2013 CB Draft : Draft Thread : VOTING ENDS 8:00PM EST TONIGHT

[rondoallaturca]

San Antonio Spurs
Iguodala | Granger | Love | McGee

The Love/McGee combination up front looks very enticing. Love has the range and rebounding, while McGee has the athleticism and shot-blocking. The weaknesses of both are diminished playing alongside each other and they form a great complement. You can't go wrong with Iggy on the wing, but Granger figures to be the boom-or-bust link on this team. Suffering a degenerative knee injury is never music to one's ears, but his floor spacing and defense is a great fit to the team.

The last spot in your lineup is the PG position, but with the way your team is set up, you're just in luck. With Iggy around, you aren't in as dire of a need of a true playmaker at that position compared to other teams, meaning there's a couple PGs on the board that I feel would be absolute steals for you.

Overall, I must admit this team quietly sneaked under my radar. It's shaping up to be a pretty cohesive team and you're in good position to fill up the holes.

[The Walker Wiggle]

I'd be happy to take a look at the Spurs, TWW.

Thanks for the analysis, IP. I'll return the favor shortly.

What I love about this L@kers squad is, 1-4, they have the league's highest basketball IQ. Four savvy players, with obvious love for the game. That's what will earn L.A. wins over teams with greater athleticism, that and superior spacing.

Nowitzki is coming off his worst season since '99 or 2000, he's not getting to the line, and he hasn't had a healthy training camp since winning the title, but he closed last season out with a month and a half of vintage play, he remains one of the league's toughest covers at the 4, and their isn't a first option who turns it over less often. He'll have to do less than he did last year, and he's going to love his teammates. L.A. has put him in good position.

Calderon has consistently been one of the league's top 3-4 passers since his arrival state-side and hasn't gotten enough recognition as the NBA's BEST 3 POINT SHOOTER last season, shooting a standing ovation-worthy 46.1%,, through a trade from one also-ran team to another, no less. In fact, he was the league's best spot up shooter, 1.71 PPP on spot ups.

Then you have Matthews, a strong 3 point shooter who plays hard and plays hurt, and reigning DPOY Marc Gasol who's well-rounded game includes a nice mid-range jump shot. Offensively, this is a team that will move the ball and make shots. To my eye, L.A.'s only offensive weakness is the team's near total lack of dribble penetration. Matthew's can finish, but he's a poor, head-down-and-hope ball handler. While Calderon takes fewer shots at the rim than almost any other starting point guard.

Defensively, it's hard to judge thus far. Gasol is going to cover many of his teammates mistakes. He was the best defensive player on the league's best defense last year and I love  this description:

It takes about 45 seconds with Gasol to recognize that his basketball intellect is likely top five in the league. It's the first thing that Randolph mentions about him, the first thing that his coach, Lionel Hollins, mentions about him.

"Marc is very aware. He's got a high basketball IQ. He sees things and recognizes them and talks to guys. He's a very good help defender. He knows when to go double. He knows when to trap, when the clock is going down. He sees things and directs people like a goalie behind them. He knows how to keep his body in front of people and make people score through him."

But whereas Nowitzki's job has gotten much easier, Young Gasol's job has gotten notably more difficult. Matthews is solid but not first tier. (Marc is going to miss T.A.) Calderon is a player from an earlier era who has real trouble staying in front of the league's near-nightly parade of borderline-All Star point guards. And while Dirk's effort level is high, he's also limited side-to-side.

Going ahead, team has some choices to make, the Lakers need a player who can get at the rim and get to the line, they also need either a mobile back-up power forward or a quick, defensive-minded point guard.

[KCattheStripe]

C'mon guys, the chat is creepy when it's just me and Big Al.

[rondoallaturca]

It's interesting to see you immediately point out the Lakers' reliance on savvy and smarts. I noticed this earlier and thought it was quite ironic how our cross-town rivals, the Clippers, seem to be going for the exact opposite, with walking highlight reels that thrive off athleticism.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up, and another well-deserved TP's heading your way. My super duper co-GM and I both agree on the two weaknesses you've highlighted, and we're already hard at work identifying guys who can solve those issues. For now we're pretty happy about our European Big 3 ft. Wesley Matthews (aka Iron Man).

[The Walker Wiggle]

A very wiggle team. Great on paper, but you gotta make a couple of leaps that it'll work out. Some gambles, but smart ones.

Point of order. The TWW hallmarks are actually:

At least one starter playing out of his normal position: Bosh at center, Garnett at center, Ginobili/Iguodala splitting point guard duties last season.

A rookie or sophomore starter that everyone doubts: Westbrook 08-09, _____________ 09-10, Eric Gordon 10-11, Rubio 11-12,  Anthony Davis last season.

Which on a related note, this is the longest we've ever gone in a CB Draft without a rookie picked. Who's going first?

