I just read on Hoopshype the Mavericks are also trying to land Steven Hunter in the FA market. I think Hunter would be an excellent big man that would back up Dampier. We can then put the 7-5 Podkolzin as a fresh reserve if injurys take a toll. Dallas should defiantly keep an eye on Hunter.
Yep that would would be a good signing, with Shawn Bradley retired and all. Plus it brings size actually with some skill that Bradley didn't have, that would help the Mavs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As for next week, teams can also begin signing free agents, and the Mavs are in the running for center Steven Hunter. The 7-footer spent last season with Phoenix after three years in Orlando. Adding an athletic body to the frontcourt is an area the Mavs want to address. Hunter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said several teams, including the Mavs, are pursuing the 24-year-old, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.0 rebounds with the Suns. "We're having a number of conversations, and we'll see what happens," Bartelstein said. "There's a lot of interest in him." The Mavs will decide whether to spend the $5 million exception on one player, divide it among two or more, or stand relatively pat. Hunter isn't expected to command the full exception. </div> Star-Telegram
This sounds more like Hunter's agent trying to increase the bidding price for his client. The Mavs have plenty of depth already and plenty of money invested in the frontline. The only reason they would want Hunter is to keep him out of Phoenix, but other than that, I don't think the Mavs want to spend significant money on a reserve player. They had impressive summer league performances from DJ Mbenga and Powell (who they just signed), so adding another big man into the rotation is a waste. The Mavs are better off going after a thicker player like Tractor Traylor than Hunter. Playing for the Suns made Steven Hunter look A LOT better than what he really is. Keep in mind he was cut by the Magic and the Cavs before he got lucky and a chance to playin Phoenix. Neither the Magic or Cavs had a deep frontline at the time.
He wasn't lucky. He is a good defensive player. Not an offensive player so he wasn't improving from Nash. He would be a good signing. A sign and trade might be possible, or maybe they are going to get rid of others and they need Hunter.
I definately don't think Hunter would be a bad signing. He is long, athletic, and blocks shots very well. MBenga and the others can still make a difference, but when a player like this comes on the market, I wouldn't pass him up. This is exactly the kind of big man the Mavs need IMO.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">He wasn't lucky. He is a good defensive player. Not an offensive player so he wasn't improving from Nash. He would be a good signing. A sign and trade might be possible, or maybe they are going to get rid of others and they need Hunter.</div> Landing on a team who runs and guns, pays little attention on defense, and having scorers all over the court leaving you wide open is definitely lucky. Steven Hunter is looking for starter money, when he's not even close to being a servicable starter on any team. On most teams he's not even good enough to be a backup. He was a non-factor in any of the playoff series, in fact he only played a measley 41 minutes in the series against the Mavs in last years playoffs. The series went 6 games, so that's a little less than 7 minutes per game he played. In the Spurs series he played a lot of minutes, but ended up making Nazr Mohammed look like a stud center in the series.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Landing on a team who runs and guns, pays little attention on defense, and having scorers all over the court leaving you wide open is definitely lucky. Steven Hunter is looking for starter money, when he's not even close to being a servicable starter on any team. On most teams he's not even good enough to be a backup. He was a non-factor in any of the playoff series, in fact he only played a measley 41 minutes in the series against the Mavs in last years playoffs. The series went 6 games, so that's a little less than 7 minutes per game he played. In the Spurs series he played a lot of minutes, but ended up making Nazr Mohammed look like a stud center in the series.</div> His didn't get lucky because he played defense, not much offense. The run and gun offense didn't improve his defense any. He has talent. A lot of people can improve with a change of scenery. Actually he played a lot vs. the Spurs and he played great defense on Duncan. Amare was the on being owned by Duncan and Nazr. Hunter played great defense all year. Just trust a Suns fan on this one. When he came in the game our defense suddenly improved with him and Amare. When he left we got no rebounds and they got more easybaskets. It was horrible without him in the WCF.
The run and gun offense did improve his defense because most teams tried to run with the Suns and played out of their offense. Steven Hunter played good transition defense during the season because he can get up the court very well for a big man and it led to a lot of shot blocks. He also played a lot in garbage time after the Suns took a commanding lead. However, when it came to the post-season and teams ran a half-court set offense, Steven Hunter was exposed defensively. Calling him a great defender is an exaggeration, if he was as great as you claim he would have been the starting center for the team all season long. If he was so great defensively against Tim Duncan, the Suns would not have traded QRich & Nate Robinson for Kurt Thomas. A change of scenery does help players, especially when the new scenery brings out the best of your abilities. Playing with the Suns did that for Steven Hunter, and now he's trying to cash in on his inflated season.
