2011 CB Draft Northwest Division Press Conference

[Kane3387]

My preliminary conference ranks:

2.  Portland
4.  Utah
5.  Denver
10.  OKC

As always, feel free to tell me why I'm wrong and have horribly underrated your squad.  I already moved some teams around based upon yesterday's arguments, and I'm willing to do the same again.

I disagree. I don't think Portland is better then Utah. Utah has the best wing player in Pierce. The best defensive player in KG. Utah's third best player is on the same level as Portland's second best player. Amare didn't win a game this year against Pierce an KG. 0-8. He has won zero playoff games as "the guy" and Pierce and KG have won a ring together.

None of Portland's players have proven they can play well in the playoffs besides Amare.

Utah has the better bench (Jamal Crawford?!?!?!) and deeper front court. Portland is giving Jerebko 16 minutes per game!!!!

*Wild Card* ==== Baron Davis

He WILL be great with KG and Pierce! He has more ability than Lowry to take over a game for periods of time and Lowry is very undersized against Davis.

Also so not underestimate how having Thabo pick up full court on Lowry can disrupt this offense. In the end Portland does not have the wing talent they need to beat Utah in a 7 game series, nor do they have experience necessary. Look at OKC... Young and talented but they needed a year to do it. Portland still hasn't done it in real life and they are similar to this Portland team. This years real Nuggets are another good example as well.

Eh...  Amare was a pretty huge part of those Phoenix teams, which won plenty of playoff games.  The key is to surround him with complementary talent.

Here's why I like Portland slightly better:  I like the fit of their pieces.  Bogut and Amare have clearly defined roles, as do Delfino, Harden, and Lowry.  Williams is the bench star.  The bench guys all fit needs.  I can see Portland functioning as a real team, and functioning extremely well.

Utah probably has more raw talent.  However, I don't like Caron Butler at SG.  He's historically been a SF, and that's where he's most effective.  He and Pierce have very similar games, except Butler is a vastly inferior shooter (unless you expect a 31.9% 3PT shooter to replicate the 43% he put up in 29 games last seaason).  I think Big Al next to KG is going to be very potent offensively, but I think that Big Al is going to make a lot of dumb mistakes. 

Roles just seem a lot messier on Utah, and I think that makes a difference.  That's why I give Portland the slight edge.

Look at the minute break down.

PG) Davis 31 min, Crawford 11 min, Duhon 6 min
SG) Butler 21 min, Crawford 18 min, Thabo 9 min
SF) Pierce 31 min, Butler 8 min, Thabo 9 min
PF) Garnett 30 min, Jefferson 13 min, Maxiell 5 min
C) Jefferson 21 min, Haywood 27 min

All of these guys will be playing with each other. Maybe I do need to give Thabo more time at the two and Butler more at the three... I need to think on that, but I am leaning that way. Butler played a lot of two with Marion at the three also. Last year in Dallas and this year.

I think if Portland and I are to play close games that Portland lacks a guy who can get his shot on his own every time. That will hurt him.

[Roy H.]

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

I don't think you can use Amare as a proxy for "New York Knicks", and KG and Pierce as the equivalent of "Boston Celtics".

The Knicks took on a cohesive Celtics team that had been together for four seasons.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were without their starting point guard in three of those games, and Amare was playing through injury. 

The fact that the Celtics were able to beat a hobbled Knicks team that had been assembled for half a season doesn't tell me much of anything about Amare, KG, or Pierce.

[Fafnir]

Especially given the massive difference in talent around Amar'e in the NBA during that series and fake NBA team.

[Roy H.]

I think if Portland and I are to play close games that Portland lacks a guy who can get his shot on his own every time. That will hurt him.

Even assuming you don't buy into the Harden / Williams hype, I don't think Amare has ever really struggled to create shots for himself.  A myth developed somewhere along the line that he needed Nash; I just don't think that's the case.  Only 53% of Amare's jumpers and 48% of his inside shots were contested.  This is a guy who generates plenty of offense for himself, and who generates it highly efficiently.

[Evantime34]

My Rankings:
Portland
Utah
OKC
Denver

[Kane3387]

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

I don't think you can use Amare as a proxy for "New York Knicks", and KG and Pierce as the equivalent of "Boston Celtics".

The Knicks took on a cohesive Celtics team that had been together for four seasons.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were without their starting point guard in three of those games, and Amare was playing through injury. 

The fact that the Celtics were able to beat a hobbled Knicks team that had been assembled for half a season doesn't tell me much of anything about Amare, KG, or Pierce.

It was an example of youth Vs veterans. There are some parallels because of the parts involved and the Celtics were anything but cohesive. They were still working Green and Krstic in. It was not the same team that had been together for 4 seasons.

Anyways my point was you have a youthful team led by Amare against a veteran team led by Pierce and KG.

Also to call Derrick Williams the bench star is a big assumption. He has played 0 NBA minutes. Who is to say he is nothing more then  a Michael Beasley type scorer only? To depend on a rookie to carry the bench is asking a lot. Too much IMO.

