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

[Donoghus]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

[indeedproceed]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

Agreed. If the Celtics tried doing that I'd be writing criticisms daily and campaign to fire Danny Ainge. I just don't think it plays to his strengths, and it plays directly into his weaknesses.

[Roy H.]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

Agreed. If the Celtics tried doing that I'd be writing criticisms daily and campaign to fire Danny Ainge. I just don't think it plays to his strengths, and it plays directly into his weaknesses.

Starting KG at center isn't my biggest issue with the Cavs.  It's not ideal: it requires KG to play closer to the basket, leaving him less freedom to roam on the perimeter, and it matches him up against players who are stronger than him.  His defense against centers simply hasn't been as good as it has been against PFs.

However, the bigger issue is the players surrounding KG.  The Cavs have a rookie and three below-average defenders in their starting lineup, which is going to mean they struggle on that end, no matter how good KG is. Neither of their starting wings is particularly dynamic, and neither of the backup guards is well-rounder (Brooks is all offense, and Thabo is all-D). The backup bigs are unproven, and are nobody I'd want to count on for heavy minutes, which doesn't work for a team that's going to have to limit KG's minutes.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

Thanks Don, I appreciate it. Would you rather see #s, a zone pitch or more take downs like the one below?

Griffin/Garnett versus Millsap/Chandler

Griffin has two inches on Millsap and in thee games rang him up to the tune of 27 points per on 61% shooting, 14 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists. Meanwhile Chandler has just an inch on Garnett. And who's going to have trouble defending who, given Garnett's ability both to step out and put the ball on the floor? Chandler's range ends at the charge circle and he's a liability at the free throw line if KG does get tired.

Between the two Garnett gives up far fewer points in the paint (40th vs 101st) and guarding the roll man (1st vs 52nd). It's a wash scoring at the rim. KG is the better defensive rebounder. Chandler the far more dangerous offensive rebounder. And, KG misses fewer games - over his career and even over the past four seasons.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

Agreed. If the Celtics tried doing that I'd be writing criticisms daily and campaign to fire Danny Ainge. I just don't think it plays to his strengths, and it plays directly into his weaknesses.

Starting KG at center isn't my biggest issue with the Cavs.  It's not ideal: it requires KG to play closer to the basket, leaving him less freedom to roam on the perimeter, and it matches him up against players who are stronger than him.  His defense against centers simply hasn't been as good as it has been against PFs.

However, the bigger issue is the players surrounding KG.  The Cavs have a rookie and three below-average defenders in their starting lineup, which is going to mean they struggle on that end, no matter how good KG is. Neither of their starting wings is particularly dynamic, and neither of the backup guards is well-rounder (Brooks is all offense, and Thabo is all-D). The backup bigs are unproven, and are nobody I'd want to count on for heavy minutes, which doesn't work for a team that's going to have to limit KG's minutes.

All valid points, Roy. I'd only take exception to the characterization of Gallinari as un-dynamic. Not only is he a rangy 6'10" sharp shooter, he led first the Knicks and then the Nuggets in FTA per 36: 6.6 FTA in New York 11.1 with Denver; he was the 26th most efficient scorer in the NBA last season at 22 (although I know I place more importance on efficiency than you do); and he scores an outstanding 1.09 PPP when isolated, good for fifth in the league. Also, I watched a lot of Knicks ball, and I'm predicting an Eric Gordon-esque leap next season. I was right the last time and for what it's worth George Karl agrees.

Would it influence you at all if I told you that both Mozgov and Udoh are looking at major roles next season on their respective teams - Denver and Golden State - if not starting jobs?

Either way, I tip my cap.

[Roy H.]

Would it influence you at all if I told you that both Mozgov and Udoh are looking at major roles next season on their respective teams - Denver and Golden State - if not starting jobs?

I've got to see it to be convinced.  Once upon a time, Johan Petro was promised a large role on his respective team, too.  It could be in a year that you're able to say "I told you so", but for now, I'm waiting to see.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Would it influence you at all if I told you that both Mozgov and Udoh are looking at major roles next season on their respective teams - Denver and Golden State - if not starting jobs?

I've got to see it to be convinced.  Once upon a time, Johan Petro was promised a large role on his respective team, too.  It could be in a year that you're able to say "I told you so", but for now, I'm waiting to see.

That's what I do best!

[Rondo2287]

Start Rubio.

However, build a strong defense of playing Garnett @ Center.  That's going to be your biggest battle, IMO.

Thanks Don, I appreciate it. Would you rather see #s, a zone pitch or more take downs like the one below?

Griffin/Garnett versus Millsap/Chandler

Griffin has two inches on Millsap and in thee games rang him up to the tune of 27 points per on 61% shooting, 14 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists. Meanwhile Chandler has just an inch on Garnett. And who's going to have trouble defending who, given Garnett's ability both to step out and put the ball on the floor? Chandler's range ends at the charge circle and he's a liability at the free throw line if KG does get tired.

Between the two Garnett gives up far fewer points in the paint (40th vs 101st) and guarding the roll man (1st vs 52nd). It's a wash scoring at the rim. KG is the better defensive rebounder. Chandler the far more dangerous offensive rebounder. And, KG misses fewer games - over his career and even over the past four seasons.

