Post by Minnesota on Sept 8, 2015 19:20:40 GMT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- We are halfway through five rounds in the Ultimate ABCA Creation Draft and things start shaping up for teams. You can start to guess starting line-ups, strengths, weaknesses, and potentially window of opportunity.
The West Division has teams going in a lot of different directions. Below is a look at each team and a review of their draft strategy.
Los Angeles Lakers
C: Greg Ostertag
PF: Mehmet Okur
SG: Paul Westphal
PG: Michael Adams
The Lakers saw the run on Point Guards then went ahead and took Michael Adams. He should help facilitate an offense that will probably showcase Paul Westphal and Mehmet Okur's shooting talents. The team still has a need for a Small Forward but luckily there still seem to be some capable ones left. Talent across the league will be so similar that wins and losses could come down largely to coaching. It'll be interesting to see how this team starts the season off. They've been cautious with dealing their future 1st round picks and that could be wise. Getting a young player to pair with this team might be the best strategy for them longterm.
Minnesota Timberwolves
C: Jiri Zidek
PF: Kevin Garnett
SF: Doug Wrenn
SF: Leroy Edwards
SF: Glenn Robinson
SG: Jason Richardson
Minnesota tried to move up a few times to pair another high profile player with 1st round pick Kevin Garnett but failed. Ultimately the strategy became to build for the future as 5 of the 6 starters are 24 or under. The Wolves have the most players to this point on rosters in the division but still don't have a Point Guard. They do have 3 Small Forwards though so that's something. The Wolves have put together a collection of a lot of tall, young athletes. Still need someone to get them the ball though. Minnesota has their own 2001 and 2002 first plus Bamberg's 2003. Most believe this is a development year with lowered expectations.
Portland Trailblazers
C: Timofey Mozgov
PF: Zach Randolph
SF: Chris Mullin
PG: Damon Stoudemire
The Blazers look like an interesting team. 1st Round Pick Chris Mullin has a lot of talent especially offensively. He can score along with almost anyone in the league. Zach and Damon will provide additional offensive firepower while Mozgov plugs up the middle. They could probably do with another ball-handler/defender at Shooting Guard but all-in-all this team is fairly balanced and still has all of their picks. Moves could be made during the season if it starts looking favorable for Portland.
San Francisco Warriors
C: Bill Spivey
PF: Anatoly Myshkin
SF: Grant Hill
PG: Modestas Paulauskas
After snagging Grant Hill early in the 1st Round the San Francisco Warriors made a bold move to trade for 36th overall pick Anatoly Myshkin. Some may argue Myshkin plays more like a Small Forward than a Power Forward but together he and Hill should give other teams nightmares on offense. Both are very capable scorers who are well rounded. Paulaskas and Spivey are pretty good role-players actually. I kind of like what this team has going for it.
Seattle Sonics
C: Dolph Schayes
PF: Vern Mikkelson
SF: Shane Battier
SG: Dimitris Diamantidis
PG: Andy Phillip
Seattle has what no other team in this division currently has and that's a full starting lineup. Looking at it they are all quite capable too. I think Dolph, Vern, and Dimitris are all underrated guys. In fact I think Dimitris may surprise a lot of people. I wish he was going to play Point Guard for them though. If Battier gives you the deep ball and perimeter defense you think he can then this team can attack and defend all over. Their window might not be the longest but they look like a legit team on paper.. early.. before any games have been played.
Vancouver Grizzlies
C: Arvydas Sabonis
PF: Dale Schlueter
PF: Rasheed Wallace
SF: Antonello Riva
The Grizzlies did really well for themselves when they grabbed Arvydas Sabonis with the 3rd overall pick. Pairing him with Rasheed Wallace and Antonello Riva gives them an elite inside-outside game within their post. Schlueter is a really nice 3rd big to bring off the bench and is definitely a luxury to have. Team still needs some backcourt help but there are more players on the board. Like with Portland, they have all their picks and can make some moves it looks right for them.
With only 8 playoff spots available you'd expect to get 2-3 per division. Early returns show 6 teams who look solid but not fantastic. Seattle may have the inside track on the division title year one though there would be a couple of other teams not too far behind them.
