Daily Dime Chatting Tonight
Nov 2, 2009 Tooting My Horn, Truehoop Network
I am going to be chatting over at ESPN’s Daily Dime page again tonight, so come over and join in. I will put up the link as soon as it is available.
UPDATE: I promised you a link, and here it is. I will be chatting until around 8ish:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-091102
TrueHoop Network 2009-2010 Preview: The Teams
Oct 26, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Truehoop Network
With the season being just one day away now (two for the Nets), the TrueHoop Network is starting to roll out our season preview. First up are previews for every team, which have just been published across the network. Click the logos below for full team previews, complete with a team’s best Tweet, best clutch play, quote of the year, biggest contract nightmare and more.
| TEAM | BLOGGERS SAY | WINS* |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bret Lagree | Hoopinion“The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.” |
45 |
 |
Zach Lowe | CelticsHub“It seems reasonable to say anything short of an 18th championship would be a disappointment.” |
58 |
 |
Brett Hainline | Queen City Hoops“Great defense + equally bad offense = average. With an improving division around them, that equation does not get them their first playoff berth. But at least they won’t suck.” |
36 |
 |
Matt McHale | By the Horns“During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the team’s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Don’t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.” |
43 |
 |
John Krolik | Cavs the Blog“After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this seasons whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.” |
61 |
 |
Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game“’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.” |
50 |
 |
Jeremy Wagner | Roundball Mining Company“The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.” |
53 |
 |
Dan Feldman | PistonPowered“However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they won’t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasn’t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here won’t be too steep.” |
36 |
 |
Rasheed Malek |Warriors World“Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.” |
28 |
 |
Anup Shah and Brody Rollins | Rockets Buzz“The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketball’s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artest’s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesn’t matter.” |
39 |
 |
Jared Wade | Eight Points, Nine Seconds“It’s hard to believe that anything short of the postseason will remove the dark cloud over Conseco. … Ultimately, it will come down to one thing: [Mike Jr.] Dunleavy’s knee.” |
32 |
 |
Kevin Arnovitz | ClipperBlog“[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.” |
32 |
 |
Kurt Helin | Forum Blue and Gold“God, is it good to be hated again.” |
64 |
 |
Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue“The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest won’t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?” |
20 |
 |
Matthew Bunch | Hot Hot Hoops“38.6 minutes. 30.2 points. 49.1 percent shooting. Five rebounds. 7.5 assists. 2.2 steals. 1.3 blocks. That’s what [Dwyane] Wade averaged last season. You’re going to keep that guy out of the playoffs? Good luck.” |
44 |
 |
Jeremy Schmidt | Bucksketball“If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But that’s a lot of ifs.” |
29 |
 |
Patrick Hodgdon | Howlin’ T-Wolf“”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.” |
23 |
 |
Mark Ginocchio and Sebastian Priuti | Nets are Scorching“Lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.” |
29 |
 |
Niall Doherty and Ryan Schwan | Hornets247“Enter Emeka Okafor. He’s a near match to a healthy Chandler, is more durable, and doesn’t look like he’s having muscle spasms when making a post move.” |
47 |
 |
Mike Kurylo | Knickerblogger“2010 could be New York’s return to winning.” |
31 |
 |
Royce Young | Daily Thunder“The Thunder may not win more than half their games, but with over half the roster unable to get an alcoholic beverage still, steady improvement and progression is the name of the game.” |
34 |
 |
Zach McCann | Orlando Magic Daily“Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic aren’t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.” |
59 |
 |
Carey R. Smith | Philadunkia“The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.” |
39 |
 |
Michael Schwartz | Valley of the Suns“Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.” |
46 |
 |
Max Handelman | Beyond Bowie“The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.” |
53 |
 |
Zach Harper | Cowbell Kingdom“Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every team’s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.” |
22 |
 |
Timothy Varner | 48 Minutes of HellDuring the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.” |
55 |
 |
RaptorsRepublic“How is a rookie(ish) head coach going to integrate nine new players into a new system with two new assistant coaches?” |
41 |
 |
Spencer Ryan Hall | Salt City Hoops“With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.’” |
46 |
 |
Kyle Weidie | Truth About It“Flip Saunders has never gotten a team ‘there.’ That worn out cliché always runs rampant, plaguing almost every coach who hasn’t won … until they win. Red Auerbach (647), Larry Brown (1,900), and Dick Motta (738) all took their lumps before winning a championship (games coached before title season). Don’t be surprised when what you think is impossible becomes a reality. … 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Factor in Gilbert Arenas’ stomach tattoo and the fact that the Wizards play their home games in D.C.’s Chinatown, and all the cards are in place.” |
42 |
* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers. |
||
TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Season Preview: New Jersey
Oct 26, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Truehoop Network
Last Year’s Record: 34-48
Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of NetsAreScorching.
