RealGM

I am a new poster on your board and I come in peace. I am a Die-Hard Celtics Fan, and have adopted your Brooklyn Nets as my team I root for to win a championship this year due to my loyalty to KG and Paul Pierce.

I know most of you guys have been asking for Ivan Johnson and I understand why. He is a hard nosed, physical bruiser, who can score, rebound and finish with authority.

But the player I think that could be a big help to the Nets rebounding woes, is Shavlik Randolph. He just finished playing in China and was averaging (22.3 pts), and (12.3 rbs).

I know you say that is just because he was playing in China. But trust me, I watched all his games for the Boston Celtics last year and he was by far the best rebounder on the team (better than both Sullinger and Garnett).

He rebounds at an incredible rate. Last year with the Celtics, in 29 games, he averaged (4.2 pts) and (4.4 rbs) in (12.4 mins) per game. If you advance that to 36 mins per game that would be (12.2 pts) and (12.7 rbs) per game, with a TRB% (Total Rebound Percentage) of 20.9%. The best on the Nets this season is KG with a TRB% of (18.8%).

Also, unlike Reggie Evans(39% FG) he is 6'10 and knows how to finish after her gets it. He shot (58.3% FG) from the field for the Celtics last year. If he doesn't have a good shot, he will pass it back out to the open man. This guy is not a "Sexy" pick up, but could be a difference maker in the playoffs.

bench players arent going to help our rebounding problems. we dont rebound well because our starting PF is 6'7" without great athleticism.

you go small, thats the downside. hopefully ak at the PF helps

Well, from watching both Collins and Shav last year, I can say confidently that Shavlik is a better player.

I have no clue why he isn't signed yet, he's a hustle player with great rebounding ability and can finish plays around the basket.

That's a great point WhateverBro! I have no idea why this guy is not signed either. I was upset when the Celtics did not resign him for this season and let him goto China.

And to Prokorov, it most definitely will help the rebounding issues! You will have to adjust the the line-up to starters : Willams at the 1(PG), Joe at the 2(SG), Paul at the 3(SF),
Kirelenko/Blatche at the 4(PF), and KG at the 5(C).

Bench: 1.) Livingston/Teague 2.) Thorton 3.) Kirelenko/Anderson/Mirza/
4.) Kirelenko/Blatche/Randolph/Mirza, 5.) Blatche/Randolph/Collins/Plumlee

haven't seen him play but I'll see if I can find some of his highlights.

Chief002152 wrote:And to Prokorov, it most definitely will help the rebounding issues! You will have to adjust the the line-up to starters : Willams at the 1(PG), Joe at the 2(SG), Paul at the 3(SF),
Kirelenko/Blatche at the 4(PF), and KG at the 5(C).

Bench: 1.) Livingston/Teague 2.) Thorton 3.) Kirelenko/Anderson/Mirza/
4.) Kirelenko/Blatche/Randolph/Mirza, 5.) Blatche/Randolph/Collins/Plumlee

thats not randolph helping the rebounding issues though, thats going back to a big starting lineup helping the issue, which we could do with or without randolph on the team.

going big puts us back to the same problems we had though. to slow, not good enough on defense and a mess on offense

Well, I think going with AK as the starting PF, and moving one of Johnson or Pierce to the bench would allow us to keep the benefits of having more speed, athleticism, and versatility, and would also help to address the rebounding/defense issue. Furthermore, we'd have a legit playmaker off the bench as well.

How is Shavlik's defense?

therealbig3 wrote:Well, I think going with AK as the starting PF, and moving one of Johnson or Pierce to the bench would allow us to keep the benefits of having more speed, athleticism, and versatility, and would also help to address the rebounding/defense issue. Furthermore, we'd have a legit playmaker off the bench as well.

oh i agree... move Kirilenko to the starting PF spot and move anyone not named garnett to the bench and your get bigger without sacrificing the other stuff. i think moving livingston back to the bench makes most sense since kirlenko does alot of the same things and if you had both on the floor now you have only 2 shooters on the court.

but as i mentioned, that isnt really solving the problem by bringing someone in. we can solve the rebounding issue internally

Then how about this as a starting line-up Prokorov? : (PG)-DWill, (2G)-Livingston,
(SF)-Johnson/Pierce, (PF)-AK-47, C-KG.

That way we stay big and long, but we still have the versatility to switch on picks and the foot speed to stay with the more athletic teams. I feel this is the best defensive as well as the best passing (ball movement) lineup. Also will be able to score due to the basketball IQ of that line-up and scoring versatility.

I would go with Johnson in the starting line-up because, Pierce can be a point-foward and lead the second unit.

Then sub in Pierce or Thorton first for Livingston as the super sixth man depending on the match-ups. That way you always have a natural playmaker/facilitator on the floor at all times

Second unit would be like this;

PG- Livingston/Anderson/Teague ; SG- Thorton/Anderson; SF- Pierce/Mirza/Anderson;
PF- Blatche/Mirza/Randolph; C- Blatche/Randolph/Collins

DarkXaero wrote:How is Shavlik's defense?

His defense is adequate. He gives a great effort, but sometimes gets a lil-bit overzealous and fouls at a high clip.

But his all out hustle, effort, and high motor makes up for it.

He goes all out every minute he is on the court. His impact is felt on the court even if he doesn't score one point, a lot like Reggie Evans.

I agree Prokorov, we can and need to improve internally. But bringing someone who is a "rebounding specialist" can only help the Nets.

I feel with Kirilenko rebounding better of late, the picking up of Collins who puts a body on his guy so other guys can get the rebound, the picking up of a "rebounding specialist" could only help.

The rotation will also be tighter with less minutes going to Plumlee and possibly Blatche if he is being the "Bad Blatche". Also Thorton is bigger than Jason Terry and is a much better rebounder at the 2 guard position due to that big, wide body and athletic ability.

I wouldn't mind signing him but Ivan Johnson brings a little more to the table. Not sure Randolph can guard bigger forwards.

Signed by the Phoenix Suns, that's another option gone.

DarkXaero wrote:Signed by the Phoenix Suns, that's another option gone.

I totally agree! So disappointed with the Nets.

Should have signed him while they had a chance.

It's ironic I just posted about signing him a few days ago. Next best option is Ivan Johnson now.

We need to get him signed up ASAP!!!

Chief002152 wrote:

DarkXaero wrote:Signed by the Phoenix Suns, that's another option gone.

I totally agree! So disappointed with the Nets.

Should have signed him while they had a chance.

It's ironic I just posted about signing him a few days ago. Next best option is Ivan Johnson now.

We need to get him signed up ASAP!!!

like i said in the trade thread regarding a PG, whose minutes would he take?

pierces? mirzas?

id be ok signing ivan johnson... the problem is he woudnt make a big difference in 8 minutes a night. we need a rebounding big who can start, as thats when we have rebounding issues when we are small