As we wind down to the offseason, Sir Dez and I will be going through each prospective free agent this offseason on the roster, and getting everyone's thoughts on them. This is in terms of value to the team, likelihood that they'll be a Sonic next season and where else they could end up. Vitalty Potapenko will be an unrestricted free agent. Strengths: For all his limited minutes, he's still a solid big man to stuff in the middle. He's better at posting up than most give him credit for, and he can defend well on the low block. Weaknesses: He doesn't excel at anything. He's not a great athlete, so he can't get down the floor or block shots at all. Without any standout traits, it's been hard for him to find minutes in the rotation over guys who are smaller than him. Importance to the team: Insurance. He's another 6 fouls to give up or somebody to fill in the gaps if Jerome or Danny can't play. Chances he'll be back: Next to nothing. The only situation I could see is if Jerome leaves and the Sonics are forced to resign Vitaly in a center-depleted market. Otherwise, the Supes never really showed much of an interest in establishing him as a longterm player. Possible Interest: Ask a room full of NBA general managers if they need a center, and 31 teams will raise their hand. Prediction: He'll take a standard deal from Orlando or Miami to be closer to his parole officer.
The thirty-first team? Nobody knows. The other thirty who would be claiming to want Vitaly Potapenko? Nobody knows that either.
Doesn't he make 9 million? Anyway, as stated he's good for six fouls - did anyone see the double karate chop to the neck he laid on Timmy in Game 3, then complained to the refs - and can occasionally drop a 12 footer. He can also push guys off the block pretty well. Other than that he really frustrates me with his slow hand reaction, balls come off the rim and then go careening off his paws. Kind of the opposite of Collison's mitts.
It might sound stupid, but I can see him ending up in Phoenix. Let's face it, Pot will be going at the minimum next season, and he'll have a choice of teams who want to add him for depth. He's not going to fit into the Suns' run and gun offense, but he'll give them 10-15 minutes of veteran hustle, and that 10-12 footer when Amare is double teamed.
Pot will go to a team that will give him an opportunity to play, and most of those teams aren't championship caliber teams. He's a hard working humble guys that deserves an opportunity. Nate obviously felt as if we were a better team with Pot on the bench. I'm sure many other teams will feel differently. I'll be pulling for the Ukraine Train wherever he ends up next season. Professionalism should be rewarded at some point.
I like Vitaly and actually feel we could use him back. he will be coming at probably a fourth of the price of James and clearly were gonna have to get some of our bigs back (or find new ones) and he will be the cheapest no doubt.