Crowd Says: 29-53
NetsAreScorching Says: 35-47
Yes We Can!
The sun is out. The seas have parted. The basketball gods are shining upon us!
When it comes to building an NBA roster, the cornerstones of most teams are the point guard and the center. In Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, the Nets have two young affordable talents who make them the envy of most teams around the league. And that’s why the Nets are going to exceed expectations this season.
A lot of people wrote off the Nets in 2008-09. After disposing of two-thirds of their “big three” in Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, the Nets proceeded to win 34 games, hanging around in the Eastern Conference playoff race until the final six weeks.
The biggest roster change going into this season was the trade of Vince Carter, whom the Nets sent to the Orlando Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. Carter’s offensive production will be difficult to replace, but by trading the aging star, the Nets managed to get a younger guard in Lee, who put together a solid rookie campaign, while also obtaining the expiring contracts of Alston and Battie, who can provide cap flexibility for the Nets headed in the 2010 offseason when a number of elite stars may hit the open market. Those expiring contracts, along with Bobby Simmons’ deal, could also make for attractive trade chips if the Nets are in a position to make a run for the playoffs this year. The Nets may also be in a better position to spend now. With Russia’s richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, ready to take a majority stake in the franchise, the organization could soon have access to a wealth of resources.
While Lee has supposedly told buddy Dwight Howard that he’s still hurting afterleaving an NBA Finals team, he helps strengthen the Nets’ perimeter defense, which plagued the team at points last season. The Nets will also get help from lottery pick Terrence Williams, who may struggle initially without a true position or a great jump shot, but will likely get minutes if his collegiate defensive and passing games translate to the NBA.
Then there’s Yi, the x-factor. Yi packed on some bulk and had a strong run for Team China in the FIBA Asia Championship, posting a double-double in the tournament. The development of Yi is the key for the Nets building on their 34-win season and becoming a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.
No You Can’t
A rousing dissent from a rival blogger.
Last season, Devin Harris said, “I knew we were going to be a playoff team.” The Nets won 34 games and finished 11th in the East. And without Vince Carter, they might not even be that good this season.
Matt McHale, By the Horns
All-A-Twitter
A 140-character insight into the soul of the team.
“In a tow truck w/a guy who looks like dustin Pedroia driving 100 miles. I’m living a movie. I’m w/my dog Tone Boogie so I’m half way good.”
- In mid-July, CDR’s tweet reflected a Coen Brothers’ movie when he was stranded in Stoudsburg, PA
On the Record
Single best quote concerning the team during the last 12 months.
“The feeling I get when I make a pass for an assist is like the one you’d get if you had a baby brother and every time he tried to walk, he fell down, until one time, he finally walked and you were there to see it. That’s the kind of happiness I get from seeing other guys score.”
- Terrence Williams on the feeling he gets when he makes a perfect pass.
The 2008-09 Almanac
Some key stats from last season.
New Jersey Nets
Offense: 16th
Defense: 24th
Pace: 23rd
Team Factor Strength(s): Turnovers (10th)
Team Factor Weakness(es): Free Throws Allowed (29th), Offensive Rebounding
(22nd), Shooting Allowed (22nd)
The Play
Down a single point with 9.2 seconds to play in a must-win game. What’s the play?
Without Vince Carter to dominate the ball in the final seconds, the Nets can run a pick and roll with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez at the high post on the right side. Spacing the court would be Courtney Lee on the ball-side wing and Yi in the ball-side corner a few steps in from the 3-point line. Coming off the screen, Harris would have plenty of options. He could attack the hole, take the jumper, hit Brook Lopez rolling, or find either Courtney Lee or Yi stepping in for a jumper if their defenders drop in to help on Devin coming off the screen.
