Ladies and Gentlemen
Your 2016 CelticsBlog Draft
ORLANDO MAGIC
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The Star:
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Paul George
George has emerged into one of the top 2 way players in the NBA. After a devastating leg injury two years ago, some questioned if PG would ever play again. But he came back better, stronger, and proved to everyone that he's a true young budding superstar. In his first full season since the injury, George led the Pacers with great numbers (23.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.1 apg) and stellar defense and intensity. Paul will enter the 2016-2017 season as the 26 year old centerpiece of this Orlando team with playoff aspirations.
The Serbian Sensation:
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Nikola (He ain't no) Jokic
Jokic was my 2nd round draft choice, over a lot of proven commodities, but I stand by this pick still. The potential is through the roof for this man, with per 36 numbers of 15.7 ppg, 13.1 rpg, and 4.8 apg after the all-star break last year... As a rookie! One man has put up numbers like that over a season, and that was the Chuckster 30 years ago. Jokic is an extremely skilled big, he can work out of the high post with his phenomenal instincts and passing. He won't jump out the gym or put up highlight reel dunks, but he is someone you can run an offense through and will give you efficiency and all-around great play. (I hope some of you watched USA- Serbia) For you advanced stat geeks out there, take a look at these numbers for the youngster:
BPM- 4.8 (12th in the NBA)
VORP- 3.0 (23rd in the NBA)
WS- 6.7 (39th in the NBA)
Jokic was a rookie in a crowded frontcourt in Denver. Give him another year as part of this Orlando team and his numbers and play will go through the roof.
The Other Starters
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Kent Bazemore, Patrick Beverley, and Mirza Teletovic all round out the starting 5 and have their own distinct roles. Beverley can hound any opposing point guard for 94 feet and on offensive will have plenty of open looks and knock them down (shot 40% from deep last year). Kent Bazemore will be the jack of all trades guy at the 2. He can defend, rebound well for his position, and hit shots. Bazemore signed a huge contract with the Hawks in the NBA, and will prove his worth with the CB draft Magic. Mirza is one of the best stretch 4's in the game. He led all PF's and C's in 3 pointers made this year while shooting at a 39.3% clip.
Our starters can all shoot the 3 ball, and two of them are plus defenders in Bazemore and Beverley. This will open up lanes and opportunities for the offense to run through PG13 and Jokic. Now I know what you're thinking, this team probably needs another true playmaker off the bench to take some pressure off the top 2 guys. Don't worry, we got someone who's about to REEK havoc.
The 6 God
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Tyreke is one of the elite playmaking wings in the game, who's only continued to improve on his weaknesses. He's bumped his 3 point percentage up to 38.4%, averaged over 6 assists and 5 rebounds per game the last 2 years, and has continued to effectively make plays for himself and others. Tyreke had some injury problems last year, and while rumors are he might not be ready for the start of the season, he is expected to play this year. When he does, he will be brought back slowly, but eventually will become an elite player for this Orlando team, playing major minutes and doing a little bit of everything off the bench.
The role players:
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These guys are 3 proven vets who have all been to the conference finals or further in their careers. Mahinmi might be the best back-up center in the league, and is a great rim protector. He also was a starter on Indiana's playoff team last year and will be reunited with Frank Vogel and Paul George. T-Ross was one of the top 3 point shooters this year, and will be another great shooter to bring in off the bench. And Mills is a proven champion who can provide and offensive spark off the bench and help form a much more offensive option at point with Beverley on the bench.
The deeper bench
Kyle O'Quinn
Gary Neal
Lavoy Allen
Toney Douglas
Reserves
Birdman
Jordan Mickey
These guys won't have huge roles come playoff time, but can all step in and fulfill a role. O'Quinn is a strong big with an underrated jumper who can bang down low against some bigger frontlines. Allen is another Paul George teammate who is a proven vet who can provide quality minutes. Neal is a champion who can shoot the lights out and can never be left alone outside. Douglas is another spark plug who has filled in for Tyreke in the past and can do it again until he is 100% ready to go this year.
Birdman is another proven champ who can help mentor some of the younger guys, and Mickey is just a binky who I really wanted to draft (he can block some shots though).
Outlook and possible rotation:
Without Tyreke
C: Jokic 30, Mahinmi 18
PF: Teletovic 26, George 8, O'Quinn 14
SF: George 28, Ross 14, Bazemore 6,
SG: Bazemore 24, Douglas 10, Neal 8, Ross 6
PG: Beverley 24, Mills 22, Douglas 2
With Tyreke
C: Jokic 30, Mahinmi 18
PF: Teletovic 24, George 24
SF: George 12, Evans 20, Bazemore 10 Ross 6
SG: Bazemore 20, Ross 10, Mills 5, Beverley 5 (8 between Neal/Douglas)
PG: Beverley 20, Mills 20, Evans 8
Plan of attack:
When Tyreke returns, hopefully early in the season, we will have 3 guys who can make plays in our small ball offense (Jokic/George/Evans). What's great about this team is we always have shooters (Teletovic, Mills, Bazemore, Ross, Neal, Douglas, Beverley) to surround them with and space the floor. The Magic plan on being one of the best 3 point shooting teams in the CB draft, and with enough elite defenders out on the wing (George/Beverley/Bazemore) and in the middle with Jokic and Mahinmi we should be formidable on both ends. We have more than enough depth to survive some time without Evans, guys like Douglas and Neal are proven vets who can get going off the bench. We fully expect to be a playoff team with the exceptional coaching of Frank Vogel (who has taken some bad teams pretty far). The Vogel/George dynamic hasn't made it to the finals in real life, but they've also never had a team quite this good. Big things are coming in Orlando.
