2012 CB Draft Pacific Division Press Conferences

[The Walker Wiggle]

Sure everything is debatable. Maybe I am underrating Manu.

He is a great player, but I just can't say that he is better then Dirk, Wade, or Kobe. Dirk and Kobe are the best players on their team and the focal points of their opposition's defense. Where as Manu is the third guy game planned for.

Wade is clearly not number one on his team, but I guess I just personally can't take Wade over Manu.

I'd argue that Kobe had a lot of help too, in the best big man tandem in the league. That he wouldn't cede more shots was clearly to the Lakers determent last season.

[Who]

I am leaning towards Phoenix as my pick for division winner.

Would you mind taking a look at this hatch job first?

Jamal Crawford 38.4 FG%
Antawn Jamison 40.3 FG%
Jason Richardson 40.8 FG%
John Salmons 40.9 FG%

The Suns offense features four volume scorers. There's no more gifted creator than Nash, but isn't this asking a lot of him? Particularly given how he thrives alongside high efficiency scorers?

Also, does it matter at all in this exercise that Nash and Richardson are reportedly unwilling to play together?

Their bench worries me considerably.

Not worried about J-Rich (yet). I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and expect him to play better next season. Not as well as he did in Phoenix the first time around. But at a level equal to a below average but solid starter.

I greatly dislike Antawn Jamison. I think he is an absolute liability (dodgy shot selection, awful defense, poor rebounding). Jamal Crawford I have pegged as an average backup SG. John Salmons listed as a very weak backup SF too. Like I said, their bench worries me considerably.

I love Phoenix' starters. I think they are a terrific lineup. Joakim Noah and Kevin Love can both play long minutes too. 35-37mpg in the regular season and up around 40mpg in the playoffs. I think Prince can play long minutes too (35-37mpg regular season, 40mpg playoffs).  That helps my concerns about their bench.

The one starter who needs the most rest is Steve Nash and they have Andre Miller behind him who I think is a top there backup PG in the league. So they have that situation well taken care of.

I like Maxiell (below average but decent backup big). I think he should get as many of the backup PF/C minutes as possible. I'd probably use Jason Richardson to backup the SF position and give Crawford all the backup SG minutes. Go with an eight man rotation. 

[Who]

I think Phoenix will have a great offense built around Nash, K-Love and Joakim Noah with J-Rich and Tayshaun Prince in supporting roles.

I think Noah will give Phoenix just as much as Gortat did these past 18 months in terms of a scoring threat + be a superior passer and ball-handler. I think Nash and Kevin Love will be absolutely lethal together. That four out one in configuration, the floor spacing that will create for everyone. The versatility of Prince offensively. The (role player) scoring punch of J-Rich.

I also think the rebounding tandem of Kevin Love and Joakim Noah will be incredible. That rebounding is a separating factor in my eyes. All those extra possessions being handed to a playmaker like Nash in an offense with those type of weapons. That is very tough.

But yeah, their bench worries me ... it's the one thing holding me back on this team.

[BigAlTheFuture]

I am leaning towards Phoenix as my pick for division winner.

Would you mind taking a look at this hatch job first?

Jamal Crawford 38.4 FG%
Antawn Jamison 40.3 FG%
Jason Richardson 40.8 FG%
John Salmons 40.9 FG%

The Suns offense features four volume scorers. There's no more gifted creator than Nash, but isn't this asking a lot of him? Particularly given how he thrives alongside high efficiency scorers?

Also, does it matter at all in this exercise that Nash and Richardson are reportedly unwilling to play together?

Jason Richardson with Nash: 48.8%, 47.4%, 47.0%
Jason Richardson after Nash (Orlando years): 43.3%, 40.8%
Jason Richardson before Nash: 42.6%, 41.0%, etc.

His 3 most efficient years was playing with Nash.

