(sorry i haven't done projections or per36 calculations...
I'll be in a meeting most of the morning but if you ask questions I will answer during/around lunch. More pics to come too.)
Introducing...... Your New York Knickerbockers!!!!!
A terror to opposing teams! Bwaaahaha....!
1a. Roster
PG - Deron Williams / Keyon Dooling
SG - Jodie Meeks / Nick Young / Raja Bell
SF - Luol Deng / Austin Daye / Wesley Johnson
PF - Taj Gibson / DeJuan Blair
C - Tim Duncan / Ronny Turiaf / Jordan Hill
Overseas (a year away) - Jonas Valanciunas
Coaches - Tom Thibodeau, Clifford Ray
1b. Rotation & minutes
PG - Deron Williams (37), Keyon Dooling (11)
SG - Jodie Meeks (22), Nick Young (28)
SF - Luol Deng (37), Austin Daye or Wes Johnson (11)
PF - Taj Gibson (30), DeJuan Blair (24)
C - Tim Duncan (28*), Ronny Turiaf (12)
Situational minutes - Wesley Johnson or Austin Daye, Jordan Hill, Raja Bell
* Duncan’s minutes will go up throughout our 2011-12 playoff run. During the regular season Hill and Johnson will probably play 4-5 min/gm combined.2. 2010-11 statistics
Pos.
Starting Five PG
SG
SF
PF
C
6th Man
SG
Bench
PF
C
PG
SF
SG
PF/C
SG
| Player
Deron Williams
Jodie Meeks
Luol Deng
Taj Gibson
Tim Duncan
Nick Young
DeJuan Blair
Ronny Turiaf
Keyon Dooling
Austin Daye
Wesley Johnson
Jordan Hill
Raja Bell
| Height
6-3
6-4
6-8
6-9
6-11
6-6
6-7
6-10
6-3
6-11
6-7
6-10
6-5
| Age
26
23
26
25
34
25
21
28
30
22
23
23
34
| Min/gm
37.9
27.9
39.1
21.8
28.4
31.8
21.4
17.8
22.0
20.1
26.2
15.6
30.8
| Pts
20.1
10.5
17.4
7.1
13.4
17.4
8.3
4.2
7.1
7.5
9.0
5.6
8.0
| Reb.
4.0
2.3
5.8
5.7
8.9
2.7
7.0
3.2
1.5
3.8
3.0
4.3
2.6
| Ast
10.3
1.1
2.8
0.7
2.7
1.2
1.0
1.4
3.0
1.1
1.9
0.4
1.7
| BLK
0.2
0.1
0.6
1.3
1.9
0.3
0.5
1.1
0.1
0.5
0.7
0.7
0.2
| STL
1.2
0.9
1.0
0.5
0.7
0.7
1.2
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.7
0.2
0.8
| 3P
1.6
1.9
1.4
0.0
0.0
1.6
0.0
0.0
1.0
1.0
1.3
0.0
1.0
|
The NBA’s best point guardDeron Williams, 6-3, 26 years old
20.1 ppg, 10.3 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 3pt in 37.9 mpg (2.9 ast/to ratio, 21.1 PER)
A slam dunk, Deron Williams is the premier PG in the NBA and arguably one of the 10 best players in the NBA. This is his and Duncan’s team. We’ve surrounded him with shooters and rebounding big men with good hands. In a conference rich in PGs, Deron stands at the top.
The glue guy who shoots 39.7% from downtownJodie Meeks, 6-4, 23 years old
10.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.9 3pt in 27.9 mpg (.600 TS%, 39.7% from 3pt)
Meeks is a developing SG who started on a playoff team last year. His role is to space the floor for Deron Williams. Some folks will say he's a week link -- but we disagree. We think a starting 5 with 3 stars like Deron, Deng and Duncan needs a couple hard working role guys like Meeks and Gibson to balance it out. There's only one ball after all.