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Introducing Your 2016
Charlotte Hornets
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Sponsored by:
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Ale House Red Oak Beer
(https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M8d3f4352a11a6dda02fba76901bb5687o0&pid=15.1) (http://primecard.com/images/Restaurants/3081-0998-0360-0012/RESIZED/carolina_ale_house_logo.jpg) (https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Me5ffbe3e80afc510c92f2f9ecb4199f0o0&pid=15.1)
Draft Philosophy
Entering the draft with the knowledge the team would be led by head coach Steve Clifford, I felt comfortable proceeding with my initial strategy of drafting based on seeking out players who were both strong on defensive and highly efficient on offense. The "Spursian" model of team first, with a focus on ball and player movement was front and center. A number of advanced stats "darlings" were near the top of our list, with an obvious focus on fit in the middle rounds. A key area of focus on offense was strong three point shooting and low turnover percentage.
While a large burden will be place on Mike Conley to run the offense, both Al Horford, as well as Chandler Parsons, will have the offense run through them at times. This trio was drafted with the primary intent on having someone to facilitate the offense from all areas of the court (i.e. from the top of the key, from the wings, and from the low/high post). Tyler Johnson will be expected to provide the majority of the scoring punch from the bench in a combo guard role.
On defense, the trio of Andrew Bogut, Al Horford, and Mike Conley will be the anchors, proving both interior defense against dribble penetration, as well as a top notch option to limit the oppositions lead guard. With many teams focusing on small-bal heavy lineups, having two elite front court defenders who can control the paint on defense is paramount. Finding a lane to the hoop will not be an easy task for our opponents. But we can also matchup with small-ball units. For this explicit purpose PJ Tucker was drafted to provide toughness and grit in defending small-ball forwards either in the post or on the wings. An underrated defender himself, JR Smith will be tasked primarily with causing havoc and chasing opponents shooters of the three-point line.
Roster / Depth Chart / Minutes
Starters:
Andrew Bogut
Al Horford
Chandler Parsons
JR Smith
Mike Conley
Bench:
Marreese Speights
Brandon Bass
PJ Tucker
Joe Ingles
Nicolas Brussino
Tyler Johnson
Raul Neto
Marcelo Huertas
Base Depth Chart / Rotation
C- A Bogut [24] | A Horford [14] | M Speights [10]
PF- A Horford [20] | PJ Tucker [18] | B Bass [10]
SF- C Parsons [34] | PJ Tucker [6] | J Ingles [8]
SG- JR Smith [28] | T Johnson [20]
PG- M Conley [34] | R Neto [7] | M Huertas [7]
Important Stats
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Game Strategy
With a lineup featuring many versatile, two-way players, who have very selfless games, Charlotte looks to play and uptempo, ball and player movement heavy offense. While "pace and space" will certainly be a component of that, it will not be the only focus. We will also feature a heavy dose of 'pick and rolls' and 'pick and pop' action. The main key here is three-point shooting. This roster is loaded with very capable shooters at all five positions.
Mike Conley will be the primary ball handler in any screen action, involving either of the bigs. Off of this action expect Bogut to be primarily used as 'roll man', while Horford may be used as either a 'roll man' or he may 'pop' out for a jumpshot. The idea here is to keep defenses from being able to either hedge to hard, or sag back into the paint to easily.
Al Horford will be given plenty of opportunity to run offense through the high post, with numerous cutters dissecting the lane with the intent on forcing the defense to be aware of all 5 players at any time. Due Horford's exquisite passing, one false move by the defense will result in an open shot or layup attempt for the offense.
Chandler Parsons will mostly function as a relief valve in this offense, by making himself available of the perimeter to either catch and shoot if left open, drive to the basket if the defense over commits, or move the ball to the open man if a better option presents itself.
Tyler Johnson and the two Brazilian PG's will be the main weapons on offense controlling the pace. All three are excellent drive and dish options, who will be surrounded by highly competent three-point shooters to space the court. All three also thrive in a fast paced game, and will be expected to initiate the fast break off of any defensive rebound opportunities.
On defense, the idea is to hound the opposition on the perimeter with the steady defense of Mike Conley, and the pesky chaos provided by JR Smith. These two will be primarily tasked with funneling all penetration into our bigs who will be waiting to swallow up anyone who enters the lane. Our off ball defenders will be tasked with simply staying with their assignment when we run a more traditional two-big lineup. When PJ Tucker enters the game, our defense will become more of a switching defense, with Tucker, Parsons, and Smith all being responsible for knowing when to switch and where the open man is.
Parting Thoughts
Charlotte should be proud of this quad assembled, they will serve to represent to community, and will strive to be both on and off-court role models. Hornets management feels this should be a very strong team and will be competing well into the deeper rounds of the playoffs, due to the collective experience and talent throughout the roster.