League's best backup big

[penbeast0]

Who is the best backup center in the NBA now, the one who should get a chance to start within a year?

[eminence]

I'm not sure who's all coming off the bench this season, but I feel quite good about the bench bigs of the teams I've been following closely this year.

Naz Reid and Kelly Olynyk.

I'm sure Al Horford deserves a mention.

[CumberlandPosey]

Honorable Mention to mo weezy , big dre , hartenstein and powell

[penbeast0]

And who is "mo weezy?"

[Narigo]

Does Daniel Gafford start for the wizards currently? I like him when he played with Chicago. He seems really solid with the wizards too whenever he plays against the bulls

[Bergmaniac]

And who is "mo weezy?"

Mo Wagner.

He's been really good offensively for us this year.

But other backup centre Goga Bitadze, who got to start due to Wendell Carter's injury, has been even better. He's been very good defensively and really dominant on the offensive glass.

[rk2023]

And who is "mo weezy?"

University of Michigan legend Moritz Wagner

[JimmyFromNz]

Honourable mention Okongwu alongside KO and Naz.

Prior to his latest injury would have been Robert Williams by default for me.

[penbeast0]

Does Daniel Gafford start for the wizards currently? I like him when he played with Chicago. He seems really solid with the wizards too whenever he plays against the bulls

Yes, he does.

[pillwenney]

My mind immediately went to Horford and Reid. If I had to pick one, it's probably still Horford. Still just a really damn good over all player.

[trex_8063]

Naz Reid has turned into a lights out shooter this year [knock on wood]. Athletic, good scorer in general, I would say. He has to be in the running.

The Godfather Al Horford has to at least be a mention: solid team rebounder, versatile defender (still!), spaces the floor, outstanding turnover economy.

Hartenstein's having a good year for NYK, too.

Dwight Powell in Dallas is still a decent roll man; assists at a relatively high rate for a big-man, too, though I don't watch Dallas enough to say if any are high-level dimes.

Okongwu [ATL] looks very good by the numbers; haven't watched any of Atlanta this year so far, though.

Jalen Smith has been hot early in Indiana, though I don't think it's sustainable.

EDIT: Oh yeah.....and Mo Wagner, too. Having a nice year in Orlando, it seems.


Anyway, I figure the best back-up bigman (I was going C only, btw, otherwise I'd have mentioned Bobby Portis, maybe some others) must be from among ^^these guys.

[trex_8063]

Does Daniel Gafford start for the wizards currently? I like him when he played with Chicago. He seems really solid with the wizards too whenever he plays against the bulls

I agree, he's been somewhere around that "lower to fair starter level"/"excellent back-up level" for a few years. Really good finisher, active blocking shots (though seems a bit excessively eager for the block), rebounds decent, not a total liability at the line.
I don't think he's a guy that's ever gonna break out beyond what he already is, personally. But what he already is is a useful player; I think he'll hover around 18-25 mpg for a few more years wherever he goes.

Looks like he's a starter this year, however; though averaging just UNDER 24 mpg.

[Texas Chuck]

Dwight Powell in Dallas is still a decent roll man; assists at a relatively high rate for a big-man, too, though I don't watch Dallas enough to say if any are high-level dimes.

One of the ways teams have been doubling Luka is really hard doubles in the PNR, so Luka back ups, absorbs the double and hits Powell (or Lively) at the FT line and then they kick it to whichever shooter is open. Both have been really decisive in their decision making which is good for the offense, but I wouldn't have Dwight Powell with any real playmaking chops. Just a really heady player tailor made to be a modern rim runner.

[penbeast0]

Love to get him on Washington, maybe Gafford and Tyus Jones for Giddey and Poku with Bertans going back (or getting cut) for salary matching? Giddey has the size to play next to Poole (sigh); both players going to OKC are good rotation guys, just not strong starters. I wouldn't do it for OKC though.

[rk2023]

Love to get him on Washington, maybe Gafford and Tyus Jones for Giddey and Poku with Bertans going back (or getting cut) for salary matching? Giddey has the size to play next to Poole (sigh); both players going to OKC are good rotation guys, just not strong starters. I wouldn't do it for OKC though.

Giddey and Bilal (who's been one of my favorite rookies so far) would be a very interesting front-court pairing

[penbeast0]

The plan isn't to use him in the frontcourt, it's to use him as a big guard next to Poole (or whoever). Forwards are our strength so far with Avdija, Kuzma, and Bilal all playing better than expected.

[rk2023]

The plan isn't to use him in the frontcourt, it's to use him as a big guard next to Poole (or whoever). Forwards are our strength so far with Avdija, Kuzma, and Bilal all playing better than expected.

I wouldn’t be opposed to this per-se if the Forwards can slot up in terms of their defense role, Deni and Bilal could have some serious utility here (wish Goodwin was still a Wizard). As for Giddey being slotted as a two, I’m curious how he’d fare with quicker & lower center of gravity players guarding him. Some of the off-ball skills and connectivity has started to finally show up, but a lot hinges on what his shot is going to develop into.

[Jaivl]

Santi Aldama