Meekss a talented shooter who sports a blistering .600 true shooting% and shot 40% from downtown last year. Meeks has had to fight for respect in the league but has found a home in the starting lineup alongside 3 all-stars. Meeks plays the game the right way — commiting less than 1 turnover a game last year (in 28 mpg).
Mr. UnderratedLuol Deng, 6-8, 26 years old
17.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg, 1.4 3pt in 39.1 mpg (.460 FG%, .345 3p%)
Deng is still only 26 years old and has blossomed into one of the most underated all-around games in the NBA. He’ll be asked to do a bit of everything – defend (4th in NBA in Defensive Win Shares last year), score, rebound, pass, and lead. Another efficient basketballer who understands Ubuntu.
The BangerTaj Gibson, 6-9, 25 years old
7.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.3 bpg, 0.5 bpg, 1.4 3pt in 21.8 mpg
Gibson is the long, athletic PF that Duncan will love playing beside. Taj will hit the glass and defend his heart out. A terrific shot blocker and defender, Gibson will be the beneficiary of Deron Williams’ laser passes. Like Meeks, he’s a tough-nosed guy who understands his role and takes care of the ball (0.9 TO in 22 mpg).
The Big Fundamental/The Ring BearerTim Duncan, 6-11, 34 years old
13.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 bpg, 0.7 spg in 28.4 mpg (.500 FG%, 21.9 PER, 18th in REB%)
Tim Duncan, a 4-time NBA champion, isn’t who he used to be. He won’t reach his career 21/11/3/2 averages. But he is still a winner who will teach this team — along with Coach Thibs — what it takes to win that title for NYC. Duncan is still one of the leagues most efficient big men offensively, a rock defensively, one of the most skilled passing big men and a guy who plays every game to win. Deron Williams is the team’s best player, but this is still Duncan’s team to lead.
The Sixth ManNick Young, 6-6, 25 years old
17.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.3 bpg, 1.6 3pt in 31.8 mpg (.387 3p%)
Coach Thibs is taking a play out of Red’s playbook and using Young as his 6th man and designated bench scorer. Good thing b/c Young does one thing really well — he scores the ball. We think Nick Young will thrive, playing with a veteran cast accoustomed to playing the right way.
When the Knicks stole him for two 12th round picks there was some hue & cry over his lack of rebounding & assists — a debate echoed over at
Bullets Forever (the CelticsBlog for Washington fans).
In his article
“Nick Young - Selfish black hole? or Efficient scorer? Associate Editor Rook6980 (who’s seen more of Young than everyone on CelticsBlog put together) argues the latter (emphasis added):
My position is that Nick is an efficient scorer - but because of his role in the Offense, he is not asked to "create" offense, but rather to finish offensive plays...
I decided to look back at the 2010-2011 season and watch each and every offensive play available to me on MySynergySports.com. I hoped to draw some conclusions from watching the actual plays. I hoped to gather some facts that either proved or disproved my point. And of course, since there's no actual basketball, I'm kind of going into withdrawal...
Spot up shooting, Screen plays, Iso's and Transition make up more than 75% of the offensive plays Nick was involved in. After watching all 1,105 plays, I was blown away by how efficient Nick was at spot-up shooting, especially 3-point spot ups. He shot 46% (69% TSP , or 1.38 points per play) from the 3-point line in spot up situations...For comparison Ray Allen, the premier shooter in the League, shot 49% in spot up 3-point situations last year.
Out of 1105 offensive plays, I saw exactly THREE instances where Nick shot the ball and a teammate was (semi) open either under the basket, or closer to the basket with a clear lane to the hoop... THREE TIMES - and he hit one of those shots.