[KCattheStripe]

It's interesting to see you immediately point out the Lakers' reliance on savvy and smarts. I noticed this earlier and thought it was quite ironic how our cross-town rivals, the Clippers, seem to be going for the exact opposite, with walking highlight reels that thrive off athleticism.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up, and another well-deserved TP's heading your way. My super duper co-GM and I both agree on the two weaknesses you've highlighted, and we're already hard at work identifying guys who can solve those issues. For now we're pretty happy about our European Big 3 ft. Wesley Matthews (aka Iron Man).

Jose Calderon is not good enough to qualify into a big 3.

[nickagneta]

Which on a related note, this is the longest we've ever gone in a CB Draft without a rookie drafted. Who's going first?

I would think the best two rookies are ________ ________ and ________ _______, but my guess is that the first rookie will be ________ _________.

Now that's just my opinion. Others might have different opinions.

[WeMadeIt17]

No love for the clippers? We have the youngest MVP ever coming back. We have a 18 and 10 guy in Blake. An absolute beast on the boards and double double machine in Nikola. And Afflalo to play D on the opposing teams best player. Oh and he avg. 16ppg on 45% from 2pt FGs and 38% from downtown. We need some more guys but thats a tough team.

[BleedGreen1989]

It's interesting to see you immediately point out the Lakers' reliance on savvy and smarts. I noticed this earlier and thought it was quite ironic how our cross-town rivals, the Clippers, seem to be going for the exact opposite, with walking highlight reels that thrive off athleticism.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up, and another well-deserved TP's heading your way. My super duper co-GM and I both agree on the two weaknesses you've highlighted, and we're already hard at work identifying guys who can solve those issues. For now we're pretty happy about our European Big 3 ft. Wesley Matthews (aka Iron Man).

Jose Calderon is not good enough to qualify into a big 3.

Well considering most of us only have 4 players, most of your team can easily be a "big 3"

[KCattheStripe]

It's interesting to see you immediately point out the Lakers' reliance on savvy and smarts. I noticed this earlier and thought it was quite ironic how our cross-town rivals, the Clippers, seem to be going for the exact opposite, with walking highlight reels that thrive off athleticism.

Anyway, thanks for the write-up, and another well-deserved TP's heading your way. My super duper co-GM and I both agree on the two weaknesses you've highlighted, and we're already hard at work identifying guys who can solve those issues. For now we're pretty happy about our European Big 3 ft. Wesley Matthews (aka Iron Man).

Jose Calderon is not good enough to qualify into a big 3.

Well considering most of us only have 4 players, most of your team can easily be a "big 3"

They have to be "big" first. But you've got a hell of a dynamic duo.

[Who]

The Lakers remind me a lot of the Spanish National Team with Dirk in place of Pau Gasol. And I think that is fantastic because that is a brilliant basketball team.

I love how much jump-shooting that Spanish team has with Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Fernandez on the wing. That is a real strength for their team in terms of spacing and allowing that extra fluidity to their lineup. Makes it so difficult to send help defenders over on the pick and roll or in post ups with either of the Gasol brothers. With Dirk there instead of Pau Gasol, that jump-shooting threat has a chance to jump to a whole other level. So I would be looking for a two-way SF. A good defender and outside shooter.

This has a chance to be a very special team.

[fitzhickey]

Which on a related note, this is the longest we've ever gone in a CB Draft without a rookie picked. Who's going first?

I think a certain Orlando guard will go soon
pretty highely touted, defensive pitbull and learning the point
I think he will be the first rook to go
unless someone thinks _____________ will be dirk 2.0 and gets him

[The Walker Wiggle]

West- Golden State, Houston, Minnesota, Phoenix

Rebuttal.

Golden State doesn't have the talent at the top that San Antonio does. And who's passing the ball between Randolph, Lee, and Earl? Hibbert I guess. Huh.

Minnesota is getting a Lebron pass, but he's won with two All-Star scorers alongside him. Where's the offense coming from up North?

Houston is going to score a ton of points, but doesn't have a plus defender on the roster. Don't try to tell me that's Batum unless you've checked the #s.

Phoenix, admittedly has the great Duncan/West tandem. But Teague/Butler hardly raise them above the fray.

[Gomesfan]

Bleedgreen1989 , Just wanted to let you know.....
I believe I was the original CB Draft LA Lakers a few years back!!!

[Gomesfan]

West- Golden State, Houston, Minnesota, Phoenix

Rebuttal.

Golden State doesn't have the talent at the top that San Antonio does. And who's passing the ball between Randolph, Lee, and Earl? Hibbert I guess. Huh.

Minnesota is getting a Lebron pass, but he's won with two All-Star scorers alongside him. Where's the offense coming from up North?

Houston is going to score a ton of points, but doesn't have a plus defender on the roster. Don't try to tell me that's Batum unless you've checked the #s.

Phoenix, admittedly has the great Duncan/West tandem. But Teague/Butler hardly raise them above the fray.

You could also argue that the Clippers could beat any of these teams on any given night ....obviously dont have our starting 5 but we will