2012 CB Draft Atlantic Division Press Conferences

[Kane3387]

Sorry I genuinely meant that in friendly way.  After last year's battle, and loss, in the playoffs I react a little more aggressive to your responses, but in a fun way. I know this is a friendly thing and while I don't take it to serious I like the challenge of your debate.

Moving on.

First, 'Nice Try, IP'? What's that about?

See Above

Blake Griffin was the guy I was talking about. He needs the ball, and needs someone to help him get it. You don't have a guy like that who can manage it, and Westbrook has shown a willingness to 'forget' about his teammates when the need suits him.

Blake's usage rate is 26.6 compared to KD's of 31.3. But blake operates on the block more throwing up little hooks and powering his way to the basket. He isn't dribbling on the three point line. Thus hitting Westbrook on a backdoor cut is more likely then Durant doing so. I think Gasol can be an intermediary here and facilitate somewhat through the high and low post.

Obviously sacrifices need to be made when you have three players like this get together, But these are all high character guys who care about winning. Westbrook just suffered through a finals defeat and Griffin a sweep. I believe they will give in order to be the last team standing in the end. Gasol doesn't have any trace of ego and has no issue being a third guy either.

Blake Griffin was the best player on a lotto team with Mo, and Mo Williams was a year removed from an all-star appearance. With Chris Paul, Blake Griffin raised his fg%, TS%, eFG%, lowered his turnover rate, raised his PER and raised his WS/48 substantially, and went from an All-Star to an All-NBA player. Blake Griffin was good with Mo Williams, he was special with Chris Paul.

Blake Griffin was a rookie. Williams was acquired at the trade deadline and was a fill in at the all star game. Lebron made williams man. We have seen what he really is before and after playing with Lebron.

So you don't think Blake will take what he has learned from Billups and Paul and build off that. You don't think playing with Westbrook and Gasol will also make him special? I don't believe CP3 MADE Blake Griffin. His numbers haven't changed that much from year one to year two and besides he was a rookie going into year two. He SHOULD improve. That;s what great players do. They come back better.

Stephen Jackson has deferred to two men in his life: Greg Popovich and Tim Duncan. You got neither. Stephen Jackson believes himself to be an elite player, he's said as much. He'll continue to do so. Ron Artest, he'll still jack up dumb shots but I worry more about his defense. You rate it considerably better than I do.

He deferred to Rick Carlisle and Don Nelson. Rudy T has two rings. Not worried about him respecting his role. He wants to win.

Stephen Jackson benefitted from Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan. I don't see any of those guys on your team, but I do see Russell Westbrook, Ron Artest, Blake Griffin, and Marc Gasol. Of those other 4 guys, only Marc Gasol would I consider on even footing with his Spurs opposite as a passer.

Ball movement is an issue.

Tony Parker is no more special a passer then Westbrook. Gasol is as good as Duncan out of the post. Gasol's Assist % is 14.1 to Duncans 13.5%.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html

You're right I have no Ginonli, but what teams am I going up against that will have the personnel to play elite defense against Boston's big three? LA and Dallas might be the only two. It's not Chicago with Splitter, Young, Bosh, and Haywood.

[Kane3387]

Boston, How would you respond to the charge that Jackson and Artest are not elite defenders, in fact are average at best defenders at this point in their careers and are living off their past accomplishments at this point?

To all the Atlantic teams, how do your teams match up to other likely Eastern play-off teams such as Indiana, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta and Detroit?

Artest is still good. I admit he gets distracted and if he isn't playing against elite wings a little disinterested. BUT he gets up for the bog matchups.

Both games vs Miami her is Lebron against Ron.

game 1 - James was 12-27 for 44% shooting and had 31 points. I will take 27 shots to get 31 points
game 2 - James was 12-26 for 46% shooting and had 25 points. I will take 26 shots to get 25 points.

Both are inefficient performances.

Here is Paul Pierce. It's ugly.

game 1 - Pierce shot 7-18 for 38% shooting and had 18 points. 18 shots for 18 points. Bad.
game 2 - Pierce shot 4-14 for 26% shooting and had 13 points. 14 shots for 13 points. Turrible!

So when he plays elite guys he turns it up. I am cool with that. If all he brings to the table is making elite scorers inefficient in playoff games then I am very satisfied with his contribution.

