Post by DERRENMATTS on Jan 20, 2007 5:54:39 GMT -5
If we are keeping Pierce and building this team around him, Jefferson and Gerald, here's the key ingredient we need to reach the Finals and be champions 4 - 5 years from now.
>>A really good Center<<
Doesn't have to be a top 5 Center either (but it is preferable). Just a really good Center who can outplay Perkins and contribute on both ends of the court. Let me explain a bit more in detail.
Since Jefferson is going to be the primary low post scoring option (I see him averaging 18 ppg, with Gerald averaging 21 ppg and Pierce averaging 23 ppg), its imperative that we get a Center who cleans up his misses (as well as the team's misses) very well and converts them into points--so obviously he must have good hands and good instincts around the basket (like Gomes). He also has to be a terrific rebounder who boxes out well, sets screens well, and holds his defensive positioning well. Basically, a guy who excels at doing the dirty jobs and does it very effectively.
Being that we are holding onto Pierce, Jefferson and Gerald, I'm not counting on getting a star Center through a trade (like Gasol). So how are we going to pull this off without trading our core players for one?
Through the draft, that's how (and we are playing ourselves into good draft positioning as we speak). This is a big man's draft, and there are 2 guys high on my list, 1 other who is just a tad bit lower, but still high on my radar, and 1 other who I have a feeling might work out very well for us.
Of course it goes without saying that Greg Oden is on the short list of no brainers. But along with him is Joakim Noah. Noah's energy, hustle, Bball IQ, and especially his fire and passion, makes him a favorite of mine and I think he can fulfill my requirements (noted in bold above). He's an energy leader who can motivate his team with his sheer passion for the game. He'll certainly pump up the Boston faithful in the Garden.
From Noah, I can see his instinctual game, his versatility, his speed and agility, and his ability to come up with big plays from the Center position as the reasons why he'll be the key to take us to a higher level. He's an excellent hustle rebounder who can play physically, and he's an active body on both ends of the court.
Right behind these two is Spencer Hawes. I really like this kid's offensive potential, and he will also be a solid rebounder in the NBA as well. But what makes him a step below Oden and Noah is his lack of defense. I don't think he's particularly weak on defense, but compared to the other two, he doesn't quite match up to their level. Offensively, he's much better, and his passing ability ranks much higher as well. But since Jefferson is going to be our primary low post scorer, sacrificing some low post offense for better interior defense makes more sense.
Hawes' Swiss Army knife offensive game, paired up with Jefferson's offensive prowess, will make us the highest frontcourt scoring team in the league.
Behind of Hawes, I have Aaron Gray. As far as talent and potential go, Brandan Wright (the top flight freshman big man for UNC) ranks much higher, and he will probably be a bigger name in the NBA down the road. But Wright doesn't have the bulk and body that Gray has, and that's what I like about Gray's game. Though he's got a boulder-ish body, he moves very well and efficiently, and his coordination is solid. He's an excellent positional rebounder (I'd rate him higher than Perkins in this department) and he's good at gobbling up rebounds by sealing his man off--almost like an expert. He's got incredible feel around the basket and he can put back missed shots rather easily. And he sets picks very well too.
I wouldn't take Gray thinking that he'll be an All-Star some day. But I would take him because I get the gut feeling that he can be the perfect fit for the job at Center I mentioned above. He's a lot like Chris Kaman, but I'd say he's more determined to seal his man off for rebounds.
>>A really good Center<<
Doesn't have to be a top 5 Center either (but it is preferable). Just a really good Center who can outplay Perkins and contribute on both ends of the court. Let me explain a bit more in detail.
Since Jefferson is going to be the primary low post scoring option (I see him averaging 18 ppg, with Gerald averaging 21 ppg and Pierce averaging 23 ppg), its imperative that we get a Center who cleans up his misses (as well as the team's misses) very well and converts them into points--so obviously he must have good hands and good instincts around the basket (like Gomes). He also has to be a terrific rebounder who boxes out well, sets screens well, and holds his defensive positioning well. Basically, a guy who excels at doing the dirty jobs and does it very effectively.
Being that we are holding onto Pierce, Jefferson and Gerald, I'm not counting on getting a star Center through a trade (like Gasol). So how are we going to pull this off without trading our core players for one?
Through the draft, that's how (and we are playing ourselves into good draft positioning as we speak). This is a big man's draft, and there are 2 guys high on my list, 1 other who is just a tad bit lower, but still high on my radar, and 1 other who I have a feeling might work out very well for us.
Of course it goes without saying that Greg Oden is on the short list of no brainers. But along with him is Joakim Noah. Noah's energy, hustle, Bball IQ, and especially his fire and passion, makes him a favorite of mine and I think he can fulfill my requirements (noted in bold above). He's an energy leader who can motivate his team with his sheer passion for the game. He'll certainly pump up the Boston faithful in the Garden.
From Noah, I can see his instinctual game, his versatility, his speed and agility, and his ability to come up with big plays from the Center position as the reasons why he'll be the key to take us to a higher level. He's an excellent hustle rebounder who can play physically, and he's an active body on both ends of the court.
Right behind these two is Spencer Hawes. I really like this kid's offensive potential, and he will also be a solid rebounder in the NBA as well. But what makes him a step below Oden and Noah is his lack of defense. I don't think he's particularly weak on defense, but compared to the other two, he doesn't quite match up to their level. Offensively, he's much better, and his passing ability ranks much higher as well. But since Jefferson is going to be our primary low post scorer, sacrificing some low post offense for better interior defense makes more sense.
Hawes' Swiss Army knife offensive game, paired up with Jefferson's offensive prowess, will make us the highest frontcourt scoring team in the league.
Behind of Hawes, I have Aaron Gray. As far as talent and potential go, Brandan Wright (the top flight freshman big man for UNC) ranks much higher, and he will probably be a bigger name in the NBA down the road. But Wright doesn't have the bulk and body that Gray has, and that's what I like about Gray's game. Though he's got a boulder-ish body, he moves very well and efficiently, and his coordination is solid. He's an excellent positional rebounder (I'd rate him higher than Perkins in this department) and he's good at gobbling up rebounds by sealing his man off--almost like an expert. He's got incredible feel around the basket and he can put back missed shots rather easily. And he sets picks very well too.
I wouldn't take Gray thinking that he'll be an All-Star some day. But I would take him because I get the gut feeling that he can be the perfect fit for the job at Center I mentioned above. He's a lot like Chris Kaman, but I'd say he's more determined to seal his man off for rebounds.