team for sure, plus, they're nicely situated to have the deepest team in the league. I have no problem with this assessment.

i think kobe and melo would be better than 3rd in division. we will see once the roster is filled out.

Gotta figure out some kind of ball distribution plan, and you might be right. Honestly considering that neither Hickson or Kaman are talented passers (see Odom, Gasol, Shaq) you might want to look there to make it more plausible. Both of them are virtual black holes once they get the ball. 

You know what might be a nice trade is with Lucky. Hickson for Haslem + picks.

Lucky's got Noah and other plus defenders to hide Hickson's deficiencies, and he's got Nash to exploit his strengths. Haslem's got that money jumper, great defense and good work ethic Kobe would respect, and he's really going to help your ability to defend the pick and roll, as well as matchup with more talented power forwards within the division (see Bosh, and STAT).

Interesting idea. I'm not so bullish on Hickson, though. I like Haslem for the same reasons: grit, defense, and that mid-range jumper.

I concur. Really like Haslem and next to Noah who is a low post player almost exclusively, Haslem and his mid range game is much better.

Besides, I have to question the behind the scenes intangibles of Hickson if one year, before he saw any real playing time, he is being talked about as trade bait for Shaq  and then after he sees playing time is then being trade for ____ ________, an underwhelming SF.

[action781]

You know, you might be right.

Look at Hickson's shot location success:

http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=J.J.%20Hickson

32% on all shots outside the rim area isn't probably the guy you want to pair next to Noah.

hicksons more productive when hes not the main guy look at his numbers with and without lebron.  hickson would not be taking alot of shots with a kobe/melo team and he can focus on rebounding which is a strength for him.

2009 fga  6.4 fg% 55%
2010 fga  11.9 fg% 45%

I agree that Hickson plays best when not a primary or even secondary option on offense.  Funny you guys don't like his rebounding.  When I think of Hickson, I picture somebody attacking the offensive glass.

Hickson is a very good finisher near the rim and I think that Nash is the guy that could get him more looks near the rim better than anybody else.  I think he'd be great on Lucky's team.  I think he'll be able to make a nice living playing off all the attention that Melo and Kobe get in OKC though.