CB Draft 2011 Pacific Division Press Conferences

[Edgar]

Wich is my division again?


When i have to post mine.


I am ready to fight for pandas honor...

[Roy H.]

Wich is my division again?


When i have to post mine.


I am ready to fight for pandas honor...

Don't be too anxious.  We all know this is coming:

[Edgar]

Wich is my division again?


When i have to post mine.


I am ready to fight for pandas honor...

Don't be too anxious.  We all know this is coming:

u know




sometimes



and we all know at the end

Pandas always win the voting




beause

we are cute

[wdleehi]

Golden State Warriors

How do you deal with the really strong big man in the NBA?  Your best low post defenders are the help style.  Do you have enough muscle on on one down low?


How do you contain Lebron and his team?


Why are you the number 1 team in your division?

[wdleehi]

Sacramento Kings a.k.a. Dinoboxerbots

How does your team stop Dirk?


Is Billups effective enough without the ball in his hand running the offense?


Can Lebron mentally recover from the Finals thrashing his game took? 

[wdleehi]

Introducing YOUR LA Conspiracy!

Who pulls a gun 1st, Gilbert or Jackson? 

[ChampKind]

Golden State Warriors

How do you deal with the really strong big man in the NBA?  Your best low post defenders are the help style.  Do you have enough muscle on on one down low?

How do you contain Lebron and his team?

Why are you the number 1 team in your division?

Camby's role as a defensive specialist will be the biggest factor in defending true scoring centers like Dwight Howard, but GSW's athleticism will negate the brute strength of the strong 5. Lee, Nowitzki, Favors, and Young are all athletic enough to slide in and provide key help, and this team's core of athletes mean that they'll be able to adjust on double-teams at every position 1-5.

Hell, even Nikola Pekovic can come in and play goon squad for a while and use some of his 6 hard earned fouls while doing his best to convince opposing centers to beat him to death with their shoes.

Containing LeBron will come down to a few players. None of my guys have the complete package of athleticism, length, and strength, but Batum (long, quick) and T. Young (athletic, strong) should be able to throw enough different looks at him in a 1-on-1 situation to slow him down. Brewer fits into the Batum mold as well, but Dallas's refusal to use him in the finals suggests that asking him to take on Lebron wouldn't gain much ground.

Otherwise, we run off Dirk's momentum, the use of a few key stoppers, and this team's ability to change the pace of a game to keep opponents off balance. With guys like this we're going to be active all day, and since we're deep as hell, it's going to be tough for anyone to keep up. The Kings would take some extra game planning, but we'll beat them the same way we'll beat other teams - through cohesion and having the best mix of players on the court.

Why do I think we're the best? A strong, deep core of players who fit well together, guys who can shoot the lights out, score, and get up and down the court with impunity. We're not the best defensive team in the league, but we have the guys who can get stops, and we have a core of starters from playoff teams (except Lee and Curry) 2-deep at every position.

Thanks for the questions, WD. Hope that clears up your concerns. Have this gif of Paul Rudd finishing his dinner as a token of my appreciation.

[StartOrien]

But lastly, and saddest, given how little success I've had agitating for my own teams, I'd just be doing Champkind a disservice.

Oh jeez. Somebody go tell Eeyore that I found his raincloud. WW won't let go of it.

So here is how I see the division:

SUNS
PG - Jason Kidd, Ben Gordon, Greivis Vasquez
SG - Manu Ginobili, Ben Gordon
SF - Marvin Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Marcus Morris
PF - Lamar Odom, Markieff Morris, Ersan Ilyasova, Ben Wallace
C - Andrew Bynum, Omer Asik

Like: Cohesion, vet leadership, versatility both offensively and defensively. 
Don't Like: Gambling on Gino and Kidd are risky propositions to me, because both guys are getting older (Gino will be 34, Kidd 38), and should be declining further. Something about starting Marvin Williams rubs me the wrong way, but maybe that's Hawks' bias.