Amare Stoudamire with Nash: 57.5%, 59.0%, 53.9%, 55.7%
Amare Stoudamire after Nash: 50.2%, 48.3%

His efficiency took a major blow when he began his tenure with the Knicks.

You get the point here. Players are high efficient scorers because they play with Steve Nash. He makes it easier for everyone. If you put Crawford, Jamison, Richardson, and Salmons alongside Nash, their field goal percentage will increase dramatically.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Yeah, agreed.  You've got to look at more than net offensive / defensive rating on an individual basis.  Otherwise, you've got Steve Novak (+24) better than Lebron (+21)

I'm just working against the clock here and - I thought it was obvious - applying advanced metrics alongside my own good sense.

But here goes - Ginobili out-shot Wade and Bryant from the floor, the free throw line AND behind the arc and it wasn’t that close. (66.8 TS% vs 55.9 TS% and 52.7 TS% respectively.) His assist rate was far higher (6.9 assists per 36, 5.0 for Wade, 4.3 for Bryant) and nobody in this discussion lacked for talented teammates… Rebound rate is a wash, with Bryant getting edged out by the other two. Wade had far and away the best season defensively.

But I'm not asking you to throw either guy over, well maybe Kobe - who I hate. I am making the case that Ginobili's willingness - and ability - to sometimes play a supporting role offensively hide his brilliance.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Players are high efficient scorers because they play with Steve Nash. He makes it easier for everyone. If you put Crawford, Jamison, Richardson, and Salmons alongside Nash, their field goal percentage will increase dramatically.

But that's a massive work load. We're not talking one volume scorer on the roster. You have four. And Tayshaun Prince isn't exactly a knock down shooter either, but I give him a pass, because he does so many other things.

Also can I get Phoenix to comment on the rift between Richardson and Nash?

Lakers will not take Jason Richardson. He supposedly has personal issue with Steve Nash.

[Kane3387]

I am leaning towards Phoenix as my pick for division winner.

Would you mind taking a look at this hatch job first?

Jamal Crawford 38.4 FG%
Antawn Jamison 40.3 FG%
Jason Richardson 40.8 FG%
John Salmons 40.9 FG%

The Suns offense features four volume scorers. There's no more gifted creator than Nash, but isn't this asking a lot of him? Particularly given how he thrives alongside high efficiency scorers?

Also, does it matter at all in this exercise that Nash and Richardson are reportedly unwilling to play together?

Jason Richardson with Nash: 48.8%, 47.4%, 47.0%
Jason Richardson after Nash (Orlando years): 43.3%, 40.8%
Jason Richardson before Nash: 42.6%, 41.0%, etc.

His 3 most efficient years was playing with Nash.

Amare Stoudamire with Nash: 57.5%, 59.0%, 53.9%, 55.7%
Amare Stoudamire after Nash: 50.2%, 48.3%

His efficiency took a major blow when he began his tenure with the Knicks.

You get the point here. Players are high efficient scorers because they play with Steve Nash. He makes it easier for everyone. If you put Crawford, Jamison, Richardson, and Salmons alongside Nash, their field goal percentage will increase dramatically.

Steve Nash has a track record of making players look way better then they are. Quentin Richardson, Boris Diaw, and Raja Bell all owe him some money. So does Tim Thomas. I think Nash will make every player on his roster more efficient.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Players are high efficient scorers because they play with Steve Nash. He makes it easier for everyone. If you put Crawford, Jamison, Richardson, and Salmons alongside Nash, their field goal percentage will increase dramatically.

But that's a massive work load. We're not talking one volume scorer on the roster. You have four. And Tayshaun Prince isn't exactly a knock down shooter either, but I give him a pass, because he does so many other things.

Also can I get Phoenix to comment on the rift between Richardson and Nash?

Those are rumors. They will remain rumors until either one of Nash or Richardson comes forward and confirm these rumors. At first it was Jason Richardson sleeping with his wife then another website said it was not Richardson, but Leoandro Barbosa. Then another website said that it was Nash that was cheating, not his wife. All of this is just gossip, imo.

