2012 CB Draft Southwest Division Press Conferences

[Roy H.]

Elton Brand was just thrown away and lost his job to Lavoy Allen. Jeff Green missed the entire season with heart surgery. Now those two guys are gonna be key cogs on a championship team with one All-Star?

I don't like depending on Dunleavy to attack the hoop though. Obviously Irving works. Andy V getting garbage buckets as a main way to score in the paint doesn't seem reliable.

No offense, man, but I'm going to only answer questions that are based in reality.

Elton Brand was making $18 million.  The team made an economic decision.  Do you think Nick Young is better than Lou Williams?  Because Philadelphia management made that decision, too.  Real Life Dallas management chose Brendan Haywood and Lamar Odom over Tyson Chandler.  The Celtics let Tony Allen and James Posey walk. 

The NBA is about more than talent on the floor.  Contracts matter, and to ignore them seems a tad bit disingenuous.  Nobody in the world thinks Lavoy Allen is better than Elton Brand, who was an elite defender and a good scorer and rebounder.

Varejao scores in the paint.  He's consistently scored around double figures there.  Jeff Green is an excellent post player.  Mike Dunleavy was the 11th most efficient scorer in the NBA last year.  These are all facts, and no amount of advocacy is going to change those facts.

Dallas has far and away the most efficient offense in this league.  I don't think it's particularly close.

[Gainesville Celtic]

One and only question for Dallas: ...

First, I think you're underrating Green.  He has proven himself at both SF and PF. 

Also, Spoelstra is talking about a "positionless" team.  That's us.  We have a 6'9" who can play any position on the floor.  A 6'9" SG.  A 6'10" SF / PF.  A 6'5" guy who can cover PGs, SGs, and SFs.  A 6'8" PF who has a 7'5" wingspan, and who plays defense like KG.  A 6'8" SF who was the #1 post defender in the entire NBA. 

Our team has versatility.  Who is our Battier?  Thabo.  Or Green.  Or Kleiza.  Or Dunleavy.

I'm just not sold on Green --- not underating him per se. I think he's got speed an advantage vs. most PFs that he doesn't have vs. SFs.


Just my opinion but I think Spoelstra's point was that just having a bunch of 6-8 guys doesn't mean you can play positionless. They had that in 2010, but only a guy like Battier or Brand or Thabo might allow it to work consistetnly.

I'd agree that Thabo and Kleiza (and Brand or Varejao) allow that; I'd argue Green and Dunleavy don't --- which doesn't mean they're not good players (they are) but that they dont' have the tools to play "out of position" or "positionless".

[Roy H.]

Houston, it seems like a lot of GMs have almost been conceding TOTF to you, but how does your team match up with the Nets?

Brooklyn Nets
1. Derek Rose/ Damian Lillard/ Eric Maynor
2. Iman Shumpert/ Nick Young
3. Paul George/ Tobias Harris/ Quincy Pondexter
4. Ryan Anderson/ Derrick Williams/ Jared Jeffries
5. DeMarcus Cousins/ Emerka Okafor

[Gainesville Celtic]

How concerned are you about your lack of size?

Is this a trick question?  We have one of the biggest lineups in the league.  That size isn't just up front, but all the way over the roster.  It's not just height, either; our guys have long arms, and have a knack for playing great defense.

I guess I should say scoring in the paint. Other then Lebron who scores on the block?

Elton Brand.  Jeff Green (a phenomenal post player).  Andy Varejao on garbage buckets.  Plus, guys like Dunleavy and Irving will be attacking the hoop.  Scoring efficiently isn't a problem for this team.

Elton Brand was just thrown away and lost his job to Lavoy Allen. Jeff Green missed the entire season with heart surgery. Now those two guys are gonna be key cogs on a championship team with one All-Star?

Brand, like Ray Allen (and Paul Pierce), is an older player and maybe 80-90% of the All Star he used to be, but like Ray and Pierce was also injured in the playoffs.

You're vastly underrating him here* --- and PHI was MORONIC to just waive him IMO.

