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My Wagner Bamba topic was well received and I believe something the organization is obviously discussing as well. I think the next decision in order has to be JI vs Bol.

A lot of time and money has been invested in JI. I am big fan of his. BUT Bol has been such a pleasant surprise. EVERYONE knows the future is Franz and Paolo. They both will get 32-35 min per game. I understand JI will need some time so for now it will be Bol but by end of the season who you think will be the one the franchise is looking at the be the first F off the bench and get the bulk of the minutes?

Impossible to know how effective Isaac will be at the NBA level again until he actually can get back on the court and start playing regularly again. Until that happens, the answer is Bol purely on availability.

But if Isaac can play like he did in 2019-2020 and provide that same level of defensive impact, he's the obvious choice over Bol who is still more novelty than actual winning basketball player right now.

I'm rooting for Bol here. His shot blocking and rebounding are encouraging for me. His shooting and ability to score in isolation and on the break are eye popping. His decision making is baffling. I do not think he is a 3 or a 4 and see his future as a 5. If he puts it together he's an all-star center. Can he protect the rim and provide a physical presence down low?

With JI he's as much of a project in my eyes as Bol in terms of risk to hit his ceiling. I do love the idea of having an elite defensive stopper on this team. He'll probably make more of an impact on winning but I'm not sure.

We have a logjam of this kinda project / player. Let's wait and see....

I think once Isaac gets into game shape he'll be more effective than Bol.

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I would love to see JI play at the 3 with Franz at the two if healthy. Key words are "if healthy".

Bol is more impatcful offensively and JI is more so defensively. Both great shot blockers. I want to see them both succeed and think they will be scary on the second team with Cole, Suggs and Moe.

I love Bol. I would def not give up on him and continue to grow him.

But it's not even close in my mind. Defensively, JI is just on another level. He can literally be that guy that gets put into a 4, 6"11 player type of lineup and not destroy it on defense. (this all is based on him returning to form obviously)

The biggest difference is his defensive instincts and his lateral movement. In his last season, JI could keep point guards infront of him and was in the right place all the time consistently. Bol can barely keep a small forward infront of him and gets lost on defense a lot.

I think a lot of people have moved on because of the injuries, but there is a reason he was a top draft pick. His defense has always been insane. I think what he can do to help Franz/Paolo on defense will help this team tremendously. Stick him in there with a a 3 point shooting pointguard, and we might have something special.

Totally different player but on this team, Isaac. Given if JI can remain healthy.

Isaac’s defense and instincts are vital for a championship team, IMO.

Rainwater wrote:I would love to see JI play at the 3 with Franz at the two if healthy. Key words are "if healthy".

I’d love to see an Franz/Isaac/Paolo lineup but watching Clarkson run around Franz at the 2 during those crucial minutes…

fendilim wrote:

Rainwater wrote:I would love to see JI play at the 3 with Franz at the two if healthy. Key words are "if healthy".

I’d love to see an Franz/Isaac/Paolo lineup but watching Clarkson run around Franz at the 2 during those crucial minutes…

Hahaha I agree but maybe we can have JI guarding Clarkson in those situations, lol.

I don’t know why it has to be either or.

Both will be backups behind PB / WCJ/ and Franz so I’m not going to pit one against the other. I will say that Bol’s defensive intensity and commitment has wained a lot since the start of the season but his offensive versatility is undeniable. It puts pressure on defenses as long as he’s not trying to do too much. The good thing about having players like Bol, Isaac, Franz, and PB is that they can all shared the floor at points during a game and they fit in.

I’ll end by saying if JI’s physical defensive ability (because his elite defensive acumen is still there) gets back to where it was before the injury then there’s no possible way he doesn’t get Bol’s minutes IF that’s the plan which I don’t think it is.

Either way it’s going to take him a little bit to get back into the rotation without a minutes restriction.

ProfX wrote:Bol is more impatcful offensively and JI is more so defensively. Both great shot blockers. I want to see them both succeed and think they will be scary on the second team with Cole, Suggs and Moe.

Bol isn’t a great shot blocker. He can block shots and alter shots just by being on the court due to his length, but his issue is effort and position at times. He SHOULD be a great shot blocker.

Out of curiosity, which frontcourt do you guys like more?

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

SF Bol Bol
PF Jonathan Isaac
C Mo Wagner / Mo Bamba

Skin wrote:Out of curiosity, which frontcourt do you guys like more?

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

SF Bol Bol
PF Jonathan Isaac
C Mo Wagner / Mo Bamba

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

What about you?

eyriq wrote:

Skin wrote:Out of curiosity, which frontcourt do you guys like more?

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

SF Bol Bol
PF Jonathan Isaac
C Mo Wagner / Mo Bamba

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

What about you?

I don't know but I bet they could have some fun battles in practice. First group has more interior offense, second group has more spacing and defense. Honestly, I think Mo Wagner and his attitude and hunger might put the second group over the top.

Skin wrote:Out of curiosity, which frontcourt do you guys like more?

SF Franz Wagner
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter

SF Bol Bol
PF Jonathan Isaac
C Mo Wagner / Mo Bamba

After the starters, it has to be Isaac at #4. The only reason to not-keep Isaac is his pay check.

Isaac is a better defensive player than Bol is an offensive player. AND Isaac is 1000% a better offensive player than Bol is a defensive player. THis is not even close.

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Knightro wrote:Impossible to know how effective Isaac will be at the NBA level again until he actually can get back on the court and start playing regularly again. Until that happens, the answer is Bol purely on availability.

But if Isaac can play like he did in 2019-2020 and provide that same level of defensive impact, he's the obvious choice over Bol who is still more novelty than actual winning basketball player right now.

If Isaac gets to this level, then the issue is who are the starters.
I am sure Mosley will try Fultz(or Suggs) / F-Wagner / Isaac / Banchero / Carter as the starting five. But does anyone really believe a champion can be built around those five?


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JoshuaPotter wrote:
We have a logjam of this kinda project / player. Let's wait and see....

Isaac is not a project. What he is is a question mark.


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The questions…

Is Isaac healthy and mobile? If so, he’s a BIG contributor, maybe even starting C, DPOY candidate, etc

Is BOL an NBA player on a competitive playoff team or a sideshow on a tanking team with no offensive identity?