If One Must Go...Powe Over Big Baby

[PerkinsERA43]

There have been many threads and posts referring to the seemingly inevitable departure of one of our lovable undersized PFs. Now, I feel I should address the question in a little bit further depth. Listed below are a few reasons as to why Powe is the more logical, safe, and lucrative pick.

The Profiles:

Powe:

Height: 6'8

Weight: 240 lbs

Years pro: 2

Strengths: Hard nosed, excellent work ethic, cool under pressure, excellent rebounder, nice touch inside, great outlet passer, very strong physically

Weaknesses: inconsistent defense rotations, a history of injuries, poor outside shot, average athleticism

Big Baby:

Height: 6'7

Weight: 289 lbs (reported weight, actually 300+)

Years pro: 1

Strengths: Excellent offensive rebounder,  able to use his bulk to get position in post, solid defender, improving outside shot, great touch inside, good quickness

Weaknesses: Poor defensive rebounder, limited stamina, occasionally takes bad shots, average outlet passer, no ability to leap/limited athleticism

Overall Comparison:

While it is apparent that both players have their strengths and weaknesses, and appear to be more or less equal in skill, it is important to realize this:

embedded in Big Baby's strengths are potential weaknesses. His bulk allows him to get position and use his size to squirm in for offensive rebounds. Unfortunately, he obviously has an issue with eating healthy, and his problem could end up ending his career, or at least severely limiting his ability to play and/or stay on the court for a full shift. He is a risky bet.

Powe is not. He will always be a reliable and functional role player who will scrap and fight for boards. he is the ideal substitute, with his high energy on the boards, he gives our bench shift a lift that big baby just does not provide. He is a perfectly adapt scorer, and a better man on the defensive end. He takes charges, and although he struggles sometimes on rotations, he is an equally skilled 1 on 1 defender in the post as Big Baby.

Big Baby's game is better suited to a starting role, but his talent and size just aren't quite there in a big enough way to earn him that role in the NBA.

Powe on the other hand, is scrappy and perfectly suited to bench play.

Since the role we need our backup power forward to fill is that scrappy rebounding type, Leon seems to be the wiser choice of who to keep in the event of a trade. Powe also has a little more height, which helps when guarding large power forwards. He also has good deal less of a risk factor associated  with him.Therefore, one must come to the conclusion that Leon Powe is the more prudent choice for the C's.

ERA/ out

[FatjohnReturns]

I agree it would be better to keep Powe. Baby is not Charles Barkley and has a limited ceiling being only 6'7" and almost 290. The ideal situation is to hang on to him for a while, he will improve and package him in a trade later.

[hwangjini_1]

actually, in a very tiny correction to the above, neither of them look to be very good passers so far.

powe posted assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 his first two years.

davis put up an average of 0.4 assists his first year.

this is strictly recollection and anectodal, but i recall powe mostly as getting the ball down low and working like heck to get off a shot. i dont recall him passing much to other players who then scored. maybe not totally a black hole, but he doesnt seem to be good creating scoring opportunities for teammates so far.

i know this is not his primary job, and he has only 2 seasons. but assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 aint nothing to write home about.

davis, if my poor memory serves correctly, plays farther away from the rim then power, which one could argue would increase the number of assists. but the stats still dont support that idea.

still, this is a small point for comparing two backup PF i guess.

[PerkinsERA43]

actually, in a very tiny correction to the above, neither of them look to be very good passers so far.

powe posted assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 his first two years.

davis put up an average of 0.4 assists his first year.

this is strictly recollection and anectodal, but i recall powe mostly as getting the ball down low and working like heck to get off a shot. i dont recall him passing much to other players who then scored. maybe not totally a black hole, but he doesnt seem to be good creating scoring opportunities for teammates so far.

i know this is not his primary job, and he has only 2 seasons. but assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 aint nothing to write home about.

davis, if my poor memory serves correctly, plays farther away from the rim then power, which one could argue would increase the number of assists. but the stats still dont support that idea.

still, this is a small point for comparing two backup PF i guess.

I think you may have misread what I wrote. I only referred to Powe as a great *outlet* passer. He gets the ball down the floor well after securing a rebound.  Still, you are absolutely right about both players below-average passing ability in the half court. 

[billysan]

There have been many threads and posts referring to the seemingly inevitable departure of one of our lovable undersized PFs. Now, I feel I should address the question in a little bit further depth. Listed below are a few reasons as to why Powe is the more logical, safe, and lucrative pick.