To those who insist on pointing to the anemic assist numbers for Nick - let's remember what his role was on the team. His role was not to dominate the ball. He was not supposed to hold his dribble, survey the court, look for openings in the defense, create driving opportunities, which in turn create open shots for teammates - and then pass to them to take a shot. It was Nick's job to be continually moving without the ball. Running around screens. Setting up in the corners. His job was to get open and shoot. If he didn't get open, he didn't get the basketball. It's hard to get assists when you don't have the basketball - and when he DID get the basketball, it meant he was open and his Coach and teammates expected him to shoot. Clearly the Wizards coaching staff were maximizing Nick's strengths (46% spot up 3-point shooting - ability to catch-and-shoot off screens), and minimizing his weaknesses.
This is exactly how we plan ot use Young — as a finisher and skilled shooter off the bench who’s scoring will punish other 2nd units.
The Rest of the Bench
The Boards MonsterDeJuan Blair, 6-7, 22 years old
8.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.5 bpg in 21.4 mpgBlair is a tremendous rebounder (top-12 in Reb. %) who grabs nearly 3 offensive boards a game despite playing less than 22 mpg. He’ll play alongisd both Duncan and Gibson at times, giving Coach Thibs another active body on the front line. He’s another gritty lunchbox type guy who plays hard every possession.
The Shot blockerRonny Turiaf, 6-10, 28 years old
4.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 bpg, 0.5 spg in 17.8 mpgA prototypical backup Center, Turiaf is an great shotblocker for his size (only 6-11) and above average passer. He and Blair will compete for every rebound, loose ball.
A bit of everythingAustin Daye, 6-11, 22 years old
7.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.5 bpg, 0.5 spg, 1.0 3pt in 20.1 mpg (40.1% from 3pt)A bit of everythingWes Johnson, 6-11, 22 years old
9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.7 bpg, 0.7 spg, 1.3 3pt in 26.2 mpg Wes Johnson and Austin Daye will split the backup SF mins, with Daye getting the nod early on. Daye gives Williams another spot up 3-point shooter to find when running the offense. He should have stayed in school another year but is growing into a solid all-around player, averaging 1/2 a block and steal a game in just 20 mins. His length will come in handy against other SFs like Durant, Hedo and Granger in the East Conf.
Johnson has a higher ceiling, is more athletic and dynamic but is still developing into a solid NBA rotation player on a playoff team. His stats are better than Daye’s but they were part of a horrendous MIN team. We’re anticipating big things in the near future — including serving as the successor in 2012-13 to Nick Young’s role of 6th man. There will be plenty of games where, because of matchups, Johnson is called on first over Daye.
The Wiley VetsKeyon Dooling, 6-3, 30 years old
7.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 rpg, 0.7 spg, 1.0 3pt in 22.0 mpg (2.7 ast/to ratio)Dooling was a draft bust who’s developed into a solid bench contributor. He’ll be asked to come in and run the team for 10-15 min/gm. He finds the open man, takes care of the ball and defends hard.
Deeper benchJordan Hill, 6-10, 23 years old
5.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.7 bpg in 15.6 mpg
Raja Bell, 6-5 34 years old
8.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.0 3pt in 30.8 mpg Hill is a developing big man who rebounds and defends well. Like Dooling he’s outgrowing the hype that came with being drafted too high and settling into a role as an enforcer.
Bell’s best years are behind him but he’s still an above-average bench defender and shooter. He’ll play situationally (for 5-7 mins against guys like Wade or Eric Gordon) mostly for defensive purposes. A great veteran presence who’s hungry for a ring and will help bring along the younguns.
4. Draft philosophy
With the 21st pick in a 24-team draft we knew building a contender woudl be tough. When we missed out in the 2nd round on the few pairings we thought would be fun to build around (esp. reuiniting Horford/Noah), we decided to take the best players at each draft slot -- while still building a cohesive team — and to move down when possible to gather more assets. The goal was to then try and package players to get a star talent that we missed out on by having a late first pick.
