2012 CB Draft Central Division Press Conferences

[Kane3387]

Lucky's got a sneaky great team, huh?

I think it's the best team in the division probably for the regular season. But when the playoffs come and the games slow down D'antoni has always had some issues.

I'm not sure if I'd rank them ahead of the Bills, but I disagree with your thoughts on D'Antoni in the playoffs. His problem was that he ran into some great teams, not necessarily the pace.

Always felt it was the lack of attention to defense. He had incredible talent in Phoenix and I think the disregard for defense always cost him against the Spurs.

[Roy H.]

Chicago:  Explain the decision to trade Steph Curry.  Do you think if you had run with a lineup of Okafor/Bosh/Pierce/Wade/Curry, you'd be the clear favorite right now, at least in your division?

Also, can you really win with a guy who played 12.9 minutes per game in the playoffs as one of your top rotation players?

[Kane3387]

Yoki,

Melo and George Karl seemed to get into it near the end.

How does Melo work with Pop?

Tough one.

Pop just seems to know what his players' strengths are. I can see Pop playing Melo in a Tony Parker role, not in a "he'll bring the floor down the court" role but in a sense that the offense will revolve around him and his abilities in scoring and underrated passing.

To answer the question, it'll work because Pop's great at motivating and convincing his players and they buy into what he says. He convinced Parker that if he plays like he did during the FIBA Worlds (i think) he'll be better, and he suddenly turned into an MVP candidate. He convinced Manu in his entire career that while he's a starter level talent, he's better off the bench and the team will be better that way, and it worked. He has this ability to make the players believe him, and if he says Melo can not just be a scorer but he can involve other players and make them better by doing this and that, Melo will do it, and it'll work. Aside from the fact that Pop is well respected in the league, there's a ton of believability (if that's even a word) in him that players seems to have no problem buying in.

It's been done in SA, I don't see a reason why he wont be able to with Melo.

I think Pop can get Melo to buy in. Rings Talk. But I think it takes some time.

[Who]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Yoki,

Melo and George Karl seemed to get into it near the end.

How does Melo work with Pop?

Tough one.

Pop just seems to know what his players' strengths are. I can see Pop playing Melo in a Tony Parker role, not in a "he'll bring the floor down the court" role but in a sense that the offense will revolve around him and his abilities in scoring and underrated passing.

To answer the question, it'll work because Pop's great at motivating and convincing his players and they buy into what he says. He convinced Parker that if he plays like he did during the FIBA Worlds (i think) he'll be better, and he suddenly turned into an MVP candidate. He convinced Manu in his entire career that while he's a starter level talent, he's better off the bench and the team will be better that way, and it worked. He has this ability to make the players believe him, and if he says Melo can not just be a scorer but he can involve other players and make them better by doing this and that, Melo will do it, and it'll work. Aside from the fact that Pop is well respected in the league, there's a ton of believability (if that's even a word) in him that players seems to have no problem buying in.

It's been done in SA, I don't see a reason why he wont be able to with Melo.

I think Pop can get Melo to buy in. Rings Talk. But I think it takes some time.

I disagree and here's why.

His fellow superstar draft mates already won a ring. Darko even had one. Melo is HUNGRY. And Pop has the hardware to show him that "once you buy in, you'll get yourself in perfect position to win." I don't think it'll take time at all for Melo to realize that. He'll buy in completely come training camp.

And I want to reply to you as well about the Bogut thing from the previous post. Like others as always, you're looking at it glass half empty. He had a freak season accident and a bad season ending injury on different body parts, not two season ending injuries on the same. Chances are VERY HIGH he can stay healthy. He does not have recurring injuries of some sort, just very, very unfortunate in the past 2 seasons.

[Rondo2287]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

[Roy H.]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

Solid point.  Still, Ru Paul or not, I have a hard time seeing anybody but Chicago taking that #1 seed.  I like Detroit's team, but I think Chicago is better.

[StartOrien]

Lucky's got a sneaky great team, huh?

I think it's the best team in the division probably for the regular season. But when the playoffs come and the games slow down D'antoni has always had some issues.

I'm not sure if I'd rank them ahead of the Bills, but I disagree with your thoughts on D'Antoni in the playoffs. His problem was that he ran into some great teams, not necessarily the pace.