The Profiles:

Powe:

Height: 6'8

Weight: 240 lbs

Years pro: 2

Strengths: Hard nosed, excellent work ethic, cool under pressure, excellent rebounder, nice touch inside, great outlet passer, very strong physically

Weaknesses: inconsistent defense rotations, a history of injuries, poor outside shot, average athleticism

Big Baby:

Height: 6'7

Weight: 289 lbs (reported weight, actually 300+)

Years pro: 1

Strengths: Excellent offensive rebounder,  able to use his bulk to get position in post, solid defender, improving outside shot, great touch inside, good quickness

Weaknesses: Poor defensive rebounder, limited stamina, occasionally takes bad shots, average outlet passer, no ability to leap/limited athleticism

Overall Comparison:

While it is apparent that both players have their strengths and weaknesses, and appear to be more or less equal in skill, it is important to realize this:

embedded in Big Baby's strengths are potential weaknesses. His bulk allows him to get position and use his size to squirm in for offensive rebounds. Unfortunately, he obviously has an issue with eating healthy, and his problem could end up ending his career, or at least severely limiting his ability to play and/or stay on the court for a full shift. He is a risky bet.

Powe is not. He will always be a reliable and functional role player who will scrap and fight for boards. he is the ideal substitute, with his high energy on the boards, he gives our bench shift a lift that big baby just does not provide. He is a perfectly adapt scorer, and a better man on the defensive end. He takes charges, and although he struggles sometimes on rotations, he is an equally skilled 1 on 1 defender in the post as Big Baby.

Big Baby's game is better suited to a starting role, but his talent and size just aren't quite there in a big enough way to earn him that role in the NBA.

Powe on the other hand, is scrappy and perfectly suited to bench play.

Since the role we need our backup power forward to fill is that scrappy rebounding type, Leon seems to be the wiser choice of who to keep in the event of a trade. Powe also has a little more height, which helps when guarding large power forwards. He also has good deal less of a risk factor associated  with him.Therefore, one must come to the conclusion that Leon Powe is the more prudent choice for the C's.

ERA/ out

Not sure I buy the 6'8" height for Powe. Davis is obviously not the 6'9" listed height, but is not shorter than Leon is he? The comparisons and descriptions are pretty accurate otherwise.

My feeling is that both are assets as long as they are reasonably priced. When either begins to think they are worth significantly bigger money then we cut them loose and replace them. Undersized, hard working and bargain priced PF are not that hard to find. The draft was full of 6'6"-6'8" PF and so is the free agent market year after year.

I think (predict) Leon Powe will settle for less money in order to get long term security and he strikes me as the more loyal. Glen Davis however may be the more talented and valuable in the long run. Neither is worth more than a couple million per for 2-3, definitely less than Scala-dollars at any rate.

[EJPLAYA]

actually, in a very tiny correction to the above, neither of them look to be very good passers so far.

powe posted assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 his first two years.

davis put up an average of 0.4 assists his first year.

this is strictly recollection and anectodal, but i recall powe mostly as getting the ball down low and working like heck to get off a shot. i dont recall him passing much to other players who then scored. maybe not totally a black hole, but he doesnt seem to be good creating scoring opportunities for teammates so far.

i know this is not his primary job, and he has only 2 seasons. but assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 aint nothing to write home about.

davis, if my poor memory serves correctly, plays farther away from the rim then power, which one could argue would increase the number of assists. but the stats still dont support that idea.

still, this is a small point for comparing two backup PF i guess.

How could either one of them get any assists out there on the floor?! They were playing with Cassell. IF Sam passes you the ball you know you better shoot it immediately. It ISN'T coming back to you again!

[P2]

Big Baby has much more upside, which will eventually unfold by the end of the season at the latest.

[jimmyt]

Perkins no doubt. He's quicker and always ready for the pass, unlike Perk.

[Redz]

Perkins no doubt. He's quicker and always ready for the pass, unlike Perk.

heh?

[jimmyt]

Perkins no doubt. He's quicker and always ready for the pass, unlike Perk.

heh?

haha oops. POWE no doubt.

[Bankshot]

Big Baby has much more upside, which will eventually unfold by the end of the season at the latest.

This is what I think too. I think Baby has the potential to be better than Powe, but I would wait and see another season before getting rid of either.

[Andy Jick]

i'd like to know where this idea is being perpetuated that "one of them must go..."?  they both possess unique skills that makes them different from each other, and they'll both have their shining moments at various times throughout the season.  i'd like to develop both of them and hang on to them as well...i think the idea that one has to go is ludicrous and baseless.

