<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The absence of Samuel Dalembert has given Hunter, the Sixers' top free-agent acquisition, an even bigger opportunity than he expected. And he has provided them with shot-blocking and inside scoring, although he needs to be more of a factor rebounding. "I think Steven Hunter is getting better every game," said coach Maurice Cheeks after Monday's two-hour practice. "The Indiana game, he took on the challenge of playing against an all-star, Jermaine O'Neal. He's asserted himself offensively, and certainly he asserted himself defensively. He's just getting better. The kid is learning."And loving it. "[Starting and playing major minutes is] not a big adjustment at all," Hunter said. "I feel comfortable; I feel confident. I think it makes me a much better player. I'm getting much more aggressive, offensively and defensively, out there. "I'm going to use these minutes to my advantage. I can be a vital part of us winning the ballgame. So I'm happy that coach has confidence in me to keep me out on the floor because he knows what I can do."</div> link:http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100...005-566907.html this is great to hear. i, like most of you have been pleasently surprised by hunter's play in the last several games, although he did seem to have an off game yesterday. the best thing about it is that he is still young and still has a lot of improving. like the article mentions, his weakness is rebounding, and i think if he gets better at it, then this team will be a force to be reckoned with.
I like Steven Hunter I even picked him up in fantasy. However, we do need Samuel Dalembert back as soon as possible it is not even about Hunter right now it is the fact that we have no one to back him up in the front court that could come off the bench and provide us good offense, defense, etc. James Thomas is a good rebounder, but he can not score on offense so it is hard to give him extended minutes. If we had a decent center and Steven Hunter I would not even care how long SD was going to be out for.
I think both Hunter and Dalembert need to work on boxing out. They don't box out, and if they would then their defensive rebounding numbers will go up. Hunter has been everything I expected him to be, but he has surprised me with his offensive moves. He has more moves than Dalembert, and they'll be a nice 1-2 punch when Dalembert returns in early December.
Hunter has been playing amazing. Much better than what I intially anticipated. He also has a FT shooting touch now. Impressive eh? Does anyone see that one handed FT he now shots? Not the prettiest looking FT but much better results compared to last year. With the way he's been playing I wouldn't be against him possibly starting over Dalembert for a subsequent amount of time. Mo Cheeks indicated that he?s willing to experiment with the starting five, one clue he gave us was Salmons possibly starting over Korver. Needless to say, Hunter has been a blocking machine, much better offensive awareness and it stronger thus he has more of a post presence. Dalembert on the other hand is starting off on the wrong foot this season, by not being in shape, doesn't know when he will return and the untimely and unfortunate stroke of his grandmother, so he won't be completely there mentally as long as she's ill. Until Dalembert get things straighten out and get his swagger back which I don't think will happen till the 2nd half of the season I say we stick with Hunter for now. Any thoughts?
we should definetly stick with with hunter in the starting five until sammy gets in shape, shakes off some rust, and gets healthy. although hunter is a good scorer/blocker, he isnt the rebounder that sammy is. so all in all, i still think that sammy should be starting, but that wont be until later in the season when he is completely healthy. also, i didnt know his grandmother had a stroke, i pray that him and his family with get over it soon, and sammy can return as quick as possible, without risking another injury.