He's a very good 2-way player still (i'll quibble that he's elite defensively anymore, but only a hair below that).


* You're not the only one; So did the GM who traded me him, Gooden and Foye for Tyrus Thomas, Brewer and a #1 pick in Lucky17's 20-team H2H leauge.

[StartOrien]

I'm just not sold on Green --- not underating him per se. I think he's got speed an advantage vs. most PFs that he doesn't have vs. SFs.

I'm of the opinion that at least regular season wise, the Mavericks are the best team by a wide margin. But I'd agree with your thoughts on Green and thought the pick was a mistake. I would've much rather seen Dallas take a more traditional 3, or a taller backup 4.

[Roy H.]

I'm just not sold on Green --- not underating him per se. I think he's got speed an advantage vs. most PFs that he doesn't have vs. SFs.

I'm of the opinion that at least regular season wise, the Mavericks are the best team by a wide margin. But I'd agree with your thoughts on Green and thought the pick was a mistake. I would've much rather seen Dallas take a more traditional 3, or a taller backup 4.

Jeff Green plays well as a traditional three.  We don't regret the pick in the slightest.  The kid is 6'10", has shown a nice shot in the past, has scored efficiently from the post and the perimeter, and has been one of the league's great character guys, never complaining in whatever role he's asked to fill.

Green was the best player on the board when selected.  For our team, I like him as well as Granger, who has lost a couple of steps.  This draft is about building a team, rather than a collection of stars; as a team, I like the idea of Jeff Green on it.  The guy is going to be a third or fourth scoring option who is asked to make open shots, put effort in on defense, and run the floor.  He would excel on this squad.

[Kane3387]

Elton Brand was just thrown away and lost his job to Lavoy Allen. Jeff Green missed the entire season with heart surgery. Now those two guys are gonna be key cogs on a championship team with one All-Star?

I don't like depending on Dunleavy to attack the hoop though. Obviously Irving works. Andy V getting garbage buckets as a main way to score in the paint doesn't seem reliable.

No offense, man, but I'm going to only answer questions that are based in reality.

Elton Brand was making $18 million.  The team made an economic decision.  Do you think Nick Young is better than Lou Williams?  Because Philadelphia management made that decision, too.  Real Life Dallas management chose Brendan Haywood and Lamar Odom over Tyson Chandler.  The Celtics let Tony Allen and James Posey walk. 

The NBA is about more than talent on the floor.  Contracts matter, and to ignore them seems a tad bit disingenuous.  Nobody in the world thinks Lavoy Allen is better than Elton Brand, who was an elite defender and a good scorer and rebounder.

Varejao scores in the paint.  He's consistently scored around double figures there.  Jeff Green is an excellent post player.  Mike Dunleavy was the 11th most efficient scorer in the NBA last year.  These are all facts, and no amount of advocacy is going to change those facts.

Dallas has far and away the most efficient offense in this league.  I don't think it's particularly close.

No offense taken. 

Brand was an expiring deal. That's a nice chip and if he is as valuable as you say he is then I think his value combined with contract status makes him more valuable then Spencer Hawes or Nick young.

Nick Young vs Lou Williams isn't that big of a deal. Both chuckers. Williams averaged 14 ppg off the bench, plays no d, and is a sg in a pg body.

Fact is they valued Hawes more. Collins only played Brand in the playoffs out of respect. He was barely seen in the second half of games and Collins was much more confident going with Allen's post defense over Brands on KG.

Also Dallas got Brand on a claim for like 2 mill. So basically no one with money wanted him either.

I completely get the economics. Expiring deals of that size can be gold when you have a team chalked full of young talent like Philly does.

You said Dunleavy attacking the hoop. I questioned that on him. He is a nice role player. Green is a risk no matter what you say. The guy hasn't played in over a year and is still unsigned for a good reason.

Varejao puts up a nice double double, but he just hasn't played in two years. Which leads me to another question that you may or may not have answered. For the regular season whats the rotation and minutes like at the Center position? Also will you double team the likes of Howard or Bynum when you play them?

