CB Draft 2011 Atlantic Division Press Conferences

[Roy H.]

Going back to GC's earlier point about players having reputations, take David West.

West has a reputation of being a pretty poor defender, despite the Hornets being a pretty good defensive team.  However, last season, that reputation was completely unfair.  West ranked 70th in the entire NBA for points allowed per possession, at .82.  That's an excellent number. He was very good against the P&R and in the post in particular, and overall, he allowed opponents to shoot 37.4% against him (and 37.4% on post-ups, as well).

In other words, not only was David West not a poor defender last year, but in fact he was a very, very good one.  I think that bodes very well for Philly's chances this year.

[Kane3387]

A question to all GMs, to some extent:

As of right now, without hearing all arguments, here's how I see things shaking out:

1.  Philly
2.  New York
3.  New Jersey
4.  Boston

And here's how I see the bottom of the conference preliminarily:

7. New Jersey
8. Orlando
9. Boston

Explain why I'm right / wrong, and if you're Boston, convince me you're better than New Jersey and/or the Magic.

Honeslty I think Philly's achilles heel is Hinrich -- who I've long thought was underrated but looked older last year than he should. His production has gone down quietly in the past 3-4 years and just doesn't have the same speed to be the defender he once was.

I think he'll have a hard time keeping up with the younger Nick Young runnng off screens (assuming PHI moves Wade over to DWill).


Boston is a well-constructed team -- KC and I think a lot a like -- but Turkoglu looked horrible last year again and they have too many young guys and not enough leadership... I don't think Horford can be your alpha-dog and Gordon/Holiday just aren't experienced enough yet. They're a year or three away from getting over the 50 win plateau.

If there are questions about NYK's scoring I think there have to be about NJ's too... very little consistent bench output and Perkins and Rip Hamilton have missed a lot of time with injuries. Durant is an all-world talent but does he make those guys that much better?

I'm biased, but i say:

1. NY
2. PHI
3. BOS (edge over NJ b/c of top-to-bottom talent)
4. NJ

I like Wade and Igoudala as a duo but there are better duos out there. I think this is a small team though with Andy at Center. I think it lacks an explosive PF also. This team needs to run. I don't like Hinrich's decisions in the open court but I think Wade will be leading a lot breaks. Still I don't like Hinrich on a fast paced team which I think this team needs to be due to its lack of front court size.

This is a playoff team in the east but they are going to get beaten up by Indiana.

[Fafnir]

Going back to GC's earlier point about players having reputations, take David West.

West has a reputation of being a pretty poor defender, despite the Hornets being a pretty good defensive team.  However, last season, that reputation was completely unfair.  West ranked 70th in the entire NBA for points allowed per possession, at .82.  That's an excellent number. He was very good against the P&R and in the post in particular, and overall, he allowed opponents to shoot 37.4% against him (and 37.4% on post-ups, as well).

In other words, not only was David West not a poor defender last year, but in fact he was a very, very good one.  I think that bodes very well for Philly's chances this year.

Of course that begs the question why did he give such poor defensive efforts in the past? Was his improved effort level due to his impending free agency?

[KCattheStripe]

Going back to GC's earlier point about players having reputations, take David West.

West has a reputation of being a pretty poor defender, despite the Hornets being a pretty good defensive team.  However, last season, that reputation was completely unfair.  West ranked 70th in the entire NBA for points allowed per possession, at .82.  That's an excellent number. He was very good against the P&R and in the post in particular, and overall, he allowed opponents to shoot 37.4% against him (and 37.4% on post-ups, as well).

In other words, not only was David West not a poor defender last year, but in fact he was a very, very good one.  I think that bodes very well for Philly's chances this year.

Of course that begs the question why did he give such poor defensive efforts in the past? Was his improved effort level due to his impending free agency?

Also, will he be able to defend that well after the injury he had?

[Who]

Going back to GC's earlier point about players having reputations, take David West.

West has a reputation of being a pretty poor defender, despite the Hornets being a pretty good defensive team.  However, last season, that reputation was completely unfair.  West ranked 70th in the entire NBA for points allowed per possession, at .82.  That's an excellent number. He was very good against the P&R and in the post in particular, and overall, he allowed opponents to shoot 37.4% against him (and 37.4% on post-ups, as well).

