Anyways. I have been viewing the forums here for quite some time and have been seeing what alot of people had in mind in terms of trades, team ideas, where our team is at, etc..
I have been putting off getting an account since I really didnt feel the need to. But then I thought "maybe I can give a fresh look at our team to some people who may not see what I see"
I love to debate trade ideas, Team matchups, Player values/skill sets.
So here I am, And first off I'd like to say a little something about all our players..
Kyle Lowry - has done an amazing job since we acquired him from Memphis.. I'm surprised AB fell off this past year but am glad in a way because Kyle is the type of PG you need for a strong team. Plays defense hard, Above average passer, Improved shot, Drives to the basket, absorbs contact, and keeps composure enough to knock down free throws, Also rebounds well for a PG. He can get a Triple Double on any given night.
Kevin Martin - I was so mad when I heard we were throwing Carl Landry in the T-Mac Rape-a-thon... Until I heard we were getting Kevin Martin.. I liked him when he was with the Kings and I was so happy to get him on our team for next to nothing. Guy is automatic from 3, can create off the dribble, can draw even the smallest bit of contact and make it 2+ points. The only player besides Kobe that I've seen that can consistently get And-1's from 14+ feet out. Defense is obviously a down side but at the end of last year he seemed to put more effort into it.. Decent passer but nothing to note.
Chase Budinger - Another player I liked since we drafted him, Vert is off the charts. Dunks on defensive centers. Can hit the open 3 when needed. Layup is above average. Defense is improved. Weak points I'd say are his passing and his ball handling (he can drive to the basket but shaking defenders he just won't do)
Luis Scola - I have mixed feelings about Scola. He's am impressive low post scorer. Scooperman as I've heard him named by Bill Worell. Amazingly quick post moves that make opposing PF's look like they're in Little League. Good Jumper up to 20 feet. Tenacious Rebounder, Goes for the Putback a reasonable amount.. But the defense kills the production. If we could fuse Scola and Chuck Wagon it'd be the most amazingly talented PF that can defend any post player and score on him too.
Charles "Chuck Wagon" Hayes - One of the most gifted undersized post players I've had the pleasure of watching. Doesn't have the silky smooth shot, but Finds ways to make layups. He's the Layup King. Rebounds over 7 footers, either by just out hustling them or by putting them in the most shut down Box-out you can imagine. Amazing defender, EVEN THOUGH he's just 6'6 and asked to defend 7 footers. If only we could have him at PF he could be an allstar candidate. Triple Doubles are his specialty. I have no reason to believe the Rockets WON'T pick him up (assuming he wants less than 6 per year)
Courtney Lee - I didn't really know what to expect from Courtney since he only came out a couple years ago. I watched him with the Magic and he seemed to be a pretty good player, defensively minded, High energy player. Vert is Ridiculous, 3 pt% is top 10-able every year. Has a teardrop shot that makes me drop a tear it's so beautiful. Downside If there is one would probably be his passing is just average. But Honestly I see Lee as one of our more valuable players. And if other teams don't see it by offering what he's worth, then that means they won't put as much focus on him during games. And that's a Plus
Goran Dragic - I really enjoyed watching Dragic with the Suns. I will admit I called him "Nash's backup" even while I knew his name. But to be honest, before we traded for him I was saying how soon the Suns will probably trade Nash and start Dragic. His Defense is always top notch, His ball handling has improved each year, He's another Physical drive to the basket PG, Passing is above average as well. His shooting was shoddy last year but got it back in the last 1/4 of the season. Very glad we could turn AB into a Good Back up PG, And a 1st Round Draft pick.
