http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/basketball/ar...2153528,00.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh, to be a coveted big man in NBA Centers are all the rage By Ronald Tillery tillery@gomemphis.com August 2, 2003 NBA teams are showing more interest in feet - not feats - judging by the awkwardness of this year's free-agent shuffle. With several pairs of size 20 shoes prancing around, this summer has become one of the league's more active for big men. More than a half dozen centers - including six that changed teams - have signed contracts since the free-agent signing period began July 1. Although the best available centers are no longer on the open market, the Grizzlies continue to explore ways to improve a frontline that averaged 6-11, 237 pounds last season. The skin-and-bones Griz are realistic, though, realizing that (a) trading for a beefy big man is the only option, and ( the potential addition's best attribute will be beef, not necessarily in interior dominance. "It's not like we can get a Shaquille O'Neal," Griz president Jerry West said. "First, there's no one out there like him. Secondly, we're not in position to do that." O'Neal fashions himself as Superman. Team executives are simply looking for centers with a different 'S' on their chests - one that stands for serviceable. So the job listing most undersized squads have posted reads something like this: Wanted: Experienced 7-footer with good character and a willingness to do the dirty work. Must be able to defend and rebound in the low post. Looking for someone to take pressure off star/budding star at power forward. Needs to show initiative and muscle in order to protect goal. Scoring not a requirement. Leadership ability is a plus. The description is what made modest giants such as Michael Olowokandi, Brad Miller, Rasho Nesterovic and Alonzo Mourning coveted commodities. Centers in the NBA are dinosaurs. Anyone resembling a mobile 7-footer with back-to-the-basket skills is drawing considerable interest. The Grizzlies' pursuit of Olowokandi may have produced hunched shoulders. But several teams were interested in the former L.A. Clipper before Minnesota signed him to help Kevin Garnett and replace Nesterovic, who went to San Antonio. Nesterovic is now the Spurs' replacement for David Robinson, whose defense and rebounding helped Tim Duncan shine. When Sacramento pulled off a sign-and-trade for Miller it was to bolster interior defensive presence because Chris Webber prefers to play on the perimeter. In that regard, the Grizzlies aren't alone in their reasons for wanting a brute to patrol the middle. They need bulk to complement Pau Gasol's finesse. "The two years I've been in Memphis I had guys who worked hard and did their best," Gasol said recently. "But it's always good to have a bigger guy there. Someone who can intimidate and block shots. I think that helps you out on defense." Gasol, a 7-footer, is on the record as loathing the idea of playing the center position. He's a walking billboard for one of the many factors threatening to push the traditional, dominant center to extinction. The sport has evolved to a more athletic game requiring versatility. Plus, talented 7-footers seem dedicated to playing power forward where they can roam the court. That leaves teams searching for players who relish the mandate of rooting themselves on the low block. A decent center in today's game is a shot blocker with the mentality of sacrificing his body to make plays under the basket. "The one thing we felt we needed to do was become better defensively, in the interior," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "We needed to become bigger, have more of a presence inside. (Olowokandi) brings that." Olowokandi settled for the $4.9 million mid-level exception. But the Grizzlies were willing to pay in excess of $7 million had the Clippers executed a sign-and-trade. Centers are often overpaid, because as Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe put it: "There are very few legitimate centers out there." In the Eastern Conference, adding a true center could put a championship contender over the top. Teams such as the Grizzlies and Dallas are feeling the sting of fielding small teams in a brawny Western Conference. What Dallas has found is that it's difficult to reach the NBA Finals if you allow a ridiculous number of layups and dunks. The Grizzlies can't even compete with non-playoff teams in the West because Golden State, Seattle and Houston have more size. Golden State and Seattle have a plethora of big men, creating trade speculation. Reportedly, the Warriors are willing to part with Erick Dampier or Adonal Foyle. The Sonics are making overtures that Jerome James, whom the Griz pursued last summer, may be had. "Don't mistake lack of activity for lack of effort," Mavs' coach Don Nelson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Still, anxiety often breeds fruitless pursuits. Interest in Hawks' center Theo Ratliff has increased with a belief that David McDavid's impending purchase of the Atlanta Hawks has created a fire sale. "We are not trading Theo Ratliff," Hawks general manager Billy Knight said. After all, who wants to voluntarily jump into the laborious predicament of trying to fill big shoes? </div> I Wish we could get him.
This is a weird thread. Its a grizz thread and you only bolded one thing on that whole article, and it just said Adonel Foyle. weird.
Yah its Who the Grizzlies want but I guess those players are available and someone said GG was exploring trades so maybe we could get one of those players.
