Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel for Center Help

[Superiorblogman]

Listen, we already have Zaza who is worthless more times than not. He shows up about 25% of the time just admit it. So, I really don't like the idea of another guy who is ineffective way too often, but without a trade that is the realization that you must come to. So, let's get to it. Which bottom of the barrel guy do you prefer?

Aaron Gray
Alexis Ajinca
D.J. Mbenga
Dan Gadzuric
Erick Dampier
Francisco Elson
Hilton Armstrong
Jamaal Magloire
Jason Collins
Jason Smith
Jeff Foster
Joel Przybilla
Kwame Brown
Kyrylo Fesenko
Theo Ratliff
Tony Battie

List isn't as bad as you would think. I would not mine scraping the bottom of the barrel for Aaron Gray, Jason Collins, Jeff Foster, Joel Pryzbilla, Krylo Fesenko.

Who is your top low budget center?

[azuresou1]

Dampier, except he'd want more money than bottom of barrel money.
Barring him, Kwame.

[Superiorblogman]

Dampier has not proven anything other than bottom of barrel ability lately.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Gray, Fesenko, Pryzbilla, and Brown are the only guys on that list I like.

[ATL Boy]

I like Collins mainly because he serves as a kryptonite for Dwight and would be useful for defending D12.

[Superiorblogman]

I think Collins is good for this teams chemistry. Throwing a guy away that helped you take a step forward last year is not smart, just like letting Jamal walk and getting nothing is not smart. If you are going to stockpile anything it should be size. I would take Collins and give him a understudy like Gray or Fesenko. Or maybe Collins and Pryzbilla since Pryzbilla has a bad injury history put him and Collins together and continue to look for a starting level C.

Collins must stay for good mental health. Add Fesenko, Gray, or Pryzbilla for depth at C.

[theatlfan]

I chose K Brown. For a new C, the order of importance for skills is as follows: 1) low post D, 2) ability to set a hard pick, 3) rebounding, 4) ability to turn touches into points, 5) shot blocking. Collins gives a lot of #1 and some of #2, but precious little else; I think Kwame does both and also yields a little more of 3 and 4 for a cost that not too much higher (I also hold the hope of bringing him back home would turn up his motivation a notch or 2 as well). If I knew Joel P was healthy and could still play the game he did as recently as 2 years ago, he'd be an easy #1 - ditto Dampier. Taking a chance on either wouldn't be a bad gamble to see if they can recapture that form.

[Superiorblogman]

Kwame Brown has had too many chances where people put hope into him turning the corner. He is what he is and what he is, is not better for a playoff team than Jason Collins, Jeff Foster, nor Aaron Gray. The whole coming home thing would be just another reach in many when it comes to Kwame. He should be the last resort even when dealing with bottom of the barrel players

[evildallas]

Collins as a specialist if he wants to come back. Of the rest I like Aaron Gray, but after the effective run he had in the post-season he's probably out of our price range.

[Ruhiel]

Scraping for scum are we?

Horford and Kwame Brown, really?

Oh wait we have Josh Smith or Joe or Jeff to scapegoat in 100% likeliness they arent ECF material.

Rather give up your Kwame Brown dreams for Bogut and Leuer. Give them a supporting cast. Then u all can scapegoat all u want.

[Superiorblogman]

Scraping for scum are we?

Horford and Kwame Brown, really?

Oh wait we have Josh Smith or Joe or Jeff to scapegoat in 100% likeliness they arent ECF material.

Rather give up your Kwame Brown dreams for Bogut and Leuer. Give them a supporting cast. Then u all can scapegoat all u want.

Don't get the infatuation with Kwame amongst some of these guys just like I don't get your infatuation with Jon Leuer and just like I don't get how you can't see Horford is worth a lot more than Bogut with all of his injury concerns. Also, when dealing with bottom of the barrel type minimum players they can never be the scapegoat with a sensible person. Anything you get from them is a bonus.

[Ruhiel]

injury concerns? Aaron Gray people. Nevermind it man. I can sense a thread derail but I dont see the "injury concerns". Those "concerns" are to the Bucks whether he can be a superstar.