Terrence Williams - Honestly Terrence was a player I liked during his first year with the Nets. I saw alot of You tube Videos of his game, and I was intrigued. When I heard we traded a 1st Round for him I was excited. I thought he was gonna be the star of the future for us. Another steal from Mr. Morey.. But unfortunately, his game didn't translate into our then adored system. Thus not getting the minutes he needed to flourish. That being said, I think after an offseason of learning under a new head coach, He'll get the confidence and swagger he had coming out of college Back. Good Defender, Jump shot is smooth, Ball handling is good, layups and Dunks are his specialty. Great player for fast break points, Gets the steal/block/lead pass, and can take it in for the flashy dunk or jaw dropping layup. Pretty fast also. But downside to Terrence would definitely be his attitude, but at the same time, if he's getting play time I believe that attitude will turn into a stars mentality.
Patrick Patterson - I was excited when I saw the player I heard our coaches rave about being a NBA ready PF with good upside. And that's exactly what we got. Unfortunately we already have PF's in Scola and Chuck Wagon. But you can never have too much talent, and that motto is something that rings true in all sports. Talent finds its way on the court/field/arena. Jumpshot is automatic from 20 feet in. I believe his post moves are still under the microscope of PPat. But with McHale coming in I have no doubt PPat can be an allstar in the next couple years. Vert is amazing. He had some amazing dunks this year and for him only being a rookie, He did a great job helping our team. Plays hard on defense, didn't really play too well but as a Rookie you can't really ask him to play defense like Chuck. Rebounds very well, uses his size and vert to make a flashy "TPN" (top play nominee on sportscenter) Put back Dunk. Honestly PPat could very well be our future and I wouldn't be surprised to hear him being one of our untouchables.
Jordan Hill - I liked that we got Jordan in the T-Mac Rape-a-thon. But he hasn't really been able to progress the way he was expected to. I think he came to the right team, being able to practice and just be around someone he was known with in Chase (both played for Arizona). But again with McHale coming in maybe he can find a way to make a name for himself. I believe the Amar'e comparison was off. I see him more as a DeAndre Jordan type player. Defense and Rebounding. With the put back dunk, occasional post moves, and could start doing alleys also but Kyle doesn't really lob it from what I've seen (which is a bummer seeing as how half our team has vertical coming out the ass). All in all I still see Jordan Hill as a piece we can use down the line, either as a trade piece or as a Role Player that can be added to a depth driven team.
Brad Miller - No.. Just no.. Can we put a shock collar on him so every time he decides to drive to the basket with the ball we can just put 40,000 volts into his neck? In my eyes the only value he has is when his contract is an expiring, MAYBE we can get a 2nd round pick for him from a team that's desperate to get cap space (also I have no idea about new CBA and what happens to the Cap after the new CBA). Amnesty clause please! or Buy out!
Hasheem Thabeet - Yet another player we hope can progress like he was expected to on draft day. Blocks the best of em. But can't do anything on offense besides standing dunks. So slow I actually believe Yao would beat him in a race. Before we traded for him I called him the worst draft pick since Darko and Kwame. I was kind of mad that we traded for him but at the same time, we gave up an expiring and a team leader in Shane. But at the same time we got back a draft pick, and a chance to have a 7'3 Shot blocking center, which is what we all wanted right? I say don't kill the Hasheem Thabeet Hope circle quite yet. McHale sure has alot on his plate..
And last but Not Least in any way
Yao Ming - When he's not injured he's arguably the best center in the NBA. Even Dwight couldn't stop him from getting 20/10. And he most times stops Dwight from being effective. But then there would be games where Dwight would score around 30 points but his team would be forfeiting the match for them so I still say Yao would win the matchup. Average NBA Centers stand no chance, Height advantage was something we NEVER had to worry about. Unfortunately, he's almost never healthy. I would give up both of my nuts if Yao could've stayed healthy his whole career. We'd probably have a finals appearance or 2 already. But as of right now, I say we either Trade Yao to a team in need of viewers, cap space, or a Role Playing Center. Really if we can get him back at less than 5 million per year I'd have no problem with him playing ~22 minutes per game. If he could stay healthy at that MPG then I'd be ecstatic. But if we could get a first round or piece him in as a star package, I'd be even happier.
Well for my first post I hope it's not too long. TL;DR = Red Nation Unite
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