[Roy H.]

So, the argument is that a young team valued a 24 year old center who was starting to show some potential over a veteran PF/C who had no future on a rebuilding team?  I'm not sure that's the strongest case you've ever made.

It's the NBA, man.  Contracts matter.  Teams have to make financial decisions, and they make them.

Also will you double team the likes of Howard or Bynum when you play them?

Occasionally, but it won't be a full-time strategy.

[Kane3387]

So, the argument is that a young team valued a 24 year old center who was starting to show some potential over a veteran PF/C who had no future on a rebuilding team?  I'm not sure that's the strongest case you've ever made.

It's the NBA, man.  Contracts matter.  Teams have to make financial decisions, and they make them.

Also will you double team the likes of Howard or Bynum when you play them?

Occasionally, but it won't be a full-time strategy.

Elton Brand's deal plus a package of young players on rookie deals likely nets you a better player then the dudes they waived Brand for. That's assuming Brand is valued as much around the league as he is to you.

That was my point.

[nickagneta]

Houston, what is the a) ceiling, b) floor, and c) realistic projection for each of Lin, Rivers, MKG, Montiejunas, Barnes, and Valanciunas?  Is there a potential super-duper-star in that bunch?  Is Harrison Barnes still on your team? 

Also, when did Jeremy Lin grow to 7'0"?

Jeremy Lin
a) Baron Davis -that baron from his NO and GSW years.
b) Keyon Dooling
c) Mo Williams

Austin Rivers
a) Manu Ginobili
b) Randy Foye in his less productive years
c) Allan Houston in my mind he is a star

MKG
a) Scottie Pippen
b) Tayshuan Prince
c) Scottie Pippen - in my mind he is a superstar

Harrison Barnes
a) Alex English
b) Marvin Williams
c) Glen Rice or Rudy Gay at his best

Donatas Montiejunas
a) Dirk Nowitzki
b) Matt Bonner
c) Andrea Bargnani with defensive skills and better inside game

Valanciunas
a) Vlade Divac
b) Darius Songalia
c) Not sure. Could be anywhere in between. I wish the Lithuanian coach had played him more and featured him more in the Olympics to get a better idea.

[StartOrien]

I'm just not sold on Green --- not underating him per se. I think he's got speed an advantage vs. most PFs that he doesn't have vs. SFs.

I'm of the opinion that at least regular season wise, the Mavericks are the best team by a wide margin. But I'd agree with your thoughts on Green and thought the pick was a mistake. I would've much rather seen Dallas take a more traditional 3, or a taller backup 4.

Jeff Green plays well as a traditional three.  We don't regret the pick in the slightest.  The kid is 6'10", has shown a nice shot in the past, has scored efficiently from the post and the perimeter, and has been one of the league's great character guys, never complaining in whatever role he's asked to fill.

Green was the best player on the board when selected.  For our team, I like him as well as Granger, who has lost a couple of steps.  This draft is about building a team, rather than a collection of stars; as a team, I like the idea of Jeff Green on it.  The guy is going to be a third or fourth scoring option who is asked to make open shots, put effort in on defense, and run the floor.  He would excel on this squad.

I think taking a more sure of a thing at the 3, even if it was not the bpa would've been the right move. Jared Dudley sticks out as a player who I'm sure was available and would've been a better fit.

[Roy H.]

So, the argument is that a young team valued a 24 year old center who was starting to show some potential over a veteran PF/C who had no future on a rebuilding team?  I'm not sure that's the strongest case you've ever made.

It's the NBA, man.  Contracts matter.  Teams have to make financial decisions, and they make them.

Also will you double team the likes of Howard or Bynum when you play them?

Occasionally, but it won't be a full-time strategy.

Elton Brand's deal plus a package of young players on rookie deals likely nets you a better player then the dudes they waived Brand for. That's assuming Brand is valued as much around the league as he is to you.

That was my point.

Expiring deals aren't worth what they used to be.  The new gold standard is trade exceptions and/or non-guaranteed deals.