Jon Leuer? Ryan Andersen? Tom Gugliotta? all better perimeter players than Marvin
defends PF with SF game
Josh Smith
defends SF with PF game

DEF}OFF
PG}PG
SG}SG
SF}PF
PF}SF
C}C

I'm tired of Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel for Help. Its embarrassing and futile for most superteams let alone us.

[evildallas]

Another name for the mix, Brian Butch. He lit up our D league affiliate in back-to-back games to start the season.

[Superiorblogman]

injury concerns? Aaron Gray people. Nevermind it man. I can sense a thread derail but I dont see the "injury concerns". Those "concerns" are to the Bucks whether he can be a superstar.

So, you have been missing from earth the last 2 years when Bogut has been hurt more often than not? It is quite obvious he is not anything close to a superstar and never will be that. Bogut is Tyson Chandler at best. He is a good piece for a team who only needs another piece, nothing more.

[Ruhiel]

injury concerns? Aaron Gray people. Nevermind it man. I can sense a thread derail but I dont see the "injury concerns". Those "concerns" are to the Bucks whether he can be a superstar.

So, you have been missing from earth the last 2 years when Bogut has been hurt more often than not? It is quite obvious he is not anything close to a superstar and never will be that. Bogut is Tyson Chandler at best. He is a good piece for a team who only needs another piece, nothing more.

Bogut is Tyson Chandler an elite rim protector and Horford is?

A 6’10 banger on a $12 million per year contract that is too big to play power forward, but too small to match up with quality centers night in and night out in the NBA. Tell me, where have we heard this before? Al Horford is Emeka Okafor with a more well-rounded offensive game. Any team that has Horford as a building block will have a quality player and a quality person, but they will have to find the perfect compliment to him in the front court in order to be a serious contender.

3) Josh is a tweener so I'm always on the lookout for big perimeter role players.

Leuer
Strengths:
* Court vision
* Can put the ball on the floor
* Passing
* Good three-point shooter
* Good free-throw shooter
* Has a pull-up jumper in his arsenal

Weaknesses:
* A tweener in terms of position
* Needs to get stronger

NBA projection:
Leuer has been discussed as a late first-round, early second-round pick. If he gets into a situation where he’s allowed to develop, Leuer will get stronger and ultimately become a matchup problem. He’s got guard skills, three-point range and at 6-10 the ability to shoot pull-up jump shots. He’ll have to adjust to the bigger, more physical opponents he’ll face in the NBA. Or, if he plays the 3 spot, he’ll have to be able to defend NBA-level speed and quickness. The question is, can he do that?

2010-11 Season:
Leuer was a first-team All-Big Ten pick after leading Wisconsin in scoring and rebounding. He finished his career with 1,376 points, 12th in school history, and his 621 points this season wound up as the third highest total in Wisconsin annals.

Key statistics:
18.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 tpg, 0.8 bpg, 33.5 mpg, .470 FG, .370 3PT, .843 FT

Cool statistic:
Wisconsin has never had two first-team All-Big Ten players in the same season until 2010-11. Jordan Taylor was one, and Leuer the other.

Reminds me of:
Tom Gugliotta

What Insiders Say:
Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan
"If you have a kid the team plays off of, a multiple talent, good things can happen. He's a big who can move. He's versatile, has a good feel for the game, doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He takes accountability very seriously. I kind of like those kinds of guys."

Imagine Al Horford loses 10 lbs but gains 2 inches and height and gains the ability to make a pull up shot and 3 point range pick and pops. Lead/Run fast breaks. Trail for 3. Defends PFs.

Imagine Damien could do all that. Imagine Jamal lost a little bit of handle but could still play off ball and defend PFs.
Sure hes not a superstar but hes a 7 feet tall shooter. A taller Ryan Andersen. Smith has the skills of a 6'8 Dwight Howard. Its a perfect storm of skill complements.

[Ruhiel]

This is for a starter? Gimmick small lineup then change to a big lineup come playoffs?

Then who's the best case scenario to keep Zaza's advantage on the playoffs bench matchups?