<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Nelson has yet to decide who will start in Murphy's place, but after a light practice Wednesday, he said the nod very well could go to rookie Patrick O'Bryant instead of regular backup center Andris Biedrins. Beyond liking the matchup between O'Bryant and Hornets starter Tyson Chandler, Nelson said the rookie fits better into his small-ball schemes. O'Bryant has better range than Biedrins, and like Murphy, he can space the floor and draw defenders away from the post. But even if O'Bryant gets the starting nod tonight, it isn't likely to be a permanent move. Nelson said O'Bryant is still too raw to play significant minutes in a regular-season game, so Nelson might as well get his rookie some looks now. "It's just a matchup thing," Nelson said. "It's not who starts or who doesn't. It's who would be the easiest for him to guard so he doesn't get into trouble. He's not ready to play an NBA game that counts, but sure, I think he can play in this game." </div> Source
I think part of this is that Nelson wants Biedrins to be an energy guy off the bench and he doesn't want to change that routine. There is definately a differnece between starting and coming off the bench and I'm not sure Biedrins knows how to adjust his game accordingly.
POB and Biedrins are kind of similar in that they are very young, pretty athletic, tall, lightweight type of guys with excellent hands, long reach. But I think they need to add more pounds and do a bunch of other things to stay on the floor. Both are projects who will look good at times and really bad at times. I think POB probably has the better offensive game and he certainly doesn't miss much from the line compare to our other centers. (nice finesse and mental game down) POB had some Tim Duncan and Kareem moments to his game during preseason (pseudo-sky hook, and the 18 footer off glass), but his shot selection was questionable and he wasn't particularly a good passer or rebounder or dominant first option offensive player. But I'd still trust having POB, who went to college, and could get double digit rebounds playing against decent NCAA competition bigs. And then he could also chip in some blocked shots, and score on some putbacks without falling down constantly or looking out of control. He'd be a little bit like Dampier maybe, except way weaker and not as good defensively. But the potential is that having a contract year Dampier type play would give our perimeter game a boost because of second chance points, presence in the paint as opposed to no presence. I'd still like Biedrins to be a power forward, but he's looking more like Tyson Chandler than he is Kmart or Jermaine O'neil who can shoot better than 65% from the line and take a jumpshot or finish high above the rim. Biedrins can jump, but he never shows it. Maybe it's because he's always falling down or getting pushed around with the contact.
I think any hopes of Biedrins being a 4 are about gone right now unless he plays with a very offensive minded C (a la the Chandler/Curry frontline a few years back). He's just got no outside game and shouldn't be drawn from the paint unless he's setting a screen. I'm happy to hear that POB has been at least holding his own so far in the preseason. It gives me some hope that he can be a good two way C once he bulks up a bit and gets more experience, the unstoppable sky hook along with a pretty outside shot could let him be a top 3 offensive C in the league down the road. I think he's got a solid chance of turning out like a more athletic Zydrunas Ilgauskas; good post game, good outside shot, hangs around the perimeter a bit much, not that physical, not a dominating rebounder but not bad, gets blocked shots due to his size. Of course Big Z is a few inches taller but POB makes up for it in freakish length and decent athleticism for his size. He may not end up being our ideal savior at C but if he can get 14-16ppg/ 8-9rpg/ 1-2 bpg in his prime I'd be very pleased.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="2">Nelson said Diogu was "doing better" with remembering plays strictly as a power forward, and Diogu will have a key role in filling the rebounding void left by Murphy. </font></div><font size="2"> Hmmm maybe that's why Montgomery didn't play Ike. I figured Ike was his type of guy. Smart, good hands, can shoot, and is tough like a football player. </font><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> <font size="2">Though the Warriors' younger players all figure to receive more time, Adonal Foyle does not. Nelson reiterated that Foyle, last season's starting center, will not be on his radar until he gets thinner and can handle Nelson's fast-paced game. </font></div>LOL. Nelson probably told Foyle drop down to 220. Even if he could, he'd still have to lose the stone hands which probably weigh 220 lbs each
<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think any hopes of Biedrins being a 4 are about gone right now unless he plays with a very offensive minded C (a la the Chandler/Curry frontline a few years back). He's just got no outside game and shouldn't be drawn from the paint unless he's setting a screen. I'm happy to hear that POB has been at least holding his own so far in the preseason. It gives me some hope that he can be a good two way C once he bulks up a bit and gets more experience, the unstoppable sky hook along with a pretty outside shot could let him be a top 3 offensive C in the league down the road. I think he's got a solid chance of turning out like a more athletic Zydrunas Ilgauskas; good post game, good outside shot, hangs around the perimeter a bit much, not that physical, not a dominating rebounder but not bad, gets blocked shots due to his size. Of course Big Z is a few inches taller but POB makes up for it in freakish length and decent athleticism for his size. He may not end up being our ideal savior at C but if he can get 14-16ppg/ 8-9rpg/ 1-2 bpg in his prime I'd be very pleased.</div> Big Z is a nice comparrison. Maybe POB is more like what Michael Olowakandi could have been if he actually tried hard. Decent midrange game, maybe later a developing post game. Kandiman is also a hookshot guy with decent athleticism and big size. I'm watching the Lakers game right now and their project center, Andrew Bynum, looks like a bigger POB. Anyone feel that?
