NBA Roundtable Discussion

[Guest George's Box]

Yeah, Paxson made a boo-boo, and I'm not afraid to say it, but he's built up enough personal capital with the majority of his transactions that I can forgive this one. Can't win 'em all. Besides, the fact that most of these guys are cheap kind of softens the blow, financially, at least.

 

Oh and at least he isn't Jerry Krause. Yeesh.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

This is why I was dead against the signing, but whatever. And Czech, didn't Krause assemble... you know... the 6 championship winning teams?

[Failed Bridge 0]

If the Bulls are willing to take Wally Szerbiak and Theo Ratliff off the Celts hands then I'm sure the Celts would take Ben Wallace off theirs...if its that big a deal that is.

[Guest George's Box]

This is why I was dead against the signing, but whatever. And Czech, didn't Krause assemble... you know... the 6 championship winning teams?

He also buried the franchise thereafter, did he not?

[Fökai 0]

To veer off of the current subject, a few people mentioned pages back about Conley being a reach at #3. I think he's good as gone at #4 (Memphis) or #6 (Milwaukee). Conley may be the eighth-rated prospect in the draft, but both teams have pressing needs at the point, and he won't last past Milwaukee if they choose to not re-sign Mo Will.

 

And yeah, Chicago could use Spencer Hawes, but I don't think this team can wait until Hawes develops a post presence at the pro level. They need a guy now, whether it's Randolph or Garnett or whoever, they should not be building toward Tyrus and Hawes in the frontcourt in a few years. If they can package the pick to land someone, so be it. I think that pick is a waste with the team they have right now. Nothing short of Oden and Durant falling to them should sway this.

 

EDIT: I just wanted to make the point that Conley is NOT a reach at #3, and is the perfect pick for the Hawks at that time. I wouldn't risk trading down to land him later - just get him.

[Ripper 0]

To veer off of the current subject, a few people mentioned pages back about Conley being a reach at #3. I think he's good as gone at #4 (Memphis) or #6 (Milwaukee). Conley may be the eighth-rated prospect in the draft, but both teams have pressing needs at the point, and he won't last past Milwaukee if they choose to not re-sign Mo Will.

 

And yeah, Chicago could use Spencer Hawes, but I don't think this team can wait until Hawes develops a post presence at the pro level. They need a guy now, whether it's Randolph or Garnett or whoever, they should not be building toward Tyrus and Hawes in the frontcourt in a few years. If they can package the pick to land someone, so be it. I think that pick is a waste with the team they have right now. Nothing short of Oden and Durant falling to them should sway this.

 

EDIT: I just wanted to make the point that Conley is NOT a reach at #3, and is the perfect pick for the Hawks at that time. I wouldn't risk trading down to land him later - just get him.

 

 

No way Memphis would pass on Corey Brewer. Or if they are content on trading Gasol, then they would go for a big like Hawes or Wright. Conley wouldn't last past 5 though because Boston would trade the pick to Portland for something so they can have conley and durant.

 

Thats why I still say go for ZBO and a point if you are Atlanta. Portland could have a strating line up of Oden/Aldridge/Marvin Williams/Brandon Roy/Mike Conley while Atlanta could be looking at Jarret Jack/Joe Johnson/Josh Smith/Zach Randolph/Solomon Jones or Zaza Pachulia.

 

Atlanta gets the point they need and a inside scoring presense since Mike Woodson is determined to have a half court offense for some reason, and Portland sures up their SF position if they can't hold on to Outlaw and get Conley to play along side Oden.

 

If there wasn't a Billy Knight involved in all of this, it would be a no brainer.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

That Portland lineup would be wild. Two rookies starting? Two second-year players? One third-year player? And despite that I still think they'd be okay, even if it's totally weird to have your oldest starter be 23. One way or another, Portland has been making the right kind of deals the past couple of years to have a very strong young core in a few seasons.

 

If he can't work out a trade, I think Billy Knight just needs to grab Conley at 3 and be done with it. He won't last out of the top 10, and knowing the Hawks someone would grab Acie Law before #11 since nothing can ever seemingly go right for them. At a certain point it doesn't matter if you're getting the guy you need at 3, 5, 8, or 11, as long as you get him.

[Timmy8271 0]

Magic fired Brian Hill. Like that is going to help them any. The magic's front office sucks. First it was Pat Williams who wasn't that bad. Then it was the hockey guy who knew nothing of Basketball. Now it's Otis smith. The city of Orlando really expects the taxpayers to build a new arena after this? Fuck that.

[Ripper 0]

That Portland lineup would be wild. Two rookies starting? Two second-year players? One third-year player? And despite that I still think they'd be okay, even if it's totally weird to have your oldest starter be 23. One way or another, Portland has been making the right kind of deals the past couple of years to have a very strong young core in a few seasons.

 

If he can't work out a trade, I think Billy Knight just needs to grab Conley at 3 and be done with it. He won't last out of the top 10, and knowing the Hawks someone would grab Acie Law before #11 since nothing can ever seemingly go right for them. At a certain point it doesn't matter if you're getting the guy you need at 3, 5, 8, or 11, as long as you get him.