Either way, I don't think this will effect their play on the court.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Steve Nash has a track record of making players look way better then they are. Quentin Richardson, Boris Diaw, and Raja Bell all owe him some money. So does Tim Thomas. I think Nash will make every player on his roster more efficient.

The difference with the players you've named. None are volume scorers. It's not exactly a fair comparison. Jamal Crawford takes 5 more shots a game over his career than defensive specialist and spot up shooter, Raja Bell.

[Lucky17]

Players are high efficient scorers because they play with Steve Nash. He makes it easier for everyone. If you put Crawford, Jamison, Richardson, and Salmons alongside Nash, their field goal percentage will increase dramatically.

But that's a massive work load. We're not talking one volume scorer on the roster. You have four. And Tayshaun Prince isn't exactly a knock down shooter either, but I give him a pass, because he does so many other things.

Also can I get Phoenix to comment on the rift between Richardson and Nash?

Lakers will not take Jason Richardson. He supposedly has personal issue with Steve Nash.

http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/827781/suns-steve-nash-involved-in-baby-daddy-drama

Neither Nash nor his ex-wife Alejandra have made any statements confirming or denying these reports, so it is hard to separate fact from fiction at this point.

Many people are calling the rumors false after Alejandra did an interview with Arizona Foothills (check out the interview and pictures here) and posed for pictures with her new baby, along with the couple's twin daughters. In fact, Terez Owens is reporting that it is Nash himself who was cheating with a 22-year-old girl -- not his ex-wife!

[StartOrien]

Anyone got any questions for the Lake Show before I start watching Team USA then start plowing my way through the first season of Dexter?

[Lucky17]

Anyone got any questions for the Lake Show before I start watching Team USA then start plowing my way through the first season of Dexter?

Who's the head coach again?

[StartOrien]

Anyone got any questions for the Lake Show before I start watching Team USA then start plowing my way through the first season of Dexter?

Who's the head coach again?

I guess that's something we should be bragging about more, as it was a great selection for our team (all KC on that).

[The Walker Wiggle]

Q1. What happens to the team's fortunes if (when?) Ginobili misses time next year to due to injury/fatigue? What if he misses 20+ games?

Undeniably the offense suffers. Klay Thompson (21.7 ppg post-Monta trade) and Mirza Teletovic (the best scorer in Europe) shoulder the load. And we start the more traditional line-up some wanted to see anyway with Delonte West at the point. Delonte is a starting caliber player and post-season proven. Has anyone asked the question of my divisional rivals for the top spot, the L.A. Clippers? Eric Gordon played nine games last season.

Q2. What happens to the team's fortunes if (when?) Davis hits the proverbial rookie wall around the All-Star Break?

This is far less of a concern to me. The Warriors aren't asking Davis to be more than a difference maker on defense and a fourth option finisher. He won't have to lead, he won't have to shoulder the burden that's facing him in New Orleans. We have two other stars.

Q3. Is Patrick Mills your only bench player who can create his own shot? Is this a concern?

I'm glad you mentioned Patrick Mills, it gives me a chance to tout my third string guard, who came into his own in a season ending stint with the Spurs. 10.3 points on 48.5% shooting over 16 games. 1.5 three pointers per and 2.4 assists. And he's had a very successful Olympic campaign which should only push him forward next season.

Don't ask me about his numbers in three starts. They make him look like the Australian Jeremy Lin.

But to better answer your question, I don't expect to run full line changes. Expect to see two of Ginobili, Iguodala and Thompson at almost all times. (Iguodala's endurance is particularly notable. He was 13th in the league in minutes played.) I also haven't sold sophomore Alec Burks enough. My fault. He's a very aggressive combo guard in his own right, and I like the rate at which he draws free throws.

[StartOrien]

Oh, that's how we can deflect all those nonsense questions about Championship pedigree! With the nonsense coaching category!