2013 CB Draft: Pacific Division Press Conferences

[fairweatherfan]

When I go small you will see LA at the Center more. Draymond might play the 4. He played well for GS in big time moments and I think he can handle the pressure.

Thanks, this is what I was looking for - the gist of my question is that for many small-ball heavy teams, their best wing is spending a lot of time at the 4, which seems like a major stretch for Rush, especially after his surgery.  Draymond matching up with those guys makes more sense than Aldridge or Rush (although it's still a very difficult matchup for Dray).

[WeMadeIt17]

L.A. Clippers

Felton/Billups
Afflalo/Pietrus/Daniels
Gay/Novak/Daniels
Griffin/Hill/Gooden
Vucevic/Leonard/Turiaf

We feel not only can we run with anyone out west that we with the help of Frank Vogel will be one of the better defensive teams out west. We also know that we will pull down boards with Nikola and Blake along with guys like Gay and Aaron helping out. We have a superstar in Blake who can AVG. 20 and 10. Gay is a 20ppg scorer as well.

We are very confident in this team and our coach.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5O0cc0I0vk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdczO-v157o


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_1JbnDWqE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62wF3Gu6jw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0MToNIXyuk

[Roy H.]

L.A. Clippers

Felton/Billups
Afflalo/Pietrus/Daniels
Gay/Novak/Daniels
Griffin/Hill/Gooden
Vucevic/Leonard/Turiaf

We feel not only can we run with anyone out west that we with the help of Frank Vogel will be one of the better defensive teams out west. We also know that we will pull down boards with Nikola and Blake along with guys like Gay and Aaron helping out. We have a superstar in Blake who can AVG. 20 and 10. Gay is a 20ppg scorer as well.

We are very confident in this team and our coach.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5O0cc0I0vk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdczO-v157o


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_1JbnDWqE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62wF3Gu6jw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0MToNIXyuk

Question for LA:

What was your reasoning in trading Derrick Rose?

Do you agree with the theory that the NBA is a star-driven league, and that Rose is a superstar while Rubio and Green are both just good players?

[WeMadeIt17]

L.A. Clippers

Felton/Billups
Afflalo/Pietrus/Daniels
Gay/Novak/Daniels
Griffin/Hill/Gooden
Vucevic/Leonard/Turiaf

We feel not only can we run with anyone out west that we with the help of Frank Vogel will be one of the better defensive teams out west. We also know that we will pull down boards with Nikola and Blake along with guys like Gay and Aaron helping out. We have a superstar in Blake who can AVG. 20 and 10. Gay is a 20ppg scorer as well.

We are very confident in this team and our coach.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5O0cc0I0vk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdczO-v157o


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI_1JbnDWqE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G62wF3Gu6jw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0MToNIXyuk

Question for LA:

What was your reasoning in trading Derrick Rose?

Do you agree with the theory that the NBA is a star-driven league, and that Rose is a superstar while Rubio and Green are both just good players?

I believe in the NBA you need your stars to win. While yes trading Rose maybe nuts to some we felt we needed the depth. We needed other guys to make this TEAM better. We have stars in Griffin and Gay. We feel in the NBA you put guys together then they become stars because they become winners. We were able to turn Rubio and Green into Gay a proven scorer in the NBA while shooting good percentages, and Felton a proven NBA PG with playoff experience. He showed that he can get into the lane and score along with play good D, and dish it in the paint and on the break.

[rondoallaturca]

LA Clippers: How does this team feature its duo of Gay and Blake? From the looks of things, floor spacing will be tight with Felton looking like the best shooter among the starters.

[dark_lord]

i havent read through the questions in the thread yet, and i apologize if this has been asked, but:

to all teams....what seed do you rank your team your conference (not division) and why do you rank them there?

i am voting, so along with your rosters and pressers, this is your opportunity to try and make a case to this voter.

thx

[Who]

Ooops, wrong thread. Post was meant for Northwest division.

[rondoallaturca]

i havent read through the questions in the thread yet, and i apologize if this has been asked, but:

to all teams....what seed do you rank your team your conference (not division) and why do you rank them there?

i am voting, so along with your rosters and pressers, this is your opportunity to try and make a case to this voter.

thx

The Lakers will finish #1 in the West. We have the best shooting lineup in the league (and not at the expense of selfishness) and there is no way this team doesn't lead the league in offensive efficiency. Defensively, we also figure to be a top 10 team, and we have the versatility to match up with any and every sort of roster thrown at us. The only teams last season to be top 10 in both offense and defense?: Oklahoma City, Miami, San Antonio (granted, the real life NBA is a much deeper league than this one).

Beyond that, minute restrictions and injury risks aren't a factor with this team. The biggest question mark is Jose Calderon, who has only played in all 82 games just once in his career - however, while he always seems to miss at least 5 games, he's never missed more than 15. Calderon only goes down with some minor DTD injuries, and we have a very capable backup PG in Barea to fill in.

(By the way, let me know when someone ranks themselves anything but #1)

[fitzhickey]

(By the way, let me know when someone ranks themselves anything but #1)

Riah didn't, northwest division

[rondoallaturca]

(By the way, let me know when someone ranks themselves anything but #1)

Riah didn't, northwest division

TP headed his way for his humility.

[Who]

So Phoenix never showed up?

PG: Jeff Teague, R.Sessions
SG: OJ Mayo, M.Miller
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, M.Barnes
PF: David West, J.Sullinger
 C: Time Duncan, C.Andersen

End of bench: K.Dooling, M.Bonner, A.Blatche.

Starters

Tim Duncan and David West is one of the best big man combos in the league.

Teague is a real solid starting PG. His speed and dribble penetration will be a strong addition alongside T.Duncan's + D.West's pick and roll/pop and high/low post versatility. Teague's long range shooing also helping to spread the floor.

I don't much like OJ Mayo as a starter. Think he is too weak a defender/rebounder (SG). Good offensive player and third option behind David West + Tim Duncan though. Teague and Mayo will make for a dynamic and exciting backcourt alongside those two golden oldies.

I expect Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to take a good step forward as a defender/rebounder and to be a very strong player in that regard but for his offensive game to continue to struggle. This is a good home for him too. Two highly skilled big men and two guards who can really stroke it. Kidd-Gilchrist's size, athleticism and defensive versatility will be very valuable alongside OJ Mayo.

Bench

The backup big men are exceptional. I think Jared Sullinger is the best backup PF in the West. I am fan of Chris Andersen who gives the team a much needed rim protector while Duncan rests. Then they have Andray Blatche (C/PF) who can create all types of matchup problems off the bench with his size and skill level.

Ramon Sessions is a rock solid backup PG. A strong creator who is very good in the pick and roll. Can create shots for his teammates.

Mike Miller and Matt Barnes are stable backup wings. I would have liked to have seen more quickness in one of these two spots behind OJ Mayo. I think both players are more SF/PFs than SGs nowadays. I think Matt Barnes could finish games for Phoenix instead of Kidd-Gilchrist if he continues to shoot the ball as he did for LAC last season.

Matt Bonner gives them another weapon up front as a three point shooting big. Situational sub. Keyon Dooling as a defensive orientated third string guard. I like the contrast in skill-set they provide from other bench options.

Overall, a very strong bench unit that adds considerable value to the team.

Coach

Rick Adelman. Big fan of Adelman. Phoenix gets another bump from me for head coach.

Overall

Playoff team.

[rondoallaturca]

It's definitely unfortunate, but I'm not gonna lie - Phoenix not showing up for the presser made ranking the West so much easier.