You neglect to mention that Millsap also put up 17.3 pts 8.0 rbs 2.3 assists and his team happened to win all three games.  Finally, he will have Chandler backing him up at the rim vs a defensively challenged Big Al

And griffin played on average 8 more minutes per game that Millsap in those games

[indeedproceed]

I was just looking at Griffin V Stoudemire, and I'm not incredibly encouraged. Basically play each other to a stand-still. Amar'e averaged 4.5 fouls per game in the 2 meetings, but shot better. Both guys lived at the line in each of the games, and Griffin rebounded a little better.

Griffin also did this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqs0Zf_TJ2c

Of course, Amar'e played most of the game next to Timo or Turiaf, not Bogut.

[indeedproceed]

Why Jonas Jerebko is the most potent deep-bench weapon in the league, and you should all be ashamed you didn't draft him earlier:

Jerebko had a terrible year last season. Really bad. So bad he didn't make a single bucket in the regular season.

It was a sad thing, because he was the most pleasant surprise Detroit has had since Kid Rock stopped performing Baw-wi-da-baw. He was a second round draft pick in 2009, and an unknown import at that. People didn't know what to expect from him. But, Tayshaun Prince went down early in the year from injury and Jerebko showed them what he was worth. He didn't show them particularly freakish athleticism, he didn't shot them dead-eye long range shooting, or unparalleled scoring ability. He showed then completely unadulterated, unmitigated energy.

His numbers don't jump off the page. 9.3 pts, 6 boards, 31% from deep on just over 1 attempt per contest in 28 minutes per game on the season. Even on a Per-36 basis, he only averaged 12pts and 8 rebounds on a very respectable 48% shooting. His metries are good, but not great. 13% rebound rate (which is about as good as a starting NBA PF), 54.5% TS, 4.4 Win-shares %. A good player, but not elite by any means.

That didn't tell the whole story though. He dove for loose balls like Glen Davis fights for loose fries on the bottom of a McDonalds bag. He bothered opponents on defense better than Ludacris bothers Bill O'Reily. Detroit was a full 7.7 points better per 100 possessions when he was on the court, and allowed nearly 5 points less on defense per 100 when he was out there compared to when he wasn't.

That's why even when Tayshaun Prince came back from injury Jerbko kept a spot in the starting 5, and was moved over to the power-forward position, supplanting kinda-high profile free agent signee Charlie V.

But the story takes a detour there. He was supposed to take another step forward, to further elevate his game from a low-skill, high energy cog into a full fledged cornerstone. Alas, he did not.

He tore his achilles in a preseason game against LeBron James and the Heat. He missed the entire 2010-2011 season.

But now, he's recovered. He was dunking in April. He should be playing full 5-5 now. While most guys force themselves back from injury early on a contender, Detroit played the long game with Jerebko, because they know Prince was leaving town sooner than later. They didn't want to jeopardize their future starting 3 by forcing him back from injury before he was ready.

But make no mistake, by the end of the off-season/lockout, he'll be ready. If Fransisco Garcia or Amar'e Stoudemire miss some games, he'll be ready. If Derrick Williams proves himself to be unready for nearly 30 minutes a game, he'll be ready. Wherever there is unjustice, and bad men who do things to good people, he'll be ready. Wherever there is need of a pleasantly handsome Swedish man, he'll be ready. He'll be...Jonas JEREBKO!!!!!!

[Lucky17]

Shame on you, IP. You missed two important things that any self-respecting fan of JJ knows:

1. His nickname is the "Swedish Eagle."

2. While rehabbing his Achilles' injury last season, he underwent an aggressive rehab/weight training program with Pistons' trainer/voodoo shaman Arnie Kander, resulting in the addition of 15 pounds of muscle, without sacrificing any of his quickness.

[indeedproceed]

Shame on you, IP. You missed two important things that any self-respecting fan of JJ knows:

1. His nickname is the "Swedish Eagle."

2. While rehabbing his Achilles' injury last season, he underwent an aggressive rehab/weight training program with Pistons' trainer/voodoo shaman Arnie Kander, resulting in the addition of 15 pounds of muscle, without sacrificing any of his quickness.

I am pondering really working Jerebko into the rotation.

Also Lucky, you missed one important thing: Who ever said I was 'self-respecting'?

[Lucky17]

Shame on you, IP. You missed two important things that any self-respecting fan of JJ knows:

1. His nickname is the "Swedish Eagle."

2. While rehabbing his Achilles' injury last season, he underwent an aggressive rehab/weight training program with Pistons' trainer/voodoo shaman Arnie Kander, resulting in the addition of 15 pounds of muscle, without sacrificing any of his quickness.

I am pondering really working Jerebko into the rotation.

Also Lucky, you missed one important thing: Who ever said I was 'self-respecting'?

All right, we'll settle for "shameless."

In all seriousness, the kid works hard, has a great attitude, and is one of those players who leaves it on the floor every night. Easy to root for.

[nickagneta]

So Portland has the best deep bench threat in the league in  Jonas Jerebko. Very impressive.

Sactown will just have to settle for having the best team.

[Bahku]

Thoughts on my team? Someone ... anyone ... please?