He's going to get the same touches here that RObin gets, or less if you're bringing him in to be off the bench. If he checks out because George Stephenson and West are higher than him in the pecking order, than what when he is a bench player? If you check out mid way through a season like he has, and fall off dramatically, it screams being mentally weak to me.
A max player checking out on his team something you want? I don't care how badly the team is playing, there is a level of pride a max player must have. If it takes a little turmoil to check this guy out, then he isn't a max player. Simple as that
My issue with acquiring either Hibbert or Sanders is that I don't think they fit great as a backup big because of their inability to play alongside Lopez. I'd prefer someone who can play with Aldridge and Lopez both.
What I would love to have is a player that can score in the low post and rebound. His defense doesn't have to be stellar, but big enough to protect the back in. A player that can give you a cheap 4-6 points, 4-6 rebounds and possibly a block a game. Frankly, I think we have that with freeland. He has great fundamentals and is a great offensive rebounder. He doesn't demand playing time either.
I would be so for getting pau if it doesn't gut us. Him being back up could take us to championship contention. He has championship experience, he can rebound and block shots, plus he doesn't mind being third or 4th fiddle.
I think O'Neal would have been the ideal addition this year. An aging vet happy to come off the bench but can step up and provide more when needed (due to injury, foul troubles, etc), as well as offer some vet leadership. Aside from that, are there any centers that are clearly head-and-shoulders above Lopez (besides Howard)? I feel like Lopez has more than held his own against everybody in the league, but there's clearly a difference between Lopez and Howard. Unless you can get Howard, I don't know that you can improve much more at the center position from Lopez (unless you convince LA to play center and find another dominant PF, which ain't happening, as we know).
I've been banging both of those drums (not that way) for a while now. I think Channing would be an excellent fit alongside Robinson (playing post D & D-rebounding while Robinson gets out on the break; playing stretch O and getting back to set up defense while Robinson seeks out offensive boards like a maniac); and can stretch the floor while Aldridge or Rolo works down low. If we could rest up Aldridge at 32 mpg next year over the course of the season, Rolo could grab 28, Channing 20, and Robinson 16. Of course you'd still want a real big as insurance in case Rolo went down b/c Channing's no full time 5, maybe Turiaf seeks a chance at a title with us. Greivis is exactly what our backcourt needs for Dame's sake (rest and playing off ball a little) and if we ever want to develop CJ & Robinson. A tall real-PG, who defends 2's, can feed the post, and it's a bonus if he's a decent shooter. Hell I'd even be fine with old man Miller holding down the fort for 15 mpg, but Greivis for 24 (12 with Dame, 12 with CJ) would be great, with Wes sliding over to 3 to back up Nic. He'd have the Eric Maynor effect x 10 and give our bigs a lot more easy buckets. I'm not sure if/how we could get both, but I think we'd be a strong championship contender (not saying we wouldn't be now with development next year). Not a ton of D, but enough w/Matthews, Batum, and improvement from Lillard. Lillard (32)/CJ (16) Matthews (24)/Vasquez (24) Batum (36)/Matthews (12) Aldridge (32)/Robinson (16) Lopez (28)/Frye (20)
36 mins for Matthews and batum? I definitely don't like that idea at all. They are more effected by too much playing time, more so than Aldridge.
I would rather not tamper with our starting five. Yes, Rolo is having problems with Dwight, but realistically how many people can defend Dwight one on one?
Yeah, exactly. Aside from Dwight, Lopez can hold his own against every other center in the league. So, unless you're getting Dwight, you're really not going to improve much at the center position. Especially when you factor in cost (both in terms of trading players and actual contracts), how the player fits in with the team, etc....
Samesies. Dunno if it's accurate or not, but it seems like we didn't even make a play for him, which is just beyond me.
