Claver is already much bigger than Babbitt, he looks like he lifts quite a bit, he just doesn't have a good frame to add muscle.
I've watched for when he stands next to players. In height, Claver is between Aldridge and Leonard. Claver has amazing mobility for a 7-footer. He's a natural SF, not a forced one.
let's bulk him, up then and make him our C! seriously, he's looked solid so far as a stretch 4, if his outside shot keeps goin down at a better rate which it seems to be, he's a nice piece off the bench. Freeland unfortunately has been a big disappointment
Freeland has been god awful! I still can't believe I waited so long to see this hot mess! I remembered the "what ifs" regarding freeland years ago and got excited when we finally brought him over. Now I wish some team may have the same hypothetical promise regarding freeland and we could pawn him off for a second rounder and a little more cap space.
You're sure ... with this training staff ... the training staff who ran the equivalent of an NBA M.A.S.H unit the past four or five years? OK, works for me.
Mags what makes him awful? I ask because I think most of his weaknesses can be improved with a year's experience and consistent playing time. Not as a starter but as one of the back up PF's. Not saying he plays like Splitter, but do you remember how Splitter looked when he finally made it over? Not very good his first year. I think the Blazers let JJ walk this summer in order to go after a center leaving opportunity for both Freeland and Claver to back up LMA. Right now Freeland has been playing exclusively at the center spot. He runs very well, hustles, and has a decent shot. (And no I do not care what his PER is because his minutes have been too inconsistent) I just think he is too small to play center and he ends up fouling the bigger guys. But he moves his feet well. I think he can play away from the basket. And although Freeland and Claver are two different types of players, they are roughly the same size. But at 225 neither is a center. Once we are out of the playoff race I would like to see Leonard and Freeland in the game at the same time. Lets see what we have.
It's because most the time efficiency is much easier for big men. Freeland has piss poor advanced stats; which would be more understandable for guards. He is a pg/c, who gains per on rebounding and higher fg %. He seems extremely slow at reaction; which is another sign of a player without hope. At least Leonard is there, just slower at reacting. Freeland looks like he could react quicker, but fails to get into position. I guess I expected much more; especially for a 3.5 mil player.
No doubt you could be right. I just don't think we have seen enough of him. I think moving forward we need two back up PF's. One stretch and one banger. I think he can bang with other PF's just not with most centers. Regardless I would like to see him get more time as a PF
Well I have been wrong more times than right. Lets hope I am dead wrong about Freeland. I would be very happy to eat that crow.
Word me too! Looked like they were having fun, Batum kept standing up. Great game. Don't you think the sample size is a bit small to be looking at advanced stats?
Can't argue the sample size isn't small, but my visual test when he's on the floor is pretty telling. He just doesn't look like he gets the speed of the NBA level. He isn't a rookie really. He has played professional basketball for over 5 years. He isn't wet behind the ears you know.
I go back to my Splitter comparison. Splitter was one of the top bigs in Europe. Much bigger expectations than Freeland. But his first year in the NBA he struggled with the speed of the game. But Pop stuck with him and got him 12 minutes a game. He has gotten better every year. But his first year he looked lost at times.
Okay maybe Freeland has a chance in the NBA; but does he fit our timeline? I think we already have a prospect center in Leonard. Why waste playing time to develop Freeland when we need all the time we can get developing Leonard?
Freeland is not a Center. He can play it but he is a PF in this league imo. We maybe stacked there too but then again he could be forced into our primary backup PF next year depending on what happens in free agency and to Hickson.