Our picks were:
1.24 - Al Horford
2. 15 - Tyreke Evans
3. 4 - David West
4.10 - Jameer Nelson
4.21 - Andrei Kirilenko
6.10 - DeJuan Blair
7.13 - John Salmons
9.4 - Jodie Meeks
9.13 - Ronny Turiaf
10.21 - Wesley Johnson
11.4 - Jonas Valanciunas
11.11 - Austin Daye
11.13 - Mario Chalmers
12.14 - Keyon Dooling
13.4 - Jordan Hill
13.11 - Dahntay Jones
We think that paid off with 2 blockbuster trades which we’ll discuss below.
5. Toughest Decision
1. Taking Al Horford over Russell Westbrook — I had Westbrook rated higher than Horford but (a) I had Westbrook (taken 41st overall!) last year and wanted to mix things up and (b) felt like there was more depth at guard than center.
2. Drafting Tyreke Evans over Monta Ellis — Heart vs. Head. I think Tyreke is a more gifted all around player who I think can lead a team deep in the playoffs. But I knew how people here feel about him and thought about playing it safe. But i decided to take the guys *I* think are the best, not who necessarily give me the best chance at getting votes.
6. Best/Worst Move
Best moves— the pair of deals that leapfrogged me from borderline playoff team to contender.
MIL sent Deron Williams
NYK sent Tyreke Evans, Andrei Kirilenko, John Salmons
and
BOS sent Tim Duncan, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson
NYK sent Al Horford, David West, Jameer Nelson
The first deal, with Edgar, came about really quickly after he put Williams on the block. I knew that my only shot would be to come in high talent-wise and 1 star + 2 solid role players got it done. That deal left me with a better, more balanced, core of:
Williams / Meeks / Daye / West / Horford
The 2nd deal was a harder decision, but ultimately a no-brainer. The keys to the deal — since i *did really like the David West/Al Horford front line pairing— were:
1. Duncan -- (Yelled a la Cedric Maxwell....) "I got Duncan! I got Duncan!".... I got Tim Duncan to be my 2nd best player alongside arguably the game’s best PG, Deron Williams. Duncan wins titles, he's a leader and can get everyone else motivated to win the title this year. Horford will be better over the next 10 years but Tim D gives me a better shot to win THIS YEAR. Like Rudy T said... "Never underestimate the heart of a champion!"
2. Deng -- Luol is a HUGE upgrade at the SF position and I guy who's game i love. Scorer, defender, rebounder. That upgrade cost a slight downgrade at PF, but Blair/Gibson (and Jordan Hill) gives me 80% of what West (who is injured and I was planning would be out til January) gave me at the 4. If Jason Terry can be the 2nd best player on a title team, Deng is awesome as the 3rd best guy on a contender.
(Deng and Gibson were elated to be reunited with Tom Thib in this trade!)
3. Valanciunas -- Duncan won't be around forever, maybe only another year or 2. So Valanciunas comes in next year as the understudy -- meaning we compete for the title this year AND reload next. In 2012-13, Valanciunas is Duncan to Duncan's David Robinson. I don't make this deal w/o a young center like Val to take over for Duncan alongside Deron and Deng.
Worst moves — (1) Trading down from 2.4 to 2.15 (with IP). I had planned on drafting Noah and building around Horford/Noah and foolishly gambled that Joakim would still be there 11 picks later. My backup was to take one of Tyreke Evans or Monta Ellis so it wasn’t horrible. (2) Probably reaching on Jameer Nelson at 4.10. This and the Turiaf pick were the only times i felt i deviated a little from takign the best player and reaching a little for need. Instead of Nelson I should have taken Dorrel Wright.
7. Your outlook for this coming season
It's pretty simple... with the Best PG (Deron), the most accomplished champion of this generation (Duncan) and a skiled, efficient supporting cast that fits well together, the best case scenario is an NBA Finals run and a shot at the title depending on matchups.
The Atlantic is the CelticsBlog Drafts’ best top-to-bottom division but we think we’ve got a legit shot at taking it.
Worst case scenario — Duncan gets injured and we squeak into the 8th seed.
Topic: CB Draft 2011 Atlantic Division Press Conferences (Read 33238 times)