[hwangjini_1]

actually, in a very tiny correction to the above, neither of them look to be very good passers so far.

powe posted assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 his first two years.

davis put up an average of 0.4 assists his first year.

this is strictly recollection and anectodal, but i recall powe mostly as getting the ball down low and working like heck to get off a shot. i dont recall him passing much to other players who then scored. maybe not totally a black hole, but he doesnt seem to be good creating scoring opportunities for teammates so far.

i know this is not his primary job, and he has only 2 seasons. but assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 aint nothing to write home about.

davis, if my poor memory serves correctly, plays farther away from the rim then power, which one could argue would increase the number of assists. but the stats still dont support that idea.

still, this is a small point for comparing two backup PF i guess.

How could either one of them get any assists out there on the floor?! They were playing with Cassell. IF Sam passes you the ball you know you better shoot it immediately. It ISN'T coming back to you again!

ha, ha. yeah. both powe and davis attended the kevin mchale school of passing it seems.

[jdub1660]

actually, in a very tiny correction to the above, neither of them look to be very good passers so far.

powe posted assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 his first two years.

davis put up an average of 0.4 assists his first year.

this is strictly recollection and anectodal, but i recall powe mostly as getting the ball down low and working like heck to get off a shot. i dont recall him passing much to other players who then scored. maybe not totally a black hole, but he doesnt seem to be good creating scoring opportunities for teammates so far.

i know this is not his primary job, and he has only 2 seasons. but assist averages of 0.2 and 0.3 aint nothing to write home about.

davis, if my poor memory serves correctly, plays farther away from the rim then power, which one could argue would increase the number of assists. but the stats still dont support that idea.

still, this is a small point for comparing two backup PF i guess.

How could either one of them get any assists out there on the floor?! They were playing with Cassell. IF Sam passes you the ball you know you better shoot it immediately. It ISN'T coming back to you again!

Don't hate on Sam. I remember reading an interview of his talking about how Doc Rivers actually wanted him to shoot like that b/c usually when Cassell was on the floor, there we no shooters around him. No one seems to notice that House played almost that exact same role. Shoot first then pass, if you pass, run to an open spot for the ball back to shoot.

[jdub1660]

There have been many threads and posts referring to the seemingly inevitable departure of one of our lovable undersized PFs. Now, I feel I should address the question in a little bit further depth. Listed below are a few reasons as to why Powe is the more logical, safe, and lucrative pick.

The Profiles:

Powe:

Height: 6'8

Weight: 240 lbs

Years pro: 2

Strengths: Hard nosed, excellent work ethic, cool under pressure, excellent rebounder, nice touch inside, great outlet passer, very strong physically

Weaknesses: inconsistent defense rotations, a history of injuries, poor outside shot, average athleticism

Big Baby:

Height: 6'7

Weight: 289 lbs (reported weight, actually 300+)

Years pro: 1

Strengths: Excellent offensive rebounder,  able to use his bulk to get position in post, solid defender, improving outside shot, great touch inside, good quickness

Weaknesses: Poor defensive rebounder, limited stamina, occasionally takes bad shots, average outlet passer, no ability to leap/limited athleticism

Overall Comparison:

While it is apparent that both players have their strengths and weaknesses, and appear to be more or less equal in skill, it is important to realize this:

embedded in Big Baby's strengths are potential weaknesses. His bulk allows him to get position and use his size to squirm in for offensive rebounds. Unfortunately, he obviously has an issue with eating healthy, and his problem could end up ending his career, or at least severely limiting his ability to play and/or stay on the court for a full shift. He is a risky bet.

Powe is not. He will always be a reliable and functional role player who will scrap and fight for boards. he is the ideal substitute, with his high energy on the boards, he gives our bench shift a lift that big baby just does not provide. He is a perfectly adapt scorer, and a better man on the defensive end. He takes charges, and although he struggles sometimes on rotations, he is an equally skilled 1 on 1 defender in the post as Big Baby.

Big Baby's game is better suited to a starting role, but his talent and size just aren't quite there in a big enough way to earn him that role in the NBA.

Powe on the other hand, is scrappy and perfectly suited to bench play.

Since the role we need our backup power forward to fill is that scrappy rebounding type, Leon seems to be the wiser choice of who to keep in the event of a trade. Powe also has a little more height, which helps when guarding large power forwards. He also has good deal less of a risk factor associated  with him.Therefore, one must come to the conclusion that Leon Powe is the more prudent choice for the C's.

ERA/ out

And a TP for you for taking the time to define the nitty gritty details of Leon vs. Glen. And as the majority has so far, I agree with Powe over BBD. As I can see BBD developing later on with more skills, I think Powe fits our system better and is perfect for what we need.