I agree Batum has had years to become a much better player and every year he stays just very average.... This type of money should go to someone who will have killer instinct and be a solid second option....
Of course you wouldn't, if you don't consider him to have the potential of being one. IMO Just as LMA was overlooked as being a #1 option, Batum is being overlooked as being a potential #2. He's got all the tools, just needs a bit of sharpening.
This is awesome. Realistically Hibbert was our best free agent scenario. $14.6 mil per for him is a good get. Apparently, we aren't the only team that thinks so. Basketball is about synergy and LaMarcus and Hibbert together is going to be formidable and help both their games. Good to see Paul and Olshey are swinging for the fences. This is Plan A. Plan B might be to split our available salary between Gordon and Asik (if we even have enough). If time runs out, Plan C should be next year's lottery and next years free agency. I'm prepared for any of those. Although, Indy really should, and can, match.
my only concern is as stated by handiman, the league is getting quicker and going away from these big lumbering centers. the emphisis is more on quick penetrating guards and bigs that can stretch the floor but also score inside as well.
Tokito had a good point: With the new CBA, Hibbert really isn't getting the traditional "max contract" -- shorter years, smaller increases.
yeah "MAX" doesnt mean what it used to, i think his first year starts around 13 million, and only for 4 years...he will likely get another max then
Chris Broussard thinks "there is a solid chance Indiana may not match". Sounds like he's just guessing, but it's still encouraging! http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8...ffer-roy-hibbert-max-rfa-contract-sources-say
It's true many teams go away from two bigs, and also the finals teams didn't have a good C, and we're a decent team with LMA at the 5, etc. Is it wrong, though, to try to get the league to adjust to you, instead of adjusting to what they're doing? If the focus has to be on dominant wing players, then we might as well just give up, because we aren't going to randomly find a pair right now through free agency as good as Wade and lebron, or as good as Durant/Westbrook/Harden. Seems like we can look to find their equals, or, while they make life difficult for us on the wings, we can make life difficult for them down low. Make them adjust to game situations, instead of allowing them dictate.
high percentage shots will always be in demand the big man will never die, i mean lebron is a pf anyways
There's a bright idea. Offer a max contract to a center who isn't exactly a runner, and then hire a coach who doesn't know how to use a center.
@blazermb: “@robcee10: @blazermb you worried we're going to lose Batum?” No. I think anything he gets is matched. Just my opinion.
Is Hibbert lumbering? I admit I've barely seen him play at all, but I had the impression he was reasonably athletic. barfo
Untrue. Centers are actually designed for 3-pt shooting. They are taller and are closer to the rim. See how that works? It sure looks like this team is designed for PnR and maybe some motion, and not run and gun. Not to mention a good defensive coach could probably make them a great defensive team. Mike D is not that guy.
