Whether KG plays center or not

[gar]

Anybody else concerned that besides him (if he's playing center) the only  other center we have is a rookie not ready for primetime?

Unless we can land Kaman, Wilcox may be our best bet. Not something that will make any of us sleep well this season.

Wilcox, Stiemer/Hollins, Melo

My question is what postion does JjJ play in the NBA. He could not even post up Lazar Haywood.

[tarheelsxxiii]

My question is what postion does JjJ play in the NBA. He could not even post up Lazar Haywood.

He's a D-League 3

[Kane3387]

Yes

What beating? Beside Bynum and Howard what Center out there is really that much bigger? I mean most of the Centers in the NBA are PFs anyway. As long as his minutes are kept in check he should be fine.

I was saying yes to the topic

Anybody else concerned that besides him (if he's playing center) the only  other center we have is a rookie not ready for primetime?

I am concerned that the only center behind Garnett is a rookie (Fab Melo) who isn't ready to play. The lack of depth at the center position is most definitely a concern.

Got ya.

[Who]

If Dwight Howard goes to New Jersey and Boston meets the Nets in a playoff series, what happens when Garnett has to go to the bench? Who guards Dwight Howard?

I doubt Fab Melo can handle the assignment. Sully either. JJJ certainly cannot. I think Brandon Bass is the next best man for the job ... and that is a frightening thought.

Danny has to shore up that center position and have multiple bodies to be able to throw at Dwight Howard. He needs this roster to be able to matchup against both Miami's finesse lineup and the power game of Dwight Howard.

[Kane3387]

Yes

What beating? Beside Bynum and Howard what Center out there is really that much bigger? I mean most of the Centers in the NBA are PFs anyway. As long as his minutes are kept in check he should be fine.

Hibbert, Noah, Varejao, Marc Gasol, Bogut, Cousins, Nene.  None of a them are fun guys to either guard or to have to keep off the boards.  Anybody who plays the center position in the NBA takes a beating.

Varejao and Noah are not really bangers. They hustle and are relentless on the glass, but they aren't backing anyone down and beating you up in the post. Nene really isn't either and he doesn't mix it up that much. He's a slasher and face up scorer. Cousins, Bogut, and Gasol are out West. We play them twice. Don't make KG match up with them as much those nights.

Hibbert would be tough, but KG is gonna kill him on offense too. Still I will add Hibbert to the Howard class. The only reason I add Bynum is because even though he is out West the Laker games have much more significance to everyone involved that they are played at a different level.

[Kane3387]

If Dwight Howard goes to New Jersey and Boston meets the Nets in a playoff series, what happens when Garnett has to go to the bench? Who guards Dwight Howard?

I doubt Fab Melo can handle the assignment. Sully either. JJJ certainly cannot. I think Brandon Bass is the next best man for the job ... and that is a frightening thought.

Danny has to shore up that center position and have multiple bodies to be able to throw at Dwight Howard. He needs this roster to be able to matchup against both Miami's finesse lineup and the power game of Dwight Howard.

I agree with this. We might just have to play more zone and double team. Otherwise it will be someone like Bass, Fab, or Sullinger. I think we might end up giving Stiemsma the BAE.

[blink]

Wow, our roster isn't even finalized and you are telling us how much better the bulls and the heat are already.  We pushed the champions to 7 games and had our chances with the walking wounded lineup.

I think we are already a better team than we were last year with the addition of Green, JT, Sullinger, Melo.  We have our complete starting lineup back & we made our bench better, and it could get a lot better with Lee and another big.  Like every year for every contender it is about staying healthy.

Anybody else concerned that besides him (if he's playing center) the only  other center we have is a rookie not ready for primetime?

Of course, when KG goes to the bench the team will suffer (just like last season). Plus we will be at the bottom of the league when it comes to rebounding. I really don't see this team being all that improved over last year. Certainly not as good as the Heat or Bulls (if Rose gets healthy). The Nets will be better as well.

[blink]

I am not sure what is going on, but you saw KG play center this season right?  He had the best season he has had since 2007/2008 because he has a mismatch against slower, less talented centers.  I feel the exact opposite as you.  I feel that him moving back to the 4 is a big mistake.  It takes some of the advantages he had this year.  I know KG is a gamer and will D up anyone he is asked to, but as he gets older and his athleticism starts to drop off, he has a better chance of being productive as a 5.

Whether or not Doc can convince him of this I have no idea.  All I know is our starting lineup after the all star break had good chemistry, great def, and a nice mix of talent.  Since all those players are back, I don't know why we would want to change that.  Especially since we now have the start of a good bench (Jet, Green, Sully, maybe Lee).  We need to bring in another big to spell KG as well, but I don't know that it is the right move to move him back to the 4.

I am extremely concerned.

It bothers me to see KG playing C at this stage. He'll be subject to more bruising and banging - the last thing he needs, especially if we want this 2-3 year plan to work (as we need it to). In addition, in the event he does get hurt... where the hell are we going to turn?!?! We literally have no back up C at this point. An argument can obviously be made that we can get away playing small-ball in the East (bleh - watch the Nets land Dwight this week), but we will lose our only competent rebounder and any semblance of toughness as a defensive unit (the crux of our team)if he's out.

I feel strongly it's unrealistic to believe Melo will have an impact this year. So who will we turn to? I had hoped for Steamboat to return but that is seeming less likely. I do not trust anyone on the current roster can provide time at Center. I'm not excited about the prospect of a defensive liability in Krstic (seems most likely), and being out of state, I didn't get to see much of Wilcox last year. He does sound like the best and only option at this point - very scary, and again leaves us thin.

Have to add that Pietrus's impact on the defensive end (and even potentially offensively - he will know the system this year and has shown he can knock down the 3 in past years) has been drastically underappreciated by a lot of fans. He is the lone person I could see guarding Lebron and bigger SFs next year. Without him, who will we turn to? Again, I don't expect much out of Green defensively so, ultimately, we're looking at Pierce to do this? He has proven he can't do it anymore...

I want to believe we will be okay. I think we still have a shot. I pray Sully finds himself time this year and plays big. But as far as the defense goes (and the team goes with it), if we don't shore up a true Center and SF that are well-sized nd defend well, I'm afraid we are in for disappointment late in the post-season once again. I hope we are making this a priority... our fascination with Lee is worrying me for this reason.