In other words, not only was David West not a poor defender last year, but in fact he was a very, very good one.  I think that bodes very well for Philly's chances this year.

Of course that begs the question why did he give such poor defensive efforts in the past? Was his improved effort level due to his impending free agency?

I think you have to give a huge amount of credit to the coaching staff - Monty Williams and Michael Malone.

They did an outstanding job of rebuilding that team's defense after several players, especially Okafor + D.West, performed woefully the year before.

[Roy H.]

I like Wade and Igoudala as a duo but there are better duos out there. I think this is a small team though with Andy at Center. I think it lacks an explosive PF also. This team needs to run. I don't like Hinrich's decisions in the open court but I think Wade will be leading a lot breaks. Still I don't like Hinrich on a fast paced team which I think this team needs to be due to its lack of front court size.

This is a playoff team in the east but they are going to get beaten up by Indiana.

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

First, regarding size:  Hinrich is big for his position, and Wade / AI2 are about average for theirs (and certainly have no trouble defending the position).  David West is 6'9", which I'd say is about average for a PF, and Varejao is 6'10", the same height as Kendrick Perkins.  I don't think size is going to be a huge problem, and I don't think there's going to be anything that precludes the Sixers from playing playoff style halfcourt offense.  In fact, having three facilitators / ball-movers in the starting lineup should only help when they slow things down.

Also, as to David West not being explosive:  well, he's not Blake Griffin.  However, he 19/8 on 51% shooting last year.  Among PFs, he was 8th in scoring. 

I haven't fully analyzed the specific matchups between Philly and Pawnee, so I can't really speak to that.  I don't think the 76ers will get beat up by anybody on a consistent basis, though.  They're a tough, defensive-minded, deep team.

[mgent]

Honeslty I think Philly's achilles heel is Hinrich -- who I've long thought was underrated but looked older last year than he should. His production has gone down quietly in the past 3-4 years and just doesn't have the same speed to be the defender he once was.

Non-issue.  If it's a speed PG like Rondo, Paul or Rose, then Wade will take them, he does that quite often actually.  Hinrich is capable of guarding 2s, as is Douglas and obviously Iguodala.

I highly doubt speed will be an issue at PG with Dywane Wade, Leandro Barbosa, and Toney Douglas.

Deron Williams isn't a guard that is going to give Hinrich a problem.  If Williams was hot and McHale decided to put Wade on him, then Iguodala or Douglas will easily be able to guard Nick Young, and I wouldn't be afraid to put Hinrich, Childress, or Marquis on him.

[mgent]

A question to all GMs, to some extent:

As of right now, without hearing all arguments, here's how I see things shaking out:

1.  Philly
2.  New York
3.  New Jersey
4.  Boston

And here's how I see the bottom of the conference preliminarily:

7. New Jersey
8. Orlando
9. Boston

Explain why I'm right / wrong, and if you're Boston, convince me you're better than New Jersey and/or the Magic.

Honeslty I think Philly's achilles heel is Hinrich -- who I've long thought was underrated but looked older last year than he should. His production has gone down quietly in the past 3-4 years and just doesn't have the same speed to be the defender he once was.

I think he'll have a hard time keeping up with the younger Nick Young runnng off screens (assuming PHI moves Wade over to DWill).


Boston is a well-constructed team -- KC and I think a lot a like -- but Turkoglu looked horrible last year again and they have too many young guys and not enough leadership... I don't think Horford can be your alpha-dog and Gordon/Holiday just aren't experienced enough yet. They're a year or three away from getting over the 50 win plateau.

If there are questions about NYK's scoring I think there have to be about NJ's too... very little consistent bench output and Perkins and Rip Hamilton have missed a lot of time with injuries. Durant is an all-world talent but does he make those guys that much better?

