Knightro wrote:Xatticus wrote:paperboymafia wrote:I just have trouble watching a guy thats 7 foot not able to back down a single guard and has to kick back out.
I grew up watching guys like that win DPOY while they hobbled up and down the court.
I think the whole Bamba criticism thing has taken on a life of its own. This organization used the number 6 pick on him and then did everything they could to **** up his development. I can't imagine why anyone would expect him to be anything resembling a finished product at this point, but that seems to be the expectation.
Everything you said can be true and it can still be time to move on.
Bamba's about to turn 24 and he's six months away from looking for a second contract. If the guy is willing to take a paycut? If he'll sign for like $4M AAV or something, then sure.
But given that he makes $7.5M already this year and is now "establishing" himself as a starting center, I'd imagine he and his agents are going to looking for something in Carter's range and I just have no interest in that whatsoever.
I get it, but that's the bed our front office has made. I wouldn't want to have to make that decision based on the data we have right now. I'd want more as well. I'd want to see if he is trending in the right direction.
Bamba played in his rookie season. Clifford felt obligated to. Our front office let Clifford have too much authority and he came up with every excuse he could to keep Bamba off the floor. Now they have to make a decision on whether or not Bamba is showing progress with basically one season's worth of data.
The thing is... he is one of the most talented guys on the roster. Rim protection is always at a premium and he has the potential to be one of the best rim protectors in the league. He is a capable rebounder. He has range out to the 3-point line. He has terrific touch around the rim. Mark Eaton was 26 in his first season, so I'm not bothered by his age. The question is... "can you smooth out the rough edges?" I don't know. But if you are wrong and someone else capitalizes on it, you end up looking really stupid.
"Xatticus has always been, in my humble opinion best poster here. Should write articles or something."
-pepe1991