AirP. wrote:IceColdCubano wrote:Here is the other thing people don't realize, starting level caliber centers are a dime a dozen in the NBA. Back up centers are terrible on every team. What makes it look so bad for us on this team, is that Bam is our best defender both on the block/paint and on the perimeter. Additionally he also scores a very efficient 25ppg while getting the team into sets, running the fast break, and taken the other teams best scorer at all times, while switching on everything. Thus anybody you bring in that is a back up level player will look abysmal in comparison. Miami continues to play the same way when those backup guys come in, and they will not perform 1/20 of the level that Bam can at any one thing.
25 PPG? What stats are you looking at? Bam's not even averaged 18 ppg in the playoff yet so let's just hold off on the offensive force part for now, he's getting there which is an incredible plus to go with his defense.
If centers are a dime a dozen, why is Miami just adding vet minimum offensive centers to backup Bam instead of defensive guys? With the whole defense designed around Bam you'd think it would be a priority to try to get a backup who somewhat mimicked his style (not level) of defense, so the rest of Miami's players didn't dramatically have to change how they defend based on if Bam is or isn't in the game. Miami DID try to do that drafting Precious, he had the tools to be a lite version of what Bam was at that time, yet they cut ties with him and traded him.
The 25ppg was when he played healthy those streaks of games he was averaging 25ppg, not saying he is some offensive savant I'm saying he can get 25ppg on good efficiency in the regular season if he plays the way he was during that streak. In the playoffs where his defensive intensity is higher I can understand his offense being less. I would like to see him this year in the playoffs, scoring however as his middy is much more improved and he looks a bit more comfortable scoring in isolation.
In regards to getting back up centers that are defensively lacking that a FO question, I agree that if there is a lack of skill at the back up level, why not just go for a defensive minded, high intensity, athletic, long wingspan, high vertical leap center that can at-least hold up those 10-12 minutes on the defensive side. Our front office loves those Old, washed vets, with slow foot speed, that have a terrible all around game, and do nothing great. I also believe its really rare to have find a center that can mimic Bam at-least on the defensive side. That's why they usually go zone so often when Bam isn't on the court.
Here some names that could be great back ups for us - Larry Nance Jr, Daniel Gafford, Kai Jones, Marvin Bagley III, Udoka Azubuike, Nerlens Noel, Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, Gorgui Dieng are some that fit in our style of play.