The People’s Choice
The fan favorite the crowd will be chanting for to see some action.
Sean Williams’ game has never been the reason why he has been glued to the bench. Despite showing flashes his first two seasons, Williams has been marred with legal troubles. This athletic 4 has now been buried on the depth chart behind Yi, Battie and Eduardo Najera. If these three struggle fans could be clamoring for Sean Williams.
If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The single biggest spreadsheet issue hanging over the team.
Is there anything looming larger for the Nets right now than their proposed move to Brooklyn? Years after first announcing their plans to move, ownership is still fighting legal battles and seeking financing to get ground broken for the Barclays Arena by the end of the year. The announcement that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov intended to purchase a majority stake in the team could help get this project going, but any lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.
Chat About The Nets With ESPN and NetsAreScorching
Oct 12, 2009 ESPN, Tooting My Horn, Truehoop Network
Today at 12:30 I will have the honor of joining Chris Sheridan in a chat over at ESPN about the New Jersey Nets. It will run until 1:00, and it is in Cover-It-Live format (you guys should remember that from our Draft Lottery/Draft Day chats). Come over and ask your questions and Chris and I will answer them.
UPDATE: I just wanted to say thanks to all of you guys who showed up. There were a lot of Nets fans and it was a pleasant surprise! Also I would like to say sorry if I didn’t get to your question, it was a little crazy in there from that standpoint…so many…
UPDATE 2: Here is the chat replay:
Rip Hamilton: The Best Without The Basketball
Oct 7, 2009 Detroit Pistons, Rip Hamilton, Truehoop Network, Xs and Os
Yesterday, everyone a part of the TrueHoop Network took part in a “GM Poll” asking a large number of NBA-related questions (I couldn’t vote for any Nets’ related players so if Terrence Williams doesn’t get a ROY vote, that’s why). It basically is the same thing as the actual GM polls except that us bloggers were answering the questions. There was one question that really caught my eye, and it went something along the lines of “Who moves the best without the basketball?” My answer. Rip Hamilton.
As I have said many times on this blog (probably to the point where you are tired of hearing it), I am a big Xs and Os guy. My dad was a coach, and I guess that is something he instilled in me. Sure I enjoy talking stats (probably not as well as some people in the network), but deep down, I love the Xs and Os part of the game.
So it shouldn’t surprise you that when I was younger, I used to love watching Reggie Miller play. I can remember sitting down on the couch every time the Pacers were on TV on many occasions. He was the best without the basketball, and when he retired I was wondering who I could watch next. Enter Rip Hamilton. Watching Rip play is just a joy really. The way that he uses his hands, his body to get defenders off-balanced and set them up for screens was amazing. I don’t think I have seen such a good shooter get so many wide open looks just because he knew how to set up screens.
That was the thing that always got me, in the NBA you basically know everybody’s sets. All the games are on TV, and you got coaches who’s job it is to figure out what sets are run when. With that being said, defenders knew that screens were coming, but Rip always found a way to wiggle open. My favorite was watching him run off double screens. If the defender somehow managed to stick with Rip after the first screen, Rip would find a way to make sure he got blasted by the second.
To make this Nets-related (and I guess we should since this is a Nets blog), we can look back to when Rip slammed the door on our playoff chances last year. It was the 79th game in early April, and the Nets were clinging on to their playoff lives. Down by five with about 30 seconds, the Nets needed a stop, but it didn’t happen because…well…Rip happened. Now I am not going to bother you with the whole post (you can click here if you want the in-depth break down…which you should, because it’s awesome), but here is the short video clip of the play.
Just watch Rip. The subtle slide down to set up the screen and to make sure the help takes longer to get there. The way he steps into the pass to receive it, the shot. It is all beautiful to watch…I mean seriously, you are the team’s best shooter and you manage to get that wide open, you have to be doing something right.