We signed Kurt Thomas because we have no one else....who is our back-up OF and our back-up center, do you know? And we traded Q because, well, ask any Suns fan. Q was so inconsistent, especially in the playoffs. He didn't start because, well, you know our starting line-up. He didn't play well against the Mavs, but when he was playing against the Spurs the Suns were a whole new team. I hope we resign him...
You traded for Kurt Thomas because the Suns needed an upgrade over Steven Hunter and Jake Voskul, because neither can defend in half-court sets. If Hunter was so great, than he would have been good enough to be the backup PF, C or starter at C. QRich was inconsistent because he was forced to become a 3-point specialist on the Suns. That's not his game at all, he's at his best when he goes into the post and dominates smaller defenders.
Hunter was our back-up, and will be if we re-sign him. Well I'm going to stick by my opinions of what I saw from him those 100 games. He would be a very good back-up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">Hunter was our back-up, and will be if we re-sign him. Well I'm going to stick by my opinions of what I saw from him those 100 games. He would be a very good back-up.</div> Yes, which is my point. He will be a very good backup on the SUNS. However, he is asking for more money than he's worth.
Love the Logo <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Windmill360?:</div><div class="quote_post">Star-Telegram</div> Awesome sig and logo 360! JHo is my favorite NBA player. Small town kid who no one gave a chance to play college ball much less the NBA. Testament to what a great country this still is!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TDoug:</div><div class="quote_post">Awesome sig and logo 360! JHo is my favorite NBA player. Small town kid who no one gave a chance to play college ball much less the NBA. Testament to what a great country this still is!</div> No one gave him a chance to play college ball? He won ACC Player of the Year in college. I also like Josh Howard a lot and I want to see him getting major minutes next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, which is my point. He will be a very good backup on the SUNS. However, he is asking for more money than he's worth.</div> How many big men are being payed what they are worth anyway? Look at Dampier or any of the other 5 pt. 5 reb. 7 footers who ended up with $5 million+ per. Of course playing with the Suns helped his stats, but in the end he is still 24 years old and is an athletic 7 footer. He might not be worth what he is asking for, but he would still be a decent addition to the Mavericks or any other team in need of a serviceable big man
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WhiteManCanJump:</div><div class="quote_post">How many big men are being payed what they are worth anyway? Look at Dampier or any of the other 5 pt. 5 reb. 7 footers who ended up with $5 million+ per. Of course playing with the Suns helped his stats, but in the end he is still 24 years old and is an athletic 7 footer. He might not be worth what he is asking for, but he would still be a decent addition to the Mavericks or any other team in need of a serviceable big man</div> You don't make a mistake like overpaying Erick Dampier and then justify overpaying Steven Hunter as well. If anything, the Mavs should know not to overpay for mediocre role players. A couple of seasons ago I would have agreed with you, Hunter would be a good fit with the Mavs. However, they are slowly transforming their team into a more traditional basketball unit since AJ took over as headcoach. The Mavs figured out they cannot win playing small-ball in the post season and needed to balance their roster with players able to produce in a half-court game. The Suns realized it after the Spurs schooled them last year in the post-season. They immediately went out and upgraded their half-court defense. The Mavs have Dirk Nowitzki, Keith Van Horn, Erick Dampier, DJ Mbenga, and Powell to play the bulk of the minutes in the front court. Add Hendu into the rotation if they decide to bring him back. If the Mavs really feel they need a young athletic shot-blocker, there are much cheaper options out there. Eddie Griffin is available, the Clippers are shopping Chris Wilcox, and the Bobcats would probably give Melvin Ely away for cheap.
I think Hunter would be a better option behind Dampier than Mbenga or Powell. They think they can win with offense and small ball, but Hunter is a 7'1 defensive player so I don't know what you meant...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Hunter would be a better option behind Dampier than Mbenga or Powell. They think they can win with offense and small ball, but Hunter is a 7'1 defensive player so I don't know what you meant...</div> He is better than Mbenga and Powell (he is more of a PF), but at the price he is asking for, he's not worth it. Overpaying for players cost the Mavs Steve Nash last year. Down the line they have Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Jason Terry, and Dirk Nowitzki available for free agency. Having an overpaid player could end up costing the team one of those players. Hunter is 7'1, but he's only 240 lbs. He cannot hold position on defense, and he's a poor rebounder for a player his height. He doesn't have the strength to bang down low and relies on his long arms and jumping ability. However, a good post player will use leverage and position to make his athleticism and quickness irrelevant. His game is better suited for an up and down running style, like the Suns run.