Golden State Warriors  GM: Champkind
PG Stephen Curry/ Andre Miller/ Steve Blake
SG Sam Young/ Rodrigue Beaubois/ Corey Brewer
SF Nicolas Batum/ Thaddeus Young
PF Dirk Nowitzki/ Derrick Favors
C Marcus Camby/ David Lee

Like: Riding the Dirk Nowitzki feel-good wave, pairing him with Stephen Curry in the back-court, putting high-energy players around him, and a defensive-minded center up front. Quality depth pretty much everywhere.
Don't Like: The other 28 minutes a game when Camby isn't playing center. Sam Young's lack of a 3pt shot and lack of a rep as a defensive stopper. That's who they needed here. Lack of depth at the 3.

Los Angeles Conspiracy  GM: jgod213
PG Ty Lawson/ D.J. Augustin/ Gilbert Arenas
SG Kevin Martin/ Ronnie Brewer
SF Stephen Jackson/ Kawhi Leonard
PF Serge Ibaka/ Josh McRoberts/ Vladimir Radmanovic
C DeAndre Jordan/ Darko Milicic/ Bismack Biyombo

Like: Athletic frontcourt w/lots of potential, Lawson/Martin/Jackson seem like a pretty ideal 1-3 combo in terms of offensive skill sets. Should surprise people defensively at the 3-5. Should be better than average most nights.
Don't like: Depth at the 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 all have a lot to prove. Weak defense in the back court paired with inexperienced defense in the front court with nobody who really knows how to run a really good teams' defense anywhere to be found is troubling.

Sacramento Kings GMs: Rondo2287/nickagneta  Coach: Lawrence Frank
PG Chauncey Billups/ Brandon Jennings/ Eddie Houe
SG Wes Matthews/ Gary Neal
SF Lebron James/ Mike Miller/ Chris Singleton
PF Paul Millsap/ Boris Diaw/ Jared Jeffries
C Tyson Chandler/ Nazr Mohammed

Like: Nice balance of offense/defense, nice balance of leadership/ability, best player in the league.
Don't like: Depth at the 5,3,2 and 1. Maybe I'm soured on some of these guys irrationally, but it is what it is. I was the biggest Brandon Jennings proponent you'll find in this draft last season, but between finding his own flaws on my own, and watching him just absolutely face-plant this year, I don't know how he'll respond here. I like Gary Neal in principal, but speaking as guy bitten once before, the Sophomore Slump is a real thing and should be feared. Mike Miller has undergone two separate surgeries since the season ended, and on top of that everyone in Miami agrees that the best thing for the Heat next season is if Miller plays a little better, so they can trade him (do I sound bitter mike? Serves you right for letting me believe!). Diaw is the best of the group, but even he was better for Charlotte's defense off the court than on it last year. Nazr Mohommed should ideally be a 3rd center, not a second, but considering the Kings drafting position, he's a decent fit here.

BEST STARTING 5: Kings

BEST DEPTH: Warriors

BEST OFFENSIVE: Warriors

BEST DEFENSIVE: KINGS

PLAYOFF LOCKS: KINGS, WARRIORS

GONNA NEED TO SEE EVERYONE ELSE: SUNS, LAKERS

Now THAT, is a breakdown.

[Rondo2287]

I don't like the hostility that has crept into this thread.  Comments like "get a life", etc., have no place here.  Such comments cross the line from legitimate debate to the realm of personal attacks.

I thought everyone had moved on, but to the extent it's coming up again:  quit it.  If it happens again, there will be consequences, including but not limited to having the team of the offending GM(s) declared ineligible.

Perhaps "Relax," would have been better than, "chill out," so I am sorry if i offended, I just meant everybody needs to take a step back and not take these things to a personal level.  Nick and I are both on vacation and away from our computers and are doing the best we can here.

[Roy H.]

I don't like the hostility that has crept into this thread.  Comments like "get a life", etc., have no place here.  Such comments cross the line from legitimate debate to the realm of personal attacks.

I thought everyone had moved on, but to the extent it's coming up again:  quit it.  If it happens again, there will be consequences, including but not limited to having the team of the offending GM(s) declared ineligible.

Perhaps "Relax," would have been better than, "chill out," so I am sorry if i offended, I just meant everybody needs to take a step back and not take these things to a personal level.  Nick and I are both on vacation and away from our computers and are doing the best we can here.

