Gortat?

[Celtics18]

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?

He's a solid center who's had an underrated career.  He's also not that old and, other than last year, has been very durable.

Also, Who likes him. 

Also,  he'll most likely be relatively cheap.  If no splashier move for a center proves to be do-able, then he could be a nice pick up.

[SHAQATTACK]

Tater

Tot

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Tater

Tot

lol

[PhoSita]

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.

This is what I get for using a term that means different things to different people -- "mediocre."

I think of Robin Lopez, Samuel Dalembert, and Jonas Valanciunas as decent options at center.  I think you need to at least have a center of that caliber to get by.  That's why there's value in paying for a player who isn't an All-Star but can hold his own, like Asik, or maybe a healthy Emeka Okafor.  That's a major stabilizing presence.

[Who]

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.

This is what I get for using a term that means different things to different people -- "mediocre."

I think of Robin Lopez, Samuel Dalembert, and Jonas Valanciunas as decent options at center.  I think you need to at least have a center of that caliber to get by.  That's why there's value in paying for a player who isn't an All-Star but can hold his own, like Asik, or maybe a healthy Emeka Okafor.  That's a major stabilizing presence.

I wouldn't put Dalembert in that group anymore. His game (specifically on the defensive end) has declined too badly. I think Dalembert is a backup C nowadays on team that has real hopes of advancing in playoffs.

[Birdman]

Noooo to Dalembert

[Endless Paradise]

Gonna be insanely difficult for any team to pry Gortat away from Washington unless someone foolishly offers him like a max deal.  They made their investment very clear following the trade for him.

[PhoSita]

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.

This is what I get for using a term that means different things to different people -- "mediocre."

I think of Robin Lopez, Samuel Dalembert, and Jonas Valanciunas as decent options at center.  I think you need to at least have a center of that caliber to get by.  That's why there's value in paying for a player who isn't an All-Star but can hold his own, like Asik, or maybe a healthy Emeka Okafor.  That's a major stabilizing presence.

I wouldn't put Dalembert in that group anymore. His game (specifically on the defensive end) has declined too badly. I think Dalembert is a backup C nowadays on team that has real hopes of advancing in playoffs.

You're probably right.  I think exchanging Chris Kaman for Dalembert was a big part of why Dallas improved so much this season, though.  Though Brendan Wright's emergence, and DeJuan Blair continuing to defy all reasonable expectations of longevity and productivity for a guy with no ACLs, was a part of it too.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Why does Gortat leave Was? He's at the stage of his career where he needs to settle with a good team who he thinks could be contenders in a few seasons or so even if it means less than market value. He has the role he wants and he's got chemistry with an up and coming young core, this season they will get their playoff experience and next few seasons they could be challenging the other up and coming teams and win (won't beat us but hey, he doesn't know that hahaaha)... Mia won't be Mia for much longer.

[PhoSita]

Why does Gortat leave Was?

Unless it's for significantly more money, I can't see why Gortat would leave Washington to play with Rondo / Bradley / Sullinger when he could stick with Wall / Beal / Nene.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Why does Gortat leave Was?

Unless it's for significantly more money, I can't see why Gortat would leave Washington to play with Rondo / Bradley / Sullinger when he could stick with Wall / Beal / Nene.

good points

[hardlyyardley]

Agree....that trio has been great to watch during the playoffs

[Fred Roberts]

I don't see Gortat coming to Boston but I respect the man's frame, game and desire on the court.

Also, premiere size. 6'11" barefoot .. . 7'2.5" wingspan. Good times. One day, we'll have one like that. Ideally, Joel (don't call me Anthony) Embiid will be his name.