Post by JDawg on Jul 1, 2007 13:51:33 GMT -5
This is J with this week's version of "The Hot Seat." I had a few minutes to speak with Milwaukee GM CJ.
#1 - Do you feel your team is ready to be a contender now? Is having a young team a cause for concern?
Coming into this season, I thought we were going to be a contender. We upset the Atlantic Division Champion Wizards in last years playoffs and thought that was a big step towards climbing the ranks in the East. We have changed our pace of offense which has lead to much more success. I think we will make the playoffs and compete well in the playoffs. I don't see a championship this year, but with a good TC I think it can be done next year.
#2 - What changes if any, do you plan on making in the off-season? Is Carmelo Anthony re-signing a #1 priority?
The only changes we have planned for the offseason is adding three rookies with each of our 1st round picks. If we can sign a free agent with our remaining cap we will, but it is not currently in our plans. Carmelo Anthony is the franchise player of this team and is quickly becoming one of the elite players in the league. He is unquestionably our #1 priority and will be maxed once that period begins.
#3 – What team currently in the playoffs looks to be the most dangerous?
This years playoffs is one of the hardest to predict in quite sometime. Many teams feel the Bulls are the top team in the league, but I don't see them unbeatable by any means. The Wests only great team is the Warriors which makes the conference wide open for a lot of so called upsets. I wouldn't be suprised to see one of the lower seeded teams be this years Blazers and go all the way to the Conference Finals. In the East, the same teams are the best. Pistons GM Aaron Reilly doesn't think his team has what it takes this year but I think they have as good of a shot as any with Shaq on board. The Knicks are playing amazing ball for what seems to mostly be a two man team. The Raptors still have their core togethor that has won the last two championships. All four of those teams have a great chance. The Hawks have come on strong and the Pacers are always a force but I don't see them having a chance to advance. The Bulls are the favorites, but I think the Raptors and Pistons will give them a lot of trouble. I think the Pistons will suprise and maybe win their second championship.
#4 – What current young player in the NBA has the most potential to be a superstar?
There are quite a few players I see getting close to being a superstar in the BBS. One that I see making the biggest jump and being the most dominant for the next decade is Leandro Barbosa. He is already one of the best defensive PGs in the league and will be a great scorer sooner rather than later. Some other players I see really breaking out are LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Marvin Williams, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams.
#5 – Who will win the BBS title and who will their MVP be?
The BBS title will go to the Detroit Pistons. I really like their matchup on the Bulls and can see them pulling the upset. The Bulls are the safe pick but I feel like and upset is going to happen this year. Shaq will get the playoff MVP, but Ron Artest and Tayshaun Prince will be the key to the Pistons success.
Thank you for your time. This is J from ESPN.
#1 - Do you feel your team is ready to be a contender now? Is having a young team a cause for concern?
Coming into this season, I thought we were going to be a contender. We upset the Atlantic Division Champion Wizards in last years playoffs and thought that was a big step towards climbing the ranks in the East. We have changed our pace of offense which has lead to much more success. I think we will make the playoffs and compete well in the playoffs. I don't see a championship this year, but with a good TC I think it can be done next year.
#2 - What changes if any, do you plan on making in the off-season? Is Carmelo Anthony re-signing a #1 priority?
The only changes we have planned for the offseason is adding three rookies with each of our 1st round picks. If we can sign a free agent with our remaining cap we will, but it is not currently in our plans. Carmelo Anthony is the franchise player of this team and is quickly becoming one of the elite players in the league. He is unquestionably our #1 priority and will be maxed once that period begins.
#3 – What team currently in the playoffs looks to be the most dangerous?
This years playoffs is one of the hardest to predict in quite sometime. Many teams feel the Bulls are the top team in the league, but I don't see them unbeatable by any means. The Wests only great team is the Warriors which makes the conference wide open for a lot of so called upsets. I wouldn't be suprised to see one of the lower seeded teams be this years Blazers and go all the way to the Conference Finals. In the East, the same teams are the best. Pistons GM Aaron Reilly doesn't think his team has what it takes this year but I think they have as good of a shot as any with Shaq on board. The Knicks are playing amazing ball for what seems to mostly be a two man team. The Raptors still have their core togethor that has won the last two championships. All four of those teams have a great chance. The Hawks have come on strong and the Pacers are always a force but I don't see them having a chance to advance. The Bulls are the favorites, but I think the Raptors and Pistons will give them a lot of trouble. I think the Pistons will suprise and maybe win their second championship.
#4 – What current young player in the NBA has the most potential to be a superstar?
There are quite a few players I see getting close to being a superstar in the BBS. One that I see making the biggest jump and being the most dominant for the next decade is Leandro Barbosa. He is already one of the best defensive PGs in the league and will be a great scorer sooner rather than later. Some other players I see really breaking out are LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Marvin Williams, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams.
#5 – Who will win the BBS title and who will their MVP be?
The BBS title will go to the Detroit Pistons. I really like their matchup on the Bulls and can see them pulling the upset. The Bulls are the safe pick but I feel like and upset is going to happen this year. Shaq will get the playoff MVP, but Ron Artest and Tayshaun Prince will be the key to the Pistons success.
Thank you for your time. This is J from ESPN.