Just drop it.  There's no need to continue this conversation, just as there's no need to respond to criticism of one's team by making personal attacks.  I couldn't care less if you guys answer Fafnir's questions or respond to his criticism.  Address or avoid whatever you like.  However, if you *are* going to respond, you guys (and everybody else) are required to do it without attacking others.  "Get a life" firmly falls into the type of discourse that we don't allow on here, and as we both know, this isn't the first time this type of thing has come up with Sacramento management.

In other words, just move on.  It's over, unless you guys keep rehashing it.

[StartOrien]

Or grab a Colt 45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pK5HmuCMBM&feature=player_embedded

[indeedproceed]

Golden State Warriors  GM: Champkind
PG Stephen Curry/ Andre Miller/ Steve Blake
SG Sam Young/ Rodrigue Beaubois/ Corey Brewer
SF Nicolas Batum/ Thaddeus Young
PF Dirk Nowitzki/ Derrick Favors
C Marcus Camby/ David Lee

Like: Riding the Dirk Nowitzki feel-good wave, pairing him with Stephen Curry in the back-court, putting high-energy players around him, and a defensive-minded center up front. Quality depth pretty much everywhere.
Don't Like: The other 28 minutes a game when Camby isn't playing center. Sam Young's lack of a 3pt shot and lack of a rep as a defensive stopper. That's who they needed here. Lack of depth at the 3.

Wing depth is an issue, but Young's college stats (38% and 37% 3pt shooting at Pitt, averaging more than 1 3pt made per game) suggest that he's not a lost cause when it comes to the deep ball. I think you might be selling his defense short as well, as that was a major part in his ascension to starter- his size, strength, and effort make him a solid equalizer on the defensive end. He's big, strong, and pesky at the 2.

We've also got 4 guys who can play SF between Batum, the Young brothers, and Brewer. It's not ideal, but it's a group of players who can make it work, as well as a group of players that are still getting better.

You know one of the best possible "I toldyaso!" places you could nail it is if Corey Brewer manifests into a real rotation player in Dallas. His rep as a defender would do you wonders off the bench at both swing positions, and if he starts knockin down that 3 ball like Richard Jefferson learned to...

[indeedproceed]

But lastly, and saddest, given how little success I've had agitating for my own teams, I'd just be doing Champkind a disservice.

Oh jeez. Somebody go tell Eeyore that I found his raincloud. WW won't let go of it.

So here is how I see the division:

SUNS
PG - Jason Kidd, Ben Gordon, Greivis Vasquez
SG - Manu Ginobili, Ben Gordon
SF - Marvin Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Marcus Morris
PF - Lamar Odom, Markieff Morris, Ersan Ilyasova, Ben Wallace
C - Andrew Bynum, Omer Asik

Like: Cohesion, vet leadership, versatility both offensively and defensively. 
Don't Like: Gambling on Gino and Kidd are risky propositions to me, because both guys are getting older (Gino will be 34, Kidd 38), and should be declining further. Something about starting Marvin Williams rubs me the wrong way, but maybe that's Hawks' bias.

Golden State Warriors  GM: Champkind
PG Stephen Curry/ Andre Miller/ Steve Blake
SG Sam Young/ Rodrigue Beaubois/ Corey Brewer
SF Nicolas Batum/ Thaddeus Young
PF Dirk Nowitzki/ Derrick Favors
C Marcus Camby/ David Lee

Like: Riding the Dirk Nowitzki feel-good wave, pairing him with Stephen Curry in the back-court, putting high-energy players around him, and a defensive-minded center up front. Quality depth pretty much everywhere.
Don't Like: The other 28 minutes a game when Camby isn't playing center. Sam Young's lack of a 3pt shot and lack of a rep as a defensive stopper. That's who they needed here. Lack of depth at the 3.