Again the majority of his lineup is for the most part unproven and has shown no consistency. True some of my parts you can say this about to, but not as much as Portlands. I think the Experience here is being underrated big time.

As for roles. My team has roles. No one is asked to do something they can't do. I think asking any of Portland's players to be the "second go to guy" on a championship team is outside of anything they re capable of.

[Roy H.]

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

I don't think you can use Amare as a proxy for "New York Knicks", and KG and Pierce as the equivalent of "Boston Celtics".

The Knicks took on a cohesive Celtics team that had been together for four seasons.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were without their starting point guard in three of those games, and Amare was playing through injury. 

The fact that the Celtics were able to beat a hobbled Knicks team that had been assembled for half a season doesn't tell me much of anything about Amare, KG, or Pierce.

It was an example of youth Vs veterans. There are some parallels because of the parts involved and the Celtics were anything but cohesive. They were still working Green and Krstic in. It was not the same team that had been together for 4 seasons.

Anyways my point was you have a youthful team led by Amare against a veteran team led by Pierce and KG.

Also to call Derrick Williams the bench star is a big assumption. He has played 0 NBA minutes. Who is to say he is nothing more then  a Michael Beasley type scorer only? To depend on a rookie to carry the bench is asking a lot. Too much IMO.

Again the majority of his lineup is for the most part unproven and has shown no consistency. True some of my parts you can say this about to, but not as much as Portlands. I think the Experience here is being underrated big time.

As for roles. My team has roles. No one is asked to do something they can't do. I think asking any of Portland's players to be the "second go to guy" on a championship team is outside of anything they re capable of.

I will give you this:  Portland is early favorite for the 2012 "In hindsight, that team was wildly overrated" award.  A lot of us are projecting big things for Williams and Harden, and even Lowry, and there's a decent chance that those guys could all fall flat.

[Kane3387]

I think if Portland and I are to play close games that Portland lacks a guy who can get his shot on his own every time. That will hurt him.

Even assuming you don't buy into the Harden / Williams hype, I don't think Amare has ever really struggled to create shots for himself.  A myth developed somewhere along the line that he needed Nash; I just don't think that's the case.  Only 53% of Amare's jumpers and 48% of his inside shots were contested.  This is a guy who generates plenty of offense for himself, and who generates it highly efficiently.

Someone still has to get him the ball. He can't go get the ball 4 feet above the top of the key and then create something there off the dribble.

[StartOrien]

Portland and Utah are super-duper close. I'd be inclined to side with Utah but I teeter between.

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

Who do you think will consistently be able to execute more efficiently? Utah or Portland?

Look at the coaching. Look at the match-ups and look at the rosters. In these scenarios Andrew Bogut's career 57% FT shooting seriously hurts Portland. Bogut shot 44% from the line last year.

I don't like the way that you worded this, but there's definitely a good point to be made here:

Portland doesn't have a perimeter player I feel like could 'step up' offensively. It would consistently need great team play, and to feed the two bigs.

[Kane3387]

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

I don't think you can use Amare as a proxy for "New York Knicks", and KG and Pierce as the equivalent of "Boston Celtics".

The Knicks took on a cohesive Celtics team that had been together for four seasons.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were without their starting point guard in three of those games, and Amare was playing through injury. 

The fact that the Celtics were able to beat a hobbled Knicks team that had been assembled for half a season doesn't tell me much of anything about Amare, KG, or Pierce.

It was an example of youth Vs veterans. There are some parallels because of the parts involved and the Celtics were anything but cohesive. They were still working Green and Krstic in. It was not the same team that had been together for 4 seasons.

Anyways my point was you have a youthful team led by Amare against a veteran team led by Pierce and KG.

Also to call Derrick Williams the bench star is a big assumption. He has played 0 NBA minutes. Who is to say he is nothing more then  a Michael Beasley type scorer only? To depend on a rookie to carry the bench is asking a lot. Too much IMO.

Again the majority of his lineup is for the most part unproven and has shown no consistency. True some of my parts you can say this about to, but not as much as Portlands. I think the Experience here is being underrated big time.

As for roles. My team has roles. No one is asked to do something they can't do. I think asking any of Portland's players to be the "second go to guy" on a championship team is outside of anything they re capable of.

I will give you this:  Portland is early favorite for the 2012 "In hindsight, that team was wildly overrated" award.  A lot of us are projecting big things for Williams and Harden, and even Lowry, and there's a decent chance that those guys could all fall flat.

Lol sigh.. hindsight... TP

Thanks all. Got to get back to work.

[Roy H.]

I think if Portland and I are to play close games that Portland lacks a guy who can get his shot on his own every time. That will hurt him.

Even assuming you don't buy into the Harden / Williams hype, I don't think Amare has ever really struggled to create shots for himself.  A myth developed somewhere along the line that he needed Nash; I just don't think that's the case.  Only 53% of Amare's jumpers and 48% of his inside shots were contested.  This is a guy who generates plenty of offense for himself, and who generates it highly efficiently.

Someone still has to get him the ball. He can't go get the ball 4 feet above the top of the key and then create something there off the dribble.

