Memphis Grizzlies
Head Coach: Doug Collins 373-328 .532 winning pct.
Starting Five
PG- Derrick Rose 20.9 ppg 6.5 ast 3.8 rpg 0.8 stl
SG- Ray Allen 20.2 ppg .399 3P% .893 FT% 1.2 stl
SF- Tayshaun Prince 12.9 ppg 4.7 rpg .464 FG%
PF- Kris Humphries 5.6 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.1 blk .527 FG%
C- Roy Hibbert 10.6 ppg 5.7 rpg 1.5 blk
Bench
G- Brandon Knight Rookie
G- Mike Bibby 15.2 ppg 5.7 ast .381 3P%
G/F- Kyle Korver 8.3 ppg .880 FT% .411 3P%
G/F- Michael Redd 20.0 ppg .449 FG% .383 3P%
F- Omri Casspi 9.5 ppg 4.4 rpg 0.7 stl
F- Patrick Patterson 6.3 ppg 3.8 rpg 1.5 blk
F- Kenneth Faried Rookie
C- Spencer Hawes 8.4 ppg 5.6 rpg 1.0 blk
Draft Philosophy
Honestly, I just wanted to build a team that I thought would be fun to watch and that had parts that would mesh. I think the game is much more enjoyable when its fluid and, to me, complementary parts can achieve that.
I figured with a top ten pick that I would be able to grab an "alpha dog" to build a team around. With the 6th pick, I didn't exactly know who I wanted but I had it down to 3 guys. When two of them went, I was left with one guy who I was perfectly content taking; Derrick Rose. Living out here in Chicago for the past two years has given me plenty of exposure to Rose and it was a lot of fun to watch him this past season where it seemed like (at times) he willed a team to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He plays the PG position a lot like I wish Rondo could and figured that I'd start and build around a PG which is a unusual position for me to take if you consider my CB draft history where I tend to build inside/out.
I saw how Rose was forced to deal with subpar SG performance alongside him and I always felt that Ray Allen would've been a great piece to put next to him in the backcourt. So it was a no-brainer to me when I had the opportunity to draft Ray in the 2nd round.
I followed up the Rose/Allen 1-2 punch with Hibbert, Prince, and Humphries rounding out my starting five. See below for thoughts on my Hibbert pick. I felt Prince was a great complementary player to put aside Allen and gave me a strong wing presence while also being a player who "knows his role" and has a championship pedigree to help things out.
With the bench, I went more youth-oriented with some high energy players down low that can creat some competition at the PF position and can fill in if Humphries, indeed, had a career year and regresses too much. Patterson showed some great promise in his rookie year and I see more improvement out of him in his 2nd year. As rookies, Faried and Knight are guys that I believe that slowly immerse themselves into things as the year progresses. Hawes gives me more size at the C position to help shore up things.
Redd is a gamble considering his past health woes but I believe is worth the gamble given that many minutes won't be required of him. I think Bibby still has enough in the tank to contribute in small minutes. I think he can be there to help out Knight who I believe has much promise as witnessed by his top ten selection in this past draft. Korver is a shooter who can come off the bench and help contribute offensively when Ray is out.
Toughest Decision
I thought long & hard about drafting Kendrick Perkins in the 3rd round instead of Roy Hibbert. In the end, I just felt like I'd better set with someone a little more well-rounded at the position and felt Hibbert was one of the few remaining starting caliber big men to fit my need.
It would've been fun with Perk, though.
Best Move
I liked some of the later picks I had. I really was impressed with Kenneth Faried and his performance in this past year's NCAA tournament. The kid just had a non-stop motor and was an absolute beast on the boards. I think he could have a promising future as rotational NBA player.
Team Outlook
I think this team is top 4 seed caliber in the Western Conference and will be a serious contender to take the Southwest crown.
This team has a nice mix of youth and veteran experience and will be a fun team to watch as Rose leads the charge.
I feel this team is built not only for the '11-12 season but for the future, also. The youth on the bench will gain the experience that will help them down the road while also believing that they can step in right away as contributors, also. Its a well-rounded bench.
Matchups will dictate many things but I think this team will put up points as well as play good team defense. I think rebounding is team strength and my hope is that they will control the boards in many instances. I like the ability of my team, specifically, Rose to penetrate and draw in defenses thus allowing players like Allen & Korver to get good looks on the perimeter.
Topic: 2011 CB Draft Southwest Division Press Conferences (Read 20388 times)