[Kane3387]

divison ranking, tell me why im right or wrong

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

Tell me why NY over Boston? Other then Durant who is really coming to party with Blake, Russ, and Marc?

Boston has no one to stop Durrant.  Davis is strong enough and plays good enough team defense to keep Blake from taking over the game.  And Ellis is basically Westbrook offensively but smaller (and never having the benefit of playing next to a talent like Durrant)



Gasol is a nice C, but not a game changing C.

No one can stop Durant... Lol

Stephan Jackson played great defense on him though in the Spurs series. Really irritated him and made him work. Gasol will be fine against Deandre Jordan and big Baby CAN NOT run with Blake Griffin.

Monta has no chance against Westbrook. When they matched up last year on Jan. 27 Monta went 5-17 for 29% shooting and 13 points. He is too small to guard Russ and Russ is every bit the athlete and then some that Ellis.

Westbrook only had 28 points and 11 assists. Steph Curry did play and Thabo only played the first half.

http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320127009

I'll have Artest and Jackson defend Durant before I would let Calderon or Curry defend Westbrook. And if you want to put Leonard on him then tell me who Calderon is defending and I will post him up all Day.

[indeedproceed]

Sorry I genuinely meant that in friendly way.  After last year's battle, and loss, in the playoffs I react a little more aggressive to your responses, but in a fun way. I know this is a friendly thing and while I don't take it to serious I like the challenge of your debate.

Moving on.

First, 'Nice Try, IP'? What's that about?

See Above

Blake Griffin was the guy I was talking about. He needs the ball, and needs someone to help him get it. You don't have a guy like that who can manage it, and Westbrook has shown a willingness to 'forget' about his teammates when the need suits him.

Blake's usage rate is 26.6 compared to KD's of 31.3. But blake operates on the block more throwing up little hooks and powering his way to the basket. He isn't dribbling on the three point line. Thus hitting Westbrook on a backdoor cut is more likely then Durant doing so. I think Gasol can be an intermediary here and facilitate somewhat through the high and low post.

Obviously sacrifices need to be made when you have three players like this get together, But these are all high character guys who care about winning. Westbrook just suffered through a finals defeat and Griffin a sweep. I believe they will give in order to be the last team standing in the end. Gasol doesn't have any trace of ego and has no issue being a third guy either.

Blake Griffin was the best player on a lotto team with Mo, and Mo Williams was a year removed from an all-star appearance. With Chris Paul, Blake Griffin raised his fg%, TS%, eFG%, lowered his turnover rate, raised his PER and raised his WS/48 substantially, and went from an All-Star to an All-NBA player. Blake Griffin was good with Mo Williams, he was special with Chris Paul.

Blake Griffin was a rookie. Williams was acquired at the trade deadline and was a fill in at the all star game. Lebron made williams man. We have seen what he really is before and after playing with Lebron.

So you don't think Blake will take what he has learned from Billups and Paul and build off that. You don't think playing with Westbrook and Gasol will also make him special? I don't believe CP3 MADE Blake Griffin. His numbers haven't changed that much from year one to year two and besides he was a rookie going into year two. He SHOULD improve. That;s what great players do. They come back better.

Stephen Jackson has deferred to two men in his life: Greg Popovich and Tim Duncan. You got neither. Stephen Jackson believes himself to be an elite player, he's said as much. He'll continue to do so. Ron Artest, he'll still jack up dumb shots but I worry more about his defense. You rate it considerably better than I do.

He deferred to Rick Carlisle and Don Nelson. Rudy T has two rings. Not worried about him respecting his role. He wants to win.

Stephen Jackson benefitted from Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan. I don't see any of those guys on your team, but I do see Russell Westbrook, Ron Artest, Blake Griffin, and Marc Gasol. Of those other 4 guys, only Marc Gasol would I consider on even footing with his Spurs opposite as a passer.

Ball movement is an issue.

Tony Parker is no more special a passer then Westbrook. Gasol is as good as Duncan out of the post. Gasol's Assist % is 14.1 to Duncans 13.5%.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duncati01.html

You're right I have no Ginonli, but what teams am I going up against that will have the personnel to play elite defense against Boston's big three? LA and Dallas might be the only two. It's not Chicago with Splitter, Young, Bosh, and Haywood.

