RealGM

I've been looking through the 82 games.com and I thought there was some pretty interesting information in there about both individual players and the team in general. This page in general ( http://www.82games.com/0809/BYPOSIT.HTM) has a lot of good information about ours and other teams. It has a ranking of how teams does at each position, and to me it really passes the eye test. It seems we are weakest at the center poition.

Unfortunately looking through the list trying to scour for underated/bargain types most of the teams that rank higher than us have centers that they aren't going to let go. The few guys that might be interesting to pursue are Ryan Hollins (expiring), Craig Smith (1 year left on his contract), Pachulia (expiring, might be expensive), interestingly enough Ben Wallace (obviously not realistic with 14 mil left on his contract, but he apparently was an underrated part of the cavs this year), Anderson (1 year left, cheap, unlikely Denver trades, we really blew that one), Amir Johnson (1 year, 4 mil owed, Detroit prob. won't let him go yet), Brandon Wright (It seems to me that this guy could really be had for cheap, like for a future first, has GS even picked up his option???), Humphries (1 year 3.2 mil owed).

One other guy I would love to get who seems to be in his coachs doghouse is Julian Wright. All the numbers suggests he is a good player, yet he gets surprisingly little time and might also be had for cheap.

It isn't a glamour move or anything but I have to say Ryan Hollins jumped off the page it appears that he is an unrestricted FA. He just seems like he could be everything MIkki was supposed to be and wasn't.

I also think you might be looking at the wrong column on salaries, a couple of the guys you listed are FAs' which makes this conversation even better. Anderson has made it pretty clear he has no intention of leaving DEN though Zaza is interesting.

Hollins just strikes me as a very athletic and active legit 7 footer. It never hurts to have a guy like that on the roster. And Pachulia is a guy who I'd be interested in as a near full MLE guy for 3-4 seasons. He's young, big, and strong with some skill too. He's a bit foul prone and ugly but he fits the mold of a guy who can play alongside KG. Celtics could do worse than acquiring either of these guys.

I'm all for pachulia, always liked him. He's a capable defender and rebounder, and isn't easily intimidated. He's a true center as well, no mistaking where he needs to be on the floor. He'd definitely be a nice back-up/insurance policy for Perk.

Although he isn't a real veteran, I think Hollins would be a great pick-up because of his upside. I believe he is a restricted FA so it may be tough to sign him. I read a Mavs article or two about him recently and I would be very surprised if they let him go. Maybe a S&T would work.

Although I don't dislike him, I am not so sure about Pachulia. I think he'll get MLE or better, so I would prefer to spend the same money on McDyess, Sheed, or another veteran C.

UGA, I am surprised you didn't speak glowingly of Ray's stats?

Ryan Hollins would be a worse investment than POB was last offseason. If we're going to bring in any projects through trade or free agency, I'd like it to be someone like Julian Wright, who was mentioned earlier, because he was in contention as a top five pick in the 2007 and from what I remember could probably find a good role off the bench to fill with a year or two. I'd say he'd be a POB type of investment, but Scott is even less inclined to giving young players chances to earn time than Nelson.

That said, we aren't in the position to be taking on any projects.

When you look at the Per Differential at Center with the Celtics, keep in mind that the Opponents PER against our Centers is the second lowest( Cleveland #1) in the league.

Yes, Perkins is getting beat at that position but his defense/rebounding( including not giving up rebounds) is also keeping the opponents Centers in check.

When looking for help at Center, you want to look for someone who can continue the defensive intensity while Perks out, not just a Center that will add offense/rebounding to make our Centers PER look better.

Hollins had a low PER against in Charlotte this year, not that good in Dallas though.

With Cleveland Opponents Center PER being so low, maybe Wallace has more in the tank then we think and could hold the front while Perks resting for low dollars?

Havlicek17 wrote:Although he isn't a real veteran, I think Hollins would be a great pick-up because of his upside. I believe he is a restricted FA so it may be tough to sign him. I read a Mavs article or two about him recently and I would be very surprised if they let him go. Maybe a S&T would work.

Although I don't dislike him, I am not so sure about Pachulia. I think he'll get MLE or better, so I would prefer to spend the same money on McDyess, Sheed, or another veteran C.

UGA, I am surprised you didn't speak glowingly of Ray's stats?

Ray was definitely awesome this year, way above my expectation and my expectations were low, as was really everyone (although I also think House plays a large role in being ranked 4 at SG instead of 7-9). I would still trade Ray b/c I think its in the interest of our team longterm and his value is extremely high, but people are definitely justified for wanting to keep him.

Other interesting things I saw include that Philly could be reall good next year being ranked high at PG and SF, with a couple of nice players coming up at the PF position with Speights and Young. Orlando looks really formidable when you consider there worst position was SG wich was manned aby a real and up and coming rookie in Lee. Portland could really use an upgrade at the point. I am going to take a closer look at the stats today to see if there are other player at positions beside C who might be bargains.