If you're evaluating a player based not upon his performance, but upon the decision of Philadelphia management, though, I'm not sure what to tell you.  Elton Brand was an amazing defender last year (I've cited the stats and articles, so have fun reading), and he was an efficient jump shooter and good rebounder.  I'm not sure why you keep insisting that he's washed up other than sheer advocacy, but it's not even close to being the truth.

[Roy H.]

I'm just not sold on Green --- not underating him per se. I think he's got speed an advantage vs. most PFs that he doesn't have vs. SFs.

I'm of the opinion that at least regular season wise, the Mavericks are the best team by a wide margin. But I'd agree with your thoughts on Green and thought the pick was a mistake. I would've much rather seen Dallas take a more traditional 3, or a taller backup 4.

Jeff Green plays well as a traditional three.  We don't regret the pick in the slightest.  The kid is 6'10", has shown a nice shot in the past, has scored efficiently from the post and the perimeter, and has been one of the league's great character guys, never complaining in whatever role he's asked to fill.

Green was the best player on the board when selected.  For our team, I like him as well as Granger, who has lost a couple of steps.  This draft is about building a team, rather than a collection of stars; as a team, I like the idea of Jeff Green on it.  The guy is going to be a third or fourth scoring option who is asked to make open shots, put effort in on defense, and run the floor.  He would excel on this squad.

I think taking a more sure of a thing at the 3, even if it was not the bpa would've been the right move. Jared Dudley sticks out as a player who I'm sure was available and would've been a better fit.

Jared Dudley was already picked.  However, while I'm a Dudley fan, he's not nearly as dynamic as Green, he's not as athletic, and his defense was really, really poor last year.  In all seriousness, Mike Dunleavy was a better player than Jared Dudley last year.  People value Dudley more, though, because of conventional wisdom.

[nickagneta]

Question for Houston:

I mean i guess when you aquire every single player under the age of 21 then you have a lock on team of the future, but wouldn't it makes sense to have actual vets hanging around? Maybe someone who has actually accomplished something OTHER than best tattoo/skin surface ratio?

I guess i just have concerns for a locker room of a dozen 21 year olds with millions of dollars running around Texas...but then again i'm a worrier.

Hasn't Serge Ibaka gone to the NBA Finals and come in second in the DPOY voting? Isn't Courtney Lee a fairly proven 6th man in this league? Hasn't Chris Andersen been one of the best veteran defensive big men playing a utility role in the NBA over the past 3-4 years?

Sometimes groups of highly talented, smart young players don't need vets to get much better. Sometimes they just need great coaching. Look at OKC a few years ago

Durant
Westbrook
Green
Sefalosha
Ibaka
Kyle Weaver
DJ White
Nick Collison
James Harden

All young. All talented. Great coaching turned them into the team they are today.

[Kane3387]

So, the argument is that a young team valued a 24 year old center who was starting to show some potential over a veteran PF/C who had no future on a rebuilding team?  I'm not sure that's the strongest case you've ever made.

It's the NBA, man.  Contracts matter.  Teams have to make financial decisions, and they make them.

Also will you double team the likes of Howard or Bynum when you play them?

Occasionally, but it won't be a full-time strategy.

Elton Brand's deal plus a package of young players on rookie deals likely nets you a better player then the dudes they waived Brand for. That's assuming Brand is valued as much around the league as he is to you.

That was my point.

Expiring deals aren't worth what they used to be.  The new gold standard is trade exceptions and/or non-guaranteed deals.

If you're evaluating a player based not upon his performance, but upon the decision of Philadelphia management, though, I'm not sure what to tell you.  Elton Brand was an amazing defender last year (I've cited the stats and articles, so have fun reading), and he was an efficient jump shooter and good rebounder.  I'm not sure why you keep insisting that he's washed up other than sheer advocacy, but it's not even close to being the truth.

I didn't say he is washed up. But he is being sold as a key cog on a contender when he couldn't even finish games on an 8th seed.