I'm A) Not defending a 'Chicago V Boston' debate right now. We can do that later, in the playoffs. Assuming we're both there.

B) You said Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook are equal passers. That's a lie.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=westbru01&y1=2012&p2=parketo01&y2=2012

[WeMadeIt17]

So how does the whole voting thing go? Does that happen tonight or am i wrong?

[ronaldo943]

Boston: You seem to bring up Stephen Jackson performance in the playoffs but dont bring up his season performance, if jackson had played great in the regular season and bad in the playoffs which performance would you bring up?

[RebusRankin]

NY, why play Durant a top 2 player in the NBA out of position at the 4, instead of the 3?

[Kane3387]

Boston: You seem to bring up Stephen Jackson performance in the playoffs but dont bring up his season performance, if jackson had played great in the regular season and bad in the playoffs which performance would you bring up?

I wouldn't. He wouldn't be on the squad. It's why I didn't draft Sefolosha.

I need guys who can produce in the post season. I have Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, and Marc Gasol. It's championship or bust with my team honestly.

[WeMadeIt17]

NY, why play Durant a top 2 player in the NBA out of position at the 4, instead of the 3?

Durant is starting the game at the 3.. Then at the end of games we go small very similar to what the thunder did this season

[RebusRankin]

Boston, you say its championship or bust with your team and then name Westbrook, Griffin and Gasol. None have won a championship and only Westbrook has even been to an NBA Finals. How can you be championship or bust with a team with little play-off success?

[ronaldo943]

Boston: You seem to bring up Stephen Jackson performance in the playoffs but dont bring up his season performance, if jackson had played great in the regular season and bad in the playoffs which performance would you bring up?

I wouldn't. He wouldn't be on the squad. It's why I didn't draft Sefolosha.

I need guys who can produce in the post season. I have Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, and Marc Gasol. It's championship or bust with my team honestly.

Smart answer, but you cant judge someone by just one playoff performances, so take a look at this

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/378/seasontype/3/stephen-jackson

[Kane3387]

I'm A) Not defending a 'Chicago V Boston' debate right now. We can do that later, in the playoffs. Assuming we're both there.

B) You said Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook are equal passers. That's a lie.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=westbru01&y1=2012&p2=parketo01&y2=2012

We both know Harden took over a lot of PG duties at points in the game allowing Russ to play off ball essentially making him a SG. Let's look at Russell when he played full time PG in 2010-11.

Assists Per Game: Russ 8.2 and Parker this year 7.7
Assists % for Russ 42.7 and this year for Parker was 40.3%
Per 36 minutes Russ was 8.5 and Parker this year was 8.7

So you are telling me in the span of the year Russ just forgot how to pass the ball? Or did his role in the offense change somewhat so that another highly talented player could be incorporated?

[ronaldo943]

Boston, How would you respond to the charge that Jackson and Artest are not elite defenders, in fact are average at best defenders at this point in their careers and are living off their past accomplishments at this point?

To all the Atlantic teams, how do your teams match up to other likely Eastern play-off teams such as Indiana, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta and Detroit?

This question never got answered

[Roy H.]

Boston: You seem to bring up Stephen Jackson performance in the playoffs but dont bring up his season performance, if jackson had played great in the regular season and bad in the playoffs which performance would you bring up?

I wouldn't. He wouldn't be on the squad. It's why I didn't draft Sefolosha.

I need guys who can produce in the post season. I have Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, and Marc Gasol. It's championship or bust with my team honestly.

Smart answer, but you cant judge someone by just one playoff performances, so take a look at this

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/378/seasontype/3/stephen-jackson

Not that smart of an answer, since if he'd drafted Thabo he'd have somebody who could play great defense on everyone from Tony Parker to Kobe Bryant to Dwyane Wade and Lebron.

[Kane3387]

Boston, you say its championship or bust with your team and then name Westbrook, Griffin and Gasol. None have won a championship and only Westbrook has even been to an NBA Finals. How can you be championship or bust with a team with little play-off success?

BC I look at my talent level compared to the rest of the teams in the CB League. It's about this league and the expectations you have based on your talent and team compared to the others. It's not about the individual player as much as it is the team you created in this CB League.