On Retired Numbers and Kerry Kittles
Sep 11, 2009 Kerry Kittles, Truehoop Network
A recent post by CelticHub’s Zach Lowe about the merits of the Spurs possibly retiring Bruce Bowen’s number, has sparked some discussion amongst the TrueHoop network bloggers. Many team’s seem to have at least a player or two in their history that don’t have flashy statistics, but have earned the love and respect of their organization and fans, thus leading to their numbers being retired. So the question was asked to all of us TrueHoopers, which beloved, but statistically undeserving player’s number would you retire (or has been retired)?
In the case of the Nets, the team has retired six numbers, Drazen Petrovic (3), Wendell Ladner (4), John Williamson (23), Bill Melchionni (25), Julius Erving (32) and Buck Williams (52). Outside of Dr. J and Petro, I honestly can’t say if anyone of that list could be considered an immortal NBA player.
Trying to think of another possible Nets number to retire in the mold of Bruce Bowen is a tough one considering the history of this franchise. I think Jason Kidd is a no-brainer, but he’s a certain Hall of Famer, not a Bruce Bowen-type player. When you think of other heralded Nets players, they were either egomaniacs who played their way out of New Jersey (Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson), draft busts (Ed O’Bannon and Yinka Dare), or non-consequential (Chris Morris).
Which brings me to Kerry Kittles. When Kittles was first drafted by the Nets in 1996, he instantly became my favorite player on an otherwise dreary team. I remember traversing all of Long Island trying to find a Kittle #30 jersey until finally finding one at a Foot Locker at Roosevelt Field Mall in Westbury, NY.
A fairly accurate three-point shooter for his career (37 percent on 1838 attempts in 8 seasons), Kittles will probably be best remembered as one of Jason Kidd’s fast-break mates during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 finals teams. Kittles could either finish while streaking towards the rim or could sneak outside the three-point line to wait for the kicked-out pass from the paint, and probably took advantage of the Nets passing attack during their glory years more than any other player. In 2002-03, 82 percent of Kittles shots were assisted on, leading the team. Meanwhile, for his career, Kittle amassed solid, albeit, unspectacular numbers: 14.1 ppg, 1.6 steals, 52% true shooting and 49 % eFG. He also set an NBA rookie record of 158 three-pointers made which was eclipsed this past year by Portland’s Rudy Fernandez. The guy battled chronic knee and leg issues throughout his career, but was never an attitude problem and never demanded a trade, which may be a first for Nets players who have spent that much time with the team. He still works with the team as a part time scout, showing his loyalty.
No, I don’t think Kittles should be nominated for the Hall of Fame, but I think he deserves to have his jersey retired. He had a unique skillset that, when inserted into the proper system, made him a key, if understated player. So now the question is extended to you, the readers. Which player numbers do you think the Nets should retire?
Update: Here are some other TrueHoopers and their musings on retired numbers:
Hoopinion: Mookie Blaylock, Lenny Wilkens and others
Bucksketball: Questions Bob Lanier
CelticsHub: Danny Ainge, Paul Silas, M.L. Carr and others
Youtube Of The Night: CDR Rookie Mix – And A Truehoop Network Note
Aug 17, 2009 Chris Douglas-Roberts, QueenCityHoops, Truehoop Network, Youtube of the night
CDR is always tweeting good stuff, and recently he hyped up a rookie mix of himself that popped up on youtube. I checked it out and it’s pretty solid. The first little part is all photos, but there is actual video, so don’t worry. Oh yeah, the lyrics to the music to the background is NSFW.
—
A little Truehoop Network note, Brett Hainline over at Queen City Hoops runs a great statistical page for every NBA player in the league. He needs a little help though, and for your trouble you could win a $25.00 gift card for NBA.com. All you got to do is head over to the post I just linked above and in the comments post a player bio or a picture for any player. There is a gift card for both the bio and the picture, so be sure to help out and pick one for both. Good luck Nets’ fans, lets take it down!
