The center situation is just ridiculous

[vinnie]

That's all I have to say -- 

[GreenFaith1819]

Maybe not.

The last time we had injuries like this we just moved KG to center and started Bass - or - start Wilcox.

Either way, it moves JJ and Stiem further up the charts, which is a good thing - especially for JJ.

[vinnie]

Moving Stiemsma up the depth chart is not a good thing, given that I believe he should be in the NBDL. If Stiemsma has to see a lot of minutes, this team is in huge trouble.

[Jon Niednagel]

Yes it is. Nothing more here either.

[GreenFaith1819]

Moving Stiemsma up the depth chart is not a good thing, given that I believe he should be in the NBDL. If Stiemsma has to see a lot of minutes, this team is in huge trouble.

I'm still hopeful, though.

The last time we relied upon the rooks was in ORL - remember that?

The kids AB and E'Twaun responded wonderfully - with AB providing a defensive spark, and E'Twaun hitting 4 threes and scoring 16 pts.

Who saw THAT coming?

AB and E'Twaun then went on to remain productive while Ray and Rondo were out. Couple that with Paul's All-Star level play and you can say that the rooks played a key part in our turn around.

So - if AB and E'Twaun could do it - when pressed into action - then why couldn't JJ?

[LooseCannon]

Moving Stiemsma up the depth chart is not a good thing, given that I believe he should be in the NBDL. If Stiemsma has to see a lot of minutes, this team is in huge trouble.

I suspect Stiemsma has learned everything that he's going to learn in the Deuce League and he's only going to improve with real NBA minutes.  I believe that he has some capacity to get better, though his upside is probably limited to being an adequate primary back-up center or above-average third-string center, good enough to eat regular season minutes on a contender but bad enough that the team might opt for a smallball lineup configuration in the playoffs if the main center has foul trouble.

[Celtics18]

Maybe not.

The last time we had injuries like this we just moved KG to center and started Bass - or - start Wilcox.

Either way, it moves JJ and Stiem further up the charts, which is a good thing - especially for JJ.

I'm down with that.  Starting KG and Bass has been a pretty good thing.  Move JJ up and go with Wilcox and Johnson as your back up bigs.  Make Steimsa the 5th big.

We can win games with JO hurt.  We trounced the team with the league's best center without our starting center after all.   

[chambers]

It's looking more and more like we need to move JO and his expiring deal for a reliable starting center.

KG can guard anyone in the league in the middle, and Bass can hold his own at PF, it's just that with Wilcox and Steimsma as our primary backups things start to get scary.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

I'm glad JO's contract will be up after this season.  He's the tin man, and seems to have one good game for every 10 he plays.  

I'd honestly give Varajao consideration as the Cav's might be willing to move him and build for the future.  I'd hand over both #1 picks in a deal for him as his blue collar style would greatly fit this team.  We don't need him to be a scorer...just that guy who rebounds and hustles with reckless abandon...

If the idea for the center position from Danny is the status quo, we're NOT winning a title this year.  We can't compete with the other solid big guys in the East or West.

[GreenFaith1819]

Additionally - I REALLY like KG lining up vs Bynum, if it came to that by next Thur.

If KG could play the strongest center in the NBA (Dwight), for extended minutes in ORL, then I feel comfortable with him playing Drew for some time.

Play Bass on Pau - yes he gives up some length, but if Glen Davis could keep Pau from getting positioning then I'm sure Bass can move Pau easily.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Additionally - I REALLY like KG lining up vs Bynum, if it came to that by next Thur.

I don't...  Bynum will KILL him in the middle.  Have you seen Bynum play lately?  He's healthy...and he's looking VERY good.  KG would get winded just having Bynum bang with him. 

We NEED JO...it's that simple.  Anyone who believes otherwise is delusional.

[vinnie]

Additionally - I REALLY like KG lining up vs Bynum, if it came to that by next Thur.

If KG could play the strongest center in the NBA (Dwight), for extended minutes in ORL, then I feel comfortable with him playing Drew for some time.

Play Bass on Pau - yes he gives up some length, but if Glen Davis could keep Pau from getting positioning then I'm sure Bass can move Pau easily.

Bynum has a real offensive inside game, unlike Howard. Bynum will destroy KG if it comes down to this.

[GreenFaith1819]

Additionally - I REALLY like KG lining up vs Bynum, if it came to that by next Thur.

I don't...  Bynum will KILL him in the middle.  Have you seen Bynum play lately?  He's healthy...and he's looking VERY good.  KG would get winded just having Bynum bang with him. 

We NEED JO...it's that simple.  Anyone who believes otherwise is delusional.

You are right - we do need JO. But he may be missing time.

And you REALLY think Drew would kill KG? Did you see how KG played Dwight?

I can see Drew trying to back KG down, and KG doing the Matador defense on him..pulling the rug out.

KG is smarter than that, playing Drew straight up. He will find a way.

[GreenFaith1819]

LOL...boy I hope KG is reading this stuff...no way that Drew will kill us like that.

[j804]

Additionally - I REALLY like KG lining up vs Bynum, if it came to that by next Thur.

If KG could play the strongest center in the NBA (Dwight), for extended minutes in ORL, then I feel comfortable with him playing Drew for some time.

Play Bass on Pau - yes he gives up some length, but if Glen Davis could keep Pau from getting positioning then I'm sure Bass can move Pau easily.

I dont Dwight has no post up game Bynum does