Davis vs. Powe: February poll

[Mr October]

The regular season is more than 2/3 over. I still am having a hard time deciding between Davis and Powe. This summer, if they each ask for say $10/3, who would you keep?

I'm really curious to see where the blog stands now. In the preseason the consensus was Powe is better now, but Davis has more potential.

If someone forced you to choose today, who would you resign this summer?

[xmuscularghandix]

Powe's lack of offensive skill is the reason why i go with Baby. Leon's struggles trying score off the post is horrible, he's good for rebounding and putback dunks, but he can't post anybody up.

[Fan from VT]

I still go with Powe. Beyond the skill comparison of the two, financially, if both ask for the same, Powe's money would be protected by Bird rights and thus would simply count against the cap, while Davis, due to his holding out for a simple 2 year deal, would need the 3 million to come out of our MLE to keep him.

[Toine43]

Powe's lack of offensive skill is the reason why i go with Baby. Leon's struggles trying score off the post is horrible, he's good for rebounding and putback dunks, but he can't post anybody up.

Okay, I responded in the same exact manner to a similar post by someone else in one of the game threads: Powe is our best bench low post scorer! He doesn't always make it look pretty, but he's the third most efficient bench player in the NBA at getting to the foul line, and he has shot a decent percentage for a big man as well.

Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't it well known that Powe is our best low post scorer off the bench, and that scoring in the post is one of his best attributes.

[pearljammer10]

Gotta go with Powe. Hes more athletic, better with team defense, better rebounder and he just plain out hustles guys. Hes the type of hard nosed player we want coming off the bench. Hes a player that isnt out there to score but his job is to out hustle, bang around the boards, and pick up the garbage and thats exactly what he does. I havent been a huge big baby fan this season Ive felt he has tried to do too much and is forcing his game...Leons been sticking to what he does best, letting the game come to him, and in result has but up some very nice bench numbers lately.

[Bankshot]

Baby.  Smarter, more versatile, a much better and WILLING passer, better free throw shooter, a developing jumpshot, can defend bigger players, and hustles his butt off every second he's on the floor. Also, BBD is (3 years?) younger than Powe and has shown improvement in his game from last season, while Powe is the same player and has shown no improvement or expansion of his game in 3 years.  Which leads me to believe Baby will continue to improve and Leon not so much.

[Roy Hobbs]

I like Powe better, but a lot will come down to what type of contracts they're looking for, I think.

[Fafnir]

I like Powe better, but a lot will come down to what type of contracts they're looking for, I think.

Yeah, I mean there is a chance we end up resigning both if they are cheap enough. Especially if we end up committed most of the MLE to a wing instead of a 4/5

[Mr October]

I like Powe better, but a lot will come down to what type of contracts they're looking for, I think.

Right, but if they both ask for the same thing, and the C's can only afford 1, who do you keep?

[BudweiserCeltic]

I like Baby myself. I like Powe, but I don't like his game... though I love his hustle plays and how he goes after a rebound.

[Mr October]

I still go with Powe. Beyond the skill comparison of the two, financially, if both ask for the same, Powe's money would be protected by Bird rights and thus would simply count against the cap, while Davis, due to his holding out for a simple 2 year deal, would need the 3 million to come out of our MLE to keep him.

I thought at the time of Davis's signing, I read that a player who has been with a team for 2 years can be bumped as high as the MLE (using the bird exception), and yet it doesn't actually count as using the MLE.

[EJPLAYA]

I like Powe better, but a lot will come down to what type of contracts they're looking for, I think.

100% agree. Unfortunately I think other teams agree with our valuation of Powe and he will be offered much more money and we will lose him. I hope Danny recognizes that BBD is basically as good as he will ever be, and if he continues adding weight like he has since the draft he will be done in 2 more. Powe may only slowly progress, but does have upside due to his work ethic. Even at his present level he will remain a solid bench backup 4 for years to come.

[BudweiserCeltic]

We would sign Davis with early bird rights.

And EJ, stop spreading lies around. Thanks.

[Mr October]

I'm picking Davis. I think Powe has the edge at the 4. But Davis is catching up and is more versatile - perimeter defense, passing, handle and banging with the 5's.

Again it is really close. To be honest I'd probably take whoever is cheaper. But if I were forced to choose to keep one, it would be Davis.

[D Dub]

I like Powe better, but a lot will come down to what type of contracts they're looking for, I think.

100% agree. Unfortunately I think other teams agree with our valuation of Powe and he will be offered much more money and we will lose him. I hope Danny recognizes that BBD is basically as good as he will ever be, and if he continues adding weight like he has since the draft he will be done in 2 more. Powe may only slowly progress, but does have upside due to his work ethic. Even at his present level he will remain a solid bench backup 4 for years to come.

You think BBD has gotten heavier?  I was just thinking to myself during the Denver game that I thought he was as slender as I ever remember seeing him.

I think you guys are right about Powe.  I expect someone to overpay him a la Ronny Turiaf.  

Of the two, I would prefer Powe, and would be quite disapointed if we lost both.  I really think they are both top notch front court rotation players.  Were lucky to have them both this year.