I'm biased, but i say:

1. NY
2. PHI
3. BOS (edge over NJ b/c of top-to-bottom talent)
4. NJ

I like Wade and Igoudala as a duo but there are better duos out there. I think this is a small team though with Andy at Center. I think it lacks an explosive PF also. This team needs to run. I don't like Hinrich's decisions in the open court but I think Wade will be leading a lot breaks. Still I don't like Hinrich on a fast paced team which I think this team needs to be due to its lack of front court size.

This is a playoff team in the east but they are going to get beaten up by Indiana.

First of all, Varejao is 6'11" 260lb according to ESPN and NBA, and he's certainly proved capable of playing center.

And of course Wade and Iguodala are gonna lead breaks, they do it all the time.  This team is going to score off of every turnover just like the Heat did this year, because the speed and athleticism of Wade and Iguodala (or LeBron) is just too much to catch up to and make a defensive play on during the break.  Plus these are two of the best finishers in the game (with Wade possibly being THE best).  You better believe they're gonna lead the league in forced turnovers and points off of turnovers.  When Wade or Iggy get into the open court, Hinrich isn't even going to come into the equation.

I don't see how they would have any trouble in the halfcourt, especially with David West as a pick and roll partner for Iguodala and Wade.  And how is Hinrich going to stop them from running?  The defense will create the offense; after a stop the rebounder can just outlet to the wing.  Or I could always sub in Barbosa at PG if we really wanted to push the pace.

[StartOrien]

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, Roy. You've always been fairly consistent touting certain players as 'your guys' and I think this Philly team is built up completely of 'your guys.'

[indeedproceed]

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, Roy. You've always been fairly consistent touting certain players as 'your guys' and I think this Philly team is built up completely of 'your guys.'

ha.

[TheTruthFot18]

2.  What have you seen out of Taj Gibson and Jodie Meeks that makes you think they can make up 40% of a championship contender's starting lineup?

They each do one thing *really* well and as importantly they understand their role and "stay their lane" as Dave Chappelle puts it:

  What does stay your lane even mean, and why would Dave Chappelle use that??

[StartOrien]

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, Roy. You've always been fairly consistent touting certain players as 'your guys' and I think this Philly team is built up completely of 'your guys.'

ha.

That wasn't meant to be a joke by any means.

I think Roy has been pretty consistent with his love for a lot of mgents players - Wade & Iguodala really stick out to me, but also Hinrich & David West.

Just wouldn't want him to silence his own opinion because he happens to like one team a lot, when it's clear that there's good reason for it.

[StartOrien]

  What does stay your lane even mean, and why would Dave Chappelle use that??

My memory is a little hazy on this - but I believe he said this was a bit advice he got from Eddie Murphy when they worked together on 'nutty professor'

Basically, it was a way of saying 'keep doing what you do best.' Don't pander, don't try to be something different. If you're a funny guy, and you believe in your comic style keep doing that. Don't go too far out of your comfort zone. 

If you're an energy guy, keep working hard and bringing that (, Glen Davis).

[StartOrien]

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, Roy. You've always been fairly consistent touting certain players as 'your guys' and I think this Philly team is built up completely of 'your guys.'

ha.

That wasn't meant to be a joke by any means.

I think Roy has been pretty consistent with his love for a lot of mgents players - Wade & Iguodala really stick out to me, but also Hinrich & David West.

Just wouldn't want him to silence his own opinion because he happens to like one team a lot, when it's clear that there's good reason for it.

That being said, I think Roy might be overlooking how much trouble a 2-3 zone with the proper personnel could cause this team.

[mgent]

I should let mgent defend his own team -- I don't want to be seen as his mouthpiece -- but I think you're overstating things.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, Roy. You've always been fairly consistent touting certain players as 'your guys' and I think this Philly team is built up completely of 'your guys.'

ha.

That wasn't meant to be a joke by any means.

I think Roy has been pretty consistent with his love for a lot of mgents players - Wade & Iguodala really stick out to me, but also Hinrich & David West.

Just wouldn't want him to silence his own opinion because he happens to like one team a lot, when it's clear that there's good reason for it.

That being said, I think Roy might be overlooking how much trouble a 2-3 zone with the proper personnel could cause this team.

I think you're overlooking how loveable my team is.  I can't help it if my players are that good