 

 

Except when the guy you want is Sheldon Williams and noone inside the top 10 wants him and you can trade your number 5 pick for, I don't know, ANYTHING and move down and still get your guy....except when that happens. (sorry...still pissed about last year)

 

With the coaching the hawks have (and they seem content in keeping Mike Woodson's inept ass) they need a big man that can score more than they need a point. conley would be great, but with the Hawks offense led by woodson, he would be completely worthless. Despite having probably the most athletic lineup in the NBA that is made for an uptempo offense, he runs a half court set where he has no post up players and basically is "Watch Joe Johnson try to score". I don't care if they had taken Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Brandon Roy in the last couple of drafts, they all would have been worthless and probably benched by now with Woodsons horrible coaching.

 

But if they are going to keep giving him more time, give him the team he needs to win. He needs a guy with scoring ability with his back to the basket, can rebound and block a shot every once in a while. THEN they need a point that can consistantly hit the outside jumper and defend the perimeter. I would LOVE to have Conely but he isn't the most pressing need. I think they could trade and get both of their needs with the number 3 pick in this draft and still be in the lottery with the 11th pick.

[Fökai 0]

Well, that's fine if the Hawks don't want Conley. And you're right about Woodson's ineptitude rubbing off on Conley. My point was that they shouldn't hope he's available anywhere after #6, because he's good as gone.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

This is why I was dead against the signing, but whatever. And Czech, didn't Krause assemble... you know... the 6 championship winning teams?

He also buried the franchise thereafter, did he not?

 

Doesn't matter. When John Paxson assembles half as many championship teams, then we can put him above Krause. But until then? No.

[Brett Favre 0]

So who's up for a mock draft?

[Guest]

*raises hand*

[Precious Roy 0]

This is why I was dead against the signing, but whatever. And Czech, didn't Krause assemble... you know... the 6 championship winning teams?

He also buried the franchise thereafter, did he not?

 

Doesn't matter. When John Paxson assembles half as many championship teams, then we can put him above Krause. But until then? No.

 

For real

[Gert T 0]

I'd be down too.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Here's something that might make Ripper happy.

 

According to this article-

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-b...o&type=lgns

 

the Blazers are looking to package Zach Randolph and Jarret Jack to also land Mike Conley in a high draft position. Since the Hawks are at #3, people say they're looking at either them, or the Celtics at 5, but it doesn't seem Ainge is going to want to bite on that one.

 

I don't know if I like the idea or not, since you're basically giving up two proven solid players to get one unproven rookie guard, and that'll leave the Blazers with practically no veterans. With that said, it'd be useful to have Greg Oden be comfortable in Portland's offense, and he's been playing with Conley forever. I'm just worried with all these big rookie contracts how long they're going to be able to keep the team together while they still get the experience necessary to make a title run.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Here are some awesome videos from NBA.com

 

This is the reaction of Blazers fans at the draft lottery party

 

http://www.blazersevangelist.com/2007/05/t...arty-video.html

 

And this is the reaction of the Supersonics front office

 

http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/draft_lotte...ont_office.html

[Just John 0]

Here's something that might make Ripper happy.

 

According to this article-

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-b...o&type=lgns

 

the Blazers are looking to package Zach Randolph and Jarret Jack to also land Mike Conley in a high draft position. Since the Hawks are at #3, people say they're looking at either them, or the Celtics at 5, but it doesn't seem Ainge is going to want to bite on that one.

 

Terrible idea. A college all-star team would get demolished in the West. Having a bunch of inexperienced players trying to form a cohesive team when most of them are pegged to be franchise players combined with no veteran leadership or role players sounds like a disaster. That team would be lucky to win 30 games. As of right now, they look like they might have enough to contend for a lower seed in the playoffs, so this trade would be pretty stupid.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Here's something that might make Ripper happy.

 

According to this article-

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-b...o&type=lgns

 

the Blazers are looking to package Zach Randolph and Jarret Jack to also land Mike Conley in a high draft position. Since the Hawks are at #3, people say they're looking at either them, or the Celtics at 5, but it doesn't seem Ainge is going to want to bite on that one.

 

I don't know if I like the idea or not, since you're basically giving up two proven solid players to get one unproven rookie guard, and that'll leave the Blazers with practically no veterans. With that said, it'd be useful to have Greg Oden be comfortable in Portland's offense, and he's been playing with Conley forever. I'm just worried with all these big rookie contracts how long they're going to be able to keep the team together while they still get the experience necessary to make a title run.

I don't mean to be a dick, but that's a terrible misinterpretation of that article. Nowhere in that article does it say that they want to package Randolph and Jack for the no. 3 pick. The article implies that they want Conley and the author wonders if between those two could they have the right mix to pick up a top 5 pick. It goes on further to say that Atlanta doesn't have the right mix of players to send back to Portland to entice them to trade Randolph.

[Guest George's Box]

Anyone else read the latest from Simmons? Whatta minge.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Czech, why must you insult all that I hold dear?

[bob_barron 0]

minge?

[Guest George's Box]

Czech, why must you insult all that I hold dear?

