Post by aar on Jun 8, 2012 10:16:41 GMT -5
1) Were you being serious about winning 66 games? It is now mathematically impossible. Do you consider this season a failure as a result?
Martinez: When am I ever serious? It was a jab at Haberman's DC entitled "BRB winning 65" I obviously had a very rough start to the season. I've had big wins(on more than one occasion) against the Bucks, 76ers, Lakers, etc, big time teams. and some of those wins have been without Jasper Wilson, so the onyl way I'd consider this season a failure, is if I get knocked out the first round. I have no doubt my team can make some noise come playoff time... I don't have the depth but I think I'm one of the better scoring teams in the league since I have versatile players that can play at multiple positions.
Aar: Your team could make some serious noise in the playoffs. You have a tremendous backcourt and your frontcourt is making strides. I also think that you have a solid bench. If you can add another nice piece for Norm Nixon, your team could end up being really solid.
2) You are 9-1 in your last 10, what has been the catalyst for turning things around? (note: this was the case at the time this was sent)
Martinez: Pure run and gun offense. Nothing was working, I was getting pumped on the glass, on rebounds, players were shooting poorly. I just decided to hell with it let me run fast, outside, often often and it's turned out perfect. I think I'm 9-1 in last 10 but something like 17-3 in last 20 which is pretty great. I can run 2-3 different line-ups successfully and I think this will be huge come playoff time when teams will try to match me up.
Aar: I think it's fair to say your team is legit when you beat the Blazers on their home court. The big test will be Day 92 when you play in Milwaukee.
3) You have some really nice young players on your team. Who do you think has the nicest young core in BBS?
Martinez: I'm not sure really, just looking throughout the league there doesn't seem like there's any one team with an overabundance of nice good young players. I mean some teams have 1 great guy, 1 decent guy. I'd like to think I have two great guys in Dan Roundfield and Adrian Dantley and then one decent guy in Norm Nixon. So I'm going to say me but we all know you're going to argue and say NO because that's the point of this article yeeeeeeeee
Aar: I'm going with the Spurs. MRR, Campy and Terry Tyler is an awesome trio. Three potential perennial All-Stars depending on MRR's development. Let's also not forget that Lonnie Shelton, Jacky Dorsey and Scott May all look solid as well.
4) If you could keep only one of Dan Roundfield or Adrian Dantley, which would you keep and why?
Martinez: Tough one but I'm going to have to say Dan roundfield simply because of his blocking and rebounding. His shooting percentages aren't great but I know for a fact his strength, inside, mid-range are all solid. I'm sure quickness or something is a part of it, or maybe perhaps he's just surrounded by the wrong players. I do think Adrian Dantley will be a stud though but even then I just think there are only a handful of Dan Roundfield's in the league and much more Adrian Dantley types.
Aar: Judging by Dantley's percentages, you may have something special on your hands. He already looks like a very complete player and reminds me of Chet Walker when he was coming up. Roundfield is probably more valuable right now, but if I had to choose, I'd hold onto Dantley and watch his continued development.
5) Which 7 or 8 seed in the East or West has the best chance of being a 4-seed in their conference at season's end?
Martinez: Looking at the standings i n the East and West I don't think there's a single team at the 7th or 8th seed with a shot at being a 4 seed. I do think a team like me who was 7th or 8th and even out of the playoffs has a tremendous shot at 4th seed though. The rough start to the season hurt me but I'm winning the games that matter against the "elite" teams and that'll all add up at the end of the season.
Aar: If someone good takes over the Bobcats or they get their act together, I see no reason why they can't contend. They still have a really solid team and I'd hate to face them in the first round.
6) You took some criticism for your Eldridge Webb trade. Are you worried about his contract being unmovable in a season or two?
Martinez: I didn't take criticism for the trade, peolpe just didn't like Eldridge Webb's contract, but everyone can easily see Webb's production and see he's well worth it. Am I worried about his contract being umovable? No, why would I be? I traded for him to be my franchise PG, meaning, I planned on holding onto him for the long term. By the time I have to worry about re-signing both Roundfield and Dantley. I will have 20+ mill potentially cleared in cap space with expiring contracts like Eakins, Jo Jo White, etc. It's a zero risk, high reward deal and I didn't give up anything for him.
Aar: I like Webb, but let's be real here... His contract is absolutely putrid. Good point guards are pretty hard to come by as can be seen by Brian Taylor essentially being given away and Mike D'Antoni getting passed around like a joint at a Cypress Hill concert. That's a contract I'm not sure many GMs would touch.
7) Your NBA Finals prediction - who beats who and in how many games?
Martinez: Thunder beat the Heat in 5.
Aar: Heat over the Thunder in 6
8) Time to get real - which GM angers you the most for the following reasons a) their attitude b) their GM methodology c) their trade proposals?
Martinez: No one angers me so if you're looking for a name I'd have to say Blue. He's not very good, he's friends with Haberman, and he's a Jets fan I mean come on how can anyone like a guy like that?
Aar: Didn't answer the question properly, so I will.
a) Attitude - Hype. Just doesn't seem to care and makes terrible offers
b) Methodology - JAH. Hangs onto his players forever and never wins anything.
c) Trade proposals - Skillz. Sometimes he throws out some very lopsided proposals and tries to explain how they'll benefit you when they clearly don't.
9) If you had the first pick: Bird or Magic?
Martinez: Magic, because he's big and he can handle balls.
Aar: I'll play Devil's advocate and say Bird because neither are great defenders and Bird will be a lights out shooter who doesn't hurt you anywhere.
10) In terms of value, where do you rank Ricky Sobers?
Martinez: Here's my answer:Who the fuck is Ricky Sobers?