<div class="quote_poster">custodianrules2 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm watching the Lakers game right now and their project center, Andrew Bynum, looks like a bigger POB. Anyone feel that?</div> I haven't seen much from Bynum but from what I have seen he looks pretty raw. He's a great physical specimen at 7'+ with huge arms and he's got meat on his bones with a frame that can hold alot more muscle. Right now he doesn't seem to have much impact on the game in any aspect but he does show glimpses of being a dominant offensive player and some good defensive plays here and there. Overall he doesn't seem to have many offensive skills nor does he really standout on defense/rebounding but he's not even 19 yet (will be on Oct 27) and seems to have no problem playing inside and throwing around his bulk. Good prospect but still a question mark right now. POB isn't as physical, he seems to drift around the perimeter more but he's got more offensive skills and seems to have good shot blocking instincts/timing. He isn't as good of a rebounder from what I've seen but looks more polished in most other aspects (he is a year older though). His ceiling isn't as high as Bynum's but he's got a good opportunity to become a top 10 center in this league. From watching tonights' Lakers-Clippers game I've liked what I've seen from Paul Davis. He's a legit 7 footer who was overlooked because he isn't flashy or athletic but the guy can just play. He's a smart player, knows his boundaries, plays smart, and has some good skills (decent inside game, solid mid-range game, solid on defense and rebounds). He won't be a star but he can be a starting quality center who can do a bit of everything.
Andris is rough and hot. POB (from what I have gathered so far) seems to be smooth and cool. It's kind of like the difference between Ben Wallace and Tim Duncan. Ben will do things, maybe not so graceful or finess, but it gets everything hot and energized. Tim Duncan will do something gracefull or with finess and it will just look cool and maybe there is not so much energy gained from that. I don't know who I would want to start over the other, if the option were available. However at this point I like Andris closing out quarters, halfs, and games. He just seems to do the important things, such as getting extra possessions late in games or blocking shots and grabbing important rebounds, and just finding the open spot to get an easy bucket. Of course POB will get better as he gains more experience in the league, but Andris has always seemed to have a kind of knack on where to be and how to contribute on the court. It is this, which makes Andris a pretty valuable player, especially of the bench. Though I don't think he has really disappointed when he has started, though I don't have the most recent stat like this for Andris in my head, but one that is probably outdated, since this stat includes only one game in his rookie season I think where he started against the Kings and looked very impressive.
<div class="quote_poster">Run BJM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I haven't seen much from Bynum but from what I have seen he looks pretty raw. He's a great physical specimen at 7'+ with huge arms and he's got meat on his bones with a frame that can hold alot more muscle. Right now he doesn't seem to have much impact on the game in any aspect but he does show glimpses of being a dominant offensive player and some good defensive plays here and there. Overall he doesn't seem to have many offensive skills nor does he really standout on defense/rebounding but he's not even 19 yet (will be on Oct 27) and seems to have no problem playing inside and throwing around his bulk. Good prospect but still a question mark right now. POB isn't as physical, he seems to drift around the perimeter more but he's got more offensive skills and seems to have good shot blocking instincts/timing. He isn't as good of a rebounder from what I've seen but looks more polished in most other aspects (he is a year older though). His ceiling isn't as high as Bynum's but he's got a good opportunity to become a top 10 center in this league. From watching tonights' Lakers-Clippers game I've liked what I've seen from Paul Davis. He's a legit 7 footer who was overlooked because he isn't flashy or athletic but the guy can just play. He's a smart player, knows his boundaries, plays smart, and has some good skills (decent inside game, solid mid-range game, solid on defense and rebounds). He won't be a star but he can be a starting quality center who can do a bit of everything.</div> Hmm so in your observation it's like comparing a guy like Brendan Haywood/Jamaal Magloire to Michael Olowakandi/Chris Kaman or something. Both are 7 footers, but with different kinds of games and body types? I guess I need to see more of these guys and what their strengths/weaknesses are for myself.
<div class="quote_poster">Clif25 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Andris is rough and hot. POB (from what I have gathered so far) seems to be smooth and cool. It's kind of like the difference between Ben Wallace and Tim Duncan. Ben will do things, maybe not so graceful or finess, but it gets everything hot and energized. Tim Duncan will do something gracefull or with finess and it will just look cool and maybe there is not so much energy gained from that. I don't know who I would want to start over the other, if the option were available. However at this point I like Andris closing out quarters, halfs, and games. He just seems to do the important things, such as getting extra possessions late in games or blocking shots and grabbing important rebounds, and just finding the open spot to get an easy bucket. Of course POB will get better as he gains more experience in the league, but Andris has always seemed to have a kind of knack on where to be and how to contribute on the court. It is this, which makes Andris a pretty valuable player, especially of the bench. Though I don't think he has really disappointed when he has started, though I don't have the most recent stat like this for Andris in my head, but one that is probably outdated, since this stat includes only one game in his rookie season I think where he started against the Kings and looked very impressive.</div> Thanks for the observations, Clif. Hmm maybe one day the two could start together. C: Chef PF: Beans SF: Jason Richardson/Mike Dunleavy SG: Mickael Pietrus/Jason Richardson PG: Baron Davis The tall 6'10 wings are so popular, but I'd be happy with an athletic 6'7 SF that can play like a guard in place of Jrich playing more like a small forward or power forward. The one thing I agree with on Nelson's style of attack is that he goes in with three guards because guards can pass, dribble, shoot, and do all that stuff. If he's a Jamison type guy, then the ball hardly moves like a guard would move it because he plays more like a power forward at small forward or a plain wing forward. Instead of a swing guy, two forwards in the backcourt spots just kind of make everything slow...