I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of him weeping in an Irish bar with his pals Oil Stain and Biff because he deluded himself into thinking the Celtics had automatically won the first pick despite less than a 25% chance, and acting like the 5th pick in a loaded draft is the end of basketball in Boston. It's bad writing.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

Czech, why must you insult all that I hold dear?

I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of him weeping in an Irish bar with his pals Oil Stain and Biff because he deluded himself into thinking the Celtics had automatically won the first pick despite less than a 25% chance, and acting like the 5th pick in a loaded draft is the end of basketball in Boston. It's bad writing.

 

I thought it was hilarious. I've grown to hate every team that man cheers for, so I really enjoy it when one of his teams is in the shitter. And this year has been great...the Patriots lose to Manning, the Celtics implode, whatever college he went to lost in the first round of the NCAA tourney, his wife beat him at making NFL picks, and now the Celtics lose out on Durant. Now the Red Sox just need to lose to Clemons in a game 7 to make this year perfect.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Here's something that might make Ripper happy.

 

According to this article-

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-b...o&type=lgns

 

the Blazers are looking to package Zach Randolph and Jarret Jack to also land Mike Conley in a high draft position. Since the Hawks are at #3, people say they're looking at either them, or the Celtics at 5, but it doesn't seem Ainge is going to want to bite on that one.

 

I don't know if I like the idea or not, since you're basically giving up two proven solid players to get one unproven rookie guard, and that'll leave the Blazers with practically no veterans. With that said, it'd be useful to have Greg Oden be comfortable in Portland's offense, and he's been playing with Conley forever. I'm just worried with all these big rookie contracts how long they're going to be able to keep the team together while they still get the experience necessary to make a title run.

I don't mean to be a dick, but that's a terrible misinterpretation of that article. Nowhere in that article does it say that they want to package Randolph and Jack for the no. 3 pick. The article implies that they want Conley and the author wonders if between those two could they have the right mix to pick up a top 5 pick. It goes on further to say that Atlanta doesn't have the right mix of players to send back to Portland to entice them to trade Randolph.

 

You're right, I hyped it up as being a little more than it was. Mybad.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Czech, why must you insult all that I hold dear?

I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of him weeping in an Irish bar with his pals Oil Stain and Biff because he deluded himself into thinking the Celtics had automatically won the first pick despite less than a 25% chance, and acting like the 5th pick in a loaded draft is the end of basketball in Boston. It's bad writing.

I guess you have to live in this area (which will allow one to share the feelings he has) to find his writing humerous. I laugh because I often find myself feeling closely to how he feels but he's able to put it into comedic terms. As I said previously though, the draft may be loaded but the Celts needs were only really going to be filled with either the top 2 picks. I feel Rondo is going to become a very good PG so its not like they need Conley. Pierce will be Pierce if healthy so Brewer isn't needed and Al Jefferson is coming into his own which means there's no need for Brandon Wright. Oden is the only NBA ready Center in the draft and Durant is the only good scorer that could have made it so teams couldn't zone out both Pierce and Al. That's why I wouldn't be surprised to see the pick traded for a KG or Jermaine O'Neil.

 

I've grown to hate every team that man cheers for, so I really enjoy it when one of his teams is in the shitter. And this year has been great...the Patriots lose to Manning, the Celtics implode, whatever college he went to lost in the first round of the NCAA tourney, his wife beat him at making NFL picks, and now the Celtics lose out on Durant. Now the Red Sox just need to lose to Clemons in a game 7 to make this year perfect.

[Brett Favre 0]

We only have like 3 people for the draft so far. I think we need like 20 or so because some teams have multiple picks.

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

I guess you have to live in this area (which will allow one to share the feelings he has) to find his writing humerous. I laugh because I often find myself feeling closely to how he feels but he's able to put it into comedic terms. As I said previously though, the draft may be loaded but the Celts needs were only really going to be filled with either the top 2 picks. I feel Rondo is going to become a very good PG so its not like they need Conley. Pierce will be Pierce if healthy so Brewer isn't needed and Al Jefferson is coming into his own which means there's no need for Brandon Wright. Oden is the only NBA ready Center in the draft and Durant is the only good scorer that could have made it so teams couldn't zone out both Pierce and Al. That's why I wouldn't be surprised to see the pick traded for a KG or Jermaine O'Neil.

 

I am a Celts fan too and I agree. Although Durant as of now is a "can't-miss-talent", to me it was only Oden. Now, by my thinking, I think the Celts need to snag Noah, even if it is "earlier than projected".

[Guest George's Box]

Perhaps the Celtics can trade for a center? Has this ever been considered? I didn't know Greg Oden was the only person in the NBA who was seven feet tall.

 

I think the over-coverage of the lottery and draft has really hurt the way we analyze prospects in football and basketball. Once again, Boston fans should know better than anybody that things don't always work out in the exact order of selection: 198 players were chosen before their football savior, and their #2 NBA pick fell face-first into a mountain of blow before he ever hit the court.

[Brett Favre 0]

They can just draft Horford, Noah, or Jianlian. It's not like Jefferson is some kind of defensive stopper anyway, so the first two will help in the interior.