Aar: He's not even a top-10 point guard at this point. He had a bunch of value awhile back, but that's beginning to dwindle.
Martinez: When am I ever serious? It was a jab at Haberman's DC entitled "BRB winning 65" I obviously had a very rough start to the season. I've had big wins(on more than one occasion) against the Bucks, 76ers, Lakers, etc, big time teams. and some of those wins have been without Jasper Wilson, so the onyl way I'd consider this season a failure, is if I get knocked out the first round. I have no doubt my team can make some noise come playoff time... I don't have the depth but I think I'm one of the better scoring teams in the league since I have versatile players that can play at multiple positions.
Aar: Your team could make some serious noise in the playoffs. You have a tremendous backcourt and your frontcourt is making strides. I also think that you have a solid bench. If you can add another nice piece for Norm Nixon, your team could end up being really solid.
2) You are 9-1 in your last 10, what has been the catalyst for turning things around? (note: this was the case at the time this was sent)
Martinez: Pure run and gun offense. Nothing was working, I was getting pumped on the glass, on rebounds, players were shooting poorly. I just decided to hell with it let me run fast, outside, often often and it's turned out perfect. I think I'm 9-1 in last 10 but something like 17-3 in last 20 which is pretty great. I can run 2-3 different line-ups successfully and I think this will be huge come playoff time when teams will try to match me up.
Aar: I think it's fair to say your team is legit when you beat the Blazers on their home court. The big test will be Day 92 when you play in Milwaukee.
3) You have some really nice young players on your team. Who do you think has the nicest young core in BBS?
Martinez: I'm not sure really, just looking throughout the league there doesn't seem like there's any one team with an overabundance of nice good young players. I mean some teams have 1 great guy, 1 decent guy. I'd like to think I have two great guys in Dan Roundfield and Adrian Dantley and then one decent guy in Norm Nixon. So I'm going to say me but we all know you're going to argue and say NO because that's the point of this article yeeeeeeeee
Aar: I'm going with the Spurs. MRR, Campy and Terry Tyler is an awesome trio. Three potential perennial All-Stars depending on MRR's development. Let's also not forget that Lonnie Shelton, Jacky Dorsey and Scott May all look solid as well.
4) If you could keep only one of Dan Roundfield or Adrian Dantley, which would you keep and why?
Martinez: Tough one but I'm going to have to say Dan roundfield simply because of his blocking and rebounding. His shooting percentages aren't great but I know for a fact his strength, inside, mid-range are all solid. I'm sure quickness or something is a part of it, or maybe perhaps he's just surrounded by the wrong players. I do think Adrian Dantley will be a stud though but even then I just think there are only a handful of Dan Roundfield's in the league and much more Adrian Dantley types.
Aar: Judging by Dantley's percentages, you may have something special on your hands. He already looks like a very complete player and reminds me of Chet Walker when he was coming up. Roundfield is probably more valuable right now, but if I had to choose, I'd hold onto Dantley and watch his continued development.
5) Which 7 or 8 seed in the East or West has the best chance of being a 4-seed in their conference at season's end?
Martinez: Looking at the standings i n the East and West I don't think there's a single team at the 7th or 8th seed with a shot at being a 4 seed. I do think a team like me who was 7th or 8th and even out of the playoffs has a tremendous shot at 4th seed though. The rough start to the season hurt me but I'm winning the games that matter against the "elite" teams and that'll all add up at the end of the season.
Aar: If someone good takes over the Bobcats or they get their act together, I see no reason why they can't contend. They still have a really solid team and I'd hate to face them in the first round.
6) You took some criticism for your Eldridge Webb trade. Are you worried about his contract being unmovable in a season or two?
Martinez: I didn't take criticism for the trade, peolpe just didn't like Eldridge Webb's contract, but everyone can easily see Webb's production and see he's well worth it. Am I worried about his contract being umovable? No, why would I be? I traded for him to be my franchise PG, meaning, I planned on holding onto him for the long term. By the time I have to worry about re-signing both Roundfield and Dantley. I will have 20+ mill potentially cleared in cap space with expiring contracts like Eakins, Jo Jo White, etc. It's a zero risk, high reward deal and I didn't give up anything for him.
Aar: I like Webb, but let's be real here... His contract is absolutely putrid. Good point guards are pretty hard to come by as can be seen by Brian Taylor essentially being given away and Mike D'Antoni getting passed around like a joint at a Cypress Hill concert. That's a contract I'm not sure many GMs would touch.
7) Your NBA Finals prediction - who beats who and in how many games?
Martinez: Thunder beat the Heat in 5.
Aar: Heat over the Thunder in 6
8) Time to get real - which GM angers you the most for the following reasons a) their attitude b) their GM methodology c) their trade proposals?
Martinez: No one angers me so if you're looking for a name I'd have to say Blue. He's not very good, he's friends with Haberman, and he's a Jets fan I mean come on how can anyone like a guy like that?
Aar: Didn't answer the question properly, so I will.
a) Attitude - Hype. Just doesn't seem to care and makes terrible offers
b) Methodology - JAH. Hangs onto his players forever and never wins anything.
c) Trade proposals - Skillz. Sometimes he throws out some very lopsided proposals and tries to explain how they'll benefit you when they clearly don't.
9) If you had the first pick: Bird or Magic?
Martinez: Magic, because he's big and he can handle balls.
Aar: I'll play Devil's advocate and say Bird because neither are great defenders and Bird will be a lights out shooter who doesn't hurt you anywhere.
10) In terms of value, where do you rank Ricky Sobers?
Martinez: Here's my answer:Who the fuck is Ricky Sobers?
Aar: He's not even a top-10 point guard at this point. He had a bunch of value awhile back, but that's beginning to dwindle.
