Is Al Jefferson a Career Loser or Victim of Circumstance?

[scoop1977]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

[LooseCannon]

Can someone who watches more basketball than myself compare the defense of the current Al Jefferson with the Troy Murphy of the past 2-3 seasons?

[GreenFaith1819]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

No, I meant in regards to your comments on the lineup I initially stated that I favored. You made a good comment that made sense to me.

Would you propose someone like Marc Gasol instead of DeAndre?

PG - Rondo
SG - Mayo
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Big Al
C - Marc Gasol

I think Gasol would be a better overall fit than DeAndre..I look at what MEM is doing with Zach and Gasol, and I think Marc could work here as well (with Big Al).

[Texstyles]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

No, I meant in regards to your comments on the lineup I initially stated that I favored. You made a good comment that made sense to me.

Would you propose someone line Marc Gasol instead of DeAndre?

PG - Rondo
SG - Mayo
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Big Al
C - Marc Gasol

I think Gasol would be a better overall fit than DeAndre..I look at what MEM is doing with Zach and Gasol, and I think Marc could work here as well (with Big Al).

Yes Gasol will be a better fit.  That being said I do not think he is available. In the lineup I put together,  everyone are upcoming FA except for Mayo.  Who I think can be had via trade

[soap07]

Randolph has been acknowledged as a leader in that locker room (which is scary), and who was recently called his team's MVP by his coach.  He's playing a much more mature game on the court, but most importantly he's dedicated off the hardwood, too. 

Again, ask most Blazers fans and they will tell you - for all of Randolph's faults, his work ethic off the floor wasn't one of them. He's exactly in the same shape that he was in Portland - it's just that he was in good shape in Portland and no one noticed.

To the poster that mentioned the 3's issue, in Memphis, Randolph has shot about .6 3's a game. In his 10 year career, he's only shot more than that twice - both years with the Knicks, which we can all agree was simply a dysfunctionally put together team. Guys, he's the same player. He was just very underrated in the past.

In terms of Randolph "maturing' -

I would point to this after his first season in Memphis...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/27/zach-randolph-drug-invest_n_591705.html

Memphis Grizzlies big man Zach Randolph is accused of being a "major marijuana supplier," TheIndyChannel.com reports. According to the web site, a reliable informant was first to raise the charge.

Indianapolis police recently found a car registered to Randolph filled with marijuana and gun ammunition. Cops then raided storage space rented by Randolph, where "controlled substances" and "cars with secret compartments" were found.

He may be the locker room leader. Fine. But let's not point to his on-court success as something new that happened in Memphis because of maturation. He's playing the exact same game in the exact same way that he played in Portland. He was a great power forward in Portland and no one noticed. This is what happens when you surround a player with more complimentary talent.


Of course, he's the Memphis MVP. He's the Grizzlies' best player. He was also Portland's MVP back in the day - the supporting cast just wasn't good enough in a tough conference for them to do anything.

[GreenFaith1819]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

No, I meant in regards to your comments on the lineup I initially stated that I favored. You made a good comment that made sense to me.

Would you propose someone line Marc Gasol instead of DeAndre?

PG - Rondo
SG - Mayo
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Big Al
C - Marc Gasol

I think Gasol would be a better overall fit than DeAndre..I look at what MEM is doing with Zach and Gasol, and I think Marc could work here as well (with Big Al).

Yes Gasol will be a better fit.  That being said I do not think he is available. In the lineup I put together,  everyone are upcoming FA except for Mayo.  Who I think can be had via trade

You're right. And the way that Marc is playing right now I'm sure he is in MEM's long-term plans.

[soap07]

If people are arguing that Randolph doesn't look any different than he did in Portland, and who are crediting O.J. Mayo with helping turn around the Grizzlies, then I don't have much to say other than to watch League Pass more.  

Randolph has been acknowledged as a leader in that locker room (which is scary), and who was recently called his team's MVP by his coach.  He's playing a much more mature game on the court, but most importantly he's dedicated off the hardwood, too.  

Obviously, it's not just Mayo. It's the collection of Gasol, Randolph, Conley, Allen (ugh), Mayo, Gay (when he played) and an up-tempo style led by Hollins. Three years ago, Memphis didn't have that developed talent. The culmination of adding one of the best big men in the game and combining him with this supporting cast turned the fortunes around.

[scoop1977]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

No, I meant in regards to your comments on the lineup I initially stated that I favored. You made a good comment that made sense to me.

Would you propose someone like Marc Gasol instead of DeAndre?

PG - Rondo
SG - Mayo
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Big Al
C - Marc Gasol

I think Gasol would be a better overall fit than DeAndre..I look at what MEM is doing with Zach and Gasol, and I think Marc could work here as well (with Big Al).

Yes, it would work better offensively. Gasol plays well from both posts and is a good passer. Al and Rondo would have more space to operate. But you'd have even more problems defensively, none of those bigs can cover 4s. That team would be strong rebounding wise, be good enough offensively but with 3 defensive liabilities in the starting line-up they'd be a paper tiger.

Memphis is a good team, a team with the potential to win 50 games, but do you see them contending for a title with their current core? Similar situation here.

[GreenFaith1819]

How many games are you expecting to win with that line-up? And what kind of identity would that team have? Would it be a half-court team (Al Jefferson) or a running one (Rondo)?

I don't think it's a good fit:

- DeAndre Jordan is a bad fit next to Jefferson, the blocks would be too clogged. That makes both them a bad fit with Rondo. Teams would just pack the lane.

- All your best scorers are fairly inefficient. Al isn't good enough as a 1st option, Mayo isn't good enough as a 2nd option.

- Mayo and Rondo is a very poor defensive backcourt.

What would you propose?

In regards to that team? I'd blow it up in a hurry, I think. But maybe I'm missing something.

No, I meant in regards to your comments on the lineup I initially stated that I favored. You made a good comment that made sense to me.

Would you propose someone like Marc Gasol instead of DeAndre?

PG - Rondo
SG - Mayo
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Big Al
C - Marc Gasol

I think Gasol would be a better overall fit than DeAndre..I look at what MEM is doing with Zach and Gasol, and I think Marc could work here as well (with Big Al).

Yes, it would work better offensively. Gasol plays well from both posts and is a good passer. Al and Rondo would have more space to operate. But you'd have even more problems defensively, none of those bigs can cover 4s. That team would be strong rebounding wise, be good enough offensively but with 3 defensive liabilities in the starting line-up they'd be a paper tiger.

Memphis is a good team, a team with the potential to win 50 games, but do you see them contending for a title with their current core? Similar situation here.

You took the thoughts right outta my head.

Neither of these two could guard - say - an Amar'e or Odom. But those two are just rare players these days. But yes both Gasol and Big Al would be toast if they were pulled out of the paint and had to guard players like Lamar and Amar'e - stretch 4's.

Yes - MEM would be a stretch to contend for a title, but I bet you couldn't tell the Spurs that right now.

[LooseCannon]

Yes Gasol will be a better fit.  That being said I do not think he is available. In the lineup I put together,  everyone are upcoming FA except for Mayo.  Who I think can be had via trade

Considering who the Memphis GM is, I can't really close the door on the possibility that M. Gasol will be available at some point in the next few years.