Always felt it was the lack of attention to defense. He had incredible talent in Phoenix and I think the disregard for defense always cost him against the Spurs.

Or was the lack of attention to defense what got them there? Had he spent more time on focusing on defense perhaps the team wouldn't have been as good.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

Solid point.  Still, Ru Paul or not, I have a hard time seeing anybody but Chicago taking that #1 seed.  I like Detroit's team, but I think Chicago is better.

I believe you guys are underestimating Pop's coaching ability.

He took a Spurs team with an old Duncan, Ginobli, Parker and some new names to the best record in the west.

This team has Melo, Bogut, Felton and Roy and TMac off the bench, who I know he can utilize to the best in whatever they can still do. Still a defensive oriented squad.

[Roy H.]

This team has Melo, Bogut, Felton and Roy and TMac off the bench, who I know he can utilize to the best in whatever they can still do. Still a defensive oriented squad.

Aren't there some pretty serious questions about Melo (selfishness), Bogut (injury history), Roy (can he play even 20 minutes per night), Felton (fat), and TMac (older than dirt, little production), though?  I think I have the Cavs as a playoff team, but isn't their best case scenario third place in their division?  If not, how do you take down Detroit and Chicago?  Is it all on Pops?

[Rondo2287]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

Solid point.  Still, Ru Paul or not, I have a hard time seeing anybody but Chicago taking that #1 seed.  I like Detroit's team, but I think Chicago is better.

I believe you guys are underestimating Pop's coaching ability.

He took a Spurs team with an old Duncan, Ginobli, Parker and some new names to the best record in the west.

This team has Melo, Bogut, Felton and Roy and TMac off the bench, who I know he can utilize to the best in whatever they can still do. Still a defensive oriented squad.

I think you are overrating Melo, Bogut, Felton, roy and Tmac. 

The spurs have something incredibly rare, IMO they are the patriots of the NBA.  They have a few Stalwarts that stay year after year and a fantastic coach.  Duncan is one of the best players this league has ever seen.  And Parker Duncan and Ginobili work together better than many other pairings ever have.

Yes you do have Pop, but the players on those spurs teams are also very very good and everything there begins and ends with Duncan.

[Kane3387]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

It's only 8 out of 82 games Forgot there aren't 30 teams.

[Kane3387]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

Solid point.  Still, Ru Paul or not, I have a hard time seeing anybody but Chicago taking that #1 seed.  I like Detroit's team, but I think Chicago is better.

Why the Bulls over the Pistons?

[Kane3387]

Lucky's got a sneaky great team, huh?

I think it's the best team in the division probably for the regular season. But when the playoffs come and the games slow down D'antoni has always had some issues.

I'm not sure if I'd rank them ahead of the Bills, but I disagree with your thoughts on D'Antoni in the playoffs. His problem was that he ran into some great teams, not necessarily the pace.

Always felt it was the lack of attention to defense. He had incredible talent in Phoenix and I think the disregard for defense always cost him against the Spurs.

Or was the lack of attention to defense what got them there? Had he spent more time on focusing on defense perhaps the team wouldn't have been as good.

I think 7 seconds or less was cool and intriguing, but until that kind of strategy actually wins it all I can't jump on the bandwagon.

[Roy H.]

1) Detroit - D'antoni with this lineup in the regular season is good.
2) Tie between Chicago and Indiana. I think they finish with the same record. Chicago isn't going to max its players out in the regular season and will drop some games as a result. This is smart though. Indiana will go Balls to the Wall and Rondo has an incredible statistical year.
4) Cleveland - I don't trust Bogut to stay healthy. I also don't like Pop with Melo to begin the season, but I think this team still fights for the 8th seed after a bonding session between its coach and best player.

Hmm ... good point, yeah, I think Detroit win the division too.

Leaning towards Detroit as my choice for top seed in the East.

I dunno though, this is a pretty tough divsion.  I think that might cost them the #1 seed.  I could See Indiana, Chicago and Detroit beating eachother up pretty good

Solid point.  Still, Ru Paul or not, I have a hard time seeing anybody but Chicago taking that #1 seed.  I like Detroit's team, but I think Chicago is better.

Why the Bulls over the Pistons?

I'm a believer in Chicago's starters over Detroit's.  I'm staying open-minded for a playoff series, but I think during the regular season, a Wade/Pierce/Bosh team will win.