Gortat?

[Mr October]

Zack Lowe has a great article on the success that comes with having key middle class players on your roster.

http://grantland.com/features/nba-playoffs-2014-the-power-of-the-pretty-good-guys-gortat-ariza-courtney-lee/

There is no set formula for success in the NBA, aside from having good talent in general. Certainly having the best singular talent of the current generation gives you a huge advantage. Lebron tilts the entire game board in his direction. Like Jordan in the 90s, no one is at his level as he continues through his prime.

[slamtheking]

 I like Gortat but he's the kind of player you add once you have your primary pieces in place.  we don't have those players yet--need 2 more to go with Rondo

[Mr October]

I like Gortat but he's the kind of player you add once you have your primary pieces in place.  we don't have those players yet--need 2 more to go with Rondo

That's really my only reservation with Gortat. I want to keep all options (draft, trades, free agency) open for now on just how we are going to go about getting another star player or 2.

I really would like to see what Ainge can do in free agency in 2015 and 2016. A big Gortat salary could damage that plan. Nonetheless, i would keep an eye in him. Maybe some other dramatic trade happens this summer where a Gortat acquisition right now makes more sense.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Waste of money, imo. I wouldn't like spending his current $7 mil as a second string, despite the market. In general, seems like the best option for getting a solid to great big (due to their market value) is thru the draft. Or, you go to plan B and play small ball. I don't see as much value in second tier bigs as others do - maybe I"m just biased or my perspective is skewed, though

It's hard to find examples of teams that are having a lot of success right now with mediocre players at the 5.  OKC is the only example that springs to mind, and they have Durant.  There's a lot of value in the stability you gain from having even a solid but unremarkable option like Samuel Dalembert or Robin Lopez at that position.

Teams are having success with a range of talent at the center position. The wizards with Gortat just bumped off the Noah led Bulls. The Perkins Thunder are an even match with the Gasol Grizzlies. Sub all star DeAndre Jordan is dominating the Bogut-less small ball Warriors.

The Pero Antic Hawks have the Hibbert Pacers on the ropes. The Dalembert Mavs are tied with the Duncan Spurs. The Valanciunas Raptors are tied with the KG nets. The Robin Lopez Blazers have the Howard Rockets on the ropes. And of course the Heat are so talented that they can get away with playing Bosh as a center.

Today's top centers guarantee you nothing. Mediocre centers are having a ton of success. If anything, this years playoffs give power to the low to mid tier centers. Team success is coming from overall team talent.

The other common thread is that unless you have Lebron James, you need at least some sort of center in order to succeed. ...even if that center is a floor spacer like Antic.

hmnnnnn

[2short]

I think Noah should be a big idea for ainge along with love.   Noah gives you silly defense, solid offense (that rondo would make even better), amazing heart and a very good rebounder.  IMO Noah should be considered for mvp votes with james and durant.  He's done that much.  Is Chicago going to be moving pieces now?  If there is a chance I forget gortat and asik and make a big push.
gortat i like, asik i like but both those guys its $$, okafor might be the better deal in the end

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I think Noah should be a big idea for ainge along with love.   Noah gives you silly defense, solid offense (that rondo would make even better), amazing heart and a very good rebounder.  IMO Noah should be considered for mvp votes with james and durant.  He's done that much.  Is Chicago going to be moving pieces now?  If there is a chance I forget gortat and asik and make a big push.
gortat i like, asik i like but both those guys its $$, okafor might be the better deal in the end

I never could stand noah ever since he was at Florida. But .....I'll leave it up to DA.

[HomerSapien]

There have been a number of people who have mentioned trading for Joakim Noah this year.  I personally think that Noah is the LEAST available player on Chicago's roster.  We'd have a better chance of getting Derrick Rose.  Why would they trade him?  He's all the things that people describe him as - on a team with title aspirations.  Why would they just want to give that up, and for what?  Certainly not a bunch of draft picks when you have $60M tied up in Derrick Rose for the next 3 years. 

I'd love to have him in green too, but he's going nowhere.  I think any world where Noah is shipped to the C's is a fantasyland, unfortunately.

[2short]

There have been a number of people who have mentioned trading for Joakim Noah this year.  I personally think that Noah is the LEAST available player on Chicago's roster.  We'd have a better chance of getting Derrick Rose.  Why would they trade him?  He's all the things that people describe him as - on a team with title aspirations.  Why would they just want to give that up, and for what?  Certainly not a bunch of draft picks when you have $60M tied up in Derrick Rose for the next 3 years. 

I'd love to have him in green too, but he's going nowhere.  I think any world where Noah is shipped to the C's is a fantasyland, unfortunately.

I think the only way he is available is a full blown explosion.  Rose is big big $.   Boozer? they need to move him, parts are falling off chicago
can't trade rose realistically due to contract but do you stick with him and hold onto noah then rose turns into bill walton the blazer era? 
trust me if i consider noah to be a top 3 mvp candidate then i think the chance is slim BUT it will all depend on what the bulls are doing with rose coming up
he is NOT rondo?so much of rose's game is athletic ability (crazy)
if the bulls decide to blow it up after their early exit, thibs leaves? cog pieces (boozer etc) leave?a chance albeit small

[Mr October]

...or Noah could just want a change of scenery in the summer of 2016 when he is a free agent.

Maybe the celtics will look enticing by then, who knows...

[HomerSapien]

My guess is they reload for next year, not blow it up.  They have 2 1st round picks, plus there is a good chance they sign Mirotic, so I expect them to try and add some firepower, try to keep Rose healthy, and see where that goes.

But hey, Noah looks good in those green Bulls St. Patty's Day uniforms, so if there is an opportunity to get him in Green for 80 more games next year, or in subsequent ones I would love to see it happen.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I like Gortat but he's the kind of player you add once you have your primary pieces in place.  we don't have those players yet--need 2 more to go with Rondo

could have added him last year but that time has passed.

[slamtheking]

I like Gortat but he's the kind of player you add once you have your primary pieces in place.  we don't have those players yet--need 2 more to go with Rondo

could have added him last year but that time has passed.

agreed - last year he would have really helped.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I like Gortat but he's the kind of player you add once you have your primary pieces in place.  we don't have those players yet--need 2 more to go with Rondo

could have added him last year but that time has passed.

agreed - last year he would have really helped.

oh without a doubt. him backing up KG at the 5 would have been a huge help.

[indeedproceed]

I keep wondering why Okafor's name comes up so often. Why in the heck would you pay the guy anything above the vet min?

[Lucky17]

I keep wondering why Okafor's name comes up so often. Why in the heck would you pay the guy anything above the vet min?

To outbid the other 29 teams.

He's a pro's pro, solid citizen, and fills one of the most coveted roles in the NBA. Yeah, he's got injury history flags, but if you're looking to fill that hole at center, you're probably going to reason your way into accepting the risk.