Los Angeles Conspiracy  GM: jgod213
PG Ty Lawson/ D.J. Augustin/ Gilbert Arenas
SG Kevin Martin/ Ronnie Brewer
SF Stephen Jackson/ Kawhi Leonard
PF Serge Ibaka/ Josh McRoberts/ Vladimir Radmanovic
C DeAndre Jordan/ Darko Milicic/ Bismack Biyombo

Like: Athletic frontcourt w/lots of potential, Lawson/Martin/Jackson seem like a pretty ideal 1-3 combo in terms of offensive skill sets. Should surprise people defensively at the 3-5. Should be better than average most nights.
Don't like: Depth at the 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 all have a lot to prove. Weak defense in the back court paired with inexperienced defense in the front court with nobody who really knows how to run a really good teams' defense anywhere to be found is troubling.

Sacramento Kings GMs: Rondo2287/nickagneta  Coach: Lawrence Frank
PG Chauncey Billups/ Brandon Jennings/ Eddie Houe
SG Wes Matthews/ Gary Neal
SF Lebron James/ Mike Miller/ Chris Singleton
PF Paul Millsap/ Boris Diaw/ Jared Jeffries
C Tyson Chandler/ Nazr Mohammed

Like: Nice balance of offense/defense, nice balance of leadership/ability, best player in the league.
Don't like: Depth at the 5,3,2 and 1. Maybe I'm soured on some of these guys irrationally, but it is what it is. I was the biggest Brandon Jennings proponent you'll find in this draft last season, but between finding his own flaws on my own, and watching him just absolutely face-plant this year, I don't know how he'll respond here. I like Gary Neal in principal, but speaking as guy bitten once before, the Sophomore Slump is a real thing and should be feared. Mike Miller has undergone two separate surgeries since the season ended, and on top of that everyone in Miami agrees that the best thing for the Heat next season is if Miller plays a little better, so they can trade him (do I sound bitter mike? Serves you right for letting me believe!). Diaw is the best of the group, but even he was better for Charlotte's defense off the court than on it last year. Nazr Mohommed should ideally be a 3rd center, not a second, but considering the Kings drafting position, he's a decent fit here.

BEST STARTING 5: Kings

BEST DEPTH: Warriors

BEST OFFENSIVE: Warriors

BEST DEFENSIVE: KINGS

PLAYOFF LOCKS: KINGS, WARRIORS

GONNA NEED TO SEE EVERYONE ELSE: SUNS, LAKERS

Now THAT, is a breakdown.

Well, at least someone read it.

[ChampKind]

Golden State Warriors  GM: Champkind
PG Stephen Curry/ Andre Miller/ Steve Blake
SG Sam Young/ Rodrigue Beaubois/ Corey Brewer
SF Nicolas Batum/ Thaddeus Young
PF Dirk Nowitzki/ Derrick Favors
C Marcus Camby/ David Lee

Like: Riding the Dirk Nowitzki feel-good wave, pairing him with Stephen Curry in the back-court, putting high-energy players around him, and a defensive-minded center up front. Quality depth pretty much everywhere.
Don't Like: The other 28 minutes a game when Camby isn't playing center. Sam Young's lack of a 3pt shot and lack of a rep as a defensive stopper. That's who they needed here. Lack of depth at the 3.

Wing depth is an issue, but Young's college stats (38% and 37% 3pt shooting at Pitt, averaging more than 1 3pt made per game) suggest that he's not a lost cause when it comes to the deep ball. I think you might be selling his defense short as well, as that was a major part in his ascension to starter- his size, strength, and effort make him a solid equalizer on the defensive end. He's big, strong, and pesky at the 2.

We've also got 4 guys who can play SF between Batum, the Young brothers, and Brewer. It's not ideal, but it's a group of players who can make it work, as well as a group of players that are still getting better.

You know one of the best possible "I toldyaso!" places you could nail it is if Corey Brewer manifests into a real rotation player in Dallas. His rep as a defender would do you wonders off the bench at both swing positions, and if he starts knockin down that 3 ball like Richard Jefferson learned to...

Well, he IS the T-Wolves's record holder for most consecutive games with a three-pointer...but after 2010-2011 his stock isn't exactly peaking. I like the fact that he can defend the 2/3, but I'm not sure what to expect from him next year.

[StartOrien]

I'll sing your praise on this whole draft, IP. You've been doing a great job as commissioner, and have been absolutely killing it with your analysis*.

That was meant to be plural but I don't know the proper pluralization.