Cs need athleticism in the front court

[ssspence]

I think this has become pretty obvious in the first three games. Not only do we miss Posey's shooting, but with Baby and Leon acting essentially as our backup centers, this team really needs an active player in the front court -- either with size or leaping ability. POB may just be a tease, as he seems pretty far behind the learning curve.

Does anyone agree? Any ideas?

I suggested yesterday Sean Williams could be that guy -- low risk for two years, with upside working with Cliff Ray and learning to grow up behind KG. Perhaps NJ would give him to us if we'd take Hassell.

I'd also suggested Darko, though despite the fact that Memphis would certainly like to get out from underneath his deal, may be hard to secure (it'd take Giddens, Baby AND another contract along with Scal to make the numbers work -- probably Pruitt and that's not so attractive -- not to mention the owners would have to take a big luxury tax hit).

Portland might be willing to part with Channing Frye, who lacks a bit on D but is a talented shooter.

Perhaps Mikki Moore for Giddens and Scal? They have Jason Thompson playing pretty well and might also want to save money while getting a prospect to back-up Kevin Martin.

Anyone else see an attainable frontcourt player out there?

[cordobes]

No, we don't. I've been reading all Summer that the bench was better than last year's because it was more "athletic". Well, this isn't a track&field team. What we need, like any other team, are guys that can play basketball. Sean Williams? Didn't we just get O'Bryant, that was going to be a huge addition?

We need someone with size who can defend the post, plays though and knows what he's doing out there. PJ Brown, Deke, one of those guys. Channing Frye is what PJ Brown would be if he was a woman.

[BballTim]

Channing Frye is what PJ Brown would be if he was a woman.

  Classic.

[Chief]

POB needs to start getting some minutes with the 2nd team. His length will keep other teams from driving the lanes.

[wdleehi]

I still like the TA/Scali for Collison trade.


Then sign Bonzi Wells (or another experienced SF/SG) to replace TA.

[OhioGreen]

We had a player like that last preseason in Brandon Wallace.  Very athletic, great leaper, shotblocker, and very good defensively for a rookie. Limited skills offensively, and no room for young guy last season. Would come cheap and would much rather have him that Scal, Sam, or maybe even BBD. 
Danny really liked him, but I think Doc squashed it last year cause he was a rookie, and is evident this year again, as Walker and Giddens will probably waste away on the bench.

[crownsy]

We had a player like that last preseason in Brandon Wallace.  Very athletic, great leaper, shotblocker, and very good defensively for a rookie. Limited skills offensively, and no room for young guy last season. Would come cheap and would much rather have him that Scal, Sam, or maybe even BBD. 
Danny really liked him, but I think Doc squashed it last year cause he was a rookie, and is evident this year again, as Walker and Giddens will probably waste away on the bench.

NBDL is where those to are going, and its the right place for them for the moment.

[crownsy]

POB needs to start getting some minutes with the 2nd team. His length will keep other teams from driving the lanes.

doc tried last night, 3 silly fouls in 3-4 minutes. kid's got to stay on the court.

[cordobes]

I still like the TA/Scali for Collison trade.

We need a different player than Collison. I was watching the MIL@OKC game the other day and Bogut, who isn't even that physical, was abusing him in the low post.

[ssspence]

I still like the TA/Scali for Collison trade.

We need a different player than Collison. I was watching the MIL@OKC game the other day and Bogut, who isn't even that physical, was abusing him in the low post.

I agree, Collison does not bring athleticism, and we should not offer up our best one-on-one defender in the process.

This is why I picked Williams. His role is strictly energy, running the floor, shot blocking, etc -- elements we lack. Not sure Collison or many others are really an upgrade over BBD. He's also available, thought I acknowledge NJ is an unlikely trade partner.

[guava_wrench]

We could have used the Birdman. He was really active in the first half of the Denver game last night.

[ssspence]

We could have used the Birdman. He was really active in the first half of the Denver game last night.

i agree. hard to believe the Cs didn't take a flyer on him this year.

[cordobes]

I still like the TA/Scali for Collison trade.