Posted by Sebastian Pruiti
OrlandoMagicDaily’s Thoughts On “The Trade”
Jun 29, 2009 Blogger Q&A, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie, Trades, Truehoop Network
The beautiful thing about being part of such a great network of blogs (ESPN’s TrueHoop Network) is that whenever something big happens between two teams (sorta like this Vince Carter trade), there is someone I can talk to about it who watches their team (In this case the Magic) as much as I watch the Nets. So when the trade went down, I sent over a few questions to the great Magic blogger Zachary McCann of OrlandoMagicDaily. He was kind enough to answer them:
1. How is Courtney Lee’s shot? I know he was hitting during the playoffs in stretches, but how was his shot during the regular season? Can he play in the dribble-drive/pick and roll offense? Before each game, Stan Van Gundy posts a piece of paper on each player’s locker with personalized points of emphasis for the night. Dwight Howard’s usually said “defend and rebound.” Mickael Pietrus’ said something to the effect of “play with energy and shut down the opponents’ best player.” On the top of Courtney Lee’s sheet it always said “be aggressive on offense.” Every time. That’s because Lee is filled with an incredible amount of offensive potential — from his smooth shooting stroke to his ability to penetrate and get to the rim — and with some assertiveness he can really be a special offensive player. You should be excited about Lee. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s good enough to start on a championship team.
The stats don’t lie. He shot 40.4 percent from 3-point range on the season, and he’s especially deadly from the corner. In the Magic’s first-round series against the Sixers, Lee really came into his own with 39 total points in the team’s first two victories before going down with an injury.Check out these quotes from the Sixers after Lee went off on them.
Lou Williams: “We’ve got to start treating him like one of the big boys. It’s not just about Dwight, Rashard and Turkoglu anymore.”
Andre Miller: “We need to put a little more focus on him. He brings confidence; he knows we are going to force him to make plays because we are focusing on Hedo, Rashard and Dwight.”
Tony DiLeo: “We knew he was a good player, he has strength, he has athleticism… He can hit the baseline shot, he can hit the pull-up jumper and he’s a good driver too … when you have those combinations it’s very tough to guard. I think that was a very good draft pick for Orlando, he’s going to help them for years to come.”
2. Rafer Alston was crazy inconsistent during the playoffs. Was he that inconsistent during the regular season? Can he play the backup PG spot effectively?
There’s a reason Alston has played on six teams in 10 seasons. He puts up too many shots, often tries to do too much and he’s a wildly inconsistent player who you can never really depend on. I — like the Magic and Magic fans — am very grateful for his above-average play in the playoffs, but the guy isn’t a starting point guard in the league anymore. That said, he’s a great backup… maybe the best backup point guard in the league. His quickness is still there. He can excite the crowd with his highlight-reel passes. He’ll certainly give you energy off the bench, and he’s capable of catching fire from the outside (which is what you want for a player backing up your star). My only concern is how happy he’ll be playing 10-15 minutes off the bench behind Devin Harris. Whether he’s better than that at this point is debatable, but I can guarantee you one thing — Rafer thinks he’s better than that.
3. Can Tony Battie play the 4? Or does he play the 5 exclusively?
Battie can play the 4 or 5… Thee seasons ago Battie started at power forward alongside Dwight Howard. That said, if your team’s depending on Battie for anything but spot minutes, you’re in trouble. His athleticism has all but disintegrated, and he’s more or less a spot-up mid-range shooter at this point. On defense, he’s OK — not bad, not great. I’d keep the expectations low on what to expect from Battie.
And one last thing… enjoy:
So what do we learn from this? Well C.Lee is going to be a very good player. Rafer Alston will be a solid back-up, but we may encounter problems if his playing time is limited (I don’t think it will be and I see him getting 20 minutes a game at both G spots – at least early on). Finally, Battie can play both the 4 and the 5, but we shouldn’t expect too many minutes from him. This could be a problem, because based on what we got in terms of depth at the 4 spot, he may see a good amount of minutes.
I also answered some questions for Zach over at his site. I encourage some of you guys to go over there and answer the questions he asked me in the comments. I am hoping some of the Magic fans come over and do the same.
TrueHoop Network Draft Day Live-Chat
Jun 25, 2009 2009 Draft, Live-Chat, Network Live-Chat, Truehoop Network
The evening of the draft lottery, I had a a Live-Chat over here and it was awesome. We had a great turnout and chatted about us getting the 11th pick. We are doing again tonight, although it will be a tad bit different. This time, the whole TrueHoop Network will be joining us in the chat, so come in, chat, have some fun, and represent the Nets!