moocow007 wrote:A quick scan of remaining free agents would seem to indicate that there aren't that many "bench offense" type players left.
Here's basically a run down of players that have proven that they can actually score respectably enough coming off the bench for an NBA team in the past (I'm considering anyone that has averaged 10 or more points in an NBA season in a backup role for more than a handful of games as a "bench scorer" option).
Have included their (age in parenthesis) along with a blurb about each relating to their current state...also in no particular order:
Charlie Villanueva (30) - Former NYC product, a stretch 4 type that has some length at 6'11" but cant do much of anything else
Carlos Boozer (33) - He can still score and rebound...a la Amare...but defense has been brutal to the point where he's a huge liability on the defensive end...a la Amare
JR Smith (29) - Hiya
Dorell Wright (29) - a shell of his former self, nothing more than a corner 3 guy these days...surprising since he's only 29.
Jason Richardson (34) - can still be a potent scorer and has retained a portion of his athleticism, but not the most efficient guy
Jason Terry (37) - I just listed him for completeness of list, but I don't think any Knick fan would want him...plus rumored to be going back to Houston
Glen Davis (29) - big, fat, selfish, troublemaker that has talent
Michael Beasley (26) - still extremely talented offensive player, youngest guy on the list, was a very good solider last season for Miami from most reports, able passer and shooter.
Nate Robinson (31) - we all know what Robinson can do, he's just older and a bit slower now
Ben Gordon (32) - always seemed to play his best at MSG...a shell of the former player but still could be a solid veteran
Chris Copeland (31) - again, we know what Copeland does and doesn't do very well
John Salmons (35) - Salmons would probably be just for veteran stability at this point...assuming he doesn't retire.
Will Bynum (32) - has always been an explosive type backup combo guard for the Pistons, tough, but at just 6'1" really has a sign issue defensively
Chris Douglas Roberts (28) - can we really deal with both him and Derrick Williams in the running for worst hair style in the NBA? he's a skilled offensive player but doesn't play defense and has a rumor of being a prick.
Basically a bunch of past their prime players hanging on, a bunch of "baggage heavy" talents and a few borderline NBA guys that are known for their offense.
of the bunch the idea of Cope or Beasley off the bench is intriguing. Cope showed promise in our best season recently and Beasly can be an explosive scorer.
of the pair Beasly has more skill and less usefulness if he's not living up to it.
Id take Cope who's a good teammate, who can defend and score and isn't nuts
of the other guys Im most intrigued by Boozer and Davis.
Boozer can start next to Lopez as can Davis. Boozer brings scoring we simply don't have. Daivs brings toughness and defense and rebounding but apparently a bad attitude
We could use both
Id go for Boozer since we are in terrible need of scoring
