RealGM

Not sure how valid this is, but its based of Synergy Sports so i think its legit. Interesting ranking.

Brook right near the top as you would expect from a top center (not)
http://www.raptorblog.com/100422b.php

What I like about that list is, yeah Brook is only 19 out of 45 on that list (still not that bad), but tell me who is younger than him that is ahead of him...NOBODY. For his age, he's a great defender. The PG and the C are the hardest positions to adjust to in the NBA. I am completely fine with this list. Brook is already in the top half of the league defensively and he only just finished his 2nd season.

I hate to give Demens some fuel for his "Just get a good defensive center", but in his prime (if you could call it that) Jason Collins would have dominated this list. Check his situational stats on basketball reference. He kept every almost legit center in the NBA below their scoring/rebounding averages. Statistically...he DOMINATED Yao if I recall correctly.

He might be the youngest but there are some youngster ahead of him that are not that much older. Horford, Oden, Howard, Bynum. Hibbert and Jordan are right there behind him. Plus look at the FG% allowed for Brook.

I like where David Lee is, the # of post-ups against him and the FG%. I actually dont think he is that awful of a defender but this rating really doesnt flatter him.

Howard has also been in the league 5-6 years, so I disregard that. My whole point was that he's in the top half of the league for only being there for 2 years.

Horford, I got nothing on. I like him. You got me there.

Oden? You're gonna mention Greg Oden? We haven't seen Oden play enough to merit those numbers because he can't play a full season. It's just like in baseball where a guy bats .370 for a month then gets hurt...he can't be considered for the batting title because he didn't get enough at bats.

Bynum I'll give you too. I discredit him because I think he's overrated thanks to playing with 2 hall of famers and other guys like Odom and Artest. He is what he is and I'll give him his dues.

Hibbert and Jordan are behind him...but they're behind him. Jordan is nowhere near as good as Brook in his all around game, so I laugh at your argument.

I'm honestly impressed with Hibbert, but he's still lower on the list and I think he actually may be older. Still I'm impressed with him, so I'll give you that one.

You're argument is weak though.

David Lee I've always liked, I just never thought he'd play well next to Brook. His jumper is not consistant enough so he plays close to the basket and will likely clog the paint for Brook on offense.

Preludepunk27 wrote:Hibbert and Jordan are behind him...but they're behind him. Jordan is nowhere near as good as Brook in his all around game, so I laugh at your argument.

I wasn't really trying to argue a point. I'm just pointing out that there are other young centers in the nba, sometimes i think people dont think there are.

My argument that Brook, his overall game and his defense is overrated was in another thread (or maybe a different forum, i can't keep track anymore). I think giving credit to his defense needs to be earned and not just given because he is young and maybe will get better. I dont know why you keep saying he is in the top half, 19 out of 45 is NOT a that good. Only 30 of the guys are starters, and maybe 4 that are ahead of Brook you can say aren't regulars.

Someone like Hibbert is behind Brook, this is true. Brook is rated higher by 0.01 points per game. But he also lets opponents shoot 46% as oppose to Hibberts 42%.

Brook's defense actually regressed this season.
A lot of that has to do with the overwhelming amount of attention he recieved on the offensive end from opposing defenses and the extra effort he had to exert and responsibility he was given.
A lot of that also has to do with the rag tag lineup of D Leaguers and retirees he was surrounded with and the complete lack of coaching and a game plan.
Overall he did very well for a second year player in the crappy circumstances given to him, but there is no denying it, Brook was a below average defender this season, borderline bad.
That said, Hibbert just doesn't compare to Brook what so ever, although for some uncanny reason, Roy seemed to dominante the head to head matchups between the two.

It's from a Raptor blog so take it for what it is. With that said Brook's D was below average but he was asked to carry the offensive load. Once we can get him some help on offense I think his D will improve. He was the only presence we had in the paint so when our weak perimeter D got beat he always had to step up and help which often lead to his man being wide open under the basket because Yi has no clue how to rotate on D.

Anyway Brook still has a ton of work before he can step up and be a star (on Off and Def) but he's young and seems to be a hard worker. I watched him make strides from last year to this year and even get better from the beginning of this year to where he is now. I think if he works hard again this offseason no reson he can't be even better next year.

lol @ big Z

Anyway out of the ones that are ahead of Lopez, besides Howard, I wouldnt want any of them over Lopez. Anyway Hortford is a PF. I would like to put him next to Lopez. That would be a great PF/C combo.

Yeah, I would love to have Horford next to Brook. I don't see anyway Atlanta gives up on him though and it would be hard to aquire him in FA next year, he's restricted.

vincecarter4pres wrote:Yeah, I would love to have Horford next to Brook. I don't see anyway Atlanta gives up on him though and it would be hard to aquire him in FA next year, he's restricted.

I know. I love Al Horford. He'd be great on the Nets. Send Yi/CDR for Horford lol. Josh Smith would hate life with Yi on the team

1st rd pick/Devin Harris for Horford??

That's our 1st and last offer.

SAUCERY_SWEET wrote:1st rd pick/Devin Harris for Horford??

That's our 1st and last offer.

And at that price NJ wishes Horford continued luck in Atlanta.

As much as I like Horford he's not worth an all-star PG and a top 4 pick.

deviljets7 wrote:

SAUCERY_SWEET wrote:1st rd pick/Devin Harris for Horford??

That's our 1st and last offer.

And at that price NJ wishes Horford continued luck in Atlanta.

As much as I like Horford he's not worth an all-star PG and a top 4 pick.

I think he was talking about Dallas's pick. I'd be open to it, but those contract don't match up.

[quote="Rockice_8"]It's from a Raptor blog so take it for what it is. /quote]

Its from Synergy so its worth a lot.

Preludepunk27 wrote:

deviljets7 wrote:

SAUCERY_SWEET wrote:1st rd pick/Devin Harris for Horford??

That's our 1st and last offer.

And at that price NJ wishes Horford continued luck in Atlanta.

As much as I like Horford he's not worth an all-star PG and a top 4 pick.

I think he was talking about Dallas's pick. I'd be open to it, but those contract don't match up.

If he meant the Dallas pick, I'll drive Devin to Atlanta

If Joe Johnson leaves in free agency I have a strong feeling Josh Smith will be available.

I still think Josh Smith is overrated. With that said though, if we could get him without giving up the boat, I'd make that move. Josh would be solid next to Brook.

Dang over 100 posts in 5 days.....I gotta step my game up.

Anyways, I agree with vince, Lopez's defense did actually regress this season which is something you don't wanna see but given the situation he was put in, I can't be too down on him. It's funny I'm actually surprised he's as high as he is on that list....but either way he has potential to be a very good defensive C, I only hope he realizes it.

I'm not a big Josh Smith fan. That said, if we land a top 2 pick and the FO is hellbent on signing a free agent power forward, I think I would prefer getting rid of a couple assets and trading for Smith before I signed David Lee.