Inevitably other moves will be made but we are already able to see how a division is breaking down. Might not be too late to still make a run at a few players who can help give a team minutes and create some separation in the playoff race.
The West Division has teams going in a lot of different directions. Below is a look at each team and a review of their draft strategy.
Los Angeles Lakers
C: Greg Ostertag
PF: Mehmet Okur
SG: Paul Westphal
PG: Michael Adams
The Lakers saw the run on Point Guards then went ahead and took Michael Adams. He should help facilitate an offense that will probably showcase Paul Westphal and Mehmet Okur's shooting talents. The team still has a need for a Small Forward but luckily there still seem to be some capable ones left. Talent across the league will be so similar that wins and losses could come down largely to coaching. It'll be interesting to see how this team starts the season off. They've been cautious with dealing their future 1st round picks and that could be wise. Getting a young player to pair with this team might be the best strategy for them longterm.
Minnesota Timberwolves
C: Jiri Zidek
PF: Kevin Garnett
SF: Doug Wrenn
SF: Leroy Edwards
SF: Glenn Robinson
SG: Jason Richardson
Minnesota tried to move up a few times to pair another high profile player with 1st round pick Kevin Garnett but failed. Ultimately the strategy became to build for the future as 5 of the 6 starters are 24 or under. The Wolves have the most players to this point on rosters in the division but still don't have a Point Guard. They do have 3 Small Forwards though so that's something. The Wolves have put together a collection of a lot of tall, young athletes. Still need someone to get them the ball though. Minnesota has their own 2001 and 2002 first plus Bamberg's 2003. Most believe this is a development year with lowered expectations.
Portland Trailblazers
C: Timofey Mozgov
PF: Zach Randolph
SF: Chris Mullin
PG: Damon Stoudemire
The Blazers look like an interesting team. 1st Round Pick Chris Mullin has a lot of talent especially offensively. He can score along with almost anyone in the league. Zach and Damon will provide additional offensive firepower while Mozgov plugs up the middle. They could probably do with another ball-handler/defender at Shooting Guard but all-in-all this team is fairly balanced and still has all of their picks. Moves could be made during the season if it starts looking favorable for Portland.
San Francisco Warriors
C: Bill Spivey
PF: Anatoly Myshkin
SF: Grant Hill
PG: Modestas Paulauskas
After snagging Grant Hill early in the 1st Round the San Francisco Warriors made a bold move to trade for 36th overall pick Anatoly Myshkin. Some may argue Myshkin plays more like a Small Forward than a Power Forward but together he and Hill should give other teams nightmares on offense. Both are very capable scorers who are well rounded. Paulaskas and Spivey are pretty good role-players actually. I kind of like what this team has going for it.
Seattle Sonics
C: Dolph Schayes
PF: Vern Mikkelson
SF: Shane Battier
SG: Dimitris Diamantidis
PG: Andy Phillip
Seattle has what no other team in this division currently has and that's a full starting lineup. Looking at it they are all quite capable too. I think Dolph, Vern, and Dimitris are all underrated guys. In fact I think Dimitris may surprise a lot of people. I wish he was going to play Point Guard for them though. If Battier gives you the deep ball and perimeter defense you think he can then this team can attack and defend all over. Their window might not be the longest but they look like a legit team on paper.. early.. before any games have been played.
Vancouver Grizzlies
C: Arvydas Sabonis
PF: Dale Schlueter
PF: Rasheed Wallace
SF: Antonello Riva
The Grizzlies did really well for themselves when they grabbed Arvydas Sabonis with the 3rd overall pick. Pairing him with Rasheed Wallace and Antonello Riva gives them an elite inside-outside game within their post. Schlueter is a really nice 3rd big to bring off the bench and is definitely a luxury to have. Team still needs some backcourt help but there are more players on the board. Like with Portland, they have all their picks and can make some moves it looks right for them.
With only 8 playoff spots available you'd expect to get 2-3 per division. Early returns show 6 teams who look solid but not fantastic. Seattle may have the inside track on the division title year one though there would be a couple of other teams not too far behind them.
Inevitably other moves will be made but we are already able to see how a division is breaking down. Might not be too late to still make a run at a few players who can help give a team minutes and create some separation in the playoff race.