Well, every big man has to be passed the ball at some point.  However, Amare can create off the dribble, he can score in the post, he can score on pull-up jumpers...  He's about as complete an offensive big man as there is in the NBA.  I definitely think he's a go-to scorer, and I think Lowry is more than capable of getting him the ball.

In terms of unassisted buckets, Amare creates more for himself than Pierce or Big Al, and creates much, much more than KG does.  I don't think this is a weakness for Portland.

[indeedproceed]

Portland and Utah are super-duper close. I'd be inclined to side with Utah but I teeter between.

See now I don't see how it breaks down like that.

Utah is relying on the following players:

1) 35 year old, edge of retirement Kevin Garnett to play 30 minutes a game at a high level.

2) 34 year old Paul Pierce

3) Back from pretty bad season ending injury and playing out of position Caron Butler

4) Wildly inconsistent and motivationally-challenged Baron Davis,

5) One-talent wonder, kind of undersized, also motivationally-challenged Al Jefferson, the Monta Ellis of big men.

6) Jamal Crawford, another completely 1-way player, who I actually like off the bench here so good job.

7) And Brendan Haywood who I actually also like and think should be starting here, while bringing Al off the bench.

Meanwhile, I compare as good to better at every position except small-forward, and all my guys are supposed to get better next season. Plus, my team is more organized, with better fitting pieces. I'm not asking anyone to do something they can't.

Basically with my team it comes down to 1 of two possibilities: Either you think I'm gonna be healthy, and I'm the top seed in the West, or, you think a relatively moderate injury will hold my team back from breaking the top 3.

If you want to write me off to a border-line playoff squad because you think my guys won't hold up, that's one thing. But if you actually know these guys as players, and are familiar with their strengths and weaknesses, I think not only are they individually one of the most talented teams put together, but in terms of role, gameplan, and fit, as well as chemistry-wise, the best put together team in the West.

[mgent]

Originally I hated the idea of Rondo and Kobe, but now that I think about it, if you can somehow keep the ball in Rondo's hands without Kobe switching to baseball or dislocating Rondo's shoulder, it might work.

Kobe's efficiency has really gone down the toilet because he thinks he's still 25 and wants the ball in his hands all the time.  If you could force him to play off the ball beside a good primary ball-handler like Rondo, it would probably do wonders for his game.

Of course the chances of him being willing to do that are beyond low.

[mgent]

Then that means our games would be close and likely come down to execution in the final few minutes which is a lot like how the NYC Vs BOS games were all year this year. Yet did NYC win a game? No. Why? Execution.

I don't think you can use Amare as a proxy for "New York Knicks", and KG and Pierce as the equivalent of "Boston Celtics".

The Knicks took on a cohesive Celtics team that had been together for four seasons.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were without their starting point guard in three of those games, and Amare was playing through injury. 

The fact that the Celtics were able to beat a hobbled Knicks team that had been assembled for half a season doesn't tell me much of anything about Amare, KG, or Pierce.

It was an example of youth Vs veterans. There are some parallels because of the parts involved and the Celtics were anything but cohesive. They were still working Green and Krstic in. It was not the same team that had been together for 4 seasons.

Anyways my point was you have a youthful team led by Amare against a veteran team led by Pierce and KG.

Also to call Derrick Williams the bench star is a big assumption. He has played 0 NBA minutes. Who is to say he is nothing more then  a Michael Beasley type scorer only? To depend on a rookie to carry the bench is asking a lot. Too much IMO.

Again the majority of his lineup is for the most part unproven and has shown no consistency. True some of my parts you can say this about to, but not as much as Portlands. I think the Experience here is being underrated big time.

As for roles. My team has roles. No one is asked to do something they can't do. I think asking any of Portland's players to be the "second go to guy" on a championship team is outside of anything they re capable of.

I will give you this:  Portland is early favorite for the 2012 "In hindsight, that team was wildly overrated" award.  A lot of us are projecting big things for Williams and Harden, and even Lowry, and there's a decent chance that those guys could all fall flat.

You mean just like IP's team last year?  LeBron, Noah, a 6th and two 9th round picks from this year's draft. 

[celticpride07]

Originally I hated the idea of Rondo and Kobe, but now that I think about it, if you can somehow keep the ball in Rondo's hands without Kobe switching to baseball or dislocating Rondo's shoulder, it might work.

Kobe's efficiency has really gone down the toilet because he thinks he's still 25 and wants the ball in his hands all the time.  If you could force him to play off the ball beside a good primary ball-handler like Rondo, it would probably do wonders for his game.

Of course the chances of him being willing to do that are beyond low.

this is exactly what i am saying, kobe is 33 he can't do the same things he did when hes 25, kobe has got to adapt at somepoint and with a young superstar like rondo on his team i think he would adapt.... he can't drop 81 points again(or can he)...like i said in my presser i envision rondo calling out plays and dalembert and thomas setting screens for kobe to get open and knock down shots...similar to how ray gets his shots...also rondo can initiate a isolation for kobe allowing him to post up and do work there too...kinda like how pierce gets his one on ones...kobe could be ray and pierce in one.