We need a different player than Collison. I was watching the MIL@OKC game the other day and Bogut, who isn't even that physical, was abusing him in the low post.

I agree, Collison does not bring athleticism, and we should not offer up our best one-on-one defender in the process.

This is why I picked Williams. His role is strictly energy, running the floor, shot blocking, etc -- elements we lack. Not sure Collison or many others are really an upgrade over BBD. He's also available, thought I acknowledge NJ is an unlikely trade partner.

In spite of not seeing him as an ideal fit, I'd take Collison over Williams every day and twice on Sunday.

I understand you are really fond of shot-blockers and athletic bigs who can jump and dunk - Andersen, Swat, etc. - but I believe the C's need someone more solid, a guy who won't allow the opponent center to stick a foot between his legs to gain space and spin, who won't lost awareness of his man when hedging on screes, who won't need to put his hands over the opponent body to hold him... We are not a running team, so I don't get the fascination with bigs who can run the floor - even more if they run but then they don't have a clue about the footwork needed to establish position. We're not going to chance our game style and pace because of some random backup. "Strictly energy, running the floor, shot blocking"  was what people were saying POB would bring. I don't want a second version of him, there's a reason why New Jersey didn't pick Williams' rookie option. Give me a flat-footed and experienced veteran who can play basketball over athletic freaks who don't know how to play basketball and get lost on half-court sets.

[winsomme]

what we really need is a backup SF who can defend the position and knock down three's.

last year, Ray was the focus of the bench and i still like that basic setup, but the problem is that TA is the first (and really only) wing that comes off the bench. and TA and Ray IMO is not a good match. we become very undersized at that point and like last night it causes lots of problems on the defensive end.

we could switch Paul to being the anchor of the second unit, but i'm not in favor of that and i still don't think TA and PP are a good match either. they basically are both dribble drive guys.

i just think that last year - aside from the players involved -  we saw the right blueprint for success. and for the bench, it was having guys that go all out on the defensive end, and have bigs that battle for EVERY board and wings that knock down 3's.

for me, that is the recipe for success, and i don't think it is too soon to start looking for someone who brings those two things to the table....at least the shooting, anyways.

[Section301]

I think this has become pretty obvious in the first three games. Not only do we miss Posey's shooting, but with Baby and Leon acting essentially as our backup centers, this team really needs an active player in the front court -- either with size or leaping ability. POB may just be a tease, as he seems pretty far behind the learning curve.

Does anyone agree? Any ideas?

I suggested yesterday Sean Williams could be that guy -- low risk for two years, with upside working with Cliff Ray and learning to grow up behind KG. Perhaps NJ would give him to us if we'd take Hassell.

I'd also suggested Darko, though despite the fact that Memphis would certainly like to get out from underneath his deal, may be hard to secure (it'd take Giddens, Baby AND another contract along with Scal to make the numbers work -- probably Pruitt and that's not so attractive -- not to mention the owners would have to take a big luxury tax hit).

Portland might be willing to part with Channing Frye, who lacks a bit on D but is a talented shooter.

Perhaps Mikki Moore for Giddens and Scal? They have Jason Thompson playing pretty well and might also want to save money while getting a prospect to back-up Kevin Martin.

Anyone else see an attainable frontcourt player out there?

The only thing that's truly obvious to me after 3 games is that they won two of them.  If they continue at their current pace, they win 54 games, make the playoffs, and make a run at another ring. 

I haven't seen that the performance of the frontcourt has been so bad as to warrant doing anything other than continuing to play and practice.  Powe is good  for scoring and energy, BBD is actually much better defensively than I would have been expected.  They manage to do just fine out there as a tandem. 

How is it that this athleticism that you seek would manifest itself on the court?  Neither size nor leaping ability would make someone a good player all by itself. 

The role of the backups is to hold the line against the other team's backups while the starters rest, not to dominate the other teams starters.  Yes, with Perk's propensity for fouling early, the backup 5 is going to see some minutes against the other team's lead 5, but the solution to that is the same solution the Celtics used last year at this time - play Garnett at the 5, which is what they do when they bring Powe off the bench when Perk gets in foul trouble.