BTW, Faried was used as a center last year, but Noah rebounds a little better, blocks shots quite a bit better and has four times as many assists per 36. And Noah has a DBPM of 3.6 while Faried's is negative.
If Quick is correct, I think it’s pretty predictable, it’ll be one of these four; listed most likely to least Monroe Noah Gasol Howard I listed Monroe first because Olshey has been interested in the past and he only fits in certain systems, Portland’s being one. Noah probably has more interest around the league.
Quick is about to do a chat on the athletic I’ll post if he says anything noteworthy about this theoretical center.
If you're going to take a risk Amar'e Stoudemire would probably be a good one. I bet he could still play.
Doesn’t sound like he knows anything beyond position. Bet both guys that he thinks are too expensive will get minimums.
Monroe makes some sense as a big to fill the role kanter played. Someone off the bench that can get you a bucket in the post, is a really good rebounder, while defending like crap.
Besides the comments about Portland looking for a center, Quicks answers seem more like his own observations rather than stuff he’s heard. For example, the team being completely comfortable at PG after summer league. We’ll see.
Sounds nice in theory until we have a situation 5 mins into the game and we have Bazemore guarding Lebron because Zach just picked up 2 quick fouls. We need a PF who can swing to 3. Strictly for defensive purposes. Maybe the team has more confidence in Mario than expected?
During a business trip I have seen Amare being dominated in an Israeli league game 2 years ago. I do not think he has anything left at this point.
Not a lot of players can guard LBJ one on one, but yeah you might as well try Mario on him. Who has worked best on LBJ for us in the past? Maybe you try Skal as well and back off him a little on the perimeter. LeBron is only a 34% career 3 pt shooter.
Have to start Collins but it won't be pretty defensively at times. I think Mario and Tolliver will both get legit minutes this year. It's why the most obvious move for us at the deadline will be to trade Whiteside for a SF/PF to move Collins back to C as our 2nd/3rd "big"
No one. Lebron has some of his more efficient numbers against Portland. I get the worry after losing Aminu, Harkless, and Turner, but I expect another jump from Collins physically, as well as just having another year of experience. The third year is typically where players make their mark in the league. Bazemore is a solid defender. Hood looked much better than his reputation/numbers would suggest, so maybe it was just a matter of being locked in/comfortable. If Skal gets in the rotation he will contribute defensively as well as he’s a pretty good help defender. When Hassan is locked in he’s a game changer. Hezonja isn’t useless on defense either. He’s got size and shows good instincts in passing lanes. Will be interesting to see how he does in a more structured environment. There’s maybe one dude in the league that can guard a LeBron James. Defense is so much more than individual, so a lot will just depend on how much the group buys in.
Guys I'd target at the deadline after the obvious names like Blake/Love/Gallo/Porter, etc: Gay Hayward Covington sigh Iggy ( I don't particularly like him) Kyle Anderson DeMarre Carroll Taurean Prince Cedi Osman
I'm honestly surprised Neil didn't get in on this-- it's his kinda move. But he's prolly getting more than the minimum in Russia.
Oh, I agree. I think against small ball lineups we’re definitely going to miss the D that Chief, Harkless and even ET provided. I think the Blazers are better offensively, but there is a glaring weakness defensively. Collins is going to have to grow up quickly defensively, and it may be asking more of him than he can do to take on the guys you listed. I just don’t see a lot of other options. Hezonja and Skal will get some burn, but don’t fill me with confidence.
